FORM OF KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
1.1
FORM
OF
___________
__, 2010
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx, LLC
1251
Avenue of the Xxxxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned, Kingold Jewelry, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including,
without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration
Statement (as hereinafter defined) as being subsidiaries or affiliates of the
Company, the “Company”),
hereby confirms its agreement with Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (hereinafter
referred to as “you” (including its correlatives) or the “Underwriter”) as
follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of
Securities.
1.1 Firm
Securities.
1.1.1 Nature and Purchase of Firm
Securities.
(i) On
the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to
the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell,
to the Underwriter, an aggregate of _____________ shares of its common stock
(“Firm Shares”), par
value $0.001 per
share (the “Shares”).
(ii) The
Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Company the Firm Shares at a purchase
price (net of discounts and commissions) of [___] per Share (93% of the per
Share offering price). The Firm Shares are to be offered initially to the public
(the “Offering”) at the
offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in
Section 2.1.1 hereof).
1.1.2 Shares Payment and
Delivery.
(i) Delivery
and payment for the Firm Shares shall be made at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on
the third (3rd)
Business Day following the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the
Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.2 below) (or the fourth
(4th)
Business Day following the Effective Date, if the Registration Statement is
declared effective after 4:30 p.m.) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed
upon by the Underwriter and the Company at the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP, counsel to the Underwriter (“Xxxxxx Xxxxx”), or at such
other place (or remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall
be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company. The hour and date of delivery
and payment for the Firm Shares is called the “Closing Date.”
(ii) Payment
for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer in
Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery of
the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter)
representing the Firm Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust
Company (“DTC”)) for the
account of the Underwriter. The Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriter may request in
writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The
Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon
tender of payment by the Underwriter for all the Firm Shares. The term “Business Day” means any day
other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York
City.
1.2 Over-allotment
Option.
1.2.1 Option
Shares. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in
connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares, the Underwriter is
hereby granted, an option to purchase up to [_______] Shares representing fifteen
percent (15%)
percent of the Firm Shares sold in the offering from the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such
additional [_______] Shares, the net proceeds of
which will be deposited with the Company’s account, are hereinafter referred to
as “Option Shares.” The
purchase price to be paid for the Option Shares will be the same price per
Option Share as the price per Firm Shares set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof. The
Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as
the “Public Securities.”
1.2.2 Exercise of
Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section
1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Underwriter as to all (at any time) or any
part (from time to time) of the Option Shares within 45 days after the Effective
Date. The Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option
Shares prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment
Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the
Company from the Underwriter, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight
mail or facsimile or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of
Option Shares to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment
for the Option Shares (the “Option Closing Date”), which
will not be later than five (5) full Business Days after the date of the notice
or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriter,
at the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxx or at such other place (including remotely by
facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the
Company and the Underwriter. If such delivery and payment for the Option Shares
does not occur on the Closing Date, the Option Closing Date will be as set forth
in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will
become obligated to convey to the Underwriter, and, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, the Underwriter will become obligated to purchase,
the number of Option Shares specified in such notice.
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1.2.3 Payment and
Delivery. Payment for the Option Shares will be made on the
Option Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds as follows:
$[____] per Option Share, 93% of the
per Option Share offering price, payable to the order of the Company upon
delivery to you of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Underwriter) representing the Option Shares (or through the facilities of DTC)
for the account of the Underwriter. The Option Shares shall be registered in
such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriter may
request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Option
Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Option
Shares except upon tender of payment by the Underwriter for applicable Option
Shares.
1.3 [Underwriter’s
Options.
1.3.1 Purchase Option. The
Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriter (and/or its
designees) on the Closing Date an option (“Underwriter’s Option”) for the
purchase of an aggregate of [________] Shares [5% of the Firm
Shares (excluding the over-allotment option)] for an aggregate purchase price of
$[__________]. The Underwriter’s Option
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A shall
be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on a date which is one year from
the Applicable Time and expiring on the four-year anniversary of the Applicable
Time at an initial exercise price per Share of $[__________], which is equal to 125% of
the public offering price of the Firm Shares. The Underwriter’s Option agreement
and the Shares issuable upon exercise thereof are sometimes hereinafter referred
to collectively as the “Underwriter’s Securities.” The
Underwriter understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions
pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 against transferring the Underwriter’s Option
Agreement and the underlying Shares during the first year after the Effective
Date and by its acceptance thereof shall agree that it will not, sell, transfer,
assign, pledge or hypothecate the Underwriter’s Option Agreement, or any portion
thereof, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call
transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such
securities for a period of one year following the Effective Date to anyone other
than (i) an Underwriter or a selected dealer in connection with the Offering, or
(ii) a bona fide officer or partner of the Underwriter or of any such
Underwriter or selected dealer; and only if any such transferee agrees to the
foregoing lock-up restrictions.
1.3.2 Delivery. Delivery
for the Underwriter’s Option Agreement shall be made on the Closing Date and
shall be issued in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the
Underwriter may request.]
2. Representations and
Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants
to the Underwriter as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), as of the
Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, if any, as
follows:
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2.1 Filing of Registration
Statement.
2.1.1 Pursuant to the
Act. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) a registration
statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No.
333-167626), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the
registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Act”),
which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by
the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act (the “Regulations”). Except as the
context may otherwise require, such registration statement on file with the
Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective (including
the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other
documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information
deemed to be a part thereof as of the Effective Date pursuant to paragraph (b)
of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” The
final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriter for use in the
Offering, is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” The Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof.
“Applicable Time” means
[___ am/pm on _________________], 2010, on the Effective Date or such other time
as agreed to by the Company and the Underwriter.
2.1.2 Registration under the
Exchange Act and Stock Exchange Listing. The Shares are
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange
Act”) and are listed on the NASDAQ Capital
Market (“NASDAQ”), and the Company has
taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the
registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the common shares
of the Company from NASDAQ, nor has the Company received any notification that
the Commission or NASDAQ is contemplating terminating such registration or
listing except as described in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus.
2.2 No Stop Orders,
etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order preventing or
suspending the use of the Prospectus or the Registration Statement or has
instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute
any proceedings with respect to such an order.
2.3 Disclosures in Registration
Statement.
2.3.1 10b-5
Representation. At the respective times the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments thereto become
effective (and at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if
any):
(i) The
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments thereto
did and will contain all material statements that are required to be stated
therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will in all material
respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the
Regulations;
(ii) Neither
the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement
thereto, nor any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (as hereinafter defined), on
such dates, do or will 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. The representation and warranty made in this Section
2.3.1(ii) does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The parties acknowledge and agree that
such information provided by or on behalf of the Underwriter consists solely of
the following disclosure contained in the “Underwriting” section of the
Prospectus: the table following the first paragraph under the title
“Underwriting,” the table that shows the per share and total underwriting
discounts and commissions, the disclosure under the heading “Foreign Regulatory
Restrictions on Purchase of the Common Stock” (the “Underwriter’s
Information”).
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2.3.2 Disclosure of
Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the
Prospectus, the Registration Statement conform to the descriptions thereof
contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the
Act and the Regulations to be described in the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration
Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other
instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party
or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to
in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been
duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect
in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the
Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms,
except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally,
(y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may
be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the
court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. None of such
agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the
Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in
default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has
occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would
constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge,
performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or
instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court,
domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets
or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental
laws and regulations.
2.3.3 Prior Securities
Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by
the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, except as
disclosed in the Registration Statement.
2.3.4 Regulations. The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal,
State, and local regulation, including but not limited to regulations
promulgated by any governmental agency in the People’s Republic of China, on the
Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material
respects.
2.4 Changes After Dates in
Registration Statement.
2.4.1 No Material Adverse
Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise
specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company;
(ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company,
other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no officer
or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the
Company.
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2.4.2 Recent Securities
Transactions, etc. Subsequent to the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and
except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued
any securities; (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, for borrowed money; or (iii) declared or paid any dividend or
made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.
2.5 Disclosures in Commission
Filings. Since January 1, 2009, (i) none of the Company’s
filings with the Commission contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(ii) the Company has made all filings with the Commission required under the
Exchange Act.
2.6 Independent
Accountants. Xxxxxxxx, LLP (“Xxxxxxxx”), whose report is
filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, are independent
registered public accountants as required by the Exchange Act, the Act and the
Regulations. Xxxxxxxx has not, during the periods covered by the financial
statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit
services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange
Act.
2.7 Financial Statements,
etc. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus
fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the
Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied
throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the
Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated
therein. The Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance sheet
transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and
other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons
that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues
or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries, including each entity disclosed or described in the Registration
Statement as being a subsidiary of the Company (each a “Subsidiary” and together the
“Subsidiaries”), has
incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or
entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of
business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any
distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock, (c) there has not
been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or any grants under any stock compensation plan and, (d) there has not been any
material adverse change in the Company’s long-term or short-term
debt.
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2.8 Authorized Capital; Options,
etc. The Company had, at the date or dates indicated in the
Prospectus, the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set
forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions
stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will have
on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except
as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no
options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any
authorized, but unissued Shares of the Company or any security convertible into
Shares of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell Shares
or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
2.9 Valid Issuance of
Securities, etc.
2.9.1 Outstanding
Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the
Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;
the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are
not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of
such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders
of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the
Company. The authorized Shares conform in all material respects to all
statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. The offers and sales of the outstanding Shares were at all relevant
times either registered under the Act and the applicable state securities or
Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the
purchasers of such Shares, exempt from such registration
requirements.
2.9.2 Securities Sold Pursuant to
this Agreement. The Public Securities [and Underwriter’s
Securities] have been
duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and
will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the
Public Securities [and
Underwriter’s Securities]
are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders
of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the
Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization,
issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Public
Securities [and
Underwriter’s Securities]
conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto
contained in the Registration Statement. [When paid for and issued in
accordance with the Underwriter’s Option Agreement, the underlying Shares will
be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders;
the underlying Shares are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights
of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights
granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the
authorization, issuance and sale of the Underwriter’s Option Agreement has been
duly and validly taken.]
2.10 Registration Rights of Third
Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights
exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company
have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the
Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration
statement to be filed by the Company.
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2.11 Validity and Binding Effect
of Agreements. This Agreement [and the Underwriter’s Option
Agreement] [has] [have] been duly and
validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered, will
constitute, the valid and binding agreement[s] of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with [its] [their] respective terms, except:
(i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may
be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the
court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
2.12 No Conflicts,
etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company
of this Agreement [, the
Underwriter’s Option Agreement] and all ancillary documents,
the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein
contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof
do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time
or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the
terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in
the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of
any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in
any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation (as the same
has been, or may be amended from time to time, the “Certificate of
Incorporation”); or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court,
domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
properties or business constituted as of the date hereof.
2.13 No Defaults;
Violations. No default exists in the due performance and
observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other
agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any
other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of
the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision
of its Certificate of Incorporation, or in violation of any franchise, license,
permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental
agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or
any of its properties or businesses.
2.14 Corporate Power; Licenses;
Consents.
2.14.1 Conduct of
Business. Except as described in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority,
and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates
and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it
needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the
Prospectus. The disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects
of federal, state and local regulation on this Offering and the Company’s
business purpose as currently contemplated are correct in all material
respects.
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2.14.2 Transactions Contemplated
Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof,
and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection
therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no
filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the
valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation of the
transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement [and the Underwriter’s Option
Agreement] and as
contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and
state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
2.15 D&O
Questionnaires. To the best of Company’s knowledge, all
information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by
each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering
(the “Insiders”) as well
as in the Lock-Up Agreement provided to the Underwriter is true and correct in
all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would
cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Insider
to become inaccurate and incorrect.
2.16 Litigation; Governmental
Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry,
arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to
the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the
Company’s knowledge, any executive officer or director which has not been
disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in connection with
the Company’s listing application for the listing of the Shares on
NASDAQ.
2.17 Good
Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly
existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the Delaware
as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the
conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to
qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or
operations of the Company.
2.18 Stop
Orders. The Commission has not issued any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or any part
thereof.
2.19 Transactions Affecting
Disclosure to FINRA.
2.19.1 Finder’s
Fees. Except as described in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or
understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination
fee by the Company or any Insider with respect to the sale of the Securities
hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company
or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the
Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.
2.19.2 Payments Within Twelve
Months. Except as described in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in
cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee,
consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for
the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital
to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or
entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA
member, within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date, other than the
prior payment of $[25,000] to Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLC,
the Underwriter as provided in connection with the Offering.
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2.19.3 Use of
Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be
paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except
as specifically authorized herein.
2.19.4 FINRA
Affiliation. No officer, director or any beneficial owner of
the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or
association with any FINRA member (as determined in accordance with the rules
and regulations of FINRA). The Company will advise the Underwriter and Xxxxxx
Xxxxx if it learns that any officer, director or owner of at least 5% of the
Company’s outstanding Shares (or securities convertible into Shares) is or
becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the
Offering.
2.20 Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act. Neither the Company nor any of the directors, employees
or officers of the Company or any other person acting on behalf of the Company
has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar
benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course
of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or
supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality
of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for
office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a
position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject
the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a
material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as
reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Prospectus or
(iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company has taken
reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are
sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.21 Officers’
Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized
officer of the Company and delivered to you or to Xxxxxx Xxxxx shall be deemed a
representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters
covered thereby.
2.22 Lock-Up
Period.
2.22.1 Each
of the Company’s officers and directors holding Shares (or securities
convertible into Shares), and each owner of at least 5% of the Company’s
outstanding Shares (or securities convertible into Shares at any time) (together
with the Company’s officers and directors, the “Lock-Up Parties”), have agreed
pursuant to executed Lock-Up Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B-1 and Exhibit B-2, respectively, that for a period of ninety (90) days from
the effective date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), such persons
and their affiliated parties shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell,
grant, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
Shares, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Shares, without the consent of the Underwriter. The Underwriter may consent to
an early release from the applicable Lock-Up period if, in its opinion, the
market for the Shares would not be adversely impacted by sales and in cases of
financial emergency of an officer, director or other stockholder. The Company
has caused each of the Lock-Up Parties to deliver to the Underwriter the
agreements of each of the Lock-Up Parties to the foregoing effect prior to the
date that the Company requests that the Commission declare the Registration
Statement effective under the Act.
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2.22.2 The
Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, has agreed that, without
the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, for a period of
ninety (90) days
from the effective date of the Registration Statement, (i) offer, pledge, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option
or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital
stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary, (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with
the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
shares of capital stock of the Company, or (iii) enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary,
whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to
be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
The
restrictions contained in this paragraph 2.22.2 shall not apply to (i) the
Shares to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of
common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a
security outstanding on the date hereof and disclosed in the Prospectus, or
(iii) the issuance by the Company of option or shares of capital stock of the
Company under any stock compensation plan of the Company.
2.22.3 Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if (i) the Company issues an earnings release or material news,
or a material event relating to the Company occurs, during the last 17 days of
the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the
Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period
beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by
paragraph 2.22 shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period
beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the
material news or material event, unless the Underwriter waives such
extension.
2.23 Subsidiaries. Annex
1 to this agreement sets forth the ownership of all Subsidiaries. All direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are duly organized and in good standing
under the laws of the place of organization or incorporation, and each such
Subsidiary and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership
or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification,
except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on
the assets, business or operations of the Company taken as a
whole. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The
Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
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2.24 Related Party
Transactions. Except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, there are no business relationships or related
party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be
described in the Prospectus that have not been described as
required.
2.25 Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised
of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned
“Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the
overall composition of the board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and
the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of
NASDAQ. At least one member of the Board of Directors of the Company qualifies
as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of
2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of NASDAQ. In addition,
at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as
“independent” as defined under the rules of NASDAQ.
2.26 Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Compliance.
2.26.1 Disclosure
Controls. The Company has developed and currently maintains
disclosure controls and procedures that will comply with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15
of the Exchange Act, and such controls and procedures are effective to ensure
that all material information concerning the Company will be made known on a
timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s
Exchange Act filings and other public disclosure documents.
2.26.2 Compliance. The
Company is, or on the Effective Date will be, in material compliance with the
provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 applicable to it, and has
implemented or will implement such programs and taken reasonable steps to ensure
the Company’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and
regulatory deadlines therefore) with all the material provisions of the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
2.27 No Investment Company
Status. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
Offering and sale of the Firm Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof
as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will not be, an
“investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
2.28 No Labor Disputes. No
labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.
2.29 Intellectual
Property. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or
has valid right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service xxxx registrations,
copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property”)
necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries will involve or give rise to any infringement
of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property of
others. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
any notice alleging any such infringement or fee.
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2.30 Taxes. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all returns (as hereinafter
defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof
or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries has paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined)
shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on
or assessed against the Company or such respective subsidiary. The
provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed
with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and
unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the
dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed
in writing to the Underwriter, (i) no issues have been raised (and are currently
pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes
asserted as due from the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) no waivers of
statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have
been given by or requested from the Company or its Subsidiaries. The
term “taxes”
mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income,
gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license,
lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs,
duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatever,
together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional
amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all
returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be
filed in respect to taxes.
2.31 Representations and
Warranties of the Company Regarding the People’s Republic of China
(“PRC”) and the British Virgin
Islands (“BVI”).
2.31.1 PRC
Subsidiaries. The Company conducts substantially all of its
operations and generates substantially all of its revenue through its direct,
wholly-owned subsidiary, Dragon Lead Group, Ltd., a BVI corporation (the “BVI Subsidiary”), and the
direct and indirect subsidiaries thereof (i.e., Wuhan Vogue-Show Jewelry Co.,
Ltd and Wuhan Kingold), all of which are incorporated in the PRC. The
subsidiaries and their affiliates listed on Annex 1 hereto and listed and
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are all of the
subsidiaries of the Company (such subsidiaries collectively shall be referred to
herein as the “PRC
Subsidiaries”).
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2.31.2 Organization, Qualification
and Authority. Each of the PRC Subsidiaries has been duly established, is
validly existing as a company in good standing under the laws of the PRC, and
the BVI Subsidiary has been duly established, is validly existing as a company
in good standing under the laws of the BVI. Each of the PRC
Subsidiaries and the BVI Subsidiary has the corporate power and authority to
own, lease and operate its property and to conduct its business as described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to transact
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of
its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
qualification, except where the failure to do so would not have a material
adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company taken as a
whole. Each of the PRC Subsidiaries and the BVI Subsidiary has
applied for and obtained all requisite business licenses, clearance and permits
required under the laws and regulations of the PRC or BVI, as applicable, as
necessary for the conduct of its businesses, and each of the PRC Subsidiaries
and the BVI Subsidiary has complied in all material respects with all laws and
regulations of the PRC or BVI, as applicable, in connection with foreign
exchange, except where the failure to do so would not have a material adverse
effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company taken as a
whole. The registered capital of each of the PRC Subsidiaries and the
BVI Subsidiary has been fully paid up in accordance with the schedule of payment
stipulated in its respective Articles of Incorporation, approval document,
certificate of approval and legal person business license (hereinafter referred
to as the “Establishment
Documents”) and in compliance with the PRC or BVI laws and regulations,
as applicable, and there is no outstanding capital contribution commitment for
any of the PRC Subsidiaries or BVI Subsidiary. The Establishment
Documents of the PRC Subsidiaries and the BVI Subsidiary have been duly approved
in accordance with the laws of the PRC and BVI, as applicable, and are valid and
enforceable. The business scope specified in the Establishment
Documents of each of the PRC Subsidiaries and the BVI Subsidiary complies with
the requirements of all relevant the PRC or BVI laws and regulations, as the
case may be. The outstanding equity interests of each of the PRC
Subsidiaries and BVI Subsidiary are owned of record by the Company or a wholly
owned subsidiary, except for such specific entities or individuals identified as
the registered holders thereof in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. The Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power
to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of the PRC
Subsidiaries and the BVI Subsidiary.
2.31.3 Dividends. Except
pursuant to applicable PRC law or BVI law, no PRC Subsidiary or BVI Subsidiary
is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to
the Company (or the Company’s subsidiary that holds the outstanding equity
interest of such PRC Subsidiary and BVI Subsidiary). Except pursuant
to applicable PRC laws or BVI laws, no PRC Subsidiary or BVI Subsidiary is
prohibited, directly or indirectly, from making any other distribution on such
applicable PRC Subsidiary’s or BVI Subsidiary’s equity capital, from repaying to
the Company any loans or advances to such the PRC Subsidiary or BVI Subsidiary
from the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.
2.31.4 Immunity. None
of the PRC Subsidiaries, BVI Subsidiary nor any of their properties, assets or
revenues are entitled to any right of immunity on the grounds of sovereignty
from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from
the jurisdiction of any court, from services of process, from attachment prior
to or in aid of execution of judgment, or from any other legal process or
proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any
judgment.
2.31.5 Filing with the PRC and
BVI. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, it is not necessary that this Agreement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus or any other document be filed or recorded with any governmental
agency, court or other authority in the PRC or BVI.
2.31.6 Transfer Taxes. No
transaction, stamp, capital or other issuance, registration, transaction,
transfer or withholding taxes or duties are payable in the PRC or BVI by or on
behalf of the Underwriter to any PRC or BVI taxing authority in connection with
(i) the issuance, sale and delivery of any Shares by the Company and the
delivery of any Shares to or for the account of the Underwriter, (ii) the
purchase from the Company and the initial sale and delivery by the Underwriter
of any Shares to purchasers thereof, or (iii) the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
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2.31.7 Compliance. Except
as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has
taken all necessary steps to ensure compliance by each of its shareholders,
option holders, directors, officers and employees that is, or is directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC or BVI resident or citizen with any
applicable rules and regulations of the relevant the PRC or BVI government
agencies.
2.31.8 PRC/BVI
Approvals. Except as described in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Public Securities to the
Underwriter, the listing and trading of the Public Securities on NASDAQ and the
consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus are not and will not be, as of the
date hereof and on the Closing Date, subject to any approval by any the PRC or
BVI governmental or regulatory authority.
2.31.9 PRC/BVI Tax Benefits,
etc. Any PRC or BVI governmental tax benefits, exemptions,
waivers, or other relief, enjoyed by any PRC Subsidiary or BVI Subsidiary as
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are valid, binding
and enforceable and in accordance with PRC and BVI law and regulations, as the
case may be.
2.31.10 Previous
Restructuring. Any previous restructuring (i.e. equity
transfer) of the Company and the Subsidiaries will not (i) conflict with or
result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to
which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject
to the extent that such conflict or breach is reasonably likely, individually or
in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect; (ii) result in any
violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or
other constituent documents of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (iii) result in
any violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any
Subsidiary or any of their properties (including but not limited to the Ministry
of Commerce, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce and the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC) to the extent that such violation
is reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material
adverse effect.
2.31.11 Mergers and Acquisitions
Rules. The Company is aware of and has been advised as to, the content of
the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign
Investors jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets
Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Tax Administration, the
State Administration of Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory
Commission ("CSRC") and
the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC on August 8, 2006 (the
"M&A Rules"), in particular the relevant
provisions thereof which purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles,
or SPVs, formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by
PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the
listing and trading of their securities on an overseas stock exchange; the
Company has received legal advice specifically with respect to the M&A Rules
from its PRC counsel and the Company understands such legal advice. The Company
has fully communicated such legal advice from its PRC counsel to each of its
directors that signed the Registration Statement and each director has confirmed
that he or she understands such legal advice.
15
2.31.12 Compliance with Mergers and
Acquisitions Rules. The issuance and sale of the Shares, the listing and
trading of the Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not and will not be, as of the
date hereof adversely affected by the M&A Rules or any official
clarifications, guidance, interpretations or implementation rules in connection
with or related to the M&A Rules (collectively, the "M&A Rules and Related
Clarifications").
2.31.13 Compliance with Overseas
Investment and Listing Regulations. Each of the Company and Subsidiaries
that were incorporated outside of the PRC has taken, or is in the process of
taking, reasonable steps to ensure compliance by each of its shareholders,
option holders, directors, officers, and employees that is, or is directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or citizen with any applicable
rules and regulations of the relevant PRC government agencies (including but not
limited to the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform
Commission and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange) relating to
overseas investment by PRC residents and citizens or the repatriation of the
proceeds from overseas offering and listing by offshore special purpose vehicles
controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies and individuals, such as the
Company, (the "PRC Overseas Investment and Listing
Regulations"), including without limitation,
requesting each shareholder, option holder, director, officer, and employees
that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or
citizen to complete any registration and other procedures required under
applicable PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations.
2.31.14 Compliance with SAFE Rules
and Regulations. The Company has taken all reasonable steps to comply
with, and to ensure compliance by all of the Company's shareholders who are PRC
residents with any applicable rules and regulations of the PRC State
Administration of Foreign Exchange (the "SAFE Rules and Regulations"),
including without limitation, taking reasonable steps to require each of
its shareholders and option holders that is, or is directly or indirectly owned
or controlled by, a PRC resident to complete any registration and other
procedures required under applicable SAFE Rules and Regulations.
3.
Covenants of the
Company. The Company covenants and agrees as
follows:
3.1 Amendments to Registration
Statement. The Company will deliver to the Underwriter, prior
to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or
Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such
amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter shall reasonably object in
writing.
3.2 Federal Securities
Laws.
3.2.1 Compliance. During
the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon
it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under
the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit
the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance
with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus
relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any
event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company or counsel for the Underwriter, the Prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to
comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Underwriter promptly and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an
appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the
Act.
16
3.2.2 Filing of Final
Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and
substance satisfactory to the Underwriter) with the Commission pursuant to the
requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.
3.2.3 Exchange Act
Registration. For a period of three years from the Effective
Date, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the
Shares. The Company will not deregister the Shares under the Exchange Act
without the prior written consent of the Underwriter.
3.2.4 Free Writing
Prospectuses. The Company represents and agrees that it has
not made and will not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that
would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of
the 1933 Act, without the prior consent of the Underwriter. Any such free
writing prospectus consented to by the Underwriter is hereinafter referred to as
a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.”
The Company represents that its will treat each Permitted Free Writing
Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and
has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the
1933 Act, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and
record keeping.
3.3 Delivery to the Underwriter
of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to the Underwriter,
without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is
required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies
of each Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request and, as soon as the
Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective,
deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements, including
exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits
filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed
consents of certified experts.
3.4 Effectiveness and Events
Requiring Notice to the Underwriter. The Company will use its
best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a
current prospectus for at least nine (9) months from the Applicable Time. and
will notify the Underwriter immediately and confirm the notice in writing:
(i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the
initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings
for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale
in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding
for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for
filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or
Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any
additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of
any event during the period described in this Section 3.4 hereof that, in the
judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of
any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter
a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make
every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such
order.
17
3.5 Review of Financial
Statements. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective
Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent
certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial
statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement
of quarterly financial information.
3.6 Intentionally
Omitted.
3.7 Financial Public Relations
Firm. As of the Effective Date, the Company shall have
retained a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the
Underwriter and the Company, which shall initially be RedChip Companies, Inc.,
which firm will be experienced in assisting issuers in public offerings of
securities and in their relations with their security holders, and shall retain
such firm or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter for a period
of not less than two (2) years after the Effective Date.
3.8 Reports to the
Underwriter.
3.8.1 Periodic Reports,
etc. For a period of three years from the Effective Date, the
Company will furnish to the Underwriter copies of such financial statements and
other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes
generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish to
the Underwriter: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be
required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and
every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was
released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K prepared and filed by the
Company; (iv) five copies of each registration statement filed by the Company
under the Act; (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the
Company and the affairs of any future Subsidiaries of the Company as the
Underwriter may from time to time reasonably request; provided the Underwriter
shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant
confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter and
Xxxxxx Xxxxx in connection with the Underwriter’s receipt of such information.
Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its XXXXX system shall be deemed
to have been delivered to the Underwriter pursuant to this Section.
3.8.2 Transfer
Sheets. For a period of three (3) years from the Effective
Date, the Company shall retain a transfer and registrar agent acceptable to the
Underwriter (the “Transfer Agent”) and will
furnish to the Underwriter at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer
sheets of the Company’s securities as the Underwriter may reasonably request,
including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer
Agent and DTC. Interwest Transfer Company, Inc. is acceptable to the Underwriter
to act as Transfer Agent for the Company’s Shares.
18
3.8.3 Trading
Reports. During such time as the Public Securities are listed on NASDAQ,
the Company shall provide to the Underwriter, at the Company’s expense, such
reports published by NASDAQ relating to price trading of the Public Securities,
as the Underwriter shall reasonably request.
3.9 Payment of
Expenses.
3.9.1 General Expenses Related to
the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the
Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the
Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the
Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees
and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Shares to be sold
in the Offering (including the Over-allotment Shares) with the Commission; (b)
all COBRADesk filing fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA;
all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Shares on the NASDAQ and
such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Underwriter together
determine; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to
background checks of the Company’s officers and directors in an amount not to
exceed $5,000 per individual; (d) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the
Underwriter’s counsel in excess of $140,000, as incurred, which excess is
currently estimated to be in a range of $20,000 - 60,000 but will depend on the
actual fees and disbursements of such counsel in connection with the Offering;
(e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or
qualification of such Shares under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states
and other jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably designate (including,
without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees
and disbursements of the Underwriter’s counsel, it being agreed that (i) if the
Offering is commenced on the NASDAQ Capital Market or the NYSE Amex, the Company
will make a payment of $5,000 to such counsel on the Closing Date, or (ii) if
the Offering is commenced on the Nasdaq Capital Market or on the Over the
Counter Bulletin Board, the Company will make a payment of $15,000 to such
counsel upon the commencement of “blue sky” work by such counsel and an
additional $5,000 at Closing); (f) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating
to the registration, qualification or exemption of such Shares under the
securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably
designate; (g) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting
documents (including, without limitation, the Underwriting Agreement, any Blue
Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected
Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney),
Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and
exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the
Underwriter may reasonably deem necessary; (h) the costs and expenses of the
public relations firm as contemplated by Section 3.7 hereof; (i) the costs of
preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Shares; (j)
fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the Shares; (k) stock transfer
and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the
Company to the Underwriter; (l) the costs associated with post-Closing
advertising of the Offering in the national additions of the Wall Street Journal
and New York Times; (m) the costs associated with bound volumes of the public
offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, each
of which the Company or its designee will provide within a reasonable time after
the Closing in such quantities as the Underwriter may reasonably request; (n)
the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (o) the fees and expenses of
the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; (p) the
$16,000 cost associated with the Underwriter’s use of i-Deal’s book-building,
prospectus tracking and compliance software for the Offering; and (q) up to
$10,000 of the Underwriter’s actual “road show” expenses for the
Offerings. The Underwriter may also deduct from the net proceeds of
the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing
Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the
Underwriter.
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3.9.2 Non-accountable
Expenses. The Company further agrees that, in addition to the
expenses payable pursuant to Section 3.9.1, on the Closing Date it will pay to
the Underwriter a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of
the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Firm Shares by
deduction from the proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein.
3.10 Application of Net
Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the
Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described
under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
3.11 Delivery of Earnings
Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make
generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not
later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the
Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by
independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required
by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule
158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve
consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.
3.12 Stabilization. Neither
the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or
shareholders (without the consent of the Underwriter) has taken or will take,
directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that
might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
3.13 Internal
Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that:
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in
order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and
to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted
only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and
(iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing
assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to
any differences.
3.14 Accountants. As
of the Effective Date, the Company shall retain independent public accountants
reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter, and the Company shall continue to
retain a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm for
a period of at least three years after the Effective Date. The
Underwriter acknowledges that Xxxxxxxx is acceptable to the
Underwriter.
3.15 FINRA. The
Company shall advise the Underwriter (who shall make an appropriate filing with
FINRA) if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes
an affiliate or associated person of an FINRA member participating in the
distribution of the Company’s Public Securities.
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3.16 No Fiduciary
Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the
Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and
that neither the Underwriter nor its affiliates or any Selling Agent shall be
deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary
duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4. Conditions of Underwriter’s
Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter to purchase
and pay for the Shares, as provided herein, shall be subject to (i) the
continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of
the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date,
if any; (ii) the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made
pursuant to the provisions hereof; (iii) the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and (iv) the following conditions:
4.1 Regulatory
Matters.
4.1.1 Effectiveness of
Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have
become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on the date of this
Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by
you, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall
be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the
Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the
reasonable satisfaction of Xxxxxx Xxxxx.
4.1.2 FINRA
Clearance. By the Effective Date, the Underwriter shall have
received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or
payable to the Underwriter as described in the Registration
Statement.
4.1.3 NASDAQ Stock Market
Clearance. On the Closing Date, the Company’s Shares,
including the Firm Shares shall have been approved for listing on the
NASDAQ.
4.1.4 Free Writing
Prospectuses. The Underwriter covenants with the Company that
the Underwriter will not use, authorize the use of, refer to, or participate in
the planning for the use of a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405
under the 1933 Act, which term includes use of any written information furnished
by the Commission to the Company and not incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement, without the prior written consent of the Company. Any
such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company is hereinafter referred
to as an “Underwriter Free
Writing Prospectus.”
4.2 Company Counsel
Matters.
4.2.1 Closing Date Opinion of
Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have
received the favorable opinions of DLA Piper LLC (US) (“DLA”) and Cyruli Xxxxxx Xxxx
& Xxxxxx, LLP (“CSHZ”), counsel to the
Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriter covering the
following:
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(i) The
Company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware has been duly organized
and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware with the requisite
corporate power to own or lease, as the case may be, and operate its respective
properties, and to conduct its business, as described in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus. The Company
has no subsidiaries formed under the laws of the State of Delaware and is not
registered or qualified to do business as a foreign corporation under the laws
of any jurisdiction within the United States except Delaware.
(ii) All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and none of such securities
were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any stockholder of the
Company arising by operation of law or under the Certificate of Incorporation.
The offers and sales of the outstanding securities were at all relevant times
either registered under the Act or exempt from such registration requirements.
The authorized, and to the extent of DLA’s or CSHZ’s knowledge, outstanding
Shares of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus.
(iii) The
Public Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will
be validly issued and to our knowledge, fully paid and non-assessable; the
holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability solely by
reason of being such holders. The Public Securities are not and will
not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the
Company arising by operating of law or under the Certificate of
Incorporation. The Over-allotment Option [and Underwriter’s Option] constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment
therefore, the number of Shares called for thereby, and the Over-allotment
Option [and
Underwriter’s Option]
are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms,
except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (b) as
enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited
under the Federal and state securities laws and (c) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefore may be brought.
(iv) This
Agreement [and the
Underwriter’s Option Agreement]
[has] [have] been duly and validly
authorized and executed by the Company and constitute[s] the valid and binding
obligation[s] of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with [its] [their] respective terms, except (a)
as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (b) as enforceability of
any indemnification or contribution provisions may be limited under the Federal
and state securities laws, and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefore may be brought.
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(v) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements
[,] [and] the Lock-Up Period
restrictions on the Company [and the Underwriter’s Option
Agreement], and
compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions thereof and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and the issuance and sale
of the Public Securities, do not and will not, with or without the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, (a) conflict with, or result in a
breach of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or
result in the creation or modification of any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company pursuant to the
terms of, any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract,
commitment or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, (b) result in any violation of the provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation or any other governing documents of the
Company, or (c) violate any statute or any judgment, order or decree, rule
or regulation applicable to the Company of any court, domestic or foreign, or of
any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body
having jurisdiction over the Company, its properties or assets.
(vi) The
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments or
supplements thereto (other than the financial statements included therein, as to
which no opinion need be rendered) each as of their respective dates complied as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and
Regulations. The Shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus. No United States or state statute or regulation
required to be described in the Prospectus is not described as required (except
as to the Blue Sky laws of the various states, as to which such counsel
expresses no opinions), nor are any contracts or documents of a character
required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to
be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement not so described or filed as
required.
(vii) The
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
Commission. We have been orally advised by the Staff of the
Commission that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued, and to our knowledge, no proceedings for that purpose
have been instituted or overtly threatened by the Commission. Any
required filing of the Prospectus, and any required supplement thereto, pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, has been made in the manner and within
the time period required by Rule 424(b).
(viii) The
Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and sale of the
Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company”
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(ix) No
consent, approval, authorization or filing with or order of the NASDAQ, any U.S.
Federal, State of New York or State of Delaware court or governmental agency or
body having jurisdiction over the Company is required, under the laws, rules and
regulations of the United States of America and the States of Delaware and New
York for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement, except (i) such as have been made with or obtained by the NASDAQ (ii)
such as have been made or obtained under the Securities Act and (iii) such as
may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with
the purchase and distribution of the Shares by you in the manner contemplated in
the Agreement and in the Prospectus, as to which we express no
opinion.
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(x)
The Shares have been approved for listing on
the NASDAQ upon official
notice of issuance.
(xi) To
our knowledge, the Company is not a party to any written agreement granting any
holders of securities of the Company rights to require the registration under
the Securities Act of resales of such securities.
4.2.2 The
opinions of DLA and CSHZ shall further include a statement to the effect that
such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other
representatives of the Company, the Underwriter and the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company, at which conferences the contents of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein and related matters
were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not
assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained
therein, solely on the basis of the foregoing without independent check and
verification, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead
them to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, at the
time the Registration Statement or amendment became effective, contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time they were
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or at the date of such counsel’s opinion,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except
that such counsel need express no view and shall not be deemed to have rendered
an opinion with respect to the financial information, statistical data and
information and matters regarding non-United States laws, rules and regulations
included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus). The
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments or
supplements thereto (other than the financial statements including notes and
schedules, financial data, statistical data and non-United States laws, rules
and regulations included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each as of their
respective dates complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Act and Regulations.
4.2.3 PRC
Opinion. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have
received the favorable opinion of Grandall Legal Group, PRC counsel to the
Company, reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter and the Underwriter’s PRC
counsel, related to, among other things, the descriptions of laws of the
PRC and the
organization of the Company’s PRC Subsidiaries and their affiliates and
ownership structure, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter,
with a copy provided to the Underwriter for its reference.
4.2.4 Option Closing Date Opinions
of Counsel. On the Option Closing Date, if any, the
Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinions of each counsel listed in
Sections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the
Underwriter and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Underwriter, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the statements made by
such counsels in their respective opinions delivered on the Closing
Date.
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4.2.5 Reliance. In
rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving
the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and
jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems
proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion
or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter)
of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter, familiar with the
applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem
proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company
and officers of departments of various jurisdiction having custody of documents
respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided
that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to Xxxxxx
Xxxxx if requested. The opinions of Grandall Legal Group shall include a
statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the
Underwriter in its opinion delivered to the Underwriter.
4.3 Cold Comfort
Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of
the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, you shall have received a
cold comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and substance
satisfactory in all respects to you and to Xxxxxx Xxxxx from Xxxxxxxx dated,
respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, if any.
4.4 Officers’
Certificates.
4.4.1 Officers’
Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the
Company signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and
complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4
hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of the Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition,
the Underwriter will have received such other and further certificates of
officers of the Company as the Underwriter may reasonably request.
4.4.2 Secretary’s
Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the
Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the
Closing Date or the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying:
(i) that the Certificate of Incorporation are true and complete,
have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the
resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the public offering
contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been
modified; (iii) as to the accuracy and completeness of all correspondence
between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the
incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such
certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
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4.5 No Material
Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the
Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse
change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the
condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of
the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding,
at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company
or any Insider before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or
other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding
may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial
condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under
the Act and no proceedings therefore shall have been initiated or threatened by
the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and
any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements
which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the
Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of
the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the
Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall 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.
4.6 Delivery of
Agreements.
4.6.1 Effective Date
Deliveries. On the Effective Date, the Company shall have
delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of this Agreement and the Lock-Up
Agreements.
4.6.2 Closing Date
Deliveries. On the Closing Date, the Company shall have
delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of [the Underwriter’s Option
Agreement].
5. Indemnification.
5.1 Indemnification of the
Underwriter.
5.1.1 General. Subject
to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Underwriter, and each dealer selected by the Underwriter that
participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of
their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who
controls the Underwriter (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15
of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss,
liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to
any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any
claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between the Underwriter and
the Company or between the Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to
which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or
any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign
countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be
amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to
investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the
marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any “road show” or
investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or
electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written
communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “application”) executed by
the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any
jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Shares under the securities laws
thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency,
NASDAQ or any securities
exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the
Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereof, or in any application, as the case may be. With
respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained
in this Section 5.1.1 shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the
extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of the Underwriter
results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the
person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the
written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the
Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been
corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a
result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.3
hereof. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its
officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale
of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement or
Prospectus.
5.1.2 Procedure. If
any action is brought against the Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a
Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the
Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, the Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or
Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in
writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the
defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to
the reasonable approval of the Underwriter or such Selected Dealer, as the case
may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer
or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in
any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of the Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person unless (i) the
employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been
authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such
action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of
the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall
have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them
which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in
which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such
action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events
the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of
attorneys selected by the Underwriter (in addition to local counsel), Selected
Dealer and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter, Selected Dealer
or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above,
the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such
action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
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5.2 Indemnification of the
Company. The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Underwriter, as
incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged
untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written
information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriter by or on
behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company
or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the
Underwriter, the Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the
Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the
rights and duties given to the Underwriter by the provisions of Section
5.1.2.
5.3 Contribution.
5.3.1 Contribution
Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution under the Act in any case in which (i) any person entitled to
indemnification under this Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant
hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or
decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal
or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be
enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for
indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange
Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances
for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each
such case, the Company and the Underwriter shall contribute to the aggregate
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by
said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriter, as
incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriter is responsible for that
portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing
on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price
appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided,
that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11 (f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages that the Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of
the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who
controls the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriter or the Company, as applicable.
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5.3.2 Contribution
Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to
this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any
action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in
respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”),
notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so
notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it
may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any
such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party
notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof
within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to
participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party
similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party
seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or
proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution on account of any
settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking
contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The
contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to
supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the
Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available.
6. Intentionally
Omitted.
7. Additional
Covenants.
7.1 Board Composition and Board
Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the
qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall
composition of the board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the
rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of , NASDAQ or any other national
securities exchange or national securities association, as the case may be, in
the event the Company seeks to have its Public Securities listed on another
exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system, and (ii) if
applicable, at least one member of the board of directors qualifies as a
“financial expert” as such term is defined under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002
and the rules promulgated thereunder.
7.2 Right of First
Refusal. The Company agrees that if the Shares are sold in
accordance with the terms of this Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriter shall
have an irrevocable preferential right, for a period of twelve (12) months from
the date the Offering is completed, to purchase for its account or to sell for
the account of the Company, or any subsidiary of or successor to the Company any
securities (whether debt or equity or any combination thereof) of the Company or
any such subsidiary or successor which the Company or any such subsidiary or
successor may seek to sell whether with or without or through an underwriter,
placement agent or broker-dealer and whether pursuant to registration under the
Act or otherwise. The Company and any such subsidiary or successor will consult
the Underwriter with regard to any such proposed financing and will offer the
Underwriter the opportunity to purchase or sell any such securities on terms not
more favorable to the Company or any such subsidiary or successor, as the case
may be, than it or they can secure elsewhere. If the Underwriter fails to accept
such offer within 10 business days after the mailing of a notice containing the
material terms of the proposed financing proposal by registered mail or
overnight courier service addressed to the Underwriter, then the Underwriter
shall have no further claim or right with respect to the financing proposal
contained in such notice. If, however, the terms of such financing proposal are
subsequently modified in any material respect, the preferential right referred
to herein shall apply to such modified proposal as if the original proposal had
not been made. The Underwriter’s failure to exercise its preferential right with
respect to any particular proposal shall not affect its preferential rights
relative to future proposals. The Company shall have the right, at its option,
to designate the Underwriter as lead underwriter or co-manager of any
underwriting group or co-placement agent of any proposed financing in
satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, and the Underwriter shall be entitled
to receive as its compensation 50% of the compensation payable to the
underwriting or placement agent group when serving as co-manager or co-placement
agent and 33% of the compensation payable to the underwriting or placement agent
group when serving as co-manager or co-placement agent with respect to a
proposed financing in which there are three co-managing or lead underwriters or
co-placement agents.
28
7.3 Prohibition on Press
Releases and Public Announcements. The Company will not issue
press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Underwriter’s prior
written consent, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the first
business day following the 40th day following the Closing Date, other than
normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s
business.
8. Effective Date of this
Agreement and Termination Thereof.
8.1 Effective
Date. This Agreement shall become effective when both the
Company and the Underwriter have executed the same and delivered counterparts of
such signatures to the other party.
8.2 Termination. You
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any
Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or
occurrence has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the immediate
future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or
(ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, the NASDAQ
Capital Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market shall have been suspended or
materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been
fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by
FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having
jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a
new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking
moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or
(v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which
materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or
(vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood,
accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious
act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in your
opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Firm Shares or
Option Shares, or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants hereunder, or (viii) if the
Underwriter shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material
adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse
material change in general market conditions as in the Underwriter’s judgment
would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery
of the securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriter for the sale
of the securities.
29
8.3 Expenses. In
the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason
whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant
to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Underwriter
its actual and accountable out of pocket expenses related to the transactions
contemplated herein then due and payable (including the fees and disbursements
of Xxxxxx Xxxxx up to $100,000; provided, however, that such expense
cap in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions
of this Agreement).
8.4 Indemnification. Notwithstanding
any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or
any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is
otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way
effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of
this Agreement or any part hereof.
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Notices. All
communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission and
confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or faxed and confirmed or
if mailed, two days after such mailing.
If to the
Underwriter:
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx, LLC
0000
Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Fax No.:
000-000-0000
Attn:
General Counsel
Copy to
(which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to the
Company:
15
Huangpu Science and Technology Park
Jiang’an
District
Wuhan,
Hubei Province, PRC 430023
Fax No.:
[________________]
Attn:
Chairman and CEO
30
Copy to
which shall not constitute notice):
DLA Piper
LLP (US)
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Fax
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx-Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Esq.
Copy to
(which shall not constitute notice):
Cyruli
Xxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Fax No.:
(000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Esq.
9.2 Headings. The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
9.3 Amendment. This
Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the
parties hereto.
9.4 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements
and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement)
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject
matter hereof.
9.5 Binding
Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of
and shall be binding upon the Underwriter, the Company and the Controlling
Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their
respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person
shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein
contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in
its capacity as such, of securities from the Underwriter.
9.6 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that
any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any
way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme
Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection
to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient
forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served
by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section
9.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and
binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees
that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover
from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses
relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the
preparation therefore.
31
9.7 Execution in
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one
or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered
to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this
Agreement by facsimile or email/pdf transmission shall constitute valid and
sufficient delivery thereof.
9.8 Waiver,
etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time
enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed
to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of
this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto
to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of
any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed
by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is
sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment
shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
32
If the
foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriter and the
Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between
us.
Very
truly yours,
|
||
By:
|
||
Name: Jia
Zhi Hong
|
||
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
Accepted
on the date first above written.
|
|
XXXXXX
& XXXXXXX, LLC
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
33
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of Underwriter’s Option Agreement
THE
REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT
IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE OPTION EXCEPT AS HEREIN
PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE OPTION FOR A
PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW)
TO ANYONE OTHER THAN (I) XXXXXX & XXXXXXX, LLC OR AN UNDERWRITER OR A
SELECTED DEALER IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA FIDE OFFICER OR
PARTNER OF XXXXXX & XXXXXXX, LLC OR OF ANY SUCH UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED
DEALER.
THIS
PURCHASE OPTION IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO _____________ [DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF
PROSPECTUS]. VOID AFTER
5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME, _____________ [DATE THAT IS FOUR YEARS THE
FROM DATE OF THE PROSPECTUS].
COMMON
STOCK PURCHASE OPTION
For the
Purchase of Shares of Common Stock
of
1.
Purchase
Option. THIS CERTIFIES THAT, in consideration of funds duly paid by or on
behalf of [ ](“Holder”), as registered owner
of this Purchase Option, to Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (the “Company”), Holder
is entitled, at any time or from time to time from ________________ [DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF
PROSPECTUS] (the
“Commencement Date”), and at or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time,
___________________ [DATE THAT IS FOUR YEARS THE
FROM DATE OF THE PROSPECTUS]
(the ”Expiration Date”), but not thereafter, to subscribe for,
purchase and receive, in whole or in part, up to [____] shares of common stock of
the Company, par value $[______] per share (the “Shares”)
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 6 hereof. If the Expiration Date is
a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law to close, then this
Purchase Option may be exercised on the next succeeding day which is not such a
day in accordance with the terms herein. During the period ending on the
Expiration Date, the Company agrees not to take any action that would terminate
the Purchase Option. This Purchase Option is initially exercisable at $[________] per Share (_____% of the
price of the Shares sold in the Offering); provided, however, that upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights
granted by this Purchase Option, including the exercise price per Share and the
number of Shares to be received upon such exercise, shall be adjusted as therein
specified. The term “Exercise Price” shall mean the initial exercise price or
the adjusted exercise price, depending on the context.
2.
Exercise.
2.1 Exercise
Form. In order to exercise this Purchase Option, the exercise
form attached hereto must be duly executed and completed and delivered to the
Company, together with this Purchase Option and payment of the Exercise Price
for the Shares being purchased payable in cash by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by the Company or by certified check or
official bank check. If the subscription rights represented hereby shall not be
exercised at or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, this
Purchase Option shall become and be void without further force or effect, and
all rights represented hereby shall cease and expire.
2.2 Cashless
Exercise. In lieu of exercising this Purchase Option by
payment of cash or certified check or official bank check payable to the order
of the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 above, Holder may elect to receive the
number of Shares equal to the value of this Purchase Option (or the portion
thereof being exercised), by surrender of this Purchase Option to the Company,
together with the exercise form attached hereto, in which event the issue to
Holder, Shares in accordance with the following formula:
X = Y(A-B)
A
Where,
|
X
|
=
|
The
number of Shares to be issued to Holder;
|
Y
|
=
|
The
number of Shares for which the Purchase Option is being
exercised;
|
|
A
|
=
|
The
fair market value of one Share; and
|
|
B
|
=
|
The
Exercise Price.
|
|
For
purposes of this Section 2.2, the fair market value of a Share is defined as
follows:
(i) if
the Company’s common stock is traded on a securities exchange, the value shall
be deemed to be the average of the closing prices on such exchange or market
over the thirty (30) day period ending three (3) days prior to the date of the
exercise form being submitted in connection with the exercise of the Purchase
Option; or
(ii) if
the Company’s common stock is actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall
be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the thirty (30) day
period ending three (3) days prior to the date of the exercise form being
submitted in connection with the exercise of the Purchase Option; if there is no
active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as
determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.3 Legend. Each
certificate for the securities purchased under this Purchase Option shall bear a
legend as follows unless such securities have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”):
“The
securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) or applicable state law. Neither
the securities nor any interest therein may be offered for sale, sold or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Act, or pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Act and
applicable state law which, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, is
available.”
3. Transfer.
3.1 General
Restrictions. The registered Holder of this Purchase Option
agrees by his, her or its acceptance hereof, that such Holder will not: (a)
sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate this Purchase Option
for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective
Date to anyone other than: (i) Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (“Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx”) or an underwriter or a selected dealer participating in the Offering,
or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx or of any such
underwriter or selected dealer, in each case in accordance with FINRA Conduct
Rule 5110(g)(1), or (b) cause this Purchase Option or the securities issuable
hereunder to be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call
transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of this
Purchase Option or the securities hereunder, except as provided for in FINRA
Rule 5110(g)(2). On and after 180 days from the Effective Date, transfers to
others may be made subject to compliance with or exemptions from applicable
securities laws. In order to make any permitted assignment, the Holder must
deliver to the Company the assignment form attached hereto duly executed and
completed, together with the Purchase Option and payment of all transfer taxes,
if any, payable in connection therewith. The Company shall within five business
days transfer this Purchase Option on the books of the Company and shall execute
and deliver a new Purchase Option or Purchase Options of like tenor to the
appropriate assignee(s) expressly evidencing the right to purchase the aggregate
number of Shares purchasable hereunder or such portion of such number as shall
be contemplated by any such assignment.
3.2 Restrictions Imposed by the
Act. The securities evidenced by this Purchase Option shall
not be transferred unless and until: (i) the Company has received the opinion of
counsel for the Holder that the securities may be transferred pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Act and applicable state securities laws,
the availability of which is established to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Company (the Company hereby agreeing that the opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) shall be deemed
satisfactory evidence of the availability of an exemption), or (ii) a
registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement relating to the offer and sale of such securities has been filed by
the Company and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ”Commission”) and compliance with applicable state securities law has
been established.
4. Registration
Rights.
4.1 Demand
Registration.
4.1.1 Grant of Right.
The Company, upon written demand (a “Demand Notice”) of the Holder(s) of
at least 51% of the Purchase Options and/or the underlying Shares (“Majority
Holders”), agrees to register, on one occasion, all or any portion of the Shares
underlying the Purchase Options (collectively the “Registrable Securities”). On
such occasion, the Company will file a registration statement with the SEC
covering the Registrable Securities within sixty (60) days after receipt of a
Demand Notice and use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration
statement declared effective promptly thereafter, subject to compliance with
review by the SEC; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
comply with a Demand Notice if the Company has filed a registration statement
with respect to which the Holder is entitled to piggyback registration rights
pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof and either: (i) the Holder has elected to
participate in the offering covered by such registration statement or (ii) if
such registration statement relates to an underwritten primary offering of
securities of the Company, until the offering covered by such registration
statement has been withdrawn or until thirty (30) days after such offering is
consummated. The demand for registration may be made at any time during a period
of four (4) years beginning one (1) year from the Closing Date. The Company
covenants and agrees to give written notice of its receipt of any Demand Notice
by any Holder(s) to all other registered Holders of the Purchase Options and/or
the Registrable Securities within ten (10) days from the date of the receipt of
any such Demand Notice.
4.1.2 Terms. The
Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to the registration of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.1.1, but the Holders shall pay any
and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected
by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
filing required herein to become effective promptly and to qualify or register
the Registrable Securities in such States as are reasonably requested by the
Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to
register the Registrable Securities in a State in which such registration would
cause: (i) the Company to be obligated to register or license to do business in
such State or submit to general service of process in such State, or (ii) the
principal shareholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of
capital stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement
filed pursuant to the demand right granted under Section 4.1.1 to remain
effective for a period of at least twelve consecutive months from the date that
the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement
are first given the opportunity to sell all of such securities. The Holders
shall only use the prospectuses provided by the Company to sell the shares
covered by such registration statement, and will immediately cease to use any
prospectus furnished by the Company if the Company advises the Holder that such
prospectus may no longer be used due to a material misstatement or
omission.
4.2 “Piggy-Back”
Registration.
4.2.1 Grant of Right. In
addition to the demand right of registration, described in Section 4.1 hereof
the Holder shall have the right, for a period of four (4) years commencing
one(1) year from the Closing Date, to include the Registrable Securities as part
of any other registration of securities filed by the Company (other than in
connection with a transaction contemplated by Rule 145 (a) promulgated under the
Act or pursuant to Form S-8 or any equivalent form); provided, however, that if,
solely in connection with any primary underwritten public offering for the
account of the Company, the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall, in its
reasonable discretion, impose a limitation on the number of shares of Common
Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in such
underwriter(s)’ judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such limitation is
necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company shall be obligated
to include in such Registration Statement only such limited portion of the
Registrable Securities with respect to which the Holder requested inclusion
hereunder as the underwriter shall reasonably permit. Any exclusion of
Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Holders seeking to
include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable
Securities sought to be included by such Holders; provided, however, that the
Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has
first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled
to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not
entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities.
4.2.2
Terms. The Company
shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 4.2.1 hereof, but the Holders shall pay any and
all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by
the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities. In the event of such a proposed registration, the Company shall
furnish the then Holders of outstanding Registrable Securities with not less
than thirty (30) days written notice prior to the proposed date of filing of
such registration statement. Such notice to the Holders shall continue to be
given for each registration statement filed by the Company until such time as
all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by the Holder. The holders of
the Registrable Securities shall exercise the “piggy-back” rights provided for
herein by giving written. notice, within ten (10) days of the receipt of the
Company’s notice of its intention to file a registration statement.
4.3 General
Terms.
4.3.1 Indemnification.
The Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to
be sold pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each person, if
any, who controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange
Act”), against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all
reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which any
of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising
from such registration statement but only to the same extent and with the same
effect as the provisions pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify
the Underwriters contained in Section 5.1 of the Underwriting Agreement between
the Underwriters and the Company, dated as of [_________________]. The Holder(s) of the
Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such registration statement, and
their successors and assigns, shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify the
Company, against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all
reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which
they may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising
from information furnished by or on behalf of such Holders, or their successors
or assigns, in writing, for specific inclusion in such registration statement to
the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions contained in Section
5.2 of the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed
to indemnify the Company.
4.3.2 Exercise of Purchase
Options. Nothing contained in this Purchase Option shall be
construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their Purchase Options prior to
or after the initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness
thereof.
4.3.3 Documents Delivered to
Holders. The Company shall furnish to each Holder participating in
any of the foregoing offerings and to each underwriter of any such offering, if
any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Holder or underwriter, of. (i) an
opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date of such registration
statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering,
an opinion dated the date of the closing under any underwriting agreement
related thereto), and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter dated the effective date of
such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten
public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing under the underwriting
agreement) signed by the independent public accountants who have issued a report
on the Company’s financial statements included in such registration statement,
in each case covering substantially the same matters with respect to such
registration statement (and the prospectus included therein) and, in the case of
such accountants’ letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such
financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel
and in accountants’ letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public
offerings of securities. The Company shall also deliver promptly to each Holder
participating in the offering requesting the correspondence and memoranda
described below and to the managing underwriter, if any, copies of all
correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all
memoranda relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the
registration statement and permit each Holder and underwriter to do such
investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect to information
contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it deems reasonably
necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules of FINRA. Such
investigation shall include access to books, records and properties and
opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and
independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable times
as any such Holder shall reasonably request.
4.3.4 Underwriting
Agreement. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement
with the managing underwriter(s), if any, selected by any Holders whose
Registrable Securities are being registered pursuant to this Section 4, which
managing underwriter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Such
agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company,
each Holder and such managing underwriters, and shall contain such
representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and such other terms as
are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the managing
underwriter. The Holders shall be parties to any underwriting agreement relating
to an underwritten sale of their Registrable Securities and may, at their
option, require that any or all the representations, warranties and covenants of
the Company to or for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and
for the benefit of such Holders. Such Holders shall not be required to make any
representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the
underwriters except as they may relate to such Holders, their Shares and their
intended methods of distribution.
4.3.5 Documents to be Delivered by
Holder(s). Each of the Holder(s) participating in any of the
foregoing offerings shall furnish to the Company a completed and executed
questionnaire provided by the Company requesting information customarily sought
of selling security holders.
4.3.6 Damages. Should
the registration or the effectiveness thereof required by Sections 4.1 and 4.2
hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company otherwise fails to comply with
such provisions, the Holder(s) shall, in addition to any other legal or other
relief available to the Holder(s), be entitled to obtain specific performance or
other equitable (including injunctive) relief against the threatened breach of
such provisions or the continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of
proving actual damages and without the necessity of posting bond or other
security.
5. New Purchase Options to be
Issued.
5.1 Partial Exercise or
Transfer. Subject to the restrictions in Section 3 hereof,
this Purchase Option may be exercised or assigned in whole or in part. In the
event of the exercise or assignment hereof in part only, upon surrender of this
Purchase Option for cancellation, together with the duly executed exercise or
assignment form and funds sufficient to pay any Exercise Price and/or transfer
tax if exercised pursuant to Section 2.1 hereto, the Company shall cause to be
delivered to the Holder without charge a new Purchase Option of like tenor to
this Purchase Option in the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the
Holder to purchase the number of Shares purchasable hereunder as to which this
Purchase Option has not been exercised or assigned.
5.2 Lost
Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this
Purchase Option and of reasonably satisfactory indemnification or the posting of
a bond, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Option of like
tenor and date. Any such new Purchase Option executed and delivered as a result
of such loss, theft, mutilation or destruction shall constitute a substitute
contractual obligation on the part of the Company.
6. Adjustments.
6.1 Adjustments to Exercise
Price and Number of Securities. The Exercise Price and the
number of Shares underlying the Purchase Option shall be subject to adjustment
from time to time as hereinafter set forth:
6.1.1 Share Dividends; Split
Ups. If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions
of Section 6.3 below, the number of outstanding Shares is increased by a stock
dividend payable in Shares or by a split up of Shares or other similar event,
then, on the effective day thereof, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder
shall be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding shares, and the
Exercise Price shall be proportionately increased.
6.1.2 Aggregation of
Shares. If after the date hereof, and subject to the
provisions of Section 6.3, the number of outstanding Shares is decreased by a
consolidation, combination or reclassification of Shares or other similar event,
then, on the effective date thereof, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder
shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding
shares.
6.1.3 Replacement of Securities
upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or
reorganization of the outstanding Shares other than a change covered by Section
6.1.1 or 6.1.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such Shares, or in
the case of any share reconstruction or amalgamation or consolidation of the
Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or share
reconstruction or amalgamation in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization
of the outstanding Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another
corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved,
the Holder of this Purchase Option shall have the right thereafter (until the
expiration of the right of exercise of this Purchase Option) to receive upon the
exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder
immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification,
reorganization, share reconstruction or amalgamation, or consolidation, or upon
a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of
Shares of the Company obtainable upon exercise of this Purchase Option
immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a
change in Shares covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, then such adjustment shall
be made pursuant to Sections 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and this Section 6.1.3. The provisions
of this Section 6.1.3 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications,
reorganizations, share reconstructions or amalgamations, or consolidations,
sales or other transfers.
6.1.4 Changes in Form of Purchase
Option. This form of Purchase Option need not be changed because of any
change pursuant to this Section 6.1, and Purchase Options issued after such
change may state the same Exercise Price and the same number of Shares as are
stated in the Purchas Options initially issued pursuant to this Agreement. The
acceptance by any Holder of the issuance of new Purchase Options reflecting a
required or permissive change shall not be deemed to waive any rights to an
adjustment occurring after the Commencement Date or the computation
thereof.
6.2 Substitute Purchase
Option. In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or share
reconstruction or amalgamation of the Company with or into, another corporation
(other than a consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation which does
not result in any reclassification or change of the outstanding Shares), the
corporation formed by such consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation
shall execute and deliver to the Holder a supplemental Purchase Option providing
that the holder of each Purchase Option then outstanding or to be outstanding
shall have the right thereafter (until the stated expiration of such Purchase
Option) to receive, upon exercise of such Purchase Option, the kind and amount
of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such
consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation, by a holder of the number
of Shares of the Company for which such Purchase Option might have been
exercised immediately prior to such consolidation, share reconstruction or
amalgamation, sale or transfer. Such supplemental Purchase Option shall provide
for adjustments which shall be identical to the adjustments provided for in this
Section 6. The above provision of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations or share reconstructions or
amalgamations.
6.3 Elimination of Fractional
Interests. The Company shall not be required to issue certificates
representing fractions of Shares upon the exercise of the Purchase Option, nor
shall it be required to issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional
interests, it being the intent of the parties that all fractional interests
shall be eliminated by rounding any fraction up or down, as the case may be, to
the nearest whole number of Shares or other securities, properties or
rights.
7.
Reservation and
Listing. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep
available out of its authorized Shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon
exercise of the Purchase Options, such number of Shares or other securities,
properties or rights as shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof. The Company
covenants and agrees that, upon exercise of the Purchase Options and payment of
the Exercise Price therefore, in accordance with the terms hereby, all Shares
and other securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of
any shareholder. The Company further covenants and agrees that upon exercise of
the Purchase Options and payment of the exercise price therefore, all Shares and
other securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any
shareholder. As long as the Purchase Options shall be outstanding, the Company
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Shares issuable upon
exercise of the Purchase Options to be listed (subject to official notice of
issuance) on all securities exchanges (or, if applicable on the NASDAQ Capital
Market, Capital Market, OTC Bulletin Board or any successor trading market) on
which the Shares issued to the public in the Offering may then be listed and/or
quoted.
8. Certain Notice
Requirements.
8.1 Holder’s Right to Receive
Notice. Nothing herein shall be construed as conferring upon
the Holders the right to vote or consent or to receive notice as a shareholder
for the election of directors or any other matter, or as having any rights
whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company. If, however, at any time prior to
the expiration of the Purchase Options and their exercise, any of the events
described in Section 8.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of said events, the
Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen days prior to
the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the transfer books for
the determination of the shareholders entitled to such dividend, distribution,
conversion or exchange of securities or subscription rights, or entitled to vote
on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding up or sale. Such notice shall
specify such record date or the date of the closing of the transfer books, as
the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver to
each Holder a copy of each notice given to the other shareholders of the Company
at the same time and in the same manner that such notice is given to the
shareholders.
8.2 Events Requiring
Notice. The Company shall be required to give the notice described in
this Section 8 upon one or more of the following events: (i) if the Company
shall take a record of the holders of its Shares for the purpose of entitling
them to receive a dividend or distribution payable otherwise than in cash, or a
cash dividend or distribution payable otherwise than out of retained earnings,
as indicated by the accounting treatment of such dividend or distribution on the
books of the Company, (ii) the Company shall offer to all the holders of its
Shares any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, or
any option, right or warrant to subscribe therefore, or (iii) a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company(other than in connection with a
consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation) or a sale of all or
substantially all of its property, assets and business shall be
proposed.
8.3 Notice of Change in Exercise
Price. The Company shall, promptly after an event requiring a
change in the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 6 hereof, send notice to the
Holders of such event and change (“Price Notice”). The Price Notice shall
describe the event causing the change and the method of calculating same and
shall be certified as being true and accurate by the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer.
8.4 Transmittal of
Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other
communications under this Purchase Option shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly made when hand delivered, or mailed by express mail or
private courier service: (i) if to the registered Holder of the Purchase Option,
to the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Company, or (ii) if
to the Company, to following address or to such other address as the Company may
designate by notice to the Holders:
If to the
Company:
15
Huangpu Science and Technology Park
Jiang’an
District
Wuhan,
Hubei Province, PRC 430023
Attention: Chairman
and CEO
With a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Cyruli
Xxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Esq.
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Amendments. The
Company and Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx may from time to time supplement or amend this
Purchase Option without the approval of any of the Holders in order to cure any
ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other
provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company
and Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx may xxxx necessary or desirable and that the Company
and Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx xxxx shall not adversely affect the interest of the
Holders. All other modifications or amendments shall require the written consent
of and be signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or
amendment is sought.
9.2 Headings. The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of
the terms or provisions of this Purchase Option.
9.3. Entire Agreement.
This Purchase Option (together with the other agreements and documents
being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Purchase Option)
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of
the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
9.3 Binding
Effect. This Purchase Option shall inure solely to the benefit
of and shall be binding upon, the Holder and the Company and their permitted
assignees, respective successors, legal representative and assigns, and no other
person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Purchase Option or any
provisions herein contained.
9.4 Governing Law; Submission to
Jurisdiction. This Purchase Option shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,
without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby
agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or
relating in any way to this Purchase Option shall be brought and enforced in the
New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such
jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives
any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an
inconvenient forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may be
served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in
Section 8 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be
legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The
Company and the Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action
shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or
incurred in connection with the preparation therefore.
9.5 Waiver,
etc. The failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time
enforce any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall not be deemed or
construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the
validity of this Purchase Option or any provision hereof or the right of the
Company or any Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this
Purchase Option. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of
any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall be effective unless set
forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or
which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of
any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
9.6 Execution in
Counterparts. This Purchase Option may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one
or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered
to each of the other parties hereto. Such counterparts may be delivered by
facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission.
9.7 Exchange
Agreement. As a condition of the Holder’s receipt and
acceptance of this Purchase Option, Holder agrees that, at any time prior to the
complete exercise of this Purchase Option by Holder, if the Company and Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx enter into an agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which
they agree that all outstanding Purchase Options will be exchanged for
securities or cash or a combination of both, then Holder shall agree to such
exchange and become a party to the Exchange Agreement.
[Remainder
of page deliberately left blank.]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Purchase Option to be signed by its
duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of _______, 20___.
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[Form to be used to exercise
Purchase Option:
Date: , 20___
The
undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise the Purchase Option for [___]
Shares of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and hereby makes payment of $[_________] (at the
rate of $[___________] per Share) in payment of the Exercise Price pursuant
thereto. Please issue the Shares as to which this Purchase Option is exercised
in accordance with the instructions given below and, if applicable, a new
Purchase Option representing the number of Shares for which this Purchase Option
has not been exercised.
or
The
undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to purchase [___]
Shares under the Purchase Option for [___] Shares, as determined in accordance
with the following formula:
X = Y(A-B)
A
Where,
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X
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=
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The
number of Shares to be issued to Holder;
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Y
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=
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The
number of Shares for which the Purchase Option is being
exercised;
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A
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=
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The
fair market value of one Share which is equal to $[____];
and
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B
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=
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The
Exercise Price which is equal to $[_____] per
share
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The
undersigned agrees and acknowledges that the calculation set forth above is
subject to confirmation by the Company and any disagreement with respect to the
calculation shall be resolved by the Company in its sole
discretion.
Please
issue the Shares as to which this Purchase Option is exercised in accordance
with the instructions given below and, if applicable, a new Purchase Option
representing the number of Shares for which this Purchase Option has not been
converted.
Signature
Signature
Guaranteed]
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Name:
(Print in
Block Letters)
Address:
NOTICE:
The signature to this form must correspond with the name as written upon the
face of the Purchase Option without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank, other than a savings bank, or by a
trust company or by a firm having membership on a registered national securities
exchange.
Form to
be used to assign Purchase Option:
ASSIGNMENT
(To be
executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the within Purchase
Option):
FOR VALUE
RECEIVED, does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto the right
to purchase Shares of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (“Company”) evidenced by
the Purchase Option and does hereby authorize the Company to transfer such right
on the books of the Company.
Dated: ,
20__
Signature
Signature
Guaranteed
NOTICE:
The signature to this form must correspond with the name as written upon the
face of the within Purchase Option without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank, other than a savings bank,
or by a trust company or by a firm having membership on a registered national
securities exchange.
EXHIBIT
B-1
Lock-Up
Agreement
___________
__, 2010
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx, LLC
0000
Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned understands that Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (the “Underwriter”) proposes to
enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with
Kingold Jewelry, Inc., a Delaware (the “Company”), providing for the
public offering (the “Public
Offering”) by the Underwriter of [_____] shares of common stock (“Firm Shares”), par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Shares”).
To induce
the Underwriter to continue its efforts in connection with the Public Offering,
the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on 90-days after the date of the
final prospectus (the “Prospectus”) relating to the
Public Offering (the “Lock-Up
Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Shares or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares, or (2)
establish or increase a “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease a
“call equivalent position” with respect to any Relevant Security (in each case
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), or otherwise
enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or
in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Shares, whether
any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by
delivery of Shares or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may
transfer Shares without the prior consent of the Underwriter in connection with
(a) transactions relating to Shares or other securities acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing
under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), shall
be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of
Shares or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b)
transfers of Shares or any security convertible into Shares as a bona fide gift,
by will or intestacy or to a family member or trust for the benefit of a family
member; provided that
in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (b), (i)
each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially
in the form of this letter agreement and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Shares,
shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period, (c)
transfer of Shares to a charity or educational institution, or (d) if the
undersigned, directly or indirectly, controls a corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers of Shares to
any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of similar equity interests in,
the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not
for value. In addition, the undersigned agrees that during the
Lock-Up Period, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will
not make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration
of any Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Shares. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of
stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar
against the transfer of the undersigned’s Shares except in compliance with this
Agreement.
If (i)
the Company issues an earnings release or material news, during the last 17 days
of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period,
the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day
period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed
by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day
period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release, unless the Underwriter
waives such extension.
No
provision in this agreement shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the exercise
or exchange by the undersigned of any option or warrant to acquire Shares, or
securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares, provided that the undersigned
does not transfer the Shares acquired on such exercise or exchange during the
Lock-Up Period, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this letter
agreement. In addition, no provision herein shall be deemed to
restrict or prohibit the entry into or modification of a so-called “10b5-1” plan
at any time (other than the entry into or modification of such a plan in such a
manner as to cause the sale of any Shares or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Shares within the Lock-Up Period).
The
undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter are relying upon
this letter agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public
Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is
irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns.
The
undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by
____________, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions
thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to
payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder this agreement
shall be void and of no further force or effect.
Whether
or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors,
including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter.
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power
and authority to enter into this letter agreement and that this letter agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Upon request, the
undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in connection with
enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be
binding upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned from the date first
above written.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York. Delivery of a signed copy of this letter by
telecopier or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of the
original hereof.
Very
truly yours,
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(Name):
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(Address)
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EXHIBIT
B-2
Lock-Up
Agreement
___________
__, 2010
The
undersigned understands that Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (the “Underwriter”) proposes to
enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with
Kingold Jewelry, Inc., a Delaware (the “Company”), providing for the
public offering (the “Public
Offering”) by the Underwriter of [_____] shares of common stock (“Firm Shares”), par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Shares”).
To induce
the Underwriter to continue its efforts in connection with the Public Offering,
the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on the earlier of (1) [120/90] days after the date of
the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) and (2) [DATE] (the “Lock-Up Period”), (1) offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of, directly or indirectly, any Shares or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Shares, or (2) establish or increase a “put
equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent position” with
respect to any Relevant Security (in each case within the meaning of Section 16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder), or otherwise enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Shares, whether any such transaction described
in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Shares or such other
securities, in cash or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
undersigned may transfer Shares without the prior consent of the Underwriter in
connection with (a) transactions relating to Shares or other securities acquired
in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing
under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), shall
be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of
Shares or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b) if the
undersigned is an individual, transfers of Shares or any security convertible
into Shares as a bona fide gift, by will or intestacy or to a family member or
trust for the benefit of a family member; provided that in the case of
any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (b), (i) each donee or
distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of
this letter agreement and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Shares, shall be
required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period, (c) transfer of
Shares to a charity or educational institution, (d) if the undersigned is, or
directly or indirectly controls, a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company or other business entity, any transfers of Shares to any shareholder,
partner or member of, or owner of similar equity interests in, the undersigned,
as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value, or (e)
if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or
other business entity, any transfer of Shares made by the undersigned (i) in
connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of
all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership
interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case
may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such
case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this
agreement or (ii) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company
or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate of the
undersigned and such transfer is not for value. [In addition, the undersigned
agrees that during the Lock-Up Period and except for the registration statement
relating to the Public Offering or any registration statement filed on Form S-3
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated ____________, between
the Company and, among others, the undersigned, without the prior written
consent of the Underwriter, it will not make any demand for or exercise any
right with respect to the registration of any Shares or any security convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares.] The undersigned
also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the
Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s
Shares except in compliance with this Agreement.
If (i)
the Company issues an earnings release or material news, during the last 17 days
of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period,
the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day
period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed
by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day
period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release, unless the Underwriter
waives such extension.
No
provision in this agreement shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the exercise
or exchange by the undersigned of any option or warrant to acquire Shares, or
securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares, provided that the undersigned
does not transfer the Shares acquired on such exercise or exchange during the
Lock-Up Period, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this letter
agreement. In addition, no provision herein shall be deemed to
restrict or prohibit the entry into or modification of a so-called “10b5-1” plan
at any time (other than the entry into or modification of such a plan in such a
manner as to cause the sale of any Shares or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Shares within the Lock-Up Period).
The
undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter are relying upon
this letter agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public
Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is
irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns.
The
undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by
_____________, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions
thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to
payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder this agreement
shall be void and of no further force or effect.
Whether
or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors,
including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter.
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power
and authority to enter into this letter agreement and that this letter agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Upon request, the
undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in connection with
enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be
binding upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned from the date first
above written.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York. Delivery of a signed copy of this letter by
telecopier or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of the
original hereof.
Very
truly yours,
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|
(Name):
|
|
(Address)
|
ANNEX
1