REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 1,
1998, by and among Visual Data Corporation, a Florida corporation, with
headquarters located at 0000 XX 00 Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 (the
"Company"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "Buyer" and collectively, the
"Buyers").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among
the parties of even date herewith (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers shares of the
Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares"), which
will be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.0001
per share (the "Common Stock") (as converted, the "Conversion Shares"), in
accordance with the terms of the Company's Articles of Amendment to Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles of Amendment"); and
B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 Act"), and
applicable state securities laws:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Buyers hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a. "Investor" means a Buyer and any transferee or assignee
thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees
to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section
9.
b. "Person" means a corporation, a limited liability company,
an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a
governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
c. "Register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the
1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
d. "Registrable Securities" means the Conversion Shares issued
or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, any shares of capital stock
issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares or the Preferred Shares
as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or
similar event or otherwise, regardless of any limitation on conversions of
Preferred Shares.
e. "Registration Statement" means a registration statement of
the Company filed under the 1933 Act.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as
soon as practicable but in no event later than the Filing Deadline (as defined
below), file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements
(as is necessary) either on Form SB-2 or S-3 (or, if either of such forms is
unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such
a registration, subject to the consent of the Investors holding a majority of
the Registrable Securities and the provisions of Section 2(c), which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld), covering the resale of all of the
Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) shall state that, in
accordance with Rule 416 promulgated under the 1933 Act, such Registration
Statement(s) also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of
Common Stock as may become issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (i)
to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions and (ii) by reason of changes in the Conversion Price or Conversion
Rate of the Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms thereof. Such
Registration Statement shall initially register for resale 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b). Such registered
shares of Common Stock shall be allocated among the Investors pro rata based on
the total number of Registrable Securities issued or issuable as of each date
that a Registration Statement, as amended, relating to the resale of the
Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC. The Company shall use
its best efforts to have the Registration Statement(s) declared effective by the
SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Effectiveness
Deadline (as defined below).
b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable
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Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors
based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time
of such establishment or increase, as the case may be. In the event an Investor
shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder's Registrable Securities,
each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining
number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for
such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement
and which remain allocated to any person or entity which does not hold any
Registrable Securities shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata
based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors. For
the avoidance of doubt, the number of Registrable Securities held by any
Investor shall be determined as if all Preferred Shares then outstanding were
converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities.
c. Counsel and Investment Bankers. Subject to Section 5
hereof, in connection with any offering pursuant to Section 2, the Investors
shall have the right to select one legal counsel and, in the event that the
holders of Registrable Securities are exercising their rights pursuant to
Section 2(d), an investment banker or bankers and manager or managers to
administer their interest in the offering, which investment banker or bankers or
manager or managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Company
shall reasonably cooperate with any such counsel and investment bankers.
d. Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time prior to the
expiration of the Registration Period (as hereinafter defined) the number of
shares of Common Stock available for sale under the Registration Statement is
insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in Section
3(b)) and the Company proposes to file with the SEC a Registration Statement
relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the
1933 Act of any of its securities (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their
then equivalents relating to securities to be issued solely in connection with
any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in
connection with stock option or other employee benefit plans) the Company shall
promptly send to each Investor who is entitled to registration rights under this
Section 2(d) written notice of the Company's intention to file a Registration
Statement and of such Investor's rights under this Section 2(d) and, if within
twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice, such Investor shall so request in
writing, the Company shall include in such Registration Statement all or any
part of the Registrable Securities such Investor requests to be registered,
subject to the priorities set forth in Section 2(e) below. No right to
registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2(d) shall be
construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a). The obligations
of the Company under this Section 2(d) may be waived by Investors holding a
majority of the Registrable Securities. If an offering in connection with which
an Investor is entitled to registration under this Section 2(d) is an
underwritten offering, then each Investor whose Registrable Securities are
included in such Registration Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the
Company, offer and sell such Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering
using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject to the provisions of
this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other shares of Common Stock
included in such underwritten offering.
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e. Priority in Piggy-Back Registration Rights in connection
with Registrations for Company Account. If the registration referred to in
Section 2(d) is to be an underwritten public offering and the managing
underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing, that in their reasonable good
faith opinion, marketing or other factors dictate that a limitation on the
number of shares of Common Stock which may be included in the Registration
Statement is necessary to facilitate and not adversely affect the proposed
offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (1) first, all
securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account, (2) second, up to
the full number of securities proposed to be registered for the account of the
holders of securities entitled to inclusion of their securities in the
Registration Statement by reason of demand registration rights, and (3) third,
the securities requested to be registered by the Investors and other holders of
securities entitled to participate in the registration, as of the date hereof,
drawn from them pro rata based on the number each has requested to be included
in such registration.
f. Eligibility for Form SB-2 and Form S-3. The Company
represents, warrants and covenants that on and after the date hereof it meets
the requirements for the use of either Form SB-2 or Form S-3 for registration of
the sale by the Investors of the Registrable Securities and the Company has
filed and shall file all reports required to be filed by the Company with the
SEC in a timely manner so as to obtain and maintain such eligibility for the use
of Form SB-2 or Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not available for sale
by the Investors of the Registrable Securities, then the Company shall undertake
to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is
available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared
effective by the SEC.
g. Rule 416. The Company and the Investors each acknowledge
that an indeterminate number of Registrable Securities shall be registered
pursuant to Rule 416 under the 1933 Act so as to include in such Registration
Statement any and all Registrable Securities which may become issuable (i) to
prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions and (ii) if permitted by law, by reason of reductions in the
Conversion Price (as defined in the Articles of Amendment) of the Preferred
Shares in accordance with the terms thereof, including, without limitation, the
terms which cause the Floating Conversion Price (as defined in the Articles of
Amendment) to decrease as the bid price of the Common Stock decreases
(collectively, the "Rule 416 Securities"). In this regard, the Company agrees to
use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the maximum number of Registrable
Securities which may be registered pursuant to Rule 416 under the 1933 Act are
covered by the Registration Statement and, absent guidance from the SEC or other
definitive authority to the contrary, the Company shall use all reasonable
efforts to affirmatively support and to not take any position adverse to the
position that the Registration Statement filed hereunder covers all of the Rule
416 Securities. If the Company determines that the Registration Statement filed
hereunder does not cover all of the Rule 416 Securities, the Company shall
immediately provide to each Investor written setting forth the basis for the
Company's position and the authority therefor.
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h. Registration Statement Election; Filing Deadline;
Effectiveness Deadline. Within twenty (20) days of the Initial Closing Date (as
defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), the Company shall elect to file
the Registration Statement or Registration Statements required by Section 2(a)
on either (i) Form SB-2 or (ii) Form S-3 and shall notify the Investors of such
election by facsimile or overnight courier. For purposes of this Agreement, the
"Filing Deadline" shall mean either (i) sixty (60) days after the Initial
Closing Date if the Company elects to file the Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 or (ii) August 15, 1998 if the Company elects to file the Registration
Statement on Form S-3. For purposes of this Agreement "Effectiveness Deadline"
shall mean either (i) 120 days after the Initial Closing Date if the Company
elects to file the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 or (ii) September 30,
1998, if the Company elects to file the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(provided, that, if the SEC reviews the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and,
in connection with such review, requests the audited financial statements of the
Company for the year ended September 30, 1998 before it will declare such
Registration Statement effective, then the Effectiveness Deadline shall mean
October 30, 1998).
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
Whenever an Investor has requested that any Registrable Securities be
registered pursuant to Section 2(d) or at such time as the Company is obligated
to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the
Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable
Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and,
pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (on or prior
to the Filing Deadline for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant
to Section 2(a)) and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as possible
after such filing (but in no event later than the Effectiveness Deadline for the
registration of Registrable Securities), and keep such Registration Statement
effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as
of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities without
restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor
thereto) or (ii) the date on which (A) the Investors shall have sold all the
Registrable Securities and (B) none of the Preferred Shares is outstanding (the
"Registration Period"), which Registration Statement (including any amendments
or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during
such
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period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such
Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities
shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration
Statement. In the event the number of shares available under a Registration
Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is insufficient to cover all of the
Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend such Registration Statement, or
file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if
applicable), or both, so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities, in each
case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within fifteen (15) days after
the necessity therefor arises (based on the market price of the Common Stock and
other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely). The
Company shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the
filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares
available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover
all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of Registrable
Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares is greater
than the quotient determined by dividing (i) the number of shares of Common
Stock available for resale under such Registration Statement by (ii) 1.5. For
purposes of the calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence, any
restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares shall be disregarded
and such calculation shall assume that the Preferred Shares are then convertible
and exercisable, respectively, into shares of Common Stock at the then
prevailing Conversion Rate (as defined in the Company's Articles of Amendment).
c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement and its legal
counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with
the SEC at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s)
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents
incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in
such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with
regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of
the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the
SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives, (ii) upon the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus
included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements
thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request)
and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final
prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order
to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such
Investor.
d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register
and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as any Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be
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reasonably necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect
at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions
reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale
in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required
in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business
in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such
jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such
jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify each Investor who holds
Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
e. In the event that the holders of Registrable Securities are
exercising their rights pursuant to Section 2(d) and Investors who hold a
majority of the Registrable Securities being offered in the offering select
underwriters for the offering, the Company shall enter into and perform its
obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form,
including, without limitation, customary indemnification and contribution
obligations, with the underwriters of such offering.
f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such
event, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the happening of any
event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement,
as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such
Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor (or such other
number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall
also promptly notify each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective
(notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to each Investor by
facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of
any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement
or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's
reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement would be appropriate.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the
issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or
suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at
the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold (and, in the event of an underwritten offering, the
managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.
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h. The Company shall permit each Investor and a single firm of
counsel, initially Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx or such other counsel as thereafter
designated as selling stockholders' counsel by the Investors who hold a majority
of the Registrable Securities being sold, to review and comment upon a
Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least four
(4) business days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document
in a form to which such counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit
a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of such counsel,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
i. At the request of any Investor, the Company shall use its
best efforts to furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an
Investor may reasonably request (i) in the event that the holders of Registrable
Securities are exercising their rights pursuant to Section 2(d), if required by
an underwriter, a letter, dated such date, from the Company's independent
certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by
independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten
public offering, addressed to the underwriters, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of
such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration
Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an
underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters and the Investors.
j. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
Registration Statement, (iii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants
or other agents retained by the Investors, and (iv) one firm of attorneys
retained by all such underwriters (collectively, the "Inspectors") all pertinent
financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably deemed
necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request;
provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in strict confidence and shall
not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other
information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and
of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure
of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in
any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the
release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena
or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the
information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which
the Inspector has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning
that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body
of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the
Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action
to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records
deemed confidential.
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k. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any
disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless
(i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.
l. The Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause
all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed
on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series
issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such
Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or
(ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered
by the Registration Statement on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Company shall
pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under
this Section 3(l).
m. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, any managing
underwriter or underwriters, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the
Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and
enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may
be, as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or, if there is no
managing underwriter or underwriters, the Investors may reasonably request and
registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or
the Investors may request.
n. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions
necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
o. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar
for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.
p. If requested by the managing underwriters or an Investor,
the Company shall (i) immediately incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriters and the
Investors agree should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution
of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with
respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters,
the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and any other terms
of the underwritten (or best efforts underwritten) offering of the Registrable
Securities to be sold in
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such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the matters to be incorporated
in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement
or make amendments to any Registration Statement if requested by a shareholder
or any underwriter of such Registrable Securities.
q. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities
as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities.
r. The Company shall make generally available to its security
holders as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the
period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
s. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.
t. Within two (2) business days after the Registration
Statement which includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the
SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to
deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that the Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
u. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(f),
at any time after the Registration Statement has been declared effective, the
Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning
the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith
opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the best
interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise
required (a "Grace Period"); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i)
notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material, non-public
information giving rise to a Grace Period and the date on which the Grace Period
will begin, and (ii) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the
Grace Period ends; and, provided further, that during any consecutive 365 day
period, there shall be only one Grace Period, such Grace Period not to exceed 20
days (an "Allowable Grace Period"). For purposes of determining the length of a
Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the
Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) above and shall end on
and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (ii)
above. The provisions of Section 2(c) of the Articles of Amendment shall not be
applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of
the Allowable Grace Period, the Company shall again be bound by the first
sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto. In
the event of any Grace Period, the
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Maturity Date (as defined in the Articles of Amendment) shall be delayed one day
for each day in the Grace Period as provided in Section 2(h) of the Articles of
Amendment.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
a. At least seven (7) days prior to the first anticipated
filing date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor
in writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if
such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities
included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to
the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this
Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor
that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding
itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of
disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably
required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall
execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may
reasonably request.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the
Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any
Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company
in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's
Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
c. In the event any Investor elects to participate in an
underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 2, each such Investor agrees to
enter into and perform such Investor's obligations under an underwriting
agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without limitation, customary
indemnification and contribution obligations and, if requested by the
underwriters, customary lock-up arrangements (on terms no more restrictive than
the lock-up arrangements applicable to the management of the Company), with the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities, unless such Investor notifies the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
d. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from
the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g)
or the first sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s)
covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the
first sentence of 3(f).
e. No Investor may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Investors entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements, (ii)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
-11-
underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of
all underwriting discounts and commissions.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions and transfer taxes, incurred in connection with registrations,
filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without
limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and
accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees
and disbursements of one counsel for the Investors, which fees shall not exceed
$3,000, shall be paid by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
Registration Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will,
and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor who holds
such Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees,
agents of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any Investor within the
meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"1934 Act"), and any underwriter (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) for the Investors,
and the directors and officers of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any
such underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an
"Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys' fees, amounts paid in
settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, "Claims") incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry,
proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any
court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the
SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or
may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"), to which any of them may become
subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or
threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in
connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other
"blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered
("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not
misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date
of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended
or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any
material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein
-12-
were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the
Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without
limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder
relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii)
being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 6(d) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall
reimburse the Investors and each such underwriter or controlling person,
promptly as such expenses are incurred, subject to documentation, if requested
by the Company, and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable
expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such
Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to
a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by any
Indemnified Person or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use
in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made
available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c); (ii) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from
whom the person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities
that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such
person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(c), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in
writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a
violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it;
(iii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of
the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made
available by the Company; and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement
of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of
the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not
jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each
of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act
(collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified Party"),
against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become
subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or
Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case
to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and,
subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim; provided, however, that
-13-
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with
respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid
in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior
written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under
this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does
not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.
c. The Company shall be entitled to receive indemnities from
underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry
professionals participating in any distribution, to the same extent as provided
above, with respect to information such persons so furnished in writing
expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement.
d. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any
action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving
a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in
respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section
6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement
thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and,
to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof
with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified
Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in
the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying
party shall pay for only one separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons
or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such counsel shall be selected by
Investors holding a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included
in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates, if the Investors are
entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is
entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in
connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the
indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information
reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which
relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified
-14-
Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any
settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be
liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without
its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not
unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party
shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other
compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a
release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following
indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be
subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with
respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for
which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to
the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action.
e. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be
made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages
are incurred.
f. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in
addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any
liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not
have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in
Section 6; (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of
Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds
received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits
of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at
-15-
any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public
without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. for a period of two years from the last Closing Date make
and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined
in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns
Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the
Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to
permit the investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without
registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically
assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of
Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the
transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is
furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii)
the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment,
furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or
assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights
are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or
assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or
assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws;
(iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated
by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing
with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v)
such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who hold two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities. Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding
upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the
extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable
Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any person to amend or
consent to a waiver or
-16-
modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same
consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable
Securities.
b. Any notices consents, waivers or other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when
delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided a
confirmation of transmission is mechanically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); (iii) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to
receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications
shall be:
If to the Company:
Visual Data Corporation
0000 XX 00 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
With a copy to:
Atlas Xxxxxxxx Trop & Borkson, P.A.
000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number on the Schedule of
Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's counsel as set
forth on the Schedule of Buyers.
Each party shall provide five (5) days prior notice to the other party of any
change in address, phone number or facsimile number.
-17-
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under
this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or
remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. The corporate laws of the State of Florida shall govern all
issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders. All
other questions regarding the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. Each
party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state
and federal courts sitting the City of New York, borough of Manhattan, for the
adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any
transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably
waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the
venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby
irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being
served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such
party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right
to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
e. This Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement
constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and
therein. This Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement supersede all
prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and
assigns of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall
constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party,
may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy
of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this
Agreement.
-18-
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the
Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified
in this Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable
Securities, determined as if all of the Preferred Shares then outstanding have
been converted into Registrable Securities.
k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be
the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules
of strict construction will be applied against any party.
-19-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
COMPANY: BUYERS:
VISUAL DATA CORPORATION THEMIS PARTNERS L.P.
By: Promethean Investment Group L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
------------------------- -------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
Its: President Its: President
5-1-98
HERACLES FUND
By: Promethean Investment Group L.L.C.
Its: Investment Advisor
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
-------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
Its: President
-20-
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
Number of
Investor Address Preferred Shares Investor's Representatives' Address
Investor Name and Facsimile Number Initial/Additional and Facsimile Number
------------- -------------------- ------------------ -----------------------------------
Themis Partners L.P. c/o Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C. 50/50 Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C.
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 10019 Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx. Attn: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Zavis
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: 312-902-1061
Heracles Fund Bank of Bermuda (Cayman) Limited 100/100 Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C.
X.X. Xxx 000 40 West 57th Street, Suite 1520
3rd Floor British Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Xx. Xxx'x Drive Attn: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxx, Xx.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Cayman Island, BWI Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Zavis
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[TRANSFER AGENT]
Attn:
Re: VISUAL DATA CORPORATION
-----------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to VISUAL DATA CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (the
"Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") entered into by and
among the Company and the Buyers named therein (collectively, the "Holders")
pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of its Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (the "Preferred
Shares"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into
a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to
register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), including the shares of the Common Stock of the Company, par value
$0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock") issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Shares, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In
connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement, on ____________ ___, 1998, the Company filed a Registration Statement
on Form _____ (File No. 333- _____________) (the "Registration Statement") with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable
Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
[Company Counsel]
By:________________________
cc: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]
