INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This
Investor Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is
made and entered into as of July 23, 2008 among NetSol Technologies, Inc.,
a
Nevada corporation (the “Company”),
and
each of the purchasers executing this Agreement (collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This
Agreement is being entered into pursuant to the Convertible Note Purchase
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the
Purchasers (the “Purchase
Agreement”).
The
Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized
terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such
terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
“Advice”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3(m).
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
controls or is controlled by or under common control with such Person. For
the
purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person,
means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms of
“affiliated,” “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
“Blackout
Period”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n).
“Board”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n).
“Business
Day”
means
any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be a legal holiday
or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are
authorized or required by law or other government actions to close.
“Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common
Stock”
means
the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
“Effectiveness
Period”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“Event”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 8(e).
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Holder”
or
“Holders”
means
the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable
Securities, including without limitation the Purchasers and their assignees.
1
“Indemnified
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Losses”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Person”
means
an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or
unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint
stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or
other entity of any kind.
“Proceeding”
means
an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without
limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition),
whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus”
means
the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from
a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance
upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented
by
any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement,
and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus.
“Registrable
Securities”
means
(a) the Conversion Shares (without regard to any limitations on beneficial
ownership or issuance contained in the Notes) or other securities issued or
issuable to each Purchaser or its transferee or designee (i) upon conversion
or
exchange of the Notes and/or as interest on the Notes (including without
limitation any and all shares of Common Stock issued upon purchase of any Notes
by the Company), or (ii) upon any distribution with respect to, any exchange
for
or any replacement of such Notes, or (iii) upon any conversion, exercise or
exchange of any securities issued in connection with any such distribution,
exchange or replacement; (b) securities issued or issuable upon any stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing;
and (c) any other security issued as a dividend or other distribution with
respect to, in exchange for, in replacement or redemption of, or in reduction
of
the liquidation value of, any of the securities referred to in the preceding
clauses; provided, however, that such securities shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when such securities have been sold to or through a broker or dealer
or underwriter in a public distribution or a public securities transaction
or
when such securities may be sold without any restriction pursuant to Rule
144(d)(1)(ii) as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written
opinion letter, addressed to the Company's transfer agent to such effect as
described in Section 2 of this Agreement.
“Registration
Statement”
means
the registration statements and any additional registration statements
contemplated by Section 2, including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments
and supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre-
and
post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated
by reference in such registration statement.
2
“Rule
144”
means
Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as
such
Rule.
“Rule
158”
means
Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as
such
Rule.
“Rule
415”
means
Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as
such
Rule.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Special
Counsel”
means
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, P.C.
2. Piggy-Back
Registrations.
If at
any time when there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all
of
the Registrable Securities, the Company shall determine to prepare and file
with
the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own
account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity
securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the
Securities Act) or its then equivalents relating to equity 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, then the Company shall send to each Holder of Registrable
Securities written notice of such determination and, if within seven (7)
Business Days after receipt of such notice, any such Holder shall so request
in
writing (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to
be
disposed of by the Holder), the Company will cause the registration under the
Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been so
requested to register by the Holder, to the extent required to permit the
disposition of the Registrable Securities so to be registered, provided that
if
at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any
securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed
in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason
not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may,
at
its election, give written notice of such determination to such Holder and,
thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved
of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with
such
registration (but not from its obligation to pay expenses in accordance with
Section 4 hereof), and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registering,
shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable Securities being
registered pursuant to this Section 8(d) for the same period as the delay in
registering such other securities. The Company shall include in such
registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such
Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the Company shall
not
be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section
8(d)
that are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(d)(1)(ii) of the Securities
Act.
In the case of an underwritten public offering, if the managing underwriter(s)
or underwriter(s) should reasonably object to the inclusion of the Registrable
Securities in such registration statement, then if the Company after
consultation with the managing underwriter should reasonably determine that
the
inclusion of such Registrable Securities would materially adversely affect
the
offering contemplated in such registration statement, and based on such
determination recommends inclusion in such registration statement of fewer
or
none of the Registrable Securities of the Holders, then (x) the number of
Registrable Securities of the Holders included in such registration statement
shall be reduced pro-rata among such Holders (based upon the number of
Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration), if the
Company after consultation with the underwriter(s) recommends the inclusion
of
fewer Registrable Securities, or (y) none of the Registrable Securities of
the
Holders shall be included in such registration statement, if the Company after
consultation with the underwriter(s) recommends the inclusion of none of such
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that if securities are being offered
for the account of other persons or entities as well as the Company, such
reduction shall not represent a greater fraction of the number of Registrable
Securities intended to be offered by the Holders than the fraction of similar
reductions imposed on such other persons or entities (other than the Company).
The Company shall keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under
the Securities Act until such date as is the earlier of (x) the date when all
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold
or
(y) the date on which all Registrable Securities may be sold without any
restriction pursuant to Rule 144(d)(1)(ii) as determined by the counsel to
the
Company pursuant to a written opinion letter, addressed to the Company's
transfer agent to such effect (the “Effectiveness
Period”).
3
3. Registration
Procedures.
In
connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder, the Company
shall:
(a)
Include
in any Registration Statement a Plan of Distribution substantially in the form
of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto with respect to the Holders selling Registrable Securities. Not less
than
three (3) Business Days prior to the filing of the Registration Statement or
any
related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall
(i)
furnish to the Special Counsel, copies of all such documents proposed to be
filed, which documents (other than those incorporated by reference) will be
subject to the review of such Special Counsel, and (ii) at the request of any
Holder cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent certified
public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel to such Holders, to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not
file the Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities or the Special Counsel shall reasonably object in writing within
three (3) Business Days after their receipt thereof, unless counsel to the
Company determines in writing that such objection is without
merit.
4
(b) (i)
Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the
Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable
Securities for the Effectiveness Period and to the extent any Registrable
Securities are not included in such Registration Statement for reasons other
than the failure of the Holder to comply with Section 3(m) hereof, shall prepare
and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order
to
register for resale under the Securities Act all Registrable Securities; (ii)
cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant
to
Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the
Securities Act; (iii) respond as promptly as possible, and in no event later
than 10 Business Days, to any comments received from the Commission with respect
to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and as promptly as
possible provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence
from
and to the Commission relating to the Registration Statement; and (iv) comply
in
all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by
the
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in the
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented.
(c) Notify
the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold and the Special Counsel as
promptly as possible (A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement is proposed to be filed
(but in no event in the case of this subparagraph (A), less than three (3)
Business Days prior to date of such filing); (B) when the Commission notifies
the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and
whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement;
and
(C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective (which notice shall be delivered to the
Purchasers and Special Counsel on the same day as such effectiveness), and
after
the effectiveness thereof: (i) of any request by the Commission or any other
Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (ii) of
the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the
Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or
the
initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iii) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
in
any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; and (iv) if the financial statements included in the Registration
Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein or of the occurrence of any
event that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to the
Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case
of
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Without limitation to any remedies to which the Holders may be entitled under
this Agreement, if any of the events described in clauses (i) through (iv)
of
Section 3(c)(C) occurs, the Company shall use its best efforts to respond to
and
correct the event.
5
(d) Use
its
best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, use best efforts to obtain
the withdrawal of, (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(e) If
requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities, (i) promptly incorporate
in a
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
such information as the Company reasonably agrees should be included therein
and
(ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement
or
post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to take any action pursuant to this Section 3(e) that would, in the
written opinion of counsel for the Company (addressed to the Special Counsel),
violate applicable law.
(f) Furnish
to each Holder and the Special Counsel, without charge, at least one conformed
copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and all exhibits to the extent requested
by
such Person (including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference)
promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly
deliver to each Holder and the Special Counsel, without charge, as many copies
of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request; and
the
Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus
and
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior
to
any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to register
or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders and the Special Counsel in
connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such
registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and
sale
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United
States as any Holder requests in writing, to keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period
and to do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable
the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by
a
Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is
not
then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general service
of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or subject the
Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
subject.
6
(i) Cooperate
with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive
legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations
and registered in such names as any Holder may request at least two (2) Business
Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities. In connection therewith,
the
Company shall promptly after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
(but no later than one day thereafter) cause an opinion of counsel to be
delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other
authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent,
which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable
Securities without legend upon sale by the Holder of such shares of Registrable
Securities under the Registration Statement.
(j) Upon
the
occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(c)(C)(iii) or (iv), as
promptly as possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a
post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to
the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(k) Cause
all
Registrable Securities relating to such Registration Statement to be listed
on
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market.
(l) Comply
in
all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission and make generally available to its security holders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
and
Rule 158 not later than 45 days after the end of any 3-month period (or 90
days
after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing
on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective
date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall conform to the
requirements of Rule 158.
(m) Request
each selling Holder to furnish to the Company information regarding such Holder
and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as is required by law or
the
Commission to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, and the Company may
exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any such Holder
who
fails (i) to furnish such information or (ii) to agree to furnish, upon request,
such additional information regarding such Holder as may later be required
by
law to be disclosed, in each case, within a reasonable time prior to the filing
of each Registration Statement, supplemented Prospectus and/or amended
Registration Statement.
If
the
Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder
of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to
require (if such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required
by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force) the deletion
of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such
reference ceases to be required.
7
Each
Holder agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon
receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the
kind
described in Section 3(c)(i), 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), such Holder
will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under
the
Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement contemplated
by
Section 3(j), or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”)
by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either
case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement.
(n) If
(i)
there is material non-public information regarding the Company which the
Company's Board of Directors (the “Board”)
reasonably determines not to be in the Company's best interest to disclose
and
which the Company is not otherwise required to disclose, or (ii) there is a
significant business opportunity (including, but not limited to, the acquisition
or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or
any
merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available
to
the Company which the Board reasonably determines not to be in the Company's
best interest to disclose and which the Company would be required to disclose
under the Registration Statement, then the Company may postpone or suspend
filing or effectiveness of a registration statement for a period not to exceed
20 consecutive days, provided that the Company may not postpone or suspend
its
obligation under this Section 3(n) for more than 30 days in the aggregate during
any 12 month period (each, a “Blackout
Period”).
4. Registration
Expenses.
All
fees
and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement
by
the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not the Registration
Statement is filed or becomes effective and whether or not any Registrable
Securities are sold pursuant to the Registration Statement. The fees and
expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with each
other securities exchange, quotation system or market on which Registrable
Securities are required hereunder to be listed, (B) with respect to filings
required to be made with the Commission, and (C) in compliance with state
securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of Special Counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications
of
the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions
as
the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities may designate)), (ii)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing or photocopying
prospectuses), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, (v) fees
and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Company's independent public accountants (including,
in
the case of an underwritten offering, the expenses of any comfort letters or
costs associated with the delivery by independent public accountants of a
comfort letter or comfort letters) and legal counsel, and (vi) fees and expenses
of the Special Counsel in connection with any Registration Statement hereunder.
In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses
incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense
of
any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing
of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required
hereunder.
8
5. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification
by the Company.
The
Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify
and
hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, brokers (including
brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result
of a
pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock),
investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person who controls
any
such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, agents and employees of
each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law,
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs
(including, without limitation, costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys'
fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”),
as
incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or
relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of
any
Prospectus or form of prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except
to
the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions
are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing
to
the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, which information was
reasonably relied on by the Company for use therein or to the extent that such
information relates to (x) such Holder and was reviewed and expressly approved
in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement,
such
Prospectus or such form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or (y) such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities
as set forth in Exhibit A (or as such Holder otherwise informs the Company
in
writing); or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type described
in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), the use by a Holder of an
outdated or defective Prospectus after the delivery to the Holder of written
notice from the Company that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior
to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 3(m). The
Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such indemnity shall remain in
full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an
Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 5(c) to this Agreement) and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the
Holders.
9
(b) Indemnification
by Holders.
Each
Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls
the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section
20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents and employees
of
such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising solely out of or based solely
upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or
supplement thereto, or arising solely out of or based solely upon any omission
of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or
supplement thereto, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made) not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such
untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information
so
furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion
in
the Registration Statement or such Prospectus and that such information was
reasonably relied upon by the Company for use in the Registration Statement,
such Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or to the extent
that such information relates to (x) such Holder and was reviewed and expressly
approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration
Statement, such Prospectus, or such form of prospectus or in any amendment
or
supplement thereto or (y) such Holder's proposed method of distribution of
Registrable Securities as set forth in Exhibit A (or as such Holder otherwise
informs the Company in writing) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an
event
of the type described in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), the
use
by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the delivery to the
Holder of written notice from the Company that the Prospectus is outdated or
defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated
in
Section 3(m); provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in
this
Section 5(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses if
such
settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Holder, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Holder shall be liable under this Section 5(b)
for only that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Holder as
a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement.
(c) Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings.
If any
Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity
hereunder (an “Indemnified
Party”),
such
Indemnified Party promptly shall notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought
(the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
and
the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with
defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give
such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or
liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that
it
shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which
determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure
shall have proximately and materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying
Party.
10
An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume
the
defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such
Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such
Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified
Party
and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised
by counsel in writing (with a copy to the Indemnifying Party) that a conflict
of
interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified
Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ
separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying
Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel
shall be at the reasonable expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying
Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected
without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect
of
which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not impose any monetary
or other obligation or restriction on the Indemnified Party.
All
reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable
fees
and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or
preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this
Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party, which notice
shall be delivered no more frequently than on a monthly basis (regardless of
whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled
to
indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require
such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses
to
the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party
is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder).
(d) Contribution.
If a
claim for indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an
Indemnified Party because of a failure or refusal of a governmental authority
to
enforce such indemnification in accordance with its terms (by reason of public
policy or otherwise), then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying
such
Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and
Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that
resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission
or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates
to
information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and
the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to
correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or
payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 5(c), any reasonable attorneys' or
other
reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any
Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees
or
expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available
to
such party in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Holder shall be required to contribute under
this
Section 5(d) for only that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such
Holder as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
11
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by
any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f)
of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition
to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties. The indemnity and contribution agreements herein are in addition to
and
not in diminution or limitation of any indemnification provisions under the
Purchase Agreement.
6. Rule
144.
As
long
as any Holder owns any Notes or Conversion Shares, the Company covenants to
timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the
applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after
the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. As
long
as any Holder owns any Notes or, Conversion Shares, if the Company is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act,
it will prepare and furnish to the Holders and make publicly available in
accordance with Rule 144(c) promulgated under the Securities Act annual and
quarterly financial statements, together with a discussion and analysis of
such
financial statements in form and substance substantially similar to those that
would otherwise be required to be included in reports required by Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as any other information required thereby,
in the time period that such filings would have been required to have been
made
under the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it will take such
further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable such Person to sell Conversion Shares without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, including compliance
with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement relating to the transfer of the
Conversion Shares. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver
to
such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether
it has complied with such requirements.
12
7. Covenants
of Purchasers.
In
connection with the Registration Statement, each of the Purchasers covenants
as
follows:
(a)
Unless and until such Purchaser has provided written notice to the Company
to
the contrary, all sales of Registrable Securities by such Purchaser shall be
made without payment of underwriting discounts or commissions except for the
usual and customary commission paid to brokers or dealers.
(b)
Such
Purchaser shall advise the Company of any arrangement with a broker or dealer
for the sale of such Purchaser’s Registrable Securities through a block trade,
special offering, exchange or secondary distribution or a principal purchase
by
a broker or dealer, and the details of such transaction.
(c)
Such
Purchaser shall comply with all prospectus delivery requirements with respect
to
sales of the Registrable Securities to the extent required by the Securities
Act
and other applicable law.
(d)
Such
Purchaser shall report to the Company, upon written request of the Company,
whether all Registrable Securities held by such Purchaser have been sold or
otherwise transferred.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies.
In the
event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder, of any of their obligations
under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under
this
Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific
performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each Holder
agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any
losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense
that
a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No
Inconsistent Agreements.
Except
as otherwise disclosed in the Purchase Agreement, neither the Company nor any
of
its subsidiaries is a party to an agreement currently in effect, nor shall
the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement,
enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent
with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts
with the provisions hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
without the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding
Registrable Securities, the Company shall not grant to any Person the right
to
request the Company to register any securities of the Company under the
Securities Act unless the rights so granted are subject in all respects to
the
prior rights in full of the Holders set forth herein, and are not otherwise
in
conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.
13
(c) Notice
of Effectiveness.
Within
two (2) Business Days after the Registration Statement which includes the
Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the Commission, 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 Holders
whose
Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation
that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission
in
form and substance reasonably acceptable to the holders of Registrable
Securities.
(d) [Intentionally
Left Blank.]
(e) Failure
to File Registration Statement and Other Events.
The
Company and the Holders agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the
Registration Statement is not filed and maintained in the manner contemplated
herein during the Effectiveness Period. The Company and the Holders further
agree that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages
with
precision. Accordingly, if (i) the Company fails to include Registrable
Securities in a registration statement filed with the Commission under the
Securities Act to the extent required in accordance herewith, or (ii) the
Registration Statement is filed with and declared effective by the Commission
but thereafter ceases to be effective as to all Registrable Securities at any
time prior to the expiration of the Effectiveness Period, without being
succeeded promptly by a subsequent Registration Statement filed with the
Commission, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, including pursuant
to Section 3(n), or (iii) trading in the Common Stock shall be suspended or
if
the Common Stock is delisted from any securities exchange, quotation system
or
market on which Registrable Securities are required hereunder to be listed
(each
an “Exchange”),
without immediately being listed on any other Exchange, for any reason for
more
than one (1) Business Day, other than pursuant to Section 3(n), or (iv) the
conversion or redemption rights of the Holders are suspended for any reason
without the consent of the particular Holder, or (v) the Company has breached
Section 3(n) of this Agreement (any such failure or breach being referred to
as
an “Event”),
the
Company shall pay in cash as liquidated damages for such failure and not as
a
penalty to each Holder an amount equal to one percent (1%) of such Holder's
Purchase Price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement for the
initial thirty (30) day period until the applicable Event has been cured, which
shall be pro rated for such periods less than thirty (30) days, and one percent
(1%) of such Holder's Purchase Price paid by such Holder pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement for each subsequent thirty (30) day period until the
applicable Event has been cured which shall be pro rated for such periods less
than thirty days (the “Periodic
Amount”).
Payments to be made pursuant to this Section 8(e) shall be due and payable
immediately upon demand in immediately available cash funds. The parties agree
that the Periodic Amount represents a reasonable estimate on the part of the
parties, as of the date of this Agreement, of the amount of damages that may
be
incurred by the Holders in connection with such Event. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company shall remain obligated to cure the breach or correct
the
condition that caused the Event, and the Holder shall have the right to take
any
action necessary or desirable to enforce such obligation.
14
(f) Specific
Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction.
(i) The
Company and the Holders acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.
It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement
and
to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition
to any other remedy to which any of them may be entitled by law or
equity.
(ii) Each
of
the Company and the Holders (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York City, New
York
for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating
to
this Agreement and (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such
suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to
the
jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought
in an
inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is
improper. Each of the Company and the Holders consents to process being served
in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party
at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees
that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing in this Section 8(f) shall affect or limit any right to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.
(g) Amendments
and Waivers.
The
provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may
not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from
the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing
and
signed by the Company and the Holders of at least 75% of the Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from
the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to
the
rights of Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights
of
other Holders may be given by Holders of the Registrable Securities to which
such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this
sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance
with
the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(h) Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earlier of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile telephone number specified for
notice prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day, (ii) the
next
Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is
delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number specified in this Section on
a
day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on
any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on such date, (iii)
the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized
overnight courier service such as Federal Express or (iv) actual receipt by
the
party to whom such notice is required to be given. The addresses for such
communications shall be with respect to each Holder at its address set forth
under its name on Schedule
1
attached
hereto, or with respect to the Company, addressed to:
15
Netsol
Technologies, Inc.
00000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
General Counsel
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
or
to
such other address or addresses or facsimile number or numbers as any such
party
may most recently have designated in writing to the other parties hereto by
such
notice. Copies of notices to any Holder shall be sent to the addresses set
forth
on the signature page of such Holder to the Purchase Agreement.
(i) Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each
Holder and its successors and assigns; provided, that the Company may not assign
this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of each Holder; and provided, further, that each Holder may
assign its rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under
the Purchase Agreement.
(j) Assignment
of Registration Rights.
The
rights of each Holder hereunder, including the right to have the Company
register for resale Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of
this
Agreement, shall be automatically assignable by each Holder to any transferee
of
such Holder of all or a portion of the Notes or the Registrable Securities
if:
(i) the Holder 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) following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignees is restricted under the Securities
Act
and applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this Section 8(j),
the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by
all
of the provisions of this Agreement, and (v) such transfer shall have been
made
in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Purchase Agreement. The
rights to assignment shall apply to the Holders (and to subsequent) successors
and assigns.
The
Company may require, as a condition of allowing such assignment in connection
with a transfer of Notes or Registrable Securities (i) that the Holder or
transferee of all or a portion of the Notes or the Registrable Securities as
the
case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of counsel that is
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer may be
made without registration under the Securities Act, (ii) that the Holder or
transferee execute and deliver to the Company an investment letter in form
and
substance acceptable to the Company and (iii) that the transferee be an
“accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities
Act.
16
(k) Counterparts;
Facsimile.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when
so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature
is
delivered by electronic image or facsimile transmission, such signature shall
create a valid binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf
such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such
electronic image or facsimile signature were the original thereof.
(l) Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law
thereof.
(m) Cumulative
Remedies.
The
remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies
provided by law.
(n) Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable in any
respect, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions
set
forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may
be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(o) Headings.
The
headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this
Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions
hereof.
(p) Registrable
Securities Held by the Company and its Affiliates.
Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by
the
Company or its Affiliates (other than any Holder or transferees or successors
or
assigns thereof if such Holder is deemed to be an Affiliate solely by reason
of
its holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining
whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required
percentage.
(q) Obligations
of Purchasers.
The
Company acknowledges that the obligations of each Purchaser under this
Agreement, are several and not joint with the obligations of any other
Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance
of the obligations of any other Purchaser under this Agreement. The decision
of
each Purchaser to enter into to this Agreement has been made by such Purchaser
independently of any other Purchaser. The Company further acknowledges that
nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken by any Purchaser
pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership,
an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a
presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group
with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each
Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights,
including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement, and
it
shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional
party in any proceeding for such purpose.
17
Each
Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it has been represented by its own
separate legal counsel in their review and negotiation of this Agreement and
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. For reasons of
administrative convenience only, this Agreement has been prepared by Special
Counsel (counsel for The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (“TWF”))
and
the Special Counsel will perform certain duties under this Agreement. Such
counsel does not represent all of the Purchasers but only TWF. The Company
has
elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Agreement for the
convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to
do so
by the Purchasers. The Company acknowledges that such procedure with respect
to
this Agreement in no way creates a presumption that the Purchasers are in any
way acting in concert or as a group with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
[signature
page follows]
18
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Investor Rights Agreement
to be duly executed by their respective authorized persons as of the date first
indicated above.
COMPANY:
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
PURCHASERS:
THE
TAIL WIND FUND LTD.
By:
|
THE
TAIL WIND ADVISORY & MANAGEMENT LTD.,
|
|
as
investment manager
|
||
Xxxxx
Xxxxx, CEO
|
XXXXXXX
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
|
|
By:
|
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx, Director
|
THE
TAIL WIND ADVISORY & MANAGEMENT LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx, CEO
|
[Omnibus
NetSol Technologies, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement Signature
Page]
EXHIBIT
A
PLAN
OF
DISTRIBUTION
We
are
registering the shares of common stock on behalf of the selling security
holders. Sales of shares may be made by selling security holders, including
their respective donees, transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest
directly to purchasers or to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or through
agents. Sales may be made from time to time on the Nasdaq Capital Market, any
other exchange or market upon which our shares may trade in the future, in
the
over-the-counter market or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time
of
sale, at prices related to market prices, or at negotiated or fixed prices.
The
shares may be sold by one or more of, or a combination of, the
following:
-
|
a
block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to
sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block
as
principal to facilitate the transaction (including crosses in which
the
same broker acts as agent for both sides of the
transaction);
|
-
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer,
including resales for its account, pursuant to this
prospectus;
|
-
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits
purchases;
|
-
|
through
options, swaps or derivatives;
|
-
|
in
privately negotiated transactions;
|
-
|
in
making short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus
or in
transactions to cover such short sales; and
|
-
|
put
or call option transactions relating to the shares.
|
The
selling security holders may effect these transactions by selling shares
directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers, which may act as agents
or principals. These broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling security holders and/or
the purchasers of shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or
to
whom they sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular
broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). The selling security
holders have advised us that they have not entered into any agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding
the sale of their securities.
21
The
selling security holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers
or other financial institutions. In connection with those transactions, the
broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of
the
shares or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for the shares in
the
course of hedging positions they assume with the selling security holders.
The
selling security holders may also enter into options or other transactions
with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery of
shares offered by this prospectus to those broker-dealers or other financial
institutions. The broker-dealer or other financial institution may then resell
the shares pursuant to this prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if required
by applicable law, to reflect those transactions).
The
selling security holders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with
the
sale of shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section
2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, and any commissions received by
broker-dealers or any profit on the resale of the shares sold by them while
acting as principals may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions
under the Securities Act. The selling security holders may agree to indemnify
any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving
sales of the shares against liabilities, including liabilities arising under
the
Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify each of the selling security holders
and each selling security holder has agreed, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify us against some liabilities in connection with the offering of the
shares, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The
selling security holders will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. We have informed the selling security holders that the
anti-manipulative provisions of Regulation M promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales in the market.
Selling
security holders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market
transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided they
meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of Rule 144.
Upon
being notified by a selling security holder that a material arrangement has
been
entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade,
special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase
by a broker or dealer, we will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required
pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing:
-
|
the
name of each such selling security holder and of the participating
broker-dealer(s);
|
-
|
the
number of shares involved;
|
-
|
the
initial price at which the shares were
sold;
|
-
|
the
commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to the
broker-dealer(s), where applicable;
|
-
|
that
such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify
the
information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus;
and
|
-
|
other
facts material to the
transactions.
|
22
In
addition, if required under applicable law or the rules or regulations of the
Commission, we will file a supplement to this prospectus when a selling security
holder notifies us that a donee or pledgee intends to sell more than 500 shares
of common stock.
We
are
paying all expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the shares.
The selling security holders will bear all brokerage or underwriting discounts
or commissions paid to broker-dealers in connection with the sale of the
shares.
23