PLACEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT
This
Placement Agency Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
December 21, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Xxxxxx International,
Ltd. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Stonegate Securities, Inc., a
Texas corporation (“Stonegate”).
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to retain Stonegate as its placement agent, and Stonegate
is
willing to act in such capacity, in each case subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein
contained, the Company and Stonegate (each a “Party” and collectively, the
“Parties”) hereby agree as follows:
1.
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RETENTION
OF STONEGATE; SCOPE OF SERVICES.
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(a)
|
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby
retains
Stonegate to act as the placement agent to the Company during the
Contract
Period (as defined in Section 2 below), and Stonegate hereby agrees
to be
so retained.
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(b)
|
During
the Exclusivity Period (as defined in Section 2(a) below), as the
exclusive placement agent to the Company, Stonegate will have the
exclusive right to identify for the Company prospective purchasers
(collectively, the “Purchasers” and each individually, a “Purchaser”) in
one or more placements (each, a “Placement” and collectively,
the “Placements”) of debt and/or equity securities to be issued by the
Company, the type and dollar amount being as mutually agreed to by
the
Parties (the “Securities”). During the period of exclusivity
Stonegate shall be the Company’s sole and only placement agent as to
Securities. This provision shall not in any way prevent the Company
from
issuing new shares of capital stock or convertible securities in
connection with (i) private transactions directly with individuals
introduced by the Company and its management, (ii) ongoing sales
of shares
of common stock registered for resale to Dutchess Private Equities
Fund,
Ltd. (“Dutchess”) or its affiliates, or (iii) transactions with affiliates
as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and
regulations, (iv) in connection with the conversion of convertible
securities, or (v) granting of stock options and/or warrants to employees
and other third parties pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan (the “Stock Option
Plan”).
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(c)
|
After
the Exclusivity Period, as the non-exclusive placement agent to the
Company, Stonegate will have the non-exclusive right during the Contract
Period to identify for the Company prospective Purchasers in one
or more
Placements of Securities, the type and dollar amount being as mutually
agreed to by the Parties.
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(d)
|
Terms
of the Placements shall be as set forth in subscription documents,
including any stock purchase or subscription agreement, escrow agreement,
registration rights agreement, warrant agreement and/or other documents
to
be executed and delivered in connection with each Placement (collectively,
the “Subscription Documents”). The Placements are intended to
be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
of
1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Regulation D
(“Regulation D”) of the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) promulgated under the Securities
Act.
|
(e)
|
Stonegate
will act on a best efforts basis and will have no obligation to purchase
any of the Securities offered in any Placement. During the Contract
Period, Stonegate shall have the right to arrange for all sales of
Securities in the Placements, including without limitation the exclusive
right to identify potential buyers for the Securities. All
sales of Securities in the Placements shall be subject to the approval
of
the Company, which approval may be withheld in the Company’s sole
discretion for any reason.
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(f)
|
The
Company may disclose the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including
all exhibits and attachments hereto, if any in connection with any
press
release of document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
such
as Forms 8-K, 10-KSB, 10-QSB or registration statements, among others
(“SEC Filings”). The Company may file this Agreement, including
all exhibits and attachments hereto, as Exhibits to any SEC
filings. However, unless required to do so by law or to
comply with rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company shall keep
confidential this Agreement, its terms and conditions, and all other
information and documents provided to the Company by Stonegate, including,
but not limited to, the identity of any potential investor, and the
contents of any term sheet, solicitation, investor list, investor
indication of interest, road show list, and any similar
document.
|
(g)
|
The
Company shall notify Stonegate of any solicitations the Company receives
from a third party in regard to prospective Purchasers or prospective
Placements during the Exclusivity Period (the “Exclusivity Period
Contacts”). The foregoing applies only in the event the
solicitation contains proposed or possible terms of a potential
agreement. Additionally, for a period of one (1) year after the
end of the Contract Period, in the event that the Company enters
into any
agreement, transaction or arrangement with any Exclusivity Period
Contact,
the Company shall notify Stonegate in writing of the agreement,
transaction or arrangement, and pay Stonegate a fee equal to the
Agency
Fee plus all other compensation under Section 6 of this Agreement
for
securities of the Company sold to the Exclusivity Period
Contacts. The foregoing shall apply to all Exclusivity Period
Contacts, regardless as to when the agreement, transaction or arrangement
is ultimately consummated and regardless as to whether the same occurs
during or within one (1) year after the Contract
Period.
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(h)
|
The
terms and provisions of Sections 1(f) and 1(g) specifically shall
survive
the Contract Period.
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2.
|
CONTRACT
PERIOD AND TERMINATION.
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2
(a)
|
Stonegate
shall act as the Company’s exclusive placement agent under this Agreement
for a period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing for
a period
of ninety (90) days (the “Exclusivity Period”); thereafter, Stonegate
shall act as the Company’s non-exclusive placement agent under this
Agreement continuing until terminated by either Party upon 10 days
notice
to the other Party (the “Contract Period”). Provided, however,
that the Company shall not be allowed to terminate this Agreement
during
the period that Stonegate is the exclusive placement
agent.
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(b)
|
Upon
termination, neither party will have any further obligation under
this
Agreement, except as provided in Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and
11
hereof.
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(c)
|
In
the event that Stonegate is a placement agent in regard to a Placement
with gross proceeds from the sale of Securities in excess of
$10,000,000.00 within ninety (90) days from the Effective Date, then
the
Exclusivity Period shall be automatically extended for a period of
one (1)
year from the Effective Date. However, the parties hereby mutually
agree
that this provision shall not prevent the Company from engaging investment
bankers, broker/dealers or other placement agents in the event that
the
Company’s capital requirements reach a level that would outpace
Stonegate’s ability to arrange for sufficient sales in the
Placement. To be clear, neither party intends for
this provision to prevent and/or delay the Company’s efforts to pursue and
develop new business opportunities and fulfilling its resulting
obligations in connection therewith, during the Period of
Exclusivity. In addition, the Company is specifically permitted
to pursue a large capital raise in which either Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and/or
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, or any of their affiliates act in the capacity of
Investment Banker, broker/dealer or placement agent and in such event
Stonegate shall be entitled to sell up to twenty-five (25%)
percent of the funding transaction.
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3.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
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The
representations and warranties of the Company made to the Purchasers as set
forth in the Subscription Documents are hereby incorporated by reference as
of
the date of consummation of the sale of the Securities (the “Closing”) and all
such representations and warranties are hereby deemed made by the Company
directly to Stonegate as though set forth in full herein. The Company
represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into
this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement is
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable laws governing bankruptcy, insolvency and creditors’ rights
generally. The Agreement does not conflict with, violate, cause a
default, right of termination, or acceleration (whether through the passage
of
time or otherwise) under any contract, agreement, or understanding binding
upon
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.
4.
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COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANY.
|
The
Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3
(a)
|
Neither
the Company nor any affiliate of the Company (as defined in Rule
501(b) of
Regulation D) will sell, offer for sale, or solicit offers to buy,
or
otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the
Securities Act) of the Company which will be integrated with the
sale of
the Securities and cause the Placement to be a deemed a public offering
requiring registration under the Securities
Act.
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(b)
|
Any
and all filings and documents required to be filed in connection
with or
as a result of the Placements pursuant to federal and state securities
laws are the responsibility of the Company and will be filed by the
Company.
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(c)
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Any
press release to be issued by the Company announcing or referring
to any
Placement in which Stonegate serves as the placement agent shall
be
subject to the prior review of Stonegate, and each such press release
shall, at the request of Stonegate, identify Stonegate as the placement
agent. Stonegate shall be permitted to publish a tombstone or
similar advertisement upon completion of each Placement identifying
itself
as the Company’s placement agent with respect thereto. This
Agreement shall not be filed publicly by the Company without the
prior
written consent of Stonegate, unless required by applicable law or
regulation.
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4
5.
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FURNISHING
OF COMPANY INFORMATION;
CONFIDENTIALITY.
|
(a)
|
In
connection with Stonegate’s activities hereunder on the Company’s behalf,
the Company shall furnish Stonegate with all reasonable information
concerning the Company and its operations that Stonegate deems necessary
or appropriate (the “Company Information”) and shall provide Stonegate
with reasonable access to the Company’s books, records, officers,
directors, employees, accountants and counsel. The Company
acknowledges and agrees that, in rendering its services hereunder,
Stonegate will be using and relying upon the Company Information
without
independent verification thereof or independent appraisal of any
of the
Company’s assets and may, in its sole discretion, use additional
information contained in public reports or other information furnished
by
the Company or third parties.
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(b)
|
Stonegate
agrees that the Company Information will be used solely for the purpose
of
performing its services hereunder. Subject to the limitations
set forth in subsection (c) below, Stonegate will keep the Company
Information provided hereunder confidential and will not disclose
such
Company Information or any portion thereof, except (i) to a third
party
contacted by Stonegate on behalf of, and with the prior approval
of, the
Company pursuant hereto who has prior thereto executed a confidentiality
agreement satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, or (ii)
to
any other person for which the Company’s consent to disclose such Company
Information has been obtained.
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(c)
|
Stonegate’s
confidentiality obligations under this Agreement shall not apply
to any
portion of the Company Information which (i) at the time of disclosure
to
Stonegate or thereafter is generally available to and known by the
public
(other than as a result of a disclosure directly or indirectly by
Stonegate in violation of this Agreement); (ii) was available to
Stonegate
on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company,
provided
that such source is not and was not bound by a confidentiality agreement
with the Company; (iii) has been independently acquired or developed
by
Stonegate without violating any of its obligations under this Agreement;
or (iv) the disclosure of which is legally compelled (whether by
deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil
or
administrative investigative demand or other similar
process). In the event that Stonegate becomes legally compelled
to disclose any of the Company Information, Stonegate shall provide
the
Company with prompt prior written notice of such requirement so that
the
Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or
waive compliance with the terms of this
Agreement.
|
(d)
|
The
obligations of the Parties under this Section 5 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement for 12
months.
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6.
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FEES
AND EXPENSES.
|
(a)
|
As
compensation for services rendered by Stonegate in connection with
the
Placements, the Company agrees to pay Stonegate a fee (the “Agency Fee”)
of eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds from the sale of Securities
in
the Placements. The Agency Fee shall be paid immediately upon
the closing of each sale of Securities by the Company. Except during
the
Exclusivity Period, or any extension of same, no fees shall be due
and
payable in connections with sales of Securities in the Placement
to
investors not introduced to the Company by Stonegate or by a direct
or
indirect party previously introduced to the Company as a result of
the
efforts of Stonegate.
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5
(b)
|
In
the event that any Placement includes warrants that are subsequently
exercised, any sums received by the Company as a result of such exercise
shall be included in and added to the gross proceeds from the sale
of
Securities in the Placements. Upon the exercise of any such
warrant, regardless as to the timing of same, the Company shall
immediately notify Stonegate of the exercise and shall pay to Stonegate
all fees, including the above Agency Fee, associated with the exercise
of
the warrants.
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(c)
|
In
order to compensate Stonegate for its initial due diligence efforts,
the
Company shall deliver to Stonegate (or Stonegate’s designee) 200,000
shares of fully paid non-assessable shares of common stock of the
Company
(the “Shares”), such shares to vest immediately upon the execution of this
Agreement. The Shares will be issued pursuant to an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
as
amended. Under any circumstance, the shares shall have
piggy-back registration rights (including those as specifically provided
herein) and be transferable. The Company will issue the Shares
to such affiliates of Stonegate and in such denominations as will
be
designated by Stonegate.
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(d)
|
The
Company shall also promptly, but not more often than monthly, reimburse
Stonegate for reasonable, actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by
Stonegate and its directors, officers and employees in connection
with the
performance of Stonegate’s services under this Agreement, provided,
however, that such amount in total shall not exceed one percent (1%)
of
the gross proceeds of securities placed pursuant to this Placement
Agreement. Stonegate agrees to endeavor in good faith to
minimize its expenditures for out-of-pocket expenses hereunder. For
these
purposes, “out-of-pocket expenses” shall include, but not be limited to,
attorneys’ fees and costs, telephone conference charges, courier, mail,
supplies, travel, lodging, transportation, and similar
expenses.
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(e)
|
Upon
closing of the Placement, the Company agrees to issue to Stonegate
shares
of common stock of the Company that is equal to two percent (2%)
of the
total number of shares of common stock sold, and/or in the event
of a sale
of convertible securities, the number of shares of common stock that
would
be potentially received upon a conversion of any convertible securities
sold in the Placement. Provided, however, the number of shares
to be issued to Stonegate shall be reduced by the number of shares
previously issued to Stonegate pursuant to Section 6(c)
above. The Company will issue the shares described in this
subsection to such affiliates of Stonegate and in such denominations
as
will be designated by Stonegate; furthermore, the said shares shall
have
piggy-back registration rights (including those as specifically provided
herein) and be transferable.
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6
(f)
|
The
fees payable to Stonegate under this Agreement are separate from
and do
not include fees that may be charged by or owed to other entities,
as
agreed to by the Company. In the event that Stonegate, arranges for
a
placement of securities that is ultimately consummate with a prospective
purchaser introduced to the Company by Stonegate, Stonegate shall
pay any
additional broker’s fees, transaction fees, finder’s fees or other similar
fees claimed and finally determined to be payable to any third parties
unless, the Company agrees prior to the consummation of such transaction
to pay for a portion of or all of such additionally claimed
fees.
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(g)
|
The
obligations of the Parties under this Section 6 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement for any
reason.
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7.
|
INDEMNIFICATION.
|
(a)
|
The
Company agrees to indemnify and hold Stonegate harmless from and
against
any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, including
securityholder actions, in respect thereof) related to or arising
out of
Stonegate’s engagement hereunder or its role in connection herewith, and
will reimburse Stonegate for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable
costs, expenses, awards and counsel fees and/or judgments) as they
are
incurred, but not more frequently than monthly, by Stonegate in connection
with investigating, preparing for or defending any such action or
claim,
whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation
in
which Stonegate is a party. In such case, the Company reserves
the right to approve the selection of legal counsel for Stonegate;
provided, however, such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
In
addition, Stonegate shall provide general, updated, monthly estimates
of
future costs anticipated in mounting a defense against any pending
or
threatened claims against it under the provisions of the Indemnification.
The Company will not, however, be responsible for any claims, liabilities,
losses, damages or expenses which are finally judicially determined
to
have resulted primarily from the bad faith, gross negligence, willful
misconduct or failure to perform reasonable due diligence background
checks and provide proper training and oversight of the selling practices
of its officers, directors, employees, agents or other third parties
engaged to assist Stonegate in its efforts to solicit prospective
investors for the Company. The Company also agrees that
Stonegate shall not have any liability to the Company for or in connection
with such engagement, except for any such liability for losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company that result
primarily from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct
of
Stonegate. In the event that the foregoing indemnity is
unavailable (except by reason of the bad faith or gross negligence
of
Stonegate), then the Company shall contribute to amounts paid or
payable
by Stonegate in respect of its losses, claims, damages and liabilities
in
such proportion as appropriately reflects the relative benefits received
by, and fault of, the Company and Stonegate in connection with the
matters
as to which such losses, claims, damages or liabilities relate, and
other
equitable considerations. The foregoing shall be in addition to
any rights that Stonegate may have at common law or otherwise and
shall
extend upon the same terms to and inure to the benefit of any director,
officer, employee, agent or controlling person of
Stonegate. The Company hereby consents to personal
jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any claim which
is
subject to this agreement is brought against Stonegate or any other
person
entitled to indemnification or contribution under this subsection
(a).
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7
(b)
|
Stonegate
agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against
any and
all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, including
securityholder actions, in respect thereof) which are finally judicially
determined to have resulted primarily from the bad faith, gross negligence
or willful misconduct of Stonegate, and will reimburse the Company
for all
reasonable expenses (including reasonable costs, expenses, awards
and
counsel fees and/or judgments) as they are incurred by the Company
in
connection with investigating, preparing for or defending any such
action
or claim, whether or not in connection with pending or threatened
litigation in which the Company is a party. In the event that
the foregoing indemnity is unavailable, then Stonegate shall contribute
to
amounts paid or payable by the Company in respect of its losses,
claims,
damages and liabilities in such proportion as appropriately reflects
the
relative benefits received by, and fault of, the Company and Stonegate
in
connection with the matters as to which such losses, claims, damages
or
liabilities relate, and other equitable considerations. The
foregoing shall be in addition to any rights that the Company may
have at
common law or otherwise and shall extend upon the same terms to and
inure
to the benefit of any director, officer, employee, agent or controlling
person of the Company. Stonegate hereby consents to personal
jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any claim,
which is
subject to this agreement, is brought against the Company or any
other
person entitled to indemnification or contribution under this subsection
(b).
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(c)
|
The
obligations of the Parties under this Section 7 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
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8.
|
NON-CIRCUMVENTION.
|
The
Company hereby agrees that, for a period of one year from the end of the
Contract Period or other termination of this Agreement, the Company will not
enter into any agreement, transaction or arrangement with any of the
institutions (including their agents, principals and affiliates and the accounts
and funds which they manage or advise) which Stonegate has introduced, directly
or indirectly, to the Company pursuant to a direct meeting, or telephone call
as
prospective purchasers of the Securities in the Placements (collectively, the
“Stonegate Contacts”), regardless of whether a transaction is consummated with
such prospective purchasers, unless the Company notifies Stonegate in writing
of
the agreement, transaction or arrangement, and pays Stonegate a fee equal to
the
Agency Fee plus all other compensation under Section 6 of this Agreement for
securities of the Company sold to Stonegate Contacts. Except during
the initial ninety (90) day Exclusivity Period, this provision shall not apply
to sales of securities in transactions entered into where Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and/or
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, or any of their affiliates act in the capacity of Investment
Banker, broker/dealer or placement agent.
8
9.
|
CERTAIN
PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS
|
Whenever
the Company proposes to register any of its Common Shares or any other common
shares of the Company under the Securities Act (other than a registration (a)
on
Form S-8 or S-4 or any successor or similar forms, (b) relating to Common Shares
or any other common shares of the Company issuable upon exercise of employee
or
consultant share options or in connection with any employee benefit or similar
plan of the Company or (c) in connection with a direct or indirect acquisition
by the Company of another person or any transaction with respect to which Rule
145 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act applies), whether
or
not for sale for its own account, it shall automatically include in such
registration statement all registrable securities held by Stonegate and/or
its
affiliates. Additionally, at such time, the Company shall give prompt
written notice at least 20 days prior to the anticipated filing date of the
registration statement relating to such registration to the holders, which
notice shall set forth such holders’ rights under this section and shall
identify the number of registrable securities of the holders to be included
in
the registration statement. The Company will use its best efforts to
effect the registration under the Securities Act of all registrable securities
of the holders, to the extent requisite to permit the disposition of the
registrable securities to be so registered; provided, however, that (a) if
such
registration involves a public offering, the holders must sell their registrable
securities to the underwriters on the same terms and conditions as apply to
the
Company and (b) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention
to
register any registrable securities pursuant to this Section 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 any
registrable securities, the Company shall give written notice to the holders
and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any registrable
securities in connection with such registration. The Company’s
obligations under this Section shall terminate on the date that the registration
statement to be filed is declared effective by the
Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holder of registrable
securities may elect not to have said holder’s securities included in a
registration statement by providing written notice of such election within
10
days after the receipt of the above referenced notice of registration from
the
Company.
10.
|
GOVERNING
LAW.
|
IN
THE
EVENT OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO THAT RESULTS IN AN ACTION BEING
INITIATED BY STONEGATE, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.
IN
THE
EVENT OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO THAT RESULTS IN AN ACTION BEING
INITIATED BY THE COMPANY, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS , WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.
9
11.
|
ARBITRATION.
|
Stonegate
and the Company will attempt to settle any claim or controversy arising out
of
this Agreement through consultation and negotiation in good faith and a spirit
of mutual cooperation. Any dispute which the parties cannot resolve
may then be submitted by either party to binding arbitration in Dallas, Texas
under the rules of the American Arbitration Association for
resolution. Nothing in this paragraph will prevent either party from
resorting to judicial proceedings if (a) good faith efforts to resolve the
dispute under these procedures have been unsuccessful or (b) interim relief
from
a court is necessary to prevent serious and irreparable injury.
12.
|
NO
WAIVER.
|
The
failure or neglect of any party hereto to insist, in any one or more instances,
upon the strict performance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement,
or waiver by any party of strict performance of any of the terms or conditions
of this Agreement, shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment in
the
future of such term or condition, but the same shall continue in full force
and
effect.
13.
|
SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS.
|
The
benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Parties, their
respective successors, assigns and representatives, and the obligations and
liabilities assumed in this Agreement by the Parties shall be binding upon
their
respective successors and assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned
by either Party without the express written consent of the other Party, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
14.
|
NOTICES.
|
All
notices and other communications required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested, recognized overnight delivery service,
or facsimile (with copy by first class mail) as follows:
10
If
to the Company:
Xxxxxx
International, Ltd.
Xxxxxxx
00 & Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Facsimile:
()
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, CEO
|
If
to Stonegate:
Stonegate
Securities, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, President
|
Either
Party may change its address or facsimile number set forth above by giving
the
other Party notice of such change in accordance with the provisions of this
Section. A notice shall be deemed given (a) if by personal delivery, on the
date
of such delivery, (b) if by certified mail, on the date shown on the applicable
return receipt, (c) if by overnight delivery service, on the day after the
date
delivered to the service, or (d) if by facsimile, on the date of
transmission.
15.
|
NATURE
OF RELATIONSHIP.
|
The
Parties intend that Stonegate’s relationship to the Company and the relationship
of each director, officer, employee or agent of Stonegate to the Company shall
be that of an independent contractor and not as an employee of the Company
or an
affiliate thereof. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall
constitute or be construed to be or create a partnership or joint venture
between Stonegate and the Company or their respective successors or
assigns. Neither Stonegate nor any director, officer, employee or
agent of Stonegate shall be considered to be an employee of the Company by
virtue of the services provided hereunder.
16.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
Stonegate’s
obligations under this Agreement are subject to the following general
conditions:
(a)
|
All
relevant terms, conditions, and circumstances relating to the Placements
will be reasonably satisfactory to Stonegate and its
counsel.
|
(b)
|
Stonegate
reserves the right to solicit the assistance of outside dealers
(“Dealers”) to assist in the offer and sale of the Placements; provided,
however, that any such Dealers agree in writing to be bound by the
terms
of the applicable Placement. It is understood that Stonegate, in
its sole
discretion, shall be entitled to pay over to any such Dealers any
portion
of the compensation received by Stonegate hereunder. The
Company shall have no financial liability for any fees or expenses
of any
such Dealers.
|
11
17.
|
CAPTIONS.
|
The
Section titles herein are for reference purposes only and do not control or
affect the meaning or interpretation of any term or provision
hereof.
18.
|
AMENDMENTS.
|
No
alteration, amendment, change or addition hereto shall be binding or effective
unless the same is set forth in a writing signed by a duly authorized
representative of each Party.
19.
|
PARTIAL
INVALIDITY.
|
If
it is
finally determined that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be
unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision shall be
replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes
as
close as possible to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable
term or provision.
20.
|
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT.
|
This
Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties and
supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings
relating to the matters provided for herein.
21.
|
COUNTERPARTS.
|
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be an
original, but all of which together shall be considered one and the same
agreement.
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
12
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written
above by duly authorized representatives of the Company and
Stonegate.
XXXXXX
INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
By:
Title:
|
STONEGATE
SECURITIES, INC.
By:
Title:
|
13