NEXT ETFs TRUST DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 28e1
NEXT ETFs TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made this 20th day of May 2011, by and
between NEXT ETFs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) having its principal place of
business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, and Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (the “Distributor”) having its principal place of business at
Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000.
WHEREAS, the Trust is a registered open-end management investment company consisting of one or
more separate investment portfolios (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), having filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) one or more Registration Statement(s) on
Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to create and redeem shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001
per Share (the “Shares”) of each Fund on a continuous basis at their net asset value only in
aggregations constituting a Creation Unit, as such term is defined in the Registration
Statement(s);
WHEREAS, the Shares of each Fund will be listed on one or more national securities exchanges
(together, the “Listing Exchanges”);
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Distributor to act as the distributor with respect to
the issuance and distribution of Creation Units of each Fund, hold itself available to receive and
process orders for such Creation Units in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Prospectus(es), and
to enter into arrangements with broker-dealers who may solicit purchases of Creation Units and with
broker-dealers and others to provide for servicing of shareholder accounts and for distribution
assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support;
WHEREAS, the Distributor is a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”) (the successor organization to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.); and
WHEREAS, the Distributor desires to provide the services described herein to the Trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment.
The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as the exclusive distributor for Creation Units of
each Fund listed in Exhibit A hereto, as may be amended by the Trust from time to time on written
notice to the Distributor, on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement and subject
to the registration requirements of the federal securities laws and of the laws governing the sale
of securities in the various states, and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees
to act in such capacity hereunder.
2. Definitions.
Wherever they are used herein, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) “Prospectus” means any Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information constituting
parts of any Registration Statement of the Trust under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act as any such
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with
the Commission from time to time;
(b) “Registration Statement” means any Registration Statement applicable to a Fund or
Funds most recently filed from time to time by the Trust with the Commission and effective under
the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as such Registration Statement is amended by any amendments thereto
at the time in effect;
(c) All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Registration Statement(s) and the Prospectus(es).
3. Duties of the Distributor
(a) The Distributor agrees to act as agent of the Trust in connection with the receipt and
processing of all orders for purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of each Fund from DTC
Participants or participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities
Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC Participants”) that have executed a Participant Agreement (the
“Authorized Participants”), as defined in paragraph 3(b) hereof, with the Distributor and Transfer
Agent and to transmit such orders to the Custodian and Transfer Agent in accordance with the
Registration Statement(s) and Prospectus(es); provided, however, that nothing herein shall affect
or limit the right and ability of the Custodian to accept Deposit Securities and related Cash
Components through or outside the Clearing Process, and as provided in and in accordance with the
Registration Statement(s) and Prospectus(es). The Trust acknowledges that the Distributor shall
not be obligated to accept any certain number of orders for Creation Units and nothing herein
contained shall prevent the Distributor from entering into like distribution arrangements with
other investment companies.
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(b) The Distributor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to act as agent of the
Trust with respect to the continuous distribution of Creation Units of each Fund as set forth in
the Registration Statement(s) and in accordance with the provisions thereof. The Distributor
further agrees as follows: (i) at the request of the Trust, the Distributor shall enter into
selected or soliciting dealer participant agreements (“Participant Agreements”) between and among
Authorized Participants, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent, for the purchase of Creation Units
of the Fund(s), in accordance with the Registration Statement(s) and Prospectus(es); (ii) the
Distributor shall generate, transmit and maintain copies of confirmations of Creation Unit purchase
and redemption order acceptances to the purchaser or redeemer (such confirmations will indicate the
time such orders were accepted and will be made available to the Trust promptly upon request);
(iii) the Distributor shall deliver copies of the Prospectus(es), included in the Registration
Statement(s), to purchasers of such Creation Units and upon request the Statement of Additional
Information; and (iv) the Distributor shall maintain telephonic, facsimile and/or access to direct
computer communications links with the Transfer Agent.
(c) The Distributor agrees to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers of Creation Units through Authorized Participants in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Prospectus(es).
(d) All activities by the Distributor and its agents and employees that are primarily
intended to result in the sale of Creation Units shall comply with the Registration Statement(s)
and Prospectus(es), the instructions of the Advisor and the Board of the Trust, the Declaration of
Trust, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, all rules and
regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the Commission or any securities
association registered under the 1934 Act, including FINRA and the Listing Exchanges.
(e) Except as otherwise noted in the Registration Statement(s) and Prospectus(es), the
offering price for all Creation Units will be the aggregate net asset value of the Shares per
Creation Unit of the relevant Fund, as determined in the manner described in the Registration
Statement(s) and Prospectus(es).
(f) If and whenever the determination of net asset value is suspended and until such
suspension is terminated, no further orders for Creation Units will be processed by the Distributor
except such unconditional orders as may have been placed with the Distributor before it had
knowledge of the suspension. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to suspend sales and
Distributor’s authority to process orders for Creation Units on behalf of the Trust, upon due
notice to the Distributor, if, in the judgment of the Trust, it is in the best interests of the
Trust to do so. Suspension will continue for such period as may be determined by the Trust.
(g) The Distributor is not authorized by the Trust to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Registration Statement(s) or Prospectus(es) or
contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the
Trust for the Distributor’s use. The Distributor shall be entitled to
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rely on and shall not be responsible in any way for information provided to it by the Trust and its
respective service providers and shall not be liable or responsible for the errors and omissions of
such service providers, provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to protect the
Distributor against any liability to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders to which the Distributor
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
under this Agreement.
(h) The Distributor shall ensure that all direct requests for Prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, product descriptions and periodic fund reports, as applicable, are
fulfilled. In addition, the Distributor shall arrange to provide the Listing Exchanges with copies
of Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and product descriptions to be provided to
purchasers in the secondary market. The Distributor will generally make it known in the brokerage
community that Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and product descriptions are
available, including by (i) advising the Listing Exchanges on behalf of its member firms of the
same, (ii) making such disclosure in all marketing and advertising materials prepared and/or filed
by the Distributor with FINRA, and (iii) as may otherwise be required by the Commission. The
Distributor shall not bear any costs associated with printing Prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information and all other such materials.
(i) The Distributor agrees to make available, at the Trust’s request, one or more members
of its staff to attend Board meetings of the Trust in order to provide information with regard to
the ongoing distribution process and for such other purposes as may be requested by the Board of
the Trust.
(j) The Distributor shall review and approve all sales and marketing materials for
compliance with applicable laws and conditions of any applicable exemptive order, and file such
materials with FINRA as required by the 1933 Act and 1940 Act, and the rules promulgated
thereunder. All such sales and marketing materials must be approved, in writing, by the
Distributor prior to use.
(k) The Distributor shall not offer any Shares and shall not accept any orders for the
purchase or sale of Shares hereunder if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement(s) then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the
provisions of the 1933 Act or if and so long as a current Prospectus(es) as required by Section 10
of the 1933 Act is not on file with the Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in
this paragraph shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon the Trust’s
obligation to redeem or repurchase any Shares from any shareholder in accordance with provisions of
the Prospectus(es) or Registration Statement(s).
(l) If the Trust adopts any distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan(s) pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”), the Distributor shall enter into selling and/or
investor servicing agreements (“Sales and Investor Services Agreements”) with various
broker-dealers and any other financial institution exempt under federal or
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state securities laws from registration as a broker or dealer authorized by the Advisor, consistent
with applicable law and the Registration Statement(s) and Prospectus(es), to sell Shares and
provide services to shareholders. The Distributor further agrees as follows: (i) the Distributor
shall administer on behalf of the Trust any Plan(s) adopted by the Trust under rule 12b-1; (ii) the
Distributor shall, at its own expense, set up and maintain a system of recording payments of fees
and reimbursement of expenses disseminated pursuant to this Agreement and other agreements related
to any such Plan(s) and, pursuant to the 1940 Act, report such payment activity to the Trust at
least quarterly; (iii) the Distributor shall receive from the Trust all distribution and
shareholder servicing fees, as applicable, at the rate and to the extent payable under the terms
and conditions set forth in any Plan(s) adopted by the Trust, applicable to the appropriate class
of shares of each Portfolio, as such Plan(s) may be amended from time to time, and subject to any
further limitations on such fees as the Board of the Trust may impose; and (iv) the Distributor
shall pay, from the fees received from the Trust pursuant to any such Plan(s), all fees and make
reimbursement of all expenses, pursuant to and in accordance with such Plan(s) and any and all
Sales and Investor Services Agreements. In no event shall Distributor pay any fees pursuant to any
such Plan(s) until it has received payment of such fees from the Trust or the Adviser.
(m) The Distributor shall provide an order processing system pursuant to which the
Authorized Participants may contact the Distributor (or its affiliates) and place requests to
create and redeem Creation Units, including without limitation: (i) generating and transmitting
confirmations of purchase and redemption order acceptances to purchasers and redeemers of Creation
Units; (ii) providing acknowledgement to Authorized Participants that orders have been accepted;
(iii) rejecting any orders that were not submitted in proper form or in a timely fashion; (iv)
confirming that Authorized Participants will not place trades that would raise their total holdings
to 80% or more of any fund; (v) maintain along with the Trust and its index receipt agent the right
to require and rely upon information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes
of the 80% determination or, in lieu of this, accept a certification from a Listing Exchange member
firm or a member of such other exchange that the cost basis of the securities so deposited is
essentially identical to their market value at the time of deposit; and (vi) maintaining a
dedicated toll-free line for Authorized Participants to place share creation and redemption orders.
(n) The Distributor has as of the date hereof, and shall at all times have and maintain,
net capital of not less than that required by Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act, or any successor
provision thereto. In the event that the net capital of the Distributor shall fall below that
required by Rule 15c3-1, or any successor provision thereto, the Distributor shall promptly provide
notice to the Trust and the Advisor of such event.
(o) The Distributor agrees to maintain, and preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act, such records as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(d) under the 1940
Act.
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(p) The Distributor agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures (a “Compliance
Program”) that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as
defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 0000 Xxx) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this
Agreement, and to provide any and all information with respect to the Compliance Program, including
without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the
Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested
by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or Board.
4. Duties of the Trust.
(a) The Trust agrees to issue Creation Units of each Fund and to request DTC to record on
its books the ownership of the Shares constituting such Creation Units in accordance with the
book-entry system procedures described in the Prospectus(es) in such amounts as the Distributor has
requested through the index receipt agent in writing or other means of data transmission, as
promptly as practicable after receipt by the Trust of the requisite Deposit Securities and Cash
Component (together with any fees) and acceptance of such order, upon the terms described in the
Registration Statement(s). The Trust may reject any order for Creation Units or stop all receipts
of such orders at any time upon reasonable notice to the Distributor, in accordance with the
provisions of the Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information.
(b) The Trust agrees that it will take all action necessary to register an indefinite
number of Shares under the 1933 Act. The Trust will make available to the Distributor such number
of copies of its then currently effective Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information
and product description as the Distributor may reasonably request. The Trust will furnish to the
Distributor copies of semi-annual reports and annual audited reports of the Trust’s books and
accounts made by independent public accountants regularly retained by the Trust and such other
publicly available information that the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection
with the distribution of Creation Units. The Trust shall keep the Distributor informed of the
jurisdictions in which the Trust has filed notice filings for Shares for sale under the securities
laws thereof and shall promptly notify the Distributor of any change in this information. The
Distributor shall not be liable for damages resulting from the sale of Shares in authorized
jurisdictions where the Distributor had no information from the Trust that such sale or sales were
unauthorized at the time of such sale or sales.
5. Fees and Expenses.
(a) The Distributor shall be entitled to no compensation or reimbursement of expenses from
the Trust for the services provided by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement. The Distributor
may receive compensation from the Advisor related to its services hereunder or for additional
services as may be agreed to between the Advisor and Distributor.
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(b) The Trust shall bear the cost and expenses of: (i) the registration of the Shares for
sale under the Securities Act; and (ii) the registration or qualification of the Shares for sale
under the securities laws of the various States;
(c) The Distributor shall pay (i) all expenses relating to Distributor’s broker-dealer
qualification and registration under the 1934 Act; and (ii) the expenses incurred by the
Distributor in connection with routine FINRA filing fees.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor and its
affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Trust and the Advisor with respect to
any services not included under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to
time.
6. Indemnification.
(a) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, its affiliates and
each of their respective directors, officers and employees and agents and any person who controls
the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any of the foregoing, for
purposes of this paragraph, a “Distributor Indemnitee”) against any loss, liability, claim, damages
or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
liability, claim, damages or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
arising out of or based upon (i) any claim that any Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement
of Additional Information, product description, shareholder reports, sales literature and
advertisements specifically approved by the Trust and Advisor or other information filed or made
public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein (and in the case of any Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and
product description, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading under
the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law insofar as such statement or omission was
relied upon by a Distributor Indemnitee in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates;
(ii) the breach by the Trust of any obligation, representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement; or (iii) the Trust’s failure to comply in any material respect with applicable
securities laws, in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates.
The Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that
the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished
to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. The Trust will also not indemnify any Distributor
Indemnitee with respect to any untrue statement or omission made in any Registration Statement,
Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or product description that is subsequently
corrected in such document (or an amendment thereof or supplement thereto) if a copy of the
Prospectus(es) (or such amendment or supplement) was not sent or given to the person asserting any
such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense at or before the written confirmation to such person
in any case where such delivery is required by the 1933 Act and the Trust had notified the
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Distributor of the amendment or supplement prior to the sending of the confirmation. In no
case (i) is the indemnity of the Trust in favor of any Distributor Indemnitee to be deemed to
protect the Distributor Indemnitee against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which
the Distributor Indemnitee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) is the Trust to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this Section with respect to any claim made against any Distributor Indemnitee unless
the Distributor Indemnitee shall have notified the Trust and the Advisor in writing of the claim at
its principal offices in Bedminster, New Jersey within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served
upon Distributor Indemnitee (or after Distributor Indemnitee shall have received notice of service
on any designated agent).
Failure to notify the Trust and the Advisor of any claim shall not relieve the Trust from any
liability that it may have to any Distributor Indemnitee against whom such action is brought unless
failure or delay to so notify the Trust and the Advisor prejudices the Trust’s ability to defend
against such claim. The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense,
or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but if the
Trust elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Trust
elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or
defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by
them. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the
Distributor Indemnitee, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses
of any counsel retained by them. The Trust agrees to notify the Distributor promptly of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in
connection with the issuance or sale of any of the Creation Units or the Shares.
(b) The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Advisor and each
of their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees and each of their respective
directors, officers and employees and agents and any person who controls the Trust within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any of the foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph, a
“Trust Indemnitee”) against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the
reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages or
expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of or based upon
(i) the allegation of any wrongful act of the Distributor or any of its directors, officers,
employees or affiliates in connection with its activities as Distributor pursuant to this
Agreement; (ii) the breach of any obligation, representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement by the Distributor; (iii) the Distributor’s failure to comply in any material respect
with applicable securities laws, including applicable FINRA regulations; or (iv) any allegation
that any Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, product
description, shareholder reports, any information or materials relating to the
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Fund(s) (as described in section 3(g)) or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as
from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements not
misleading, insofar as such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with
information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor or any of its directors,
officers and employees and agents and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act.
In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Distributor in favor of any Trust Indemnitee to be
deemed to protect any Trust Indemnitee against any liability to the Trust or its security holders
to which such Trust Indemnitee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is the Distributor to be liable under
its indemnity agreement contained in this Section with respect to any claim made against any Trust
Indemnitee unless the Trust Indemnitee shall have notified the Distributor in writing of the claim
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information
of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust Indemnitee (or after the Trust
Indemnitee shall have received notice of service on any designated agent).
Failure to notify the Distributor of any claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any
liability that it may have to the Trust Indemnitee against whom such action is brought on account
of its indemnity agreement contained in this Section unless failure or delay to so notify the
Distributor prejudices the Distributor’s ability to defend against such claim. The Distributor
shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume
the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim, but if the Distributor elects to assume the
defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Trust, its
officers and Board and to any controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit.
In the event that Distributor elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the
Trust or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees
and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Distributor does not elect to
assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Trust, its officers and Trustees or
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and
expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Distributor agrees to notify the Trust and the
Advisor promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the Creation Units or the
Shares.
(c) No indemnified party shall settle any claim against it for which it intends to seek
indemnification from the indemnifying party, under the terms of section 6(a) or 6(b) above, without
prior written notice to and consent from the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. No indemnified or indemnifying party shall settle any claim unless the
settlement contains a full release of liability with respect to the other party in respect of such
action. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable
under this Agreement to the other party hereto
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for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages. Any indemnification payable by
a party to this Agreement shall be net of insurance maintained by the indemnified party as of the
time the claim giving rise to indemnity hereunder is alleged to have arisen to the extent it covers
such claim. This section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Representations.
(a) The Distributor represents and warrants that (i) it is duly organized as a Delaware
limited liability company and is and at all times will remain duly authorized and licensed under
applicable law to carry out its services as contemplated herein; (ii) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary
action; (iii) its entering into this Agreement or providing the services contemplated hereby does
not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of
any agreement or document to which the Distributor is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) it is
registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member of FINRA; and (v) it has in place
compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal
Securities Laws as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 0000 Xxx.
(b) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent that its anti-money
laundering program (“AML Program”), at a minimum, (i) designates a compliance officer to administer
and oversee the AML Program, (ii) provides ongoing employee training, (iii) includes an independent
audit function to test the effectiveness of the AML Program, (iv) establishes internal policies,
procedures, and controls that are tailored to its particular business, (v) provides for the filing
of all necessary anti-money laundering reports including, but not limited to, currency transaction
reports and suspicious activity reports, and (vi) allows for appropriate regulators to examine its
anti-money laundering books and records. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust acknowledges that
the Authorized Participants are not “customers” for the purposes of 31 CFR 103.
(c) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent and warrant that: (i) it has
procedures in place reasonably designed to protect the privacy of non-public personal
consumer/customer financial information to the extent required by applicable law, rule and
regulation; (ii) it will comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1934 Act;
and (iii) it will provide certifications to the Trust in order to assist the Trust in complying
with certain rules under the 1940 Act (by way of example only, Rules 30a-2, 30a-3 and 38a-1) and in
connection with the filing of certain Forms (by way of example only, Form N-CSR).
(d) The Trust represents and warrants that (i) it is duly organized as a Delaware
statutory trust and is and at all times will remain duly authorized to carry out its obligations as
contemplated herein; (ii) it is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (iii) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly
authorized by all necessary action; (iv) to the best of its
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knowledge, its entering into this
Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the
Trust is a party or by which it is bound; (v) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus
have been prepared, and all sales literature and advertisements approved by the Trust and the
Advisor or other materials prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use (“Sales
Literature and Advertisements”) shall be prepared, in all material respects, in conformity with the
1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission (the “Rules and
Regulations”); (vi) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus contain, and all Sales
Literature and Advertisements shall contain, all statements required to be stated therein in
accordance with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; and (vii) to the best of
its knowledge, all statements of fact contained therein, or to be contained in all Sales Literature
and Advertisements, are or will be true and correct in all material respects at the time indicated
or the effective date, as the case may be, and none of the Registration Statement, any Fund’s
Prospectus, nor any Sales Literature and Advertisements shall include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in the case of each Fund’s Prospectus in light of the circumstances in
which made, not misleading. The Trust shall, for time to time, file such amendment or amendments
to the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus as, in the light of future developments,
shall, in the opinion of the Trust’s counsel, be necessary in order to have the Registration
Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus at all times contain all material facts required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of each Fund’s Prospectus in light
of the circumstances in which made, not misleading. The Trust not file any amendment to the
Registration Statement or each Fund’s Prospectus without giving the Distributor reasonable notice
thereof in advance, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s
right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus as
the Trust may deem advisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not be deemed to make
any representation or warranty as to any information or statement provided by the Distributor for
inclusion in the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus.
(e) The Trust represents to the Distributor that, to the best of its knowledge, the
Registration Statement and Prospectus filed by the Trust with the Commission with respect to the
Trust have been prepared in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933
Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Trust will
notify the Distributor promptly or any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the
Prospectus and any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file
at any time such amendments to any Registration Statement and/or supplements to any Prospectus, of
whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional. The Trust and the Advisor shall not be responsible in any way for any information,
statements or representations given or made by the Distributor or its representatives or agents
other than such information, statements or representations as are contained in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement or
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financial reports filed on behalf of the Trust or in any Sales Literature and Advertisements.
8. Duration, Termination and Amendment.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date set forth above, and unless terminated
as provided herein, shall continue for two years from its effective date, and thereafter from year
to year, provided such continuance is approved annually (i) by vote of a majority of the Trustees
or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by the vote
of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any
such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to each Fund (i) by
vote of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of
any such party or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or
by the Distributor, on at least sixty (60) days prior written notice. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate without the payment of any penalty in the event of its assignment. As used
in this paragraph, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,”
“assignment,” “affiliated person” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings
specified in the 1940 Act.
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except
by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.
9. Notice.
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to
either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by
confirmed facsimile, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following
address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other):
If to the Distributor:
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Attn: Counsel
Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Counsel
Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Trust:
NEXT ETFs Trust
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
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000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
10. Choice of Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state
of Delaware, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
11. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12. Severability.
If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid, in whole or in part, then
the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in force. Invalid provisions shall, in
accordance with this Agreement’s intent and purpose, be amended, to the extent legally possible, in
order to effectuate the intended results of such invalid provisions.
13. Insurance.
The Distributor will maintain at its expense an errors and omissions insurance policy adequate
to cover services provided by the Distributor hereunder, which are, in scope and amount, consistent
with coverages customary for distribution activities relating to an open-end management investment
company such as the Trust. The Distributor shall notify the Trust and the Advisor upon receipt of
notice of any material, adverse change in the terms or provisions of its insurance coverage to the
extent such change would have a material adverse impact on the services provided by the Distributor
pursuant to this Agreement. Such notification shall include the date of change and the reason or
reasons therefore. The Distributor shall notify the Trust and the Advisor of any material claims
against it to the extent such claims would have a material adverse impact on the services provided
by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement.
14. Confidentiality.
During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor, the Trust and the Advisor may have access
to confidential information relating to such matters as either party’s business, trade secrets,
systems, procedures, manuals, products, contracts, personnel, and clients. As used in this
Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to one of the parties that is of
value to such party and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage
to such party. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information,
proposal and presentations, reports, forecasts,
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inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs,
processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business
plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or
facilities). Confidential Information includes information developed by either party in the course
of engaging in the activities provided for in this Agreement, unless: (i) the information is or
becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information is disclosed to the other party
without a confidential restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and
did not obtain it, either directly or indirectly, from one of the parties, as the case may be, or
any of their respective principals, employees, affiliated persons, or affiliated entities. The
parties understand and agree that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by the
other both during and after the term of this Agreement. Each party shall maintain commercially
reasonable information security policies and procedures for protecting Confidential Information.
The parties further agree that they will not, without the prior written approval by the other
party, disclose such Confidential Information, or use such Confidential Information in any way,
either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as required in the
course of this Agreement and as provided by the other party or as required by law. Upon termination
of this Agreement for any reason, or as otherwise requested by the Trust, all Confidential
Information held by or on behalf of Trust shall be promptly returned to the Trust or the Advisor,
or an authorized officer of the Distributor will certify to the Trust in writing that all such
Confidential Information has been destroyed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose
the other’s Confidential Information if (i) required by law, regulation or legal process or if
requested by the Commission or other governmental regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the
parties hereto or (ii) requested to do so by the other party; provided that in the event of (i),
the disclosing party shall give the other party reasonable prior notice of such disclosure to the
extent reasonably practicable and shall reasonably cooperate with the other party (at such other
party’s expense) in any efforts to prevent such disclosure. This section 14 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
15. Limitation of Liability.
The Declaration of Trust, establishing the Trust, provides that the Trustees shall be entitled
to the protection against personal liability for the obligations of the Trust under Section 3803(b)
of the Delaware Business Trust Act, as amended (the “DBTA”). It is expressly acknowledged and
agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the
shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, personally, but shall bind only
the trust property of the Trust, as provided in its Declaration of Trust and under Section 3803 of
the DBTA. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the
Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such
Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any
of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only upon
the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. Separate and
distinct records are maintained for each Fund and the assets
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associated with any such Fund are held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the
Trust, or any other Fund of the Trust. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred,
contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Fund of the Trust shall be
enforceable against the assets of that Fund only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally
or any other Fund, and none of the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred,
contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Fund shall
be enforceable against the assets of that Fund. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust is on file with
the Trust.
16. Use of Names; Publicity.
The Trust shall not use the Distributor’s name in any offering material, shareholder report,
advertisement or other material relating to the Trust, other than for the purpose of merely
identifying and describing the functions of the Distributor hereunder, in a manner not approved by
the Distributor in writing prior to such use, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. The
Distributor hereby consents to all uses of its name required by the Commission, any state
securities commission, or any federal or state regulatory authority.
The Distributor shall not use the name NEXT ETFs Trust in any offering material, shareholder
report, advertisement or other material relating to the Distributor, other than for the purpose of
merely identifying and describing the functions of the Trust hereunder, in a manner not approved by
the Trust in writing prior to such use; provided, however, that the Trust shall consent to all uses
of its name required by the Commission, any state securities commission, or any federal or state
regulatory authority; and provided, further, that in no case shall such approval be unreasonably
withheld.
The Distributor will not issue any press releases or make any public announcements regarding
the existence of this Agreement without the express written consent of the Trust. Neither the
Trust nor the Distributor will disclose any of the economic terms of this Agreement, except as may
be required by law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
NEXT ETFs TRUST |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx XxXxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx XxXxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President |
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EXHIBIT A
MAXISSM Nikkei 225 Index Fund
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