SCHEDULE 14C
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Information Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
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Definitive Information Statement |
ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
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$_______ per share as determined under Rule 0-11 under the Exchange Act.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
3900A 31st Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33714
INFORMATION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 14
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
AND REGULATION 14C AND SCHEDULE 14C THEREUNDER
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY
AND YOU ARE NOT REQUESTED TO SEND US A PROXY
St. Petersburg, Florida
March 16, 2010
This information statement has been mailed on or about March 16, 2010 to the
stockholders of record on March 2, 2010 (the Record Date) of EClips Energy
Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation (the Company) in connection with certain
actions taken by the written consent by the majority stockholders of the Company, dated
as of March 2, 2010, pursuant to Rule 14c-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). The actions to be taken pursuant to the written
consent shall be taken on or about April 5, 2010, 20 days after the mailing of this
Information Statement.
THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND NO STOCKHOLDER MEETING
WILL BE HELD TO CONSIDER ANY MATTER WHICH WILL BE DESCRIBED HEREIN.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ Gregory D. Cohen |
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Gregory D. Cohen |
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Chairman of the Board |
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ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
3900A 31st Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33714
(727) 525-5552
INFORMATION STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
EClips Energy Technologies, Inc. (the Company) is a Florida corporation with its
principal executive offices located at 3900A 31st Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida
33714. The Companys telephone number is (727) 525-5552. This Information Statement is
being sent to the Companys stockholders (the Stockholders) by the Board of Directors
to notify them about action that the holders of a majority of the Companys outstanding
voting capital stock have taken by written consent, in lieu of a special meeting of the
Stockholders. The action was taken on March 2, 2010, and will be
effective on or about April 5,
2010, approximately 20 days after the mailing of this Information Statement.
On March 2, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the above-mentioned
action and authorized submission of the matter for the approval of the Stockholders. The
Stockholders approved the action by written consent in lieu of a meeting on March 2,
2010, in accordance with the Florida Business Corporations Act (FBCA). Accordingly,
neither your vote nor your consent is required and neither is being solicited in
connection with the approval of the action.
March 2, 2010 is the record date (the Record Date) for the determination of
stockholders who are entitled to receive this Information Statement.
This Information Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is being furnished pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act the Stockholders of the
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Common Stock), of the Company, to notify
such Stockholders of the following:
On March 2, 2010, a majority of the voting capital stock of the Company took action in
lieu of a special meeting of Stockholders authorizing the Company to enter into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, a copy of which is annexed hereto as Appendix A
(the Merger Agreement) with its newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary, EClips Media
Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (EClips Media) for the purpose of
changing the state of incorporation of the Company to Delaware from Florida. Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, the Company will be merged with and into EClips Media with
EClips Media continuing as the surviving corporation (the Merger). Following the
closing of the Merger, the Companys corporate existence shall be governed by the laws
of the State of Delaware and the Certificate of Incorporation of EClips Media, a copy
of which is annexed hereto as Appendix B, shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company and the Bylaws of EClips Media, a copy of which is
annexed hereto as Appendix C shall be the Bylaws of the Company.
ABOUT THE INFORMATION STATEMENT
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE INFORMATION STATEMENT?
This Information Statement is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 14 of the
Exchange Act to notify the Companys Stockholders as of the close of business on the
Record Date of a corporate action taken by a majority of the Companys Stockholders.
Stockholders holding a majority of the Companys outstanding voting stock have voted in
favor of the Merger as outlined in this Information Statement, which action is expected
to take place on or about April 5, 2010.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO NOTICE?
Each outstanding share of the Companys voting securities on the close of business on the
Record Date is entitled to notice of each matter voted on by the Stockholders.
Stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date that held the authority to
cast votes in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Companys outstanding voting power
have voted in favor of the Merger. Under Florida corporate law, stockholder approval may
be taken by obtaining the written consent and approval of more than 50% of the holders of
voting stock in lieu of a meeting of the Stockholders.
WHAT CONSTITUTES THE VOTING SHARES OF THE COMPANY?
The voting power entitled to vote on the Merger consists of the vote of the holders of a
majority of the Companys voting securities as of the Record Date. As of the Record Date,
the Companys voting securities consisted of 74,762,669 shares of Common Stock and
1,500,000 shares of Series D preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Series D
Preferred Stock). Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to 500 votes per
share on matters submitted to the Stockholders.
WHAT CORPORATE MATTERS WILL THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR, AND HOW WILL THEY VOTE?
Stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding voting securities have voted in favor
of the following Proposal:
1. TO AUTHORIZE THE REINCORPORATION RESULTING IN A CHANGE OF THE COMPANYS DOMICILE TO
DELAWARE FROM FLORIDA.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL?
No further vote is required for approval of the Merger.
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES
As of the Record Date, the Companys authorized capital consisted of 850,000,000 shares
of capital stock, 750,000,000 of which are authorized as Common Stock and 100,000,000 of
which are authorized as preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Preferred
Stock). As of the Record Date, 74,762,669 and 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, respectively. Of the 1,500,000 shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding, all 1,500,000 shares are designated as Series D Preferred
Stock and all such shares of Series D Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. The
shares of Series D Preferred Stock are not convertible into shares of the Companys
Common Stock.
Each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to one vote on matters submitted to
the Stockholders. Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to 500 votes per
share on matters submitted to the Stockholders.
The following shareholders voted in favor of the Proposal:
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Auracana, LLC (1) |
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750,000,000 |
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Represents 1,500,000 shares of the
Companys Series D Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock
is entitled to 500 votes per share on
matters submitted to the Stockholders. |
Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 under the Exchange Act, the proposals will not be adopted until a
date at least 20 days after the date on which this Information Statement has been mailed
to the Stockholders. The Company anticipates that the actions contemplated herein will be
effected on or about the close of business on or about April 5, 2010.
The Company has asked brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward
this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by
such persons and will reimburse such persons for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
forwarding such material.
This Information Statement will serve as written notice to stockholders pursuant to the
laws of the State of Florida.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following tables sets forth, as of March 3, 2010, the number of and percent of
the Companys voting securities beneficially owned by: (1) all directors and nominees,
naming them; (2) our executive officers; (3) our directors and executive officers as a
group, without naming them; and (4) persons or groups known by us to own beneficially 5%
or more of our common stock.
A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by
him within 60 days from March 3, 2010 upon the exercise of options, warrants or
convertible securities. Each beneficial owners percentage ownership is determined by
assuming that options, warrants or convertible securities that are held by him, but not
those held by any other person, and which are exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2010
have been exercised and converted.
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Amount and |
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Ownership (4) |
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Class (1) |
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Common Stock |
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Gregory D. Cohen (2) |
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3,500,000 |
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4.68 |
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Common Stock |
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Glenn Kesner (3) |
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Common Stock |
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Daniel Wood |
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Common Stock |
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All Executive Officers and Directors as a group (three persons) |
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3,500,000 |
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4.68 |
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5% Shareholders: |
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Common Stock |
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Jonathon Honig |
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6,680,500 |
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8.94 |
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Common Stock |
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Jesse Boskoff |
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17,416,000 |
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23.30 |
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Series D Preferred Stock |
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Auracana, LLC (3) |
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1,500,000 |
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100 |
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Less than 1% |
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Based upon 74,762,669 shares of Common Stock and 1,500,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock,
respectively, issued and outstanding as of March 3, 2010. |
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Represents 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock issued to Colonial Ventures, LLC and 750,000 shares of
Common Stock issued to Michele Cohen, Mr. Cohens wife. Mr. Cohen has sole voting and dispositive
power over the shares held by Colonial Ventures, LLC. Colonial Ventures, LLC has designated certain
third-parties as recipients of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, as to which Mr. Cohen disclaims
beneficial ownership. |
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Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to 500 votes per share voting as a class with
Common Stock. Glenn Kesner has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Auracana,
LLC. |
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Following the Merger, each share of Common Stock and Preferred Stock outstanding as set forth herein
shall be equal to two shares of such outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock. |
PROPOSAL NO. 1
MERGER OF ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION, WITH AND INTO ECLIPS
MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. A DELAWARE CORPORATION
On March 2, 2010, the Companys Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the
Reincorporation and recommended the Reincorporation to its Stockholders for their
approval. On March 2, 2010, the holders of in excess of 90% of the outstanding voting
stock consented in writing to approve the Reincorporation. The Reincorporation will be
consummated pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger between the Company and EClips
Media Technologies, Inc. (EClips Media), a copy of which is contained in
Appendix A (the Agreement and Plan of Merger). Copies of EClips Medias
certificate of incorporation (Delaware Certificate) and bylaws (Delaware Bylaws), are
attached hereto as Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively. The Agreement
and Plan of Merger provides that the Company will be merged with and into EClips Media.
The proposed Reincorporation will effect a change in the legal domicile of the Company
and other changes of a legal nature, the most significant of which are described below.
However, the Reincorporation will not result in any change in the Companys business,
management, location of its principal executive offices, assets, liabilities or net worth
(other than as a result of the costs incident to the Reincorporation, which are
immaterial). The Companys Common Stock will continue to trade without interruption on
the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.
EClips Media Technologies, Inc.
EClips Media, which will be the surviving corporation in the Merger, was incorporated by
the Company under Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) on February 16, 2010,
exclusively for the purpose of merging with the Company.
The authorized capital of EClips Media consists of 750,000,000 shares of common stock,
par value $0.0001 per share (EClips Media Common Stock), and 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (EClips Media Preferred Stock), of which
3,000,000 shares have been designated as series A Preferred Stock, the rights and
preferences of which are set forth in a Certificate of Designation, a copy of which is
annexed hereto as Appendix D (EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock).
Immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, EClips Media had one share of EClips
Media Common Stock issued and outstanding, which was held by the Company. The terms of
the Merger Agreement provide that the currently issued and outstanding share of EClips
Media Common Stock will be cancelled. As a result, following the Merger, the Companys
current Stockholders will be the only Stockholders of the newly merged company.
Filing of the Articles of Merger and Certificate of Merger
The Company intends to file Articles of Merger and a Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of Florida and Delaware, respectively, when the actions taken by the
Companys Board of Directors and Stockholders become effective, which will be on or about
April 5, 2010, which is at least 20 days from the mailing of this Information Statement
to the Stockholders of record on the Record Date.
Effect of the Merger and Resulting Reincorporation
Under the FBCA and the DGCL, when the Merger and resulting Reincorporation takes effect:
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The Company, a Florida corporation, merges with and into the surviving
entity, EClips Media, and the separate existence of the Company
ceases; |
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The title to all real estate and other property owned by the Company
is vested in the surviving entity without reversion or impairment; |
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A proceeding pending against the Company may be continued as if the
Merger had not occurred or the surviving entity may be substituted in
the proceeding for the entity whose existence has ceased; |
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The stockholders interests of the Company and the other interest,
obligations and other securities of the Company are converted into
stockholders interests, obligations or other securities of the
surviving entity, or into cash or other property, and the former
holders of such interests are entitled only to the rights provided in
the Articles of Merger and Certificate of Incorporation of the
surviving entity pursuant to the DGCL, other than the right of certain
stockholders to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares under
provisions of the FBCA dealing with dissenters rights. |
On the effective date of the Merger, the Company will be deemed incorporated under the
DGCL. Consequently, the Company will be governed by the Delaware Certificate and Delaware
Bylaws.
Principal Reasons for the Change of Domicile
The Companys Board of Directors believes that the change of domicile will give the
Company a greater measure of flexibility and simplicity in corporate governance than is
available under Florida law and will increase the marketability of the Companys
securities.
The State of Delaware is recognized for adopting comprehensive modern and flexible
corporate laws which are periodically revised to respond to the changing legal and
business needs of corporations. For this reason, many major corporations have initially
incorporated in Delaware or have changed their corporate domiciles to Delaware in a
manner similar to that proposed by the Company. Consequently, the Delaware judiciary has
become particularly familiar with corporate law matters and a substantial body of court
decisions has developed construing Delaware law. Delaware corporate law, accordingly, has
been, and is likely to continue to be, interpreted in many significant judicial
decisions, a fact which may provide greater clarity and predictability with respect to
the Companys corporate legal affairs. For these reasons, the Companys Board of
Directors believes that the Companys business and affairs can be conducted to better
advantage if the Company is able to operate under Delaware law. See Certain Significant
Differences between the Corporation Laws of Delaware and Florida.
Principal Features of the Reincorporation
The Reincorporation will be effected by the Merger of the Company, a Florida corporation,
with and into, EClips Media, a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that
was incorporated on February 16, 2010 under the DGCL for the purpose of effecting the
Reincorporation. The Reincorporation will become effective upon the filing of the
requisite merger documents in Florida and Delaware. Following the Merger, EClips Media
will be the surviving corporation and will operate under the name EClips Media
Technologies, Inc..
On the effective date of the Merger, (i) each issued and outstanding share of Common
Stock of the Company shall be converted into two (2) shares of EClips Media Common Stock,
(ii) each issued and outstanding share of Series D Preferred Stock of the Company shall
be converted into two (2) shares of EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock and (iii) the
outstanding share of EClips Media Common Stock held by the Company shall be retired and
canceled and shall resume the status of authorized and unissued EClips Media Common
Stock. The outstanding 6% convertible debentures due February 4, 2012 of the Company
shall be assumed by EClips Media and converted into outstanding 6% convertible debentures
due February 4, 2012 of EClips Media. All options and rights to acquire the Companys
Common Stock, and all outstanding warrants or rights outstanding to purchase the
Companys Common Stock, will automatically be converted into equivalent options, warrants
and rights to purchase two (2) times the number of shares of EClips Media Common Stock at
fifty (50%) percent of the exercise, conversion or strike price of such converted
options, warrants and rights.
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock of the Company is entitled to five hundred (500)
votes per share on matters submitted to the Stockholders. The shares of Series D
Preferred Stock are not convertible into shares of the Companys Common Stock.
Each share of EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option
of the holder, into one share of EClips Media Common Stock following the Merger, and
shall have a stated value of $0.0001 per share. Each share of EClips Media Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of
EClips Media and shall be entitled to two hundred fifty (250) votes for each share of
EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Upon the liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the business of EClips Media, whether voluntary or involuntary, the
holder of a share of EClips Media Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each
share thereof, out of assets of EClips Media legally available, a preferential amount in
cash equal to the stated value ($0.0001) per share.
No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of EClips Media Common Stock or
EClips Media Preferred Stock will be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Common
Stock and no dividend or distribution of EClips Media shall relate to any fractional
share, and no fractional EClips Media Common Stock interest will entitle the owner
thereof to vote or to any right as a stockholder of EClips Media.
At the effective date of the Merger, EClips Media will be governed by the Delaware
Certificate (including the Certificate of Designation for the EClips Media Series A
Preferred Stock), the Delaware Bylaws and the DGCL, which include a number of provisions
that are not present in the Companys Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended (the Company Articles), the Company Bylaws or the FBCA. Accordingly, as
described below, a number of significant changes in stockholders rights will occur in
connection with the Reincorporation, some of which may be viewed as limiting the rights
of Stockholders.
Upon consummation of the Merger and resulting Reincorporation, the daily business
operations of EClips Media will continue as they are presently conducted by the Company,
at the Companys principal executive offices at 3900A 31st Street North, St. Petersburg,
Florida 33714. EClips Medias sole officer will be Gregory D. Cohen, the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. The members of the Companys Board of Directors will become the
directors of EClips Media.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Merger may be abandoned by the Board
of Directors of the Company and EClips Media at any time prior to the effective date of
the Merger. In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company may amend the Merger
Agreement at any time prior to the effective date of the Merger provided that any
amendment made may not, without approval by the Stockholders of the Company who have
consented in writing to approve the Merger, alter or change the amount or kind of EClips
Media Common Stock or EClips Media Preferred Stock to be received in exchange for or on
conversion of all or any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, alter or
change any term of the Delaware Certificate or Delaware Bylaws or alter or change any of
the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement if such alteration or change would
adversely affect the holders of Common Stock or the holders of the Preferred Stock.
EClips Media Share Certificates
Share certificates representing shares of the Companys Common Stock and Preferred Stock
before the Merger shall be automatically converted into two times the number of shares of
EClips Media Common Stock and Preferred Stock, respectively, without any further action
required by the Stockholder.
Failure by a Stockholder to surrender certificates representing Common Stock or Preferred
Stock will not affect such persons rights as a Stockholder, as such stockholder
certificate representing Common Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, following the
Reincorporation will represent the right to receive shares of EClips Media Common Stock
or EClips Media Preferred Stock, respectively.
Capitalization
The authorized capital of the Company, on the Record Date, consisted of 750,000,000
shares of Common Stock and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 1,500,000
shares are designated as Series D Preferred Stock. As of the Record Date, there were
1,500,000 shares of the Companys Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The
authorized capital of EClips Media, which will be the authorized capital of the Company
after the Reincorporation, will consist of 750,000,000 shares of EClips Media Common
Stock and 10,000,000 shares of EClips Media Preferred Stock, of which 3,000,000 shares
will be designated as EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock.
After the Merger, EClips Media will have outstanding approximately 149,525,338 shares of
EClips Media Common Stock and 3,000,000 shares of EClips Media Preferred Stock, of which
all 3,000,000 shares shall be EClips Media Series A Preferred Stock.
The EClips Media board of directors may in the future authorize, without further
stockholder approval, the issuance of such shares of EClips Media Common Stock or EClips
Media Preferred Stock to such persons and for such consideration upon such terms as the
EClips Media board of directors determines. Such issuance could result in a significant
dilution of the voting rights and, possibly, the stockholders equity, of then existing
stockholders.
There are no present plans, understandings or agreements, and the Company is not engaged
in any negotiations that will involve the issuance of the EClips Media Preferred Stock to
be authorized. However, the EClips Media board of directors believes it prudent to have
shares of EClips Media Preferred Stock available for such corporate purposes as the
EClips Media board of directors may from time to time deem necessary and advisable
including, without limitation, acquisitions, the raising of additional capital and
assurance of flexibility of action in the future.
Significant Differences Between the Corporation Laws of Delaware and Florida
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida and EClips Media is
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Upon consummation of the Merger and
Reincorporation, the Stockholders of the Company, whose rights currently are governed by
Florida law and the Company Articles and the Company Bylaws, which were created pursuant
to Florida law, will become stockholders of a Delaware company, EClips Media, and their
rights as stockholders will then be governed by Delaware law and the Delaware Certificate
and the Delaware Bylaws which were created under Delaware law.
Certain differences exist between the corporate statutes of Florida and Delaware. The
most significant differences, in the judgment of the management of the Company, are
summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete, and stockholders should
refer to the DGCL and the FBCA to understand how these laws apply to the Company and
EClips Media.
Action by Directors Without a Meeting
Florida and Delaware Law permit directors to take written action without a meeting for an
action otherwise required or permitted to be taken at a board meeting.
Number of Directors
Florida.
Florida Law provides that the number of directors may be increased or decreased from time
to time by amendment to, or in the manner provided in the articles of incorporation or
the bylaws.
Delaware
Delaware Law provides that the number of directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner
provided in, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of
directors, in which case a change in the number of directors shall be made only by
amendment of the certificate.
Classified Board of Directors
Both Florida and Delaware permit a corporations bylaws to provide for a classified board
of directors. Both Delaware and Florida permits a maximum of three classes of directors.
Removal of Director
Florida
The FBCA provides that stockholders may remove directors with or without cause at a
meeting expressly called for that purpose by a vote of the holders of a majority of
shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless the corporations articles of
incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause. If a director is
elected by a voting group, only stockholders of that voting group may take part in the
vote to remove the director. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast
in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal. However, in the
event directors are elected by cumulative voting, directors may not be removed if the
number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against
such removal.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, a majority of stockholders may remove a director with or without
cause except: (i) if the board of directors of a Delaware corporation is classified
(i.e., elected for staggered terms), in which case a director may only be removed for
cause, unless the corporations certificate of incorporation provides otherwise; and
(ii) in the case of a corporation which possesses cumulative voting, if less than the
entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast
against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an
election of the entire board of directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an
election of the class of directors of which he is a part.
Procedures for Filling Vacant Directorships
Florida
Under the FBCA, subject to the rights, if any, of any series of preferred stock to elect
directors and to fill vacancies on the board of directors, vacancies on the board of
directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors
then in office, even if less than a quorum or by the stockholders, unless the articles of
incorporation provide otherwise.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise,
vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized
number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although
less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
Shareholder Consent to Action Without a Meeting
Florida
Florida law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, any
action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken
without a meeting if the holders of outstanding stock, having at least the minimum number
of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting, consent
to the action in writing. Additionally, the FBCA requires the corporation to give notice
within ten days of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than
unanimous written consent to those stockholders who did not consent in writing.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any
action that can be taken at such meeting can be taken without a meeting if written
consent thereto is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having the minimum number
of votes necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of the stockholders.
Right to Call Meetings
Florida
The FBCA permits special meetings of stockholders to be called by the board of directors
or by any other person authorized in the articles of incorporation or bylaws to call a
special stockholder meeting or by written request by the holders of not less than ten
percent of all shares entitled to vote (unless a greater percentage, not to exceed 50%,
is specified in the articles of incorporation).
Delaware
Delaware law provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the
Board of Directors or such other persons as are authorized in the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws.
Charter Amendments
Florida
The FBCA require the approval of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote, with each stockholder being entitled to one vote for each share so
held, to approve proposed amendments to a corporations articles of incorporation, unless
the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide for different proportions.
Delaware
Delaware law provides that amendments to the certificate of incorporation must be
approved by the holders of a majority of the corporations stock entitled to vote
thereon, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for a greater number.
Inspection of Books and Records
Florida
Under the FBCA, a stockholder is entitled to inspect and copy the articles of
incorporation, bylaws, certain board and stockholders resolutions, certain written
communications to stockholders, a list of the names and business addresses of the
corporations directors and officers, and the corporations most recent annual report
during regular business hours only if the stockholder gives at least five business days
prior written notice to the corporation. In addition, a stockholder of a Florida
corporation is entitled to inspect and copy other books and records of the corporation
during regular business hours only if the stockholder gives as least five business days
prior written notice to the corporation and (a) the stockholders demand is made in good
faith and for a proper purpose, (b) the demand describes with particularity its purpose
and the records to be inspected or copied and (c) the requested records are directly
connected with such purpose. The FBCA also provides that a corporation may deny any
demand for inspection if the demand was made for an improper purpose or if the demanding
stockholder has, within two years preceding such demand, sold or offered for sale any
list of stockholders of the corporation or any other corporation, has aided or abetted
any person in procuring a list of stockholders for such purpose or has improperly used
any information secured through any prior examination of the records of the corporation
or any other corporation.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, any shareholder may inspect the corporations books and records for a
proper purpose.
Distributions and Dividends
Florida
Under Florida law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a
corporation may pay distributions, including repurchases of stock, unless after giving
effect to the dividend or distribution, the corporation would be unable to pay its debts
as they become due in the usual course of business, or if the total assets of the
corporation would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount needed,
if the corporation were dissolved at the time the distribution was paid, to satisfy the
preferential rights of stockholders whose preferential rights upon dissolution of the
corporation are greater than those of the stockholders receiving the dividend.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, a corporation may, subject to any restrictions contained in its
certificate of incorporation, pay dividends out of surplus and, if there is not surplus,
out of net profits for the current and/or the preceding fiscal year, unless the net
assets of the corporation are less than the capital represented by issued and outstanding
stock having preferences on asset distributions. Surplus is defined under Delaware law as
the excess of the net assets (essentially, the amount by which total assets exceed total
liabilities) over capital (essentially, the aggregate par value of the shares of the
corporation having a par value that have been
issued plus consideration paid for shares without par value that have been issued), as
such capital may be adjusted by the board of directors.
Business Combinations Statutes
Florida
Florida law contains provisions that are intended to benefit companies that are the
object of takeover attempts and their stockholders. The FBCA applies to Florida
corporations that have (1) 100 or more stockholders, (2) its principal place of business,
its principal office or substantial assets in Florida, and (3) either (a) more than 10%
of its stockholders reside in Florida, (b) more than 10% of its shares are owned by
residents of Florida, or (c) 1,000 of its stockholders reside in Florida. Shares held by
banks (except as trustee or guardian), brokers, or nominees are disregarded for purposes
of calculating the percentage or number of residents.
The FBCAs control share acquisition statute provides that a person who acquires shares
in an issuing public corporation in excess of certain specified thresholds will generally
not have any voting rights with respect to such shares unless such voting rights are
approved by a majority of the shares entitled to vote, excluding the interested shares.
The thresholds specified in the FBCA are the acquisition of a number of shares
representing: (a) 20% or more, but less than 33% of the voting power of the corporation,
(b) 33% or more but less than a majority of the voting power of the corporation, or (c) a
majority or more of the voting power of the corporation. This statute does not apply if,
among other things, the acquisition is (a) approved by the corporations board of
directors before the acquisition, (b) pursuant to a pledge or other security interest
created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the statute, (c) pursuant
to the laws of intestate succession or pursuant to gift or testamentary transfer, or
(d) pursuant to a statutory merger or share exchange to which the corporation is a party.
This statute also permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its articles of
incorporation or bylaws providing for the redemption by the corporation of such acquired
shares in certain circumstances. Unless otherwise provided in the corporations articles
of incorporation or bylaws prior to the pertinent acquisition of shares, in the event
that such shares are accorded full voting rights by the stockholders of the corporation
and the acquiring stockholder acquires a majority of the voting power of the corporation,
all stockholders who did not vote in favor of according voting rights to such acquired
shares are entitled to dissenters rights.
Delaware
The DGCL prohibits certain transactions between a Delaware corporation and an interested
stockholder, which is broadly defined as a person (including the affiliates and
associates of such person) that is directly or indirectly a beneficial owner of 15% or
more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation. This
provision prohibits certain business combinations (including mergers, consolidations,
sales or other dispositions of assets having an aggregate market value of 10% or more of
either the consolidated assets of a company, and certain transactions that would increase
the interested stockholders proportionate share of ownership in a company or grant the
interested stockholder disproportionate financial benefits) between an interested
stockholder and a company for a period of three years after the date the interested
stockholder acquired its stock, unless: (i) the business combination or the transaction
in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder is approved by such companys
board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder; (ii) the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the voting stock of
such company in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder; or
(iii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the board of directors and
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by disinterested
stockholders at an annual or special meeting.
Right of Stockholders to Vote on Certain Mergers
Florida
In general, Florida law provides that mergers, share exchanges or a sale of substantially
all of the assets of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course of
business, must be approved by a majority vote of each voting group of shares entitled to
vote on such transaction; however, the FBCA requires that a merger or share exchange must
be approved by each class entitled to vote on such transaction by a majority of the votes
entitled to vote on such transaction by that class. Florida law also provides that the
articles of incorporation or the board of directors recommending the transaction may
require a greater affirmative vote.
Delaware
Under the DGCL, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, stockholders
of the surviving corporation in a merger have no right to vote, except under limited
circumstances, on the acquisition by merger directly into the surviving corporation in
cases where: (x) the agreement of merger does not amend the certificate of incorporation
of such corporation; (y) each share of stock of such corporation outstanding immediately
prior to the effective date of the merger is to be an identical outstanding or treasury
share of the corporation after the effective date of the merger; and (z) either no shares
of common stock of the surviving corporation, and no shares, securities or obligations
convertible into such stock are to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger, or
the authorized unissued shares or the treasury shares of common stock of the surviving
corporation to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger plus those initially
issuable upon conversion of any other shares, securities or obligations to be issued or
delivered under such plan do not exceed 20% of the shares of common stock of such
corporation outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger.
Appraisal Rights
Florida
Under Florida law, dissenting stockholders who follow prescribed statutory provisions,
are, in certain circumstances, entitled to appraisal rights in the event of (a) the
consummation of a plan of merger or consolidation; (b) the consummation of a sale or
exchange of all of substantially all the assets of a corporation other than in the usual
and regular course of business; (c) amendments to the articles of incorporation if the
stockholder is entitled to vote on the amendment and if such amendment would adversely
affect the rights or preferences of stockholders; (d) consummation of a plan of share
exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation, the shares of which will
be acquired, if the stockholder is entitled to vote on the plan; (e) the approval of a
control-share acquisition pursuant to Florida law; and (f) any corporate action taken, to
the extent the articles of incorporation provide that a voting or nonvoting stockholder
is entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his shares.
Under Florida law, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, no appraisal
rights are available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which, at the record
date for the meeting held to approve such transaction, were either (1) listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(NASD) or (2) held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders.
Delaware
Under Delaware law, stockholders have no appraisal rights in the event of a merger or
consolidation of the corporation if the stock of the Delaware corporation is listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or
if such stock is held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, or in the case of a
merger in which a Delaware corporation is the surviving corporation, if:
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the agreement of merger does not amend the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation; |
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each share of stock of the surviving corporation outstanding
immediately prior to the effective date of the merger is to be an
identical outstanding share of the surviving corporation after the
effective date of the merger; and |
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the increase in the outstanding shares as a result of the merger does
not exceed 20% of the shares of the surviving corporation outstanding
immediately prior to the merger. |
Even if appraisal rights would not otherwise be available under Delaware law in the cases
described in the preceding sentence, stockholders would still have appraisal rights if
they are required by the terms of the agreement of merger or consolidation to accept for
their stock anything other than:
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shares of stock of the surviving corporation; |
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of any other corporation whose shares will be either listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market system
security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; or |
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held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders; cash in lieu of fractional shares; or |
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a combination of such shares and cash. |
Otherwise, stockholders of a Delaware corporation have appraisal rights in
consolidations and mergers.
Under Delaware law, any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights will also be available as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Florida and Delaware law have similar provisions and limitations regarding
indemnification by a corporation of its officers, directors, employees and agents. If the
Merger is approved, the indemnification provisions of Delaware law will not apply to any
act or omission that occurs before the Effective Date. The following is a summary
comparison of the indemnification provisions of Florida and Delaware law:
Scope
Florida
Florida generally permits a corporation to indemnify its officers, directors, employees
and agents against liability, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their
conduct was unlawful.
Florida law applies a similar standard in derivative actions, except that indemnification
may be made only for (a) expenses (including attorneys fees) and certain amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement;
and (b) in the event the person seeking indemnification has been adjudicated liable,
amounts deemed proper, fair and reasonable by the appropriate court upon application
thereto.
Delaware
Delaware law permits a corporation to indemnify directors, officers, employees, or agents
against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and reasonable costs, expenses and
counsel fees paid or incurred in connection with any proceeding, other than an action by
or in the right of the corporation, to which such director, officer, employee or agent
may be a party, provided such a director, officer, employee or agent shall have acted in
good faith and shall have reasonably believed (a) in the case of a civil proceeding, that
his conduct was in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or (b) in the
case
of a criminal proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. In connection with an action by or in the right of the corporation against a
director, officer, employee or agent, the corporation has the power to indemnify such
director, officer, employee or agent for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
such suit (a) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and (b) if found liable to the corporation, only if ordered
by a court of law. Section 145 of the DGCL provides that such section is not exclusive of
any other indemnification rights which may be granted by a corporation to its directors,
officers, employees or agents.
Advancement of Expenses
Florida
The FBCA provides that expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending any
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid
by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the
amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation.
Delaware
Delaware law provides for the advancement of expenses for such proceedings upon receipt
of a similar undertaking; such undertaking, however, need not be in writing. Delaware law
does not require that such director give an affirmation regarding his conduct in order to
receive an advance of expenses.
Limited Liability of Directors
Florida
Under Florida law, a director is not personally liable for monetary damages to the
corporation, stockholders or any other person for any statement, vote, decision or
failure to act, regarding corporate management or policy, unless (a) the director
breached or failed to perform his duties as a director and (b) such breach or failure
constitutes (1) a violation of criminal law, unless the director had reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful, (2) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit,
(3) a circumstance resulting in an unlawful distribution, (4) in a proceeding by or in
the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor or by or in the right of
a stockholder, conscious disregard for the best interests of the corporation or willful
misconduct, or (5) in a proceeding by or in the right of one other than the corporation
or a stockholder, recklessness or an act or omission committed in bad faith or with
malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights,
safety, or property.
Delaware
Delaware law permits the adoption of a provision in the certificate of incorporation
limiting or eliminating the monetary liability of a director to a corporation or its
stockholders by reason of a directors breach of the fiduciary duty of care. Delaware law
does not permit any limitation of the liability of a director for: (i) breaching the duty
of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) failing to act in good faith;
(iii) engaging in intentional misconduct or a known violation of law; (iv) obtaining an
improper personal benefit from the corporation; or (v) declaring an improper dividend or
approving an illegal stock purchase or redemption.
STATUTORY RIGHT OF APPRAISAL UNDER FLORIDA LAW
Under Florida law regarding appraisal rights, Stockholders who do not vote in favor of
the Merger and who follow certain other procedures will be entitled to appraisal rights.
If a Stockholder does not consent in favor of the Merger Agreement and the
Reincorporation and meets all of the other requirements under Florida law regarding
appraisal rights, he or she will receive the fair value of his or her capital stock of
the Company. A copy of Sections 607.1301-607.1333 of the Florida Business Corporation Act
is attached hereto as Appendix E.
The following is a summary of the statutory procedures that a stockholder of a Florida
corporation must follow in order to exercise its appraisal rights under Florida law. This
summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to FBCA
Sections 607.1301-607.1333, the text of which is set forth in full in Appendix E.
Under the FBCA, you have the right to dissent from the Merger and to receive payment in
cash for the fair value of your Common Stock as determined by the Company, in lieu of the
consideration you would otherwise be entitled to pursuant to the Merger Agreement. These
rights are known as appraisal rights. Stockholders electing to exercise appraisal
rights must comply with the provisions of FBCA Section 607.1321 in order to perfect their
rights. The Company will require strict compliance with the statutory procedures in
connection with the Merger and resulting Reincorporation.
The following is intended as a brief summary of the material provisions of the Florida
statutory procedures required to be followed by a Stockholder in order to dissent from
the Merger and perfect appraisal rights. This summary, however, is not a complete
statement of all applicable requirements and we encourage you to review FBCA
Sections 607.1301-607.1333, the full text of which appears in Appendix E to this
Information Statement. Failure to precisely follow any of the statutory procedures set
forth in FBCA Section 607.1321 may result in a termination or waiver of your appraisal
rights.
FBCA Sections 607.1302 and 607.1320 requires that for mergers approved pursuant to FBCA
Section 607.1103, stockholders be notified that appraisal rights will be available. A
copy of FBCA Sections 607.1301-607.1333 must be included with such notice. This
Information Statement constitutes the Companys notice to its Stockholders of the
availability of appraisal rights in connection with the Merger in compliance with the
requirements of FBCA Section 607.1320. If you wish to consider exercising your appraisal
rights, you should carefully review the text of FBCA Sections 607.1301-607.1333 contained
in Appendix E since failure to timely and properly comply with the requirements
of FBCA Sections 607.1301-607.1333 will result in the loss of your appraisal rights under
Florida law.
If you elect to demand appraisal of your shares, you must satisfy each of the
following conditions:
You must deliver to the Company a written demand for appraisal of your shares
within 20 days after receiving such notice, demand in writing from the surviving
or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holders shares. Such demand will
be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of
such holders shares.
You
must not have voted in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement. A vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement, by proxy, over the Internet, by telephone or in person, will constitute a waiver
of your appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify any
previously filed written demands for appraisal;
You must complete and sign a written appraisal notice and form that the
Company will send to you pursuant to FBCA Section 607.1322 upon notification by
you that you wish to assert your appraisal rights; and
Comply with the other procedures required by FBCA Sections 607.1301-607.1333.
If you fail to comply with any of these conditions and the Merger and Reincorporation are
completed, you will be entitled to receive the consideration for your shares of the
Companys Common Stock as provided for in the Merger Agreement, but you will have no
appraisal rights with respect to your shares of Common Stock.
All demands for appraisal should be addressed to Mr. Gregory D. Cohen, Chief Executive
Officer, EClips Energy Technologies, Inc., 3900 31st Street North, St. Petersburg, FL
33714, and must be delivered within 20 days after the date of mailing of this Information
Statement, and should be executed by, or on behalf of, the record holder of the shares of
the Companys Common Stock. The demand must reasonably inform the Company of the identity
of the stockholder and the intention of the stockholder to demand appraisal of his, her
or its shares.
To be effective, a demand for appraisal by a holder of the Companys Common Stock must be
made by, or in the name of, such registered stockholder, fully and correctly, as the
stockholders name appears on his or her stock certificate(s). Beneficial owners who do
not also hold the shares of record may not directly make appraisal demands to the
Company. The beneficial holder must, in such cases, have the registered owner, such as a
broker or other nominee, submit the required demand in respect of those shares. If shares
are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian,
execution of a demand for appraisal should be made by or for the fiduciary; and if the
shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in
common, the demand should be executed by or for all joint owners. An authorized agent,
including an authorized agent for two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for
appraisal for a stockholder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner
or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, he or she is
acting as agent for the record owner. A record owner, such as a broker, who holds shares
as a nominee for others, may exercise his or her right of appraisal with respect to the
shares held for one or more beneficial owners, while not exercising this right for other
beneficial owners. In that case, the written demand should state the number of shares as
to which appraisal is sought. Where no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the
demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the record owner.
If you hold your shares of the Company Common Stock in a brokerage account or in other
nominee form and you wish to exercise appraisal rights, you should consult with your
broker or the other nominee to determine the appropriate procedures for the making of a
demand for appraisal by the nominee.
Federal Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations that may be
relevant to holders of Common Stock who receive EClips Media Common Stock and EClips
Media Preferred Stock as a result of the proposed change of domicile. No state, local, or
foreign tax consequences are addressed herein.
This discussion does not address the state, local, federal or foreign income tax
consequences of the change of domicile that may be relevant to particular stockholders,
such as dealers in securities, or Company stockholders who exercise dissenters rights.
In view of the varying nature of such tax considerations, each stockholder is urged to
consult his own tax adviser as to the specific tax consequences of the proposed
Reincorporation, including the applicability of federal, state, local, or foreign tax
laws. Subject to the limitations, qualifications and exceptions described herein, and
assuming the change of domicile qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), the
following federal income tax consequences generally should result:
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No gain or loss should be recognized by the stockholders of the
Company upon conversion of their Common Stock and Preferred Stock into
EClips Media Common Stock and EClips Media Preferred Stock pursuant to
the change of domicile; |
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The aggregate tax basis of the EClips Media Common Stock and EClips
Media Preferred Stock received by each stockholder of the Company in
the change of domicile should be equal to the aggregate tax basis of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock converted in exchange therefor; |
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The holding period of EClips Media Company Common Stock and EClips
Media Preferred Stock received by each stockholder of the Company in
the change of domicile should include the period during which the
stockholder held his Common Stock converted therefor, provided such
Common Stock is held by the stockholder as a capital asset on the
effective date of the change of domicile; and |
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The Company should not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the change of domicile. |
The Company has not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel with respect to the federal income tax consequences of the change of domicile
under the Code. The Company believes the change of domicile will constitute a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, inasmuch as Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the
Code defines a reorganization as a mere change in identity, form, or place of
organization of the Company.
ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY REPORTS
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as filed with the
SEC, excluding exhibits, are being mailed to Stockholders with this Information
Statement. We will furnish any exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A or Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q free of charge to any shareholder upon written request to the Company
at 3900A 31st Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33714. The Annual Report and Quarterly
Report are incorporated in this Information Statement. You are encouraged to review the
Annual Report and Quarterly Report together with subsequent information filed by the
Company with the SEC and other publicly available information.
COST OF INFORMATION STATEMENT
The Company is making the mailing and will bear the costs associated therewith. There
will be no solicitations made. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in sending the
Information Statement to beneficial owners of the Companys Common Stock.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Companys Board of Directors has not yet determined the date on which the next annual
meeting of stockholders will be held. Any proposal by a stockholder intended to be
presented at the Companys next annual meeting of stockholders must be received at the
Companys offices a reasonable amount of time prior to the date on which the information
or proxy statement for that meeting is mailed to stockholders in order to be included in
the Companys information or proxy statement relating to that meeting.
DELIVERY OF INFORMATION TO A SHARED ADDRESS
If you and one or more Stockholders share the same address, it is possible that only one
Information Statement was delivered to your address. Any registered shareholder who
wishes to receive a separate copy of the Information Statement at the same address now or
in the future may mail a request to receive separate copies to EClips Energy
Technologies, Inc., 3900A 31st Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33714, Attention: Gregory
D. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, or call the Company at (727) 525-5552 and we will
promptly deliver the Information Statement to you upon your request. Stockholders who
received multiple copies of this Information Statement at a shared address and who wish
to receive a single copy may direct their request to the same address.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION
This Information Statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. You can identify
our forward-looking statements by the words expects, projects, believes,
anticipates, intends, plans, predicts, estimates and similar expressions.
The forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations, estimates
and projections about us. The Company cautions you that these statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we
cannot predict. In addition, the Company has based many of these forward-looking
statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate.
Accordingly, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the Company has
expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements.
You should rely only on the information the Company has provided in this Information
Statement. The Company has not authorized any person to provide information other than
that provided herein. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. You should not assume that the information in this Information Statement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials that the Company files with
the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can obtain information about the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains
information we file electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet
at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these materials may also be obtained by mail from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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/s/ Gregory D. Cohen |
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Gregory D. Cohen |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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St. Petersburg, Florida |
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March 16, 2010 |
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APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
OF
ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION
AND
ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the Agreement) dated as of March 2,
2010, made and entered into by and between Eclips Energy Technologies, Inc., a Florida
corporation (EEGT), and Eclips Media Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (EMT), which corporations are sometimes referred to herein as the
Constituent Corporations.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, EEGT is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Florida, having been incorporated on September 23, 1997, under the laws of the State of
Florida under the Florida Business Corporation Act (the FBCA); and
WHEREAS, EMT is a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of EEGT, having been
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware under the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the DGCL) on February 16, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of EEGT and EMT have determined that it
is desirable to merge EEGT with and into EMT and that EMT shall be the surviving
corporation (the Merger); and
WHEREAS, the parties intend by this Agreement to effect a reorganization under
Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in
this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, EEGT and EMT hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
MERGER
1.1 The Merger shall become effective upon the acceptance of the filing of the
Articles of Merger with the Department of State of the State of Florida and the
acceptance of the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware (the Effective Date). On the Effective Date, EEGT shall be
merged with and into EMT, the separate existence of EEGT shall cease and EMT (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the Surviving Corporation) shall continue to exist
under the name of Eclips Media Technologies, Inc. by virtue of, and shall be governed by,
the laws of the State of Delaware. The address of the registered office of the Surviving
Corporation in the State of Delaware will be The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange
Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
ARTICLE II
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING CORPORATION
2.1 The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be Eclips Media Technologies,
Inc.. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, attached hereto as
Exhibit A, as in effect on the date hereof, shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of EMT (the EMTCharter) without change, unless and until
amended in accordance with Article VIII of this Agreement or otherwise amended in
accordance with applicable law.
ARTICLE III
BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
3.1 The Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, as in effect on the date hereof shall
be the Bylaws of EMT (the EMT Bylaws) without change, unless and until
amended in accordance with Article VIII of this Agreement or otherwise amended in
accordance with applicable law.
ARTICLE IV
EFFECT OF MERGER ON STOCK OF CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
4.1 On the Effective Date, each outstanding share of Common Stock of EEGT, par value
$0.0001 per share (the EEGT Common Stock) shall be converted into two
(2) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of EMT (the EMT Common
Stock), and each outstanding share of EMT Common Stock held by EEGT shall be
retired and canceled. In addition, on the Effective Date, each outstanding share of EEGT
Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (EEGT Preferred), shall
be converted into two (2) shares of EMT Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001per
share (the EMT Preferred). The shares of EMT Preferred shall be identical to
the shares of EEGT Preferred, respectively, except that the shares of EMT Preferred will
be convertible into shares of EMT Common Stock on a share for share basis and shall
possess 250 votes per share. The additional powers, designations, preferences, and rights
of the EMT Preferred are described in more detail in the Certificate of Designation,
attached hereto as Exhibit B. In addition, on the Effective Date, the
outstanding 6% convertible debentures due February 4, 2012 of EEGT shall be assumed by
EMT and converted into outstanding 6% convertible debentures due February 4, 2012 of EMT.
4.2 All options and rights to acquire EEGT Common Stock, and all outstanding
warrants or rights outstanding on the Effective Date to purchase EEGT Common Stock, will
automatically be converted into equivalent options, warrants and rights to purchase two
(2) times the number of shares of EMT Common Stock at fifty (50%) percent of the
exercise, conversion or strike price of such converted options, warrants and rights.
4.3 After the Effective Date, (i) certificates representing shares of EEGT Common
Stock will represent shares of EMT Common Stock, and (ii) certificates representing
shares of EEGT Preferred will represent shares of EMT Preferred, and upon surrender of
the same to the transfer agent for EEGT, who also shall serve as the transfer agent for
EMT, the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate
or certificates representing the number of shares of EMT Common Stock or EMT Preferred
into which such shares of EEGT Common Stock or EEGT Preferred shall have been converted
pursuant to Article 4.1.
ARTICLE V
CORPORATE EXISTENCE, POWERS AND LIABILITIES OF THE SURVIVING
CORPORATION
5.1 On the Effective Date, the separate existence of EEGT shall cease. EEGT shall be
merged with and into EMT, the Surviving Corporation, in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement. Thereafter, EMT shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of a public as well as of a private nature, and shall be subject to all the
restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of the parties to this Agreement; all
singular rights, privileges, powers and franchises of EEGT and EMT, and all property,
real, personal and mixed and all debts due to each of them on whatever account, shall be
vested in EMT; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and
every other interest shall be thereafter the property of EMT, the Surviving Corporation,
as they were of the respective constituent entities, and the title to any real estate,
whether by deed or otherwise, vested in EEGT and EMT, or either of them, shall not revert
or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger, but all rights of creditors and all
liens upon the property of the parties hereto, shall be preserved unimpaired, and all
debts, liabilities and duties of EEGT shall thenceforth attach to EMT, and may be
enforced against it to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had been
incurred or contracted by it.
5.2 EEGT agrees that it will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
delivered, all such deeds and other instruments and will take or cause to be taken such
further or other action as the Surviving Corporation may deem necessary in order to vest
in and confirm to the Surviving Corporation title to and possession of all the property,
rights, privileges, immunities, powers, purposes and franchises, and all and every other
interest of EEGT and otherwise to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION
6.1 Upon the Effective Date, the officers and directors of EEGT shall become the
officers and directors of EMT, and such persons shall hold office in accordance with the
EMT Bylaws until their respective successors shall have been appointed or elected.
6.2 If upon the Effective Date, a vacancy shall exist in the Board of Directors of
the Surviving Corporation, such vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by the EMT
Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII
DISSENTING SHARES
7.1 Holders of shares of EEGT Common Stock, or EEGT Preferred who have complied with
all requirements for perfecting their rights of appraisal set forth in Chapters 607.1301
to 607.1333 of the FBCA shall be entitled to their rights under Florida law with payments
to be made by the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS, EFFECTIVE DATE, CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
PRIOR TO EFFECTIVE DATE
8.1 Promptly after the approval of this Agreement by the requisite number of
shareholders of EEGT, the respective Boards of Directors of EEGT and EMT will cause their
duly authorized officers to make and execute Articles of Merger and a Certificate of
Merger or other applicable certificates or documentation effecting this Agreement and
shall cause the same to be filed with the Department of State of Florida and Secretary of
State of Delaware, respectively, in accordance with the FBCA and the DGCL.
8.2 The Boards of Directors of EEGT and EMT may amend this Agreement and the EMT
Charter or EMT Bylaws at any time prior to the Effective Date, provided that an amendment
made subsequent to the approval of the Merger by the shareholders of EEGT may not
(i) change the amount or kind of shares to be received in exchange for or on conversion
of the shares of the EEGT Common Stock or EEGT Preferred; or (ii) alter or change any of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the EMT Charter or EMT Bylaws if such
change would adversely affect the holders of the EEGT Common Stock or EEGT Preferred.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION OF MERGER
9.1 This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Date, whether before or after shareholder approval of this Agreement, by
the consent of the Board of Directors of EEGT and EMT.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to its principles of conflicts
of law.
10.2 EXPENSES. If the Merger becomes effective, the Surviving Corporation shall
assume and pay all expenses in connection therewith not theretofore paid by the
respective parties. If for any reason the Merger shall not become effective, EEGT shall
pay all expenses incurred in connection with all the proceedings taken in respect of this
Merger Agreement or relating thereto.
10.3 AGREEMENT. An executed copy of this Merger Agreement will be on file at the
principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation at 3900A 31st Street North, St.
Petersburg, FL 33714 and, upon request and without cost, a copy thereof will be furnished
to any shareholder.
10.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Merger Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as
of the day and year first above written.
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ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., |
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a Delaware corporation |
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By:
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/s/ Gregory D. Cohen |
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Gregory D. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer |
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ECLIPS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., |
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a Florida corporation |
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By:
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/s/ Gregory D. Cohen |
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Gregory D. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer |
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APPENDIX B
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Delaware
PAGE 1
The First State
I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY
CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OF ECLIPS
MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY,
A.D. 2010, AT 12:47 OCLOCK P.M.
A
FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF
DEEDS.
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4788860
8100
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/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock |
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100147228 |
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Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of
State |
You may verify this certificate
online
at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
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AUTHENTICATION: 7814219 |
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DATE: 02-16-10 |
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State of Delaware |
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Secretary of State |
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Division of Corporations |
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Delivered 12:53 PM 02/16/2010 |
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FILED 12:47 PM 02/16/2010 |
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SRV 100147228 4788860 FILE |
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
The undersigned, being the sole incorporator herein named for the purpose of forming a
corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, does hereby
certify that:
FIRST: The name of this Corporation is EClips Media Technologies, Inc.
SECOND:
The address, including street, number, city and county, of the registered office
of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
County of New Castle; and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of
Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The nature of the business and of the purposes to be conducted and promoted by the
Corporation is to conduct any lawful business, to promote any lawful purpose, and to engage in
any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH:
A. Classes and Numbers of Shares. The total number of shares of stock
that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is seven hundred sixty million
(760,000.000). The classes and aggregate number of shares of each class which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue are as follows:
1. Seven hundred fifty million (750,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (the Common Stock); and
2.
Ten million (10,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the
Preferred Stock); and
B. Blank
Check Powers. The Corporation may issue any class of the Preferred
Stock in any series. The Board of Directors shall have authority to establish and designate
series, and to fix the number of shares included in each such series and the variations in the
relative rights, preferences and limitations as between series, provided that, if the stated
dividends and amounts payable on liquidation are not paid in full, the shares of all series of
the same class shall share ratably in the payment of dividends including accumulations, if any,
in accordance with the sums which would be payable on such shares if all dividends were
declared and paid in full, and in any distribution of assets other
than by way of dividends
in accordance with the sums which would be payable on such distribution if all sums payable
were discharged in full. Shares of each such series when issued shall be designated to
distinguish the shares of each series from shares of all other series.
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FIFTH:
Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its
creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class
of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application
in a summary way of this Corporation or any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application
of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 291
of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or
receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or
class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such
manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of
the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders, of
this
Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization
of this Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or
arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said
application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all
the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on
this Corporation.
SIXTH: The original By-Laws of the Corporation shall be adopted by the incorporator.
Thereafter, the power to make, alter, or repeal the By-Laws, and to adopt any new By-Law, shall be
vested in the Board of Directors.
SEVENTH:
To the fullest extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended, permits the limitation or
elimination of the liability of directors, no director of this Corporation shall be personally
liable to this Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director shall
be liable to the extent
provided by applicable law: (1) for any breach of the
directors duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders: (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under section 174 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; or (4) for any transaction from which the director
derived any improper personal benefit. Neither the amendment or repeal of this Article, nor the
adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article,
shall adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the
time of such amendment or repeal.
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EIGHTH:
The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify
any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any
and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said section.
The Corporation shall advance expenses to the fullest extent permitted by said section. Such
right to indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to a person who has ceased
to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
16th day of February 2010.
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/s/ Mohit Bhansali
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Mohit Bhansali, Sole Incorporator |
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c/o Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP
61 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, NY 10006 |
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APPENDIX C
BY LAWS
BY-LAWS
OF
ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(A Delaware corporation)
(Effective February 16, 2010)
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
1. CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING STOCK.
Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by, or in the name of, the corporation by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the
Board of Directors, if any, or by the President or a Vice-President and by the Treasurer
or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation
representing the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. If such certificate is
countersigned by a transfer agent other than the corporation or its employee or by a
registrar other than the corporation or its employee, any other signature on the
certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has
signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it
may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Whenever the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock
or more than one series of any class of stock, and whenever the corporation shall issue
any shares of its stock as partly paid stock, the certificates representing shares of any
such class or series or of any such partly paid stock shall set forth thereon the
statements prescribed by the General Corporation Law. Any restrictions on the transfer or
registration of transfer of any shares of stock of any class or series shall be noted
conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares.
The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any certificate
theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, and the Board
of Directors may require the owner of any lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or his
legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the
corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss,
theft, or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new
certificate.
Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the corporation may issue
shares of its stock in uncertificated or book-entry form. In such event, the
corporations transfer agent and registrar shall keep appropriate records indicating
(a) the person to whom such uncertificated shares of stock were issued, (b) the number,
class and designation of series, if any, of shares of stock held by such person and
(c) other information deemed relevant to the corporation.
2. FRACTIONAL SHARE INTERESTS.
The corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of a share.
3. STOCK TRANSFERS.
Upon compliance with provisions restricting the transfer or registration of transfer
of shares of stock, if any, transfers or registration of transfer of shares of stock of
the corporation shall be made only on the stock ledger of the corporation by the
registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney
duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the corporation or with a transfer agent or
a registrar, if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares
of stock properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes due thereon.
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4. RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDERS.
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of
directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which
record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such
meeting. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders
shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the
meeting; providing, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for
the adjourned meeting.
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the
stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors
may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more
than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date has been fixed, the record date
for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on
the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
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5. MEANING OF CERTAIN TERMS.
As used herein in respect of the right to notice of a meeting of stockholders or a
waiver thereof or to participate or vote thereat or to consent or dissent in writing in
lieu of a meeting, as the case may be, the term share or shares or share of stock
or shares of stock or stockholder or stockholders refers to an outstanding share or
shares of stock and to a holder or holders of record of outstanding shares of stock when
the corporation is authorized to issue only one class of shares of stock, and said
reference is also intended to include any outstanding share or shares of stock and any
holder or holders of record of outstanding shares of stock of any class upon which or
upon whom the Certificate of Incorporation confers such rights where there are two or
more classes or series of shares of stock or upon which or upon whom the General
Corporation Law confers such rights notwithstanding that the Certificate of Incorporation
may provide for more than one class or series of shares of stock, one or more of which
are limited or denied such rights thereunder; provided, however, that no such right shall
vest in the event of an increase or a decrease in the authorized number of shares of
stock of any class or series which is otherwise denied voting rights under the provisions
of the Certificate of Incorporation, including any Preferred Stock which is denied voting
rights under the provisions of the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors with respect to the issuance thereof.
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6. STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS.
TIME. The annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the time fixed, from time
to time, by the directors. A special meeting shall be held on the date and at the time
fixed by the directors.
PLACE. Annual meetings and special meetings shall be held at such place, within or
without the State of Delaware, as the directors may, from time to time, fix. Whenever the
directors shall fail to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the registered
office of the corporation in the State of Delaware.
CALL. Annual meetings and special meetings may be called by the directors or by any
officer instructed by the directors to call the meeting.
NOTICE OR WAIVER OF NOTICE. Written notice of all meetings shall be given, stating
the place, date, and hour of the meeting. The notice of an annual meeting shall state
that the meeting is called for the election of directors and for the transaction of other
business which may properly come before the meeting, and shall (if any other action which
could be taken at a special meeting is to be taken at such annual meeting), state such
other action or actions as are known at the time of such notice. The notice of a special
meeting shall in all instances state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called. If any action is proposed to be taken which would, if taken, entitle stockholders
to receive payment for their shares of stock, the notice shall include a statement of
that purpose and to that effect. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation
Law, a copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given, personally or by mail, not less
than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, unless the lapse
of the prescribed period of time shall have been waived, and directed to each stockholder
at his
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address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be deemed
to be given when deposited, with postage thereon prepaid, in the United States mail. If a
meeting is adjourned to another time, not more than thirty days hence, and/or to another
place, and if an announcement of the adjourned time and place is made at the meeting, it
shall not be necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting unless the directors,
after adjournment, fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. Notice need not be
given to any stockholder who submits a written waiver of notice by him before or after
the time stated therein. Attendance of a person at a meeting of stockholders shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special
meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
STOCKHOLDER LIST. There shall be prepared and made, at least ten days before every
meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders, arranged in alphabetical
order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for
a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting either at a place within the city
where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list
shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole
time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The stock ledger
shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock
ledger, the list required by this section or the books of the corporation, or to vote at
any meeting of stockholders.
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CONDUCT OF MEETING. Meetings of the stockholders shall be presided over by one of
the following officers in the order of seniority and if present and acting: the Chairman
of the Board, if any, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, a Vice
President, a chairman for the meeting chosen by the Board of Directors, or, if none of
the foregoing is in office and present and acting, by a chairman to be chosen by the
stockholders. The Secretary of the corporation, or, in his absence, an Assistant
Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an
Assistant Secretary is present the Chairman for the meeting shall appoint a secretary of
the meeting.
PROXY REPRESENTATION. Every stockholder may authorize another person or persons to
act for him by proxy in all matters in which a stockholder is entitled to participate,
whether by waiving notice of any meeting, voting or participating at a meeting, or
expressing consent or dissent without a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by the
stockholder or by his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three
years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy
shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and, if, and only as long as, it
is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy
may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an
interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally.
7
INSPECTORS AND JUDGES. The directors, in advance of any meeting, may, but need not,
appoint one or more inspectors of election or judges of the vote, as the case may be, to
act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector or inspectors or judge or
judges are not appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but need not, appoint
one or more inspectors or judges. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector
or judge fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the
person presiding thereat. Each inspector or judge, if any, before entering upon the
discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of
inspector or judge at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of
his ability. The inspectors or judges, if any, shall determine the number of shares of
stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the
meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive
votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in
connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents,
determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with
fairness to all stockholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the
inspector or inspectors or judge or judges, if any, shall make a report in writing of any
challenge, question or matter determined by him or them and execute a certificate of any
fact found by him or them.
QUORUM. Except as the General Corporation Law or these Bylaws may otherwise provide,
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders for the transaction of any business. The
stockholders present may adjourn the meeting despite the absence of a quorum. When a
quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent
withdrawal of any stockholders.
8
VOTING. Each stockholder entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the
Certificate of Incorporation and of these Bylaws, or, with respect to the issuance of
Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of a resolution or resolutions of the Board
of Directors, shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of
stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder. In the election of directors, a
plurality of the votes present at the meeting shall elect. Any other action shall be
authorized by a majority of the votes cast except where the Certificate of Incorporation
or the General Corporation Law prescribes a different percentage of votes and/or a
different exercise of voting power. Voting by ballot shall not be required for corporate
action except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law.
7. STOCKHOLDER ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS.
Any action required to be taken, or any action which may be taken, at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and
without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken,
shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the minimum
number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the
taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent
shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and shall be
delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its
principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of
the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to
a corporations registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested.
9
8. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS.
At an annual or special meeting of the stockholders or upon written consent of the
stockholders without a meeting, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been
brought before the meeting (a) pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting, (b) by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the corporation
who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this
Bylaw, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Bylaw.
Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be
conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Bylaw. The Chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to
the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance
with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall
so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting
shall not be transacted.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS RELATING TO NOMINATIONS FOR AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
Nominations by a stockholder of candidates for election to the Board of Directors by
stockholders at a meeting of stockholders or upon written consent without a meeting may
be made only if the stockholder complies with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw, and
any candidate proposed by a stockholder not nominated in accordance with such provisions
shall not be considered or acted upon for execution at such meeting of stockholders.
10
A proposal by a stockholder for the nomination of a candidate for election by
stockholders as a director at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be
elected or upon written consent without a meeting may be made only by notice in writing,
delivered in person or by first class United States mail postage prepaid or by reputable
overnight delivery service, to the Board of Directors of the corporation to the attention
of the Secretary of the corporation at the principal office of the corporation, within
the time limits specified herein.
In the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, any such written proposal of
nomination must be received by the Board of Directors not less than sixty days nor more
than ninety days before the first anniversary of the date on which the corporation held
its annual meeting in the immediately preceding year; provided, however, that in the case
of an annual meeting of stockholders (A) that is called for a date that is not within
thirty days before or after the first anniversary date of the annual meeting of
stockholders in the immediately preceding year, or (B) in the event that the corporation
did not have an annual meeting of stockholders in the prior year any such written
proposal of nomination must be received by the Board of Directors not less than five days
after the earlier of the date the corporation shall have (w) mailed notice to its
stockholders that an annual meeting of stockholders will be held or (x) issued a press
release, or (y) filed a periodic report with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
(z) otherwise publicly disseminated notice that an annual meeting of stockholders will be
held.
11
In the case of a special meeting of stockholders, any such written proposal of
nomination must be received by the Board of Directors not less than five days after the
earlier of the date that the corporation shall have mailed notice to its stockholders
that a special meeting of stockholders will be held or shall have issued a press release,
filed a periodic report with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise publicly
disseminated notice that a special meeting of stockholders will be held. In addition to
any other information required, the stockholder seeking to have stockholders authorize or
take corporate action by written consent shall include the class and number of shares of
the corporation which are beneficially held by such stockholder, any voting rights with
respect to shares not beneficially owned and other ownership or voting interest in shares
of the corporation, whether economic or otherwise, including derivatives and hedges.
In the case of stockholder action by written consent with respect to the election by
stockholders of a candidate as director, the stockholder seeking to have the stockholders
elect such candidate by written consent shall submit a written proposal of nomination to
the Board of Directors. Such written proposal of nomination shall set forth: (A) the name
and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination, and the name and
address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (B) the
name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each person so proposed,
(C) the principal occupation or employment of each person so proposed for the past five
years, (D) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation beneficially owned
within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-1 by each person so
proposed and the earliest date of acquisition of any such capital stock and the class and
number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially held by such stockholder, any
voting rights with respect to shares not beneficially owned and other ownership or voting
interest in shares of the corporation, whether economic or otherwise, including
derivatives and hedges, (E) a description of any arrangement or understanding between
each person so proposed and the stockholder(s) making such nomination with respect to
such persons proposal for nomination and election as a director and actions to be
proposed or taken by such person if elected a director, (F) the written consent of each
person so proposed to serve as a director if nominated and elected as a director and
(G) such other information regarding each such person as would be required under the
proxy solicitation rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission if proxies were to be
solicited for the election as a director of each person so proposed.
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If a written proposal of nomination submitted to the Board of Directors fails, in
the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors or a nominating committee established
by it, to contain the information specified in the preceding paragraph of this Bylaw or
is otherwise deficient, the Board of Directors shall, as promptly as is practicable under
the circumstances, provide written notice to the stockholder(s) making such nomination of
such failure or deficiency in the written proposal of nomination and such nominating
stockholder shall have five days from receipt of such notice to submit a revised written
proposal of nomination that corrects such failure or deficiency in all material respects.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS RELATING TO MATTERS OTHER THAN NOMINATIONS FOR AND ELECTIONS
OF DIRECTORS. A stockholder of the corporation may bring a matter (other than a
nomination of a candidate for election as a director) before a meeting of stockholders or
for action by written consent without a meeting only if such stockholder matter is a
proper matter for stockholder action and such stockholder shall have provided notice in
writing, delivered in person or by first class United States mail postage prepaid or by
reputable overnight delivery service, to the Board of Directors of the corporation to the
attention of the Secretary of the corporation at the principal office of the corporation,
within the time limits specified in this Bylaw; provided, however, that a proposal
submitted by a stockholder for inclusion in the corporations proxy statement for an
annual meeting that is appropriate for inclusion therein and otherwise complies with the
provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including timeliness)
shall be deemed to have also been submitted on a timely basis pursuant to this Bylaw.
13
In the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, any such written notice of a
proposal of a stockholder matter must be received by the Board of Directors not less than
sixty days nor more than ninety days before the first anniversary of the date on which
the corporation held its annual meeting of stockholders in the immediately preceding
year; provided, however, that (A) in the case of an annual meeting of stockholders that
is called for a date which is not within thirty days before or after the first
anniversary date of the annual meeting of stockholders in the immediately preceding year,
or (B) in the event that the corporation did not have an annual meeting of stockholders
in the prior year, any such written notice of a proposal of a stockholder matter must be
received by the Board of Directors not less than five days after the date the corporation
shall have (w) mailed notice to its stockholders that an annual meeting of stockholders
will be held or (x) issued a press release, or (y) filed a periodic report with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or (z) otherwise publicly disseminated notice that an
annual meeting of stockholders will be held.
In the case of a special meeting of stockholders, any such written notice of a
proposal of a stockholder matter must be received by the Board of Directors not less than
five days after the earlier of the date the corporation shall have mailed notice to its
stockholders that a special meeting of stockholders will be held, issued a press release,
filed a periodic report with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise publicly
disseminated notice that a special meeting of stockholders will be held.
14
In the case of stockholder action by written consent, the stockholder seeking to
have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by
written notice to the Board of Directors, set forth the written proposal. Such written
notice of a proposal of a stockholder matter shall set forth information regarding such
stockholder matter equivalent to the information regarding such stockholder matter that
would be required under the proxy solicitation rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission if proxies were solicited for stockholder consideration of such stockholder
matter at a meeting of stockholders. In addition to any other information required, the
stockholder seeking to have stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written
consent shall include the class and number of shares of the corporation which are
beneficially held by such stockholder, any voting rights with respect to shares not
beneficially owned and other ownership or voting interest in shares of the corporation,
whether economic or otherwise, including derivatives and hedges.
If a written notice of a proposal of a stockholder matter submitted to the Board of
Directors fails, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors, to contain the
information specified in this Bylaw or is otherwise deficient, the Board of Directors
shall, as promptly as is practicable under the circumstances, provide written notice to
the stockholder who submitted the written notice of presentation of a stockholder matter
of such failure or deficiency in the written notice of presentation of a stockholder
matter and such stockholder shall have five days from receipt of such notice to submit a
revised written notice of presentation of a matter that corrects such failure or
deficiency in all material respects.
Only stockholder matters submitted in accordance with the foregoing provisions of
this Bylaw shall be eligible for presentation at such meeting of stockholders or for
action by written consent without a meeting, and any stockholder matter not submitted to
the Board of Directors in accordance with such provisions shall not be considered or
acted upon at such meeting of stockholders or by written consent without a meeting.
15
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
1. FUNCTIONS AND DEFINITION.
The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the
direction of the Board of Directors of the corporation. The use of the phrase whole
board herein refers to the total number of directors which the corporation would have if
there were no vacancies.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND NUMBER.
A director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident
of the State of Delaware. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of
Directors shall be the number, not less than one nor more than fifteen, fixed from time
to time by a majority of the total number of directors which the corporation would have,
prior to any increase or decrease, if there were no vacancies, provided, however, that no
decrease shall shorten the term of an incumbent director. The number of directors may be
increased or decreased by action of the stockholders or of the directors.
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3. ELECTION AND TERM.
The first Board of Directors, unless the members thereof shall have been named in
the Certificate of Incorporation, shall be elected by the incorporator or incorporators
and shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their
successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Thereafter,
directors who are elected at an annual meeting of stockholders, and directors who are
elected in the interim to fill vacancies and newly created directorships, shall hold
office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been
elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. In the interim
between annual meetings of stockholders or of special meetings of stockholders called for
the election of directors and/or for the removal of one or more directors and for the
filling of any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from
the removal of directors for cause or without cause, any vacancy in the Board of
Directors may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in
office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.
4. MEETINGS.
TIME. Meetings shall be held at such time as the Board shall fix.
FIRST MEETING. The first meeting of each newly elected Board may be held immediately
after each annual meeting of the stockholders at the same place at which the meeting is
held, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to call the meeting, provided a
quorum shall be present. In the event such first meeting is not so held immediately after
the annual meeting of the stockholders, it may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in the notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board
of Directors, or at such time and place as shall be fixed by the consent in writing of
all of the directors.
PLACE. Meetings, both regular and special, shall be held at such place within or
without the State of Delaware as shall be fixed by the Board.
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CALL. No call shall be required for regular meetings for which the time and place
have been fixed. Special meetings may be called by or at the direction of the Chairman of
the Board, if any, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, or the President, or of a
majority of the directors in office.
NOTICE OR ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE WAIVER. No notice shall be required for regular
meetings for which the time and place have been fixed. Written, oral, or any other mode
of notice of the time and place shall be given for special meetings at least twenty-four
hours prior to the meeting. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purpose of the
meeting. Any requirement of furnishing a notice shall be waived by any director who signs
a written waiver of such notice before or after the time stated therein.
Attendance of a director at a meeting of the Board shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except when the director attends a meeting for the express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
QUORUM AND ACTION. A majority of the whole Board shall constitute a quorum except
when a vacancy or vacancies prevents such majority, whereupon a majority of the directors
in office shall constitute a quorum, provided that such majority shall constitute at
least one-third (1/3) of the whole Board. Any director may participate in a meeting of
the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means
of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such
participation in a meeting of the Board shall constitute presence in person at such
meeting. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may
adjourn a meeting to another time and place. Except as herein otherwise provided, and
except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law, the act of the Board shall
be the act by vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting, a quorum being
present. The quorum and voting provisions herein stated shall not be construed as
conflicting with any provisions of the General Corporation Law and these Bylaws which
govern a meeting of directors held to fill vacancies and newly created directorships in
the Board.
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CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING. The Chairman of the Board, if any and if present and
acting, shall preside at all meetings. Otherwise, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any
and if present and acting, or the President, if present and acting, or any other director
chosen by the Board, shall preside.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, and
any Vice-Chairman of the Board, may be elected by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors and shall serve until the meeting of the Board of Directors next following the
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders at which a Chairman, and any Vice-Chairman, shall be
newly elected or re-elected from amongst the Directors then in office.
5. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.
Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause or without cause by the
stockholders.
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6. COMMITTEES.
The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board,
designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the
directors of the corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate
members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any
meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of
the Board, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of
the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. In the absence or
disqualification of any member of any such committee or committees, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or
they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of
Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
7. ACTION IN WRITING.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the
Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
8. NOMINATION.
Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these
Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as Directors. Nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders (a) by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of the
corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for
in this Bylaw, who shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting
and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Bylaw.
20
Nominations by stockholders shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to
the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered
to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation (a) in
the case of an annual meeting, not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior
to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than thirty days from
such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not
later than the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on
which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made, and
(b) in the case of a special meeting at which directors are to be elected, not later than
the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which notice of
the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made. Such stockholders
notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (including such persons written consent to being named in the
proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to the
stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the
corporations books, of such stockholder and (ii) the class and number of shares of the
corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder and also which are owned of
record by such stockholder; and (c) as to the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf
the nomination is made, (i) the name and address of such person and (ii) the class and
number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such person. At the
request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for
election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information
required to be set forth in a stockholders notice of nomination which pertains to the
nominee.
21
No person shall be eligible to serve as a director of the corporation unless
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw. The Chairman of the
meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a
nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and
if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bylaw,
a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect
to the matters set forth in this Bylaw.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
1. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
The directors may elect or appoint a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief
Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents (one or more of whom may be
denominated Executive Vice President), a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries,
a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as they may
determine. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
2. TERM OF OFFICE: REMOVAL.
Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of election or appointment, each officer
shall hold office until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been elected and qualified or until
his earlier resignation or removal. The Board of Directors may remove any officer for
cause or without cause.
22
3. AUTHORITY AND DUTIES.
All officers, as between themselves and the corporation, shall have such authority
and perform such duties in the management of the corporation as may be provided in these
Bylaws, or, to the extent not so provided, by the Board of Directors.
4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the discretion of the Board of
Directors, have general supervision and control of the corporations business such duties
as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
5. THE PRESIDENT.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and in the absence
of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the meeting of the Board of Directors,
shall, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, have general supervision and
control of the corporations business and shall see that all orders and resolutions of
the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
6. VICE PRESIDENTS.
Any Vice President that may have been appointed, in the absence or disability of the
President, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, in the
order of their seniority, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors
shall prescribe.
23
7. THE SECRETARY.
The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation and affix it to
any instrument when authorized by the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary (or in his absence,
an Assistant Secretary, but if neither is present another person selected by the Chairman
for the meeting) shall have the duty to record the proceedings of the meetings of the
stockholders and directors in a book to be kept for that purpose.
8. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER.
The Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer, unless the Board of Directors
shall elect another officer to be the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the care and
custody of the corporate funds, and other valuable effects, including securities, and
shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to
the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and
to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board
of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered
by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the
President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may
require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall
give the corporation a bond for such term, in such sum and with such surety or sureties
as shall be satisfactory to the Board for the faithful performance of the duties of his
office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation,
retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other
property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the
corporation.
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ARTICLE IV
CORPORATE SEAL
AND
CORPORATE BOOKS
The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
The books of the corporation may be kept within or without the State of Delaware, at
such place or places as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.
ARTICLE V
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change,
by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
Any person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason
of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise (including employee benefit plans) (hereinafter an indemnitee), shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by
the General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended
25
(but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits
the corporation to provide broader indemnification than permitted prior thereto), against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such action, suit
or proceeding, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such
conduct was unlawful. The termination of the proceeding, whether by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause
to believe such conduct was unlawful.
Any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including employee
benefit plans) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest
extent authorized by the General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be
amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment
permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification than permitted prior thereto),
against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
26
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court in which such suit
or action was brought, shall determine upon application, that despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court shall deem proper.
All reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the indemnitee in connection
with any suit, action or proceeding, may be advanced to the indemnitee by the
corporation.
The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses conferred in this
section shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, the certificate of incorporation, Bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
The Bylaws may be amended, added to, rescinded or repealed at any meeting of the
Board of Directors or of the stockholders, provided that notice of the proposed change
was given in the notice of the meeting.
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APPENDIX D
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
Delaware
PAGE 1
The First State
I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY
CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF
ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE THIRD DAY OF MARCH,
A.D. 2010, AT 1:12 OCLOCK P.M.
A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY
RECORDER OF DEEDS.
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4788860
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/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock |
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100240691 |
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Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of
State |
You may verify this certificate
online
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at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
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AUTHENTICATION:
7845551 DATE: 03-03-10 |
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State of Delaware |
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Secretary of State |
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Division of Corporations |
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Delivered 01:20 PM 03/03/2010 |
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FILED 01:12 PM 03/03/2010 |
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SRV 100240691 4788860
FILE |
ECLIPS MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,
RIGHTS AND
LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE
GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
The undersigned, Chief Executive Officer of EClips Media Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the Corporation) DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that the following resolutions were duly
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation by unanimous written consent on March 2,
2010;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is authorized within the limitations and restrictions
stated in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, to provide by resolution or
resolutions for the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.000l per
share, of the Corporation, in such series and with such designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions as the Corporations Board of Directors shall fix by resolution or resolutions
providing for the issuance thereof duly adopted by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its authority as
aforesaid, to authorize and fix the terms of a series of Preferred Stock and the number of
shares constituting such series;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
Section 1. Designation and Authorized Shares. The Corporation shall be
authorized to issue three million (3.000,000) shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value
$0.0001 per share (the Series A Preferred Stock).
Section 2.
Stated Value. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall have a
stated value of one-ten thousandth ($0.0001) of one cent (the Stated Value).
Section 3. Liquidation.
(a) Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the business of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive, for each share thereof, out of assets of the Corporation legally available therefor,
a preferential amount in cash equal to (and not more than) the Stated Value. All
preferential amounts to be paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock in connection with
such liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall be paid before the
payment or setting apart
for payment of any amount for, or the distribution of any assets of the Corporation to the
holders of (i) any other class or series of capital stock whose terms expressly provide that
the holders of Series A Preferred Stock should receive preferential payment with respect to
such distribution (to the extent of such preference) and (ii) the Corporations Common Stock. If upon any such
distribution the assets of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay the holders of the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (or the holders
of any class or series of capital
stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to distributions in the event of a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) the full amounts to which they shall
be entitled, such holders shall share ratably in any distribution of assets in accordance with
the sums which would be payable on such distribution if all sums payable thereon were paid in
full.
1
(b) Any distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, or any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, shall be made in cash to the extent
possible. Whenever any such distribution shall be paid in property other than cash, the value of
such distribution shall be the fair market value of such property as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Section 4.
Voting. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, each holder of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all
matters submitted to shareholders of the
Corporation and shall be entitled to two hundred and fifty
(250) votes for each share of Series A
Preferred Stock owned at the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on
such matter or, if no such record date is established, at the date
such vote is taken or any
written consent of shareholders is solicited. Except as otherwise required by law, the holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock on all
matters and shall not vote as a separate class.
Section 5.
Conversion.
(a) Conversion
Right. Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock may, from time to time, convert
any or all of such holders shares of Series A Preferred Stock into fully paid and nonassessable
shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to one (1) share of Common Stock for each one (1) share
of Series A Preferred Stock surrendered.
(b) Conversion
Procedure. In order to exercise the conversion privilege under Section 5, the
holder of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted shall give written notice to the
Corporation at its principal office that such holder elects to convert such shares of Series A
Preferred Stock or a specified portion thereof into shares of Common Stock as set forth in such
notice. At such time as the certificate or certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock
which has been converted are surrendered to the Corporation, the Corporation shall issue and
deliver a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock determined
pursuant to Section 5. In case of conversion under Section 5 of only a part of the shares of Series
A Preferred Stock represented by a certificate surrendered to the Corporation, the Corporation
shall issue and deliver a new certificate for the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
which have not been converted. Until such time as the certificate or certificates representing
Series A Preferred Stock which has been converted are surrendered to the Corporation and a
certificate or certificates representing the Common Stock into which such Series A Preferred Stock
has been converted have been issued and delivered, the certificate or certificates representing the
Series A Preferred Stock which have been converted shall represent the shares of Common Stock into
which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been
converted. The Corporation shall pay all
documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
of the Series A Preferred Stock.
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Section 6. Other Provisions.
(a) Reservation of Common Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve from its
authorized Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for conversion of all Series A
Preferred Stock from time to time outstanding.
(b) Record Holders. The Corporation and its transfer agent, if any, for the Series A Preferred
Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock as reflected
on the books and records of the Corporation as the sole true and lawful owner thereof for all
purposes, and neither the Corporation nor any such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice
to the contrary.
Section
7. Restriction and Limitations. Except as expressly provided herein or as
required by law so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the
Corporation shall not, without the vote or written consent of the holders of at least a majority of
the then outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, take any action which would adversely
and materially affect any of the preferences, limitations or relative rights of the Series A
Preferred Stock, including without limitation:
(A) Reduce the amount payable to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock upon the voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, or change the relative
seniority of the liquidation preferences of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock to the rights
upon liquidation of the holders of any other capital stock in the Corporation; or
(B) Cancel or modify adversely and materially the voting rights as provided in Section 4
herein.
Section 8. Certain Adjustments.
(a) Stock
Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while the Series A
Preferred Stock is outstanding: (A) shall pay a stock dividend or otherwise make a distribution or
distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities
payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of
Common Stock issued by the Corporation pursuant to the Series A Preferred Stock), (B) subdivide
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (C) combine (including by way of
reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or
(D) issue by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the
Corporations, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall receive such consideration as if such
number of shares of Series A Preferred if it had been, immediately prior to such foregoing dividend,
distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification, the holder of one share of Common
Stock. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section shall become effective immediately after the
record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution
and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in
the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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(b) Fundamental
Transaction. If, at any time while the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, (A)
the Corporation effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person,
(B) the Corporation effects any sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction
or a series of related transactions, (C) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the
Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted
to tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property, or (D) the Corporation
effects any reclassification of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which
the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property
(in any such case, a Fundamental Transaction), then, upon any subsequent conversion of
this Series A Preferred Stock, the Holders shall have the right to receive, for each Share of
Common Stock that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the
occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, the same kind and amount of securities, cash or
property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental
Transaction if it had been immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of one
share of Common Stock.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate this 2nd day of March 2010.
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ECLIPSE MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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By: |
/s/ Gregory D. Cohen
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Name: |
Gregory D. Cohen |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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4
APPENDIX E
FBCA SECTIONS 607.1301-607.1333
Dissent
and Appraisal Rights of the Florida Business Corporations Act
607.0101 Short title.This act shall be known and may be cited as the Florida Business
Corporation Act.
607.1301
Appraisal rights; definitions.The following definitions
apply to ss.
607.1302-607.1333:
(1) Affiliate means a person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person or is a senior executive
thereof. For purposes of s. 607.1302(2)(d), a person is deemed to be an affiliate of its senior
executives.
(2) Beneficial shareholder means a person who is the beneficial owner of shares held in a voting
trust or by a nominee on the beneficial owners behalf.
(3) Corporation
means the issuer of the shares held by a shareholder demanding appraisal and, for
matters covered in ss. 607.1322-607.1333, includes the surviving
entity in a merger.
(4) Fair value means the value of the corporations shares determined;
(a) Immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the shareholder
objects.
(b) Using customary and current valuation concepts and techniques generally employed for
similar businesses in the context of the transaction requiring
appraisal, excluding any
appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would
be inequitable to the corporation and its remaining shareholders.
(5) Interest means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of
payment, at the rate of interest on judgments in this state on the effective date of the corporate
action.
(6) Preferred shares means a class or series of shares the holders of which have preference over
any other class or series with respect to distributions.
(7) Record shareholder means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of
the corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee
certificate on file with the corporation.
(8) Senior executive means the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial
officer, or anyone in
charge of a principal business unit or function.
(9) Shareholder means both a record shareholder and a beneficial
shareholder.
607.1302 Right of shareholders to appraisal.
(1) A shareholder is entitled to appraisal rights, and to obtain payment of the fair value of that
shareholders shares, in the event of any of the following corporate actions:
(a) Consummation of a merger to which the corporation is a party if shareholder approval is
required for the merger by s. 607.1103 and the shareholder is entitled to vote on the merger
or if the corporation is a
subsidiary and the merger is governed by s. 607.1104;
(b) Consummation of a share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation
whose shares will be acquired if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the exchange, except
that appraisal rights shall not be available to any shareholder of the corporation with
respect to any class or series of shares of the corporation that is
not exchanged;
(c) Consummation of a disposition of assets pursuant to s. 607.1202 if the shareholder is
entitled to vote on the disposition, including a sale in dissolution but not including a
sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by
which all or
substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the
shareholders within 1 year after the date of sale;
(d) Any
other amendment to the articles of incorporation, merger, share exchange, or
disposition of assets to the extent provided by the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a
resolution of the board of directors, except that no bylaw or board resolution providing for
appraisal rights may be amended or otherwise altered except by shareholder approval; or
(e) With regard to a class of shares prescribed in the articles of incorporation prior to
October 1, 2003, including any shares within that class subsequently authorized by
amendment, any amendment of the articles of incorporation if the shareholder is entitled to
vote on the amendment and if such amendment would adversely affect such shareholder by:
1. Altering or abolishing any preemptive rights attached to any of his or her
shares;
2. Altering or abolishing the voting rights pertaining to any of his or her shares,
except as such rights may be affected by the voting rights of new shares then being
authorized of any existing or new class or series of shares;
3. Effecting an exchange, cancellation, or reclassification of any of his or her
shares, when such exchange, cancellation, or reclassification would alter or abolish
the shareholders voting rights or alter his or her percentage of equity in the
corporation, or effecting a reduction or cancellation of accrued dividends or
other arrearages in respect to such shares;
4. Reducing
the stated redemption price of any of the shareholders redeemable
shares, altering or abolishing any provision relating to any sinking fund for the
redemption or purchase of any of his or her shares or making any of his or her
shares subject to redemption when they are not otherwise redeemable;
5. Making
noncumulative, in whole or in part, dividends of any of the shareholders
preferred shares which had theretofore been cumulative;
6. Reducing
the stated dividend preference of any of the shareholders preferred
shares; or
7. Reducing
any stated preferential amount payable on any of the shareholders
preferred shares upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation.
(2) Notwithstanding
subsection (1), the availability of appraisal rights under paragraphs (1)(a),
(b), (c) and (d) shall be limited in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) Appraisal
rights shall not be available for the holders of shares of any class
or series of shares which is:
1. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; or
2. Not so
listed or designated, but has at least 2,000 shareholders and the
outstanding shares of such class or series have a market value of at least $10
million, exclusive of the value of such shares held by its subsidiaries, senior
executives, directors, and beneficial shareholders owning more than 10 percent of
such shares.
(b) The applicability of paragraph (a) shall be determined as of:
1. The record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice
of, and to vote at, the meeting of shareholders to act upon the corporate action
requiring appraisal rights; or
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2. If there will be no meeting of shareholders, the close of business on the day on which
the board of directors adopts the resolution recommending such corporate action.
(c) Paragraph
(a) shall not be applicable and appraisal rights shall be available pursuant to
subsection (1) for the holders of any class or series of shares
who are required by the terms of
the corporate action requiring appraisal rights to accept for such shares anything other than cash
or shares of any class or any series of shares of any corporation, or any other proprietary
interest of any other entity, that satisfies the standards set forth in paragraph (a) at the time
the corporate action becomes effective.
(d) Paragraph (a) shall not be applicable and appraisal rights shall be available pursuant to
subsection (1) for the holders of any class or series of shares
if;
1. Any of the shares or assets of the corporation are being acquired or converted, whether
by merger, share exchange, or otherwise, pursuant to the corporate action by a person, or by
an affiliate of a person, who:
a.
Is, or at any time in the 1-year period immediately preceding approval by the
board of directors of the corporate action requiring appraisal rights was, the
beneficial owner of 20 percent or more of the voting power of the corporation,
excluding any shares acquired pursuant to an offer for all shares having voting
power if such offer was made within 1 year prior to the corporate action requiring
appraisal rights for consideration of the same kind and of a value equal to or
less than that paid in connection with the corporate action; or
b. Directly or indirectly has, or at any time in the 1-year period immediately
preceding approval by the board of directors of the corporation of the corporate
action requiring appraisal rights had, the power, contractually or otherwise, to
cause the appointment or election of 25 percent or more of the directors to the
board of directors of the corporation; or
2. Any of the shares or assets of the corporation are being acquired or converted, whether
by merger, share exchange, or otherwise, pursuant to such corporate action by a person, or
by an affiliate of a person, who is, or at any time in the 1-year period immediately preceding
approval by the board of directors of the corporate action requiring appraisal rights was,
a senior executive or director of the corporation or a senior executive of any affiliate
thereof, and that senior executive or director will receive, as a result of the corporate
action, a financial benefit not generally available to other shareholders as such, other
than:
a. Employment, consulting, retirement, or similar benefits established separately
and not as part of or in contemplation of the corporate action;
b. Employment, consulting, retirement, or similar benefits established in
contemplation of, or as part of, the corporate action that are not more favorable
than those existing before the corporate action or, if more favorable, that have
been approved on behalf of the corporation in the same manner as is provided in s.
607.0832; or
c. In the case of a director of the corporation who will, in the corporate action,
become a director of the acquiring entity in the corporate action or one of its
affiliates, rights and benefits as a director that are provided on the same basis
as those afforded by the acquiring entity generally to other directors of such
entity or such affiliate.
(e) For the purposes of paragraph (d) only, the term beneficial owner means any person who,
directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, or understanding, other than a revocable
proxy, has or shares the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, shares, provided that a member
of a national securities exchange shall not be deemed
to be a beneficial owner of
securities held directly or indirectly by it on behalf of another person solely because such member
is the recordholder of such securities if the member is precluded by the rules of such exchange
from voting without instruction on contested matters or matters that may
affect substantially the rights or
privileges of the holders of the securities to be voted. When two
or more persons agree to act together for the purpose of voting their shares of the corporation,
each member of the group formed thereby shall be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership, as
of the date of such agreement, of all voting shares of the corporation beneficially owned by any
member of the group.
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(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the articles of incorporation as
originally filed or any amendment thereto may limit or eliminate appraisal rights for any class or
series of preferred shares, but any such limitation or elimination contained in an amendment to the
articles of incorporation that limits or eliminates appraisal rights for any of such shares that
are outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such amendment or that the corporation
is or may be required to issue or sell thereafter pursuant to any conversion, exchange, or other
right existing immediately before the effective date of such amendment shall not apply to any
corporate action that becomes effective within 1 year of that date if such action would otherwise
afford appraisal rights.
(4) A shareholder entitled to appraisal rights under this chapter may not challenge a completed
corporate action for which appraisal rights are available unless such
corporate action:
(a) Was not effectuated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section or
the corporations articles of incorporation, bylaws, or board of directors resolution
authorizing the corporate action; or
(b) Was procured as a result of fraud or material misrepresentation.
607.1303
Assertion of rights by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A record shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to fewer than all the shares
registered in the record shareholders name but owned by a beneficial shareholder only if
the record shareholder objects with respect to all shares of the class or series owned by
the beneficial shareholder and notifies the corporation in writing of the name and address
of each beneficial shareholder on whose behalf appraisal rights are
being asserted. The
rights of a record shareholder who asserts appraisal rights for only
part of the shares held of record in the record shareholders name
under this subsection shall be determined as if the shares as to
which the record shareholder objects and the record shareholders other shares were registered in the names of different
record shareholders.
(2) A beneficial shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to shares of any class or
series held on behalf of the shareholder only if such shareholder:
(a) Submits to the corporation the record shareholders written consent to the assertion
of such rights no later than the date referred to in s. 607.1322(2)(b)2.
(b) Does so with respect to all shares of the class or series that are beneficially owned
by the beneficial shareholder.
607.1320 Notice of appraisal rights.
(1) If proposed corporate action described in s. 607.1302(1) is to be submitted to a vote
at a shareholders meeting, the meeting notice must state that the corporation has
concluded that shareholders are, are not, or may be entitled to assert appraisal rights
under this chapter. If the corporation concludes that appraisal rights are or may be
available, a copy of ss. 607.1301-607.1333 must accompany the meeting notice sent to
those record shareholders entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
(2) In a merger pursuant to s. 607.1104, the parent corporation must notify in writing
all record shareholders of the subsidiary who are entitled to assert appraisal rights that
the corporate action became effective. Such notice must be sent within 10 days after the
corporate action became effective and include the materials described in s. 607.1322.
(3) If the proposed corporate action described in s. 607.1302(1) is to be approved other than
by a shareholders meeting the notice referred to in subsection (1) must be sent to all
shareholders at the time that consents are first solicited pursuant to s. 607.0704, whether or
not consents are solicited from all shareholders, and include the materials described in s.
607.1322.
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607.1321 Notice of intent to demand payment.
(1) If proposed corporate action requiring appraisal rights under s. 607.1302 is submitted to a
vote at a shareholders meeting, or is submitted to a shareholder pursuant to a consent vote under
s. 607.0704, a shareholder who wishes to assert appraisal rights with respect to any class or
series of shares:
(a) Must deliver to the corporation before the vote is taken, or within 20 days after receiving the
notice pursuant to s. 607.1320(3) if action is to be taken without a shareholder meeting, written
notice of the shareholders intent to demand payment if the proposed action is effectuated.
(b) Must not vote, or cause or permit to be voted, any shares of such class or series in favor of
the proposed action.
(2) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) is not entitled to
payment under this chapter.
607.1322 Appraisal notice and form.
(1) if proposed corporate action requiring appraisal rights under s. 607.1302(1) becomes effective,
the corporation must deliver a written appraisal notice and form required by paragraph (2)(a) to
all shareholders who satisfied the requirements of s. 607.1321. In the case of a merger under s.
607.1104, the parent must deliver a written appraisal notice and form to all record shareholders
who may be entitled to assert appraisal rights.
(2) The appraisal notice must be sent no earlier than the date the corporate action became
effective and no later than 10 days after such date and must:
(a) Supply a form that specifies the date that the corporate action became effective and that
provides for the shareholder to state:
1. The shareholders name and address.
2. The number, classes, and series of shares as to which the shareholder asserts appraisal rights.
3. That the shareholder did not vote for the transaction.
4. Whether the shareholder accepts the corporations offer as stated in subparagraph (b)4.
5. If the offer is not accepted, the shareholders estimated fair value of the shares and a
demand for payment of the shareholders estimated value plus interest.
(b) State:
1. Where the form must be sent and where certificates for certificated shares must be deposited
and the date by which those certificates must be deposited, which date may not be earlier than the
date for receiving the required form under subparagraph 2.
2. A date by which the corporation must receive the form, which date may not be fewer than 40 nor
more than 60 days after the date the subsection (1) appraisal notice and form are sent, and
state that the shareholder shall have waived the right to demand appraisal with respect to the
shares unless the form is received by the corporation by such specified date.
3. The corporations estimate of the fair value of the shares.
4. An offer to each shareholder who is entitled to appraisal rights to pay the corporations
estimate of fair value set forth in subparagraph 3.
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5. That, if requested in writing, the corporation will provide to the shareholder so requesting,
within 10 days after the date specified in subparagraph 2., the number of shareholders who return
the forms by the specified date and the total number of shares owned by them.
6. The date by which the notice to withdraw under s. 607.1323 must be received, which date must be
within 20 days after the date specified in subparagraph 2.
(c) Be accompanied by:
1. Financial statements of the corporation that issued the shares to be appraised, consisting of a
balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year ending not more than 15 months prior to the date of
the corporations appraisal notice, an income statement for that year, a cash flow statement for
that year, and the latest available interim financial statements, if any.
2. A copy of ss. 607.1301-607.1333.
607.1323 Perfection of rights; right to withdraw.
(1) A shareholder who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must execute and return the form received
pursuant to s. 607.1322(1) and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit the shareholders
certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice by the date referred to in the notice
pursuant to s. 607.1322(2)(b)2. Once a shareholder deposits that shareholders certificates or, in
the case of uncertificated shares, returns the executed forms, that shareholder loses all rights as
a shareholder, unless the shareholder withdraws pursuant to subsection (2).
(2) A shareholder who has complied with subsection (1) may nevertheless decline to exercise
appraisal rights and withdraw from the appraisal process by so notifying the corporation in writing
by the date set forth in the appraisal notice pursuant to s. 607.1322(2)(b)6. A shareholder who
fails to so withdraw from the appraisal process may not thereafter withdraw without the
corporations written consent.
(3) A shareholder who does not execute and return the form and, in the case of certificated shares,
deposit that shareholders share certificates if required, each by the date set forth in the notice
described in subsection (2), shall not be entitled to payment under this chapter.
607.1324 Shareholders acceptance of corporations offer.
(1) If the shareholder states on the form provided in s. 607.1322(1) that the shareholder accepts
the offer of the corporation to pay the corporations estimated fair value for the shares, the
corporation shall make such payment to the shareholder within 90 days after the corporations
receipt of the form from the shareholder.
(2) Upon payment of the agreed value, the shareholder shall cease to have any interest in the
shares.
607.1326 Procedure if shareholder is dissatisfied with offer.
(1) A shareholder who is dissatisfied with the corporations offer as set forth pursuant to
s. 607.1322(2)(b)4. must notify the corporation on the form provided
pursuant to s. 607.1322(1) of that
shareholders estimate of the fair value of the shares and demand payment of that estimate plus
interest.
(2) A shareholder who fails to notify the corporation in writing of that shareholders demand to be
paid the shareholders stated estimate of the fair value plus interest under subsection (1) within
the timeframe set forth in s. 607.1322(2)(b)2. waives the right to demand payment under this
section and shall be entitled only to the payment offered by the corporation pursuant to s.
607.1322(2)(b)4.
607.1330 Court action.
(1) If a shareholder makes demand for payment under s. 607.1326 which remains unsettled, the
corporation shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the payment demand and
petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the
corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, any shareholder who has made a demand pursuant to s. 607.1326 may commence the proceeding
in the name of the corporation.
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(2) The proceeding shall be commenced in the appropriate court of the county in which the
corporations principal office, or, if none, its registered
office, in this state is located. If
the corporation is a foreign corporation without a registered office in this state, the proceeding
shall be commenced in the county in this state in which the principal office or registered
office of the domestic corporation merged with the foreign corporation was located at the time of
the transaction.
(3) All shareholders, whether or not residents of this state, whose demands remain unsettled shall
be made parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares. The corporation shall serve
a copy of the initial pleading in such proceeding upon each shareholder party who is a resident of
this state in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons and complaint and upon each
nonresident shareholder party by registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by law.
(4) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection (2) is
plenary and exclusive. If it so elects, the court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to
receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers shall have
the powers described in the order appointing them or in any amendment to the order. The
shareholders demanding appraisal rights are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in
other civil proceedings. There shall be no right to a jury trial.
(5) Each shareholder made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment for the amount of the
fair value of such shareholders shares, plus interest, as found by the court.
(6) The corporation shall pay each such shareholder the amount found to be due within 10 days after
final determination of the proceedings. Upon payment of the judgment, the shareholder shall cease
to have any interest in the shares.
607.1331 Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) The court in an appraisal proceeding shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the
reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess
the costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess costs against all or some of
the shareholders demanding appraisal, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court
finds such shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the
rights provided by this chapter.
(2) The court in an appraisal proceeding may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and
experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) Against
the corporation and in favor of any or all shareholders demanding
appraisal if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with ss. 607.1320 and 607.1322; or
(b) Against either the corporation or a shareholder demanding appraisal, in favor of any other
party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the
rights provided by this
chapter.
(3) If the court in an appraisal proceeding finds that the services of counsel for any shareholder
were of substantial benefit to other shareholders similarly situated, and that the fees for those
services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to such counsel
reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the shareholders who were benefited.
(4) To the extent the corporation fails to make a required payment pursuant to s. 607.1324, the
shareholder may sue directly for the amount owed and, to the extent successful, shall be entitled
to recover from the corporation all costs and expenses of the suit, including counsel fees.
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607.1332 Disposition of acquired shares.
Shares
acquired by a corporation pursuant to payment of the agreed value
thereof or pursuant to
payment of the judgment entered therefor, as provided in this chapter, may be held and disposed of
by such corporation as authorized but unissued shares of the corporation, except that, in the case
of a merger or share exchange, they may be held and disposed of as the plan of merger or share
exchange otherwise provides. The shares of the surviving corporation into which the shares of such
shareholders demanding appraisal rights would have been converted had they assented to the merger
shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of the surviving corporation.
607.1333
Limitation on corporate payment.
(1) No payment shall be made to a shareholder seeking appraisal rights if, at the time of payment,
the corporation is unable to meet the distribution standards of s. 607.06401. In such event, the
shareholder shall, at the shareholders option:
(a) Withdraw his or her notice of intent to assert appraisal rights, which shall in such event be
deemed withdrawn with the consent of the corporation; or
(b) Retain
his or her status as a claimant against the corporation and, if it is liquidated, be
subordinated to the rights of creditors of the corporation, but have rights superior to the
shareholders not asserting appraisal rights, and if it is not liquidated, retain his or her right
to be paid for the shares, which right the corporation shall be obliged to satisfy when the
restrictions of this section do not apply.
(2) The shareholder shall exercise the option under paragraph (1)(a) or paragraph (b) by written
notice filed with the corporation within 30 days after the corporation has given written notice
that the payment for shares cannot be made because of the restrictions of this section. If the
shareholder fails to exercise the option, the shareholder shall be deemed to have withdrawn his or
her notice of intent to assert appraisal rights.
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