Exhibit 1.1
3,400,000 Shares of Common Stock
ART RENAISSANCE, INC.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
______ _____, 1999
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx, Inc. _____ ___, 1999
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Art Renaissance, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
agrees with Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx, Inc. (hereinafter "you" or the
"Underwriter") with respect to the sale by the Company and the purchase by the
Underwriter of an aggregate of 3,400,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). Such 3,400,000
Shares are referred to hereinafter as the "Firm Shares." Upon your request, as
provided in Section 2(b) of this Agreement, the Company shall also issue and
sell to the Underwriter up to an additional aggregate of 510,000 shares of
Common Stock for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. Such shares of
Common Stock are hereinafter referred to as the "Option Shares." The Company
also proposes to issue and sell to you warrants (the "Underwriter's Warrants")
pursuant to the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement (the "Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement") for the purchase of an additional 238,000 shares of Common Stock.
The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter's Warrants
are hereinafter referred to as the "Underwriter's Shares." The Firm Shares,
Option Shares, the Underwriter's Warrants and the Underwriter's Shares are more
fully described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus referred to
below.
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter as of the date hereof, and as
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:
(a) The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement, and an
amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (No. 333-______), including any
related preliminary prospectus ("Preliminary Prospectus"), for the registration
of the Firm Shares, the Option Shares, the Underwriter's Warrants and the
Underwriter's Shares (collectively, hereinafter referred to as the "Registered
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 conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the Regulations (as
defined below) of the Commission under the Act. The Company will not file any
other amendment thereto to which the Underwriter shall have objected in writing
after having been furnished with a copy thereof. Except as the context may
otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, 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 such time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule
430(A) of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the "Registration Statement,"
and the form of prospectus in the form first filed with the Commission
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pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Regulations, is hereinafter called the
"Prospectus." For purposes hereof, "Regulations" mean the rules and regulations
adopted by the Commission under either the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as applicable. [Also included in the
Registration Statement are [insert security] (collectively defined as the
"Selling Stockholder Securities"), all of which are held by certain stockholders
(the "Selling Stockholders") of the Company.]
(b) Neither the Commission nor any state regulatory authority has
issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus,
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and no proceedings for a stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement have been instituted,
or, to the Company's knowledge, are threatened. Each of the Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus at the time of filing
thereof conformed in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and
Regulations, and none of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus at the time of filing thereof contained an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein and necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that this
representation and warranty does not apply to statements 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 such
Preliminary Prospectus, Registration Statement or Prospectus.
(c) When the Registration Statement becomes effective and at all
times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2(c)
hereof) and each Option Closing Date (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof), if
any, and during such longer period as the Prospectus may be required to be
delivered in connection with sales by the Underwriter or a dealer, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as
required, will contain all statements which are required to be stated therein in
accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations; neither the
Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement
thereto, 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, provided, however, that this representation and warranty does
not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf
of the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
(d) The Company and each of its subsidiaries, if any, have been duly
organized and are validly existing as corporations in good standing under the
laws of the respective states of their incorporation. The Company does not own
or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture or other business entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit
21 of the Registration Statement, if any. Each of the Company and its
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subsidiaries is duly qualified and licensed and in good standing as a foreign
corporation (or other form of entity) in each jurisdiction in which its
ownership or leasing of any properties or the character of its operations
require such qualification or licensing. Each of the Company and its
subsidiaries has all requisite power and authority (corporate and other), and
has obtained any and all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses,
certificates, franchises and permits of and from all governmental or regulatory
officials and bodies (including, without limitation, those having jurisdiction
over environmental or similar matters), to own or lease its properties and
conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; the Company and each of its
subsidiaries have been doing business in compliance with all such
authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates, franchises and
permits and all federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations,
except where a failure to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate,
materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the
business affairs, properties or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries have received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation
or modification of any such authorization, approval, order, license,
certificate, franchise, or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the
subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would materially and
adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the business affairs,
operations, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The disclosures in the Registration Statement
concerning the effects of federal, state, local, and foreign laws, rules and
regulations on the Company's business as currently conducted and as contemplated
are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of
the circumstances in which they were made.
(e) The Company has a duly authorized, issued and outstanding
capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus under the headings
"Capitalization" and "Description of Securities" and will have the adjusted
capitalization set forth therein on the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, based upon the assumptions set forth therein, and the Company is
not a party to or bound by any instrument, agreement or other arrangement
providing for it to issue any capital stock, rights, warrants, options or other
securities, except for this Agreement and as described in the Prospectus. The
Registered Securities[, the Selling Stockholder Securities] and all other
securities issued or issuable by the Company conform or, when issued and paid
for, will conform, in all material respects to all statements with respect
thereto contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. All issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
Except as disclosed in or contemplated by the Prospectus and the financial
statements of the Company and the related notes thereto included in the
Prospectus, neither the Company nor any subsidiary has outstanding any options
to purchase, or any preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to
purchase, any securities or obligations convertible into, or any contracts or
commitments to issue or sell, shares of its capital stock or any such options,
rights, convertible securities or obligations. The description of the Company's
stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements and the options
or other rights granted and exercised thereunder as set forth in the Prospectus
conforms in all material respects with the requirements
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of the Act. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and 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.
(f) The Registered Securities are not and will not be subject to any
preemptive or other similar rights of any stockholder, have been duly authorized
and, when issued, paid for and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the
holders thereof will not be subject to any liability solely as such holders; all
corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issue and sale of
the Registered Securities has been duly and validly taken; and the certificates
representing the Registered Securities will be in due and proper form. Upon the
issuance and delivery pursuant to the terms hereof of the Registered Securities
to be sold by the Company hereunder, the Underwriter will acquire good and
marketable title to such Registered Securities free and clear of any lien,
charge, claim, encumbrance, pledge, security interest, defect, or other
restriction or equity of any kind whatsoever. [Except for the Selling
Stockholders,] [N]o stockholder of the Company has any right which has not been
waived in writing to require the Company to register the sale of any shares
owned by such stockholder under the Act in the public offering contemplated by
this Agreement. No further approval or authority of the stockholders or the
Board of Directors of the Company will be required for the issuance and sale of
the Shares, the Option Shares, the Underwriter's Warrants and the Underwriter's
Shares to be sold by the Company as contemplated herein.
(g) The financial statements of the Company, together with the
related notes and schedules thereto, included in the Registration Statement,
each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present the financial
position, changes in stockholders' equity and the results of operations of the
Company at the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they
apply and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles and the Regulations, consistently
applied throughout the periods involved. There has been no material adverse
change or development involving a material prospective change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the business, affairs, operations, properties, or
results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole
whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business since the date of the
financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
and the outstanding debt, the property, both tangible and intangible, and the
business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole conform in all
material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus. Financial information set forth in the Prospectus
under the headings "Prospectus Summary - Summary of Financial Information,"
"Capitalization," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," fairly present, on the basis stated in the
Prospectus, the information set forth therein and have
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been derived from or compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited
financial statements included in the Prospectus.
(h) The Company (i) has paid all federal, state, local, franchise,
and foreign taxes for which it is liable, including, but not limited to,
withholding taxes and amounts payable under Chapters 21 through 24 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and has furnished all
information returns it is required to furnish pursuant to the Code, (ii) has
established adequate reserves for such taxes which are not due and payable, and
(iii) does not have any tax deficiency or claims outstanding, proposed or
assessed against it.
(i) No transfer tax, stamp duty or other similar tax is payable by
or on behalf of the Underwriter in connection with (i) the issuance by the
Company of the Registered Securities, (ii) the purchase by the Underwriter of
the Registered Securities from the Company and the purchase by the Underwriter
of the Underwriter's Warrants from the Company, (iii) the consummation by the
Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (iv) resales of the
Registered Securities by the Underwriter in connection with the distribution
contemplated hereby.
(j) There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration,
mediation, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding (including,
without limitation, those having jurisdiction over environmental or similar
matters), domestic or foreign, pending or threatened against (or circumstances
that may give rise to the same), or involving the properties or businesses of,
the Company which (i) questions the validity of the capital stock of the
Company, this Agreement or the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, or of any action
taken or to be taken by the Company pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement or the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, (ii) is required to be
disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not so disclosed (and such
proceedings as are summarized in the Registration Statement are accurately
summarized in all material respects), or (iii) might materially and adversely
affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the business, affairs,
position, stockholders' equity, operation, properties, or results of operations
of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(k) The Company has the corporate power and authority to authorize,
issue, deliver, and sell the Registered Securities and to enter into this
Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, and to consummate the
transactions provided for in such agreements; and this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement have each been duly and properly authorized,
executed, and delivered by the Company. Each of this Agreement and the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement
of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective
terms (except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights and the application of
equitable principles in any action, legal or equitable, and except as rights to
indemnity or contribution may be limited by applicable law), and none of the
Company's issue and sale of the Registered Securities, execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement
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and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, its consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein and therein, or the conduct of its businesses as described
in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements
thereto, conflicts with or will conflict with or results or will result in any
breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitutes or will
constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge, claim, encumbrance, pledge, security interest, defect or other
restriction or equity of any kind whatsoever upon, any property or assets
(tangible or intangible) of the Company pursuant to the terms of (i) the
articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, as amended and restated,
(ii) any license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, voting trust
agreement, stockholders agreement, note, loan or credit agreement or any other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is or may
be bound or to which its properties or assets (tangible or intangible) is or may
be subject, or any indebtedness, or (iii) any statute, judgment, decree, order,
rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any arbitrator, court,
regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental agency or body
(including, without limitation, those having jurisdiction over environmental or
similar matters), domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company of
any of their activities or properties.
(l) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no filing
with, any court, regulatory body, government agency or other body, domestic or
foreign, is required for the issuance of the Registered Securities pursuant to
the Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the performance of this
Agreement, the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including without limitation, any waiver of any
preemptive, first refusal or other rights that any entity or person may have for
the issue and/or sale of any of the Registered Securities, except such as have
been or may be obtained under the Act or may be required under state securities
or Blue Sky laws in connection with the Underwriter's purchase and distribution
of the Registered Securities to be sold by the Company hereunder.
(m) All executed agreements, contracts or other documents or copies
of executed agreements, contracts or other documents filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement to which the Company is a party or by which it may be
bound or to which its assets, properties or businesses may be subject have been
duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and
constitute the legal, valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their respective terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights and the application of equitable
principles in any action, legal or equitable, and except as rights to indemnity
or contribution may be limited by applicable law). The descriptions in the
Registration Statement of such agreements, contracts and other documents are
accurate in all material respects and fairly present the information required to
be shown with respect thereto by Form S-1, and there are no contracts or other
documents which are required by the Act to be described in the Registration
Statement or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not
described or filed as required, and the exhibits which have been filed are
complete and correct copies of the documents of which they purport to be copies.
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(n) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and except as described in or
specifically contemplated by the Prospectus (i) the Company has not incurred any
material liabilities or obligations, indirect, direct or contingent, or entered
into any material verbal or written agreement or other transaction which is not
in the ordinary course of business or which could result in a material reduction
in the future earnings of the Company; (ii) the Company has not sustained any
material loss or interference with its business or properties from fire, flood,
windstorm, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance;
(iii) the Company has not paid or declared any dividends or other distributions
with respect to its capital stock, and the Company is not in default in the
payment of principal or interest on any outstanding debt obligations; (iv) there
has not been any change in the capital stock (other than upon the sale of the
Firm Shares, the Option Shares and the Underwriter's Shares hereunder and upon
the exercise of options and warrants described in the Registration Statement)
of, or indebtedness material to, the Company (other than in the ordinary course
of business); (v) the Company has not issued any securities or incurred any
liability or obligation, primary or contingent, for borrowed money; and (vi)
there has not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), business, properties, results of operations, or prospects of the
Company.
(o) Except as disclosed in or specifically contemplated by the
Prospectus, (i) the Company has sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent
rights, copyrights, licenses, approvals and governmental authorizations to
conduct its business as now conducted; (ii) the expiration of any trademarks,
trade names, patent rights, copyrights, licenses, approvals or governmental
authorizations would not have a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise), business, results of operations or prospects of the
Company; (iii) the Company has no knowledge of any infringement by it or its
subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patent rights, copyrights,
licenses, trade secret or other similar rights of others; and (iv) there is no
claim being made against the Company regarding trademark, trade name, patent,
copyright, license, trade secret or other infringement which could have a
material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
results of operations or prospects of the Company.
(p) No default exists in the due performance and observance of any
term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture,
mortgage, installment sale agreement, lease, deed of trust, voting trust
agreement, stockholders agreement, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other
material 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 the property or assets (tangible or
intangible) of the Company is subject or affected.
(q) To the Company's knowledge, there are no pending investigations
involving the Company by the U.S. Department of Labor, or any other governmental
agency responsible for the enforcement of such federal, state, local, or foreign
laws and regulations. There is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint
against the Company pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any
strike, picketing, boycott, dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or to its
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knowledge threatened against or involving the Company. No representation
question exists respecting the employees of the Company. No collective
bargaining agreement, or modification thereof is currently being negotiated by
the Company. No grievance or arbitration proceeding is pending under any expired
or existing collective bargaining agreements of the Company. No labor dispute
with the employees of the Company exists or to its knowledge is imminent.
(r) Except as described in the Prospectus, the Company does not
maintain, sponsor or contribute to any program or arrangement that is an
"employee pension benefit plan," an "employee welfare benefit plan," or a
"multiemployer plan" as such terms are defined in Sections 3(2), 3(1) and 3(37),
respectively, of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA") ("ERISA Plan"). The Company does not maintain or contribute to a
defined benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA. No ERISA Plan (or
any trust created thereunder) has engaged in a "prohibited transaction" within
the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, which could
subject the Company to any tax penalty on prohibited transactions and which has
not adequately been corrected.
(s) None of the Company, nor any of its employees, directors,
stockholders, or affiliates (within the meaning of the Regulations) of any of
the foregoing has taken or will take directly or indirectly, any action designed
to or which has constituted or which might be expected to cause or result in
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Registered Securities.
(t) The Company has good and marketable title to, or valid and
enforceable leasehold estates in, all items of real and personal property stated
in the Prospectus to be owned or leased by it, free and clear of all liens,
charges, claims, encumbrances, pledges, security interests, or other
restrictions or equities of any kind whatsoever other than those referred to in
the Prospectus and liens for taxes not yet due and payable.
(u) BDO Xxxxxxx LLP ("BDO Xxxxxxx"), whose report is filed with the
Commission as a part of the Registration Statement, are independent certified
public accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations.
(v) The Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and
enforceable agreements pursuant to which all officers and directors of the
Company and all stockholders of the Company have agreed not to, directly or
indirectly, offer, offer to sell, sell, grant any option for the sale of,
transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or dispose of any
shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock, exercisable
or exchangeable for or evidencing any right to purchase or subscribe for any
shares of Common Stock (either pursuant to Rule 144 of the Regulations or
otherwise) or dispose of any interest therein for a period from the date of the
Prospectus until twelve (12) months following the date that the Registration
Statement becomes effective, without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter (the "Lock-up Agreements"). The Company will cause the Transfer
Agent (as
9
defined herein) to place "stop transfer" orders on the Company's stock ledgers
in order to effect the Lock-up Agreements.
(w) There are no claims, payments, arrangements or understandings,
whether oral or written, for services in the nature of a finder's or origination
fee with respect to the sale of the Registered Securities hereunder or any other
arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to
the Company or any of its officers, directors, stockholders, employees,
affiliates or, to the Company's knowledge, stockholders or their affiliates that
may affect the Underwriter' compensation as determined by the Commission and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(x) The Registered Securities and the Selling Stockholder Securities
have been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market System
("Nasdaq"), subject to official notice of issuance.
(y) Neither the Company nor any of its officers, employees, agents
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 business) to any customer, supplier,
employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any
governmental agency (domestic or foreign) 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 the Company in connection with any
actual or proposed transaction) which might subject the Company or any other
such person to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding (domestic or foreign). The Company's internal
accounting controls are sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
(z) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no officer, director or
stockholder of the Company, or any "affiliate" or "associate" (as these terms
are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Regulations) of any of the
foregoing persons or entities has or has had, either directly or indirectly, (i)
an interest in any person or entity which (A) furnishes or sells services or
products which are furnished or sold or are proposed to be furnished or sold by
the Company, or (B) purchases from or sells or furnishes to the Company any
goods or services, or (ii) a beneficiary interest in any contract or agreement
to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound or affected. Except
as set forth in the Prospectus there are no existing agreements, arrangements,
understandings or transactions, or proposed agreements, arrangements,
understandings or transactions, between or among the Company, and any officer,
director, principal shareholder (as such term is used in the Prospectus) of the
Company, or any affiliate or associate of any of the foregoing persons or
entities.
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(aa) The Company is not, and does not intend to conduct its business
in a manner in which it would become, an "investment company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(ab) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and
delivered to the Underwriter or to the Underwriter's Counsel (as defined in
Section 4(d) herein) shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the
Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
(ac) The minute books of the Company have been made available to the
Underwriter and contain a complete summary of all meetings and actions of the
directors and stockholders of the Company, since the time of its incorporation,
and reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes accurately in all
material respects.
(ad) The Company has not distributed and will not distribute prior
to the Closing Date any offering material in connection with the offering and
sale of the Shares [and the Selling Stockholder Securities] in this offering
other than the Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the other materials
permitted by the Act. Except as described in the Prospectus, no holders of any
securities of the Company or of any options, warrants or other convertible or
exchangeable securities of the Company have the right to include any securities
issued by the Company as part of the Registration Statement or to require the
Company to file a registration statement under the Act and no person or entity
holds any anti-dilution rights with respect to any securities of the Company.
(ae) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains insurance by
insurers of recognized financial responsibility of the types and in the amounts
as are prudent, customary and adequate for the business in which it is engaged,
including, but not limited to, insurance covering real and personal property
owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries against theft, damage,
destruction, acts of vandalism and all other risks customarily insured against,
all of which insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to
believe that it will not be able to renew existing insurance coverage with
respect to the Company as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar
coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business, in
either case, at a cost that would not have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, operations, business, assets or properties of the Company.
The Company has not failed to file any claims, has no material disputes with its
insurance company regarding any claims submitted under its insurance policies,
and has complied with all material provisions contained in its insurance
policies.
(af) The Company has applied for, and will obtain, key man life
insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 for Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, which
insurance will be (i) payable to the Company and (ii) in force for a period
equal to the longer of (x) three (3) years from the date of this Agreement or
(y) the term of any employment agreement between Xx. Xxxxxxxx and the Company.
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2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Registered Securities.
(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees
to purchase from the Company, at a price equal to $_____ per share, 3,400,000
Shares.
(b) In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements, herein contained, but subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the
Underwriter to purchase all or any part of the Option Shares at a price equal to
$________ per share. The option granted hereby will expire 45 days after (i) the
date the Registration Statement becomes effective, if the Company has elected
not to rely on Rule 430A under the Regulations, or (ii) the date of this
Agreement if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A under the
Regulations, and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time (but not
on more than two (2) occasions) only for the purpose of covering over-allotments
which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Shares
upon notice by the Underwriter to the Company setting forth the number of Option
Shares as to which the Underwriter is then exercising the option and the time
and date of payment and delivery for any such Option Shares. Any such time and
date of delivery (an "Option Closing Date") shall be determined by the
Underwriter, but shall not be later than three full business days after the
exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Date, as
hereinafter defined, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Underwriter and the
Company. Nothing herein contained shall obligate the Underwriter to exercise the
over-allotment option described above. No Option Shares shall be delivered
unless the Shares shall be simultaneously delivered or shall theretofore have
been delivered as herein provided.
(c) Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates
for, the Shares shall be made at the offices of the Underwriter, at 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon
by the Underwriter and the Company. Such delivery and payment shall be made at
9:00 a.m. (New York time) on ____ ___, 1999, or at such other time and date as
shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company, but no more than six
(6) business days after the date hereof (such time and date of payment and
delivery being herein called the "Closing Date"). In addition, in the event that
any or all of the Option Shares are purchased by the Underwriter, payment of the
purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, such Option Shares shall
be made at the above mentioned office of the Underwriter or at such other place
as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company on each Option
Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Underwriter to the Company.
Delivery of the certificates for the Shares and the Option Shares, if any, shall
be made to the Underwriter against payment by the Underwriter, of the purchase
price for the Shares and the Option Shares, if any, to the order of the Company.
Certificates for the Shares and the Option Shares, if any, shall be in
definitive, fully registered form, shall bear no restrictive legends and shall
be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Underwriter may
request in writing at least
12
three (3) business days prior to Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing
Date, as the case may be. The certificates for the Shares and the Option Shares,
if any, shall be made available to the Underwriter at such office or such other
place as the Underwriter may designate for inspection, checking and packaging no
later than 9:30 a.m. on the last business day prior to Closing Date or the
relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
(d) On the Closing Date, the Company shall issue and sell to the
Underwriter Underwriter's Warrants at a purchase price of $0.001 per warrant,
which warrants shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase an aggregate of
238,000 shares of Common Stock. The Underwriter's Warrants shall expire five (5)
years after the effective date of the Registration Statement and shall be
exercisable for a period of four (4) years commencing one (1) year from the
effective date of the Registration Statement at a price equaling 125% of the
initial public offering price of the Shares. The Underwriter's Warrant Agreement
and form of Warrant Certificate shall be substantially in the form filed as
Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement. Payment for the Underwriter's
Warrants shall be made on the Closing Date.
3. Public Offering of the Shares. As soon after the Registration Statement
becomes effective as the Underwriter deems advisable, the Underwriter shall make
a public offering of the Shares (other than to residents of or in any
jurisdiction in which qualification of the Shares is required and has not become
effective) at the price and upon the other terms set forth in the Prospectus.
The Underwriter may from time to time increase or decrease the public offering
price after distribution of the Shares has been completed to such extent as the
Underwriter, in its sole discretion deems advisable. The Underwriter may enter
into one or more agreements as the Underwriter, in its sole discretion, deems
advisable with one or more broker-dealers who shall act as dealers in connection
with such public offering.
4. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the
Underwriter as follows:
(a) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement and any amendments thereto to become effective as promptly as
practicable and will not at any time, whether before or after the effective date
of the Registration Statement, file any amendment to the Registration Statement
or supplement to the Prospectus or file any document under the Act or Exchange
Act before termination of the offering of the Shares by the Underwriter of which
the Underwriter shall not previously have been advised and furnished with a
copy, or to which the Underwriter shall have objected or which is not in
compliance with the Act, the Exchange Act or the Regulations.
(b) As soon as the Company is advised or obtains knowledge thereof,
the Company will advise the Underwriter and confirm the notice in writing, (i)
when the Registration Statement, as amended, becomes effective, if the
provisions of Rule 430A promulgated under the Act will be relied upon, when the
Prospectus has been filed in accordance with said Rule 430A and when any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii)
of
13
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the
threatening, of any proceeding, suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the
institution of proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the issuance by the
Commission or by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the
suspension of the qualification of any of the Registered Securities for offering
or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any
proceeding for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt of any comments from the
Commission, and (v) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the
Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for
additional information. If the Commission or any state securities commission
authority shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time,
the Company will use its best efforts to obtain promptly the lifting of such
order.
(c) The Company shall file the Prospectus (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Underwriter) in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
(d) The Company will give the Underwriter notice of its intention to
file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any
post-effective amendment) or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
(including any revised prospectus which the Company proposes for use by the
Underwriter in connection with the offering of the Registered Securities which
differs from the corresponding prospectus on file at the Commission at the time
the Registration Statement becomes effective, whether or not such revised
prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Regulations),
and will furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such amendment or supplement
a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case
may be, and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the
Underwriter or Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP ("Underwriter's Counsel") shall
reasonably object.
(e) The Company shall endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with
the Underwriter, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective, to qualify the Registered Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably
designate to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein for as long as
may be necessary to complete the distribution, and shall make such applications,
file such documents and furnish such information as may be required for such
purpose; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to qualify as a
foreign corporation or become subject to service of process in any such
jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected,
the Company will, unless the Underwriter agrees that such action is not at the
time necessary or advisable, use all reasonable efforts to file and make such
statements or reports at such times as are or may reasonably be required by the
laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification.
(f) During the time when a prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Act, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to comply with all
requirements imposed upon it by
14
the Act, as now and hereafter amended, and by the Regulations, as from time to
time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or
dealings in the Registered Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof
and the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto. If at any time
when a prospectus relating to the Registered 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 Underwriter's Counsel, 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 the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or
supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the
Underwriter promptly and prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate
amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Act, each such
amendment or supplement to be satisfactory to Underwriter's Counsel, and the
Company will furnish to the Underwriter copies of such amendment or supplement
as soon as available and in such quantities as the Underwriter may request.
(g) As soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 45 days
after the end of the 12-month period beginning on the day after the end of the
fiscal quarter of the Company during which the effective date of the
Registration Statement occurs (90 days in the event that the end of such fiscal
quarter is the end of the Company's fiscal year), the Company shall make
generally available to its security holders, in the manner specified in Rule
158(b) of the Regulations, and to the Underwriter, an earnings statement which
will be in the detail required by, and will otherwise comply with, the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158(a) of the Regulations, which
statement need not be audited unless required by the Act, covering a period of
at least 12 consecutive months after the effective date of the Registration
Statement.
(h) During a period of five (5) years after the date hereof if
required by law or the applicable rules of the Commission, any securities
exchange or the NASD, the Company will furnish to its stockholders, as soon as
practicable after the end of each respective period, annual reports (including
financial statements audited by independent public accountants) and unaudited
quarterly reports of operations for each of the first three quarters of the
fiscal year, and will furnish to the Underwriter:
(i) concurrently, if required (when available if not), with
furnishing such reports to its stockholders, statements of operations of the
Company for each of the first three quarters in the form furnished to the
Company's stockholders;
(ii) concurrently with furnishing to its stockholders, an
annual report;
(iii) as soon as they are available, copies of all other
reports (financial or other) mailed to the Company's stockholders;
15
(iv) as soon as they are available, copies of all reports and
financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission, any securities
exchange or the NASD; (v) every material press release in respect of the Company
or its affairs which was released or prepared by the Company; and
(vi) any additional information of a public nature concerning
the Company or its business that the Underwriter may reasonably request. During
such five-year period, if the Company shall have active subsidiaries, the
foregoing financial statements shall be on a consolidated basis to the extent
that the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated, and
shall be accompanied by similar financial statements for any significant
subsidiary that is not so consolidated.
(i) The Company will maintain a transfer agent (the "Transfer
Agent") and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the
Company, a registrar (which may be the same entity as the transfer agent) for
the Common Stock and the Underwriter's Warrants.
(j) The Company will furnish to the Underwriter or on the
Underwriter's order, without charge, at such place as the Underwriter may
designate, copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement and
any pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto (two of which copies will
be signed and will include all financial statements and exhibits), each
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements
thereto, including any prospectus prepared after the effective date of the
Registration Statement, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities
as the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(k) On or before the effective date of the Registration Statement,
the Company shall provide the Underwriter with true copies of duly executed,
legally binding and enforceable Lock-up Agreements. On or before the Closing
Date, the Company shall deliver instructions to the Transfer Agent authorizing
it to place appropriate stop transfer orders on the Company's ledgers.
(l) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause its officers,
directors, stockholders or affiliates (within the meaning of the Regulations)
not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or which might in
the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, stabilization or
manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company.
(m) The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the
Registered Securities substantially in the manner, and subject to the
conditions, set forth under "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.
(n) The Company shall timely file all such reports, forms or other
documents as may be required from time to time, under the Act, the Exchange Act,
and the Regulations, and all
16
such reports, forms and documents filed will comply as to form and substance
with the applicable requirements under the Act, the Exchange Act, and the
Regulations.
(o) The Company shall cause the Registered Securities to be quoted
on Nasdaq, and for a period of five (5) years from the date hereof shall use its
best efforts to maintain the quotation of the Registered Securities to the
extent outstanding.
(p) For a period of two (2) year from the Closing Date, the Company
shall furnish to the Underwriter, at the Company's sole expense, upon the
written request of the Underwriter, daily consolidated transfer sheets relating
to the Common Stock, up to four (4) times during such year.
(q) For a period of five (5) years after the effective date of the
Registration Statement the Company shall, at the Company's sole expense, take
all necessary and appropriate actions to further qualify the Company's
securities in all jurisdictions of the United States in order to permit
secondary sales of such securities pursuant to the Blue-Sky laws of those
jurisdictions which do not require the Company to qualify as a foreign
corporation or to file a general consent to service of process.
(r) The Company (i) prior to the effective date of the Registration
Statement, has filed a Form 8-A with the Commission providing for the
registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act and (ii) as soon as
practicable, will use its best efforts to take all necessary and appropriate
actions to be included in Standard and Poor's Corporation Descriptions and to
continue such inclusion for a period of not less than five (5) years.
(s) The Company agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months
following the effective date of the Registration Statement it will not, without
the prior written consent of the Underwriter, offer, issue, sell, contract to
sell, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock,
or securities convertible into Common Stock, except for the issuance of the
Option Shares, the Underwriter's Warrants, [the Selling Stockholder Securities]
and shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of currently outstanding
warrants or options issued under any stock option plan in effect on the Closing
Date, shares of Common Stock automatically granted pursuant to any stock option
plan in effect on the Closing Date, or shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
any employee stock purchase plan in effect on the Closing Date.
(t) Until the completion of the distribution of the Registered
Securities, the Company shall not without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter or Underwriter's Counsel, issue, directly or indirectly any press
release or other communication or hold any press conference with respect to the
Company or its activities or the offering contemplated hereby, other than trade
releases issued in the Company's business consistent with past practices with
respect to the Company's operations.
17
(u) For a period equal to the lesser of (i) five (5) years from the
date hereof, and (ii) the sale to the public of the Underwriter's Shares, the
Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent or disqualify the
Company's use of Form S-1 (or other appropriate form) for the registration under
the Act of the Underwriter's Shares.
(v) The Company agrees that it shall use its best efforts, which
shall include, but shall not be limited to, the solicitation of proxies, to
elect three (3) additional persons reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter to
the Company's Board of Directors. Each of these individuals shall be an
"independent director" within the meaning of the rules of The Nasdaq Stock
Market (and, in particular, Rule 4200(a)(14)). In addition, during such three
(3) year period the Company shall allow an individual selected by the
Underwriter to attend all meetings of the Company's Board of Directors. The
Company will use its best efforts to obtain Directors and Officers insurance in
an amount of not less than $5,000,000, which insurance, once obtained, it shall
use its best efforts to keep in full force and effect for a period of at least
five (5) years from the Closing.
(w) The Company agrees that within forty-five (45) days after the
Closing it shall retain a public relations firm which is acceptable to the
Underwriter. The Company shall keep such public relations firm, or any
replacement, for a period of three (3) years from the Closing. Any replacement
public relations firm shall be retained only with the consent of the
Underwriter.
(x) The Company shall prepare and deliver, at the Company's sole
expense, to the Underwriter within the one hundred and twenty (120) day period
after the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the
latest Option Closing Date, as the case may be, four bound volumes containing
all correspondence with regulatory officials, agreements, documents and all
other materials in connection with the offering as requested by the
Underwriter's Counsel.
(y) For a period of three (3) years following the effective date of
the Registration Statement, the Company shall not effect a change in its
independent outside accountants without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter.
(z) Until expiration of the Underwriter's Warrants, the Company will
keep reserved sufficient shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of
the Underwriter's Warrants.
(aa) For the a period of three (3) years following the effective
date of the Registration Statement:
(i) the Underwriter shall have a right of first refusal (on
terms at least as favorable as can be obtained from other sources) to act as
manager, placement agent, or investment banker with respect to any proposed
written public distribution or private placement of the Company's securities or
any merger, acquisition, or disposition of the equity or assets of the Company.
The Company shall promptly advise the Underwriter in writing of such proposed
18
transaction. The Underwriter thereafter shall advise the Company in writing
within ten (10) days of its receipt of such notice whether it intends to
exercise said right. If any such proposal is not accepted by the Underwriter,
but later modified, the Company will re-submit such proposal to the Underwriter.
An election by the Underwriter not to exercise said right with respect to a
particular transaction shall not affect the Underwriter's rights of first
refusal with respect to other transactions during such three (3) year period;
and
(ii) If the Underwriter introduces a potential merger or
acquisition candidates to the Company during such three (3) year period, it
shall be entitled to a Xxxxxx Formula fee (any consideration other than cash to
be valued at fair market value) of the aggregate consideration involved in any
transaction (including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and any other
business combination for the Company introduced by the Underwriter) consummated
by the Company with such candidate, regardless of when it occurs, such finder's
fee to be paid in cash to the Underwriter at the closing of such transaction.
The Underwriter shall provide the Company with written notice of the
introduction of any merger and acquisition candidate for which it may be
entitled to a fee hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, a Xxxxxx Formula
fee shall be equal to five (5%) percent of the first million dollars of such
consideration, or portion thereof, four (4%) percent of the second million
dollars of such consideration, or portion thereof, three (3%) percent of the
third million dollars of such consideration, or portion thereof, two (2%)
percent of the fourth million dollars of such consideration, or portion thereof,
and one (1) percent of all consideration in excess of four million ($4,000,000)
dollars.
5. Payment of Expenses.
(a) The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and
each Option Closing Date (to the extent not previously paid) all expenses and
fees (other than fees of Underwriter's Counsel, except as provided in (iv)
below) incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this
Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, including, without
limitation, (i) the fees and expenses of accountants and counsel for the
Company, (ii) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, duplication, printing, filing, delivery and mailing (including the
payment of postage with respect thereto) of the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto and the duplication,
mailing (including the payment of postage with respect thereto) and delivery of
this Agreement, the Selected Dealers Agreements, the Powers of Attorney, and
related documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and of the
Preliminary Prospectuses and of the Prospectus and any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto supplied to the Underwriter and such dealers as the
Underwriter may request, in quantities as hereinabove stated, (iii) the
printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the certificates representing the
Registered Securities, (iv) the qualification of the Registered Securities under
state or foreign securities or "Blue Sky" laws and determination of the status
of such securities under legal investment laws, including the costs of printing
and mailing the "Preliminary Blue Sky Memorandum," the "Supplemental Blue Sky
Memorandum," the "Final Blue Sky Memorandum" and "Legal Investments Survey," if
any, and reasonable disbursements and fees of counsel in connection therewith,
(v) expense of tombstone
19
advertisements and other advertising costs and expenses, (vi) costs and expenses
in connection with the "road show", (vii) fees and expenses of the transfer
agent and registrar, (viii) the fees payable to the Commission and the NASD and
(ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
Registered Securities on Nasdaq and any other market or exchange.
(b) If the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated by
reason of any refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform any
agreement on its part to be performed hereunder or to fulfill any condition of
the Underwriter's obligations hereunder, or if the Company shall terminate the
Agreement for any reason other than a breach by the Underwriter of its
obligations hereunder, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including any and all reasonable fees and
disbursements of Underwriters' Counsel) in an amount not to exceed $150,000,
including the fees and disbursements of Underwriter's Counsel, inclusive of any
amounts already paid pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof.
(c) The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses
payable pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, it will pay to the
Underwriter on the Closing Date by certified or bank cashier's check or wire
transfer or, at the election of the Underwriter, by deduction from the proceeds
of the offering contemplated herein, a non-accountable expense allowance equal
to two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale
of the Shares, $50,000 of which has been paid to date. In the event the
Underwriter elects to exercise the over-allotment option described in Section
2(b) hereof, the Company further agrees to pay to the Underwriter on the Option
Closing Date (by certified or bank cashier's check or, at the Underwriter's
election, by deduction from the proceeds of the offering) a non-accountable
expense allowance equal to two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds received by
the Company from the sale of the Option Shares.
6. Conditions of the Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the
Underwriter hereunder shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company herein as of the date hereof and
as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, as if they had been
made on and as of the Closing Date or each Option Closing Date, as the case may
be; the accuracy on and as of the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, if any,
of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions
hereof; and the performance by the Company on and as of the Closing Date and
each Option Closing Date, if any, of its covenants and obligations hereunder and
to the following further conditions:
(a) The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later
than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date prior to the date of this
Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the
Underwriter, and, at Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, 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
20
Underwriter's Counsel. If the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A of the
Regulations, the price of the Shares and any price-related information
previously omitted from the effective Registration Statement pursuant to such
Rule 430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to
Rule 424(b) of the Regulations within the prescribed time period, and prior to
Closing Date the Company shall have provided evidence satisfactory to the
Underwriter of such timely filing, or a post-effective amendment providing such
information shall have been promptly filed and declared effective in accordance
with the requirements of Rule 430A of the Regulations.
(b) The Underwriter shall not have advised the Company that the
Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, contains an untrue statement
of fact which, in the Underwriter's opinion, is material, or omits to state a
fact which, in the Underwriter's opinion, is material and is required to be
stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or
that the Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of
fact which, in the Underwriter's reasonable opinion, is material, or omits to
state a fact which, in the Underwriter's reasonable opinion, is material and is
required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have
received from Underwriter's Counsel such opinion or opinions with respect to the
organization of the Company, the validity of the Registered Securities, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the
Underwriter may request and Underwriter's Counsel shall have received from the
Company such papers and information as they request to enable them to pass upon
such matters.
(d) At the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the
favorable opinion of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Singer & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP ("MCS&W"), counsel
to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriter and in form
and substance satisfactory to Underwriter's Counsel, to the effect that:
(i) the Company (A) has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation, (B) is duly qualified and licensed and in good standing as a
foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of
any properties or the character of its operations requires such qualification or
licensing, and (C) to the best of such counsel's knowledge, has all requisite
corporate power and authority and has obtained any and all necessary
authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates, franchises and
permits of and from all governmental or regulatory officials and bodies
(including, without limitation, those having jurisdiction over environmental or
similar matters), to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as
described in the Prospectus.
21
(ii) except as described in the Prospectus, and to the best of
such counsel's knowledge after reasonable investigation, the Company does not
own an interest in any corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other business entity;
(iii) the Company has a duly authorized, issued and
outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus, and any amendment or
supplement thereto, under "Capitalization" and "Description of Securities," and
to the knowledge of such counsel, the Company is not a party to or bound by any
instrument, agreement or other arrangement providing for it to issue any capital
stock, rights, warrants, options or other securities, except for this Agreement,
the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, and as described in the Prospectus. The
Registered Securities and all other securities issued or issuable by the Company
conform in all material respects to the statements with respect thereto
contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. All issued and
outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and to such
counsel's knowledge after reasonable inquiry, none of such securities were
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of
the Company. The Registered Securities to be sold by the Company hereunder and
under the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement are not and will not be subject to any
preemptive or other similar rights of any stockholder, have been duly authorized
and, when issued, paid for and delivered in accordance with their terms, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and conform in all material
respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the holders
thereof will not be subject to any liability solely as such holders; all
corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issue and sale of
the Registered Securities has been duly and validly taken; and the certificates
representing the Registered Securities are in due and proper form. The
Underwriter's Warrants constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company
to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment therefor, the number and
type of securities of the Company called for thereby (except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights and the application of equitable
principles in any action, legal or equitable, and except as rights to indemnity
or contribution may be limited by applicable law). Upon the issuance and
delivery pursuant to this Agreement of the Registered Securities to be sold by
the Company, the Company will convey, against payment therefor as provided
herein, to the Underwriter good and marketable title to the Registered
Securities free and clear of all liens and other encumbrances;
(iv) the Registration Statement is effective under the Act,
and, if applicable, filing of all pricing information has been timely made in
the appropriate form under Rule 430A, and no stop order suspending the use of
the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any part
of any thereof or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
pending or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, threatened or contemplated
under the Act;
22
(v) each of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement, and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (other
than the financial statements and other financial and statistical data included
therein as to which no opinion need be rendered) comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations. Such
counsel shall state that such counsel has participated in conferences with
officers and other representatives of the Company and the Underwriter and
representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, at which
conferences the contents of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto 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 Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, on the basis of the
foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them
to believe that either the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, at
the time such Registration Statement or amendment became effective or the
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto as of
the date of such opinion contained any 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 (it being understood that such
counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and
schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto);
(vi) to the best of such counsel's knowledge after reasonable
investigation, (A) there are no agreements, contracts or other documents
required by the Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement other than those
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and filed as exhibits
thereto; (B) the descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
and any supplement or amendment thereto of contracts and other documents to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound are accurate in all
material respects and fairly represent the information required to be shown by
Form S-1; (C) there is not pending or threatened against the Company any action,
arbitration, suit, proceeding, litigation, governmental or other proceeding
(including, without limitation, those having jurisdiction over environmental or
similar matters),domestic or foreign, pending or threatened against the company
which (x) is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not
so disclosed (and such proceedings as are summarized in the Registration
Statement are accurately summarized in all material respects), (y) questions the
validity of the capital stock of the Company or this Agreement, or the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement, or of any action taken or to be taken by the
Company pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing; and (D) there is
no action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened against the Company before
any court or arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official in which there
is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision which may result in a
material adverse change in the financial condition, business, affairs,
stockholders' equity, operations, properties, business or results of operations
of the Company, which could adversely affect the present or prospective ability
of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the
Underwriter's Warrant Agreement or which
23
in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement;
(vii) the Company has the corporate power and authority to
enter into each of this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement and to
consummate the transactions provided for therein; and each of this Agreement and
the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the company. Each of this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each other
party thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company
enforceable against the company in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights and the application of equitable
principles in any action, legal or equitable, and except as rights to indemnity
or contribution maybe limited by applicable law), and none of the company's
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the Underwriter's
Warrant Agreement, its consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or
therein, or the conduct of its business as described in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto conflicts
with or results in any breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of,
or constitutes a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any
lien, charge, claim, encumbrance, pledge, security interest, defect or other
restriction or equity of any kind whatsoever upon, any property or assets
(tangible or intangible) of the Company pursuant to the terms of (A) the
articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, as amended, (B) any
license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, voting trust agreement,
stockholders' agreement, note, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement
or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company is a party or by which
it is bound, or (C) any federal, state or local statute, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any judgment, decree or order known to such counsel
of any arbitrator, court, regulatory body or administrative agency or other
governmental agency or body (including, without limitation, those having
jurisdiction over environmental or similar matters), domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its activities or properties;
(viii) no consent, approval, authorization or order, and no
filing with, any court, regulatory body, government agency or other body (other
than such as may be required under federal securities or Blue Sky laws, as to
which no opinion need be rendered) is required in connection with the issuance
of the Registered Securities pursuant to the Prospectus, and the Registration
Statement, the performance of this Agreement and the Underwriter's Warrant
Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(ix) to the best of such counsel's knowledge after reasonable
investigation, the properties and business of the Company conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus;
24
(x) to the best knowledge of such counsel, and except as
disclosed in Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company is not in
breach of, or in default under, any term or provision of any license, contract,
indenture, mortgage, installment sale agreement, deed of trust, lease, voting
trust agreement, stockholders' agreement, note, loan or credit agreement or any
other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or
any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which
the Company is bound or to which the property or assets (tangible or intangible)
of the Company is subject; and the Company is not in violation of any term or
provision of its articles of incorporation or by-laws, as amended, and to the
best of such counsel's knowledge after reasonable investigation, not in
violation of any franchise, license, permit, judgment, decree, order, statute,
rule or regulation;
(xi) the statements in the Prospectus under "Dividend Policy,"
"Description of Securities," and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" have been
reviewed by such counsel, and insofar as they refer to statements of law,
descriptions of statutes, licenses, rules or regulations or legal conclusions,
are correct in all material respects;
(xii) the Common Stock has been accepted for quotation on
Nasdaq;
(xiii) to the best of such counsel's knowledge and based upon
a review of the outstanding securities and the contracts furnished to such
counsel by the Company and except as described in the Prospectus, no person,
corporation, trust, partnership, association or other entity, has the right to
include and/or register any securities of the Company in the Registration
Statement, require the Company to file any registration statement or, if filed,
to include any security in such registration statement;
(xiv) assuming due execution by the parties thereto other than
the Company, each Lock-up Agreement to be entered into by an officer, director
or stockholder of the Company is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
party thereto, enforceable against the party and any subsequent holder of the
securities subject thereto in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights and the application of equitable
principles in any action, legal or equitable, and except as rights to indemnity
or contribution may be limited by applicable law); and
(xv) the Company is not an "investment company" or "promoter"
or "principal underwriter" for or an "affiliated person" of, an "investment
company" as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
involving the application of laws other than the laws, rules and regulations of
the United States and the laws, rules and regulations of the State of Delaware,
to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the
25
extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in
form and substance satisfactory to Underwriter's Counsel) of other counsel
acceptable to Underwriter's Counsel, familiar with the applicable laws; (B) as
to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates and written
statements of responsible officers of the Company and certificates or other
written statements of officers of departments of various jurisdictions 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 Underwriter's Counsel if requested. The opinion of such counsel
shall state that knowledge shall not include the knowledge of a director or
officer of the Company who is affiliated with such firm in his or her capacity
as an officer or director of the Company. The opinion of such counsel for the
Company shall further state that the opinion of any such other counsel is in
form satisfactory to such counsel. At each Option Closing Date, if any, the
Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of MCS&W, counsel to the
Company, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriter and in form
and substance satisfactory to Underwriter's Counsel confirming as of such Option
Closing Date the statements made by MCS&W in their opinion delivered on the
Closing Date.
(e) On or prior to each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, Underwriter's Counsel shall have been furnished such documents,
certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of
enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in subsection (c)
of this Section 6, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or
satisfaction of any of the representations, warranties or conditions of the
Company or herein contained.
(f) Prior to each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date,
if any, (i) there shall have been no material adverse change nor development
involving a prospective change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
prospects, stockholders' equity or the business activities of the Company,
whether or not in the business, from the latest dates as of which such condition
is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) there shall have
been no transaction, not in the business, entered into by the Company, from the
latest date as of which the financial condition of the Company is set forth in
the Registration Statement and Prospectus which is adverse to the Company; (iii)
the Company shall not be in default under any provision of any instrument
relating to any outstanding indebtedness which default has not been waived; (iv)
the Company shall not have issued any securities (other than the Registered
Securities and the Selling Stockholder Securities) or declared or paid any
dividend or made any distribution in respect of its capital stock of any class
and there has not been any change in the capital stock, or any material increase
in the debt (long or short term) or liabilities or obligations of the Company
(contingent or otherwise); (v) no material amount of the assets of the Company
shall have been pledged or mortgaged, except as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus; (vi) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in
equity, shall have been pending or threatened (or circumstances giving rise to
same) against the Company, or affecting any of its respective properties or
businesses before or by any court or federal, state or foreign commission, board
or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding may materially
26
adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or
income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus; and (vii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no
proceedings therefor shall have been initiated, threatened or contemplated by
the Commission.
(g) At each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if
any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the Company signed on
behalf of the Company by the principal executive officer of the Company, dated
the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, to the effect that
such executive has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and this Agreement, and that:
(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this
Agreement are true and correct, as if made on and as of the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company has complied with all
agreements and covenants and satisfied all conditions contained in this
Agreement on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such Closing
Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be;
(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued, and no proceedings
for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best of each of
such person's knowledge after due inquiry, are contemplated or threatened under
the Act;
(iii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, if
any, each amendment and each supplement thereto, contain all statements and
information required by the Act to be included therein, and none of the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto
includes any 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
not misleading and neither the Preliminary Prospectus or any supplement, as of
their respective dates, thereto included any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted 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; and
(iv) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (a) the
Company has not incurred up to and including the Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, other than in the its business, any material
liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent; (b) the Company has not paid
or declared any dividends or other distributions on its capital stock; (c) the
Company has not entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of
business; (d) there has not been any change in the capital stock or material
increase in long-term debt or any increase in the short-term borrowings (other
than any increase in the short-term borrowings in the ordinary course of
business) of the Company; (e) the Company has not sustained any loss or damage
to its property or assets, whether or not insured; (f) there is no litigation
which is pending or threatened (or circumstances giving rise to same) against
the Company or any affiliated party of any of the
27
foregoing which is required to be set forth in an amended or supplemented
Prospectus which has not been set forth; and (g) there has occurred no event
required to be set forth in an amended or supplemented Prospectus which has not
been set forth. References to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in
this subsection (g) are to such documents as amended and supplemented at the
date of such certificate.
(h) By the Closing Date, the Underwriter will have received
clearance from the NASD as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to
the Underwriter.
(i) At the time this Agreement is executed, the Underwriter shall
have received a letter, dated such date, addressed to the Underwriter in form
and substance satisfactory in all respects (including the non-material nature of
the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in clause (iii) below) to the
Underwriter and Underwriter's Counsel, from BDO Xxxxxxx:
(i) confirming that they are independent certified public
accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the
applicable Rules and Regulations;
(ii) stating that it is their opinion that the financial
statements and supporting schedules of the Company included in the Registration
Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations thereunder and that the
Underwriter may rely upon the opinion of BDO Xxxxxxx with respect to the
financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration
Statement;
(iii) stating that, on the basis of a limited review which
included a reading of the latest available unaudited interim financial
statements of the Company (with an indication of the date of the latest
available unaudited interim financial statements), a reading of the latest
available minutes of the stockholders and board of directors and the various
committees of the board of directors of the Company, consultations with officers
and other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting
matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, nothing has come to their
attention which would lead them to believe that (x) the unaudited financial
statements and supporting schedules of the Company included in the Registration
Statement, if any, do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations or are not
fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, or (y) at a
specified date not more than five (5) days prior to the effective date of the
Registration Statement, there has been any change in the capital stock or
material increase in long-term debt of the Company, or any material decrease in
the stockholders' equity or net current assets or net assets of the Company as
compared with amounts shown in the January 31, 1999, balance sheet included in
the Registration Statement, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the
Registration Statement, or, if there was any change or decrease, setting forth
the amount of such change or decrease;
28
(iv) stating that they have compared specific dollar amounts,
numbers of shares, percentages of revenues and earnings, statements and other
financial information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in
each case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and
information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work
sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation
by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified
readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not
constitute an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement; and
(v) statements as to such other material matters incident to
the transaction contemplated hereby as the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(j) At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, the
Underwriter shall have received from BDO Xxxxxxx a letter, dated as of the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, to the effect that
they reaffirm that statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to
Subsection (i) of this Section 6, except that the specified date referred to
shall be a date not more than five (5) days prior to Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, and, if the Company has elected to rely on
Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations, to the further effect that they have
carried out procedures as specified in clause (iv) of Subsection (i) of this
Section 6 with respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial information
as specified by the Underwriter and deemed to be a part of the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 430A(b) and have found such amounts, percentages and
financial information to be in agreement with the records specified in such
clause (iv).
(k) On each of Closing Date and Option Closing Date, if any, there
shall have been duly tendered to the Underwriter the appropriate number of
Registered Securities.
(l) No order suspending the sale of the Registered Securities in any
jurisdiction designated by the Underwriter pursuant to subsection (e) of Section
4 hereof shall have been issued on either the Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, if any, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or
shall be contemplated.
(m) On or before the Closing Date, the Company shall have executed
and delivered to the Underwriter, (i) the Underwriter's Warrant Agreement,
substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 4.2, to the Registration Statement,
in final form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, and (ii) the
Underwriter's Warrants in such denominations and to such designees as shall have
been provided to the Company.
(n) On or before Closing Date, the Common Stock shall have been duly
approved for quotation on Nasdaq.
29
(o) On or before Closing Date, there shall have been delivered to
the Underwriter all of the Lock-up Agreements in final form and substance
satisfactory to Underwriter's Counsel.
If any condition to the Underwriter' obligations hereunder to be fulfilled
prior to or at the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, is not so fulfilled, the Underwriter may terminate this Agreement or, if
the Underwriter so elects, it may waive any such conditions which have not been
fulfilled or extend the time for their fulfillment.
7. Indemnification. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Underwriter (for purposes of this Section 7 "Underwriter" shall include the
officers, directors, partners, employees, agents and Underwriter's Counsel), and
each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter ("controlling person") within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, from
and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, and expense whatsoever
(including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all
reasonable expense whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever and any
and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation provided that the
indemnified persons may not agree to any such settlement without the prior
written consent of the Company), as and when incurred, arising out of, based
upon or in connection with (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained (A) in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus (as from time to time amended and supplemented); or
(B) in any application or other document or communication (in this Section 7
collectively called "application") executed by or on behalf of the Company or
based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company in any
jurisdiction in order to qualify the Registered Securities under the securities
laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or
agency, Nasdaq or any securities exchange; or any omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made), 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 such
Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in
any application, as the case may be; or (ii) any breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Agreement. The
indemnity agreement in this subsection (a) shall be in addition to any liability
which the Company may have at common law or otherwise.
(b) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the
Registration Statement, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company,
within the meaning of the Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from the Company to the Underwriter but only with respect to statements or
omissions, if any, made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any
application made in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written
information furnished to the Company with
30
respect to the Underwriter by the Underwriter expressly for use in such
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any such application, provided
that such written information or omissions only pertain to disclosures in the
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus directly
relating to the transactions effected by the Underwriter in connection with this
Offering. The Company acknowledges that the statements with respect to the
public offering of the Registered Securities set forth under the heading
"Underwriting" and the stabilization legend in the Prospectus have been
furnished by the Underwriter expressly for use therein and constitute the only
information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriter for
inclusion in the Prospectus.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against one
or more indemnifying parties under this Section 7, notify each party against
whom indemnification is to be sought in writing of the commencement thereof (but
the failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any
liability which it may have otherwise or which it may have under this Section 7,
except to the extent that it has been prejudiced in any material respect by such
failure). In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and
it notifies an indemnifying party or parties of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party or parties will be entitled to participate therein, and to
the extent it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party
promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to
assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnified party or
parties 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 such
indemnified party or parties unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall
have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying parties in connection with
the defense of such action at the expense of the indemnifying party, (ii) the
indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such indemnified party to have charge of the defense of such action within a
reasonable time after notice of commencement of the 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 one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the
indemnifying parties 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 one additional counsel shall be borne by the
indemnifying parties. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for
fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel)
separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with
any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.
Anything in this Section 7 to the contrary notwithstanding, an indemnifying
party shall not be liable for any settlement of any claim or action effected
without its written consent; provided, however, that such consent was not
unreasonably withheld.
31
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in any
case in which (i) an indemnified party makes claim for indemnification pursuant
to this Section 7, 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
the express provisions of this Section 7 provide for indemnification in such
case, or (ii) contribution under the Act may be required on the part of any
indemnified party, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount
paid as a result of such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) (A) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by each of the contributing parties, on the one
hand, and the party to be indemnified on the other hand, from the offering of
the Registered Securities or (B) if the allocation provided by clause (A) above
is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also
the relative fault of each of the contributing parties, on the one hand, and the
party to be indemnified on the other hand in connection with the statements or
omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages, expenses or
liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. In any case
where the Company is a contributing party and the Underwriter is the indemnified
party, the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and the
Underwriter, on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total net proceeds from the offering of the Registered Securities (before
deducting expenses other than underwriting discounts and commissions) bear to
the total underwriting discounts received by the Underwriter hereunder, in each
case as set forth in the table on the Cover Page of the Prospectus. Relative
fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company
or by the Underwriter, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or
omission. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
referred to above in this subdivision (d) shall be deemed to include any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subdivision (d), the Underwriter shall not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discount applicable to the
Registered Securities purchased by the Underwriter hereunder. No person guilty
of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 12(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act, each officer of the
Company who has signed the Registration Statement, and each director of the
Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in
each case to this subparagraph (d). Any party entitled to contribution will,
promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding against such party in respect to which a claim for contribution may
be made against another party or parties under this subparagraph (d), notify
such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so
to notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom
32
contribution may be sought from any obligation it or they may have hereunder or
otherwise than under this subparagraph (d), or to the extent that such party or
parties were not adversely affected by such omission. The contribution agreement
set forth above shall be in addition to any liabilities which any indemnifying
party may have at common law or otherwise.
8. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All
representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or
contained in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto,
shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements of the Company
at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and such
representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the respective
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Section 7 hereof shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by
or on behalf of the Underwriter, the Company, any controlling person of either
the Underwriter or the Company, and shall survive termination of this Agreement
or the issuance and delivery of the Registered Securities to the Underwriter, as
the case may be.
9. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective at 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the date hereof. For purposes of this Section 9, the
Registered Securities to be purchased hereunder shall be deemed to have been so
released upon the earlier of dispatch by the Underwriter of telegrams to
securities dealers releasing such shares for offering or the release by the
Underwriter for publication of the first newspaper advertisement which is
subsequently published relating to the Registered Securities.
10. Termination. (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 10, the
Underwriter shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, (i) if any
domestic or international event or act or occurrence has disrupted, or in the
Underwriter's reasonable opinion will in the immediate future disrupt the
financial markets; or (ii) any material adverse change in the financial markets
shall have occurred; or (iii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, or in the over-the-counter market shall have been
suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or
maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the
over-the-counter market by the NASD or by order of the Commission or any other
government authority having jurisdiction; or (iv) if the United States shall
have become involved in a war or major hostilities, or if there shall have been
an escalation in an existing war or major hostilities or a national emergency
shall have been declared in the United States; or (v) if a banking moratorium
has been declared by a state or federal authority; or (vi) if the Company shall
have sustained a loss material or substantial to the Company 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 the
Underwriter's opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the
Registered Securities; or (viii) if there shall have been such a material
adverse change in the prospects or conditions of the Company, or such material
adverse change in the general market, political or economic conditions, in the
United States or elsewhere as in the Underwriter's judgment would make it
inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Registered
Securities.
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(b) If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance
with any of the provisions of Section 6, Section 10(a) or Section 11, the
Company shall promptly reimburse and indemnify the Underwriter pursuant to
Section 5(b) hereof. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this
Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 6, 10 and 11 hereof), and
whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of
Section 5 and Section 7 shall not be in any way affected by such election or
termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part
hereof.
11. Default by the Company. If the Company shall fail at the Closing Date
or any Option Closing Date, as applicable, to sell and deliver the number of
Registered Securities which it is obligated to sell hereunder on such date, then
this Agreement shall terminate (or, if such default shall occur with respect to
any Option Shares to be purchased on an Option Closing Date, the Underwriter
may, by notice the Company, terminate the Underwriter' obligation to purchase
Option Shares from the Company on such date) without any liability on the part
of any non-defaulting party other than pursuant to Section 5, Section 7 and
Section 10 hereof. No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve the
Company from liability, if any, in respect of such default.
12. Notices. All notices and communications hereunder, except as herein
otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of
telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriter shall be directed to Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx, Inc., 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq. Notices to the Company shall be directed to
the Company at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice,
to Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Singer & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP, 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
13. Parties. 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 7 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. No
purchaser of Registered Securities from the Underwriter shall be deemed to be a
successor by reason merely of such purchase.
14. Construction. 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 the choice of law or conflict of laws principles.
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15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which
taken together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
16. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and the Underwriter's
Warrant Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto and
supersede all prior written or oral agreements, understandings and negotiations
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended
except in a writing, signed by the Underwriter and the Company.
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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 among
us.
Very truly yours,
ART RENAISSANCE, INC.
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:
XXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXXXX, INC.
By:___________________________
Name:
Title:
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