REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of
March 19, 2004, by and among Aquatic Cellulose International Corp., a Nevada
corporation with its headquarters located at 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx VIT 6L1 (the "COMPANY"), and each of the undersigned
(together with their respective affiliates and any assignee or transferee of all
of their respective rights hereunder, the "INITIAL INVESTORS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the
parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), the
Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained
therein, to issue and sell to the Initial Investors (i) convertible debentures
in the aggregate principal amount of up to Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars
($900,000) (the "Debentures") that are convertible into shares of the Company's
common stock (the "Common Stock"), upon the terms and subject to the limitations
and conditions set forth in such Debentures and (ii) warrants (the "Warrants")
to acquire an aggregate of 900,000 shares of Common Stock, upon the terms and
conditions and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in the
Warrants; and
B. To induce the Initial Investors to execute and deliver the Securities
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration
rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 ACT"), and applicable state securities laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the
Initial Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
a. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(i) "INVESTORS" means the Initial Investors and any
transferee or assignee who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement or
Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the
1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC").
(iii) "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means the Conversion Shares
issued or issuable upon conversion or otherwise pursuant to the Debentures (as
defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement) including, without limitation, Damages Shares (as
defined in the Debentures) issued or issuable pursuant to the Debentures, shares
of Common Stock issued or issuable in payment of the Standard Liquidated Damages
Amount (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), shares issued or
issuable in respect of interest or in redemption of the Debentures in accordance
with the terms thereof) and Warrant Shares issuable, upon exercise or otherwise
pursuant to the Warrants (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), and
any shares of capital stock issued or issuable as a dividend on or in exchange
for or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing.
(iv) "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement
of the Company under the 0000 Xxx.
b. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase
Agreement or the Convertible Debenture.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. MANDATORY REGISTRATION. The Company shall prepare, and, on or
prior to ten (10) days from the date of the Stockholder Approval (as defined in
Section 4(1) of the Securities Purchase Agreement) (the "FILING DATE"), file
with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or, if Form S-3 is not then
available, on such form of Registration Statement as is then available to effect
a registration of the Registrable Securities, subject to the consent of the
Initial Investors, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) covering the
resale of the Registrable Securities underlying the Debentures and Warrants
issued or issuable pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, which
Registration Statement, to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), shall state that
such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional
shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon conversion of or otherwise
pursuant to the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The number
of shares of Common Stock initially included in such Registration Statement
shall be no less than an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of the number of
Conversion Shares that are then issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and
Additional Debentures (based on the Variable Conversion Price as would then be
in effect and assuming the Variable Conversion Price is the Conversion Price at
such time), and the number of Warrant Shares that are then issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, without regard to any limitation on the Investor's
ability to convert the Debentures or exercise the Warrants. The Company
acknowledges that the number of shares initially included in the Registration
Statement represents a good faith estimate of the maximum number of shares
issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and upon exercise of the Warrants.
b. UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING. If any offering pursuant to a
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof involves an underwritten
offering, the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities subject to such underwritten offering, with the consent of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors, shall have the right to select
one legal counsel and an investment banker or bankers and manager or managers to
administer the
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offering, which investment banker or bankers or manager or managers shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
c. PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall use its best
efforts to obtain effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as
practicable. If (i) the Registration Statement(s) covering the Registrable
Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof
is not filed by the Filing Date or declared effective by the SEC on or prior to
one hundred (100) days from the date of Closing (as defined in the Securities
Purchase Agreement), or (ii) after the Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC, sales of all of the Registrable Securities cannot be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement, or (iii) the Common Stock is not listed
or included for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market ("NASDAQ"), the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market ("NASDAQ SMALLCAP"), the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") or
the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") after being so listed or included for
quotation, or (iv) the Common Stock ceases to be traded on the Over-the-Counter
Bulletin Board (the "OTCBB") or any equivalent replacement exchange prior to
being listed or included for quotation on one of the aforementioned markets,
then the Company will make payments to the Investors in such amounts and at such
times as shall be determined pursuant to this Section 2(c) as partial relief for
the damages to the Investors by reason of any such delay in or reduction of
their ability to sell the Registrable Securities (which remedy shall not be
exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity). The Company
shall pay to each holder of the Debentures or Registrable Securities an amount
equal to the then outstanding principal amount of the Debentures (and, in the
case of holders of Registrable Securities, the principal amount of Debentures
from which such Registrable Securities were converted) ("OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT"), multiplied by the Applicable Percentage (as defined below) times the
sum of: (i) the number of months (prorated for partial months) after the Filing
Date or the end of the aforementioned one hundred (100) day period and prior to
the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, provided,
however, that there shall be excluded from such period any delays which are
solely attributable to changes required by the Investors in the Registration
Statement with respect to information relating to the Investors, including,
without limitation, changes to the plan of distribution, or to the failure of
the Investors to conduct their review of the Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 3(h) below in a reasonably prompt manner; (ii) the number of months
(prorated for partial months) that sales of all of the Registrable Securities
cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement after the Registration
Statement has been declared effective (including, without limitation, when sales
cannot be made by reason of the Company's failure to properly supplement or
amend the prospectus included therein in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, but excluding any days during an Allowed Delay (as defined in Section
3(f)); and (iii) the number of months (prorated for partial months) that the
Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the OTCBB, Nasdaq,
Nasdaq SmallCap, NYSE or AMEX or that trading thereon is halted after the
Registration Statement has been declared effective. The term "APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE" means two hundredths (.02). (For example, if the Registration
Statement becomes effective one (1) month after the end of such ninety-day
period, the Company would pay $5,000 for each $250,000 of Outstanding Principal
Amount. If thereafter, sales could not be made pursuant to the Registration
Statement for an additional period of one (1) month, the Company would pay an
additional $5,000 for each $250,000 of Outstanding Principal Amount.) Such
amounts shall be paid in cash or, at the Company's option, in shares of Common
Stock priced at the Conversion Price (as defined in the Debentures) on such
payment date.
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d. PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATIONS. Subject to the last sentence of this
Section 2(d), if at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period
(as hereinafter defined) the Company shall determine to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than
on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to equity securities
to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business
or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other bona
fide, employee benefit plans), the Company shall send to each Investor who is
entitled to registration rights under this Section 2(d) written notice of such
determination and, if within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of such
notice, such Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in
such Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such
Investor requests to be registered, except that if, in connection with any
underwritten public offering for the account of the Company the managing
underwriter(s) thereof shall impose a limitation on the number of shares of
Common Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in
such underwriter(s)' judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such
limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company
shall be obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited
portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has
requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall permit. Any exclusion of
Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Investors seeking to
include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable
Securities sought to be included by such Investors; provided, however, that the
Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has
first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled
to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not
entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities; and provided,
further, however, that, after giving effect to the immediately preceding
proviso, any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata with
holders of other securities having the right to include such securities in the
Registration Statement other than holders of securities entitled to inclusion of
their securities in such Registration Statement by reason of demand registration
rights. No right to registration of Registrable Securities under this Section
2(d) shall be construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a)
hereof. If an offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to
registration under this Section 2(d) is an underwritten offering, then each
Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such
Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or
underwriters and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms
and conditions as other shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten
offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the
registration rights of the Investors pursuant to this Section 2(d) shall only be
available in the event the Company fails to timely file, obtain effectiveness or
maintain effectiveness of any Registration Statement to be filed pursuant to
Section 2(a) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
e. ELIGIBILITY FOR FORM S-3, SB-2 OR S-1; CONVERSION TO FORM S-3.
The Company represents and warrants that it meets the requirements for the use
of Form X-0, XX-0 or S-1 for registration of the sale by the Initial Investors
and any other Investors of the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to
file all reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely
manner so as to remain eligible or become eligible, as the case may be, and
thereafter to maintain its eligibility, for the use of Form S-3. If the Company
is not currently eligible to use Form S-3, not later than five (5) business days
after the Company
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first meets the registration eligibility and transaction requirements for the
use of Form S-3 (or any successor form) for registration of the offer and sale
by the Initial Investors and any other Investors of Registrable Securities, the
Company shall file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or such successor form)
with respect to the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 or Form S-1, whichever is applicable, filed pursuant to Section
2(a) (and include in such Registration Statement on Form S-3 the information
required by Rule 429 under the 0000 Xxx) or convert the Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 or Form S-1, whichever is applicable, filed pursuant to Section
2(a) to a Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 429 under the 1933 Act and cause such
Registration Statement (or such amendment) to be declared effective no later
than forty-five (45) days after filing. In the event of a breach by the Company
of the provisions of this Section 2(e), the Company will be required to make
payments pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall prepare promptly, and file with the SEC not
later than the Filing Date, a Registration Statement with respect to the number
of Registrable Securities provided in Section 2(a), and thereafter use its best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to Registrable Securities
to become effective as soon as possible after such filing but in no event later
than one hundred (100) days from the date of Closing), and keep the Registration
Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the
earlier of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities have been
sold and (ii) the date on which the Registrable Securities (in the opinion of
counsel to the Initial Investors) may be immediately sold to the public without
registration or restriction (including, without limitation, as to volume by each
holder thereof) under the 1933 Act (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"), which
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the
Registration Statements and the prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statements as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statements
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statements
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in
accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers
thereof as set forth in the Registration Statements. In the event the number of
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable
upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants, the Company
shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on
the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all
of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any
event within fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefor arises (based on the
market price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the
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Company reasonably elects to rely). The Company shall use its best efforts to
cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as
soon as practicable following the filing thereof, but in any event within thirty
(30) days after the date on which the Company reasonably first determines (or
reasonably should have determined) the need therefor. The provisions of Section
2(c) above shall be applicable with respect to such obligation, with the one
hundred (100) days running from the day the Company reasonably first determines
(or reasonably should have determined) the need therefor.
c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in a Registration Statement and its legal counsel (i)
promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days) after the same is
prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the
Company, one copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each
preliminary prospectus and prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto,
and, in the case of the Registration Statement referred to in Section 2(a), each
letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the
SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in
each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion of any
thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential
treatment), and (ii) promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days)
after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, such number
of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all
amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as such Investor may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Investor. The Company will immediately notify each
Investor by facsimile of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment. The Company will promptly (but in no event more than
five (5) business days) respond to any and all comments received from the SEC
(which comments shall promptly be made available to the Investors upon request),
with a view towards causing each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, shall promptly file
an acceleration request as soon as practicable (but in no event more than two
(2) business days) following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or,
if applicable, following notification by the SEC that any such Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto will not be subject to review and shall
promptly file with the SEC a final prospectus as soon as practicable (but in no
event more than two (2) business days) following receipt by the Company from the
SEC of an order declaring the Registration Statement effective. In the event of
a breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 3(c), the Company will
be required to make payments pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof.
d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and
qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statements under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities being offered reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company
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shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (a)
qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (b) subject itself to general
taxation in any such jurisdiction, (c) file a general consent to service of
process in any such jurisdiction, (d) provide any undertakings that cause the
Company undue expense or burden, or (e) make any change in its charter or
bylaws, which in each case the Board of Directors of the Company determines to
be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
e. In the event Investors who hold a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being offered in the offering (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors) select underwriters for the
offering, the Company shall enter into and perform its obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
underwriters of such offering.
f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event,
the Company shall notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of which
the Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to any Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver such number
of copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor as such Investor may
reasonably request; provided that, for not more than ten (10) consecutive
trading days (or a total of not more than twenty (20) trading days in any twelve
(12) month period), the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public
information concerning the Company (as well as prospectus or Registration
Statement updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good
faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company (an "ALLOWED
DELAY"); provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the
Investors in writing of the existence of (but in no event, without the prior
written consent of an Investor, shall the Company disclose to such investor any
of the facts or circumstances regarding) material non-public information giving
rise to an Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in writing to cease all
sales under such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay. Upon
expiration of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again be bound by the first
sentence of this Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise
thereto.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance
of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, and, if such an order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such
order at the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds
Registrable Securities being sold (or, in the event of an underwritten offering,
the managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution
thereof.
h. The Company shall permit a single firm of counsel designated
by the Initial Investors to review such Registration Statement and all
amendments and supplements thereto (as well as all requests for acceleration or
effectiveness thereof) a reasonable period of time prior to their filing with
the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably
objects and will not request acceleration of such Registration Statement
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without prior notice to such counsel. The sections of such Registration
Statement covering information with respect to the Investors, the Investor's
beneficial ownership of securities of the Company or the Investors intended
method of disposition of Registrable Securities shall conform to the information
provided to the Company by each of the Investors.
i. The Company shall make generally available to its security
holders as soon as practicable, but not later than ninety (90) days after the
close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying
with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month
period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter
next following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
j. At the request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish, on
the date that Registrable Securities are delivered to an underwriter, if any,
for sale in connection with any Registration Statement or, if such securities
are not being sold by an underwriter, on the date of effectiveness thereof (i)
an opinion, dated as of such date, from counsel representing the Company for
purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is
customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the
underwriters, if any, and the Investors and (ii) a letter, dated such date, from
the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as
is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters
in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and
the Investors.
k. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
Registration Statement, (iii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants
or other agents retained by the Initial Investors, (iv) one firm of attorneys
and one firm of accountants or other agents retained by all other Investors, and
(v) one firm of attorneys retained by all such underwriters (collectively, the
"INSPECTORS") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company, including without limitation, records
of conversions by other holders of convertible securities issued by the Company
and the issuance of stock to such holders pursuant to the conversions
(collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each
Inspector to enable each Inspector to exercise its due diligence responsibility,
and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
information which any Inspector may reasonably request for purposes of such due
diligence; provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in confidence and
shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) of any Record or other
information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and
of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure
of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in
any Registration Statement, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant
to a subpoena or other order from a court or government body of competent
jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally
available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any
other agreement. The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential
information in such Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector
shall have entered into confidentiality agreements (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Company) with the Company with respect thereto,
substantially in the form of this Section 3(k). Each Investor agrees that it
shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court
or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give
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prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other
confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed
to limit the Investor's ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which
is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
l. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any
disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless
(i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such
information has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The Company agrees that
it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an
Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to such Investor prior
to making such disclosure, and allow the Investor, at its expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, such information.
m. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities
exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company
are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then
permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities
of the same class or series are not then listed on a national securities
exchange, secure the designation and quotation, of all the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement on Nasdaq or, if not eligible
for Nasdaq, on Nasdaq SmallCap or, if not eligible for Nasdaq or Nasdaq
SmallCap, on the OTCBB and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to
arrange for at least two market makers to register with the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable
Securities.
n. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar,
which may be a single entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the
effective date of the Registration Statement.
o. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Registrable
Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such
certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Investors may reasonably
request and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or the Investors may request, and, within three (3)
business days after a Registration Statement which includes Registrable
Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall
cause legal counsel selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent
for the Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable
Securities are included in such Registration Statement) an instruction in the
form attached hereto as EXHIBIT 1 and an opinion of such counsel in the form
attached hereto as EXHIBIT 2.
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p. At the request of the holders of a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
q. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall
not, and shall not agree to, allow the holders of any securities of the Company
to include any of their securities in any Registration Statement under Section
2(a) hereof or any amendment or supplement thereto under Section 3(b) hereof
without the consent of the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable
Securities.
r. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary
to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Investors shall have the following obligations:
a. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the
Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least three (3)
business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration
Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company
requires from each such Investor.
b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the
Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statements hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company
in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's
Registrable Securities from the Registration Statements.
c. In the event Investors holding a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities being registered (with the approval of the Initial
Investors) determine to engage the services of an underwriter, each Investor
agrees to enter into and perform such Investor's obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
10
d. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or
3(g), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if so directed by
the Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the expense of the
Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction)
all copies in such Investor's possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
e. No Investor may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's Registrable
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in usual and
customary form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of all underwriting
discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those payable by the
Company pursuant to Section 5 below.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualification fees, printers and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
counsel selected by the Initial Investors pursuant to Sections 2(b) and 3(h)
hereof shall be borne by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify,
hold harmless and defend (i) each Investor who holds such Registrable
Securities, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and each
person who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), if any, (iii) any
underwriter (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) for the Investors, and (iv) the
directors, officers, partners, employees and each person who controls any such
underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, if any (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any joint or several losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (collectively, together with actions, proceedings or
inquiries by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization, whether commenced
or threatened, in respect thereof, "CLAIMS") to which any of them may become
subject insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration
Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact
11
contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of
such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or
supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material
fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading; or
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities
law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the
Registrable Securities (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii)
being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall
reimburse the Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are
due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person
or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with
the preparation of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof; (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and
(iii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit
of any Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, such corrected prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, and the
Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a Violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly
to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of
its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, any
underwriter and any other shareholder selling securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who
controls such shareholder or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or
the 1934 Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim to which any of them may become subject,
under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out
of or is based upon any Violation by such Investor, in each case to the extent
(and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and subject to
Section 6(c) such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly
as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable) reasonably incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided,
12
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected
without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be
liable under this Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for only
that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of
the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary
prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue
statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus
was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action
(including any governmental action), such Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall
have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so
desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the
indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the
case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be
paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one
separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties,
as applicable, and such legal counsel shall be selected by Investors holding a
majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration
Statement to which the Claim relates (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors), if the Investors are entitled to
indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The failure to deliver written notice
to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any
such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced in its ability to
defend such action. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made
by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
13
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or
limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution
with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section
6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that (i) no
contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have
been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section
6, (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (iii) contribution (together
with any indemnification or other obligations under this Agreement) by any
seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of
proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the
SEC that may at any time permit the investors to sell securities of the Company
to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns
Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the
Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to
permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without
registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the
Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities if:
(i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign
such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned,
(iii) following such transfer or assignment, the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933
14
Act and applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the
transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein, (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement, and (vi) such transferee shall be an "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as that
term defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act.
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with written consent of the Company, each of the Initial
Investors (to the extent such Initial Investor still owns Registrable
Securities) and Investors who hold a majority interest of the Registrable
Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10
shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable
Securities.
b. Any notices required or permitted to be given under the terms
hereof shall be sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested)
or delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery
service) or by facsimile and shall be effective five days after being placed in
the mail, if mailed by regular United States mail, or upon receipt, if delivered
personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service) or
by facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Aquatic Cellulose International Corp.
0000 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx VIT 6L1
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
15
With copies to:
Xxxxxxxxx & Associates
0000 Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
If to an Investor: to the address set forth immediately below such Investor's
name on the signature pages to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Email: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under
this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or
remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ENFORCED, GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICT OF LAWS. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED NEW YORK, NEW YORK WITH
RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. BOTH
PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING. BOTH PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT SERVICE
OF PROCESS UPON A PARTY MAILED BY FIRST CLASS MAIL SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY
RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THE PARTY IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR
PROCEEDING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT EITHER PARTY'S RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. BOTH PARTIES AGREE THAT A FINAL
NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND
MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON SUCH JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER
LAWFUL MANNER. THE PARTY WHICH DOES NOT PREVAIL IN
16
ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FEES AND
EXPENSES, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES, INCURRED BY THE PREVAILING PARTY IN
CONNECTION WITH SUCH DISPUTE.
e. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid
or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such
provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict
therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of
law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
f. This Agreement, the Debentures, the Warrants and the
Securities Purchase Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits thereto)
constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and
therein. This Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement supersede all
prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof.
h. Subject to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and assigns.
h. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this
Agreement.
i. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been
signed by each party and delivered to the other party. This Agreement, once
executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile
transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so
delivering this Agreement.
j. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
k. Except as otherwise provided herein, all consents and other
determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, determined
as if the all of the Debentures then outstanding have been converted into for
Registrable Securities.
l. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its
obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to each Investor by vitiating
the intent and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the
Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for breach of its obligations under
this Agreement will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or
threatened breach by the Company of any of the provisions under this Agreement,
that each Investor shall be entitled, in addition to all other available
remedies in law or in equity,
17
and in addition to the penalties assessable herein, to an injunction or
injunctions restraining, preventing or curing any breach of this Agreement and
to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the necessity
of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
m. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Initial Investors have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
AQUATIC CELLULOSE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
/s/ Sheridan Westgarde
-------------------------------------
Sheridan B. Westgarde
President and Chief Executive Officer
AJW PARTNERS, LLC
By: SMS Group, LLC
-------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
AJW OFFSHORE, LTD.
By: First Street Manager II, LLC
-------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
AJW QUALIFIED PARTNERS, LLC
By: AJW Manager, LLC
-------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Manager
19
