EXHIBIT A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of February 3, 2005, by and among Acies Corporation, a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), and the purchasers signatory hereto (each such
purchaser, a "Purchaser" and collectively, the "Purchasers").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement,
dated as of the date hereof among the Company and the Purchasers (the "Purchase
Agreement").
The Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein
that are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings given such
terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
"Adjustment Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.16(a) and (b) of the Purchase Agreement
"Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(a).
"Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"Event Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"Filing Date" means, with respect to the Registration Statement
required to be filed hereunder, the 30th calendar day following the date of the
Purchase Agreement.
"Holder" or "Holders" means the holder or holders, as the case may
be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5(c).
"Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5(c).
"Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
"Penalty Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of
this Agreement and in the Purchase Agreement.
"Plan of Distribution" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(a).
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"Proceeding" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding
(including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as
a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"Registrable Securities" means all of the Shares, the Adjustment Shares,
Penalty Shares and the Warrant Shares issuable, together with any shares of
Common Stock issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other
distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing,
as well as 1,578,095 shares of Common Stock held by certain of the Company's
stockholders as set forth in Schedule 6(b) attached hereto.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statements required to be
filed hereunder, including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and
supplements to the registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and
post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
"Rule 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same purpose and effect as such Rule.
"Rule 424" means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same purpose and effect as such Rule.
"Selling Shareholder Questionnaire" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a).
2. Registration.
(a) On or prior to the Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file
with the Commission the Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the
Registrable Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415. The Registration Statement required hereunder shall be on Form SB-2
(except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the
Registrable Securities on Form SB-2, in which case the Registration shall be on
another appropriate form in accordance herewith). The Registration Statement
required hereunder shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Holders)
substantially the "Plan of Distribution" attached hereto as Annex A. Subject to
the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as
promptly as possible after the filing thereof, and shall use its best efforts to
keep the Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act
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until the date when all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration
Statement have been sold or may be sold without volume restrictions pursuant to
Rule 144(k) as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written
opinion letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the Company's
transfer agent and the affected Holders (the "Effectiveness Period"). The
Company shall immediately notify the Holders via facsimile of the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement on the same day that the Company receives
notification of the effectiveness from the Commission. Failure to so notify the
Holder within 1 Trading Day of such notification shall be deemed an Event under
Section 2(b).
(b) If (i) a Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to the Filing
Date, (ii) an amendment to the Registration Statement is not filed within 30
days of the receipt of comments from the SEC with respect thereto, or (iii) the
Company suspends the availability of a Registration Statement and Prospectus in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3(j) of this Agreement for a period
exceeding 60 days (which need not be consecutive days) in any 12-month period
(an "Event Date"), then in addition to any other rights the Holders may have
hereunder or under applicable law, then, on such Event Date and on each 30-day
anniversary of such Event Date (if the event shall not have been cured by such
date) until the applicable event is cured, the Company shall issue to each
Holder additional shares of Common Stock (the "Penalty Shares"), as partial
liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 5% of the aggregate shares of
Common Stock issued to such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The
issuance of additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof shall
apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of
an Event.
(c) Upon the written demand of any Holder following any issuance of
Adjustment Shares and/or Penalty Shares, the Company shall prepare and file with
the SEC one or more Registration Statements on Form SB-2 or amend the
Registration Statement filed pursuant to clause (a) above, if such Registration
Statement has not previously been declared effective (or, if Form SB-2 is not
then available to the Company, on such form of registration statement as is then
available to effect a registration for resale of such Adjustment Shares and/or
Penalty Shares, covering the resale of the Adjustment Shares and/or Penalty
Shares, but only to the extent the Adjustment Shares and/or Penalty Shares are
not at the time covered by an effective Registration Statement. Such
Registration Statement also shall cover, to the extent allowable under the 1933
Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), such
indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock resulting from stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions with respect to the Adjustment
Shares and/or Penalty Shares. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain from each person who now has piggyback registration rights a waiver of
those rights with respect to such Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each request for
acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided in accordance with
Section 3(c) to the Holders and their counsel prior to its filing or other
submission.
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3. Registration Procedures
In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder, the
Company shall:
(a) Not less than five Trading Days prior to the filing of the
Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto, the Company shall, (i) furnish to the Holders copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed (including documents incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference to the extent requested by such Person) which
documents will be subject to the review of such Holders, and (ii) cause its
officers and directors, counsel and independent certified public accountants to
respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of
respective counsel to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of
the Securities Act. The Company shall not file the Registration Statement or any
such Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto to which the Holders of
a majority of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably object in good faith,
provided that the Company is notified of such objection in writing no later than
5 Trading Days after the Holders have been so furnished copies of such
documents. Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed
Questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a "Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire") not less than two Trading Days prior to the Filing
Date or by the end of the fourth Trading Day following the date on which such
Holder receives draft materials in accordance with this Section.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used
in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement
continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the
Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional
Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act
all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be
amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as
promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the Commission
with respect to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, as
promptly as reasonably possible, upon request, provide the Holders true and
complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to the
Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in the Registration Statement as so
amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold as promptly as
reasonably possible and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in
writing promptly following the day, but in no event more than five Trading Days
after the day, (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement is proposed to be filed;
(B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a "review" of
the Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on
the Registration Statement (the Company shall upon request provide true and
complete copies thereof and all written responses thereto to each of the
Holders); and (C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any
request by the Commission or any other Federal or state governmental authority
during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement for amendments
or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
information; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or
state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or
the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
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any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; and (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes
the financial statements included in the Registration Statement ineligible for
inclusion therein or any statement made in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to the
Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) Use best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the
withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from
qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(e) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of
the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and
all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously
furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such
documents with the Commission.
(f) Promptly deliver to each Holder, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in
connection with resales by the Holder of Registrable Securities. Subject to the
terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after
the giving on any notice pursuant to Section 3(c).
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(g) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its
commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the
selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities
for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in
writing, to keep the Registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom)
effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or
things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of
the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided, that
the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any
material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a
general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(h) If NASDR Rule 2710 requires any broker-dealer to make a filing prior
to executing a sale by a Holder, make an Issuer Filing with the NASDR, Inc.
Corporate Financing Department pursuant to NASDR Rule 2710(b)(10)(A)(i) and
respond within five Trading Days to any comments received from NASDR in
connection therewith, and pay the filing fee required in connection therewith.
(i) If requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate
the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable
Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to the Registration
Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the
Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable
Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such
Holders may request.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(c)(v), as
promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a
post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the
Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (ii) through (v) of
Section 3(c) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite
changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of
such Prospectus. The Company will use its best efforts to ensure that the use of
the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall
be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(j) to suspend the
availability of a Registration Statement and Prospectus, subject to the issuance
of Adjustment Shares and/or Penalty Shares, for a period not to exceed 60 days
(which need not be consecutive days) in any 12-month period.
(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
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(l) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the
Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the person
thereof that has voting and dispositive control over the Shares. During any
periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with
respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any
Holder fails to furnish such information within three Trading Days of the
Company's request, any liquidated damages that are accruing at such time as to
such Holder only shall be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely
because of such delay shall be suspended as to such Holder only, until such
information is delivered to the Company.
4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the
performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne
by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to
the Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing
sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees
(including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings
required to be made with the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then
listed for trading, (B) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue
Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with
Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not
previously paid by the Company in connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect
to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a
Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with NASD Regulation,
Inc. pursuant to the NASD Rule 2710, so long as the broker is receiving no more
than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of
the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii)
messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company
so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons
retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible
for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange as required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be
responsible for any broker or similar commissions or, except to the extent
provided for in the Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the
Holders.
5. Indemnification
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall,
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, brokers (including brokers who
offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or
any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors
and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act) and the officers, directors, agents and employees of each such controlling
Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) and expenses (collectively, "Losses"),
as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form
of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent,
that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information
regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to
such Holder or such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable
Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of
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Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that
the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of
an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(c)(ii)-(v), the use
by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has
notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and
prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d).
The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not
jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers,
agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the
directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as
incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon: (x) such Holder's
failure to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in
any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising
out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement
or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such
Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement
or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that (1) such untrue statements or
omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in
writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the
extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder's proposed
method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly
approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for
this purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or (2) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type
specified in Section 3(c)(ii)-(v), the use by such Holder of an outdated or
defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that
the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder
of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). In no event shall the liability of
any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the
net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
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(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be
brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an
"Indemnified Party"), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person
from whom indemnity is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing, and the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and
the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense
thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice
shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities
pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is
not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have prejudiced
the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in
any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or
Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to
assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named
parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both
such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party
shall reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist
if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the
right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of one
separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding
effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of
which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses
of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent
incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding
in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified
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Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly
reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses
applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder, determined based upon the relative faults of the
parties.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is
unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party
harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and
Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that
resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission
or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to
information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or
payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys' or
other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any
Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or
expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to
such party in accordance with its terms.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required
to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the
proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud by
such Holder.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in
addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the
Indemnified Parties.
6. Miscellaneous
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a
Holder, of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the
Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages,
will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The
Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate
compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the
provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any
action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the
defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
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(b) No Piggyback on Registrations or Registrations on Form S-8. Except as
set forth on Schedule 6(b) attached hereto, neither the Company nor any of its
security holders (other than the Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may
include securities of the Company in the Registration Statement other than the
Registrable Securities. In addition, no Person has any right to cause the
Company to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of
the Company.
(c) Compliance. Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with
the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it
in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration
Statement.
(d) Discontinued Disposition. Each Holder agrees by its acquisition of
such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of
the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 3(c), such Holder
will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the
Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement or until it is
advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of the applicable
Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The
Company will use its best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may
be resumed as promptly as it practicable but in no event more than 30 days after
the occurrence of such an event. The Company agrees and acknowledges that any
periods during which the Holder is required to discontinue the disposition of
the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 2(b).
(e) Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time during the Effectiveness
Period there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the
Registrable Securities and the Company shall determine to prepare and file with
the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own
account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity
securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the
Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be
issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or
equity securities issuable in connection with the stock option or other employee
benefit plans, then the Company shall send to each Holder a written notice of
such determination and, if within fifteen days after the date of such notice,
any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such
registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such
Holder requests to be registered, subject to customary underwriter cutbacks
applicable to all holders of registration rights.
11
(f) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented,
and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and each
Holder of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not
directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by
Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent
relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be
amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of
the immediately preceding sentence.
(g) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries
required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth
in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties
and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all of the
Holders of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign
their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted
under the Purchase Agreement.
(i) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of
impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(b),
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has previously entered into any
agreement granting any registration rights with respect to any of its securities
to any Person that have not been satisfied in full.
(j) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the
party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with
the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature were the original
thereof.
(k) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity,
enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined with the
provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(l) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and
not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
12
(m) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in
no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use
their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(n) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(o) Independent Nature of Holders' Obligations and Rights. The obligations
of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any
other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the
performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained
herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no
action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to
constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any
other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way
acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and
enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this
Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an
additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
*************************
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
ACIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
14
[HOLDER'S SIGNATURE PAGE TO NSOL RRA]
Name of Holder: __________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Holder: __________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]
15
ANNEX A
Plan of Distribution
The Selling Stockholders (the "Selling Stockholders") of the common stock
("Common Stock") of Acies Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the "Company") and
any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to
time, sell any or all of their shares of Common Stock 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
Stockholders 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 settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this
prospectus;
o broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
o a combination of any such methods of sale;
o through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; or
o any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), if available, rather
than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions
or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as
agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the
case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission
in compliance with NADSR Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a
markup or markdown in compliance with NASDR IM-2440.
16
In connection with the sale of the Common Stock or interests therein, the
Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or
other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
Common Stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of the Common Stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the Common
Stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the shares 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 purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has
informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common
Stock.
The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the
Company incident to the registration of the shares. The Company has agreed to
indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this
prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act
may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. Each Selling
Stockholder has advised us that they have not entered into any written or oral
agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriter or broker-dealer
regarding the sale of the resale shares. There is no underwriter or coordinating
broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale shares by the
Selling Stockholders.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the
date on which the shares may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without
registration and without regard to any volume limitations by reason of Rule
144(e) under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all
of the shares have been sold pursuant to the prospectus or Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale shares will be
sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under
applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale
shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in
the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage
in market making activities with respect to the Common Stock for a period of two
business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the
Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of the Common Stock by the
Selling Stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus
available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to
deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of
the sale.
17
Annex B
ACIES CORPORATION
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (the "Common Stock"), of Acies Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), (the "Registrable Securities") understands that the Company has
filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Registrable Securities, in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
February 3, 2005 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company and
the Purchasers named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is
available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling
securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised
to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being
named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Registration
Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the "Selling Securityholder") of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item 3)
in the Registration Statement.
18
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and
represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. NAME.
(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder
--------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a)
above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3
below are held:
--------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a
natural person who directly you indirectly alone or with
others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered
by the questionnaire):
--------------------------------------------------------------
2. ADDRESS FOR NOTICES TO SELLING SECURITYHOLDER:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fax:
Contact Person:
3. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES:
(a) Type and Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
19
4. BROKER-DEALER STATUS:
(a) Are you a broker-dealer?
Yes|_| No|_|
Note: If yes, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should be
identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
(b) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
Yes|_| No|_|
(c) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you
bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of
business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable
Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the
Registrable Securities?
Yes|_| No|_|
Note: If no, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should be
identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
5. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OWNED BY THE SELLING
SECURITYHOLDER.
Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the
beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company
other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.
(a) Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the
Selling Securityholder:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
20
6. RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMPANY:
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its
affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners
of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held
any position or office or has had any other material relationship
with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past
three years.
State any exceptions here:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies
or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the
date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the
inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied
upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the
Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused
this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or
by its duly authorized agent.
Dated: Beneficial Owner:
------------------------ -------------------------
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
PLEASE FAX A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND
RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:
21
SCHEDULES TO
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as of February 3, 2005 by and, among Acies Corporation, a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), and each purchaser identified on the signature
pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, a "Purchaser" and
collectively the "Purchasers")
22
SCHEDULE 6(B)
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Common Stock with Registration Rights pursuant to Subscription Agreement dated
September 2, 2004.
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx 100,000 shares
Xxxxx Fienerman 68,438 shares
Xxxxx Fienerman 50,000 shares
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx 20,531 shares
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 266,907 shares
Xxxx Xxxxxx 27,375 shares
Xxxxxx Xxxx 20,531 shares
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx 68,438 shares
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx 50,000 shares
Xxxx Xxx 355,875 shares
Xxxx Xxx 400,000 shares
Total 1,428,095 shares
Common Stock Underlying Warrants with Registration Rights pursuant to an
Investor Relations Agreement dated December 1, 2004.
Exercise
Price Expiration
Investor Relations Network 150,000 shares $0.25 12/1/2009
Total 150,000 shares
23
