REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 7, 2008, by and among Microfield Group, Inc., an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), and the purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser is a “Purchaser” and all such purchasers are, collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof among the Company and the Purchasers (the “Purchase Agreement”).
The Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Purchase Agreement 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” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Effectiveness Date” means, with respect to the initial Registration Statement required to be filed hereunder, 120 calendar days after the Closing Date and, with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 120th calendar day following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should have known, that such additional Registration Statement is required hereunder; provided, however, in the event the Company is notified by the Commission that one of the above Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates required above.
“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Event Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Filing Date” means, with respect to the initial Registration Statement required hereunder, the 60th calendar day following the Closing Date and, with respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 60th day following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should have known that such additional Registration Statement is required hereunder.
“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Plan of Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration 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 a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
“Registrable Securities” means, as of the date in question, (i) the Shares, (ii) all Warrant Shares, (iii) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing and (iv) any additional shares issuable in connection with any anti-dilution provisions associated with the Warrants (in each case, without giving effect to any limitations on exercise set forth in the Warrants).
“Registration Statement” means the registration statements required to be filed hereunder and any additional registration statements contemplated by Section 3(c), 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 or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to 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 purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to 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 purpose and effect as such Rule.
2. Shelf Registration
(a) On or prior to each Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a “Shelf” Registration Statement covering the resale of 100% of the Registrable Securities on such Filing Date for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415. The Registration Statement shall be on Form S-1 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-1, in which case such registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith) and shall contain (unless otherwise directed by the Holders) substantially the “Plan of Distribution” attached hereto as Annex A. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event prior to the applicable Effectiveness Date, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (i) the date when the Holder may sell all Registrable Securities under Rule 144 or other rule promulgated by the Commission without volume or other restrictions or limits, provided that the Company has furnished the Holder with an opinion letter of legal counsel to such effect or (ii) the date the Holders no longer own any of the Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall immediately notify the Holders via facsimile or e-mail of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on the same day that the Company receives notification of the effectiveness from the Commission.
(b) Provided
the following events are not caused by a failure of any Purchaser to fulfill
their obligations pursuant to
Section 3(a) of this Agreement if: (i) a Registration Statement is
not filed on or prior to its Filing Date, (ii) the Company fails to file
with the Commission a request for acceleration in accordance with Rule 461
promulgated under the Securities Act, within five Trading Days of the date that
the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the
Commission that a Registration Statement will not be “reviewed,” or not subject
to further review, (iii) a Registration Statement filed or required to be
filed hereunder is not declared effective by the Commission by its
Effectiveness Date, (iv) after the
Effectiveness Date, the availability of the Registration and Prospectus is
suspended for more than an aggregate of 60 days in any 12-month period or (v) after
the date six months following the Closing Date, the Company fails to file with
the Commission any required reports under Section 6 hereof as a result of
which the Buyers are unable to sell Registrable Securities without restriction
under Rule 144 (or any successor thereto) (any such failure or breach
being referred to as an “Event”,
and for purposes of clause (i), (iii) or (v) the date on which such
Event occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five
Trading Day period is exceeded being referred to as “Event Date”), then in addition to any other rights the
Holders may have hereunder or under applicable law, on each monthly anniversary
of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by
such date) until the applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to each
Holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty,
equal to 1.0% of the aggregate Purchase Price paid by such Holder pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement for any Registrable Securities then held by such Holder,
provided that partial liquidated damages shall not be paid with respect to those
Registrable Securities which cannot be registered under Rule 415 solely as
a result of action by the Commission. The partial liquidated damages pursuant
to the terms hereof shall apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a
month prior to the cure of an Event and shall not exceed an aggregate of 12% of the aggregate Purchase Price paid by the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement.
3. Registration Procedures
In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:
(a) Not less than four (4) Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall, (i) furnish to each Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of such Holders, 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 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 shall reasonably object in good faith, provided that, the Company is notified of such objection, including the substance of such objection, in writing no later than two Trading Days after the Holders have been so furnished copies of such documents. Each Holder, severally and not jointly agrees to furnish to the Company a completed Questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a “Selling Holder Questionnaire”) not less than ten Trading Days prior to the Filing Date.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities 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 (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto; 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 a Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance (subject to the terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) If during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable Securities at any time exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock then registered in a Registration Statement, then the Company shall file as soon as reasonably practicable but in any case prior to the applicable Filing Date, an additional Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of such additional Registrable Securities.
(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall, pursuant to clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than five Trading Days prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one Trading Day following the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a 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 a 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 a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) 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; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion therein or any statement made in a 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 a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue 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; and (vi) the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow continued availability of the Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided that any and all of such information shall remain confidential to each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public, unless disclosure by a Holder is required by law; provided, further, notwithstanding each Holder’s agreement to keep such information confidential, the Holders make no acknowledgement that any such information is material, non-public information.
(e) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a 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.
(f) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at its request, at least one conformed copy of each such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, 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, 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 in connection with resales by the Holder of Registrable Securities. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after the giving on any notice pursuant to Section 3(d).
(h) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(i) If requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may request.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by this Section 3, as promptly as reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account the Company’s good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a 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 a 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. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (ii) through (v) of Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(j) to suspend the availability
of a Registration Statement and Prospectus, for a period not to exceed aggregate 60 days (which need not be consecutive days) in any 12 month period.
(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
(l) In connection with the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the person thereof that has voting and dispositive control over the Shares. During any periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any Holder fails to furnish such information within five Trading Days of the Company’s request, any liquidated damages that are accruing at such time as to such Holder only shall be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay shall be suspended as to such Holder only, until such information is delivered to the Company.
4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company 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 the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, and (B) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel and auditors for the Company, (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. In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions or any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.
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 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 losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a 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, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly 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 a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 7(c). The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware.
(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its 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, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any 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 not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that (1) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly 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 (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (2) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 7(c). 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 shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to 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, 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 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; (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 reasonably believe that a material 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 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 the reasonable fees and expenses of one separate 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 or delayed. 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.
(d) Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party (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 this Agreement, 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.
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. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud by such Holder.
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. Reports Under Exchange Act. With a view to making available to the Holder the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder to sell Registrable Shares of the Company to the public without registration, the Company agrees to:
(a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms are used in Rule 144, at all times;
(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Trading Market;
(c) Furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Shares, forthwith on request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the Commission that permits the selling of any such securities without registration; and
(d) Undertake any additional actions reasonably necessary to maintain the availability of the use of Rule 144 and any future rules adopted by the Commission permitting the resale of the Registrable Securities.
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 other 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) Compliance. Each Holder, severally and not jointly, covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(c) Discontinued Disposition. Each Holder, severally and not jointly, 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(d), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement, 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. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as it practicable.
(d) 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 each Holder of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. 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 all 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.
(e) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(f) 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 benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase Agreement.
(g) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered, 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 would have
the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(h) Execution and 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 (or electronic transmission of a PDF file), such signature shall create a valid 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 (or PDF file) were the original thereof.
(i) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(j) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.
(k) 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 commercially 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.
(l) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(m) Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
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MICROFIELD GROUP, INC. |
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[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
[PURCHASER’S SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
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Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: |
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ANNEX A
Plan of Distribution
The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.
The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:
· ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
· block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
· purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
· an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
· privately negotiated transactions;
· short sales;
· through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
· broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
· a combination of any such methods of sale; and
· any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as
selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. Upon any exercise of the warrants by payment of cash, however, we will receive the exercise price of the warrants.
The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.
The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.
We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.
We have agreed with the selling stockholders to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier (i) the date when the selling stockholder may sell all securities registered under the registration statement under Rule 144 without volume or other restrictions or limits or (ii) the date the selling stockholders no longer own any of the securities registered under the registration statement.
Annex B
MICROFIELD GROUP, INC.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
The following information is requested from you in connection with the preparation and filing by Microfield Group, Inc. (the “Company”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-1 or other appropriate form (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) covering the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock by certain stockholders.
We would appreciate your answering all of the questions included in this questionnaire, even though your answers may be in the negative, so that the Company will have a record of your responses for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement. It is requested that you give careful attention to each question and that you complete this questionnaire personally.
In order to assist you in completing this questionnaire, certain terms used herein are defined in the appendix which is attached to this questionnaire. Each of such defined terms has been bolded and italicized for identification. The term “person,” as used in this questionnaire, means any natural person, company, government or political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.
After you have completed the following questionnaire, please send the completed questionnaire by facsimile ((000) 000-0000) or overnight courier as soon as possible to the attention of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx at Sichenzia Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, 00 Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
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GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Please provide your full name and address or the full name and address of the entity on whose behalf you are completing this questionnaire. The address may be a business, mailing or residence address.
Name:
Address:
2. Name the Control Person of your organization:
SECURITIES HOLDINGS
1. Please fill in all blanks in the following questions related to your beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock. Generally, the term “beneficial ownership” refers to any direct or indirect interest in the securities which entitles you to any of the rights or benefits of ownership, even though you may not be the holder of record of the securities. For example, securities held in “street name” over which you exercise voting or investment power would be considered beneficially owned by you. Other examples of indirect ownership include ownership by a partnership in which you are a partner or by an estate or trust of which you or any member of your immediate family is a beneficiary. Ownership of securities held in the names of your spouse, minor children or other relatives who live in the same household may be attributed to you.
If you have any reason to believe that any interest in securities of the Company which you may have, however remote, is a beneficial interest, please describe such interest. For purposes of responding to this questionnaire, it is preferable to err on the side of inclusion rather than exclusion. Where the SEC’s interpretation of beneficial ownership would require disclosure of you interest or possible interest in certain securities of the Company, and you believe that you do not actually possess the attributes of beneficial ownership, an appropriate response is to disclose the interest and at the same time disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities.
Please indicate the amount of common stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which you beneficially owned as of the date hereof.
For each holding:
· State the nature of the holding (i.e., held in your own name, jointly, as a trustee or beneficiary of a trust, as a custodian, as an executor, in discretionary accounts, by your spouse or minor children, by a partnership of which you are a partner, etc.), and
· State whether you are the beneficial owner by reason of (i) sole voting power, (ii) shared voting power, (iii) sole investment power, (iv) shared investment power, (v) the right to acquire stock within 60 days of the end of the calendar year, and/or (vi) the right to acquire stock with the purpose of changing or influencing control.
· Indicate in the Remarks column whether you have sole or shared voting or investment power with respect to any such securities, and in what capacity (i.e., individual, general partner, trustee) you have such power or powers.
· If you wish to disclaim beneficial ownership of any shares listed, so indicate by writing the word “Disclaim” in the Remarks column below; and you understand that such shares will be shown separately from your beneficial holdings and an appropriate disclaimer set forth.
· If any of the shares listed are subject to any claim, encumbrance, pledge or lien, so indicate in the Remarks column.
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2. 5% Stockholders
To the best of my knowledge, all persons (including myself and my associates and including corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations and other such groups) who beneficially own more than 5% of any class of the Company’s stock are described below:
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NO ADVERSE INTEREST
All interests I or my associates have or will have that are adverse to the Company interests in any pending or contemplated legal proceeding or government investigation to which the Company is or will be a party (or to which its property may be subject) are described below:
VOTING ARRANGEMENT
All voting trusts or similar agreements or arrangements of which I have knowledge under which more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, on an as converted basis, is held or to be held are described below:
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CHANGE IN CONTROL
All arrangements of which I have knowledge, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operations of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company, are described below:
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE COMPANY
1. Information regarding all material interests of yours or your associates in any actual or proposed transaction during the last three fiscal years to which the Company was or is to be a party and that are identified under “Securities Holdings” above) is provided below. Further, no such transaction need be described if:
(a) the amount involved (including all periodic installments in the case of any lease or other agreement provided for periodic payments or installments and including the value of all transactions in a series of similar transactions) does not exceed $120,000;
(b) the rates or charges involved in the transaction are fixed by law or governmental authority or determined by competitive bids;
(c) the services involved are as a bank depositary of funds, transfer agent, registrar, trustee under a trust indenture or other similar service;
(d) my interest arises solely from my ownership of securities of the Company and I received no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of securities in the same class;
(e) my interest in the corporation that is a party to the transaction is solely as a director; or
(f) my interest arose solely as an officer and/or director of the Company (e.g., my compensation arrangement with the Company).
Description:
AFFILIATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS OR ATTORNEYS
Described below is any interest, affiliation or connection you have with the firm of Sichenzia Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Micharandani LLP or any other law firm or accounting firm that has been retained by the Company during the last three fiscal years or is proposed to be retained by the Company:
CONTRACTS WITH THE COMPANY
Described below are all contracts with the Company or in which the Company has a beneficial interest, or to which the Company has succeeded by assumption or assignment, to which you or any of your associates is a party, which are to be performed in whole or in part at or after the date of the proposed filing of the Registration Statement, or which were made not more than two years prior thereto:
FINRA-RELATED QUESTIONS
(1) Are you (i) a “member” of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), (ii) an “affiliate” of a member of FINRA, (iii) a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” of FINRA or (iv) associated with an “underwriter or related person” with respect to the proposed initial public offering for the Company?
Yes o No o
For the sole purpose of this Question: (i) FINRA defines a “member” as being either any broker or dealer admitted to membership in FINRA or any officer or partner of such a member or the executive representative of such member or the substitute for such representative; (ii) the term “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is in common control with the person specified. Persons who have acted or are acting on behalf or for the benefit of a person include, but are not necessarily limited to, directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and sales representatives; (iii) FINRA defines a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” as being every sole proprietor, partner, officer, director or branch manager of any member, or any natural person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or any natural person engaged in the investment banking or securities business who is directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by such member (for example, any employee), whether or not any such person is registered or exempt from registration with FINRA; and (iv) the term “underwriter or related person” includes, with respect to a proposed offering, underwriters, underwriters’ counsel, financial consultants and advisers, finders, members of the selling or distribution group, and any and all other persons associated with or related to any such persons.
If yes, kindly describe such relationship (whether direct or indirect) and please respond to Questions (2) and (3) below; if no, please proceed to Question (4).
(2) Please set forth information as to all purchases and acquisitions (including contracts for purchase or acquisition) of securities of the Company by you, regardless of the time acquired or the source from which derived:
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(3) In connection with your direct or indirect affiliation or association with a “member” of FINRA as set forth above in Question (1), please furnish the identity of such FINRA member and any information, if known, as to whether such FINRA member intends to participate in any capacity in this proposed initial public offering, including the details of such participation:
(4) Please describe any underwriting compensation and arrangement or any dealings known to you between any “underwriter or related person”, “member” of FINRA, “affiliate” of a member of FINRA, “person associated with a member”, or “associated person of a member” of FINRA on the one hand and the Company or controlling shareholder thereof on the other hand, other than information relating to the proposed initial public offering of the Company:
(5) Please set out below any information, if known, as to whether any “member” of FINRA, any “underwriter or related person”, “affiliate” or a member of FINRA, “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” of FINRA may receive any portion of the net offering:
I understand that material misstatements or the omission of material facts in the Registration Statement may give rise to civil and criminal liabilities to the Company, to each officer and director of the Company signing the Registration Statement and other persons signing the Registration Statement. I will notify you and the Company of any misstatement of a material fact in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, and of the omission of any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading, as soon as practicable after a copy of the Registration Statement or any such amendment has been provided to me.
I confirm that the foregoing statements are correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
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Very truly yours, |
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(Typed or Printed Name) |
DEFINITIONS
The term “arrangement” means any plan, contract, authorization or understanding whether or not set forth in a formal document.
The term “associate” as used throughout this questionnaire, means (a) any corporation or organization (other than the Company) of which I am an officer, director or partner or of which I am, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of equity securities, (b) any trust or other estate in which I have a substantial beneficial interest or as to which I serve as trustee or in a similar capacity, (c) my spouse, (d) any relative of my spouse or any relative of mine who has the same home as me or who is a director or officer or key executive of the Company, (e) any partner, syndicate member or person with whom I have agreed to act in concert with respect to the acquisition, holding, voting or disposition of shares of the Company’s securities.
The term “beneficially owned” when used in connection with the ownership of securities, means (a) any interest in a security which entitles me to any of the rights or benefits of ownership even though I may not be the owner of record or (b) securities owned by me directly or indirectly, including those held by me for my own benefit (regardless of how registered) and securities held by others for my benefit (regardless of how registered), such as by custodians, brokers, nominees, pledgees, etc., and including securities held by an estate or trust in which I have an interest as legatee or beneficiary, securities owned by a partnership of which I am a partner, securities held by a personal holding company of which I am a stockholder, etc., and securities held in the name of my spouse, minor children and any relative (sharing the same home). A “beneficial owner” of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares:
(a) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or
(b) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such security.
The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
The term “immediate family” means any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.
The term “material,” when used in this questionnaire to qualify a requirement for the furnishing of information as to any subject, limits the information required to those matters as to which an average prudent investor ought reasonably to be informed before purchasing the Common Stock of the Company.