SECURED TERM NOTE
Exhibit 10.3 | ||
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, | ||
AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE | ||
SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE | ||
OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE UNDER | ||
SAID ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION | ||
OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO ELEC COMMUNICATIONS | ||
CORP. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. | ||
THIS NOTE IS REGISTERED WITH THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO SECTION | ||
11.4(B) OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW). TRANSFER OF | ||
ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THIS NOTE IS PERMITTED SUBJECT TO THE | ||
PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SUCH SECTION 11.4(B) WHICH REQUIRE, AMONG | ||
OTHER THINGS, THAT NO TRANSFER IS EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE TRANSFEREE | ||
IS REFLECTED AS SUCH ON THE REGISTRY MAINTAINED WITH THE AGENT | ||
PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION 11.4(B). | ||
SECURED TERM NOTE | ||
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ELEC COMMUNICATIONS CORP., a New York | ||
corporation (the “Company”) hereby promises to pay to VALENS OFFSHORE SPV II, CORP. | ||
(the “Holder”) or its registered assigns or successors in interest, the sum of Six Hundred | ||
Thousand Dollars ($600,000), together with any accrued and unpaid interest hereon, on | ||
September 28, 2010 (the “Maturity Date”) if not sooner paid. | ||
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed | ||
to such terms in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as | ||
amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Purchase | ||
Agreement”) among the Company, the Holder, each other Purchaser and LV Administrative | ||
Services, Inc., as administrative and collateral agent for the Purchasers (the “Agent” together | ||
with the Purchasers, collectively, the “Creditor Parties”). | ||
The following terms shall apply to this Secured Term Note (this “Note”): | ||
ARTICLE I | ||
CONTRACT RATE AND AMORTIZATION | ||
1.1 Contract Rate. Subject to Sections 2.2 and 3.9, interest payable on the | ||
outstanding principal amount of this Note (the “Principal Amount”) shall accrue at a rate per | ||
annum equal to the “prime rate” published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time (the | ||
“Prime Rate”), plus two percent (2.0%) (the “Contract Rate”). The Contract Rate shall be | ||
increased or decreased as the case may be for each increase or decrease in the Prime Rate in an | ||
amount equal to such increase or decrease in the Prime Rate; each change to be effective as of | ||
the day of the change in the Prime Rate. The Contract Rate shall not at any time be less than | ||
nine and three-quarters percent (9.75%). Interest shall be (i) calculated on the basis of a 360 day | ||
year, and (ii) payable monthly, in arrears, commencing on November 1, 2007, on the first |
business day of each consecutive calendar month thereafter through and including the Maturity |
Date, and on the Maturity Date, whether by acceleration or otherwise. |
1.2 Contract Rate Payments. The Contract Rate shall be calculated on the last |
business day of each calendar month hereafter (other than for increases or decreases in the Prime |
Rate which shall be calculated and become effective in accordance with the terms of Section 1.1) |
until the Maturity Date and shall be subject to adjustment as set forth herein. |
1.3 Principal Payments. Amortizing payments of the Principal Amount shall |
be made by the Company on October 1, 2009 and on the first business day of each succeeding |
month thereafter through and including the Maturity Date (each, an “Amortization Date”). |
Subject to Article III below, commencing on the first Amortization Date, the Company shall |
make monthly payments to the Holder on each Amortization Date, each such payment in the |
amount of $15,000 together with any accrued and unpaid interest on such portion of the Principal |
Amount plus any and all other unpaid amounts which are then owing to the Holder under this |
Note, the Purchase Agreement and/or any other Related Agreement (collectively, the “Monthly |
Amount”). Any outstanding Principal Amount together with any accrued and unpaid interest |
and any and all other unpaid amounts which are then owing by the Company to the Holder under |
this Note, the Purchase Agreement and/or any other Related Agreement shall be due and payable |
on the Maturity Date. |
1.4 Optional Redemption. The Company may prepay this Note (“Optional |
Redemption”) by paying to the Holder a sum of money equal to one hundred percent (100%) of |
the Principal Amount outstanding at such time together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon |
and any and all other sums due, accrued or payable to the Holder arising under this Note, the |
Purchase Agreement or any other Related Agreement (the “Redemption Amount”) outstanding |
on the Redemption Payment Date (as defined below). The Company shall deliver to the Holder |
a written notice of redemption (the “Notice of Redemption”) specifying the date for such |
Optional Redemption (the “Redemption Payment Date”), which date shall be ten (10) business |
days after the date of the Notice of Redemption (the “Redemption Period”). On the |
Redemption Payment Date, the Redemption Amount must be paid in good funds to the Holder. |
In the event the Company fails to pay the Redemption Amount on the Redemption Payment Date |
as set forth herein, then such Redemption Notice will be null and void. If any Notes issued |
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, in addition to this Note, are outstanding (collectively, the |
“Outstanding Notes”) and the Company pursuant to this Section 1.4 elects to make an Optional |
Redemption, then the Company shall take the same action with respect to all Outstanding Notes |
and make such payments to all holders of Outstanding Notes on a pro rata basis based upon the |
Redemption Amount of each Outstanding Note. |
ARTICLE II |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
2.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events set forth |
in this Section 2.1 shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”) hereunder: |
(a) Failure to Pay. The Company fails to pay when due any |
installment of principal, interest or other fees hereon in accordance herewith, or the Company |
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fails to pay any of the other Obligations (under and as defined in the Master Security Agreement) |
when due, and, in any such case, such failure shall continue for a period of three (3) days |
following the date upon which any such payment was due; |
(b) Breach of Covenant. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries |
breaches any covenant or any other term or condition of this Note in any material respect and |
such breach, if subject to cure, continues for a period of fifteen (15) days after the occurrence |
thereof. |
(c) Breach of Representations and Warranties. Any representation, |
warranty or statement made or furnished by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in this Note, |
the Purchase Agreement or any other Related Agreement shall at any time be false or misleading |
in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made. |
(d) Default Under Other Agreements. The occurrence of any default |
(or similar term) in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating |
to any indebtedness or contingent obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries |
(including, without limitation, the Subordinated Debt (as defined below)) beyond the period of |
grace (if any), the effect of which default is to cause, or permit the holder or holders of such |
indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such contingent obligation to cause, such |
indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or such contingent obligation to become |
payable; |
(e) Bankruptcy. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) |
apply for, consent to or suffer to exist the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a |
receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) |
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under the |
federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (iv) be adjudicated a bankrupt or |
insolvent, (v) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of |
debtors, (vi) acquiesce to, without challenge within ten (10) days of the filing thereof, or failure |
to have dismissed, within thirty (30) days, any petition filed against it in any involuntary case |
under such bankruptcy laws, or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the |
foregoing; |
(f) Judgments. Attachments or levies in excess of $250,000 in the |
aggregate are made upon the Company or any of its Subsidiary’s assets or a judgment is rendered |
against the Company’s property involving a liability of more than $250,000 which shall not have |
been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded within thirty (30) days from the entry thereof; |
(g) Insolvency. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall admit in |
writing its inability, or be generally unable, to pay its debts as they become due or cease |
operations of its present business; |
(h) Change of Control. A Change of Control (as defined below) shall |
occur with respect to the Company, unless Holder shall have expressly consented to such Change |
of Control in writing. A “Change of Control” shall mean any event or circumstance as a result of |
which (i) any “Person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the |
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Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof), other than the Holder, is or becomes the |
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or |
indirectly, of 35% or more on a fully diluted basis of the then outstanding voting equity interest |
of any Company (other than a “Person” or “group” that beneficially owns 35% or more of such |
outstanding voting equity interests of the Company on the date hereof), (ii) the Board of |
Directors of the Company shall cease to consist of a majority of the Company’s board of |
directors on the date hereof (or directors appointed by a majority of the board of directors in |
effect immediately prior to such appointment) or (iii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries |
merges or consolidates with, or sells all or substantially all of its assets to, any other person or |
entity; |
(i) Indictment; Proceedings. The indictment or threatened indictment |
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any executive officer of the Company or any of its |
Subsidiaries under any criminal statute, or commencement or threatened commencement of |
criminal or civil proceeding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any executive |
officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which statute or proceeding |
penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture of any of the property of the |
Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
(j) The Purchase Agreement and Related Agreements. (i) An Event |
of Default shall occur under and as defined in the Purchase Agreement or any other Related |
Agreement, (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall breach any term or provision of the |
Purchase Agreement or any other Related Agreement in any material respect and such breach, if |
capable of cure, continues unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after the occurrence |
thereof, (iii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries attempts to terminate, challenges the validity |
of, or its liability under, the Purchase Agreement or any Related Agreement, (iv) any proceeding |
shall be brought to challenge the validity, binding effect of the Purchase Agreement or any |
Related Agreement or (v) the Purchase Agreement or any Related Agreement ceases to be a |
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (to the extent |
such persons or entities are a party thereto); |
(k) The Laurus Notes. (i) An Event of Default shall occur under and |
as defined in that certain Third Amended and Restated Term Note made by the Company in |
favor of Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (“Laurus”) in the aggregate amount of $1,966,667 dated as of |
the date hereof and that certain Amended and Restated Term Note made by the Company in |
favor of Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. in the aggregate amount of $1,428,000 dated as of the date |
hereof (collectively, the “Laurus Notes”), (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall |
breach any term or provision of any Laurus Note and such breach, if capable of cure, continues |
unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after the occurrence thereof, (iii) the Company or |
any of its Subsidiaries attempts to terminate, challenges the validity of, or its liability under, the |
Laurus Notes, (iv) any proceeding shall be brought to challenge the validity, binding effect of the |
Laurus Notes or (v) any Laurus Note ceases to be a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of |
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (to the extent such persons or entities are a party thereto); |
(l) Stop Trade. An SEC stop trade order or Principal Market trading |
suspension of the Common Stock shall be in effect for five (5) consecutive days or five (5) days |
during a period of ten (10) consecutive days, excluding in all cases a suspension of all trading on |
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a Principal Market, provided that the Company shall not have been able to cure such trading |
suspension within thirty (30) days of the notice thereof or list the Common Stock on another |
Principal Market within sixty (60) days of such notice; |
(m) Failure to Deliver Replacement Note. The Company is required to |
issue a replacement Note to the Holder and the Company shall fail to deliver such replacement |
Note within seven (7) business days; or |
(n) Subordinated Debt. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall |
take or participate in any action which would be prohibited under the provisions of any |
subordination agreement governing any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or |
any of its Subsidiaries which has been subordinated in right of payment to the obligations |
hereunder (“Subordinated Debt”) or make any payment on the Subordinated Debt to a person |
or entity that was not entitled to receive such payments under the provisions of any subordination |
agreement governing such Subordinated Debt. |
2.2 Default Interest. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of |
an Event of Default, the Company shall pay additional interest on this Note in an amount equal |
to one percent (1.0%) per month, and all outstanding obligations under this Note, the Purchase |
Agreement and each other Related Agreement, including unpaid interest, shall continue to accrue |
interest at such additional interest rate from the date of such Event of Default until the date such |
Event of Default is cured or waived. |
2.3 Default Payment. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of |
an Event of Default, the Agent may demand repayment in full of all obligations and liabilities |
owing by the Company to the Holder under this Note, the Purchase Agreement and/or any other |
Related Agreement and/or may elect, in addition to all rights and remedies of the Agent under |
the Purchase Agreement and the other Related Agreements and all obligations and liabilities of |
the Company under the Purchase Agreement and the other Related Agreements, to require the |
Company to make a Default Payment (“Default Payment”). The Default Payment shall be one |
hundred ten percent (110%) of the outstanding principal amount of this Note, plus accrued but |
unpaid interest, all other fees then remaining unpaid, and all other amounts payable hereunder. |
The Default Payment shall be due and payable immediately on the date that the Agent has |
exercised its rights pursuant to this Section 2.3. |
ARTICLE III |
MISCELLANEOUS |
3.1 Issuance of New Note. Upon any partial redemption of this Note, a new |
Note containing the same date and provisions of this Note shall, at the request of the Holder, be |
issued by the Company to the Holder for the principal balance of this Note and interest which |
shall not have been converted or paid. Subject to the provisions of Article II of this Note, the |
Company shall not pay any costs, fees or any other consideration to the Holder for the |
production and issuance of a new Note. |
3.2 Cumulative Remedies. The remedies under this Note shall be cumulative. |
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3.3 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of the |
Holder hereof in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver |
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude |
other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. All rights and |
remedies existing hereunder are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies |
otherwise available. |
3.4 Notices. Any notice herein required or permitted to be given shall be |
given in writing in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. |
3.5 Amendment Provision. The term “Note” and all references thereto, as |
used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed, or if later |
amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented, and any successor instrument |
as such successor instrument may be amended or supplemented. |
3.6 Assignability. This Note shall be binding upon the Company and its |
successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Holder and its successors and assigns, |
and may be assigned by the Holder in accordance with the requirements of the Purchase |
Agreement. The Company may not assign any of its obligations under this Note without the |
prior written consent of the Holder, any such purported assignment without such consent being |
null and void. |
3.7 Cost of Collection. In case of the occurrence of an Event of Default under |
this Note, the Company shall pay the Holder’s reasonable costs of collection, including |
reasonable attorneys’ fees. |
3.8 Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial. |
(a) THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED |
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW |
YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. |
(b) THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT |
THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW |
YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO |
HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE |
COMPANY, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE HOLDER, ON THE OTHER HAND, |
PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OF THE OTHER RELATED |
AGREEMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS |
NOTE OR ANY OF THE RELATED AGREEMENTS; PROVIDED, THAT THE |
COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS |
MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY |
OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; AND FURTHER PROVIDED, THAT |
NOTHING IN THIS NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE |
THE HOLDER FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN |
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO COLLECT THE OBLIGATIONS, TO REALIZE |
ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS, |
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OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE |
HOLDER. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN |
ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED |
IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES ANY |
OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL |
JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS. THE |
COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, |
COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT |
AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER |
PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED |
TO THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THE PURCHASE |
AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED |
COMPLETED UPON THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF. |
(c) THE COMPANY DESIRES THAT ITS DISPUTES BE |
RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, |
TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL |
SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE COMPANY HERETO WAIVES ALL |
RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING |
BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, |
TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN THE HOLDER AND THE COMPANY |
ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE |
RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS |
NOTE, ANY OTHER RELATED AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS |
RELATED HERETO OR THERETO. |
3.9 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Note is invalid or |
unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed |
inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform |
with such statute or rule of law. Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable |
under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Note. |
3.10 Maximum Payments. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to |
establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum |
permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other |
charges hereunder exceed the maximum rate permitted by such law, any payments in excess of |
such maximum rate shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the Holder and |
thus refunded to the Company. |
3.11 Security Interest and Guarantees. The Agent, for the ratable benefit of the |
Creditor Parties, has been granted a security interest in certain assets of the Company as more |
fully described in the Master Security Agreement and the other Related Agreements. The |
obligations of the Borrower under this Note are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the |
Company pursuant to a Guaranty dated as of the date hereof. |
3.12 Construction. Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated |
in the preparation of this Note and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that |
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ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation |
of this Note to favor any party against the other. |
3.13 Registered Obligation. This Note shall be registered (and such registration |
shall thereafter be maintained) as set forth in Section 11.4(b) of the Purchase Agreement. |
Notwithstanding any document, instrument or agreement relating to this Note to the contrary, |
transfer of this Note (or the right to any payments of principal or stated interest thereunder) may |
only be effected by (i) surrender of this Note and either the reissuance by the Company of this |
Note to the new holder or the issuance by the Company of a new instrument to the new holder or |
(ii) registration of such holder as an assignee in accordance with Section 11.4(b) of the Purchase |
Agreement. |
[Balance of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows] |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Secured Term Note to be |
signed in its name effective as of this 28th day of September, 2007. |
eLEC Communications Corp. |
By: Xxxx X. Xxxx |
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx |
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
WITNESS: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO |
VALENS SECURED TERM NOTE |