EXHIBIT 10.54
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of April 28,
2000, by and among Xxxxxxx.xxx, a Nevada corporation (the "COMPANY"), and the
undersigned (together with its affiliates and any permitted assignee or
transferee of all of its respective rights hereunder, the "INITIAL INVESTORS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with that certain Settlement Agreement and Mutual
General Release by and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the
"SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT"), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions contained therein, to issue to the Initial Investors, in exchange
for that certain Convertible Debenture dated March 31, 1999, (i) 1,750,000
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "COMMON
STOCK"), and (ii) stock purchase warrants (the "NEW WARRANTS") that are
exercisable in to 2,200,000 shares of Common Stock upon the terms and conditions
set forth in the New Warrants; and
B. To induce the Initial Investors to execute and deliver the
Settlement Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration
rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 ACT"), and applicable state securities laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the
Initial Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
-----------
a. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(i) "INVESTORS" means the Initial Investors and any
transferee or assignee who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement or
Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the
1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC").
(iii) "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (A) the Settlement
Shares; (B) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of or otherwise
pursuant to the New Warrants; (C) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon
exercise of or otherwise pursuant to those certain Stock Purchase Warrants to
purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, issued in August 1999
(the "Second Warrants") and (D) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable
as a dividend on or in exchange for or otherwise with respect to any of the
foregoing
(iv) "REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S)" means a registration
statement(s) of the Company under the 0000 Xxx.
b. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Settlement Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
------------
a. MANDATORY REGISTRATION. The Company shall use its best efforts
----------------------
to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-1 covering
the resale of the Registrable Securities as soon as practicable after the date
hereof, but in any event not later than the date (the "FILING DATE") which is
thirty (30) days after the date of the Settlement Agreement, whichRegistration
Statement, to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), shall state that such
Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional
shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon exercise of or otherwise
pursuant to the New Warrants and the Second Warrants to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The
number of shares of Common Stock initially included in such Registration
Statement shall be no less than the aggregate number of the Registrable
Securities. The Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement
shall be allocated to the Investors as set forth in Section 11(k) hereof. The
Registration Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto , and each
request for acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided to (and
subject to the approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, of) the
Initial Investors and its counsel prior to its filing or other submission.
b. REGISTRATION DEADLINE. The Company shall use its best efforts
----------------------
to obtain effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as practicable,
but in any event not later than the 90th day after the date of the Settlement
Agreement (the "REGISTRATION DEADLINE").
c. ELIGIBILITY FOR FORM S-1; CONVERSION TO FORM S-3. The Company
-------------------------------------------------
represents and warrants that it meets the requirements for the use of Form S-1
for registration of the sale by the Initial Investors and any other Investors of
the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to file all reports required to
be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"). The Company further agrees
to file all reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely
manner so as to become eligible, and thereafter to maintain its eligibility, for
the use of Form S-3. Not later than thirty (30) days after the Company first
meets the registration eligibility and transaction requirements for the use of
Form S-3 (or any successor form) for registration of the offer and sale by the
Initial Investors and any other Investors of Registrable Securities, the Company
shall file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or such successor form) with
respect to the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed pursuant to Section 2(a) (and include in such Registration
Statement on Form S-3 the information required by Rule 429 under the 0000 Xxx)
or convert the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
to a Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 429 under the 1933 Act and use its best efforts
to have such Registration Statement (or such amendment) declared effective as
soon as practicable thereafter.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
-----------------------------
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall prepare promptly and file with the SEC the
Registration Statement required by Section 2(a) as soon as practicable after the
date hereof (but in no event later than the Filing Date), and thereafter cause
such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as possible after such
filing (but in no event later than the Registration Deadline), and keep the
Registration Statement (and, following the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 referred to in Section 2(c), such later Registration
Statement) effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the
earlier of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities have been
sold and (ii) the date on which the Registrable Securities (in the opinion of
counsel to the Initial Investors) may be immediately sold to the public without
registration or restriction (including without limitation as to volume by each
holder thereof) under the 1933 Act (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"), which
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement
as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective at all times
during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the
provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable
Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statement until such time
as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with
the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set
forth in the Registration Statement. In the event the number of shares
available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is, on
any trading day (such trading day being the "REGISTRATION TRIGGER DATE"),
insufficient to cover 100% of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall
amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the
short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover 100% of
the Registrable Securities so issued or issuable as of the Registration Trigger
Date, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within 15 business
days after the Registration Trigger Date. The Company shall use its best
efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof, but in any event
within 60 days after the Registration Trigger Date.
c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in the Registration Statement and one legal counsel for
all of the Investors (i) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly
distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the Company, one copy of
eachRegistration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary
prospectus and prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each
letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the
SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in
each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion of any
thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential
treatment), and (ii) such number of copies of a prospectus, including a
preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such
other documents as such Investor may reasonably request in order to facilitate
the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor. The
Company will immediately notify each Investor by facsimile of the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement. The Company will promptly respond to any and all
comments received from the SEC, with a view towards causing the Registration
Statement or each amendment to the Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and shall file an acceleration
request as soon as practicable following the resolution or clearance of all SEC
comments or, if applicable, following notification by the SEC that any such
Registration Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review.
d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and
qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities being offered reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
-------- -------
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (a) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (b) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, (c) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction, (d) provide any undertakings that
cause the Company undue expense or burden, or (e) make any change in its charter
or by-laws, which in each case the Board of Directors of the Company determines
to be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
e. In the event Investors who hold a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being offered in the offering (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors) select underwriters for the
offering, the Company shall enter into and perform its obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
underwriters of such offering.
f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event,
the Company shall notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of which
the Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement hereunder, as then in effect, includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
use its best efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to any
Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
such number of copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor as such
Investor may reasonably request; provided that, for not more than ten (10)
consecutive trading days (or a total of not more than thirty (30) trading days
in any twelve (12) month period), the Company may delay the disclosure of
material non-public information concerning the Company (as well as a prospectus
or Registration Statement updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not,
in the good faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company
(an "ALLOWED DELAY"); provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i)
notify the Investors in writing of the existence of (but in no event, without
the prior written consent of an Investor, shall the Company disclose to such
investor any of the facts or circumstances regarding) material non-public
information giving rise to an Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in
writing to cease all sales under such Registration Statement until the end of
the Allowed Delay. Upon expiration of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again
be bound by the first sentence of this Section 3(f) with respect to the
information giving rise thereto.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance
of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration
Statement hereunder, and, if such an order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal
of such order at the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who
holds Registrable Securities being sold (or, in the event of an underwritten
offering, the managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the
resolution thereof.
h. The Company shall permit a single firm of counsel designated by
the Initial Investors to review such Registration Statement and all amendments
and supplements to the Registration Statement (as well as all requests for
acceleration or effectiveness thereof) a reasonable period of time prior to
their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such
counsel reasonably objects and will not request acceleration of such
Registration Statement without prior notice to such counsel. The sections of
such Registration Statement covering information with respect to the Investors,
the Investor's beneficial ownership of securities of the Company or the
Investors intended method of disposition of Registrable Securities shall conform
to the information provided to the Company by each of the Investors.
i. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor and (ii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants or other
agents retained by the Initial Investors (collectively, the "INSPECTORS") all
pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company (collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably
deemed necessary by each Inspector to enable each Inspector to exercise its due
diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request
for purposes of such due diligence; provided, however, that each Inspector shall
-------- -------
hold in confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) of
any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be
confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless
(a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a
misstatement or omission in theRegistration Statement , (b) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court or
government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such
Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure
in violation of this or any other agreement. The Company shall not be required
to disclose any confidential information in such Records to any Inspector until
and unless such Inspector shall have entered into confidentiality agreements (in
form and substance satisfactory to the Company) with the Company with respect
thereto, substantially in the form of this Section 3(i). Each Investor agrees
that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by
a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means,
give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to
undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective
order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other
confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed
to limit the Investor's ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which
is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any
disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless
(i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement hereunder,
(iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such
information has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The Company agrees that
it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an
Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to such Investor prior
to making such disclosure, and allow the Investor, at its expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, such information.
k. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities
exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company
are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then
permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities
of the same class or series are not then listed on a national securities
exchange, secure the designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement on the NNM or the Nasdaq SmallCap or, if
not eligible for the NNM or the Nasdaq SmallCap, on the OTC BB and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market
makers to register with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities.
l. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing
Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement and
enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may
be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the
the Investors may request, and, within three (3) business days after any
Registration Statement which includes Registrable Securities is ordered
effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel
selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for the Registrable
Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are
included in such Registration Statement) an instruction in the form attached
hereto as EXHIBIT 1 and an opinion of such counsel in the form attached hereto
as EXHIBIT 2
m. At the request of the holders of a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
n. The Company shall comply with all applicable laws related to a
Registration Statement and offering and sale of securities and all applicable
rules and regulations of governmental authorities in connection therewith
(including without limitation the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC).
o. The Company shall maintain a transfer agent and registrar,
which may be a single entity.
p. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary
to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
-------------------------------
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Investors shall have the following obligations:
a. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the
Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least three
(3) business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration
Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company
requires from each such Investor.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from the Registration Statement.
c. In the event Investors holding a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being registered (with the approval of the Initial
Investors) determine to engage the services of an underwriter, each Investor
agrees to enter into and perform such Investor's obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
d. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or
3(g), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if so directed by
the Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the expense of the
Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction)
all copies in such Investor's possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
e. No Investor may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's Registrable
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in usual and
customary form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of all underwriting
discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those payable by the
Company pursuant to Section 5 below.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
--------------------------
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualification fees, printers and accounting fees, and the fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company shall be borne by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
---------------
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify,
hold harmless and defend (i) each Investor who holds such Registrable
Securities, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and each
person who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934
Act, if any, (iii) any underwriter (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) for the
Investors, and (iv) the directors, officers, partners, employees and each person
who controls any such underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934
Act, if any (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any joint or several
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (collectively, together with
actions, proceedings or inquiries by any regulatory or self-regulatory
organization, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof, "CLAIMS") to
which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims arise out of or are
based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact in a Registration Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used
prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the
final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were
made, not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company
of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any
state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer
or sale of the Registrable Securities (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i)
through (iii) being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to the restrictions
set forth in Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the
Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are
incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other
reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall
not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by any Indemnified Person or underwriter for such Indemnified Person
expressly for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration
Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (ii) shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected
without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld; and (iii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus,
shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Person if the untrue statement
or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was
corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented,
such corrected prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(c) hereof, and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing
not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a Violation
and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly
to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of
its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, any
underwriter and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who
controls such stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or
the 1934 Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim to which any of them may become subject,
under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out
of or is based upon any Violation by such Investor, in each case to the extent
(and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and subject to
Section 6(c) such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly
as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable) reasonably incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided,
--------
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not
-------
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected
without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be
-------- ------- -------
liable under this Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for only
that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of
the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.
Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive
the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section
9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party
if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as
then amended or supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action
(including any governmental action), such Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall
have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so
desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the
indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the
case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
-------- -------
shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be
paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one
separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties,
as applicable, and such legal counsel shall be selected by Investors holding a
majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration
Statement to which the Claim relates (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors), if the Investors are entitled to
indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The failure to deliver written notice
to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any
such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced in its ability to
defend such action. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be
made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
------------
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or
limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution
with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section
6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that (i) no
-------- -------
contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have
been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section
6, (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (iii) contribution (together
with any indemnification or other obligations under this Agreement) by any
seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of
proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
------------------------------
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the
SEC that may at any time permit the investors to sell securities of the Company
to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Settlement Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is
required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns
Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the
Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to
permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without
registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
------------------------------------
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities if:
(i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign
such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned,
(iii) following such transfer or assignment, the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and
applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the
transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein, (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, and (vi) such
transferee shall be an "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as that term defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act.
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
-----------------------------------
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with written consent of the Company, each of the Initial
Investors (to the extent such Initial Investor still owns Registrable
Securities) and Investors who hold a majority interest of the Registrable
Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10
shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
-------------
a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable
Securities.
b. Any notices required or permitted to be given under the terms
hereof shall be sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested)
or delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery
service) or by facsimile and shall be effective five days after being placed in
the mail, if mailed by regular United States mail, or upon receipt, if delivered
personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service) or
by facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Xxxxxxx.xxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
With copy to:
Silicon Valley Law Group
00 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire
Facsimile:(000) 000-0000
If to an Investor: to the address set forth immediately below such Investor's
name on the signature pages to this Agreement.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws
principles thereof. The parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of
California, in San Jose, California, with respect to any suit or proceeding
based on or arising under this Agreement and irrevocably agree that all claims
in respect of such suit or proceeding shall be determined in such court.
e. This Agreement, the Settlement Agreement (including all
schedules and exhibits thereto), the New Warrants and the Second Warrants
constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and
therein. This Agreement, the Settlement Agreement, the New Warrants and the
Second Warrants supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of
each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be
delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this
Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
j. Except as otherwise provided herein, all consents and other
determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities (determined
as if all of the Second Warrants and New Warrants then outstanding have been
converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities) then held by all
Investors, as the case may be.
k. The initial number of Registrable Securities included on any
Registration Statement and each increase to the number of Registrable Securities
included thereon shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the
number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time of such
establishment or increase, as the case may be. In the event an Investor shall
sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder's Registrable Securities, each
transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the number of Registrable
Securities included on a Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares
of Common Stock included on a Registration Statement and which remain allocated
to any person or entity which does not hold any Registrable Securities shall be
allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of shares of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors. For the avoidance of doubt,
the number of Registrable Securities held by an Investor shall be determined as
if all New Warrants and the Second Warrants then outstanding and held by an
Investor were converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities.
l. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
m. In the event that any provision of this Agreement 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
provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Initial Investors have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
NETTAXI, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
RGC INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS, LDC
By: Xxxx Xxxx Capital Management, L.P., Investment Manager
By: RGC General Partner Corp., as General Partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Managing Director
