SETTLEMENT AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of October 19,1998 between AFP IMAGING CORPORATION,
a New York corporation with offices at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000 (the "Company"), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx, with a business office at 000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("Rabinovitch"), Xxxxx Xxxxxx, with a
business office at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("Vozick"), and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, with a business office at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000 ("Xxxxx").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Xxxxx became a director of the Company in 1995;
WHEREAS, Xxxxx currently owns Four Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Eight
Hundred Ninety-Five (496,895) shares of the Company's common stock (the
"Shares"); and
WHEREAS, Xxxxx resigned as a director of the Company, effective October
16, 1998, and the Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch wish to purchase the Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions, hereinafter set
forth, the parties do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Resignation
Xxxxx hereby confirms his resignation as a director of the Company,
effective October 16,1998.
Section 2. Purchase and Sale of Shares
(a) Xxxxx hereby sells, and the Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch hereby
purchase all of the Shares (the purchase being allocated among the Company,
Vozick and Rabinovitch based on the portion of the purchase price paid) for a
consideration per Share of $0.75, or an aggregate consideration of $372,671.75,
such $0.75 being equal to the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the
NASDAQ small market at the date the parties hereto agreed in principle to the
purchase and sale. The purchase price is being paid by Federal Funds wire to the
account of Xxxxx previously designated by Xxxxx in writing to Vozick and
Rabinovitch. Delivery of the Shares is being effected by delivery of the
certificates therefor, duly endorsed in blanks, without signature guarantees.
(b) Xxxxx represents and warrants to Vozick and Rabinovitch that the
Shares represent all of the shares of capital stock of the Company beneficially
owned by Xxxxx other
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than shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the 1998 Options (as
hereinafter defined).
(c) Vozick and Rabinovitch each (i) acknowledge that the Shares are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and
that the Shares must be held indefinitely by him unless they are subsequently
registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from registration is available;
(ii) represents that he is acquiring Shares for his own account and not with a
view to resale or distribution within the meaning of the 1933 Act, and the rules
and regulations thereunder; and (iii) confirms that he has had full access to
all information concerning the Company as is necessary for him to make an
informed decision concerning the purchase of Shares.
Section 3. Standstill
Xxxxx covenants and agrees that, for a period of seven years from the
date of this Agreement, unless specifically invited in writing by the Company,
neither he, his affiliates (as such term is defined under the Securities Act of
1934 (the "Act")), nor investment entities with respect to which he has sole
investment control (including individual investment accounts with respect to
which he has discretionary control) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) acquire,
agree to acquire or make any proposal to acquire any securities (or beneficial
ownership thereof) or, material portion of the assets of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, except for the exercise of the 1998 Options received by Xxxxx
pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 19, 1998 (the "Stock
Option Agreement") in consideration for entering into the Consulting Agreement
dated September 19, 1997, as amended pursuant to Section 9 hereof (the
"Consulting Agreement"), (ii) propose to enter into any tender or exchange
offer, merger or other business combination involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or to purchase, directly or indirectly, a material portion of the
assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) effect, offer or propose
(whether publicly or otherwise) to effect, or cause or participate in or in any
way assist any other person to effect, offer or propose (whether publicly or
otherwise) to effect, propose or participate in any recapitalization,
restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other extraordinary transaction with
respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) make, or in any way
participate in, any "solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are used in the
proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) or consent to vote, or
advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of any voting
securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (v) form, join or in any
way participate in a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to any voting
securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (vi) otherwise act, alone
or in concert with others, to control or influence the management, Board of
Directors or policies of the Company, (vii) disclose any intention, plan or
arrangement inconsistent with the foregoing, (viii) request any item be placed
before the Company's stockholders for a vote thereof or (ix) advise, assist or
encourage any other persons in connection with any of the foregoing. Xxxxx also
agrees that during such period not to (x) request the Company (or any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents), directly or indirectly, to amend or
waive any provision of this Agreement (including this sentence) or (y) take any
action which might require the Company to make a public announcement regarding
any of the types of matters set forth in this paragraph.
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Section 4. Strategic Alternatives
The Company hereby confirms that it has retained the investment banking
firm of Barington Capital Group, L.P. pursuant to the engagement letter dated
September 18, 1998, a copy of which has been provided to Xxxxx to explore
strategic alternatives for the Company. Xxxxx has been afforded the opportunity
to meet with representatives of such investment banking firm.
Section 5. Non-Disparagement
(a) Xxxxx shall not make any negative or other disparaging statement
concerning the Company or the management (including, without limitation, Vozick
and Rabinovitch), the Board of Directors, management decisions, operating
policies or Board decisions or actions of the Company, whether or not libelous
or defamatory, and will use his best efforts not to permit any person to do so,
and (b) the Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch shall not make any negative or other
disparaging statement regarding Xxxxx or New Ballantrae Partners, LP or their
affiliates, whether libelous or defamatory, and will not permit any affiliate,
and will use its best efforts not to permit any person, to do so.
Section 6. Release by Xxxxx
Xxxxx personally and on behalf of his affiliates and the officers,
directors, employees, stockholders and advisors of such affiliates
(collectively, for the purposes of this Section 6, the "releasors"), hereby
releases and discharges the Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch and their affiliates
and the Company's, Vozick's and Rabinovitch's and such affiliates' respective
officers, directors, stockholders, and advisors and their affiliates and their
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively, for the
purposes of this Section 6, the "releasees") from all actions, causes of action,
suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills,
specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises,
variances, trespasses, damages, judgments, extents, executions, claims, and
demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty or equity, which, against the releasees,
the releasors and releasors' heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns ever had, now have or hereafter can, shall or may have for, upon or by
reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world
through and including the day of the date of this release in connection with,
arising out of or relating to the Company, the releasors' or the releasees'
positions as directors of or employment with or ownership of securities of the
Company, or transactions or relationships among the releasees, or any affiliate
of any thereof, other than for breach of obligations under this Agreement, or
the Consulting Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement.
Section 7. Releases by Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch
The Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch, for themselves and on behalf of
their affiliates and their officers, directors (collectively, the purposes of
this Section 7, the "releasors"), hereby release and discharge Xxxxx, New
Ballantrae Partners, L.P. and their affiliates and the officers,
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directors, employees, stockholders, direct and indirect general and limited
partners and advisors of such affiliates, and his and their heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns (collectively, for the purposes of this
section 7, the "releasees") from all actions, causes of action, suits, debts,
dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills, specialties, covenants,
contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, variances, trespasses, damages,
judgments, extents, executions, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law,
admiralty or equity, which, against the releasees, the releasors and releasors'
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns ever had, now have or
hereafter can, shall or may have for, upon or by reason of any matter, cause or
thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world through and including the day
of the date of this release in connection with, arising out of or relating to
the Company, the releasors' or the releasees' positions as directors of,
employment with, or ownership of securities of the Company, or transactions or
relationships among the releasees or any affiliate of any thereof, other than
for breach of obligations under this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreement.
Section 8. Non-Disclosure Covenant
Xxxxx acknowledges that his position with the Company, as a director,
was one of trust and confidence and that during the course of his service as
director, he became acquainted with Confidential Information, as hereinafter
defined. Xxxxx further acknowledges that the provisions of this Section 8 are
essential to the terms of this Agreement, and that this Section 8 shall be
binding upon Xxxxx during the Term. Xxxxx covenants and agrees that he will not
at any time during the Term of this Agreement and except as required during the
course of his services as a consultant pursuant to the Consulting Agreement,
use, reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm or corporation, any
Confidential Information made known to him or of which he has become aware,
regardless of whether developed, prepared, devised or otherwise created in whole
or in part by the efforts of Xxxxx. Xxxxx further covenants and agrees that he
will retain all Confidential Information in trust for the sole benefit of the
Company and will not divulge or deliver or show any Confidential Information to
any unauthorized person, including without limitation, any other employer or
employee or affiliate of Xxxxx, and Xxxxx will not make use of, or in any manner
seek to convert for his own use, any Confidential Information in an independent
business however unrelated to the business of the Company.
For purposes herein, the term "Confidential Information" shall mean any
information and material with respect to the Company and its businesses that the
Company treats as proprietary and confidential, including without limitation,
formulas, processes, ingredients, drawings, methods, manufacturing, trade
secrets, know-how, inventions, product developments, engineering, plans,
notebooks, research, reports, memoranda, information and material received by
the Company in confidence from third parties, information and material relating
to vendors, suppliers, customers, costs, prices, sources of supply, royalties or
distribution and other commercial, financial, business, technical and scientific
information.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 8 shall not apply to
information or material that (a) was known by Xxxxx before the disclosure by the
Company and was not received or derived
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directly or indirectly from the Company or in violation of any restrictions on
disclosure or use of such information known to Xxxxx, or (b) was generally
publicly known prior to the disclosure or after the time of disclosure becomes
generally publicly known through no fault of Xxxxx, or (c) was made known to
Xxxxx by a third party who was not known by Xxxxx to be subject to any
restrictions on disclosure or use of such information or material that benefit
the Company, or (d) was specifically approved for disclosure by prior written
consent by the Company.
Section 9. Limitations on Legal Actions
(a) Xxxxx hereby covenants and agrees not to initiate any legal action
against the Company, or any director, officer or employee of the Company
(including, without limitation Rabinovitch and Vozick), for actions or omissions
on or after the date hereof relating to the Company, except (i) to the extent
that such actions or omissions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct
or (ii) to enforce Xxxxx'x rights under this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement
and the Stock Option Agreement.
(b) The Company, Vozick and Rabinovitch each severally and not jointly
agrees not to initiate any legal action against Xxxxx for actions or omissions
on or after the date hereof relating to the Company, except (i) to the extent
such actions or omissions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct or
(ii) to enforce such party's rights under this Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement.
Section 10. Consulting Agreement Amendment
The Consulting Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
(a) Section 3 (a) of the Consulting Agreement is hereby amended
to read in its entirety as follows:
"$300,000, payable in 36 monthly installments of
$8,333.33 commencing on the first business day of
the Term";
(b) Section 3(b) of the Consulting Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:
"a four-year option to purchase 300,000 common shares
of the Company at $.75 per share ("1998 Option"). The
1998 Option is partially given in substitution of the
Existing Options, which Existing Options shall be
delivered to the Company marked canceled prior to the
delivery of the 1998 Options. The 1998 Options shall
be granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 and amended
1995 Option plans and shall be in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit "B"."
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(c) Section 8 of the Consulting Agreement is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"This Agreement shall be for a term
commencing on October 19, 1998 and
terminating on the third anniversary of such
date (the "Term")."
Section 11. Cash Settlement.
In the event Xxxxx delivers a notice of exercise of all or part
of the 1998 Options, the Company shall have the right, with respect to the
number of shares of Common Stock as to which the options are then being
exercised, to notify Xxxxx (by telephone confirmed by sameday facsimile
transmission) (the "Cash Settlement Notice") within one (1) trading day after
the receipt of Xxxxx'x notice of exercise that the Company irrevocably agrees to
satisfy the exercise of such stock option by paying to Xxxxx an amount (the
"Cash Settlement Amount") equal to the difference between (x) the value of the
shares of Common Stock as to which the option is being exercised, such price to
be equal to the closing sale price of the Company's Common Stock on the
principal exchange or market on which it is traded on the last trading day
immediately preceding the date of exercise (or if there is no closing sale price
on such trading day, then the average of the closing bid and asked prices on
such principal market) and (y) the aggregate exercise price for the number of
shares of Common Stock as to which notice of exercise has been given. If the
Company shall not deliver the Cash Settlement Notice within such one trading day
period, then (i) Xxxxx shall within one trading day thereafter deliver to the
Company in accordance with the Stock Option Agreement payment of the exercise
price for the number of shares of Common Stock as to which notice of exercise
has been given; and (ii) the Company shall have no right to satisfy the exercise
of the 1998 Options by payment of cash (without prejudice to the Company's right
to deliver a Cash Settlement Notice with respect to subsequent exercises by
Xxxxx of the 1998 Options). If the Company shall deliver a Cash Settlement
Notice, the closing shall be held five (5) trading days after the receipt of
Xxxxx'x notice of exercise, and the Cash Settlement amount shall be paid in cash
to Xxxxx. Notwithstanding the above, any Cash Settlement Notice shall be
ineffective if as a result of the payment of the Cash Settlement Payment to
Xxxxx, Xxxxx would be required to disgorge any profit to the Company.
Section 12. Remedies
The parties hereto acknowledge that the terms and provisions of
this Agreement are intended by the parties hereto to be complied with by them,
and that the Company, Vozick, Rabinovitch or Xxxxx may have no adequate remedy
at law in the event of any actual or threatened violation of any such covenants.
The parties hereto therefore agree that the Company, Vozick, Rabinovitch or
Xxxxx shall be entitled to a decree or order of the Supreme Court of the State
of New York located in New York, New York or the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York enjoining such threatened or actual
violation of any provisions of this Agreement, without bond. Such decree or
order, to the extent appropriate, shall specifically enforce the full
performance of any such provision by Rosen, Vozick, Rabinovitch or the
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Company. Rosen, Vozick, Rabinovitch and the Company hereby consent to the
jurisdiction of the aforementioned courts. Enforcement of any remedy under this
Section 12 shall not diminish any other remedy which may be available to the
Company, Vozick, Rabinovitch or Xxxxx in law or in equity, and nothing herein
shall prevent the Company, Vozick, Rabinovitch or Xxxxx from seeking injunctive
or other relief hereunder.
Section 13. Term
This Agreement shall be for a term commencing on the date hereof and
terminating on the day before the seventh anniversary of such date (the "Term").
Section 14. Applicable Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and
to be performed wholly within such State. The Company, Rabinovitch, Vozick and
Xxxxx agree that any legal action or proceedings with respect to, or arising out
of, the negotiation, execution, performance or breach of, or the rights and
privileges provided by, or responsibilities and obligations under, this
Agreement must be brought in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the
County of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York and in no other jurisdiction. By execution and delivery of this
Agreement, each of the Company, Rabinovitch, Vozick and Xxxxx accept and submit
to the jurisdiction of such Court in any such legal action or proceeding and
irrevocably consent to service of process in any action or proceeding by the
mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to
each of the parties at the address set forth above, such service to become
effective thirty (30) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the
right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. The parties hereby
agree to be bound by the determination of the aforesaid courts and hereby waive
any right which they may have to relitigate issues determined by the aforesaid
courts or to raise new issues not raised by it in the aforesaid courts.
Section 15. Severability; Enforcement
The invalidity of any section or paragraph hereof shall not affect the
validity, force or effect of the remaining paragraphs or sections hereof nor
shall the invalidity of any part of any paragraph affect the validity of any
other part of any paragraph or section hereof. If it is ever held that any
restriction hereunder is too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to
its fullest extent, each party agrees that a court of competent jurisdiction may
enforce such restriction to the maximum extent permitted by law, and each party
hereby consents and agrees that such scope may be judicially modified
accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce such restriction.
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Section 16. Waiver of Breach
The failure of the Company, Rabinovitch, Vozick or Xxxxx to exercise
any rights or powers hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver thereof. The
waiver by the Company, Rabinovitch or Vozick of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement by Xxxxx or the waiver by Xxxxx of a breach of any applicable
provision hereof by the Company, Rabinovitch or Vozick shall not operate nor be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such party or parties.
Section 17. Limitations on Disclosure/Confidentiality
The obligations set forth in Section 8 above shall not in any way
restrict or impair the right of Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick or the Company to
comply with any information requested by subpoena, interrogatory, request for
information or documents, civil investigative demands or similar legal process
or required disclosures that Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick or the Company
reasonably believes must be made to governmental bodies or as they may
reasonably believe to be otherwise required by law. Notwithstanding the above,
in the event that Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick or the Company receives any request
or process to disclose Confidential Information or make comments which would
otherwise be in violation of Section 8 hereof, Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick or the
Company, respectively, shall notify the other party or parties of such request
as far in advance as practicable so that such party or parties may seek at his
or its own expense an appropriate protective order or other assurances in order
for the provisions of this Agreement, without giving effect to this Section 17,
are complied with.
Section 18. Entire Agreement: Amendments
This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between
the parties and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings or agreements,
whether written or oral.
Section 19. Successors and Assigns
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and
shall be enforceable by Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick and the Company and their
respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that the rights
and obligations of Rosen, Rabinovitch, Vozick and the Company under this
Agreement shall not be assignable except that (i) the provisions of Section 3
hereof shall be assignable by the Company in favor of (x) any person or entity
that acquires substantially all of the assets of the Company for so long as
Rabinovitch or Vozick control such acquiror or (y) any acquiror of the Company's
capital stock for so long as Rabinovitch or Vozick control such acquiror, and
(ii) the rights of the Company under Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 and under the
Consulting Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any acquiror of
substantially all of its assets provided that the corresponding obligations of
the Company under such Sections are assumed by the acquiror.
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Section 20. Expenses
Each of the parties shall bear their own expenses in connection with
the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, except that the
Company shall pay Xxxxx'x legal fees and expenses of up to $7,500.
Section 21. Headings
The headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement on the date first written above.
AFP IMAGING CORPORATION
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title
___________________________________
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
___________________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
___________________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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