REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of June [ ],
2004, by and among Essential Reality, Inc. a Nevada corporation (the "COMPANY"),
and the investors listed on the Schedule of Investors attached hereto (each, an
"Investor" and collectively, the "INVESTORS").
WHEREAS:
A. The Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
certain subscription agreements (collectively, the "SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENTS")
with the Investors, to issue and sell on the date hereof to each Investor the
Company's Series A 6% Non-Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock.
B. To induce the Investors to execute and deliver their respective
Subscription Agreements, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration
rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the
Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
a. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other
day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required
by law to remain closed.
b. "EXISTING HOLDERS" means those persons holding Common Stock of the
Company as of the date of this Agreement
c. "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date that the Registration Statement is
first declared effective by the SEC.
d. "ELIGIBLE MARKET" means any of the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market, the NASDAQ Small Cap Market
or the OTC Bulletin Board.
e. "PERSON" means an individual, a limited liability company, a
partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization and governmental or any department or agency thereof.
f. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a registration
effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined
below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415, and the
declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by
the SEC.
g. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) the Common Stock held by the
Investors issued or issuable upon the Conversion of the Company's Series A or B
Non-Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "PREFERRED STOCK"), (iii) any
Common Stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in
exchange for or in replacement of the stock referenced in (i) above, and (iii)
all shares of Common Stock held by Existing Holders as of the date hereof.
h. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement or registration
statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the Registrable
Securities.
i. "RULE 415" means Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule
providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.
j. "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
k. "TRADING DAY" means (a) any day on which the Common Stock is listed or
quoted and traded on an Eligible Market or (b) if the Common Stock is not then
on an Eligible Market, any other day on which commercial banks in the City of
New York, New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the respective meanings set forth in the Subscription Agreements.
2. Registration.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as
practicable "), file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form SB-2 covering
the resale of all of the Registrable Securities. In the event that Form SB-2 is
unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is
available for such a registration, subject to the provisions of Section 2(d).
The Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at
least that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Registrable
Securities as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date the Registration
Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 2(e), and shall contain the "Selling Securityholders" section and "Plan
of Distribution" attached hereto as Annex I. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by
the SEC within 90 days of the date on which the Company is permitted under
Regulation 14c-2(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to
amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized share capital
(such 90th day being hereinafter, the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
b. Piggyback Registration Rights. If at any time until the fourth
anniversary of this Agreement, the Company at any time proposes to register any
of its equity securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to
Section 2(a) or a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form), and
the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable
Securities, it will give written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities
(other than Existing Holders) of its intention to do so. Upon the written
request of any such holder received by the Company within 30 days after the
giving of such notice by the Company (which request shall specify the number of
Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such holder and the
intended method or methods of disposition thereof), the Company will use its
best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all such
Registrable Securities (excluding those of the Existing Holders) in accordance
with such intended method or methods of disposition, provided that:
(i) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to
register any equity securities and prior to the effective date of the
registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company
shall determine for any reason not to register such equity securities, the
Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each
holder of Registrable Securities and, thereupon, shall not be obligated to
register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but
shall nevertheless pay the registration expenses in connection therewith); and
(ii) if a registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) involves an
underwritten offering, the Company shall not be required to include any of the
Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the holders of such
Registrable Securities accept the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon
between the Company and the underwriters selected by it (or by other persons
entitled to select the underwriters), and then only in such quantity as the
underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success
of the offering by the Company. If the total amount of securities, including
Registrable Securities, requested by shareholders to be included in such
offering exceeds the amount of securities sold other than by the Company that
the underwriters determine in their sole discretion is compatible with the
success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the
offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities,
which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize
the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro
rata among the selling shareholders according to the total amount of securities
entitled to be included therein owned by each selling shareholder or in such
other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by such selling shareholders).
c. The Company will pay all registration expenses in connection with each
registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to Section 2(b),
provided that (i) each seller of Registrable Securities shall pay all
registration expenses to the extent required to be paid by such seller under
applicable law and (ii) that underwriting commissions shall be paid pro rata by
the sellers in such registration, based on the number of shares of Registrable
Securities being sold. No registration effected under Section 2(b) shall relieve
the Company from its obligation to effect registrations under Section 2(a).
d. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Investors holding the
Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Series A
Non-Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock shall have the right to select one
legal counsel to review and oversee any registration pursuant to this Section 2
("LEGAL COUNSEL"). The Company and Legal Counsel shall reasonably cooperate with
each other in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.
e. Ineligibility for Form SB-2. In the event that Form SB-2 is not
available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the
Registrable Securities on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the
holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities and (ii) undertake
to register the Registrable Securities on Form SB-2 as soon as such form is
available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement then in effect for a period of two (2) years from the
date the Registration Statement is declared effective by SEC.
f. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities required to be
covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor's allocated portion of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall amend the
applicable Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the
short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least
100% of the number of such Registrable Securities as of the Trading Day
immediately preceding the date of the filing of such amendment or new
Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event
not later than fifteen (15) days after the Company becomes aware of the
necessity therefor. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as
practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing
provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall
be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if at any
time the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under such
Registration Statement is less than the number of Registrable Securities on an
as-converted to Common Stock basis.
g. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of
Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement covering all the
Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby and required to be filed
by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement is not declared
effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness Deadline (an "EFFECTIVENESS
FAILURE") or (ii) on any day after the Effectiveness Deadline sales of all the
Registrable Securities required to be included on such Registration Statement
(other than shares of Common Stock which are contractually restricted from being
sold or cannot be sold due to a requirement under applicable state blue sky laws
or regulations which the Company is otherwise excused from compliance with
hereunder) cannot be made (other than during an Allowable Grace Period (as
defined in Section 3(r)) pursuant to such Registration Statement (including,
without limitation, because of a failure to keep such Registration Statement
effective, to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made
pursuant to such Registration Statement or to register sufficient shares of
Common Stock)(a "MAINTENANCE FAILURE"), or (iii) from and after the
Effectiveness Deadline, the Common Stock is not listed or quoted, or is
suspended from trading on OTC Bulletin Board for a period of three Trading Days
within any rolling 180 calendar day period (which need not be consecutive
Trading Days) during the Registration Period (as defined below), then, as
partial relief for the damages to any holder by reason of any such delay in or
reduction of its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which
remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in
equity), the Company shall pay to each Investor relating to such Registration
Statement an amount equal to 1% of said Investor's total investment per month or
part thereof. Such amount shall be payable in the form of additional shares of
Preferred Stock and such Preferred Stock will constitute Registrable Securities.
In the event the Company fails to issue such Preferred Stock within 30 days of
the date the Company first becomes obligated to issue them hereunder, the
Company shall pay interest on the value thereof (based on the price per share of
$3.56 at the rate of 1.5% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in
full. To avoid confusion, Existing Holders shall not be entitled to any payment
under this Section 2(g) with respect to any shares of Common Stock owned by them
on the date of this Agreement.
3. Related Obligations.
At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement
with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(b) or 2(e), the Company will use its
reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities
in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant
thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days after
the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be
made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff of the SEC has no further
comments on a particular Registration Statement, as the case may be, a request
for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and
date not later than 48 hours after the submission of such request. The Company
shall keep each Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all
times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all
of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement without
restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or successor thereto) promulgated under the
1933 Act, (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all the
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or (iii) such
time as the Registration Statement has been effective for a period of two (2)
years (not including any period in which it is subject to a stop order or is not
otherwise available to use) (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"). The Company shall
ensure that each Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements
thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of
prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not
misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration
Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated
under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed
of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Investors' legal counsel ("Legal Counsel)
to review and comment upon (i) a Registration Statement at least five (5)
Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and
supplements to all Registration Statements within a reasonable number of days
prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement
or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably
objects. The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto
without the prior approval of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without
charge, (i) copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to
the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any
Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if
requested by an Investor and not otherwise available on the XXXXX system, and
all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one
copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with
Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section
3.
d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities
are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) upon the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus
included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements
thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request)
and (ii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final
prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order
to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such
Investor.
e. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register and
qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the
resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration
Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of all applicable
jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such
registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the
effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other
actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in
effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other
actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities
for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such
jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such
jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor
who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification
of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky"
laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of
the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
f. The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of
the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of
such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain
any material, nonpublic information), and, subject to Section 3(r), promptly
prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such
untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or
amendment to Legal Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as
Legal Counsel or such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also
promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus
or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and
when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become
effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal
Counsel and each Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness and
by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements
to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and
(iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment
to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
g. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the
issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or
suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at
the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who
holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the
resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat
of any proceeding for such purpose.
h. If any Investor is required under applicable securities law to be
described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter, at the reasonable
request of such Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the
date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time
to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated
such date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form
and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public
accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the
Investors, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing
the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and
substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed
to the Investors.
i. Upon the written request of any Investor in connection with any
Investor's due diligence requirements, if any, the Company shall make available
for inspection by (i) any Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of
accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the
"INSPECTORS"), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "RECORDS"),
as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the
Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any
Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall
agree in writing to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure
(except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the
Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination
the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a
court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in
such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector
has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure
of such Records is required or is sought in or by a court or governmental body
of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the
Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action
to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records
deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement
between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investors'
ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent
with applicable laws and regulations.
j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of
information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure
of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities
laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a
misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of
such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.
k. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement pursuant to Section
2(a) hereof to be listed or approved for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board no
later than the Effectiveness Deadline and thereafter to cause all Registrable
Securities to be listed on any Eligible Market on which securities of the same
class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of
such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such Eligible
Market.
l. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable
Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend)
representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration
Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts,
as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in
such names as the Investors may request.
m. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included therein
relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including,
without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable
Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any
other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such
offering; (ii) as soon as practicable make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) as soon as practicable, supplement or make amendments to
any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any
Registrable Securities.
n. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
o. The Company shall make generally available to the Investors as soon as
practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period
covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the
manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a
twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's
fiscal quarter next following the effective date of a Registration Statement.
p. The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.
q. Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which
covers Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall
deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the
transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors
whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement)
confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
r. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the Company may
delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company
the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the
Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the best interest of the
Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise required (a
"GRACE PERIOD"); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the
Investors in writing of the existence of a Grace Period in conformity with the
provisions of this Section 3(r)(provided that in each notice the Company will
not disclose the content of such material, non-public information to the
Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (ii) notify
the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and,
provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed ten (10) consecutive days
and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period such Grace Periods
shall not exceed an aggregate of thirty (30) days and the first day of any Grace
Period must be at least two (2) trading days after the last day of any prior
Grace Period (each, an "ALLOWABLE GRACE PERIOD"). For purposes of determining
the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include
the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall
end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice
referred to in clause (ii) and the date referred to in such notice. The
provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of
any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company
shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the
information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is
no longer applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company
shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a
transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities
Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with
respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered
a copy of the prospectus included as part of the applicable Registration
Statement, prior to the Investor's receipt of the notice of a Grace Period and
for which the Investor has not yet settled.
4. Obligations of the Investors.
a. At least seven (7) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing
date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in
writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such
Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included
in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this
Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor
that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding
itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of
disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably
required to effect the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable
Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration
as the Company may reasonably request.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company
of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first
sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such
Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first
sentence of 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is
required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its
transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of
an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an
Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of
a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(f) and for which the Investor has not
yet settled.
d. Each Investor covenants and agrees that it will comply with any
applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it
in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement.
5. Expenses of Registration.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and selling
commissions (which shall be borne solely by the Investors), incurred in
connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2
and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company. The Company also shall
reimburse the Investors for fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in
connection with registration filing or qualification pursuant to Sections 2 and
3 of this Agreement, provided that the Company shall only be required to
reimburse the Investors for an amount up to or equal to $5,000.
6. Indemnification.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby
does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors,
officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives of, and each
Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or
the 1934 Act (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable
attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (each
a "CLAIM" and collectively, "CLAIMS"), incurred in investigating, preparing or
defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal
taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative
or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened,
whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("INDEMNIFIED
DAMAGES"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or
actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of
the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction
in which Registrable Securities are offered ("BLUE SKY FILING"), or the omission
or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration
Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if
the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to
make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
the statements therein were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law,
including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or
regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any material violation
of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being,
collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall
reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and
are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an
Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by such Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use
in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made
available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); (ii) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such Person from
whom the Person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities
that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any Person controlling such
Person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(d), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in
writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a
violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it or
failed to deliver the correct prospectus as required by the 1933 Act and such
correct prospectus was timely made available pursuant to Section 3(d); (iii)
shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the
Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by
the Company, including a corrected prospectus, if such prospectus or corrected
prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d);
and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such
settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is
participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify,
hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set
forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers
who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of
them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar
as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with
such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified
Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided,
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the
agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without
the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that an Investor
shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or
Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to
Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party
if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as
then amended or supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding
(including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is
to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party,
if, in the reasonable opinion of the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified
Party, as the case may be, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified
Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person
or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such
proceeding. In the case of an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in
the immediately preceding sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at
least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities included in the
Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in
connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the
indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information
reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which
relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprized at all times as to the
status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No
indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or
proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that
the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its
consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or
enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in
respect to such Claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for
hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms
or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i)
any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. Contribution.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited
or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 0000 Xxx) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution
from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of
Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds
received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to
such Registration Statement.
8. Rule 144.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the
SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company
to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents
required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "1934 ACT") so long as the Company remains subject to such
requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for
the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if
true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933
Act and the 1934 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 to permit the
Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. Assignment of Registration Rights.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such Investor's Registrable
Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or
assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the
Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is,
within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with
written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and
(b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment
the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or
before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause
(ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the
Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such
transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of
the Subscription Agreements.
10. Amendment of Registration Rights.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and Investors
who then hold at least a majority of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment
or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each
Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent
that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities.
No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a
waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same
consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
11. Miscellaneous.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever
such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If
the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or
more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall
act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the such
record owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or
permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and
will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of
transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); or (iii) one business day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the
party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Essential Reality, Inc.
c/o Gottbetter & Partners LLP
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00 Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Tel: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
If to a Investor, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule
of Investors attached hereto, with copies to such Investor's representatives as
set forth on the Schedule of Investors, or to such other address and/or
facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient
party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days
prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A)
given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication,
(B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine
containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first
page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier
service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile
or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance
with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the
State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non- exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting The City of New York,
Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in
connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed
herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit,
action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the
jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought
in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is
improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and
consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under
this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed
to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the
validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND
AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE
HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and any other transaction
documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the
entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This
Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and the other transaction documents and
the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each
of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same
agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the
other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing
the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all
such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other
agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may
reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
j. All consents and other determinations required to be made by the
Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified
in this Agreement, by Investors holding at least a majority of the Registrable
Securities, determined as if all of the Additional Investment Rights held by
Investors then outstanding have been exercised for Registrable Securities
without regard to any limitations on exercise of the Additional Investment
Rights.
k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language
chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict
construction will be applied against any party.
l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit
of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
* * * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Investor and the Company have caused this
Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
COMPANY:
ESSENTIAL REALITY, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Investor and the Company have caused this
Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
INVESTOR:
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Investor and the Company have caused this
Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
INVESTOR:
[OTHERS]
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS
INVESTOR'S REPRESENTATIVE'S
INVESTOR ADDRESS ADDRESS
INVESTOR AND FACSIMILE NUMBER AND FACSIMILE NUMBER
-------- -------------------- ----------------------------
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[Transfer Agent]
Attn:
Re: Essential Reality, Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Essential Reality, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
subscription agreements (the "Subscription Agreements"), entered into by and
among the Company and the investors named therein (collectively, the
"Investors") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Investors its shares of
the Company's Common Stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"). Pursuant to these
Subscription Agreements, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement with the Investors (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to
which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the resale of the
Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the
Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________
___, 2004, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
333-_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which
names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC's
staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring
the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF
EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after
telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
This letter shall serve as our standing opinion to you that the Common
Stock are freely transferable by the Holders pursuant to the Registration
Statement. You need not require further letters from us to effect any future
legend-free issuance or reissuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders as
contemplated by the Company's Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated June
__, 2004. This letter shall serve as our standing opinion with regard to this
matter.
Very truly yours,
[ISSUER'S COUNSEL]
By: _______________________
CC: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]
ANNEX I
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling securityholders
were issued pursuant to certain subscription agreements and are issuable upon
exercise of additional investment rights, which were also issued pursuant to
these subscription agreements. For additional information regarding the issuance
of these shares of common stock and the additional investment rights, see
"Private Placement of Common Shares and Additional Investment Rights" above. We
are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling
securityholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the
ownership of these shares of common stock and the additional investment rights,
the selling securityholders have not had any material relationship with us
within the past three years.
The table below lists the selling securityholders and other information
regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock by each of the selling
securityholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock
beneficially owned by each selling securityholder, based on its ownership of the
shares of common stock and the additional investment rights issued pursuant to
the June 2004 private placement, as of ________ [ ], 200[4], assuming exercise
of all of the additional investment rights held by the selling securityholders
on that date, without regard to any limitations on exercise.
The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this
prospectus by the selling securityholders.
The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares of Common Stock
offered by the selling securityholders pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling securityholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in
this offering. See "Plan of Distribution."
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES
NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME OF SELLING SECURITYHOLDER PRIOR TO OFFERING) THIS PROSPECTUS OWNED AFTER OFFERING
------------------------------ ------------------ --------------- --------------------
[___] [___] [0]
[Others] [___] [___] [0]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling securityholders may, from time to time, sell any or all of
their shares of common stock upon exercise of the additional investment rights
on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded
or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices.
The selling securityholders may use any one or more of the following methods
when selling shares:
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
o 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;
o purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer
for its account;
o an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
o privately negotiated transactions;
o short sales;
o broker-dealers may agree with the selling securityholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
o a combination of any such methods of sale; and
o any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The selling securityholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
The selling securityholders may also engage in short sales against the
box, puts and calls and other transactions in our securities or derivatives of
our securities and may sell or deliver shares in connection with these trades.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for
other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive
commissions or discounts from the selling securityholders (or, if any
broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in
amounts to be negotiated. The selling securityholders do not expect these
commissions and discounts to exceed what is customary in the types of
transactions involved. Any profits on the resale of shares of common stock by a
broker-dealer acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts
or commissions under the Securities Act. Discounts, concessions, commissions and
similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of shares will be
borne by a selling securityholder. The selling securityholders may agree to
indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions
involving sales of the shares if liabilities are imposed on that person under
the Securities Act.
The selling securityholders 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 after we have filed an amendment to this
prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities
Act of 1933 amending the list of selling securityholders to include the pledgee,
transferee or other successors in interest as selling securityholders under this
prospectus.
The selling securityholders 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 and may sell the shares of common stock from time to time under
this prospectus after we have filed an amendment to this prospectus under Rule
424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933 amending
the list of selling securityholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other
successors in interest as selling securityholders under this prospectus.
The selling securityholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the shares of common stock may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such
sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents
and any profit on the resale of the shares of common stock purchased by them may
be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
The selling securityholders have advised us that they have acquired their
securities in the ordinary course of business and they have not entered into any
agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or
broker-dealers regarding the sale of their shares of common stock, nor is there
an underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with a proposed sale
of shares of common stock by any selling securityholder. If we are notified by
any selling securityholder that any material arrangement has been entered into
with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares of common stock, if required, we
will file a supplement to this prospectus. If the selling securityholders use
this prospectus for any sale of the shares of common stock, they will be subject
to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
We are required to pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration
of the shares of common stock. We have agreed to indemnify the selling
securityholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 may apply to sales of our common stock and activities of the selling
securityholders.
