REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
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entered into as of December 30, 1998, among AgriBioTech, a Nevada corporation
(the "Company"), and the parties who have executed this Agreement and whose
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names appear on Schedule I hereto (each party listed on Schedule I hereto is
sometimes individually referred to herein as a "Purchaser" and all such parties
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are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Purchasers").
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This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement,
dated as of the date hereof among the Company and the Purchasers (the "Purchase
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Agreement").
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The Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
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Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement,
the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Advice" has meaning set forth in Section 3(o) hereof.
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"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
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directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or under common control with
such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control," when used with
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respect to any Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "affiliated," controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
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correlative to the foregoing.
"Business Day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which
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shall be a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of
New York generally are authorized or required by law or other government actions
to close.
"Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
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Agreement.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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"Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001 per
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share.
"Debentures" means the Company's 5% Convertible Debentures issuable
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pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
"Effectiveness Date" means the earlier of (i) March 30, 1999, or (ii)
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the fifth day after the Company has received notice (written or oral) from the
Commission that the Commission Staff will not be reviewing the Registration
Statement or has no further comments on the Registration Statement.
"Effectiveness Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
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hereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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"Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.
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"Filing Date" means as soon as practicable but in no event later than
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January 29, 1999.
"Holder" or "Holders" means the holder or holders, as the case may
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be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
"Indemnified Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
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"Indemnifying Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
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"Initial Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section
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2(a) hereof.
"Losses" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.
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"Person" means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust,
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incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability
company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision
thereof) or other entity of any kind.
"Proceeding" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding
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(including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as
a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in the Registration
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Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the
Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with
respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement, and all other amendments and
supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all
material incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"Registrable Securities" means the shares of Common Stock issued or
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issuable upon (i) conversion of or with respect to the Debentures, (ii) payment
of interest or any other payments in respect of the Debentures, (iii) exercise
of the Warrants, and (iv) any shares of the
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Company's capital stock issued with respect to (i), (ii) or (iii) as a result of
any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or
otherwise.
"Registration Delay Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)
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hereof.
"Registration Statement" means the Initial Registration Statement and
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any additional registration statements contemplated by Sections 2(a), 2(b) and
7(d), including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to
such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective
amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference in
such registration statement.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 158" means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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"Special Counsel" means one special counsel to the Holders, for which
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the Holders will be reimbursed by the Company pursuant to Section 4.
"Underlying Shares" means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
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conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants.
"Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering" means a
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registration in connection with which securities of the Company are sold to an
underwriter for reoffering to the public pursuant to an effective registration
statement.
"Warrants" means the warrants issuable pursuant to the Purchase
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Agreement.
2. Registration Requirements
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(a) On or prior to the Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and
file with the Commission a Registration Statement (the "Initial Registration
Statement") which shall cover all Registrable Securities for an offering to be
made on a continuous basis pursuant to a "Shelf" registration statement under
Rule 415. The Initial Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or any
successor form (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for
resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such registration
shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith, subject to the
reasonable consent of the original
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Holders of the Registrable Securities). The Company shall (i) not permit any
securities other than the Registrable Securities to be included in the Initial
Registration Statement and (ii) use its best efforts to cause the Initial
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as
promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date, and to keep such Initial Registration Statement
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is four
years after the date that such Initial Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Commission or such earlier date when all Registrable Securities
covered by such Initial Registration Statement have been sold or may be sold
without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 as determined by counsel to the
Company pursuant to a written opinion letter, addressed to the Holders and the
Company's transfer agent to such effect (the "Effectiveness Period"). The
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Company acknowledges that the number of shares initially included in the Initial
Registration Statement represents a good faith estimate of the maximum number of
shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants.
If, at any time within the 45-day period preceding a reset of the Conversion
Price pursuant to the terms of Section 5.2 of the Debentures, the closing bid
price per share of the Common Stock on Nasdaq (or any Subsequent Market (as
defined in the Debenture) on which the Common Stock is then listed, or if there
is no such price on such date, then the closing bid price on such exchange or
quotation system on the date nearest preceding such date) is less than $9.50 for
any consecutive five (5) Trading Day period, the Company shall be required to
file within five (5) Business Days after such fifth (5th) Business Day a
Registration Statement covering the greater of (a) the product of (i) one and
one-half (1.5) and (ii) the aggregate number of Underlying Shares, less the
number of Underlying Shares for which a Registration Statement is then effective
or (b) the aggregate number of Underlying Shares, calculated as if the
Conversion Price (as defined in the Debentures) was reset on such fifth day
pursuant to the terms of Section 5.2 of the Debentures, less the number of
Underlying Shares for which a Registration Statement is then effective;
provided, however, that if on the actual reset date (pursuant to Section 5.2 of
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the Debentures) the Registration Statements are insufficient to register all
Underlying Shares (after giving effect to such reset), the Company shall
immediately, but in no more than five (5) Business Days, file a Registration
Statement sufficient to register such additional shares of Common Stock.
(b) In addition to the Initial Registration Statement, if the Holders
of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement
so elect on or after July 1, 1999, an offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Registration Statement may be effected on no more than one (1)
occasion in the form of an Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that the
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Company may delay any such underwritten offering one (1) time for a period of up
to ninety (90) days. In such event, and if the managing underwriters advise the
Company and such Holders in writing that in their opinion the amount of
Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such Underwritten Offering exceeds
the amount of Registrable Securities which can be sold in such Underwritten
Offering, there shall be included in such Underwritten Offering the amount of
such Registrable Securities which in the opinion of such managing underwriters
can be sold, and such amount shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders
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proposing to sell Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering.
(c) If any of the Registrable Securities are to be sold in an
Underwritten Offering, the investment banker in interest that will administer
the offering will be selected by
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the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such
offering provided that the Company shall consent to the inclusion of such
investment banker, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Holder
may participate in any Underwritten Offering hereunder unless such Holder (i)
agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting agreements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required
under the terms of such arrangements.
(d) If (i) the Initial Registration Statement covering all the
applicable Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement is not (A) filed with the Commission on or before the
Filing Date or (B) declared effective by the Commission on or before the
applicable Effectiveness Date, (ii) on any day after the Registration Statement
has been declared effective by the Commission (A) sales of all the Registrable
Securities required to be included on a Registration Statement cannot be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, because
of a failure to keep the Registration Statement effective, to disclose such
information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to the Registration
Statement, or to register sufficient shares of Common Stock) or (B) the Common
Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the National Market System of
the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"), the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or the
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American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") after being so listed or included for
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quotation or (iii) the Company shall otherwise fail to file a Registration
Statement required by Section 2(a) hereof, (each such event specified in (i),
(ii) and (iii) above, an "Event"), then, as partial relief for the damages to
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any Holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell
the Registrable Securities (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other
remedies available at law or in equity), the Company shall pay to each Holder an
amount in cash (a "Registration Delay Payment") equal to the then outstanding
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principal amount of the Debentures (and, in the case of Holders, the principal
amount of Debentures from which such Registrable Securities were converted) (the
"Aggregate Price") multiplied by two hundredths (.020) times the sum of: (i) the
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number of months (prorated for partial months) after the end of the
Effectiveness Date and prior to the date the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Commission, provided, however, that there shall be excluded
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from such period any delays which are solely attributable to changes required by
the Purchasers in the Registration Statement with respect to information
relating to the Purchasers, or to the failure of the Purchasers to conduct their
review of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(a); (ii) the number
of months (prorated for partial months) that sales cannot be made pursuant to
the Registration Statement after the Registration Statement has been declared
effective (including, without limitation, when sales cannot be made by reason of
the Company's failure to properly supplement or amend the Prospectus in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or otherwise, but excluding when
such sales cannot be made solely by reason of any act or omission solely
attributable to the Purchasers); and (iii) the number of months (prorated for
partial months) that the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on
the Nasdaq, NYSE or AMEX or that trading thereon is halted after the
Registration Statement has been declared effective. The Company shall pay any
Required Registration Delay Payments to each Holder in cash on the last Business
Day of each month during which an Event has occurred and is continuing. In the
event the Company fails to make a Registration Delay Payment in a timely manner,
such Registration Delay Payment shall bear interest at the rate of 2.0% per
month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
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(e) The Company represents and warrants that it meets the registrant
eligibility and transaction requirements for the use of Form S-3 (for primary
and secondary offerings) for the registration of the sale of Registrable
Securities by the Purchasers and any other Holders and the Company shall file
all reports required to be filed by the Company with the Commission in a timely
manner so as to maintain such eligibility for the use of Form S-3.
3. Registration Procedures
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In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder,
the Company shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the Commission on or prior to the Filing
Date a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or its successor form (or if the
Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities
on Form S-3 such registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance
herewith (which shall include a Plan of Distribution substantially in the form
of Exhibit A annexed hereto, unless in connection with an Underwritten
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Offering) or in connection with an Underwritten Offering hereunder, such other
form agreed to by the Company and by a majority-in-interest of Holders of
Registrable Securities to be covered by such Registration Statement) (except if
otherwise directed by the Holders), and cause the Registration Statement to
become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however,
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that not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the filing of the
Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto (including any document that would be incorporated therein by
reference), the Company shall, if reasonably practicable (i) furnish to the
Holders, their Special Counsel and any managing underwriters, copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed (including documents incorporated by reference),
which documents will be subject to the review of such Holders, their Special
Counsel and such managing underwriters, and (ii) cause its officers and
directors, counsel and independent certified public accountants to respond to
such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective
counsel to such Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not
file the Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities, their Special Counsel, or any managing underwriters, shall
reasonably object, 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 Holders, the
Holder's beneficial ownership of securities of the Company or the Holders
intended method of disposition of Registrable Securities shall conform to the
information provided to the Company by each of the Holders.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective for the
Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional
Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act
all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be
amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar
provisions then in force) promulgated
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under the Securities Act; (iii) respond as promptly as possible to any comments
received from the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto and as promptly as possible provide the Holders true and
complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to the
Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in the Registration Statement as so
amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable
upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants, the Company
shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on
the short form available therefore, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all
of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any
event within twenty (20) Business Days after the necessity therefor arises
(based on the Conversion Price of the Debentures and other relevant factors on
which the Company reasonably elects to rely). 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. The provisions
of Section 2(c) above shall be applicable with respect to such obligation, with
the ninety (90) days running from the day after the date on which the Company
reasonably first determines (or reasonably should have determined) the need
therefor.
(c) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold, their
Special Counsel and any managing underwriters as promptly as possible (and, in
the case of (i)(A) below, not less than five (5) days prior to such filing and
in the case of (i)(C) below, not later than the first Business Day after
effectiveness) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in
writing no later than one (1) Business Day following the day (i)(A) when a
Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the Commission notifies
the Company whether there will be a "review" of such Registration Statement and
whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement and
(C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any
other Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to
the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or
the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) if at any time any of
the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement
(including any underwriting agreement) contemplated hereby ceases to be true and
correct in all material respects; (v) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; and (vi) of the occurrence of any event that makes any statement made
in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or
that requires any revisions to the Registration Statement, Prospectus or other
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue
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statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) Use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(e) If requested by any managing underwriter or the Holders of a
majority in interest of the Registrable Securities to be sold in connection with
an Underwritten Offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement such information as the
Company reasonably agrees should be included therein and (ii) make all required
filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon
as practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any action
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pursuant to this Section 3(e) that would, in the opinion of counsel for the
Company, violate applicable law or be materially detrimental to the business
prospects of the Company.
(f) Furnish to each Holder, their Special Counsel, and any managing
underwriters, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration
Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial statements and
schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference, and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including
those previously furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the
filing of such documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly deliver to each Holder, their Special Counsel, and any
underwriters, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
(including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as
such Persons may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents to the use
of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders and any underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of
the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its
best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders, any
underwriters and their Special Counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws
of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder or underwriter
requests in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification (or
exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and
all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in
such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration
Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify
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generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified
or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any
such jurisdiction where it is not then so
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subject or subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject.
(i) Cooperate with the Holders and any managing underwriters to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, which
certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by applicable law, of all
restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as any such managing underwriters or
Holders may request at least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of
Registrable Securities.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section
3(c)(vi), as promptly as possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including
a post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(k) Cause all Registrable Securities relating to such Registration
Statement to be listed on Nasdaq and any other securities exchange, quotation
system, market or over-the-counter bulletin board, if any, on which similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed as and when required pursuant
to the Purchase Agreement.
(l) Enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement
in form, scope and substance as is customary in Underwritten Offerings) and take
all such other actions in connection therewith (including those reasonably
requested by any managing underwriters and the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities, and whether or not an underwriting
agreement is entered into, (i) make such representations and warranties to such
Holders and such underwriters as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters
in underwritten public offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested;
(ii) in the case of an Underwritten Offering obtain and deliver copies thereof
to the managing underwriters, if any, or in the case of non-Underwritten
Offerings, if reasonably requested by the selling Holders and at the expense of
such selling Holders, obtain and deliver copies thereof to such selling Holders,
of opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof addressed to each such
underwriter, in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to any such
managing underwriters and Special Counsel to the selling Holders covering the
matters customarily covered in opinions requested in Underwritten Offerings and
such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Special Counsel and
underwriters; (iii) immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, and, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, at the time of delivery
of any Registrable Securities sold pursuant thereto, and, in the case of non-
Underwritten Offerings, at such time as the selling Holders may reasonably
request (at the expense of such selling Holders), obtain and deliver copies to
the Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, of "cold comfort" letters and
updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company
(and, if required, any other independent certified public accountants of any
subsidiary
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of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial
statements and financial data is, or is required to be, included in the
Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, if any, in form
and substance as are customary in connection with Underwritten Offerings; (iv)
if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the selling
Holders and the underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 6 (or such
other provisions and procedures acceptable to the managing underwriters, if any,
and holders of a majority of Registrable Securities participating in such
Underwritten Offering; and (v) deliver such documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities
being sold, their Special Counsel and any managing underwriters to evidence the
continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause
3(1)(i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained
in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company.
(m) Make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any
representative of such Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition
of Registrable Securities, and any attorney or accountant retained by such
selling Holders or underwriters, at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the
officers, directors, agents and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to
supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any such Holder,
representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the
Registration Statement; provided, however, that if any information is determined
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in good faith by the Company in writing to be of a confidential nature at the
time of delivery of such information, then prior to delivery of such
information, the Company and the Holders shall enter into a confidentiality
agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Holders providing that
such information shall be kept confidential, unless (i) disclosure of such
information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to
respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities (provided, however, that the
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Company shall be given notice of any such pending disclosure so that the Company
may seek a protective order); (ii) disclosure of such information, in the
opinion of counsel to such Person, is required by law; (iii) such information
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure
or failure to safeguard by such Person; or (iv) such information becomes
available to such Person from a source other than the Company and such source is
not known by such Person to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with the
Company.
(n) Comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and make generally available to its
securityholders earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of
the Securities Act and Rule 158 not later than 45 days after the end of any 12-
month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is
a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which
Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best
efforts Underwritten Offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company
after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall
conform to the requirements of Rule 158.
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(o) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the
Company information regarding such Holder and the distribution of such
Registrable Securities as is required by law to be disclosed in the Registration
Statement, and the Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable
Securities of any such Holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time after receiving such request.
The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning a Holder 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, (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 a Holder is sought
in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other
means, give prompt notice to such Holder prior to making such disclosure, and
allow the Holder, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
If the Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (if such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise
is not required by the Securities Act or any similar Federal statute then in
force) the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the
time that such reference ceases to be required.
Each Holder covenants and agrees that (i) it will not sell any
Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until it has received
copies of the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented as contemplated in
Section 3(g) and notice from the Company that such Registration Statement and
any post-effective amendments thereto have become effective as contemplated by
Section 3(c) and (ii) it and its officers, directors or Affiliates, if any, will
comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as
applicable to them in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant
to the Registration Statement.
Each Holder agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities
that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event
of the kind described in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv), 3(c)(v) or
3(c)(vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the
copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement
contemplated by Section 3(j), or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
------
by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in
either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that
are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company
shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a
transferee of a Holder in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase
11
Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to
which an Holder has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Holder's
receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind
described in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv), 3(c)(v) or 3(c)(vi) and for
which the Holder has not yet settled.
(p) The Company agrees to respond fully and completely to any and all
comments on a Registration Statement received from the Commission staff as
promptly as possible but, for non-Underwritten Offerings, in no event later
than ten (10) Business Days of the receipt of such comments, regardless of
whether such comments are in oral or written form.
(q) Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which
covers applicable Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the Commission,
the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to
deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the Commission in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
---------
4. Registration Expenses
---------------------
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Company, except as and to the extent
specified below, shall be borne by the Company whether or not the Registration
Statement is filed or becomes effective and whether or not any Registrable
Securities are sold pursuant to the Registration Statement. The fees and
expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with Nasdaq
and each other securities exchange or market on which Registrable Securities are
required hereunder to be listed and (B) in compliance with state securities or
Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Holders in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable
Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities
for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing
underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities may
designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if
the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriters, if any,
or by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the
Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv)
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and Special Counsel for the
Holders, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such
insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the
Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its
internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all
salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, and the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange as required hereunder. If the Holders require an
Underwritten Offering pursuant to the terms hereof, the Holders shall be
responsible for all costs, fees and expenses in connection therewith, including
the fees of the
12
Company's counsel and fees relating to "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, but
excluding any fees or expenses relating to an audit of the Company or the
preparation of the Company's financial statements or quarterly reports.
5. Indemnification
---------------
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall,
------------------------------
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, investment advisors and employees
of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the
officers, directors, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all
joint or several losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without
limitation, costs of preparation and attorneys' fees) and expenses
(collectively, together with actions, proceedings or inquiries by any regulatory
or self-regulatory organization, whether commenced or threatened, "Losses"), as
------
incurred, arising out of or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form
of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made) not misleading (in the case of any Prospectus or form of
Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made), except to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statements or omissions are based solely upon and in conformity with information
regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein, which information was reasonably relied on by the
Company for use therein or to the extent that such information relates to such
Holder or such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable
Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (provided that the Company
amended any disclosure with respect to the method of distribution upon written
notice from the Holders that such section of the Prospectus should be revised in
any way) or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other law, including, without limitation,
any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the
offer or sale of Registrable Securities. In addition, the Company shall not be
liable for any Losses to any Holder with respect to any untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission if such statement or omission was made
in a preliminary Prospectus that is corrected in a final Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) if the person asserting such Losses purchased
Common Stock from a Holder in reliance upon such preliminary Prospectus (or a
Prospectus which was subsequently amended or supplemented) or the Prospectus, as
subsequently amended or supplemented, that was made available by the Company to
such Holder at or prior to written confirmation of the sale of the Common Stock
to such person in any case where such delivery of such Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) is required, unless such failure to deliver such final Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Company with
Section 3(g) of this Agreement. The Company
13
shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any
Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not
--------------------------
jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors, officers,
agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the
directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as
incurred, arising solely out of or based solely upon any untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any
form of prospectus, or arising solely out of or based solely upon any omission
of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished
in writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in the
Registration Statement or such Prospectus and that such information was
reasonably relied upon by the Company for use in the Registration Statement,
such Prospectus or such form of prospectus or to the extent that such
information relates to such Holder or such Holder's proposed method of
distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved
in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such
Prospectus or such form of prospectus. In no event shall the liability of any
selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net
proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall
--------------------------------------
be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an
"Indemnified Party"), such Indemnified Party promptly shall notify the Person
------------------
from whom indemnity is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing, and the
------------------
Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided,
---------
however, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not
-------
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to
this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not
subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have proximately
and materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party
or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to
assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named
parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both
such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party
shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to
exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying
14
Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume
the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any
such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending
Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such
settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all
liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
All fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable
fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or
preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this
Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party (regardless of
whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require
such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to
the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder).
(d) Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 5(a)
------------
or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party because of a failure or refusal
of a governmental authority to enforce such indemnification in accordance with
its terms (by reason of public policy or otherwise), then each Indemnifying
Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions,
statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party
and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been
taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party
or Indemnified Party, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or
omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5(c), any
reasonable attorneys' or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such
party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been
indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in
this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms. In no
event shall any selling Holder be required to contribute an amount under this
Section 5(d) in excess of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon sale of
the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement giving rise to
such contribution obligation.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
15
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section
are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the
Indemnified Parties.
6. Rule 144
--------
As long as any Holder owns Registrable Securities, the Company
covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file
within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the
Company after the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or l5(d) of the Exchange
Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all
such filings. As long as any Holder owns Registrable Securities, if the Company
is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or l5(d) of the
Exchange Act, it will prepare and furnish to the Holders and make publicly
available in accordance with Rule 144(c) promulgated under the Securities Act
annual and quarterly financial statements, together with a discussion and
analysis of such financial statements in form and substance substantially
similar to those that would otherwise be required to be included in reports
required by Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as any other
information required thereby, in the time period that such filings would have
been required to have been made under the Exchange Act. The Company further
covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably
request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Person to
sell Underlying Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act, including providing any legal opinions referred to in the
Purchase Agreement. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to
such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether
it has complied with such requirements.
7. Miscellaneous
-------------
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a
--------
Holder of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the
Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages,
will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The
Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate
compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the
provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any
action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the
defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
--------------------------
subsidiaries has, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement
with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to
the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.1(r) of the Purchase Agreement, neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has previously entered into any agreement
granting any
16
registration rights with respect to any of its securities to any Person. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the written consent of the
Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, the
Company shall not grant to any Person the right to request the Company to
register any securities of the Company under the Securities Act unless the
rights so granted are subordinated in all respects to the rights in full of the
Holders set forth in Section 2 herein, and are not otherwise in conflict or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement, together
with the Purchase Agreement, contain the entire understanding of the parities
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters.
(c) No Piggyback on Registrations. Except as disclosed on Schedule
-----------------------------
2.1(r) of the Purchase Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its
securityholders (other than the Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may
include securities of the Company in the Registration Statements and the Company
shall not after the date hereof enter into any agreement providing such right to
any of its securityholders, unless the right so granted is subordinated in all
respects to the rights in full of the Holders set forth herein, and is not
otherwise in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Piggy-Back Registrations. Except as provided herein if, at any
------------------------
time when there is not an effective Registration Statement covering the
Registrable Securities, the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the
Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own account
or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity
securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the
Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be
issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or
equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee
benefit plans, the Company shall send to each Holder of Registrable Securities
written notice of such determination and, if within ten (10) days after receipt
of such notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing, (which request
shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by the
Purchasers), the Company will use reasonable efforts to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has
been so requested to register by the holder, to the extent requisite to permit
the disposition of the Registrable Securities so to be registered, provided that
if at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any
securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed
in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason
not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at
its election, give written notice of such determination to such Holder and,
thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved
of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such
registration (but not from its obligation to pay expenses in accordance with
Section 4 hereof), and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registering,
shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable Securities being
registered pursuant to this Section 7(d) for the same period as the delay in
registering such other securities. The Company shall include in such
registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such
Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the Company shall not
-------- -------
be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 7(d)
that are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act. In the
case of an underwritten public offering, if the managing underwriter(s) or
underwriter(s) should reasonably object to the inclusion of the
17
Registrable Securities in such registration statement, then if the Company after
consultation with the Underwriter's Representative should reasonably determine
that the inclusion of such Registrable Securities, would materially adversely
affect the offering contemplated in such registration statement, and based on
such determination recommends inclusion in such registration statement of fewer
Registrable Securities then proposed to be sold by the Holders, then (x) the
number of Registrable Securities of the Holders included in such registration
statement shall be reduced pro-rata among such Holders (based upon the number of
Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration); provided,
--------
however, that if securities are being offered for the account of other persons
-------
or entities as well as the Company, such reduction shall not represent a greater
fraction of the number of Registrable Securities intended to be offered by the
Holders than the fraction of similar reductions imposed on such other persons or
entities (other than the Company).
(e) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
----------------------
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company
and the Holders of at least two thirds of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that for the purposes of this sentence,
-------- -------
Registrable Securities that are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company,
or an Affiliate of the Company are not deemed outstanding. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not
directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by
Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such
waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this
-------- -------
sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with
the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(f) Notices. Any notice or other communication required or
-------
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been received (a) upon hand delivery (receipt acknowledged) or delivery by telex
(with correct answer back received), telecopy or facsimile (with transmission
confirmation report) at the address or number designated below (if received by
8:00 p.m. EST where such notice is to be received), or the first business day
following such delivery (if received after 8:00 p.m. EST where such notice is to
be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by
express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon
actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The addresses for
such communications are (i) if to the Company to AgriBioTech, Inc., 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000, Attn: Dr. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Chief
Executive Officer, fax no. (000) 000-0000, with copies to Snow Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
P.C., 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.,
fax no. (000) 000-0000 and (ii) if to any Purchaser to the address set forth on
Schedule I hereto with copies to those specified on the signature pages hereto
and to Akin, Gump, Strauss, Xxxxx & Xxxx, L.L.P., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attn: Xxxxx Xxxx, Esq., fax no. (000) 000-0000 or such other
address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such
Person.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
----------------------
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of
the parties and shall inure to the
18
benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of each Holder. Each Purchaser may
assign its rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under
the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights of each Holder
---------------------------------
hereunder, including the right to have the Company register for resale
Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, shall be
automatically assignable by each Holder if: (i) the Holder agrees in writing
with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such
agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such
assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or
assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such
transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being transferred or assigned, (iii) following such
transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities by the
transferee or assignees is restricted under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the
written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this Section, the transferee or
assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions
of this Agreement, and (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with
the applicable requirements of the Purchase Agreement. The rights to assignment
shall apply to the Holders (and to subsequent) successors and assigns.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In
the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, such
signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or
on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and
effect as if such facsimile signature were the original thereof.
(j) Governing Law. The corporate laws of the State of Nevada shall
-------------
govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and the
Purchasers as its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without
regard to principles of conflicts of law. Each party hereby irrevocably submits
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the
City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute
hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby
or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in
any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to
the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is
improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and
consent to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under
this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed
to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.
(k) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative
-------------------
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
19
(l) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
------------
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative
means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated
by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and
declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the
remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of
such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(m) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(n) Shares Held by The Company and its Affiliates. Whenever the
---------------------------------------------
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or
its Affiliates (other than any Holder or transferees or successors or assigns
thereof if such Holder is deemed to be an Affiliate solely by reason of its
holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining
whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required
percentage.
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20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
AGRIBIOTECH, INC.
By:________________________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company is registering the Registrable Securities on behalf of the
Holder. As used herein, the term Holder means the holder of the Registrable
Securities and includes donees and pledgees selling Registrable Securities
received from a named Holder after the date of this Prospectus. All costs,
expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the Registrable
Securities offered hereby will be borne by the Company. Brokerage commissions
and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of Registrable
Securities will be borne by the Holders. Sales of Registrable Securities may be
effected by Holders from time to time in one or more types of transactions
(which may include block transactions) on the Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions, through put or call options transactions
relating to the Registrable Securities, through short sales of Registrable
Securities, or a combination of such methods of sale, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such transactions may
or may not involve brokers or dealers. The Holders have advised the Company
that they have not entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements
with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of their securities,
nor is there an underwriter or coordinated broker acting in connection with the
proposed sale of Registrable Securities by the Holders.
The Holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or
other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-
dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the
Registrable Securities or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for the
Registrable Securities in the course of hedging positions they assume with
Holders. The Holders may also enter into options or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery to
such broker-dealers or other financial institutions of Registrable Securities
offered by this Prospectus, which Registrable Securities such broker-dealer or
other financial institution may resell pursuant to this Prospectus (as amended
or supplemented to reflect such transaction).
The Holders may effect such transactions by selling Registrable
Securities directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers, which may act
as agents or principals. Such broker-dealers may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from Holders and/or the purchasers
of Registrable Securities for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to
whom they sell as principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular
broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions).
The Holders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with the
sale of Registrable Securities might be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by
such broker-dealers any profit on the resale of the Registrable Securities sold
by them while acting as principals might be deemed to be underwriting discounts
or commissions under the Securities Act. The Company has agreed to indemnify
each Holder against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
Securities Act. The Holders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-
dealer that participates in
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transactions involving sales of the Registrable Securities against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The Holders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act.
The Holders will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act. The Company has informed the Holders that the anti-
manipulative provisions of Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act may
apply to their sales in the market.
Holders also may resell all or a portion of the Registrable Securities
in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of such Rule.
Upon the Company being notified by a Holder that any material
arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of
Registrable Securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange
distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a
supplement to this Prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of each such Holder and
of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of Registrable Securities
involved, (iii) the initial price at which such Registrable Securities were
sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not
conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and (vi) other facts material to the transactions.
In addition, upon the Company being notified by a Holder that a donee or pledgee
intends to sell more than [500] Registrable Securities, a supplement to this
Prospectus will be filed.
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[TRANSFER AGENT]
Attn.:
Re: AgriBioTech
-----------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to AgriBioTech, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"),
and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Amended and
Restated Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") entered into
by and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the
"Holders") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders its 5%
Convertible Debentures due [December 30, 2001] (the "Debentures") convertible
into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock"), and Warrants (the "the Warrants") to acquire shares of Common
Stock. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into an
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the
"Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among
other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants, under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the
Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on
_______________, 1999, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which
names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
[ISSUER'S COUNSEL]
CC: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]
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