ESCROW AGREEMENT dated as of July 9, 2009 (the "Escrow Agreement"), by and among:
ESCROW AGREEMENT dated as of
July 9, 2009 (the "Escrow Agreement"),
by and among:
(1) Premier Power Renewable Energy,
Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware
with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xx
Xxxxxx Hills, California 95762, United States of America ("PPRW");
(2) Rupinvest Sarl, a corporation
duly organised and existing under the laws of the country of Luxembourg (“LUX”) with its
address for notice at 0 Xxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, X-0000 Xxxxxxxxxx;
(3) Esdras Ltd., a corporation
duly organised and existing under the laws of Cyprus (“CYP”) with its
address for notice at Campobasso Italy, Via San Giovanni in Golfo 205/e; (the
above named three corporations being known collectively as the “Companies”), and
(4)
Capita Trust Company
Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with
registered number 00239726 (the "Escrow Agent", and
together with the Companies, the “Parties”).
All
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth
in the Share Exchange Agreement entered into on June 3, 2009 by the Companies
(the “Share Exchange
Agreement”).
WHEREAS,
on April 24, 2009, the Board of Directors of PPRW adopted resolutions approving
PPRW’s acquisition of one hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership
interests of LUX (the “Acquisition”) in
exchange for twelve thousand five hundred Euros (€12,500) and up to three
million (3,000,000) shares of the restricted common stock of PPRW (each a “PPRW Share” and
collectively the “PPRW
Shares”).
WHEREAS,
on June 3, 2009, the Companies entered into the Share Exchange Agreement
pursuant to which CYP agreed to sell to PPRW, and PPRW agreed to purchase from
CYP, one hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership interests of LUX (the
“LUX Equity
Interests”) in exchange for twelve thousand five hundred Euros (€12,500)
and up to three million (3,000,000) PPRW Shares (the “Share Exchange
Transaction”).
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, the Companies are to make certain
deliveries to an escrow agent to hold in escrow (“Escrow”).
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, Escrow opened on June 23, 2009 (the
“Escrow Opening
Date”).
IT IS AGREED:
1.
Appointment of Escrow
Agent. The Companies hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in
accordance with and subject to the terms of this Escrow Agreement, and the
Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance
with and subject to such terms. The Parties hereto agree to do the following
acts and shall, subject to Sections 7.3 and 7.4 below, be bound by the terms and
provisions of the Share Exchange Agreement.
2. Escrow
Deliveries.
2.1 Escrow Deliveries by PPRW
Prior to Share Exchange Deliveries Deadline. Within twenty (20)
Trading Days of the Escrow Opening Date (“Share Exchange Deliveries
Deadline”), PPRW shall deposit into this Escrow the following
deliverables (collectively, the “PPRW
Deliveries”):
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2.1.1
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Resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Directors of PPRW approving the following
events or actions, as applicable:
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2.1.1.1
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the
execution, delivery, and performance of the Share Exchange
Agreement;
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2.1.1.2
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the
Share Exchange Transaction and the terms thereof;
and
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2.1.1.3
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the
execution, delivery, and performance of this Escrow
Agreement.
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2.1.2
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The
Share Exchange Agreement duly executed by
PPRW.
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2.1.3
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This
Escrow Agreement duly executed by
PPRW.
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2.1.4
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A
certificate of good standing for PPRW from its jurisdiction of
incorporation, dated not earlier than five (5) calendar days prior to the
Escrow Opening Date.
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2.1.5
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A
stock certificate evidencing the PPRW Shares and registered in the name of
the Escrow Agent or any Delegate pursuant to Section 6.1. All
references throughout this Escrow Agreement to the “Escrow Agent” in
connection with the PPRW Shares shall include the Escrow Agent’s Delegate,
if any.
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2.2 Escrow Deliveries by LUX and
CYP Prior to Share Exchange Deliveries Deadline. By the Share
Exchange Deliveries Deadline, CYP and LUX shall deposit into this Escrow the
following deliverables (collectively, the “LUX and CYP
Deliveries”):
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2.2.1
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The
Share Exchange Agreement duly executed by LUX and
CYP.
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2.2.2
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This
Escrow Agreement duly executed by LUX and
CYP.
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2.2.3
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Letters
of resignation from all executive officers and directors of LUX and Arco
Energy Srl, the wholly owned subsidiary of LUX (“PPRW IT”), with
such resignations each confirming that he has no claim against LUX or PPRW
IT (as applicable) in respect of any outstanding remuneration or fees of
whatever nature as of the Escrow Opening
Date.
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2.2.4
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Resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Directors or Shareholders of LUX
approving the following events or actions, as
applicable:
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2.2.4.1
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the
execution, delivery and performance of the Share Exchange
Agreement;
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2.2.4.2
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the
Share Exchange Transaction and the terms
thereof;
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2.2.4.3
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adoption
of LUX bylaws in the form agreed by the
Companies;
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2.2.4.4
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the
appointment of Xxxx X. Xxxxx as Chairman of the board of directors to
serve on LUX’s board of directors;
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2.2.4.5
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the
appointment of the persons to be chosen and designated by PPRW as the
requisite officers of LUX (the “LUX Officers”);
and
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2.2.4.6
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in
the event LUX’s board of directors decides to authorize an “Authorized
Third Party Signatory” (as defined in Section 7.2.1(o) of the Share
Exchange Agreement) to sign the Share Exchange Agreement and this Escrow
Agreement on behalf of LUX and CYP, then resolutions granting the
Authorized Third Party Signatory full power and authority to enter into
and sign the Share Exchange Agreement and this Escrow Agreement on behalf
of LUX.
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2
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2.2.5
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Resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Directors or Shareholders of PPRW IT
approving the following events or actions, as
applicable:
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2.2.5.1
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requiring
PPRW IT to execute, deliver and perform under the terms of the Share
Exchange Agreement;
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2.2.5.2
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the
Share Exchange Transaction and the terms
thereof;
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2.2.5.3
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adoption
of bylaws in the form agreed by the
Companies;
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2.2.5.4
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fixing
the number of authorized directors on the PPRW IT board of directors at
five (5);
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2.2.5.5
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the
appointment of Xxxx X. Xxxxx as Chairman of the board of directors of PPRW
IT, the appointment of Xxxxxx De Anquin to serve on PPRW IT’s board of
directors and the appointment of Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx as
PPRW IT directors, with a fifth member of PPRW IT’s board of directors to
be determined and designated solely by PPRW
upon the date of the
Restructuring;
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2.2.5.6
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the
appointment of the following persons as officers of PPRW IT with the
titles set forth opposite his name (the “PPRW IT
Officers”):
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Chief Executive Officer (managing director) Amministratore
delegato
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Chief Operating Officer
(managing
director) Amministratore delegato
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2.2.5.7
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the
duly executed employment agreements (collectively the “PPRW IT Employment
Agreements”) by and between: (a) PPRW IT and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx for his
employment as PPRW IT’s Chief Executive Officer and President; (b) the
executed employment agreement by and between PPRW IT and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
for his employment as PPRW IT’s Chief Operating
Officer.
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2.2.6
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Resolutions
duly adopted by the board of directors of CYP: (i) authorizing and
approving the execution, delivery, and performance of the Share Exchange
Agreement, and (ii) in the event CYP’s board of directors decide to
authorize an “Authorized Third Party Signatory” (as defined in Section
7.2.1(o) of the Share Exchange Agreement) to sign the Share Exchange
Agreement and this Escrow Agreement on behalf of CYP, then resolutions
granting the Authorized Third Party Signatory full power and authority to
enter into and sign the Share Exchange Agreement and this Escrow Agreement
on behalf of CYP.
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3
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2.2.7
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A
copy, authenticated by a notary, of the notaries deed by which LUX
acquired PPRW IT Equity Interests evidencing LUX’s One Hundred Percent
(100%) equity ownership (in shares of capital stock or otherwise) of PPRW
IT (the “PPRW IT
Shares Deed”) in accordance with the Bylaws of PPRW IT and any and
all applicable laws of the Country of
Italy.
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2.2.8
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A
shareholders list or shareholders’ register of PPRW IT as certified by the
Italian Registry of enterprise’s certificate reflecting LUX’s ownership of
the PPRW IT Equity Interests.
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2.2.9
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Certificates
of good standing for PPRW IT from its jurisdictions of incorporation or
formation, dated not earlier than five (5) calendar days prior to the
Escrow Opening Date.
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2.2.10
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An
opinion of counsel to LUX or from a Notary, in the form reasonably
satisfactory to PPRW in regards to LUX and CYP as to: (i) due
organization, existence and good standing under the laws of their
respective jurisdictions of incorporation, and the validity and
effectiveness of the “Power of Attorney” (as defined in Section 7.2.1(o)
of the Share Exchange Agreement) granted by LUX and CYP to the Authorized
Third Party Signatory under applicable laws to which LUX, CYP and the
Authorized Third Party Signatory are subject; and (ii) a statement that
the transfer of the LUX Equity Interests to PPRW at or immediately
following the Escrow Opening Date being a legal transfer of such equity
ownership interests under the laws of LUX’s jurisdiction of incorporation
is subject and that upon such transfer, the LUX Equity Interests shall be
free of any claims or Liens of any kind or
nature.
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2.2.11
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An
opinion of counsel to PPRW IT in the form reasonably satisfactory to PPRW,
in regards to PPRW IT as to: (i) due organization, existence and good
standing (in Italy), (ii) the authorized capital stock of PPRW IT; and
(iii) the PPRW IT Equity Interests, when issued to LUX, were legally
transferred to LUX under the laws of LUX’s jurisdiction of incorporation
and that the LUX Equity Interests are free of any claims or Liens of any
kind or nature.
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2.2.12
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A
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of PPRW IT:
(i) attaching certified copies of the Organizational Documents
applicable to PPRW IT, and (ii) certifying that all director,
shareholder and other actions required to authorize and approve the
execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement and the other documents
and agreements provided for herein and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been taken and setting forth copies of such
actions.
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2.2.13
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A
copy of the power of attorney executed by LUX and CYP that grants full
power and authority to a third party who is not an Affiliate of LUX or CYP
(the “Authorized
Third Party Signatory”) to sign the Share Exchange Agreement and
this Escrow Agreement on behalf of LUX and CYP, if such Authorized Third
Party Signatory signs the Share Exchange Agreement and this Escrow
Agreement on behalf of LUX and CYP.
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4
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2.3
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Deliveries of PPRW IT
Financial Statements Post-Share Exchange Deliveries
Deadline. LUX shall cause the deposit into this Escrow
of the following deliverables:
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2.3.1
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On
or before March 31st, 2010, or if switched to a fiscal year, 90 days after
the close of a fiscal year (Closing of the Books), PPRW IT shall deposit
into the Escrow Audited Financial Statements of PPRW IT for the period
ending December 31, 2009 or fiscal year end. Said PPRW IT Financial
Statements must contain Profit and Loss Statements in addition to the
General Ledger.
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2.3.2
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On
or before March 31st, 2011, or if switched to a fiscal year, 90 days after
the close of a fiscal year (Closing of the Books), PPRW IT shall deposit
into the Escrow Audited Financial Statements of PPRW IT for the period
ending December 31, 2010 or fiscal year end. Said PPRW IT Financial
Statements must contain Profit and Loss Statements in addition to the
General Ledger.
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2.3.3
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On
or before March 31st, 2012, or if switched to a fiscal year, 90 days after
the close of a fiscal year (Closing of the Books), PPRW IT shall deposit
into the Escrow Audited Financial Statements of PPRW IT for the period
ending December 31, 2011 or fiscal year end. Said PPRW IT
Financial Statements must contain Profit and Loss Statements in addition
to the General Ledger.
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3. Waiver of Certain Escrow
Deliverables.
3.1 PPRW
hereby acknowledges that CYP has fulfilled its obligation to deliver (i) one
thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) shares of LUX’s capital stock at a value of
ten Euros (€10) each, which represents One Hundred Percent (100%) of the issued
and outstanding capital shares of Stock of LUX (the “LUX Shares
Certificate”) issued and registered in the name of PPRW in accordance
with the bylaws of LUX and any and all applicable laws of the Country of
Luxembourg, to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 7.2.1(e) of the Share
Exchange Agreement and (ii) the shareholders list or shareholders’ registrar of
LUX as certified by LUX’s Secretary or transfer agent, reflecting PPRW’s
ownership of the LUX Equity Interests pursuant to Section 7.2.1(f) of the Share
Exchange Agreement by delivering the shareholders’ register of LUX reflecting
PPRW’s ownership of the LUX Equity Interests to PPRW directly.
3.2 CYP
hereby waives PPRW’s obligation to deliver twelve thousand five hundred Euros
(€12,500) (the “Cash
Payment”) to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.1(d) of the Share
Exchange Agreement.
5
4. Disbursement of the Escrow
Shares and Escrow Deliveries.
4.1 Each
of PPRW, LUX and CYP shall notify the Escrow Agent when complete delivery of all
of, respectively, the PPRW Deliveries, and the LUX and CYP Deliveries (all such
deliveries being, together, the “Escrow Deliveries”),
has been made. Upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt of all three such notices, then,
as soon as possible and no later than three (3) Trading Days following such
receipt, the Escrow Agent, in accordance with the terms herein and in the Share
Exchange Agreement: (a) shall deliver the LUX and CYP Deliveries to PPRW; and
(b) shall deliver the PPRW Deliveries, except for the PPRW Shares, to CYP, with
copies of the PPRW Deliveries also delivered to LUX. The PPRW
Certificate shall remain in said Escrow until the PPRW Shares represented by the
PPRW Certificate are either distributed by Escrow Agent to CYP or until refunded
to PPRW, upon operation of the terms set forth in this Escrow Agreement and the
Share Exchange Agreement. Should the Escrow Agent not receive all of
the PPRW Deliveries and LUX Deliveries within the above mentioned deadlines, the
Escrow Agent will return to the delivering Party the LUX Deliveries or PPRW
Deliveries already received.
4.2 Within,
and no later than (i) thirty (30) calendar days after PPRW IT’s Closing of the
Books for the period ended December 31, 2009, or (ii) ninety (90) days after
fiscal year end if PPRW IT’s fiscal year does not end on December 31,
2009, the Escrow Agent shall transfer to CYP Three Hundred and
Seventy Five Thousand (375,000) PPRW Shares for each Ten Million Euro
(€10,000,000) worth of Sales achieved by PPRW IT for the period from the Escrow
Opening Date to December 31, 2009,
as indisputably evidenced by the Audited Financial Statements referred to in
Section 2.3.1 above (the PPRW Shares payment made for the period ended December
31, 2009, if any, is hereinafter the “First
Payment”). Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a)
in no case shall more than One Million Five Hundred Thousand (1,500,000) PPRW
Shares be transferred to CYP; (b) fifty percent (50%) of any PPRW Shares that
could have been earned based on Sales subject to this First Payment but could
not be awarded to CYP because such PPRW Shares exceeded the maximum One Million
Five Hundred Thousand (1,500,000) PPRW Shares that could be paid for this First
Payment will instead be paid to CYP as part of the Second Payment.
4.3 Within,
and no later than (i) thirty (30) calendar days after PPRW IT’s Closing of the
Books for the period ended December 31, 2010, or (ii) ninety (90) days after
fiscal year end if PPRW IT’s fiscal year does not end on December 31, 2010, the
Escrow Agent shall transfer to CYP Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) PPRW Shares
for each Ten Million Euro (€10,000,000) worth of Sales achieved by
PPRW IT for the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010,
as indisputably evidenced by the Audited Financial Statements referred to in
Section 2.3.2 above, with the maximum combined number of PPRW Shares payable for
the First Payment and the Second Payment not to exceed a combined aggregate of
Three Million (3,000,000) PPRW Shares (the PPRW Shares Payment made for the
period ended December 31, 2010, if any, is hereinafter the “Second
Payment”).
4.4 Within,
and no later than (i) thirty (30) calendar days after PPRW IT’s Closing of the
Books for the year ended December 31, 2011, or (ii) ninety (90) days after
fiscal year end if PPRW IT’s fiscal year does not end on December 31, 2011, and
if and only if, CYP has not earned in aggregate the total Three Million
(3,000,000) PPRW Shares as a result of the First Payment and Second Payment,
then, the Escrow Agent shall transfer to CYP One Hundred Thousand
(100,000) PPRW Shares for each Ten Million Euro (€10,000,000) worth
of Sales achieved by PPRW IT from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, as
indisputably evidenced by the Audited Financial Statements referred to in
Section 2.3.3 above, with the maximum combined number of PPRW Shares payable for
the First Payment, Second Payment and Third Payment not to exceed a combined
aggregate of Three Million (3,000,000) PPRW Shares (the PPRW Shares Payment made
for the period ended December 31, 2011, if any, is hereinafter the “Third
Payment”). Any PPRW Shares remaining in Escrow after the Third
Payment, if any, shall be transferred back by the Escrow Agent to
PPRW.
6
4.5 For
purposes of Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 above, “Sales” for purposes of
calculating shares due to CYP, is defined as gross sales revenue earned by PPRW
IT in a given period with an average Gross Margin in excess of fourteen percent
(14%). For purposes of this Escrow Agreement, “Gross Margin” is
defined as gross sales revenue minus direct costs
(including, but not limited to, the cost of system design, engineering, property
acquisition, special purpose entity formation, legal services, consulting
services, permitting, civil works, solar modules, invertors, racking, mounting,
trackers, balance of system costs, subcontracting services, substation
construction, grid connection, labor, taxes and sales commissions), the
difference to be divided by gross
sales revenue. Any gross sales revenue earned by PPRW IT without a
fourteen percent (14%) Gross Margin will be excluded from Sales, unless
expressly accepted by PPRW in writing. For the avoidance of doubt, the Escrow
Agent shall be entitled to obtain confirmation of the Sales figure as defined
above from the board of statutory auditors of PPRW IT. The costs of such
confirmation shall be borne by PPRW.
4.6 Change in Control
Transaction. If, during the period starting on the Escrow
Opening Date and ending either nine (9) months after the Escrow Opening Date or
December 31, 2009, whichever ending date is earlier, any Person which is not an
Affiliate of PPRW (hereinafter an “Acquiring Party”):
(a) acquires more than sixty six percent (66%) of PPRW’s voting securities, and
as a result of such acquisition, (i) changes more than two-thirds (2/3) of
PPRW’s board of directors as of the Escrow Opening Date, and (ii) changes PPRW’s
Chief Executive Officer and President (hereinafter a “Change in Control
Transaction”), and (b) either: (i) requires the operations of PPRW ITALY
to shut down, or to change the business to an industry other than renewable
energies or (ii) does not provide the funding under Section 6.9 of
the Share Exchange Agreement for any reason other than for fraud, malfeasance,
or Net Operating Losses (as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement),
then CYP will be entitled to receive one million (1,000,000) of the PPRW Shares
in Escrow (the “Change
in Control Share Payment”), which shall constitute the full and final
share payment due to CYP under this Escrow Agreement. Only (i) upon
written notice delivered to the Escrow Agent by either CYP or PPRW of a Change
in Control Transaction and that a Change in Control Share Payment is due (the
“Change in Control
Notice”), (ii) after verification by the Escrow Agent of a Change in
Control Transaction (“Change in Control
Verification”), and (iii), in the case that CYP provides the Change in
Control Notice to the Escrow Agent, five (5) Trading Days’ written notice by the
Escrow Agent to PPRW of the Change in Control Verification, which 5 Trading
Days’ written notice may be waived by PPRW in its sole discretion, the Escrow
Agent shall effect a Change in Control Share Payment to CYP. In the
event a Change in Control Share Payment is made by PPRW, the Escrow Agent shall
return to PPRW any and all PPRW Shares left in Escrow after the delivery of such
Change in Control Share Payment.
7
5. Concerning the Escrow
Agent.
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5.1 Good Faith
Reliance. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best
judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon
any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel
(including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument,
report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and
the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth
and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed
by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the
proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any
notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission
of this Escrow Agreement unless evidenced in writing delivered to the
Escrow Agent signed by the proper Party or Parties and, if the duties or
rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its
prior written consent thereto.
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5.2 Indemnification.
The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by, on a joint and
several basis, the Companies from and against any expenses, including
counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in
connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim
which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this
Escrow Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the
Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising
from the gross negligence, fraud, bad faith, willful default or willful
misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the
Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any
action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other
Parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such
notice, the Escrow Agent shall retain the Escrow Shares pending either (i)
receipt of joint written instructions from PPRW and CYP or (ii) receipt of
an order of a court having jurisdiction over any of the Parties hereto
directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be
disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2
shall survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged
pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6
below.
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5.3 Compensation.
The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to an initial fee of seven thousand
five hundred pounds (£7,500) and an ongoing fee of two thousand five
hundred pounds (£2,500) per annum payable by PPRW (subject to annual
review and payable annually in advance, with the first such ongoing fee
payable as at the date of this Escrow Agreement). The Escrow
Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from PPRW for all reasonable
expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties
hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors' and
agents' fees and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental
charges.
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5.4 Further
Assurances. From time to time on and after the date hereof,
the Companies may deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent
such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done
such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry
out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Escrow Agreement,
to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected
in acting hereunder.
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8
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5.5 Resignation.
The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties
as Escrow Agent hereunder by its giving the other Parties hereto 3 months’
written notice and such resignation shall become effective as hereinafter
provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time
following the expiry of the notice period that the Escrow Agent shall turn
over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Companies on terms
substantially as set out in this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Shares held
hereunder in such manner so as to ensure that the Escrow Shares remain in
escrow without being returned to the delivering Parties. Should the
Companies fail to appoint a successor escrow agent within a period not to
exceed 3 months from the date of expiry of the original 3 months’ notice,
the Companies shall name UniCredit of Lugano, Switzerland as the successor
escrow agent.
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5.6 Discharge of Escrow
Agent. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from
its duties as escrow agent hereunder, if so requested in writing at any
time by the Companies jointly, and on payment by PPRW of a termination fee
of seven thousand five hundred pounds (£7,500) if so discharged without
cause before 31 December 2009; five thousand pounds (£5,000) if so
discharged without cause before 31 December 2010, and two thousand five
hundred pounds (£2,500) if so discharged without cause thereafter;
provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only upon
acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in
Section 5.5.
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5.7 Liability. The
Escrow Agent shall in no event have any liability to any person for indirect
loss, including (without limitation) loss of business, loss of profit or any
type of consequential loss. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for
its own gross negligence or its own willful misconduct.
6. Custody of Deliveries; the
Escrow Agent
6.1
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Upon
written joint approval from the Companies, the Escrow Agent may from time
to time hold through sub-custodians (including entities within the same
group as the Escrow Agent) (each a “Delegate”). The
Escrow Agent shall take reasonable care in selecting such
Delegates. The Parties hereby approve Capita KWS Nominee
Limited as a Delegate to hold the PPRW
Shares.
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6.2
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Escrow
Deliveries held with sub-custodians shall be held subject to the terms and
conditions of the relevant Sub-custodian Agreement. Where
Escrow Deliveries are held outside the United Kingdom, there may be
settlement, legal and regulatory requirements in the relevant
jurisdictions which are different from those applying in the United
Kingdom, and there may be different practices for the separate
identification of such Escrow
Deliveries.
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6.3
|
The
Escrow Agent will identify the Escrow Deliveries in its books and records
as being beneficially owned by the relevant delivering Company, in
accordance with this Escrow
Agreement.
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6.4
|
Escrow
Deliveries that are bearer securities will be held in the physical
possession of the Escrow Agent or by a
sub-custodian.
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6.5
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The
Escrow Agent may hold any documents of title to an Escrow
Delivery:
|
6.5.1
|
in
its physical possession; or
|
|
6.5.2
|
with
a sub-custodian (in accordance with Section 6.1) in a safe custody account
generally designated for customers'
securities.
|
9
6.6
|
Subject
to receipt of written joint instructions from the Companies, the Escrow
Agent is authorised to, and shall have the right to authorise and instruct
sub-custodians to:
|
|
6.6.1
|
receive
and deliver Escrow Deliveries, and settle the purchase and sale of
securities transactions, in accordance with the laws, rules, regulations,
provisions, customs, practices and procedures in the relevant jurisdiction
or market in which the transaction
occurs;
|
|
6.8.2
|
receive
all payments of principal and distributions payable in respect of Escrow
Deliveries including presenting certificates, coupons and other
appropriate documentation to the issuer of such securities or its paying
agent;
|
|
6.6.3
|
hold
Escrow Deliveries in certificated or non-certificated form with the issuer
or at any other location;
|
|
6.6.4
|
upon
receipt of notification of a partial redemption, partial payment or other
action affecting less than all Escrow Deliveries of a particular class,
the Escrow Agent or the sub-custodian may select the Escrow Deliveries to
be tendered in any non-discriminatory manner to make such
selections;
|
|
6.6.5
|
make,
execute, acknowledge and deliver as agent, any and all documents or
instruments including but not limited to all declarations, affidavits and
certificates of ownership that the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion,
may determine are necessary or appropriate in carrying out the purposes of
this Escrow Agreement;
|
|
6.6.6
|
make
on behalf of the Companies any payments incidental to or in connection
with this Section 6; and
|
|
6.6.7
|
exercise
all other rights and powers and to take any action it deems necessary or
appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this Escrow
Agreement,
|
but in
each case only where such act does not require the exercise of business
discretion or does not constitute the giving of investment advice and provided
always that any required information or documents relating to the Escrow
Deliveries has been communicated or have been supplied to the Escrow
Agent.
6.7 Unless
the Escrow Agent has received the necessary instructions from the Companies,
together with any sum which may be due in immediately available funds, within a
reasonable time before the required action is to be taken, the Escrow Agent
shall have no responsibility whatsoever for:
|
6.7.1
|
taking
up any rights;
|
|
6.7.2
|
exercising
any conversion or subscription
rights;
|
|
6.7.3
|
dealing
with takeover or other offers or capital
reorganisations;
|
|
6.7.4
|
exercising
voting rights;
|
|
6.7.5
|
any
other administrative or supervisory matters,
or
|
|
6.7.6
|
the
forwarding of any other information to the Companies other than as set out
in this Escrow Agreement, in respect of the Escrow
Deliveries.
|
10
6.8 The
Escrow Agent:
|
6.8.1
|
shall
not be required or under any liability or obligation to take any legal
action under this Escrow Agreement or to require that the Companies comply
with any provision of this Escrow
Agreement;
|
|
6.8.2
|
shall
not be required or under any liability or obligation to monitor or enquire
as to the performance of the Companies’ obligations under this Escrow
Agreement or the Share Exchange Agreement and shall be entitled to assume
without enquiry that each such Company is duly performing and observing
all its respective obligations;
|
|
6.8.3
|
shall
not be liable for non-delivery of the PPRW Deliveries, LUX Deliveries or
CYP Deliveries, or for the failure of any person to make any payment of
funds;
|
|
6.8.4
|
shall
not be bound to attempt to enforce delivery of the PPRW Deliveries, LUX
Deliveries or CYP Deliveries;
|
|
6.8.5
|
shall
not be regarded or treated for any purpose as having any notice or
knowledge of any of the provisions of any arrangements relevant to the
transactions contemplated or referred to in this Escrow Agreement which
are not expressly set out in this Escrow Agreement, and, except as
provided in Section 7.4 below, shall be entitled to have regard only to
the express terms of this Escrow Agreement in the discharge of its duties
under this Escrow Agreement and the exercise of any of its rights under
this Escrow Agreement;
|
|
6.8.6
|
shall
have no obligation to ensure that the terms of this Escrow Agreement are
consistent with the terms of the Share Exchange
Agreement;
|
|
6.8.7
|
may,
in relation to this Escrow Agreement, act on the opinion or advice of, or
any information obtained from, any lawyer or other professional person
whether obtained by the Escrow Agent or any Company and shall not be
responsible for any loss occasioned by so acting (whether or not the
advice, opinion or information is accurate or authentic or contains some
error), and any such advice, opinion or information may be sent to or
obtained by the Escrow Agent by such means as the Escrow Agent thinks
fit;
|
|
6.8.8
|
may
refrain from doing anything which would or might be contrary to any law of
any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency or any state
or supranational body and may do anything which is necessary to comply
with any such law, directive or
regulation;
|
|
6.8.9
|
may
refrain from doing anything in the performance of its duties under this
Escrow Agreement which would or might otherwise render it liable to any
person or require it to incur any financial liability or require it to use
or risk its own funds if it believes that reimbursement of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk is not
assured;
|
|
6.8.10
|
shall
promptly seek clarification from the Companies in the event that it
believes its correct course of action under the terms of this Escrow
Agreement is unclear; and
|
|
6.8.11
|
shall
not be liable or deemed to be in default for any failure or delay in
performance of any duty under this Escrow Agreement arising in whole or in
part from or caused in whole or in part by circumstances beyond its direct
and reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, partial
or complete failure of electrical power or computer services or
communication services, acts of civil or military authority, sabotage,
terrorism, war, civil disturbance or riot, strike or other industrial
dispute, national emergency, flood, earthquake, fire or other catastrophe,
or governmental, judicial or regulatory order, rule, regulation, judgment
or act.
|
11
6.9 No
Charge Created. It is not the intention of the Parties to create any security
interest in favour of any person.
7. Miscellaneous.
|
7.1 Governing
Law. This Escrow Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed
to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
England and Wales.
|
7.2 Jurisdiction.
7.2.1 The
Parties to this Escrow Agreement irrevocably agree that, subject as provided
below, the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to
settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Escrow
Agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes
or claims). The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most
appropriate and convenient courts to settle such disputes and accordingly will
not argue to the contrary. Nothing in this Section shall limit the right of the
Escrow Agent to take proceedings against each of the Companies in any other
court of competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one
or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other
jurisdictions, whether concurrently or not, to the extent permitted by the law
of such other jurisdiction.
7.2.2 Each
of the Companies shall irrevocably appoint within seven (7) Trading Days of the
date of this Escrow Agreement an agent to receive on its behalf in England or
Wales service of any proceedings under Section 7.1 above, whose name, address,
and fax number shall be promptly provided to the Escrow Agent. Such service
shall be deemed completed on delivery to such agent (whether or not it is
forwarded to and received by the relevant Company) and shall be valid until such
time as the Escrow Agent has received prior written notice from the relevant
Company that such agent has ceased to act as agent. If for any reason such agent
ceases to be able to act as agent or no longer has an address in England or
Wales, the relevant Company shall forthwith appoint a substitute acceptable to
the Escrow Agent and deliver to the Escrow Agent the new agent's name, address,
and fax number within England and Wales.
7.3 Entire
Agreement. This Escrow Agreement shall, subject to Section 7.4
below, constitute the entire agreement of the Companies and the Escrow Agent
with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior oral, or written,
agreements in regard thereto.
7.4 Capitalized terms.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the
Share Exchange Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Share
Exchange Agreement. In the event of a conflict in terms between this
Escrow Agreement and the Share Exchange Agreement, the Share Exchange Agreement
shall prevail as between the Companies, except that to the extent necessary to
give effect to Section 7.3 above, each Company agrees that this Escrow Agreement
constitutes a written instrument amending the Share Exchange Agreement, in
accordance with Section 9.8 of such Share Exchange Agreement.
12
|
7.5 Headings.
The headings contained in this Escrow Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
thereof.
|
|
7.6 Binding
Effect. This Escrow Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the respective Parties hereto and their legal
representatives, successors and
assigns.
|
|
7.7 Notices.
Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder
shall be in writing and, subject to Section 7.2.2 above, either be
delivered personally or by fax, or by private courier service, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so
delivered personally or, if faxed, on receipt of a transmission report or,
if couriered, one Trading Day after the date of delivery, as
follows:
|
Premier
Power Renewable Energy, Inc
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Tel: (000)
000-0000
Fax: (000)
000-0000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Executive Officer and President
With a copy to (which shall not
constitute Notice):
Xxxxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx LLP
00000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X.X 00000
Attention:
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Tel:
(000) 000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Rupinvest
Sarl
0 Xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
X-0000
XXXXXXXXXX
Tel: x000
00 000 000
Fax: x000
00 000 000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx XXXXXXX, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Ltd
Xxxxxxxxxx
ITALY
Via San
Giovanni in Golfo 205/e
Tel: 0000
0000 000000
Fax 0000
0000 000000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
XXXXXXX, Procuratore
Capita
Trust Company Limited
0xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx House
00 Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
XX0X 0XX
Tel: 0000
00 0000 0000
Fax: 0000
00 0000 0000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Manager, Corporate Trusts
13
The
Parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other
communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the
manner provided herein for giving notice.
7.8 Counterparts. This
Escrow Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original and which shall together constitute one and
the same agreement.
7.9 Disputes. In the
event of any dispute between, or conflicting claims by, or among any legal
person or entity with respect to any part of this Escrow, the Escrow Agent shall
be entitled, in its sole discretion, to refuse to comply with any and/or all
claims, demands or instructions with respect to the Escrow for so long as such
dispute or conflict shall continue and the Escrow Agent shall not become liable
in any way whatsoever to any Party for its failure or refusal to comply with
such conflicting claims, demands or instructions. The Escrow Agent
shall be entitled to refuse to act until:
7.9.1 such
conflicting or adverse claims or demands, or instructions shall have been
determined by a final order, judgment or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, which is not subject to any appeal, or settled by agreement
between the conflicting Parties as evidenced in writing satisfactorily to the
Escrow Agent; or
7.9.2 the
Escrow Agent shall have received security or an indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it deemed sufficient to hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and
against any and/or all damages, losses, or otherwise, which it may incur by
reason of so acting. The Escrow Agent may, in addition, elect to commence an
interpleader action or seek other judicial relief or orders as it may deem, in
its sole discretion, necessary. The reasonable out-of-pocket costs of
and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in
connection with such proceeding shall be paid by the
Purchaser.
7.10 Amendments and
Modifications. No Party shall be bound by any modification,
amendment, termination, cancellation or recession of this Escrow Agreement
unless the same shall be in writing and signed by all Parties and no waiver of
any provision hereof shall be effective unless expressed in writing by all the
Parties to this Escrow Agreement.
7.11 Trusts. Insofar as
this Escrow Agreement creates any trust which binds the Escrow Agent, Part I of
the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to this Escrow Agreement. The
perpetuity period of any such trust shall be eighty (80) years.
7.12 Third party rights. A
person who is not a party to this Escrow Agreement has no right under the
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx 0000 to enforce or enjoy the benefit of
any term of this Escrow Agreement.
14
7.13 Severance. If any
provision of this Escrow Agreement is declared by any judicial or other
competent authority to be void or otherwise unenforceable, that provision shall
be severed from this Escrow Agreement and the remaining provisions of this
Escrow Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties
agree that they will make such reasonable amendments to this Escrow Agreement as
will achieve the intention of the Parties with respect to the severed
provision.
7.14 The
Escrow Agent is regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority. The Escrow
Agent will treat the Companies as professional clients as defined in and for the
purposes of the FSA Handbook of Rules and Guidance. Nothing in this Escrow
Agreement is intended to exclude or restrict any duty or liability of the Escrow
Agent to the Companies which the Escrow Agent is not permitted to exclude or
restrict under the Financial Services and Markets Xxx 0000, the FSA Handbook of
Rules and Guidance, or the applicable regulatory system.
7.15 For the purposes of this Escrow
Agreement, “Trading Day” shall mean any day (except Saturdays and Sundays) when
clearing banks are open for business in London.
8. Verification of
Identity. All Parties, their beneficial owners, controllers and directors
(if not covered by the aforesaid) may be required to furnish adequate proof of
identity and source of funds by providing original or certified copies of
certain documentation:
8.1 For
corporate entities such proof may include, but not be limited to, statutory
documents proving place and date of company formation or incorporation, company
identification number, registered and trading addresses, Memorandum and Articles
of Association (or local equivalent), recent audited accounts, names of all
holding companies (if any)and names of beneficial owners, controllers and
directors.
8.2 For
directors, beneficial owners and controllers such proof may include, but not be
limited to, current passport or national identity card (showing legal name,
nationality, place and date of birth) and proof of residential address (bank
statement, utility xxxx or correspondence from central or local
government).
Beneficial
owners and controllers as stated above may include those of parent or holding
companies of the Parties, and their beneficial owners, directors and controllers
throughout the chain of ownership. The Escrow Agent reserves the right to
request such documentation as outlined above for all Parties to this Escrow
Agreement.
9. Termination of
Agreement. This Escrow Agreement shall terminate on the
earlier of (i) the day of the Third Payment, if any is made, or if no portion of
a Third Payment is due, then the date a Third Payment would have been due, or
(ii) the date of a written instrument signed by all the Parties expressly
terminating this Escrow Agreement.
[Signature
page follows]
15
WITNESS
the execution of this Escrow Agreement as of the date first above
written.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Chief
Executive
|
RUPINVEST
SARL
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxxx XXXXXXX |
Title:
|
Gerant |
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx de
Anquin
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx DEANQUIN |
Title:
|
Xxxxxx |
XXXXXX
LTD.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx XXXXXXX |
Title:
|
Procuratore |
CAPITA
TRUST COMPANY LIMITED.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Director |
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx |
Title:
|
Director |
16