EXHIBIT 4.2
EXECUTION COPY
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of June 1,
2003 by and among MRV Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with
headquarters located at 00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the
"COMPANY"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "BUYER" and collectively, the
"BUYERS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among
the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers convertible notes
of the Company ( the "NOTES"), which will be convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock, $0.0017 par value per share (the "COMMON STOCK") (as
converted, the "CONVERSION SHARES"), in accordance with the terms of the Notes;
B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, 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 Buyers hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer, any permitted transferee or
assignee thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who
agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or
assignee assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound
by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
b. "PERSON" means an individual, a limited liability company,
a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization and a governmental or any department or agency thereof.
c. "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 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering
securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or
ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
d. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) the Conversion Shares
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Notes and (ii) any shares of capital
stock issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares or the Notes as a
result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar
event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on conversions of Notes.
e. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement or
registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the
Registrable Securities.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration.
(i) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall
prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than 30 days
after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase
Agreement) (the "FILING DEADLINE"), file with the SEC a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Registrable
Securities. In the event that Form S-3 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 100% of
the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of all the
outstanding Notes (without regard to any limitations on the conversion
thereof) as of the second trading day immediately preceding the date
the Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 2(e). The Company shall use its best
efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the
SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date which
is 90 days after the Closing Date (the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro
rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by
each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial
number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by
the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such
Investor's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata
portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included
in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which
ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement
shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such
Registration Statement.
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c. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers
holding a majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to select
one legal counsel to review and oversee any offering pursuant to this Section 2
("LEGAL COUNSEL"), which shall be Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx or such other
counsel as thereafter designated by the holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in
performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.
d. Ineligibility for Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is
not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable
Securities on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the holder of a
majority of the Registrable Securities and (ii) undertake to register the
Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided
that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering
the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.
e. 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 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 necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use its
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 Registrable Securities issued or
issuable upon conversion of the Notes covered by such Registration Statement is
greater than the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under
such Registration Statement. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence
shall be made without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Notes
and such calculation shall assume that the Notes are then convertible into
shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Conversion Rate (as defined in the
Notes), if applicable.
f. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain
Effectiveness of Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement
covering all the Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement is not (A) filed with the SEC on or before the Filing
Deadline or (B) declared effective by the SEC on or before the Effectiveness
Deadline or (ii) on any day after the Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC sales of all the Registrable Securities required to be
included on such Registration Statement cannot be made (other than during an
Allowable Grace Period (as defined in Section 3(t))) pursuant to the
Registration Statement (including, without limitation, because of a failure to
keep the Registration Statement effective, to disclose such information as is
necessary for sales to be made pursuant to the Registration Statement or to
register sufficient shares of
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Common Stock), 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, except as described below in this
Section 2(f), be exclusive of any other remedies under the Transaction
Documents, available at law or in equity), the Company shall pay to each holder
of Notes an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the principal amount of
the Notes held by each holder multiplied by (ii) the product of (A) 0.000667
multiplied by (B) the sum (without duplication) of (x) the number of days after
the Filing Deadline that such Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC,
plus (y) the number of days after the applicable Effectiveness Deadline that the
Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC, plus (z) the number
of days after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC
that such Registration Statement is not available (other than during an
Allowable Grace Period) for the sale of at least all the Registrable Securities
required to be included on such Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(e).
The payments to which a holder shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(f)
are referred to herein as "REGISTRATION DELAY PAYMENTS." Registration Delay
Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (I) the last day of the calendar month
during which such Registration Delay Payments are incurred and (II) the third
Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Registration Delay
Payments is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Registration Delay
Payments in a timely manner, such Registration Delay Payments shall bear
interest at the rate of 2.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid
in full. In the event the Company files, by the Filing Deadline, a Registration
Statement coving all the Registrable Securities and required to be filed
pursuant to this Agreement and the Company uses its reasonable best efforts to
cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as
practicable, but such Registration Statement is not declared effective on or
before the Effectiveness Deadline, the holders of the Notes shall not be
entitled to any remedies, under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity,
due to such failure of the Registration Statement to be declared effective,
other than the Registration Delay Payments (including any interest accruing
thereon), for a period of 30 days following the Effectiveness Deadline, after
which period such Registration Delay Payments shall no longer be exclusive of
any other remedies available under the Transaction Documents, at law or in
equity.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
At such time as the Company is obligated to file a
Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(e), the
Company will use its 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 promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the applicable Registrable Securities
(but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline) and use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable
Securities to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in
no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline). 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 or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all the
Registrable Securities
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covered by such Registration Statement (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"). Such
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 light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading. The term "best efforts" shall mean, among other
things, that the Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days
(as defined in the Notes) 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 has no further comments on the 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.
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. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement
which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to
this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form
10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), the Company shall have incorporated such
report by reference into the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall
file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the
1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend
or supplement the Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and
comment upon (i) the initial Registration Statement at least five (5) days prior
to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all other Registration Statements and all
amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements (except for Annual
Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form
8-K and any similar or successor reports) within a reasonable number of days
prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any document, registration
statement, amendment or supplement described in the foregoing clause (A) 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) 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, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such
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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) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least
one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by
reference, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) 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 (iii) 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 best efforts to (i) register and
qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the
resale by the Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration
Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of all the states of
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 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 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
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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 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. At the request of the Investors holding a majority in
interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to
which the request relates, the Company shall furnish to the Investors, on the
date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time
to time on such dates as the Investors 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, provided the Investors provide the accountants providing such letter
with such written representations and legal opinions as such accountants may
reasonably request to satisfy the requirements of Statement on Auditing
Standards ("SAS") 72, as amended by SAS-86, 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, provided that the
first such letter and opinion shall be furnished at the expense of the Company
and any subsequent such letter and opinion shall be furnished at the expense of
the Investors.
i. Upon the written request of any Investor, the Company shall
make available for inspection during regular business hours by (i) such
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 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
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agreement of which the Inspector has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it
shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records 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.
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 best efforts to secure
designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement on the Nasdaq National Market, or if, despite the
Company's best efforts to satisfy the preceding clause, the Company is
unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clause, to secure the inclusion for
quotation on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market for such Registrable Securities and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two
market makers to register with the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company
shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation
under this Section 3(k).
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. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar of
all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of the
applicable Registration Statement.
n. 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 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
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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
of such Registrable Securities.
o. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities
in the United States as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities.
p. The Company shall make generally available to its security
holders as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the
period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period
beginning after, but not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal
quarter next following, the effective date of the Registration Statement.
q. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply
with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.
r. Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement
which covers applicable 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.
s. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions
necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
t. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(f),
at any time after the applicable 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 material non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (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 20
consecutive days and during any 365 day period such Grace Periods shall not
exceed an aggregate of 45 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 (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 holders
receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall end on and include the
later of the date the holders receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) and
the date referred to in such notice. The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof
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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.
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, if any, 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 (an "INFORMATION
REQUEST"). 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, in response to an Information Request, 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 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 Securities Purchase 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.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, 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 shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of
Legal Counsel, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 4(h) of the
Securities Purchase
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Agreement, in connection with registration, filing or qualification pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement.
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, 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,
(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 in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, (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, 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
11
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; (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, if such 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. 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, 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; provided, further, however, that the 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
12
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 counsel retained by the indemnifying party, 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 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.
13
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. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
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 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) 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 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 Registrable Securities having
an aggregate fair market value of at least $1,000,000 on the date of transfer
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 transfer or 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
14
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 Securities Purchase Agreement.
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 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, including, without limitation, by virtue of the fact that such
Person has the right to receive 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 registered 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 (1) 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:
MRV Communications, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx
15
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx LLP
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 310-552-5001
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
If to Legal Counsel:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 312-902-1061
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule of
Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives as set forth
on the Schedule of Buyers, or, in the case of a Buyer or other party named
above, 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) by a
courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal
service, receipt by facsimile or deposit with 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
16
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 Securities Purchase Agreement and the
Notes 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 Securities Purchase Agreement and the Notes
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 the 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 to be made by the
Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified
in this Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable
Securities, determined as if all of the Notes then outstanding have been
converted into Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on
17
conversion of the Notes. Any consent or other determination approved by
Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities shall be binding on
all Investors.
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.
* * * * * *
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
COMPANY: BUYERS:
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. DEUTSCHE BANK, AG LONDON BRANCH
By: /S/ Xxxx Xxxxx By: /S/ Xxxxx Xx
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx Name: Xxxxx Xx
------------------------ ------------------------
Title: CEO Title: Authorized Signatory
---------------------- -----------------------
June 1, 2003
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
INVESTOR ADDRESS INVESTOR'S LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES'
INVESTOR'S NAME AND FACSIMILE NUMBER ADDRESS AND FACSIMILE NUMBER
--------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------
Deutsche Bank, AG London Branch c/o Deutsche Bank AG Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx 000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx Xx Xxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Phone: 000-000-0000 Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000