RETURNED
PROXY CARDS WHICH DO NOT PROVIDE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Proxies
that are signed and returned will be voted in the manner instructed by a
stockholder. If you sign and return your proxy card with no instructions, the
proxy will be voted "For" with respect to the item set forth in the
Proposal.
SHARES
HELD IN “STREET NAME”
If your
shares are held in “street name”, your broker can vote your shares only if you
provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker
to vote your shares in accordance with directions provided by your
broker.
CHANGING
YOUR VOTE
You may
revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting.
In order to do this, you must:
- send us
written notice, stating your desire to revoke your proxy,
- send us
a signed proxy that bears a later date than the one you intend to revoke,
or,
- attend
the Annual Meeting and vote in person. In this case, you must notify the
Inspector of Elections or Secretary of the Company that you intend to vote in
person.
A list of
those stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for
a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting for examination by any
stockholder at the Company's principal executive offices, 23901 Calabasas Road,
Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, and at the Annual Meeting.
Questions
and Additional Information
If you
have more questions about the Proposals or how to submit your proxy, or if
you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or
voting instructions, please call the Company’s Investor Relations or
Georgeson:
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Telephone:
(818) 222-9195
Georgeson
Inc.
199
Water Street
26
th Floor
New
York, New York 10038
Telephone:
(800) 506-7188
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MATTERS SUBJECT TO VOTE
Q.
|
What
is being voted on?
|
A.
|
The
following proposals are being voted
on:
|
The
election of directors for a new term.
The
ratification of the appointment of Kabani & Company to act as our auditor
for the year ending June 30, 2011
Approval of the
issuance of shares of common stock of the Company and the issuance of shares of
common stock upon the full exercise of warrants by investors who took place in a
private offering of common stock and warrants in July 2007.
Assuming
the stockholders approve this proposal, the Company may upon a full exercise of
the common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) by the holders thereof,
issue up to 4,032,276 shares of common stock
Q.
|
Why are we being asked to
approve the issuance of shares that have already been
issued?
|
A.
|
As
a NASDAQ listed Company, we are required to follow the NASDAQ listing
rules. One such rules is rule 5635(d)(2) which requires
stockholder approval when, in connection with a transaction
other than a public offering, a transaction involves the potential
issuance by the Company of common stock equal to 20% or more of the common
stock outstanding before the issuance. Stockholder approval was
not required at the closing of the Financing because the terms of the
Financing would not result in issuances equal to or more than
20%. We are contemplating an adjustment to the exercise price
of warrants issued in the Financing. With this adjustment, the
number of shares which could be acquired upon full exercise of the
warrants together with the shares issued in the Financing would exceed
20%, requiring stockholder approval in order to permit a full
exercise.
|
As of the
closing date of this Financing, there were 20,158,853 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding. In that Financing, a total of 1,515,151
shares of common stock and 757,575 warrants to purchase shares of common stock
were issued. As of the completion of the Financing in
October 2007, the total number of shares of common stock and shares of common
stock which could potentially be issued if the Warrants were exercised in full
represented 11.27% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common
stock. Accordingly, we were not required to seek shareholder
approval of this transaction at that time.
However,
the Warrant contains two provisions that are important to this
situation. The first provision does not permit the Company to issue
any shares in violation of NASDAQ rules. The second provides full
ratchet, anti-dilution protection to the Investors. Such protection
acts to adjust the exercise price of the Warrant and the number of shares
exercisable when the Company issues any securities at or below the then current
warrant exercise price. Over time, since 2007, the Warrant exercise
price has been adjusted down. Currently, the Warrant exercise price
is $.63 per share. At a $.63 per share exercise price, the total
shares that would be issued if the holders exercised all of the Warrants are
1,984,136. This together with the shares issued in 2007, would total
3,499,287 shares equaling 17.36% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Company at the time of the Financing. This is the current number of
shares that can be exercised without any shareholder approval.
In
December 2009, the Company and the investors in the Financing entered into a
waiver agreement (the “Waiver Agreement”) whereby the Company agreed to adjust
the Warrant exercise price to $.31 per share. This adjustment would
result in an adjustment of the total number of shares that could be issued if
exercised in full to 4,032,276. Together with the total number of
shares issued to the investors in the Financing the number of shares which may
be potentially issued if the Warrants were exercised in full by the holders will
exceed 19.99% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company as of June 29, 2007 and, specifically, would represent 27.51% of the
issued and outstanding shares at the time of the original closing in June
2007.
Even if
the stockholders do not approve the share issuances as set forth in this proxy,
the holders will still be entitled to acquire 1,984,136 shares of common stock
at the current exercise price of $.63 per share.
Q.
|
Why
are you adjusting the Warrant exercise price to $.31 per
share?
|
A.
|
We
are agreeing to an adjustment of the Warrant exercise price in order to
resolve an issue between the Company and the
Investors.
|
In April
through July 2009, the Company issued shares to its employees as part of a stock
purchase plan. The shares were issued at a discount from the
market price of the shares of common stock on the date the issuances were
authorized. As the shares were issued at a discount from market, the
issuance was deemed to be an employee stock purchase plan which required
shareholder approval prior to issuance according to NASDAQ Listing
Rules. As stockholder approval was not obtained for these issuances,
and in order to satisfy NASDAQ Listing Rules, the share prices were adjusted to
the market price on the day of each investor’s purchase. The revised
prices were in the range of $.44 to $.68 per share. The holders in
the Financing assert that they are entitled to anti-dilution protection for all
outstanding securities held by them based on the unadjusted price of the
issuances. They further assert that the raise was not an employee
purchase plan as defined in the Warrant and therefore anti-dilution protection
should be applied, not only to the Warrants but to all other adjustable
securities owned by them at the lowest, non-adjusted price of $.20 per
share. The Company asserts that as the raise was conceded to be an
employee stock purchase, the anti-dilution protection does not
apply.
The
Waiver Agreement constitutes a compromise of this issue. In this
agreement, the investors agree to waive the application of the anti-dilution
provisions as it is related to the employee stock purchase as to all adjustable
securities in exchange for an adjustment of the exercise price of the Warrants
only to $.31 per share and correspondingly the proportionate upward adjustment
in the number of shares that could be exercised. This upward adjustment is
required by the full ratchet anti-dilution protection of the
Warrant. With this adjustment, the total number of shares that would
be issuable if the Warrants were exercised in full at the $.31 exercise price is
4,032,276.
This
Waiver Agreement is effective to resolve the issue if and only if the Company
seeks and acquires stockholder approval of the Financing issuances so that the
Warrants can be exercised in full based on this newly adjusted
price. Should the stockholders fail to approve this issuance the
price adjustment will not occur, and the Waiver Agreement will no longer be
effective as a resolution of the anti-dilution issue. The Company and
the investors will continue to disagree as to the applicability of the
anti-dilution provisions to all of the securities held by the Investor which
contain anti-dilution provisions and not just the Warrants.
The
Waiver Agreement is an effort to resolve this disagreement with its investor and
avoid additional costs associated with alternative resolutions or the holders
seeking other recourse.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES
BOARD
MEETINGS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company
met or acted by written consent two times with 100 % attendance by all
directors. The Company requests that all board members attend annual
meetings of the board. All but one member was present at the last
annual meeting of the board.
The Board
of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee,
and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The charters for
the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are
posted on the Company’s web site at www.netsoltech.com
(select “About Us” then “Corporate Governance” and finally, the desired
committee charter). All committee members are appointed by the Board
of Directors. The Audit Committee met four times, the Compensation
Committee met two times, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
also met twice during fiscal year 2009.
Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs.
Burki (Chairman), Beckert, Shakow and Caton, all of whom are independent within
the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (“34 Act”). The Audit Committee met
four times during fiscal 2009. The Audit Committee was established by
the Board for the purpose of overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial
reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements and
reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the
Company to any governmental body or the public and the Company’s systems of
internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethics.
Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) serve as an independent and
objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process, audits of
the Company’s financial statements, and the Company’s internal control system
and (ii) appoint from time to time, evaluate, and, when appropriate, replace the
registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or
issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services
for the Company, determine the compensation of such “outside auditors” and the
other terms of their engagement, and oversee the work of the outside auditors.
The Company’s outside auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee is also charged with establishing procedures for the receipt,
retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and the
confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns
regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with
management and Kabani & Company, the Company’s independent auditors.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity
of NetSol’s financial statements; accounting and financial reporting
principles; establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(f)); evaluating the effectiveness of disclosure controls and
procedures; evaluating the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting; and evaluating any change in internal control over financial
reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, internal control over financial reporting. Kabani & Company is
responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial
statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial
statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, as well as expressing an opinion on (i) management’s assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and (ii) the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit
Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended,
“Communication with Audit Committees” and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2,
“An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction
with an Audit of Financial Statements.” In addition, Kabani & Company has
provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter
required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended,
“Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” and the Audit Committee has
discussed with Kabani & Company their firm’s independence.
Based on
the discussions above, the Audit Committee recommended that the financial
statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing
with the Commission.
Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Caton (Chairman), Shakow, Beckert
and Burki all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing
standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. The Compensation Committee met
twice during the 2009 fiscal year. The primary function of the Compensation
Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities
relating to officer and director compensation. Its primary duties and
responsibilities are to: (i) oversee the development and implementation of the
compensation policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the Company’s
executive officers and outside directors; (ii) review and determine the
compensation of the executive officers of the Company; and (iii) oversee the
selection and performance of the Company’s executive officers and succession
planning for key members of the Company’s management. The Compensation
Committee’s report is included below under “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis”.
Nominating & Corporate Governance
Committee. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is
comprised of Messrs. Beckert (Chairman), Burki, Caton and Shakow all of whom are
independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b)
under the 34 Act. Mr. Beckert is the Chairperson for the
Committee. This Committee met twice during the 2009 fiscal year. The
primary function of the Nominating Committee is to assist the Board in
fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to Board and committee membership
and shareholder proposals. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to:
(i) establish criteria for Board and committee membership and recommend to
the Board proposed nominees for election to the Board; and (ii) make
recommendations regarding proposals and nominees for director submitted by
stockholders of the Company.
The
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees
recommended by stockholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person or
persons for consideration as a Company nominee for election to the Board of
Directors must send a written notice by mail to: Corporate Secretary, NetSol
Technologies, Inc., 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA, 91302 by
fax to: 818-222-9197, that sets forth (i) the name of each person whom the
shareholder recommends be considered as a nominee; (ii) a business address and
telephone number for each nominee (an e-mail address may also be included) and
(iii) biographical information regarding such person, including the person’s
employment and other relevant experience. Shareholder considerations will only
be considered if delivered or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Company not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred
and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding
annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that in
the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within sixty
(60) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the Stockholder in
order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on
the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual
meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting
was made, which ever first occurs.
The
Company’s nominating committee recommends that a nominee for a position on the
Company’s Board of Directors meet the following minimum
qualifications:
● He or
she must be over 21 years of age;
● He or
she must be able to read and understand basic financial statements;
● He or
she must have experience in a position with a high degree of responsibility in a
business or other organization;
● He or
she must possess integrity and have high moral character
● He or
she must be willing to apply sound, independent business judgment;
and,
● He or
she must have sufficient time to devote to the Company.
The
Company’s nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee by considering
whether the potential nominee meets the minimum qualifications described above,
as well as by considering the following factors:
●
whether the potential nominee has leadership, strategic, or policy setting
experience in a complex organization, including any scientific, governmental,
educational, or other non-profit organization;
●
whether the potential nominee has experience and expertise that is relevant to
the Company’s business, including any specialized business experience, technical
expertise, or other specialized skills, and whether the potential nominee has
knowledge regarding issues affecting the Company;
●
whether the potential nominee is highly accomplished in his or her respective
field;
●
in light of the relationship of the Company’s business to the field of
technology, whether the potential nominee has received any awards or honors in
the fields of technology or engineering and whether he or she is recognized as a
leader in that field;
●
whether the addition of the potential nominee to the Board of Directors would
assist the Board of Directors in achieving a mix of Board members that
represents a diversity of background and experience, including diversity with
respect to age, gender, national origin, race, and competencies;
●
whether the potential nominee has high ethical character and a reputation for
honesty, integrity, and sound business judgment;
●
whether the potential nominee can work collegially with others;
●
whether the potential nominee is independent, as defined by NASDAQ listing
standards, whether he or she is free of any conflict of interest or the
appearance of any conflict of interest with the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders, and whether he or she is willing and able to represent the
interests of all stockholders of the Company; and
●
Any factor which would prohibit the potential nominee to devote sufficient time
to its business.
In
addition, with respect to an incumbent director whom the nominating committee is
considering as a potential nominee for re-election, the Company’s nominating
committee reviews and considers the incumbent director’s service to the Company
during his or her term, including the number of meetings attended, level of
participation, and overall contribution to the Company. The manner in which the
nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee will not differ based on
whether the potential nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the
Company.
The
Company did not pay any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist
in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director at the fiscal year
2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Company did not receive, by December
26, 2009 (the 120th
calendar day before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s 2009
proxy statement), any recommended nominee from a shareholder who beneficially
owns more than 5% of the Company’s stock or from a group of stockholders who
beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Company’s
stock.
DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Our board
of directors has determined that: Eugen Beckert, Shahid Javed Burki, Mark Caton
and Alexander Shakow are independent in accordance with Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ
listing standards and, that Najeeb Ghauri, Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri are not
independent in accordance with Rule 5605(a)(2)(A) and (B) of the NASDAQ listing
standards due to their employment with the Company and their family
relationship.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During
fiscal year 2009, there were no material transactions between NetSol, any
director or executive officer of the Company, or any security holder known to
hold more than five percent (5%) of our common stock (a “5%
Holder”).
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Director
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors
and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation
policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, other than Najeeb Ghauri,
Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri who are executives and directors.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR PAID
IN CASH
($)
|
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
($) (1)
|
|
|
TOTAL
($)
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
Mark
Caton
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
Alexander
Shakow
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
(1)
|
There
were no options awarded during fiscal year ended June 30,
2009
|
|
(2)
|
The
board of directors voluntarily accepted a reduction of their fees by 15%
effective April 1, 2009.
|
Director
Compensation Policy
Only
independent directors receive any fees or other compensation for services as
members of our Board of Directors.
The
non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for
services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of
Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts to
members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2009.
BOARD ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Board
Member Fee
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Committee
Membership
|
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Audit Committee
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Compensation Committee
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
Members
of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option or stock
award grants both upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in
line with recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are
non-qualified stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from
time to time, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to
receive stock grants that may be granted from the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and
otherwise if and only if approved by the stockholders of the
Company.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman),
Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki and Mr. Shakow. During the fiscal year ended June 30,
2009, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was
Mr. Beckert. There were no other members of the committee
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. All current members of the
Compensation Committee are "independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ
Listing Rules. None of these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2009, or at any other time, an officer or employee of the
Company.
No
executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS
BETWEEN STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board
provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board or any
of the Directors. Stockholders may send written communications to the Board or
any one or more of the individual Directors by mail to: NetSol Technologies,
Inc., Attention Corporate Secretary, 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072,
Calabasas, CA 91302, or via fax to: 818-222-9197. Such communications will be
reviewed by our Secretary, who shall remove communications relating to
solicitations, junk mail, customer service concerns and the like. All other
shareholder communications shall be promptly forwarded to the applicable
member(s) of our board of directors or to the entire board of directors, as
requested in the shareholder communication.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s
employees, including but not limited to the Company’s chief executive officer
and principal financial and accounting officers and controller. The Company’s
Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s web site at www.netsoltech.com
(Select “About Us,” then “Corporate Governance”, and “Code of Ethics Adopted
July 2, 2004”).
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock, its only class of outstanding voting
securities as of February 22, 2010 was 35,506,277, by (i) each person who is
known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common
Stock with the address of each such person, (ii) each of the Company's present
directors and officers, and (iii) all officers and directors as a
group:
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Name
and
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
Beneficially
|
|
Address
|
|
Shares(1)(2)
|
|
|
owned(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
3,820,573
|
|
|
|
10.76 |
% |
Naeem
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
2,819,303
|
|
|
|
7.94 |
% |
Salim
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
2,828,159
|
|
|
|
7.96 |
% |
Eugen
Beckert (3)
|
|
|
258,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Shahid
Javed Burki (3)
|
|
|
274,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Mark
Caton (3)
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alexander
Shakow (3)
|
|
|
35,273 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Patti
McGlasson (3)
|
|
|
155,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Boo-Ali
Siddiqui (3)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd.(5)(6)
|
|
|
3,822,192 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
% |
Newland
Capital Management LLC(7)
|
|
|
3,405,414
|
|
|
|
9.6 |
% |
All
officers and directors as a group (nine persons)
|
|
|
10,254,708
|
|
|
|
28.88 |
% |
* Less
than one percent
(1) Except
as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the
common stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have
sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to
community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
generally includes voting or investment power with respect to
securities.
(2) Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and
generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares
of common stock relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days of February 5, 2010, are deemed outstanding
for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not
deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as
indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable,
the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes shares
issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, as follows: Mr.
Najeeb Ghauri, 2,549,227; Mr. Naeem Ghauri, 2,440,527; Mr. Salim Ghauri,
2,407,691; Mr. Eugen Beckert, 135,000; Mr. Shahid Burki, 150,000; and Ms. Patti
McGlasson, 110,000.
(3) Address
c/o NetSol Technologies, Inc. at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA
91302.
(4) Shares
issued and outstanding as of February 5, 2010 were 35,436,277.
(5) Address: The
Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Bahamas) Ltd., Windermere House, 404 East Bay
Street, P.O. Box SS-5539, Nassau, Bahamas. Tail Wind Advisory &
Management Ltd., a UK corporation authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority of Great Britain (“TWAM”), is the investment manager for The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd., and David Crook is the CEO and controlling shareholder of
TWAM. Each of TWAM and David Crook expressly disclaims any equitable or
beneficial ownership of the shares being referred to hereunder and held by The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd.
(6)
Subject to the Ownership Limitation (defined below) and as reported in their
Form 13G/A filed February 12, 2010, The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (“Tail Wind”) may be
deemed to beneficially own a total of 7,355,432 shares of Common Stock,
including: 650,467 shares of Common Stock held by Tail Wind;
12,854,143 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of $1,800,000 in
principal amount of NetSol’s Convertible Notes due July 10, 2010
(“2009 Notes”) issued to TWF at a conversion price of $0.63 (without any
interest accrual), 793,650 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
warrants issued to TWF on June 29, 2007, 793,650 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of warrants issued to TWF on October 29, 2007, and 2,260,522
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of $1,424,128.86 in principal
amount of NetSol’s Convertible Notes due July 31, 2011 issued to Tail Wind on
July 23, 2008 at a conversion of $.63 (without any interest
accrual).
Subject
to the ownership limitation, TWAM may be deemed to beneficially own a total of
7,988,807 shares of Common Stock (the “TWAM Shares”), including the Tail Wind
shares, which it may be deemed to beneficially own in its capacity as the
investment manager for Tail Wind, and 876,192 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of $633,375 in principal amount of NetSol’s Convertible Notes
due July 31, 2011 issued to TWAM on July 23, 20008 at a conversion price of
$0.63 (without any interest accrual).
In
accordance with Rule 13d-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, because the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Reporting
Person's Notes, and Warrants are convertible and exercisable is
limited, pursuant to the terms of such instruments, to that number of shares of
Common Stock which would result in the Reporting Person having beneficial
ownership of 9.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
(the "Ownership Limitation"), Tail Wind disclaims beneficial ownership of any
and all shares of Common Stock that would cause Tail Wind's beneficial ownership
to exceed the Ownership Limitation. In accordance with the Ownership
Limitation, Tail Wind, based upon 35,436,277 shares of common stock outstanding
(as of February 5, 2010), Tail Wind beneficially owns 3,822,192 shares of Common
Stock and disclaims beneficial ownership of 3,533,240 and TWAM disclaims
beneficial ownership of 4,166,615 shares of Common Stock.
(7)
Pursuant to a form 13G/A filed on February 16, 2010 and relying upon the
authenticity of the information contained therein, the following persons have
shared voting power over 3,405,414 shares of common stock of the
Company: Newland Capital Management, LLC (as to 3,405,414 shares),
Newland Master Fund, Ltd. (as to 3,405,414), Newland Offshore Fund, Ltd. (as to
2,904,818 shares), Ken Brodkowitz (as to 3,405,414 shares) and Michael Vermut
(as to 3,405,414 shares). Newland Capital Management, LLC, Ken
Brodkowitz and Michael Vermut with addresses c/o Newland Capital
Management LLC, 350 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor,
New York, New York, 10017; Newland Master Fund, Ltd. and Newland Offshore Fund,
Ltd., addresses are c/o Goldman Sachs (CAYMAN) Trust, Limited, P.O. Box 896,
Gardenia Court, Suite 3307, 45 Market St., Camana Bay, Cayman Islands
KY1-1103.
PROPOSAL
NO. ONE
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company is authorized to have up to nine
directors, and that stockholders will elect the directors of the Company at each
annual meeting. Directors are elected to serve a one-year term. Directors being
elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until the Company's next annual meeting
of stockholders, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors does not contemplate that any of the persons it will
nominate will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director. However, if that
should occur, the Board of Directors reserves the right to name a substitute
nominee at the Annual Meeting and persons named as nominees may exercise their
discretion to vote for such nominee.
The board
is currently comprised of seven members. All of the seven members are standing
for re-election.
Each
nominee who receives a majority of affirmative votes of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote for them, a quorum being
present, shall be elected as directors. Only votes cast for a nominee will be
counted, except that the accompanying proxy will be voted for all nominees in
the absence of instruction to the contrary. Abstentions, broker non-votes and
instructions on the accompanying proxy to withhold authority to vote for one or
more nominees will result in the respective nominees receiving fewer votes.
However, the number of votes otherwise received by the nominee will not be
reduced by such action.
INFORMATION
REGARDING NOMINEES
All
nominees have consented to serve if elected, but if any becomes unable to serve,
the persons named as proxies may exercise their discretion to vote for a
substitute nominee. The stockholders have previously elected all director
candidates. The name, age, business experience and offices held by
each director nominee are as follows:
Name and Age
|
|
Director Since
|
|
Current Position with the
Company
|
Najeeb
U. Ghauri (55)
|
|
1997
|
|
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer, Director
|
Naeem
Ghauri (52)
|
|
1999
|
|
President,
Director
|
Salim
Ghauri (54)
|
|
1999
|
|
President,
Director
|
Eugen
Beckert (63)
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Shahid
Burki (71)
|
|
2003
|
|
Director
|
Mark
Caton (60)
|
|
2007
|
|
Director
|
Alexander
Shakow (72)
|
|
2007
|
|
Director
|
NAJEEB U.
GHAURI is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NetSol. He has
been a Director of the Company since 1997, Chairman since 2003 and Chief
Executive Officer since October 2006. Mr. Ghauri is the founder of
NetSol Technologies, Inc. He was responsible for NetSol listing on
NASDAQ in 1999, the NetSol subsidiary listing on KSE (Karachi Stock
Exchange) in 2005, and the NetSol listing on the Nasdaq Dubai exchange in 2008.
Mr. Ghauri served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to
2001 and as the Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2005. As CEO,
Mr. Ghauri is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Company,
as well as the Company's overall growth and expansion plan. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was part of the marketing team of Atlantic
Richfield Company (ARCO) (now acquired by BP), a Fortune 500 company, from
1987-1997. Prior to ARCO, he spent nearly five years with Unilever as brand and
sales managers. Mr. Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in
Management/Economics from Eastern Illinois University in 1979, and his M.B.A. in
Marketing Management from Claremont Graduate School in California in
1981. Mr. Ghauri was elected Vice Chairman of US Pakistan
Business Council in 2006, a Washington D.C. based council of US Chamber of
Commerce. He is also very active in several philanthropic activities in emerging
markets and is a founding director of Pakistan Human Development Fund, a
non-profit organization, a partnership with UNDP to promote literacy, health
services and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. Mr. Ghauri has participated in
NASDAQ opening and/or closing bell ceremonies in 2006, 2008 and
2009.
SALIM
GHAURI has been with the Company since 1999 as the President and Director of the
Company. Mr. Ghauri is currently the Chairman and CEO of NetSol Technologies
Limited and President of the Asia Pacific Region and CEO of Global Services
Group. Mr. Ghauri was the founder of Network Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd. in
1995, Later NetSol Technologies (Pvt.) Limited. Under his leadership,
NetSol gradually built a strong team of IT professionals and infrastructure in
Pakistan and became the first software house in Pakistan certified as ISO 9001
and CMMi Level 5 assessed. Under his leadership, NetSol PK has become the
leading IT company and is known as an IT Icon in the region. Mr.
Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from
University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. Before NetSol Technologies Ltd., Mr.
Ghauri was employed with BHP in Sydney, Australia from 1987-1995, where he
commenced his employment as a consultant. Mr. Ghauri was
appointed in 2007 as an Honorary Consul for Australia-Punjab
Region.
NAEEM
GHAURI has been a Director of the Company since 1999 and was the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer from August 2001 to October 2006. Mr. Ghauri serves as the
Managing Director of NetSol (UK) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
located in London, England. He is also the director of the Global Sales group.
While instrumental in numerous transactions, his most significant contribution
to the revenue of the Company was his role in closing the TiG NetSol Joint
Venture in 2005. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was Project
Director for Mercedes-Benz Finance Ltd., from 1994-1999. Mr. Ghauri supervised
over 200 project managers, developers, analysis and users in nine European
Countries. Mr. Ghauri earned his degree in Computer Science from Brighton
University, England. Mr. Ghauri serves on the board of NetSol
Technologies Europe, Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company.
EUGEN
BECKERT was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2001. A native of
Germany, Mr. Beckert received his masters in Engineering and Economics from
the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. Mr. Beckert was with Mercedes-Benz
AG/Daimler Benz AG from 1973, working in technology and systems development. In
1992, he was appointed director of Global IT (CIO) for Debis Financial Services,
the services division of Daimler Benz. From 1996 to 2000, he acted as director
of Processes and Systems (CIO) for Financial Services of DaimlerChrysler Asia
Pacific Services. During this period he was instrumental to having
the LeaseSoft products of NetSol developed and introduced in several countries
as a pilot customer. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Vice President in the
Japanese company of DCS. Mr. Beckert retired from DaimlerChrysler in
November 2006. Mr. Beckert is chairman of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit and Compensation
Committees.
SHAHID
JAVED BURKI was appointed to the Board of Directors in February
2003. Before joining the World Bank in 1974 he was a member of the
Civil Service of Pakistan. He had a distinguished career with the World Bank
from 1974 to 1999 where he held a number of senior positions including Chief of
Policy Planning (1974-1981); Director of International Relations Department
(1981-87); Director of China Department (1987-94); and Vice President of Latin
America and the Caribbean Region (1994-99). Upon taking early retirement from
the Bank, he took up the position of Chief Executive Officer of EMP Financial
Advisors, a consulting company linked with the Washington based EMP Global, a
private equity firm and worked there until 2005. He is currently Chairman the
Institute of Public Policy, a think tank associated with the Beaconhouse
National University, Lahore, Pakistan. He also spends some time each year as
Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies,
National Singapore University. In 1996-97 he took leave of absence from the
World Bank to take up the position of Finance Minister of Pakistan. Mr. Burki
was educated at Government College, Lahore from where he received M.Sc. in
Physics; at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar from where he received M.A.
(Hons) in Economics; at Harvard University as a Mason Fellow from where he
received M.P.A. and also studied for Ph.D. in Economics (not completed). In
1997, he received a Diploma in Advanced Management from Harvard University’s
Business School. Mr. Burki has authored several books and articles on
development issues including Study of Chinese Communes
(Harvard University Press, 1969); Pakistan Under Bhutto (Macmillan, 1990); Changing Perceptions, Altered
Reality: Pakistan’s Economy Under Musharraf, 1999-2006 (Oxford University
Press, 2007). He is currently working on a book, Changing Asia to be published
later this year by Routledge, London. Mr. Burki is a chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees.
MARK
CATON joined the board of directors in 2007. Mr. Caton is currently
President of Centela Systems, Inc. a distributor of computer peripheral
solutions in the multimedia and digital electronic market segment, a position he
has held since 2003. Prior to joining Centela, Mr. Caton was President of NetSol
Technologies USA, responsible for US sales, from June 2002 to December 2003. Mr.
Caton was employed by ePlus from 1997 to 2002 as Senior Account Representative.
He was a member of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors and served on
the Board of Directors of NetSol from 2002-2003. Mr. Caton is a Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees. Mr.
Caton received his BA from UCLA in psychology in 1971.
ALEXANDER
SHAKOW was elected to the board on June 4, 2007. Mr. Shakow had a
distinguished career with the World Bank where he held various high level
positions from 1981-2002. Since 2002, he has been an independent
consultant for various international organizations. From 1968-1981
Mr. Shakow held many senior positions at the United States Agency for
International Development, including Assistant Administrator for Program and
Policy; Director -Office of Development Planning, Bureau for
Asia; and, Director-Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore Affairs. Mr. Shakow
was also a staff member of the United States Peace Corps from
1963-1968, including Director for Indonesia. Mr. Shakow received his PhD
from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1962. He
earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Swarthmore College in
1958. Mr. Shakow is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World
and Who’s Who in
Finance and Business. Mr. Shakow is a member of the Audit,
Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.
No
Arrangements of Understandings
There are
no arrangements or understandings between any nominee for director and any other
person(s) pursuant to which such nominee was or is to be selected as a director
or nominee.
Vote
Required
The
election of each director nominee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the votes cast in the election of directors.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE.
PROPOSAL
NO. TWO
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY, INC.
AS
THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
The Audit
Committee along with the Board of Directors has appointed Kabani & Company,
Inc. (“Kabani”) as independent auditors of the Company with respect
to its operations for fiscal year 2010, and has further directed that management
submit such appointment for ratification by the holders of the Common Stock at
the annual meeting of Stockholders. In taking this action, the members of the
Audit Committee along with the Board considered carefully Kabani’s reputation in
providing accounting services to other public and private companies in the
software and retail industries, its independence with respect to the services to
be performed, its general reputation for adherence to professional auditing
standards and the performance of Kabani during the audit of the Company's
consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002 through current.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Kabani as the Company's independent auditors is
not required by the Company's Bylaws or otherwise. The Board, however, is
submitting the selection of Kabani to the stockholders for ratification as a
matter of good corporate practice. Therefore, there will be present at the
Annual Meeting a proposal for the ratification of this appointment, which the
Board of Directors believes is advisable and in the best interests of the
stockholders. If the appointment of Kabani is not ratified, the Board of
Directors will consider the matter of the appointment of independent public
accountants.
Audit Fees
Kabani
& Co. audited the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008. The aggregate fees billed by
Kabani & Co. for the annual audit and review of financial statements
included in the Company’s Form 10 (or 10-KSB in the case of the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2008) or services that are normally provided by Kabani &
Company that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the year ended June 30, 2009
was $112,500 and for the year ended June 30, 2008 was $120,000.
Audit Related
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Co. during fiscal 2009 including
assurance and related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph was
$7,500. These “Audit Related Fees” were primarily for services in connection
with the review of quarterly financial statements. The aggregate fees billed by
Kabani & Company during fiscal 2008 including assurance and related audit
services not covered in the preceding paragraph was $37,500. These
“Audit Related Fees” were primarily for services in connection with the review
of quarterly financial statements.
Tax Fees
Tax fees
for fiscal year 2009 were $12,500 and consisted of the preparation of the
Company’s federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years
2008. Tax fees for fiscal year 2008 were $4,500 and consisted of the
preparation of the Company’s federal and state tax returns for the fiscal year
2007.
All Other Fees
There
were no other fees billed by Kabani & Co. or services rendered to
NetSol during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, other than as
described above.
Pre-Approval
Procedures
The Audit
Committee and the Board of Directors are responsible for the engagement of the
independent auditors and for approving, in advance, all auditing services and
permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The
Audit Committee maintains a policy for the engagement of the independent
auditors that is intended to maintain the independent auditor’s independence
from NetSol. In adopting the policy, the Audit Committee considered the various
services that the independent auditors have historically performed or may be
needed to perform in the future. The policy, which is to be reviewed and
re-adopted at least annually by the Audit Committee:
|
(i)
|
Approves the performance by the
independent auditors of certain types of service (principally
audit-related and tax), subject to restrictions in some cases, based on
the Committee’s determination that this would not be likely to impair the
independent auditors’ independence from
NetSol;
|
|
(ii)
|
Requires that management obtain
the specific prior approval of the Audit Committee for each engagement of
the independent auditors to perform other types of permitted services;
and,
|
|
(iii)
|
Prohibits the performance by the
independent auditors of certain types of services due to the likelihood
that their independence would be
impaired.
|
Any approval required under the policy
must be given by the Audit Committee, by the Chairman of the Committee in office
at the time, or by any other Committee member to whom the Committee has
delegated that authority. The Audit Committee does not delegate its
responsibilities to approve services performed by the independent auditors to
any member of management.
The standard applied by the Audit
Committee in determining whether to grant approval of an engagement of the
independent auditors is whether the services to be performed, the compensation
to be paid therefore and other related factors are consistent with the
independent auditors’ independence under guidelines of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and applicable professional standards. Relevant
considerations include, but are not limited to, whether the work product is
likely to be subject to, or implicated in, audit procedures during the audit of
NetSol’s financial statements; whether the independent auditors would be
functioning in the role of management or in an advocacy role; whether
performance of the service by the independent auditors would enhance NetSol’s
ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality; whether performance
of the service by the independent auditors would increase efficiency because of
their familiarity with NetSol’s business, personnel, culture, systems, risk
profile and other factors; and whether the amount of fees involved, or the
proportion of the total fees payable to the independent auditors in the period
that is for tax and other non-audit services, would tend to reduce the
independent auditors’ ability to exercise independent judgment in performing the
audit.
Vote
Required
An
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is
required for ratification of KABANI & COMPANY, INC. as our independent
accountants for the year ending June 30, 2010.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KABANI
& COMPANY, INC. AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL YEAR
2010.
PROPOSAL
NO. THREE
APPROVAL
OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY
AND
THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE FULL EXERCISE OF WARRANTS BY
INVESTORS WHO TOOK PLACE IN A PRIVATE OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS IN
2007
The
discussion in this proxy statement of the terms of the financing dated June 29,
2007, by and between the Company and the investors is contained in the Common
Stock and Warrant Agreement, the Common Stock Purchase Warrant and, the Investor
Rights Agreement (collectively referred to as the “Financing
Documents”). A copy of the form of the Financing Documents is
attached as Annex A-C to this proxy statement and is incorporated into this
proxy statement by reference. The Waiver Agreement is attached as Annex D to
this proxy statement and is incorporated into this proxy statement by this
reference. While we do not believe that this information is material
for the exercise of prudent judgment in regards to this matter, in that the
matter involves the authorization or issuance of common stock only, to assist
you with your understanding, we are incorporating by reference our financial
statements for the year ended June 30, 2009 and the quarter ended December 31,
2009. The annual report on form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2009
is being provided to you with this proxy.
Introduction
The
purpose of this Proposal is to obtain the stockholder approval necessary under
applicable NASDAQ Listing Rules to allow for the full issuance and exercise of:
(i) shares of Common Stock and, (ii) shares of Common Stock upon the full
exercise of the Warrants issued by the Company to the investors in the Financing
based on an adjusted Warrant exercise price of $.31 per share. In the
event that stockholder approval of this proposal is not acquired, the Warrants’
exercise price will remain at $.63 per share (per its anti-dilution provisions)
and the investors will be able to exercise only those number of shares which,
when taken with the number of shares of common stock issued in connection with
the Financing will not result in a violation of NASDAQ Listing
Rules. Additionally, if stockholder approval of this proposal is not
acquired, the waiver agreement entered into by and between the investors and the
Company dated December 14, 2009 (the “Waiver Agreement”) which is designed to
resolve a disagreement as to the applicability of certain anti-dilution
provisions to employee purchases made in 2009, will no longer operate to resolve
the disagreement.
Description
of the Financing
On June
22, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with The Tail Wind Fund Ltd.,
and Solomon Strategic Holdings, Inc. (the “Investors”) whereby the Company was
prepared to issue 1,515,151 shares of common stock and common stock purchase
warrants to purchase 757,575 shares of common stock (the “Warrants”) in exchange
for $2,500,000 (the “Financing”). The units of common stock and
Warrants were sold at the price of $1.65 per share. The initial
exercise price of the Warrants was $1.65 per share. The initial
tranche of 757,575 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 378,787shares
of common stock were issued at the initial closing on June 29,
2007. The provisions of the common stock and warrant purchase
agreement provides that the Investors could purchase an additional 757,575
shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 378,787 shares of common stock
at the same price provided that such determination was made within 6 months of
the closing of the stock purchase agreement or by no later than December 31,
2007. On or about October 18, 2007, both investors elected to acquire
the additional shares and warrants. The total shares issued in
connection with this Financing were 1,515,151 shares together with warrants to
purchase 757,575 shares of common stock at the initial exercise price of $1.65
per share.
The
Warrant contains a full ratchet anti-dilution provision which provides that the
exercise price of the Warrants will be adjusted at any time, during the term of
the Warrants, if the Company issues securities below the then current exercise
price of the Warrants. Further, the full ratchet anti-dilution
provision requires a corresponding adjustment of the number of shares of common
stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of such Warrants (such that the
total consideration payable by the investor remains unchanged upon full exercise
regardless of a downward adjustment in the exercise price). The
Warrant exercise price was adjusted on two occasions to $.78, based on an
amendment in 2009 to a convertible note issued to the Investors in 2008 and then
again to $.63 based on the issuance of notes which are convertible into shares
of common stock issued to the Investors in August
2009. Correspondingly, the number of shares which could
be acquired upon full exercise of the Warrants increased from 757,575 to
1,984,136 (as a result of the $.63 adjustment).
The
proceeds of the Financing were used for expenses related to the financing and
working capital.
In April
through July 2009, the Company issued shares to its employees as part of a stock
purchase plan. The shares were issued at a discount from the
market price of the shares of common stock on the date the issuances were
authorized. As the shares were issued at a discount from market, the
issuance was deemed to be an employee stock purchase plan which required
shareholder approval prior to issuance according to NASDAQ Listing
Rules. As stockholder approval was not obtained for these issuances,
and in order to satisfy NASDAQ Listing Rules, the share prices were adjusted to
the market price on the day of each investor’s purchase. The revised
prices were in the range of $.44 to $.68 per share. The Investors
assert that they are entitled to anti-dilution protection for all outstanding
securities held by them based on the unadjusted price of the
issuances. They further assert that the raise was not an employee
purchase plan as defined in the Warrant and therefore anti-dilution protection
should be applied, not only to the Warrants but to all other adjustable
securities owned by the Investors at the lowest, non-adjusted price of $.20 per
share. The Company asserts that as the raise was conceded to be an
employee stock purchase, the anti-dilution protection does not
apply.
The
Waiver Agreement constitutes a compromise of this issue. In this
agreement, the Investors agree to waive the application of the anti-dilution
provisions as it is related to the employee stock purchase as to all adjustable
securities in exchange for an adjustment of the exercise price of the Warrants only to $.31
per share and correspondingly the proportionate upward adjustment in the number
of shares that could be exercised, in line with the full-ratchet anti-dilution
clause. With this adjustment, the total number of shares that would
be issuable if the Warrants were exercised in full at the $.31 exercise price is
4,032,276.
This
Waiver Agreement is effective to resolve the issue if and only if the Company
seeks and acquires stockholder approval of the Financing issuances so that the
Warrants can be exercised in full based on this newly adjusted
price. Should the stockholders fail to approve this issuance the
price adjustment will not occur, and the Waiver Agreement will no longer be
effective as a resolution of the anti-dilution issue. The Company and
the Investors will continue to disagree as to the applicability of the
anti-dilution provisions to all of the securities held by the Investors which
contain anti-dilution provisions and not just the Warrants.
The terms
of the Warrants permit exercise at any time at the current exercise price of
$.63 per share, through the extended warrant exercise date of June 29 and
October 18, 2015 respectively, for each Warrant, to the extent that such
exercise does not violate NASDAQ Listing Rules, and in full at the adjusted
price of $.31, at such time after our stockholders approve the issuance of
shares of common stock underlying such Warrants. To date,
1,515,151 shares of common stock have been issued to the investors in the
Financing. However, none of the Warrants have been exercised and, accordingly,
no shares of common stock underlying the Warrants have been issued.
Description
of Securities
The terms
of the Warrant permit exercise for a period of five years and contain
full-ratchet anti-dilution protections. Full-ratchet anti-dilution
protection is afforded to the Investors by providing for both an adjustment of
the conversion price and a corresponding adjustment in the number of shares of
common stock into which the Warrants may be exercised in certain
circumstances. The conversion price is adjusted for stock dividends,
subdivisions, combinations, distributions and issuances of shares, or securities
convertible into shares, of common stock of the Company which effectively
reduces the conversion, exercise or exchange price for any securities to an
effective Per Share Selling Price (defined below) which is less than the current
Warrant price. The Per Share Selling Price includes the amount
actually paid by third parties for each share of common stock in a sale or
issuance by the Company. If the securities are issued for something
other than cash, the Per Share Selling Price shall be the fair value of such
consideration as determined in good faith by independent certified public
accounts. In such event, the current warrant price shall be
automatically reduced effective concurrently with such issue or sale to an
amount equal to such Per Share Selling Price. Further, in the event of such
reduction, the number of shares of common stock which are issuable upon exercise
of the Warrants shall be inversely proportionately increased such that the
aggregate exercise price remains the same.
The
foregoing provision does not apply to any issuances or sales of common stock or
convertible securities (i) pursuant to any convertible securities currently
outstanding on the date the Warrant, in accordance with the terms of such
convertible securities, or (ii) to any officer, director or employee of the
Company pursuant to a bona fide option or equity incentive plan duly adopted by
the Company. Exercise of the Warrants is subject to beneficial
ownership cap of 9.9% of the total number of shares of common stock of the
Company then issued and outstanding.
The
Warrants currently, at the $.63 per share exercise price, and upon full exercise
would result in the issuance of up to 1,984,136 (except as limited by the
beneficial ownership cap and the prohibition of any issuance in violation of
NASDAQ Listing Rules). The contemplated adjustment, assuming
stockholder approval, would result, upon full exercise of the warrants, in an
issuance of up to 4,032,276 shares of common stock (again, except as limited by
the beneficial ownership cap). The Warrants may be exercised until June 29 and
October 18, 2015 respectively.
The
common stock issued as part of this Financing was issued at the price of $1.65
per share are the same class of common stock of the Company currently
outstanding and listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol
“NTWK”.
NASDAQ
Listing Requirements and the Necessity of Stockholder Approval
As a
NASDAQ listed company, we are required to follow the NASDAQ listing
rules. One such rules is rule 5635(d)(2) which requires stockholder
approval when, in connection with a transaction other than a public
offering, a transaction involves the potential issuance by the Company of common
stock equal to 20% or more of the common stock outstanding before the
issuance. Stockholder approval was not required at the closing of the
Financing because the terms of the Financing would not result in issuances equal
to or more than 20%. We have agreed to an adjustment to the exercise
price of Warrants issued in the Financing. With this adjustment, the
number of shares which could be acquired upon full exercise of the warrants
together with the shares issued in the Financing would exceed 20%, requiring
stockholder approval.
As of the
closing date of this Financing, there were 20,158,853 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding. In that Financing, a total of 1,515,151
shares of common stock and 757,575 warrants to purchase shares of common stock
were issued. As of the completion of the Financing in
October 2007, the total number of shares of common stock and shares of common
stock which could potentially be issued if the warrants were exercised in full
represented 11.27% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common
stock. Accordingly, we were not required to seek shareholder
approval of this transaction at that time.
However,
the Warrant contains two provisions that are important to this
situation. The first provision does not permit the Company to issue
any shares in violation of NASDAQ Listing Rules. The second provides
full ratchet, anti-dilution protection to the Investors. Such
protection acts to adjust the exercise price of the Warrant and the number of
shares exercisable when the Company issues any securities at or below the then
current Warrant exercise price. Over time, since 2007, the Warrant
exercise price has been adjusted down and the number of shares which can be
acquired when the Warrants are exercised has been adjusted
up. Currently, the Warrant exercise price is $.63 per
share. At a $.63 per share exercise price, the total shares that
would be issued if the Investors exercised all of the Warrants are
1,984,136. This together with the shares issued in 2007, would total
3,499,287 shares equaling 17.36% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Company at the time of the Financing. This is the current number of
shares that can be exercised without any shareholder approval.
In
December 2009, the Company and the investors in the Financing entered into a
Waiver Agreement where the Company agreed to adjust the Warrant exercise price
to $.31 per share. This adjustment would result in an adjustment of
the total number of shares that could be issued if exercised in full to
4,032,276. Together with the total number of shares issued to the
investors in the Financing the number of shares which may be potentially issued
if the Warrants were exercised in full by the Investors will exceed 19.99% of
the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company as of June 29,
2007 and, specifically, would represent 27.51% of the issued and outstanding
shares at the time of the original closing in June 2007.
Even if
the stockholders do not approve the share issuances as set forth in this proxy,
the Investors will still be entitled to acquire 1,984,136 shares of common stock
at the current exercise price of $.63 per share.
As of
June 26, 2007, there were 20,158,853 shares of common stock of the Company
issued and outstanding, less treasury shares. Accordingly, the
number of shares to be issued to the Investors based on the shares issued in
2007 and a full exercise of the Warrants, at the adjusted exercise price would
be a total of 5,547,427 constituting 27.52% of the issued and outstanding shares
at June 29, 2007. Without stockholder approval, the Investors will
receive, on full exercise of the Warrants and accounting for shares of common
stock issued in 2007, a total of 3,499,287.
Funds
raised in the Financing were used for working capital.
The
Company’s stockholders are being asked to approve the issuance of shares of
common stock of the Company and the issuance of shares of common stock upon the
full exercise of warrants by investors who took place in a private offering of
common stock and Warrants in 2007.
Availability
of Principal Accountants
Representatives
from our principal accountant are expected to be present at the stockholders’
meeting; will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so;
and, are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Required
Vote
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Common Stock entitled to vote thereon is necessary for approval of the issuance
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the full exercise of the Warrants
issued by the Company in the Financing. Shares of Common Stock
acquired by the Investors in the Financing may not be voted in connection with
this proposal.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE
OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK UPON THE FULL EXERCISE OF WARRANTS BY INVESTORS WHO TOOK PLACE IN A
PRIVATE OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS IN 2007
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This
Compensation Discussion and Analysis will describe the Compensation Committee's
compensation objectives and policies for our Named Executive Officers, including
executive pay decisions and processes and all elements of NetSol Technologies’
executive compensation program.
NetSol
Technologies’ Named Executive Officers, a group comprised of the Chief Executive
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and three other executive officers for
fiscal year 2009, are the following seven individuals:
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
President
of Asia Pacific and Middle East Operations
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
President
of European Operations
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (1)
|
Dan
Lee
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (1)
|
Boo-Ali
Siddiqui
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (1)
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson
|
|
Secretary
and General Counsel
|
|
(1)
|
Ms.
Gilger resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company effect
December 15, 2008 and Mr. Dan Lee became the Company’s new Chief Financial
Officer as of the same date. Mr. Lee tendered his resignation as of March
31, 2008. As of April 1, 2009, Mr. Boo-Ali Siddiqui assumed the
position of Chief Financial Officer of the
Company.
|
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
The
Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation
program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual,
long-term and strategic goals by the Company, and which aligns executives’
interests with those of the stockholders by rewarding performance at or above
established goals, with the ultimate objective of increasing stockholder value.
The philosophy of the Compensation Committee is to evaluate both performance and
compensation to ensure that we maintain our ability to attract and retain
superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key
employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly
situated executives of our peer companies. To that end, the Compensation
Committee believes executive compensation packages should include both cash and
equity-based compensation that reward performance as measured against
established goals.
Setting
Executive Compensation
Management
develops our compensation plans by utilizing publicly available compensation
data in the media services and technology industries. We believe that the
practices of these groups of companies provide us with appropriate compensation
benchmarks, because these groups of companies are in similar businesses and tend
to compete with us for executives and other employees. For benchmarking
executive compensation, we typically review the compensation data we have
collected from these groups of companies, as well as a subset of the data from
those companies that have a similar number of employees as the Company. For
purposes of determining executive compensation, we have not engaged consultants
to help us analyze this data or to compare our compensation programs with the
practices of the companies represented in the compensation data we
review.
Based on
management's analyses and recommendations, the Compensation Committee has
approved a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, which is intended to
establish base salaries and total executive compensation (taking into
consideration the executive's experience and abilities) that are competitive
with those companies with a similar number of employees represented in the
compensation data we review.
We work
within the framework of this pay-for-performance compensation philosophy to
determine each component of an executive's initial compensation package based on
numerous factors, including:
• the individual's
particular background, track record and circumstances, including training and
prior relevant work experience;
• the individual's role with
us and the compensation paid to similar persons in the companies represented in
the compensation data that we review;
• the
demand for individuals with the individual's specific expertise and
experience;
• performance goals and
other expectations for the position; and,
• uniqueness of industry
skills.
The terms
of each executive officer's compensation are derived from employment agreements
negotiated between the Company and the executive. Each executive's employment
agreement is generally negotiated to cover a one to three-year period, and
prescribes the base salary and other annual payments, if any, to the executive.
Employment agreements for all executive officers are approved by the Board of
Directors and the Compensation Committee. Employment agreements for other
executives are approved by the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
2009
Executive Compensation Components
For the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, the principal components of compensation that
our named executive officers were eligible to receive were:
• Base salary;
• Long Term Equity Incentive
Compensation;
• Performance-based incentive
compensation (discretionary bonus); and,
• Perquisites and other
personal benefits.
Base
Salary
An
executive's base salary is evaluated together with components of the executive's
other compensation to ensure that the executive's total compensation is
consistent with our overall compensation philosophy.
The base
salaries were established in arms-length negotiations between the executive and
the Company, taking into account their extensive experience, knowledge of the
industry, track record, and achievements on behalf of the Company.
Base
salaries are adjusted annually by the Compensation Committee.
Annual
Bonus
Our
compensation program includes eligibility for bonuses as rewarded by the
Compensation Committee. All executives are eligible for annual performance-based
cash bonuses in accordance with Company policies.
During
our fiscal year ended 2009, none of the named executives were awarded cash
bonuses. Our former CFOs, both of whom served as CFO during the last fiscal year
ended June 30, 2009 received $5,000 and $0 respectively for Ms. Gilger and Mr.
Lee.
Long-Term
Equity Incentive Compensation
We
believe that long-term performance is achieved through an ownership culture that
encourages long-term participation by our executives in equity-based awards. Our
various Employee Stock Option Plans allow us to grant stock options to
employees. We currently make initial equity awards of stock options to new
executives and certain non-executive employees in connection with their
employment with the Company. Annual grants of options, if any, are approved by
the Compensation Committee.
Equity
Incentives. Executives, certain non-executive
employees, and directors who join us may be awarded stock awards and/or stock
option grants after they join the Company. These grants have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Such
awards are intended to provide the executive with incentive to build value in
the organization over an extended period of time. The size of the stock option
award is also reviewed in light of the executive's track record, base salary,
other compensation and other factors to ensure that the executive's total
compensation is in line with our overall compensation philosophy. A
review of all components of compensation is conducted when determining equity
awards to ensure that total compensation conforms to our overall philosophy and
objectives.
Perquisites
and Other Personal Benefits
We
provide named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits
that we believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation
program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees
for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of
perquisites and other personal benefits provided to executive
officers.
We
maintain benefits and perquisites that are offered to all employees, including
health insurance and dental insurance. Benefits and perquisites
may vary in different country locations and are consistent with local practices
and regulations.
Termination
Based Compensation
Upon
termination of employment, all executive officers with a written employment
agreement are entitled to receive severance payments under their employment
agreements. In determining whether to approve, and as part of the process of
setting the terms of, such severance arrangements, the Compensation Committee
recognizes that executives and officers often face challenges securing new
employment following termination. Further, the Committee recognizes
that many of the named executives and officers have participated in the Company
since its founding and that this participation has not resulted in a return on
their investments. Termination and Change in Control Payments
considered both the risk and the dedication of these executives’ service to the
Company.
Our Chief
Executive Officer, CEO of NetSol Technologies, Ltd. and CEO of Netsol
Technologies Europe, Ltd. have employment agreements that provide, if
his employment is terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the
agreement with Good Reason, he is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to
the end of the date of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment
term through the end of the third anniversary of the date of termination, and
(b) the continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance
coverage for him and his family until the end of the employment term and through
the end of the third anniversary of the date of
termination. Provided, however, if such benefits cannot be continued
for this extended period, the Executive shall receive cash (including a
tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local income and payroll taxes
assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for all such purposes) where
such benefits may not be continued. These agreements further provide
for vesting of all options and restrictive stock grants, if any.
The CFO
of the Company does not currently have a written employment agreement with the
Company.
The
Secretary of the Company has an employment agreement that provides, if she is
terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the agreement with Good
Reason, she is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to the end of the date
of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment term through the end
of the first anniversary of the date of termination, and (b) the
continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance coverage for her and
her family until the end of the employment term and through the end of the first
anniversary of the date of termination. Provided, however, if such
benefits cannot be continued for this extended period, the Executive shall
receive cash (including a tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local
income and payroll taxes assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for
all such purposes) where such benefits may not be continued. These
agreements further provide for vesting of all options and restrictive stock
grants, if any.
Tax
and Accounting Implications
Deductibility
of Executive Compensation
As part
of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility
of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code, which provides that we may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000
that is paid to certain individuals. We believe that compensation paid under the
management incentive plans is generally fully deductible for federal income tax
purposes.
Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation
Commencing
on July 1, 2006, we began accounting for stock-based payments, including awards
under our Employee Stock Option Plans, in accordance with the requirements of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, or
SFAS 123(R).
The
following table shows the compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009
and June 30, 2008, earned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief
Financial Officer who is our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, and
others considered to be executive officers of the Company.
Name and Principle
Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
Ended
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards ($)
(1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards ($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
272,265 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
68,151 |
(5)
|
|
$ |
340,416 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
287,500 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
51,701 |
(5)
|
|
$ |
339,201 |
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
25,686 |
(6)
|
|
$ |
225,686 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
235,183 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
37,906 |
(6)
|
|
$ |
273,089 |
|
NetSol
Technologies Europe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
- |
(7)
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
- |
(7)
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
NetSol
Technologies Ltd.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boo-Ali
Siddiqui (8)
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
22,500 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
6,400 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
28,900 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Dan
Lee (8)
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
58,333 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
13,340 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
4,245 |
|
|
$ |
75,918 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Tina
Gilger (8)
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
70,360 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
- |
(8)
|
|
$ |
75,360 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
128,917 |
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
12,160 |
(3)
|
|
$ |
12,846 |
(8)
|
|
$ |
168,923 |
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
124,289 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,200 |
|
|
$ |
- |
(3)
|
|
$ |
- |
(9)
|
|
$ |
146,489 |
|
Secretary,
General Counsel
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
128,333 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
12,160 |
(3)
|
|
$ |
4,120 |
(9)
|
|
$ |
149,613 |
|
(1) The
stock was awarded as compensation and sign up bonus to the
officers. Therefore, no expense was recognized in the consolidated
financial
statements.
(2) For
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, the following options were granted to the
named officers: 750,000 options to Mr. Najeeb Ghauri and 525,000
options each to Mr. Naeem Ghauri & Mr. Salim Ghauri. Using the Black-Scholes
model these were valued at $367,346 and an expense of $139,894 was recorded in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements. During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008, following options were granted to the named employees: 10,000
options to Ms. Tina Gilger and Ms. Patti McGlasson and using the Black-Scholes
model these were values at $12,160 each and an expense was recognized for this
amount in the consolidated financial statements.
(3) Consists
of $36,000 and $36,000 paid for automobile and travel allowance and $32,151 and
$15,701 paid for medical and dental insurance premiums paid by the Company for
participation in the health insurance program for the fiscal years ended June
30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(4) Consists
of $22,790 and $24,149 paid for automobile and travel allowance and $2,896 and
$13,757 paid for private medical insurance premiums paid by the Company for the
fiscal years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(5) The
amount paid to the officer was in aggregate less than $10,000 for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(6) The
amount paid to the officer for fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 was less than
$10,000. $12,846 was paid for medical and dental insurance premiums by the
Company for participation in the health insurance program for the fiscal years
ended June 30, 2008.
(7) The
amount paid to the officer was in aggregate less than $10,000 for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(8) Ms.
Gilger resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective December
15, 2008 and Mr. Dan Lee became the Company’s new Chief Financial Officer as of
the same date. Mr. Lee tendered his resignation as of March 31,
2009. As of April 1, 2009, Mr. Boo Ali assumed the position of Chief
Financial Officer of the Company.
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
Mr.
Najeeb Ghauri, Mr. Naeem Ghauri and Mr. Salim Ghauri pursuant to the terms of
their employment agreement were entitled to a bonus based on the performance of
the Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. Messrs. Ghauri waived all
rights to bonuses and options pursuant to the terms of their employment
agreements in response to the economic downturn of late 2008.
Ms. Tina
Gilger was not granted any options to purchase shares of common stock during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. All options issuable to Ms. Gilger,
if not exercised, expired 30 days after the termination of her employment with
the Company. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2009, Ms. Gilger held no options to
purchase shares of common stock of the Company.
Mr. Dan
Lee was authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Company to receive
250,000 options to purchase common stock of the Company upon the completion of
his probationary period. As Mr. Lee did not complete his probationary
period, the options were never granted.
Mr.
Najeeb Ghauri, Mr. Naeem Ghauri and Mr. Salim Ghauri were granted, in February
2009, 750,000, 525,000 and 525,000 options, respectively, to acquire shares of
common stock of the Company. The options vest quarterly and were approved by the
Compensation Committee as an incentive for Messrs. Ghauri in light of the agreed
reduction of salary in early 2009. Ms. McGlasson was granted 20,000
shares of common stock of the Company in early 2009 as an incentive for Ms.
McGlasson in light of the agreed reduction of salary.
The
following options were granted to the named executives during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2008: 10,000 options each to Ms. Tina Gilger and Ms.
Patti McGlasson, using the Black-Scholes model these were valued at $12,160 each
and an expense was recorded for this amount in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements.
There
were no options granted to the named executives during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2007.
Discussion
of Summary Compensation Table
The terms
of our executive officers' compensation are derived from our employment
agreements with them and the annual performance review by our Compensation
Committee. The terms of Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, Mr. Naeem Ghauri and Mr. Salim
Ghauri’s employment agreements with the Company were the result of negotiations
between the Company and the executives and were approved by our Compensation
Committee and Board of Directors. The terms of Ms. McGlasson’s employment
agreement with the Company were the result of negotiations between our Chief
Executive Officer and Ms. McGlasson and were approved by our Compensation
Committee and Board of Directors. The terms of Ms. Gilger’s, Mr. Lee’s and
Mr. Siddiqui’s employment were the result of negotiations between our Chief
Executive Officer and Ms. Gilger, Mr. Lee and Mr. Siddiqui and were
approved by our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.
Employment
Agreement with Najeeb Ghauri
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Chief
Executive Officer, Najeeb Ghauri (the “CEO Agreement”). The CEO Agreement was
amended effective January 1, 2008. Pursuant to the CEO Agreement, as
amended, between Mr. Ghauri and the Company (the "CEO Agreement"), the
Company agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its Chief Executive Officer from the
date of the CEO Agreement through December 31, 2010. The term of employment
automatically renews for 36 additional months unless notice of intent to
terminate is received by either party at least 6 months prior to the end of the
term. Under the CEO Agreement, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an
annualized base salary of $300,000 and is eligible for annual bonuses at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the terms of
the amendment, Mr. Ghauri was entitled to the following
bonuses. Only upon the achievement of the Minimum Bonus
Benchmark (as defined below), Mr. Ghauri shall be granted stock options for
750,000 shares of the common stock of the Company (the "Options") pursuant to an
option agreement (the "Option Agreement") issued pursuant to the Company’s 2005
Employee Stock Option Plan and shall vest equally over twenty four months
beginning on the grant date and will be exercisable based on the customary
provisions of such plan. The Option Agreement will have customary
provisions relating to adjustments for stock splits and similar events. The
exercise price of the Options will be $2.62 for 250,000 shares and, $3.90 for
500,000 shares. Further, the compensation committee authorized the
following bonus structure: the bonus structure contemplates a bonus
being awarded on the basis of a benchmark and accelerators. A bonus
of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) is payable upon achieving the minimum
bonus benchmark of: company-wide revenue of $32,230,000 for fiscal year
2007-2008; and, earnings per share of $0.22 (the “Minimum Bonus
Benchmark”). Additional bonuses may be earned if certain “accelerator
goals” are achieved. The bonus is accelerated to 200% of the bonus
amount if revenue of $35,000,000 is attained and earnings per share of $0.27;
and, to 300% if revenue of $40,000,000 and earnings per share
$0.32. Once the Minimum Bonus Benchmark is attained the additional
bonus may be earned based on a percentage of accelerator goals
achieved. While the benchmarks described above were achieved, Mr.
Ghauri waived all rights to any cash and option bonuses in light of the late
2008 economic downturn.
The
Company retained the right to increase the base compensation as it deems
necessary. Mr. Ghauri agreed to a 33% decrease in his salary from April 1, to
June 30, 2009. In addition, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to
participate in the Company's stock option plans, is entitled to three weeks of
paid vacation per calendar year and is to receive a car allowance totaling
$3,000 per month for the term of the CEO Agreement. Finally, during the term of
the CEO Agreement, the Company shall pay the amount of premiums or other costs
incurred for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri, his spouse and dependent family
members under the Company's health and related benefit plans.
The CEO
Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance, non-solicitation,
non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to the CEO Agreement,
if he terminates his employment for Good Reason (as described below), or, is
terminated prior to the end of the employment term by the Company other than for
Cause (as described below) or death, he shall be entitled to all remaining
salary from the termination date until 36 months thereafter, at the rate of
salary in effect on the date of termination, immediate vesting of all options
and, continuation of all health related plan benefits for a period of 36 months.
He shall have no obligation to seek other employment and any income so earned
shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If he is terminated by the Company for
Cause (as described below), or at the end of the employment term, he shall not
be entitled to further compensation. Under the CEO Agreement, Good Reason
includes the assignment of duties inconsistent with his title, a material
reduction in salary and perquisites, the relocation of the Company's principal
office by 30 miles, if the Company asks him to perform any act which is illegal,
including the commission of a crime or act of moral turpitude, or a material
breach of the CEO Agreement by the Company. Under the CEO Agreement, Cause
includes conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his
duties to the Company, engaging in activities which are directly competitive to
or intentionally injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the CEO
Agreement by Mr. Ghauri.
The above
summary of the CEO Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the CEO, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. The above summary of
the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Amendment, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Employment
Agreement with Naeem Ghauri
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company
entered into an Employment Agreement with our President of NetSol Technologies
Europe, Ltd. and Chief Executive Officer of EMEA, Naeem Ghauri (the “President
EMEA Agreement”). The President EMEA Agreement was amended effective January 1,
2008. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, as amended, the Company
agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its President of the EMEA region from the
date of the President EMEA Agreement through December 31, 2010. The term of
employment automatically renews for 36 additional months unless notice of intent
to terminate is received by either party at least 6 months prior to the end of
the term. Under the President EMEA Agreement, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an
annualized base salary of £122,000 ($243,439 at June 30, 2008) and is eligible
for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee. Pursuant to the terms of the Amendment, and only upon the
achievement of company-wide revenue of $32,230,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008;
and, earnings per share of $0.22 (the “Minimum Bonus Benchmark”), Executive
shall be granted stock options for 525,000 shares of the common stock of the
Company (the "Options") pursuant to an option agreement (the "Option Agreement")
issued pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan and shall vest
equally over twenty four months beginning on the grant date and will be
exercisable based on the customary provisions of such plan. The
Option Agreement will have customary provisions relating to adjustments for
stock splits and similar events. The exercise price of the Options will be $2.62
for 175,000 shares and, $3.90 for 350,000 shares. Pursuant to the power granted
to the board to provide bonuses to the Executive in section 3.1 of this
Agreement, the compensation committee has authorized the following bonus
structure. The bonus structure contemplates a bonus being awarded on
the basis of a benchmark and accelerators. A bonus of Twenty-Four
Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($24,250) is payable upon achieving the
minimum bonus benchmark of: company-wide revenue of $32,230,000 for fiscal year
2007-2008; and, earnings per share of $0.22 (the “Minimum Bonus
Benchmark”). Additional bonuses may be earned if certain “accelerator
goals” are achieved. The bonus is accelerated to 200% of the bonus
amount if revenue of $35,000,000 is attained and earnings per share of $0.27;
and, to 300% if revenue of $40,000,000 and earnings per share
$0.32. Once the Minimum Bonus Benchmark is attained the additional
bonus may be earned based on a percentage of accelerator goals achieved. While
the benchmarks described above were achieved, Mr. Ghauri waived all rights to
any cash and option bonuses in light of the late 2008 economic downturn.
Additionally, so long as Executive is the head of the mergers and acquisition
team, Executive shall receive a bonus of Twenty-Four Thousand Two Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($24,250) per successfully closed acquisition which involves minimal
participation (with fees of no more than $10,000) from mergers and acquisition
advisors.
The
Company retained the right to increase the base compensation as it deems
necessary. Mr. Ghauri agreed to a 15% decrease in his salary from April 1 to
June 30, 2009. In addition, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to
participate in the Company's stock option plans, is entitled to two weeks of
paid vacation per calendar year and is to receive a car allowance totaling
$2,000 per month for the term of the President EMEA Agreement. Finally, during
the term of the President EMEA Agreement, the Company shall pay the amount of
premiums or other costs incurred for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri, his spouse
and dependent family members under the Company's health and related benefit
plans.
The
President EMEA Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to
the President EMEA Agreement, if he terminates his employment for Good Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, he shall be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 36 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan
benefits for a period of 36 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If
he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end of
the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under the
President EMEA Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 30 miles, if the Company asks
him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the President EMEA Agreement by
the Company. Under the President EMEA Agreement, Cause includes conviction of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the President EMEA Agreement
by Mr. Ghauri.
The above
summary of the President EMEA Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the President EMEA Agreement, a copy of which was
filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007. The above summary of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which was filed as an
exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2008.
Employment
Agreement with Salim Ghauri
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our
President of NetSol Technologies, Ltd., our wholly owned subsidiary in Lahore,
Pakistan and Chief Executive Officer of the APAC Region, Mr. Salim Ghauri (the
“President APAC Agreement”). Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, as amended, ,
the Company agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its President APAC and Chief
Executive Officer of the Global Services Division from the date of the President
APAC Agreement through December 31, 2010. The term of employment automatically
renews for 36 additional months unless notice of intent to terminate is received
by either party at least 6 months prior to the end of the
term. Under the President APAC Agreement, Mr. Ghauri is
entitled to an annualized base salary of $225,000 and is eligible for annual
bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to
the amendment, and only upon the achievement of the Minimum Bonus Benchmark (as
defined below), Executive shall be granted stock options for 525,000 shares of
the common stock of the Company (the "Options") pursuant to an option agreement
(the "Option Agreement") issued pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Employee Stock
Option Plan and shall vest equally over twenty four months beginning on the
grant date and will be exercisable based on the customary provisions of such
plan. The Option Agreement will have customary provisions relating to
adjustments for stock splits and similar events. The exercise price of the
Options will be $2.62 for 175,000 shares and, $3.90 for 350,000
shares. Pursuant to the power granted to the board to provide bonuses
to the Executive in section 3.1 of this Agreement, the compensation committee
has authorized the following bonus structure. The bonus structure
contemplates a bonus being awarded on the basis of a benchmark and
accelerators. A bonus of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) is payable
upon achieving the minimum bonus benchmark of: company-wide revenue of
$32,230,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008; and, earnings per share of $0.22 (the
“Minimum Bonus Benchmark”). Additional bonuses may be earned if
certain “accelerator goals” are achieved. The bonus is accelerated to
200% of the bonus amount if revenue of $35,000,000 is attained and earnings per
share of $0.27; and, to 400% if revenue of $40,000,000 is attained and earnings
per share of $0.32. Once the Minimum Bonus Benchmark is attained the
accelerator bonus shall be awarded proportionally to the accelerator goals
achieved. While the benchmarks described above were achieved, Mr. Ghauri waived
all rights to any cash and option bonuses in light of the late 2008 economic
downturn.
The
Company retained the right to increase the base compensation as it deems
necessary. Mr. Ghauri agreed to a 20% decrease in his salary from April 1 to
June 30, 2009. In addition, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to
participate in the Company's stock option plans, is entitled to two weeks of
paid vacation per calendar year. Finally, during the term of the President APAC
Agreement, the Company shall pay the amount of premiums or other costs incurred
for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri, his spouse and dependent family members
under the Company's health and related benefit plans.
The
President APAC Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to
the President APAC Agreement, if he terminates his employment for Good Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, he shall be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 36 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan
benefits for a period of 36 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If
he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end of
the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under the
President APAC Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 30 miles, if the Company asks
him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the President APAC Agreement by
the Company. Under the President APAC Agreement, Cause includes conviction of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the President APAC Agreement
by Mr. Ghauri.
The above
summary of the President APAC Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the President APAC Agreement, a copy of which was
filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007. The above summary of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which was filed as an
exhibit hereto.
Employment
Agreement with Boo-Ali Siddiqui
There is
currently no written agreement with Mr. Boo-Ali Siddiqui.
Employment
Agreement with Patti L. W. McGlasson
Effective
May 1, 2006, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Secretary
and General Counsel, Ms. Patti L. W. McGlasson. Pursuant to the Employment
Agreement between Ms. McGlasson and the Company (the "General Counsel
Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Ms. McGlasson as its Secretary
and General Counsel from the date of the General Counsel Agreement through April
30, 2008. According to the terms of the General Counsel Agreement, the term of
the agreement automatically extends for an additional one year periods unless
notice of intent to terminate is received by either party at least 6 months
prior to the end of the term. Under the General Counsel Agreement,
Ms. McGlasson was entitled to an annualized base salary of $110,000 and is
eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Chief Executive
Officer. Effective August 1, 2007, Ms. McGlasson’s annualized salary
was raised to $130,000. Effective April 1, 2009, Ms. McGlasson agreed
to a 15% decrease in her compensation. The Company retained the right
to increase the base compensation as it deems necessary. In addition,
Ms. McGlasson is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option
plans and, is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year. Finally,
during the term of the General Counsel Agreement, the Company shall pay the
amount of premiums or other costs incurred for the coverage of
Ms. McGlasson, her spouse and dependent family members under the Company's
health and related benefit plans.
The
General Counsel Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to
the General Counsel Agreement, if she terminates her employment for Good Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, she shall be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 12 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related plan
benefits for a period of 12 months. She shall have no obligation to seek other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If
she is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the end
of the employment term, she shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under
the General Counsel Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with her title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites, the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 60 miles, if the Company asks
her to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the General Counsel Agreement by
the Company. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Cause includes conviction of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform her duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the General Counsel
Agreement by Ms. McGlasson.
The above
summary of the General Counsel Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the General Counsel Agreement, a copy of which was
filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2006 on September 27, 2006.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock
awards outstanding on June 30, 2009, the last day of our fiscal year, to each of
the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
|
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS (#)
UNEXERCISABLE
|
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($)
|
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2.21 |
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
374,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
167,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
2/12/19
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2.21 |
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
2/16/12
|
|
|
|
|
374,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
217,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
2/12/19
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2.21 |
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
2/16/12
|
|
|
|
|
374,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91 |
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
217,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
2/12/19
|
|
Boo-Ali
Siddiqui
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
1/0/00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.60 |
|
7/23/17
|
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
Mr.
Najeeb Ghauri exercised options to acquire 52,786 shares of common stock of the
company at an exercise price of $1.83. Mr. Naeem Ghauri & Mr. Salim Ghauri
exercised options to acquire 32,786 shares of common stock of the Company by
each of them at the exercise price of $1.83 per share during the last fiscal
year.
Pension
Benefits
We do not
have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Generally, regardless of the manner in
which a named executive officer's employment terminates, he is entitled to
receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include the
portion of the executive's base salary that has accrued prior to any termination
and not yet been paid and unused vacation
pay.
In
addition, we are required to make the additional payments and/or provide
additional benefits to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table
in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control, as set forth
below.
Change-in-Control
Payments
Najeeb
Ghauri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
In the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and
his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment
equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one
percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve
(12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June
30, 2009, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
814,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
296,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
4,648,302 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
6,658,374 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
Naeem
Ghauri, President Global Sales & CEO NetSol Europe
In the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and
his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment
equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one
percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve
(12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June
30, 2009, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$ |
735,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
735,000 |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
296,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
4,618,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
6,249,552 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
735,000 |
|
Salim
Ghauri, President APAC & CEO NetSol Technologies Pakistan
In the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the product of 2.99 and
his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment
equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one
percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve
(12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June
30, 2009, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal
year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
296,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
4,643,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
6,139,552 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson, Secretary and General Counsel
In the
event that Ms. McGlasson is terminated as a result of a change in control
(defined below), she is entitled to all payments due in the event of a
termination for Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a onetime payment equal to the
product of 2.99 and her salary during the preceding 12 months; (b)
a one-time payment equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for
the previous year and (ii) one-half of one percent of the Company’s consolidated
gross revenues for the previous twelve (12) months; and, at the election of the
Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment equal to the cash value of all shares
eligible for exercise upon the exercise of Executive’s Options then currently
outstanding and exercisable as if they had been exercised in full (the “Change
of Control Termination Payment”). In the event Executive elects to receive the
cash value of the shares underlying Executive’s options, she shall so notify the
Company of her intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Ms. McGlasson assuming
her employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on June
30, 2009, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
REASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$ |
124,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
124,000 |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
372,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
148,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
326,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
976,600 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
124,000 |
|
Director
Compensation
Director
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors
and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation
policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, other than Najeeb Ghauri,
Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri who are executives and directors.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR PAID
IN CASH
($)
|
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
($) (1)
|
|
|
TOTAL
($)
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
Mark
Caton
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
Alexander
Shakow
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
(3)
|
There
were no options awarded during fiscal year ended June 30,
2009
|
|
(4)
|
The
board of directors voluntarily accepted a reduction of their fees by 15%
effective April 1, 2009.
|
Director
Compensation Policy
Messrs. Ghauri
are not paid any fees or other compensation for services as members of our Board
of Directors.
The
non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for
services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of
Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts to
members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2009.
BOARD ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Board
Member Fee
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Committee
Membership
|
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Audit Committee
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Compensation Committee
|
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
Chairperson
for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
Members
of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option or stock
award grants both upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in
line with recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are
non-qualified stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from
time to time, the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to
receive stock grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the
stockholders of the Company.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman),
Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki and Mr. Shakow. During the fiscal year ended June 30,
2009, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was
Mr. Beckert. There were no other members of the committee
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. All current members of the
Compensation Committee are "independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ
Listing Rules. None of these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2009, or at any other time, an officer or employee of the
Company.
No
executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee.
Employee
Stock Option Plans
The 2001
plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common stock
of which 2,000,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between
$.75 and $2.50.
The 2002
plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common stock
of which 2,000,000 options have been granted. The grant prices range
between $.75 and $5.00.
In March
2004, our stockholders approved the 2003 stock option plan. This plan
authorizes up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 1,332,841
have been granted. The grant prices range between $1.00 and
$5.00.
In March
2005, our stockholders approved the 2004 stock option plan. This plan
authorizes up to 5,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 4,948,246
have been granted. The grant prices range between $1.50 and
$3.00.
In April
2006, our stockholders approved the 2005 stock option plan. This plan
authorizes up to 5,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 3,925,000
have been granted. The grant prices range between $1.70 and
$2.55.
In June
2008, our stockholders approved the 2008 Equity incentive plan. This
plan authorizes up to 1,000,000 grants and/or options of common stock of which
143,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $0.32 and
$1.85.
Compensation
Committee Report
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained within this Proxy Statement with
management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated into NetSol
Technologies, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 2009, as previously filed.
|
Compensation
Committee
|
|
Mark
Caton (Chair)
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
|
Alexander
Shakow
|
DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL 2010
The Rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit stockholders of the Company,
after notice to the Company, to present proposals for stockholder action in the
Company's proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable
law, pertain to matters appropriate for stockholder action and are not properly
omitted by Company action in accordance with the proxy rules published by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's 2010 annual meeting of
stockholders is expected to be held on or about December 1, 2010 and proxy
materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or about
November 1, 2010. The Company must receive stockholder proposals prepared in
accordance with the proxy rules between September 1, 2010 and October 1,
2020.
FILINGS
UNDER SECTION 16(A)
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and officers, and
persons holding ten percent or more of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities, to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding their
acquisitions and dispositions of the Company's equity securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than
ten-percent beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish
the Company with copies of any Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based
solely on copies of such forms furnished as provided above, or written
representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more
than 10% of its Common Stock were complied with.
VOTING
PROCEDURES
Tabulation of the
Votes: The votes cast by proxy will be tabulated by
Computershare LLC.
Effect of an Abstention and Broker
Non-Votes: A shareholder who abstains from voting on any of or
all of the proposals will be included in the number of stockholders present at
the meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a
quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted either
in favor of or against the election of the nominees or other
proposals. Under the rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, brokers holding stock for the accounts of their clients who have not
been given specific voting instructions as to a matter by their clients may vote
their client’s proxies in their own discretion.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of
NetSol’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
2009, which has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act
will be furnished to stockholders together with this Proxy Statement. Copies of
these reports are available without charge to each shareholder, upon written
request to the Investor Relations department at our principal offices at 23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 or from the Internet on SEC’s
Edgar database at www.sec.gov.
Incorporation
by Reference
We
incorporate the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 and the
Quarterly Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, both of which have
been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act into this proxy statement
by this reference. As stated above, the annual report on
form 10-K is being delivered to stockholders together with this Proxy
Statement. Copies of the reports are available without charge to each
shareholder, upon written request to the Investor Relations department at our
principal offices at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 or
from the Internet on the SEC’s Edgar database at www.sec.gov
..
Legal
Proceedings
There are
no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of the
registrant, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any
class of voting securities of the registrant, or any associate of any such
director, officer, affiliate of the registrant, or security holder is a party
adverse to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest
adverse to the registrant or any of its subsidiaries also shall be
described.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors of the Company does not intend to present any business at the
Annual Meeting other than the matters specifically set forth in this Proxy
Statement and knows of no other business to come before the Annual Meeting.
However, on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting by the Board
or by others, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy will vote
in accordance with their best judgment.
ALL
STOCKHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND MAIL PROXIES OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET
PROMPTLY.
Your
attendance at the Annual Meeting is desired whether your holdings are large or
small. We encourage stockholders to take an active interest in NetSol and we
would appreciate your vote on the enclosed proxy card or via the Internet
through our transfer agent Computershare by visiting the www.investorvote.com/NTWK
site and following the screen instructions. If you plan to vote at
the Annual Meeting by proxy, please either sign, date and mail your Proxy in the
enclosed envelope or at www.investorvote.com/NTWK as promptly as
possible. You may vote by telephone with Computershare by calling
(toll free within the United States) by calling 1-800-652-VOTE
(8663).
Dated: March
8, 2010
Calabasas,
California
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
Chairman
and CEO
|
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Proxy
for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on April 12,
2010
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints Najeeb Ghauri, with full power of substitution, as
his or her Proxy to represent and vote, as designated below, the number of
shares of which the undersigned is entitled to vote as a common
stockholder of NetSol Technologies, Inc., registered in
the name of the undersigned on February 22, 2010 with the powers the undersigned
would possess if personally present at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held at the Company’s offices located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072,
Calabasas, CA 91302 at 10:00 A.M. local time, on April 12, 2009 and at any
adjournment thereof, hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously
given.
1. ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS:
FOR all
nominees listed below o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
o
(except
as marked to the contrary to vote for all below)
(To
WITHHOLD authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a line
through
the
nominee's name below)
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
|
Shahid
Burki
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
Mark
Caton
|
|
Alexander
Shakow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o
For
|
|
o
Against
|
|
o Abstain
|
|
|
|
2. RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY INC. AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2010.
o
For
|
|
o
Against
|
|
o
Abstain
|
|
|
3.
APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE
ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE FULL EXERCISE OF WARRANTS BY
INVESTORS WHO TOOK PLACE IN A PRIVATE OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS IN
2007
o
For
|
|
o
Against
|
|
o
Abstain
|
|
|
Discretionary
authority is hereby granted with respect to such other matters as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
THIS
PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS
GIVEN, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND, "FOR"
PROPOSAL NUMBERS 2 AND 3, AND IN THE PROXY'S DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS TO
COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
|
Dated:
__________________________, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Signature)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Second
signature)
|
|
|
|
|
|
PLEASE
DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as your
|
|
|
name
appears on your Stock Certificate,
|
|
|
indicating
where appropriate, official
|
|
|
position
or representative capacity.
|
|
ANNEX
A
COMMON
STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
COMMON
STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and
among
Netsol
Technologies, Inc., as Issuer and Seller
and
the
Purchasers named herein, as Purchasers
with
respect to Seller’s
Common
Stock
and
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
June 22,
2007
Table of Exhibits and
Schedules
Exhibit
A
|
Form
of Warrant
|
Exhibit
B
|
Form
of Investor Rights Agreement
|
Exhibit
C
|
Form
of Opinion of Seller’s Counsel
|
Schedule
3.11
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
Schedule
3.15
|
Intellectual
Property
|
Schedule
3.17
|
Preemptive
Rights
|
Schedule
3.19
|
Subsidiaries
and Investments
|
Schedule
3.20
|
Capitalization
|
Schedule
3.21
|
Options,
Warrants, Rights
|
Schedule
3.22
|
Employees,
Employment Agreements and Employee Benefit
Plans
|
COMMON STOCK AND WARRANT
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This
COMMON STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is dated as of June
22, 2007, by and among NetSol Technologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the
“Seller”), and each of the persons signatory hereto (each is individually
referred to as a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
each of the Purchasers is willing to purchase from the Seller, and the Seller
desires to sell to the Purchasers (a) shares of the Seller’s common stock,
$0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”), and (b) Common Stock Purchase Warrants
(the “Warrants”) entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of the
Seller’s Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”), for an aggregate purchase price of up
to $2,500,000, as more fully set forth herein; and
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
- PURCHASE AND SALE
1.1 Purchase and
Sale.
(a) Closing. Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the closing of the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement (the “Closing”), each Purchaser
shall purchase, severally and not jointly, and the Seller shall issue and sell
to each Purchaser, for the Purchase Price set forth on such Purchaser’s
signature page hereto:
(i) such
number of shares of Common Stock (such shares issued pursuant to this Agreement,
the “Shares”) as is equal to such Purchaser’s Purchase Price divided by $1.65
(as appropriately and equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends,
stock combinations and similar events, the “Per Share Purchase Price”);
and
(ii) Warrants
to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to 50% of such
Purchaser’s Shares, at an exercise price per share equal to the Per Share
Purchase Price.
(iii) The
Closing shall occur as promptly as practicable, but no later than June 29, 2007
at the offices of Peter J. Weisman, P.C., 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 17th Floor,
New York, NY 10017, or on such other date and at such other location
as the Seller and Purchasers shall mutually agree. The “Closing Date”
means the date on which the Closing occurs.
(b) Purchase Price. The
purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) to be paid by each Purchaser to the Seller
to acquire the Shares and Warrants at Closing shall be equal to the amount set
forth on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto.
1.2 Terms of the
Warrants. The terms and provisions of the Warrants are more
fully set forth in the form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
ARTICLE
II – TRANSFERS AND LEGENDS
2.1 Transfers. Except
as required by federal securities laws and the securities law of any state or
other jurisdiction within the United States, the Shares, Warrants and Warrant
Shares (collectively, the “Securities”) may be transferred, in whole or in part,
by any of the Purchasers at any time. In the case of Shares, such
transfer may be effected by delivering written transfer instructions to the
Seller, and the Seller shall reflect such transfer on its books and records and
reissue certificates evidencing the Shares upon surrender of such certificates
evidencing the Shares being transferred. Any such transfer shall be
made by a Purchaser in accordance with applicable law. In connection
with any transfer of Securities other than pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”),
or to the Seller, the Seller may require the transferor thereof to furnish to
the Seller an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor, such counsel and
the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Seller and Seller’s counsel, to the effect that such transfer does not require
registration under the Securities Act; provided, that in the case of a transfer
of Shares and/or Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
no opinion shall be required if the transferor provides the Seller with a
customary seller’s representation letter, and if such sale is not pursuant to
subsection (k) of Rule 144, a customary broker’s representation letter and Form
144.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller hereby consents to and agrees to
register on the books of the Seller and with any transfer agent for the
securities of the Seller, without any such legal opinion, any transfer of
Securities by a Purchaser to an Affiliate of such Purchaser, provided that the
transferee certifies to the Seller that it is an “accredited investor” as
defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring the
Securities solely for investment purposes (subject to the qualifications hereof)
and not with a view to, or for, resale, distribution or fractionalization
thereof in whole or in part in violation of the Securities Act. The
Seller shall reissue certificates evidencing the Securities upon surrender of
certificates evidencing the Securities being transferred in accordance with this
Section 2.1. An “Affiliate” means any Person (as such term is defined
below) that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls
or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are
used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. With respect to a
Purchaser, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a
discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Purchaser will be
deemed to be an Affiliate of such Purchaser. A “Person” means any
individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company,
government (or an agency or subdivision of any thereof) or other entity of any
kind.
2.2 Legends. The
certificates representing the Securities, unless such Securities are registered
under the Securities Act or eligible for resale without registration pursuant to
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, shall bear the following
legends:
“THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY, OR ACQUIRABLE UPON EXERCISE OF SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY,
THIS [WARRANT] [CERTIFICATE] [OPTION] HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE
ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT UNLESS, IN THE
OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH REGISTRATION IS
NOT REQUIRED.”
“THE
SALE, TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [WARRANT]
[CERTIFICATE] [OPTION] IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN
INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 22, 2007, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO
TIME, AMONG THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN HOLDERS OF ITS OUTSTANDING
SECURITIES. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY
WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS [WARRANT] [CERTIFICATE]
[OPTION] TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”
ARTICLE
III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER
The
Seller represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:
3.1 Corporate Existence and
Power; Subsidiaries. The Seller and its Subsidiaries are corporations
duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state in which they are incorporated, and have all corporate powers required to
carry on their business as now conducted. The Seller and its Subsidiaries are
duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and are in good standing
in each jurisdiction where the character of the property owned or leased by them
or the nature of their activities makes such qualification necessary, except for
those jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Material Adverse Effect” means, with
respect to any person or entity, a material adverse effect on its and its
Subsidiaries’ condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, assets,
liabilities (including contingent liabilities), results of operations or current
prospects, taken as a whole, on the transactions contemplated hereby or by the
agreements and instruments to be entered into in connection herewith or
therewith, or on the authority or ability of the Seller to perform its
obligations hereunder or under the Related Documents. True and
complete copies of the Seller’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and
Bylaws, as amended, as currently in effect and as will be in effect on the
Closing Date (collectively, the “Articles and Bylaws”), have previously been
provided to the Purchasers. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
“Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any entity, any
corporation or other organization of which securities or other ownership
interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors or other persons performing similar functions are directly or
indirectly owned by such entity or of which such entity is a partner or is,
directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 50% or more of any class of
equity securities or equivalent profit participation interests, or is considered
a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X
promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act. The Seller has
no Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 3.1 hereto, each of which,
unless otherwise indicated, is wholly-owned by the Seller.
3.2 Corporate
Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller of
this Agreement, the Warrants, the Investor Rights Agreement and each of the
other documents executed pursuant to and in connection with this Agreement
(collectively, the “Related Documents”), and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, but not limited to, the
sale and delivery of the Shares and Warrants and the subsequent issuance of the
Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants) have been duly authorized, and no
additional corporate or stockholder action is required for the approval of this
Agreement. The Shares and the Warrant Shares have been duly reserved
for issuance by the Seller (without regard to any limitations on issuance or
beneficial ownership). This Agreement and the Related Documents have
been or, to the extent contemplated hereby or by the Related Documents, will be
duly executed and delivered and constitute the legal, valid and binding
agreement of the Seller, enforceable against the Seller in accordance with their
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
moratorium and similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the
enforcement of rights of creditors, and except as enforceability of its
obligations hereunder are subject to general principles of equity (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).
3.3 Charter, Bylaws and
Corporate Records. The minute books of the Seller and its Subsidiaries
contain complete and accurate records of all meetings and other corporate
actions of the board of directors, committees of the board of directors,
incorporators and stockholders of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries. All material corporate decisions and actions have been
validly made or taken. All corporate books, including without
limitation the share transfer register, comply with applicable laws and
regulations and have been regularly updated. Such books fully and
correctly reflect all the decisions of the stockholders.
3.4 Governmental
Authorization. Except as otherwise specifically contemplated in this
Agreement and the Related Documents, and except for: (i) the filings referenced
in Sections 5.10 and 5.11; (ii) the filing of a Form D with respect to the
Shares and Warrants under Regulation D under the Securities Act; (iii) the
filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission; (iv) the
application(s) to each trading market for the listing of the Shares and the
Warrant Shares for trading thereon; and (v) any filings required under state
securities laws that are permitted to be made after the date hereof, the
execution, delivery and performance by the Seller of this Agreement and the
Related Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby (including, but not limited to, the sale and delivery of the Shares
and Warrants and the subsequent issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of
the Warrants) by the Seller require no action by or in respect of, or filing
with, any governmental body, agency, official or authority.
3.5 Non-Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller of this Agreement and the
Related Documents, and the consummation by the Seller of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (including the issuance of the Shares and
Warrant Shares) do not and will not (a) contravene or conflict with the Articles
(as amended by any certificate of designation) and Bylaws of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries or any material agreement to which the Seller is a party or by
which it is bound; (b) contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of
any provision of any law, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree
binding upon or applicable to the Seller or its Subsidiaries; (c) constitute a
default (or would constitute a default with notice or lapse of time or both)
under or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or
loss of any benefit under any material agreement, contract or other instrument
binding upon the Seller or its Subsidiaries or under any material license,
franchise, permit or other similar authorization held by the Seller or its
Subsidiaries; or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (as
defined below) on any asset of the Seller or its Subsidiaries. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Lien” means, with respect to any asset,
any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, claim or encumbrance of
any kind in respect of such asset.
3.6 SEC Documents. The
Seller is obligated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”) to file reports pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) thereof (all
such reports filed or required to be filed by the Seller, including all exhibits
thereto or incorporated therein by reference, and all documents filed by the
Seller under the Securities Act hereinafter called the “SEC
Documents”). The Seller has filed all reports or other documents
required to be filed under the Exchange Act. All SEC Documents filed
by the Seller as of or for any period beginning on or after July 1, 2003, (i)
were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of
the Exchange Act and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or, if amended or
superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, then on the date of such
filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. The Seller has previously delivered to the Purchaser
a correct and complete copy of each report (including, without limitation, the
most recent Proxy Statement) which the Seller filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) under the Exchange Act for
any period ending on or after June 30, 2006 (the “Recent Reports”) to the extent
not available via EDGAR. None of the information about the Seller or
any of its Subsidiaries which has been disclosed to the Purchasers herein or in
the course of discussions and negotiations with respect hereto which is not
disclosed in the Recent Reports is or was required to be so disclosed, and no
material non-public information has been disclosed to the
Purchasers. To the extent that the Seller fails to so publicly
disclose any such material non-public information prior to such date, any
Purchaser in possession of such information shall be permitted to publicly
disclose such material non-public information. The Seller agrees that
it shall not furnish any Purchaser any material non-public information
concerning the Seller which it does not intend to disclose on or prior to such
date.
3.7 Financial Statements.
The financial statements of the Seller included in the SEC Documents comply in
all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and
regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of
filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in
such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited
financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly
present in all material respects the financial position of the Seller and its
consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit
adjustments. All material agreements to which the Seller and its
Subsidiaries are a party or to which any of their respective property or assets
are subject that are required to be filed as Exhibits to the SEC Documents under
Item 601 of Regulation S K are included as a part of, or specifically identified
in, the SEC Documents.
3.8
Compliance
with Law. The Seller and its Subsidiaries are in compliance and have
conducted their business so as to comply with all laws, rules and regulations,
judgments, decrees or orders of any court, administrative agency, commission,
regulatory authority or other governmental authority or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign, applicable to their operations, the violation of which
would cause a Material Adverse Affect. There are no judgments or
orders, injunctions, decrees, stipulations or awards (whether rendered by a
court or administrative agency or by arbitration), including any such actions
relating to affirmative action claims or claims of discrimination, against the
Seller or its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or
businesses.
3.9
No
Defaults. To the Seller and its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, Seller and its
Subsdiaries are not, nor have they received notice that they would be with the
passage of time, giving of notice, or both, (i) in violation of any provision of
their Articles and Bylaws (ii) in default or violation of any term, condition or
provision of (A) any judgment, decree, order, injunction or stipulation
applicable to the Seller or its Subsidiaries or (B) any agreement, note,
mortgage, indenture, contract, lease or instrument, permit, concession,
franchise or license to which the Seller or its Subsidiaries are a party or by
which the Seller or its Subsidiaries or their properties or assets may be bound,
and no circumstances exist which would entitle any party to any agreement, note,
mortgage, indenture, contract, lease or instrument to which such Seller or its
Subsidiaries are a party, to terminate such as a result of such Seller or its
Subsidiaries, having failed to meet any provision thereof including, but not
limited to, meeting any applicable milestone under any agreement or contract
which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Seller or its subsidiaries.
3.10 Litigation. Except as
disclosed in the Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.10, there
is no action, suit, proceeding, judgment, claim or investigation pending or, to
the best knowledge of the Seller, threatened against the Seller and its
Subsidiaries which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Seller or its Subsidiaries or
which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially
delay any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and Seller is not aware of
any basis for the assertion of any of the foregoing.
There are
no claims or complaints existing or, to the knowledge of the Seller or its
Subsidiaries, threatened for product liability in respect of any product of the
Seller or its Subsidiaries, and the Seller and its Subsidiaries are not aware of
any basis for the assertion of any such claim.
3.11 Absence of Certain
Changes. Since June 30, 2006, the Seller has conducted its business only
in the ordinary course and there has not occurred, except as set forth in the
Recent Reports or any exhibit thereto or incorporated by reference
therein:
(a) Any
event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Seller or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) Any
amendments or changes in the Articles or Bylaws of the Seller and its
Subsidiaries;
(c) Any
damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would,
individually or in the aggregate, have or would be reasonably likely to have, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Seller and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Except
as set forth in its Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.11(d),
any
(i) incurrence,
assumption or guarantee by the Seller or its Subsidiaries of any debt for
borrowed money other than for equipment leases;
(ii) issuance
or sale of any securities convertible into or exchangeable for securities of the
Seller other than to directors, employees and consultants pursuant to existing
equity compensation or stock purchase plans of the Seller;
(iii) issuance
or sale of options or other rights to acquire from the Seller or its
Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, securities of the Seller or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any such securities, other than options
issued to directors, employees and consultants in the ordinary course of
business in accordance with past practice;
(iv) issuance
or sale of any stock, bond or other corporate security;
(v) discharge
or satisfaction of any material Lien, other than current liabilities incurred
since June 30, 2006 in the ordinary course of business;
(vi) declaration
or making any payment or distribution to stockholders or purchase or redemption
of any share of its capital stock or other security;
(vii)
sale, assignment or transfer of any of its intangible assets except
in the ordinary course of business, or cancellation of any debt or claim except
in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) waiver
of any right of substantial value whether or not in the ordinary course of
business;
(ix) material
change in officer compensation except in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices; or
(x) other
commitment (contingent or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing.
(e) Any
creation, sufferance or assumption by the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries of
any Lien on any asset (other than Liens existing on the date hereof or in
connection with equipment leases and working capital lines of credit set forth
on Schedule
3.11(e)) or any making of any loan, advance or capital contribution to or
investment in any Person in an aggregate amount which exceeds $25,000
outstanding at any time;
(f) Any
entry into, amendment of, relinquishment, termination or non-renewal by the
Seller or its Subsidiaries of any material contract, license, lease,
transaction, commitment or other right or obligation, other than in the ordinary
course of business; or
(g) Any
transfer or grant of a right with respect to the trademarks, trade names,
service marks, trade secrets, copyrights or other intellectual property rights
owned or licensed by the Seller or its Subsidiaries, except as among the Seller
and its Subsidiaries.
3.12 No Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as set forth in the Recent Reports, and except for
liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business since
June 30, 2006, as of the date hereof, (i) the Seller and its Subsidiaries do not
have any material liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise) which, and (ii) there has not been any aspect of the prior or current
conduct of the business of the Seller or its Subsidiaries which may form the
basis for any material claim by any third party which if asserted could result
in any such material liabilities or obligations which, are not fully reflected,
reserved against or disclosed in the balance sheet of the Seller as at June 30,
2006.
3.13 Taxes. All tax
returns and tax reports required to be filed with respect to the income,
operations, business or assets of the Seller and its Subsidiaries have been
timely filed (or appropriate extensions have been obtained) with the appropriate
governmental agencies in all jurisdictions in which such returns and reports are
required to be filed, and all of the foregoing as filed are correct and complete
and, in all material respects, reflect accurately all liability for taxes of the
Seller and its Subsidiaries for the periods to which such returns relate, and
all amounts shown as owing thereon have been paid. All income,
profits, franchise, sales, use, value added, occupancy, property, excise,
payroll, withholding, FICA, FUTA and other taxes (including interest and
penalties), if any, collectible or payable by the Seller and its Subsidiaries or
relating to or chargeable against any of its material assets, revenues or income
or relating to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or
other third party through the Closing Date, will have been fully collected and
paid by such date if due by such date or provided for by adequate reserves in
the Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2006 (other
than taxes accruing after such date) and all similar items due through the
Closing Date will have been fully paid by that date or provided for by adequate
reserves, whether or not any such taxes were reported or reflected in any tax
returns or filings. No taxation authority has sought to audit the
records of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of verifying or
disputing any tax returns, reports or related information and disclosures
provided to such taxation authority, or for the Seller’s or any of its
Subsidiaries’ alleged failure to provide any such tax returns, reports or
related information and disclosure. No material claims or
deficiencies have been asserted against or inquiries raised with the Seller or
any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any taxes or other governmental charges
or levies which have not been paid or otherwise satisfied, including claims
that, or inquiries whether, the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries has not filed
a tax return that it was required to file, and, to the best of the Seller’s
knowledge, there exists no reasonable basis for the making of any such claims or
inquiries. Neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any
restrictions on assessment or collection of taxes or consented to the extension
of any statute of limitations relating to taxation.
3.14 Interests of Officers,
Directors and Other Affiliates. The description of any
interest held, directly or indirectly, by any officer, director or other
Affiliate of Seller (other than the interests of the Seller and its Subsidiaries
in such assets) in any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used
in or pertaining to Seller’s business, including any interest in the
Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 3.15 hereof), as set forth in the
Recent Reports, is true and complete, and no officer, director or other
Affiliate of the Seller has any interest in any property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the Seller’s business,
including the Seller’s Intellectual Property, other than as set forth in the
Recent Reports.
3.15 Intellectual
Property. Other than as set forth in the Recent
Reports:
(a) the
Seller or a Subsidiary thereof has the right to use or is the sole and exclusive
owner of all right, title and interest in and to all foreign and domestic
patents, patent rights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, brands and
copyrights (whether or not registered and, if applicable, including pending
applications for registration) owned, used or controlled by the Seller and its
Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Rights”) and in and to each material invention,
software, trade secret, technology, product, composition, formula, method of
process used by the Seller or its Subsidiaries (the Rights and such other items,
the “Intellectual Property”), and, to the Seller’s knowledge, has the right to
use the same, free and clear of any claim or conflict with the rights of
others;
(b) no
royalties or fees (license or otherwise) are payable by the Seller or its
Subsidiaries to any Person by reason of the ownership or use of any of the
Intellectual Property except as set forth on Schedule
3.15;
(c) there
have been no claims made against the Seller or its Subsidiaries asserting the
invalidity, abuse, misuse, or unenforceability of any of the Intellectual
Property, and, to its knowledge, there are no reasonable grounds for any such
claims;
(d) neither
the Seller nor its Subsidiaries have made any claim of any violation or
infringement by others of its rights in the Intellectual Property, and to the
best of the Seller’s knowledge, no reasonable grounds for such claims exist;
and
(e) neither
the Seller nor its Subsidiaries have received notice that it is in conflict with
or infringing upon the asserted rights of others in connection with the
Intellectual Property.
3.16 Restrictions on Business
Activities. Other than as set forth in the Recent Reports,
there is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the
Seller or its Subsidiaries which has or could reasonably be expected to have the
effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the
Seller or its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Seller or its
Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Seller or its Subsidiaries as
currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted by the
Seller.
3.17 Preemptive
Rights. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17, none
of the stockholders of the Seller possess any preemptive rights in respect of
the Shares, Warrants or Warrant Shares to be issued to the Purchasers in
connection herewith, or upon exercise of the Warrants, as
applicable.
3.18 Insurance. The
insurance policies providing insurance coverage to the Seller or its
Subsidiaries including for product liability are adequate for the business
conducted by the Seller and its Subsidiaries (currently limited to the testing
phase) and are sufficient for compliance by the Seller and its Subsidiaries with
all requirements of law and all material agreements to which the Seller or its
Subsidiaries are a party or by which any of their assets are bound. All of such
policies are in full force and effect and are valid and enforceable in
accordance with their terms, and the Seller and its Subsidiaries have complied
with all material terms and conditions of such policies, including premium
payments. None of the insurance carriers has indicated to the Seller or its
Subsidiaries an intention to cancel any such policy.
3.19 Subsidiaries and
Investments. Except as set forth in the Recent Reports or on
Schedule 3.19,
the Seller has no Subsidiaries or Investments. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Investments” shall mean, with respect to any Person, all
advances, loans or extensions of credit to any other Person, all purchases or
commitments to purchase any stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities
of any other Person, and any other investment in any other Person, including
partnerships or joint ventures (whether by capital contribution or otherwise) or
other similar arrangement (whether written or oral) with any Person, including
but not limited to arrangements in which (i) the Person shares profits and
losses, (ii) any such other Person has the right to obligate or bind the Person
to any third party, or (iii) the Person may be wholly or partially liable for
the debts or obligations of such partnership, joint venture or other
arrangement.
3.20 Capitalization. The
authorized capital stock of the Seller consists of 45,000,000 shares of common
stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 20,154,610 shares are issued and
outstanding as of June 20, 2007, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
issuable in one or more classes or series, with such relative rights and
preferences as the Board of Directors may determine, none of which has been
authorized for issuance other than the shares of the Seller’s Series A 7%
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, of which 4,130 shares are outstanding as
of June 20, 2007. All shares of the Seller’s issued and outstanding
capital stock have been duly authorized, are validly issued and outstanding, and
are fully paid and nonassessable. No securities issued by the Seller
from the date of its incorporation to the date hereof were issued in violation
of any statutory or common law preemptive rights. There are no dividends which
have accrued or been declared but are unpaid on the capital stock of the
Seller. All taxes required to be paid by Seller in connection with
the issuance and any transfers of the Seller’s capital stock have been
paid. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20, all
permits or authorizations required to be obtained from or registrations required
to be effected with any Person in connection with any and all issuances of
securities of the Seller from the date of the Seller’s incorporation to the date
hereof have been obtained or effected, and all securities of the Seller have
been issued and are held in accordance with the provisions of all applicable
securities or other laws. This issuance of the Shares and
Warrants hereunder and/or the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of
the Warrants will not cause any adjustment to the current conversion price or
exercise under any outstanding securities.
3.21 Options, Warrants,
Rights. Except as set forth in the Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.21, there
are no outstanding (a) securities, notes or instruments convertible into or
exercisable for any of the capital stock or other equity interests of the Seller
or its Subsidiaries; (b) options, warrants, subscriptions or other rights to
acquire capital stock or other equity interests of the Seller or its
Subsidiaries; or (c) commitments, agreements or understandings of any kind,
including employee benefit arrangements, relating to the issuance or repurchase
by the Seller or its Subsidiaries of any capital stock or other equity interests
of the Seller or its Subsidiaries, any such securities or instruments
convertible or exercisable for securities or any such options, warrants or
rights. Other than the rights of the Purchasers hereunder and the
holders of Series A 7% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants
issued in connection therewith and except as set forth on
Schedule 3.21,
neither the Seller nor the Subsidiaries have granted anti-dilution rights to any
person or entity in connection with any outstanding option, warrant,
subscription or any other instrument convertible or exercisable for the
securities of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries. Other than the
rights granted to the Purchasers under the Investor Rights Agreement and the
holders of Series A 7% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants
issued in connection therewith and except as set forth on Schedule 3.21, there
are no outstanding rights which permit the holder thereof to cause the Seller or
the Subsidiaries to file a registration statement under the Securities Act or
which permit the holder thereof to include securities of the Seller or any of
its Subsidiaries in a registration statement filed by the Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries under the Securities Act, and there are no outstanding agreements
or other commitments which otherwise relate to the registration of any
securities of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries for sale or distribution in
any jurisdiction.
3.22 Employees, Employment
Agreements and Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth in
the Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.22, there
are no employment, consulting, severance or indemnification arrangements,
agreements, or understandings between the Seller and any officer, director,
consultant or employee of the Seller or its Subsidiaries (the “Employment
Agreements”). Except as set forth in the Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.22, no
Employment Agreement provides for the acceleration or change in the award,
grant, vesting or determination of options, warrants, rights, severance
payments, or other contingent obligations of any nature whatsoever of the Seller
or its Subsidiaries in favor of any such parties in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as disclosed in
the Recent Reports or on Schedule 3.22, the
terms of employment or engagement of all directors, officers, employees, agents,
consultants and professional advisors of the Seller and its Subsidiaries are
such that their employment or engagement may be terminated upon not more than
two weeks’ notice given at any time without liability for payment of
compensation or damages and the Seller and its Subsidiaries have not entered
into any agreement or arrangement for the management of their business or any
part thereof other than with their directors or employees.
3.23 Absence of Certain Business
Practices. Neither the Seller, nor any Affiliate of the
Seller, nor to the knowledge of the Seller, any agent or employee of the Seller,
any other Person acting on behalf of or associated with the Seller, or any
individual related to any of the foregoing Persons, acting alone or together,
has: (a) received, directly or indirectly, any rebates, payments, commissions,
promotional allowances or any other economic benefits, regardless of their
nature or type, from any customer, supplier, trading company, shipping company,
governmental employee or other Person with whom the Seller has done business
directly or indirectly; or (b) directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give
any gift or similar benefit to any customer, supplier, trading company, shipping
company, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to
help or hinder the business of the Seller (or assist the Seller in connection
with any actual or proposed transaction) which (i) may subject the Seller to any
damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or
proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, may have had an adverse effect on the
Seller or (iii) if not continued in the future, may adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Seller or subject the Seller to suit or
penalty in any private or governmental litigation or proceeding.
3.24 Products and
Services. To the knowledge of the Seller and except as
disclosed in the Recent Reports, there exists no set of facts (i) which could
furnish a basis for the withdrawal, suspension or cancellation of any
registration, license, permit or other governmental approval or consent of any
governmental or regulatory agency with respect to any product or service
developed or provided by the Seller or its Subsidiaries, (ii) which could
furnish a basis for the withdrawal, suspension or cancellation by order of any
state, federal or foreign court of law of any product or service, or (iii) which
could have a Material Adverse Effect on the continued operation of any facility
of the Seller or its Subsidiaries or which could otherwise cause the Seller or
its Subsidiaries to withdraw, suspend or cancel any such product or service from
the market or to change the marketing classification of any such product or
service. Each product or service provided by Seller or its
Subsidiaries has been provided in accordance in all material respects with the
specifications under which such product or service normally is and has been
provided and the provisions of all applicable laws or
regulations.
3.25 Environmental
Matters. None of the premises or any properties owned,
occupied or leased by the Seller or its Subsidiaries (the “Premises”) has been
used by the Seller or the Subsidiaries or, to the Seller’s knowledge, by any
other Person, to manufacture, treat, store, or dispose of any substance that has
been designated to be a “hazardous substance” under applicable Environmental
Laws (hereinafter defined) (“Hazardous Substances”) in violation of any
applicable Environmental Laws. To its knowledge, the Seller has not
disposed of, discharged, emitted or released any Hazardous Substances which
would require, under applicable Environmental Laws, remediation, investigation
or similar response activity. No Hazardous Substances are present as a result of
the actions of the Seller or, to the Seller’s knowledge, any other Person, in,
on or under the Premises which would give rise to any liability or clean-up
obligations of the Seller under applicable Environmental Laws. The
Seller and, to the Seller’s knowledge, any other Person for whose conduct it may
be responsible pursuant to an agreement or by operation of law, are in
compliance with all laws, regulations and other federal, state or local
governmental requirements, and all applicable judgments, orders, writs, notices,
decrees, permits, licenses, approvals, consents or injunctions in effect on the
date of this Agreement relating to the generation, management, handling,
transportation, treatment, disposal, storage, delivery, discharge, release or
emission of any Hazardous Substance (the “Environmental
Laws”). Neither the Seller nor, to the Seller’s knowledge, any other
Person for whose conduct it may be responsible pursuant to an agreement or by
operation of law has received any written complaint, notice, order, or citation
of any actual, threatened or alleged noncompliance with any of the Environmental
Laws, and there is no proceeding, suit or investigation pending or, to the
Seller’s knowledge, threatened against the Seller or, to the Seller’s knowledge,
any such Person with respect to any violation or alleged violation of the
Environmental Laws, and, to the knowledge of the Seller, there is no basis for
the institution of any such proceeding, suit or investigation.
3.26 Licenses; Compliance
Regulatory Requirements. Except as disclosed in the Recent
Reports, the Seller holds all material authorizations, consents, approvals,
franchises, licenses and permits required under applicable law or regulation for
the operation of the business of the Seller and its Subsidiaries as presently
operated (the “Governmental Authorizations”). All the Governmental
Authorizations have been duly issued or obtained and are in full force and
effect, and the Seller and its Subsidiaries are in material compliance with the
terms of all the Governmental Authorizations. The Seller and its
Subsidiaries have not engaged in any activity that, to their knowledge, would
cause revocation or suspension of any such Governmental
Authorizations. The Seller has no knowledge of any facts which could
reasonably be expected to cause the Seller to believe that the Governmental
Authorizations will not be renewed by the appropriate governmental authorities
in the ordinary course. Neither the execution, delivery nor
performance of this Agreement shall adversely affect the status of any of the
Governmental Authorizations.
3.27 Brokers. No
broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or
other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, based upon any arrangement made by or on behalf of the
Seller. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, based upon any arrangement made by
or on behalf of the Seller, which would make any Purchaser liable for any fees
or commissions.
3.28 Securities
Laws. Neither the Seller nor its Subsidiaries nor any agent
acting on behalf of the Seller or its Subsidiaries has taken or will take any
action which might cause this Agreement or the Shares or Warrants to violate the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder, as in effect on the Closing Date. Assuming that all of
the representations and warranties of the Purchasers set forth in Article IV are
true, all offers and sales of capital stock, securities and notes of the Seller
were conducted and completed in compliance with the Securities
Act. All shares of capital stock and other securities issued by the
Seller and its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof have been issued in
transactions that were either registered offerings or were exempt from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act and all applicable state
securities or “blue sky” laws and in compliance with all applicable corporate
laws.
3.29 Disclosure. No
representation or warranty made by the Seller in this Agreement, nor in any
document, written information, financial statement, certificate, schedule or
exhibit prepared and furnished by the Seller or the representatives of the
Seller pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or to
Seller’s knowledge omits to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements or facts contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances under which they were furnished.
3.30 Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement or other
relationship between the Seller and an unconsolidated or other off-balance sheet
entity that is required to be disclosed by the Seller in its Exchange Act
filings and is not so disclosed or that otherwise would be reasonably expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no such
transactions, arrangements or other relationships with the Seller that may
create contingencies or liabilities that are not otherwise disclosed by the
Seller in its SEC filings.
3.31 Application of Takeover
Protections. Except as is set forth in the Articles of
Incorporation and amendments thereto of Seller, the Seller and its Board of
Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render
inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill
(including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar
anti-takeover provision under the Seller’s Articles and By-Laws (or similar
charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation or any agreement to
which the Seller is a party that is or could become applicable to the Purchasers
as a result of the Purchasers and the Seller fulfilling their obligations or
exercising their rights under this Agreement and the Related Documents,
including without limitation the Seller’s issuance of the Securities and the
Purchasers’ ownership of the Securities.
3.32 No Additional
Agreements. The Seller does not have any agreement with any
Purchaser with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Related Documents other than as specified in this Agreement and the Related
Documents.
3.33 Acknowledgment Regarding
Purchasers’ Purchase of Seller Securities. The Seller
acknowledges and agrees that each of the Purchasers is acting solely in the
capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Seller further acknowledges
that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Seller or
any other Purchaser (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement
and the Related Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
and any advice given by any Purchaser or any of their respective representatives
or agents in connection with this Agreement or the Related Documents or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to such
Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The Seller further represents
to each Purchaser that the Seller’s decision to enter into this Agreement and
the Related Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the
transactions contemplated hereby by the Seller and its
representatives.
3.34 Internal Accounting
Controls. The Seller and each of its subsidiaries maintains a
system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with
management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared
with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
with respect to any differences. The Seller has established
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Seller and designed such disclosure
controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the
Seller, including its subsidiaries, is made known to the certifying officers by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the
Seller’s Form 10-K or 10-Q, as the case may be, is being
prepared. The Seller’s certifying officers have evaluated the
effectiveness of the Seller’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end
of the period covered by the Seller’s most recently filed periodic report under
the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation
Date”). The Seller presented in its most recently filed
Form 10-K or Form 10-Q the conclusions of the certifying officers
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their
evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date,
there have been no changes in the Seller’s internal control over financial
reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act)
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Seller’s internal control over financial reporting.
3.35 Solvency. Based
on the financial condition of the Seller as of the Closing Date, (i) the
Seller’s fair saleable value of its assets exceeds the amount that will be
required to be paid on or in respect of the Seller’s existing debts and other
liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature; (ii) the
Seller’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its
business for the current fiscal year as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital
requirements of the business conducted by the Seller, and projected capital
requirements and capital availability thereof; and (iii) the current cash flow
of the Seller, together with the proceeds the Seller would receive, were it to
liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of
the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its debt
when such amounts are required to be paid. The Seller does not intend
to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into
account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its
debt).
3.36 Title to
Assets. The Seller and the Subsidiaries have good and
marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them that is
material to their respective businesses and good and marketable title in all
personal property owned by them that is material to their respective businesses,
in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not
materially affect the value of such property, do not materially interfere with
the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Seller and the
Subsidiaries, (ii) Liens for taxes not yet due and payable and (iii) Liens which
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or
result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the Seller’s knowledge, any
real property and facilities held under lease by the Seller and the Subsidiaries
are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases of which the
Seller and the Subsidiaries are in compliance except, in each case, as would not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE
IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS
Each
Purchaser, for itself only, hereby severally and not jointly, represents and
warrants to the Seller as follows:
4.1 Existence and
Power. The Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of such Purchaser’s
organization. The Purchaser has all powers required to carry on such
Purchaser’s business as now conducted.
4.2 Authorization. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement, the
Related Documents to which such Purchaser is a party, and the consummation by
the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized, and no additional action is required for the approval of this
Agreement or the Related Documents. This Agreement and the Related Documents to
which the Purchaser is a party have been or, to the extent contemplated hereby,
will be duly executed and delivered and constitute valid and binding agreements
of the Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with their
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
moratorium and similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the
enforcement of rights of creditors and except that enforceability of their
obligations thereunder are subject to general principles of equity (regardless
of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).
4.3 Investment. The
Purchaser is acquiring the securities described herein for its own account and
not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof,
nor with the intention of distributing or reselling the same, provided, however,
that by making the representation herein, the Purchaser does not agree to hold
any of the securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the
right to dispose of the securities at any time in accordance with or pursuant to
a registration statement or an exemption under the Securities Act. The Purchaser
is aware that none of the securities has been registered under the Securities
Act or under applicable state securities or blue sky laws. The
Purchaser is an “Accredited Investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D, as promulgated under the Securities Act (including without
limitation, if the Purchaser is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and a self-directed plan,
then investment decisions are made solely by persons that are “Accredited
Investors”).
4.4 Reliance on
Exemptions. The Purchaser understands that the Shares and Warrants are
being offered and sold to such Purchaser in reliance upon specific exemptions
from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities
laws and that the Seller is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and such
Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of such Purchaser set forth herein in order
to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such
Purchaser to acquire the securities.
4.5 Experience of the
Purchaser. The Purchaser, either alone or together with its
representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business
and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits
and risks of such investment. The Purchaser is able to bear the
economic risk of an investment in the securities and, at the present time, is
able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
4.6 General
Solicitation. The Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities
as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication
regarding the securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media
or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other
general solicitation or general advertisement.
4.7 Receipt of Purchaser
Information. The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that it has
been furnished with, or has had an opportunity to acquire and carefully review
the following documents filed by the Seller with the SEC: (a) Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2006 and any amendments thereto (the
“10-KSB”); (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for each of the quarters ended
September 30, 2006, December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007 and any amendments
thereto, respectively; (c) all Current Reports on Form 8-K after the
filing of the 10-KSB; (d) the Seller’s registration statement number 333-140248
filed on Form S-3; and (e) the Seller’s most recent definitive proxy
materials. Purchaser further represents that the Purchaser has been
furnished by the Seller during the course of this transaction with all
information regarding the Seller that it or its investment advisors, attorney
and/or accountant has requested or desired to know, has been afforded the
opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from duly authorized
officers or other representatives of the Seller concerning the terms and
conditions of the transaction, and has received any additional information that
the Purchaser has requested .
4.8 SEC Policy on Short
Sales. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser, directly
or through related parties, affiliates or otherwise, may be prohibited in
certain circumstances from selling “short or “shorting against the box” (as
those terms are generally understood) any equity security of the Seller as a
result of the following Telephone Interpretation in the SEC Manual of Publicly
Available Telephone Interpretations (July 1997) A. 65 Section 5:
“An
issuer filed a Form S-3 registration statement for a secondary offering of
common
stock which is not yet effective. One of the selling shareholders
wanted to do a
short sale of common stock “against the box” and cover the short sale with
registered
shares after the effective date. The issuer was advised that the
short sale could not be made before the registration statement becomes
effective, because the shares underlying the short sale are deemed to be sold at
the time such sale is made. There would, therefore, be a violation of
Section 5 if the shares were effectively sold prior to the effective
date.”
ARTICLE V
- COVENANTS OF THE SELLER AND PURCHASERS
5.1 Insurance. The
Seller and its Subsidiaries shall, from time to time upon the written request of
the Purchasers, promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to the Purchasers
evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers, of
the maintenance of all insurance maintained by it for loss or damage by fire and
other hazards, damage or injury to persons and property, including from product
liability, and under workmen’s compensation laws.
5.2 Reporting
Obligations. So long as any of the Shares are outstanding and held by
Purchasers, and so long as any portion of the Warrants has not been exercised
and has not expired by its terms, the Seller shall furnish to the Purchasers, or
any other persons who hold any of the Warrants (provided that such subsequent
holders give notice to the Seller that they hold Warrants and furnish their
addresses) promptly upon their becoming available one copy of (A) each report,
notice or proxy statement sent by the Seller to its stockholders generally, and
of each regular or periodic report (pursuant to the Exchange Act) and (B) any
registration statement, prospectus or written communication pursuant to the
Securities Act relating to the issuance or registration of Shares and the
Warrant Shares and filed by the Seller with the Commission or any securities
market or exchange on which shares of Common Stock are listed; provided,
however, that the Seller shall have no obligation to deliver reports or
schedules under this Section 5.2 to the extent such reports are publicly
available via EDGAR.
The
Purchasers are hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any financial statement or
any other information relating to the business, operations or financial
condition of the Seller which may have been furnished to the Purchasers
hereunder, to any regulatory body or agency having jurisdiction over the
Purchasers or to any Person which shall, or shall have right or obligation to
succeed to all or any part of the Purchasers’ interest in the Seller or this
Agreement.
5.3 Investigation. The
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement shall not be affected or diminished in any way by any investigation
(or failure to investigate) at any time by or on behalf of the party for whose
benefit such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements were
made. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the inability
or failure of the Purchasers to discover any breach, default or
misrepresentation by the Seller under this Agreement or the Related Documents
(including under any certificate furnished pursuant to this Agreement),
notwithstanding the exercise by the Purchasers or other holders of the Shares of
their rights hereunder to conduct an investigation shall not in any way diminish
any liability hereunder.
5.4 Further
Assurances. The Seller shall, at its cost and expense, upon
written request of the Purchasers, duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly
executed and delivered, to the Purchasers such further instruments and do and
cause to be done such further acts as may be necessary, advisable or proper, at
the reasonable request of the Purchasers, to carry out more effectually the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement. The parties shall use
their best efforts to timely satisfy each of the conditions described in Article
VI of this Agreement.
5.5 Use of
Proceeds. The Seller covenants and agrees that the proceeds of
the aggregate Purchase Price shall be used by the Seller solely for working
capital, general corporate purposes and the expenses reasonably incurred by
Seller in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby; provided that under no circumstances shall any portion of the proceeds
be applied to:
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(i)
|
accelerated
repayment of debt existing on the date
hereof;
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(ii)
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the
payment of dividends or other distributions on any
capital stock of the Seller other than the Series A 7%
Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock;
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(iii)
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increased
executive compensation or loans to officers, employees, stockholders or
directors, unless approved by a disinterested majority of the Board of
Directors; or
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(iv)
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any
expenditure not directly related to the business of the
Seller.
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5.6 Corporate
Existence. So long as a Purchaser owns Shares, Warrants or
Warrant Shares, the Seller shall preserve and maintain and cause its
Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain their corporate existence and good
standing in the jurisdiction of their incorporation and the rights, privileges
and franchises of the Seller and its Subsidiaries (except, in each case, in the
event of a merger or consolidation in which the Seller or its Subsidiaries, as
applicable, is not the surviving entity) in each case where failure to so
preserve or maintain could have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Seller.
5.7 Licenses. The
Seller shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain at all times all
material licenses or permits necessary to the conduct of its business and as
required by any governmental agency or instrumentality thereof.
5.8 Taxes and
Claims. The Seller and its Subsidiaries shall duly pay and
discharge (a) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon or
against the Seller or its properties or assets prior to the date on which
penalties attach thereto, unless and to the extent that such taxes are being
diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and
appropriate reserves therefor have been established, and (b) all material lawful
claims, whether for labor, materials, supplies, services or anything else which
might or could, if unpaid, become a lien or charge upon the properties or assets
of the Seller or its Subsidiaries unless and to the extent only that the same
are being diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and
appropriate reserves therefor have been established.
5.9 Perform
Covenants. The Seller shall (a) make full and timely payment
of any and all payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
and (b) duly comply with all the terms and covenants contained herein and in
each of the instruments and documents given to the Purchasers in connection with
or pursuant to this Agreement, all at the times and places and in the manner set
forth herein or therein.
5.10 Additional
Covenants.
(a) Except
for transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the
Board of Directors, neither the Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter
into any transaction with any director, officer, employee or holder of more than
5% of the outstanding capital stock of any class or series of capital stock of
the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, member of the family of any such person,
or any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such person,
or member of the family of any such person, is a director, officer, trustee,
partner or holder of more than 5% of the outstanding capital stock thereof, with
the exception of transactions which are consummated upon terms that are no less
favorable than would be available if such transaction had been effected at
arms-length, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors.
(b) The
Seller shall timely prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
the form of notice of the sale of securities pursuant to the requirements of
Regulation D regarding the sale of the Shares and Warrants under this
Agreement.
(c) The
Seller shall timely prepare and file such applications, consents to service of
process (but not including a general consent to service of process) and similar
documents and take such other steps and perform such further acts as shall be
required by the U.S. state securities law requirements of each jurisdiction
where a Purchaser resides as indicated on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto
with respect to the sale of the Shares and Warrants under this
Agreement.
(d) Neither
the Seller nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their
behalf, shall directly or indirectly make any offers or sales of any securities
or solicit any offers to buy any securities under circumstances that would cause
the loss of the 4(2) exemption under the Securities Act for the transactions
contemplated hereby. Subject to any consent or approval rights of the
Purchasers hereunder, in the event the Seller contemplates an offering of its
equity or debt securities within six months following the Closing Date, the
Seller agrees that it shall notify the Purchasers of such offering (without
providing any material non-public information to any Purchaser without its prior
approval) and obtain the prior written consent of Purchasers.
5.11 Securities Laws Disclosure;
Publicity. The Seller shall (i) on or promptly after the Closing Date,
issue a press release acceptable to The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. disclosing the
transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) promptly after the Closing Date, file
with the Commission a Report on Form 8-K disclosing the transactions
contemplated hereby. Except as provided in the preceding sentence,
neither the Seller nor the Purchasers shall make any press release or other
publicity about the terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby without the prior approval of the other unless otherwise required by law
or the rules of the Commission.
5.12 Like Treatment of Purchasers
and Holders. Neither the Seller nor any of its affiliates
shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration
(immediate or contingent), whether by way of interest, fee, payment for
redemption, conversion or exercise of the Securities, or otherwise, to any
Purchaser or holder of Securities, for or as an inducement to, or in connection
with the solicitation of, any consent, waiver or amendment to any terms or
provisions of this Agreement or the Related Documents, unless such consideration
is required to be paid to all Purchasers or holders of Securities bound by such
consent, waiver or amendment. The Seller shall not, directly or
indirectly, redeem any Securities unless such offer of redemption is made pro
rata to all Purchasers or holders of Securities, as the case may be, on
identical terms.
5.13 Independent Nature of
Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each
Purchaser under this Agreement or any Related Documents are several and not
joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be
responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other
Purchaser under any such agreement. Nothing contained herein or in any Related
Documents, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto, shall be
deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint
venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers
are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations
or the transactions contemplated by such agreement. Each Purchaser
shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including
without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other
Related Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be
joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such
purpose. Each Purchaser represents that it has been represented by
its own separate legal counsel in its review and negotiation of this Agreement
and the Related Documents. For reasons of administrative convenience
only, the Purchasers acknowledge and agree that they and their respective
counsel have chosen to communicate with the Seller through Peter J. Weisman,
P.C., but Peter J. Weisman, P.C. does not represent any of the Purchasers in
this transaction other than The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (the “Lead
Investor”).
5.14 Other
Transactions. Until after four months following the date on
which the Registration Statement (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement)
is declared effective by the Commission, the Seller shall not issue or sell or
agree to issue or sell any securities in a financing transaction which is a
Variable Rate Transaction or otherwise provides the purchasers of such
securities with more favorable terms (including without limitation with respect
to the effective purchase price per share, conversion, exercise or exchange
price (whether before or after adjustment), term, coupon, warrant coverage or
otherwise) than those contained in this Agreement and the Related Documents and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. “Variable Rate
Transaction” shall mean a transaction in which the Seller issues or sells, or
agrees to issue or sell (a) any debt or equity securities that are convertible
into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive
additional shares of, Common Stock either (x) at a conversion, exercise or
exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading
prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial
issuance of such debt or equity securities, (y) with a fixed conversion,
exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date
after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the
occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to
the business of the Seller or the market for the Common Stock (but excluding
standard stock split anti-dilution provisions), or (z) under a warrant
exercisable for a number of shares based upon and/or varying with the trading
prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial
issuance of such warrant, or (b) any securities of the Seller pursuant to an
“equity line” structure which provides for the sale, from time to time, of
securities of the Seller which are registered for resale pursuant to the
Securities Act.
5.15 Greenshoe. On
or prior to December 31, 2007, each Purchaser shall have the right, upon written
notice to the Company, to purchase up to such number of additional shares of
Common Stock (“Additional Shares”) as is equal to the number of Shares purchased
by such Purchaser hereunder for a purchase price per share equal to the Per
Share Purchase Price. For each Additional Share purchased by such
Purchaser, such Purchaser shall receive an additional Warrant (collectively
“Additional Warrants”) to purchase 0.5 shares of Common Stock (collectively
“Additional Warrant Shares”). In the event that any Purchaser
exercises such right, the terms “Shares”, “Warrants” and “Warrant Shares” as
used herein shall include the Additional Shares, Additional Warrants and
Additional Warrant Shares, respectively, and the representations, warranties,
terms and covenants set forth herein and in the Related Documents shall apply to
such Additional Shares, Additional Warrants and Additional Warrant Shares
retroactively mutatis
mutandis (including without limitation the Company’s obligation to
register such Additional Shares and Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms
of the Registration Rights Agreement). Notwithstanding anything
contained herein, the Company shall not issue to any Purchaser, and such
Purchaser may not acquire, a number of Additional Shares to the extent that,
upon such exercise of the right contained herein, the number of shares of Common
Stock then beneficially owned by such Purchaser and its Affiliates and any other
persons or entities whose beneficial ownership of Common Stock would be
aggregated with such Purchaser’s for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act (including shares held by any “group” of which the Purchaser is a
member, but excluding shares beneficially owned by virtue of the ownership of
securities or rights to acquire securities that have limitations on the right to
convert, exercise or purchase similar to the limitation set forth herein) would
exceed 9.9% of the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then
issued and outstanding. For purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning
set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable regulations of the
Commission, and the percentage held by the holder shall be determined in a
manner consistent with the provisions of Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act.
5.16 Participation
Rights.
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions specified in this Section 5.16, until the
second anniversary of the date hereof, the Purchasers shall have a right to
participate with respect to the issuance or possible issuance by the Seller of
any future equity or equity-linked securities or debt which is convertible into
equity or in which there is an equity component (as the case may be, “Additional
Securities”) on the same terms and conditions as offered by the Seller to the
other purchasers of such Additional Securities. Each time the Seller
proposes to offer any Additional Securities, the Seller shall make an offering
of such Additional Securities to each Purchaser in accordance with the following
provisions:
(i) The
Seller shall deliver a notice (the “Issuance Notice”) to the Purchasers stating
(a) its bona fide intention to offer such Additional Securities, (b) the number
of such Additional Securities to be offered, (c) the price and terms, if any,
upon which it proposes to offer such Additional Securities, and (d) the
anticipated closing date of the sale of such Additional Securities.
(ii) By
written notification received by the Seller, within ten (10) days after giving
of the Issuance Notice, each Purchaser may elect to purchase or obtain, at the
price and on the terms specified in the Issuance Notice, up to that number of
such Additional Securities which equals such Purchaser’s Participation Amount
for the same consideration and on the same terms and conditions as such
third-party sale, where the “Participation Amount” for each Purchaser shall
equal (a) 50% of the aggregate amount of such Additional Securities issued or to
be issued to investors in such offering prior to the exercise of the
participation rights contemplated by this Section 5.16 (such aggregate amount,
the “Subsequent Offering Amount”), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator
of which equals the number of Shares purchased hereunder and the denominator of
which equals the aggregate number of Shares purchased by all Purchasers pursuant
to this Agreement. The Seller shall promptly, in writing, inform each
Purchaser which elects to purchase all of the Additional Securities available to
it (“Fully-Exercising Holder”) of any other Purchaser's failure to do
likewise. During the five-day period commencing after such
information is given, each Fully-Exercising Holder shall be entitled to obtain
that portion of the Additional Securities for which the Purchasers were entitled
to subscribe but which were not subscribed for by such Purchasers which is equal
to the proportion that the number of Shares purchased by such Fully-Exercising
Holder bears to the total number of Shares by all Fully-Exercising Holders who
wish to purchase some of the unsubscribed shares.
(iii) The
Seller may, during the 75-day period following the expiration of the 10-day and
5-day periods referenced in Section 5.16(a)(ii) above, offer up to the
Subsequent Offering Amount of such Additional Securities to any person or
persons at a price not less than, and upon terms no more favorable to the
offeree than, those specified in the Issuance Notice. If the Seller
does not consummate the sale of such Additional Securities within such period,
the right provided hereunder shall be deemed to be revived and such Additional
Securities shall not be offered or sold unless the Participation Amount is again
first reoffered to the Purchasers in accordance herewith.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything contained herein, no Purchaser shall have the right to purchase
Additional Securities hereunder to the extent same would cause such holder to
exceed the Beneficial Ownership Cap (as defined in the Warrants).
ARTICLE
VI - CONDITIONS TO CLOSINGS
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of
Purchasers to Effect each Closing. The obligations of a
Purchaser to effect the Closing and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to Closing, of each
of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by a
Purchaser:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Seller
set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except for those qualified as to materiality or a Material Adverse Effect,
which shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that such
representation or warranty speaks of an earlier date, in which case such
representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects
(or if qualified as to materiality or a Material Adverse Effect, true and
correct in all respects) as of such date) as though made on and as of the
Closing Date. On or prior to the Closing Date the Seller shall
deliver to each of the Purchasers a certificate of the Chief Executive Office
and Chief Financial Officer of the Seller to the effect that all of the
representations and warranties of the Seller set forth in this Agreement are
true and correct as of the Closing Date (including, to the extent necessary,
updated disclosure schedules which shall be reasonably acceptable to each
Purchaser) and that the Seller has performed all of its obligations under this
Agreement required to be performed prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Performance of Obligations
of Seller. The Seller shall have performed in all material
respects all agreements and covenants required to be performed by it under this
Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) No Suspension of
Trading. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in
the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission (except for any
suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Seller, which
suspension shall be terminated prior to Closing), and, at any time prior to the
Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg Financial
Markets shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not
have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service,
or on any trading market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared
either by the United States or New York State authorities, nor shall there have
occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or
international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material
adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable
judgment of each Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase
the Shares and Warrants at the Closing.
(d) Deliverables. The
Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each of the Purchasers the
following on or prior to the Closing Date:
1.
(A) One or more certificates (“Share Certificates”)
evidencing the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased at the Closing by such
Purchaser, duly authorized, issued, fully paid and non-assessable, registered in
the name of such Purchaser, in such denominations as may be reasonably requested
by such Purchaser, or (B) a copy of irrevocable transfer agent instructions that
(I) have been delivered to the Company’s transfer agent, (II) instruct the
Company’s transfer agent to issue the Share Certificates, (III) are acknowledged
in writing by the Company’s transfer agent, and (IV) are in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lead Investor; provided that, in any case, the Company shall
deliver or cause to be delivered the original Share Certificates as soon as
practicable following the Closing; and;
(B) One
or more certificates evidencing the Warrants (“Warrant Certificates”), each
registered in the name of such Purchaser, in such denominations as may be
reasonably requested by such Purchaser, pursuant to which such Purchaser shall
be initially entitled to purchase with respect to the Warrants, that number of
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.1 above, or a facsimile
copy of such Warrant Certificates, provided that, in any case,
the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered the original Warrant
Certificates as soon as practicable following the Closing.
2. The
Investor Rights Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the
“Investor Rights Agreement”), duly executed by the Seller.
3. A
legal opinion of counsel to the Seller (“Seller’s Counsel”), in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit
D.
4. A
certificate of the Secretary of the Seller (the “Secretary’s Certificate”), in
form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers, certifying as follows as of
the date of such Closing:
(i) that
attached to the Secretary’s Certificate is true and complete copy of the
Articles of Incorporation of the Seller, as amended, including the Certificate
of Designation;
(ii) that
a true copy of the Bylaws of the Seller, as amended to the Closing Date, is
attached to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(iii) that
attached thereto are true and complete copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Seller authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the Related Documents, instruments and certificates required
to be executed by it in connection herewith and approving the consummation of
the transactions in the manner contemplated hereby including, but not limited
to, the authorization and issuance of the Shares and Warrants;
(iv) the
names and true signatures of the officers of the Seller signing this Agreement
and all other documents to be delivered in connection with this
Agreement;
(v) such
other matters as required by this Agreement; and
(vi) such
other matters as the Purchasers may reasonably request.
5. A
wire transfer representing the amount due for legal fees and other expenses set
forth in Section 8.2 hereof (which may be offset from the Purchase Price at the
election of the applicable Purchaser).
6. Seller
shall have applied to each U.S. securities exchange, interdealer quotation
system and other trading market where its Common Stock is currently listed or
qualified for trading or quotation for the listing or qualification of the
Shares and the Warrant Shares for trading or quotation thereon in the time and
manner required thereby.
7. Such
other documents as the Purchasers shall reasonably request.
(e) There
shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the
Seller.
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of
the Seller to Effect each Closing. The obligations of the Seller to
effect the Closing and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, by the Seller:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of each
Purchaser set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except to
the extent that such representation or warranty speaks of an earlier date, in
which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such date) as though made on and as of the Closing
Date.
(b) Performance of Obligations
of the Purchasers. Each of the Purchasers shall have performed
in all material respects all agreements and covenants required to be performed
by it under this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Deliverables. Each
of the Purchasers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Seller (i) upon
receipt of the Seller’s items described in Section 6.1(d) above, payment of the
portion of the Purchase Price set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page
hereto, in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated in writing by Seller prior to the date hereof; (ii) an executed copy
of the Investor Rights Agreement; and (iii) such other documents as the Seller
shall reasonably request.
ARTICLE
VII – INDEMNIFICATION AND LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
7.1 Survival of
Representations. The representations and warranties of the
Seller and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Seller’s
and the Purchasers’ warranties and representations shall in no way be affected
by any investigation of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the
Seller or the Purchasers.
7.2 Indemnification. The
Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchasers, their Affiliates,
each of their officers, directors, employees and agents and their respective
successors and assigns, from and against any losses, damages, or expenses which
are caused by or arise out of (i) any breach or default in the performance by
the Seller of any covenant or agreement made by the Seller in this Agreement or
in any of the Related Documents; (ii) any breach of warranty or representation
made by the Seller in this Agreement or in any of the Related Documents; (iii)
any and all third party actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments,
costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) incident to
any of the foregoing; and (iv) any enforcement of this
indemnification.
7.3 Indemnity
Procedure. The Seller is referred to herein as the
“Indemnifying Party” and the other party or parties claiming indemnity is
referred to as the “Indemnified Party”. An Indemnified Party under
this Agreement shall, with respect to claims asserted against such party by any
third party, give written notice to the Indemnifying Party of any liability
which might give rise to a claim for indemnity under this Agreement within sixty
(60) business days of the receipt of any written claim from any such third
party, but not later than twenty (20) days prior to the date any answer or
responsive pleading is due, and with respect to other matters for which the
Indemnified Party may seek indemnification, give prompt written notice to the
Indemnifying Party of any liability which might give rise to a claim for
indemnity; provided, however, that any failure to give such notice will not
waive any rights of the Indemnified Party except to the extent the rights of the
Indemnifying Party are materially prejudiced.
The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right, at its election, to take over the
defense or settlement of such claim by giving written notice to the Indemnified
Party at least fifteen (15) days prior to the time when an answer or other
responsive pleading or notice with respect thereto is required. If the
Indemnifying Party makes such election, it may conduct the defense of such claim
through counsel of its choosing (subject to the Indemnified Party’s approval of
such counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), shall be
solely responsible for the expenses of such defense and shall be bound by the
results of its defense or settlement of the claim. The Indemnifying Party shall
not settle any such claim without prior notice to and consultation with the
Indemnified Party, and no such settlement involving any equitable relief or
which might have an adverse effect on the Indemnified Party may be agreed to
without the written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld). So long as the Indemnifying Party is diligently
contesting any such claim in good faith, the Indemnified Party may pay or settle
such claim only at its own expense and the Indemnifying Party will not be
responsible for the fees of separate legal counsel to the Indemnified Party,
unless the named parties to any proceeding include both parties or
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to
conflicts of interest or otherwise. If the Indemnifying Party does not make such
election, or having made such election does not, in the reasonable opinion of
the Indemnified Party proceed diligently to defend such claim, then the
Indemnified Party may (after written notice to the Indemnifying Party), at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, elect to take over the defense of and proceed
to handle such claim in its discretion and the Indemnifying Party shall be bound
by any defense or settlement that the Indemnified Party may make in good faith
with respect to such claim. In connection therewith, the Indemnifying Party will
fully cooperate with the Indemnified Party should the Indemnified Party elect to
take over the defense of any such claim. The parties agree to cooperate in
defending such third party claims and the Indemnified Party shall provide such
cooperation and such access to its books, records and properties as the
Indemnifying Party shall reasonably request with respect to any matter for which
indemnification is sought hereunder; and the parties hereto agree to cooperate
with each other in order to ensure the proper and adequate defense
thereof.
With
regard to claims of third parties for which indemnification is payable
hereunder, such indemnification shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party upon the
earlier to occur of: (i) the entry of a judgment against the Indemnified Party
and the expiration of any applicable appeal period, or if earlier, five (5) days
prior to the date that the judgment creditor has the right to execute the
judgment; (ii) the entry of an unappealable judgment or final appellate decision
against the Indemnified Party; or (iii) a settlement of the claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the reasonable expenses of counsel to the
Indemnified Party shall be reimbursed on a current basis by the Indemnifying
Party. With regard to other claims for which indemnification is payable
hereunder, such indemnification shall be paid promptly by the Indemnifying Party
upon demand by the Indemnified Party.
7.4 Liquidated
Damages. The Seller and the Purchasers agree that the
Purchasers will suffer damages if a Breach Event (as defined below) occurs or is
ongoing. The Seller and the Purchasers further agree that it may not be feasible
to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. If a Breach Event (as
defined below) occurs, then the Purchasers may elect, as liquidated damages, and
in addition to any other remedies legally available to such Purchasers, to
require that the Seller shall pay to the Purchasers liquidated damages at a rate
of 12% per annum of the aggregate Purchase Price of such Purchasers payable
monthly in cash at the end of each month (or part thereof) in which the Breach
Event is outstanding.
“Breach
Event” means either:
(i) Any
breach of any warranty or representation of the Seller as of the date made in
this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any other agreement delivered herewith,
which breach, or the facts and circumstances concerning such breach, has or is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(ii) Any
breach by the Seller of any material covenant or obligation under this
Agreement, any Related Agreement or any other agreement delivered herewith, and
which breach, if capable of being cured, has not been cured within ten (10) days
after notice of such breach has been given by the holders of a majority in
interest of Purchasers to the Seller.
The
Seller and the Purchasers have expressly negotiated this Section 7.4, and have
agreed that in light of the circumstances existing at the time of execution of
this Agreement, the liquidated damages expressed herein represent a reasonable
estimate of the harm likely to be suffered by the Purchasers upon the occurrence
of a Breach Event.
ARTICLE
VIII - MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Further
Assurances. Each party agrees to cooperate fully with the
other parties and to execute such further instruments, documents and agreements
and to give such further written assurances as may be reasonably requested by
any other party to better evidence and reflect the transactions described herein
and contemplated hereby and to carry into effect the intents and purposes of
this Agreement, and further agrees to take promptly, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper
or advisable under applicable law to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated hereby, to obtain all necessary waivers, consents and
approvals, to effect all necessary registrations and filings, and to remove any
injunctions or other impediments or delays, legal or otherwise, in order to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
for the purpose of securing to the parties hereto the benefits contemplated by
this Agreement.
8.2 Fees and
Expenses. The parties hereto shall pay their own costs and
expenses in connection herewith, except that the Seller shall pay to Tail Wind
Advisory and Management Ltd. a non-refundable sum equal to $10,000 as and for
legal and due diligence expenses incurred in connection herewith. The
Seller shall pay all fees and expenses of any placement agents, finders and
escrow agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
pursuant to a separate agreement between such parties.
8.3 Notices. Any and all
notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number specified in this Section
prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on a business day, (b) the next business
day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered
via facsimile at the facsimile number specified in this Section on a day that is
not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any business
day, (c) the business day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S.
nationally recognized overnight courier service such as Federal Express, or (d)
actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be
given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as
follows:
If to the
Purchasers at each Purchaser’s address set forth on such Purchaser’s signature
page hereto, or with respect to the Seller, addressed to:
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road,
Suite
2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Attention: General
Counsel
Facsimile
No.: (818) 222-9197
or to
such other address or addresses or facsimile number or numbers as any such party
may most recently have designated in writing to the other parties hereto by such
notice. Copies of notices to any Purchaser shall be sent to the
addresses, if any, listed on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto, with a copy
to:
Peter J.
Weisman, P.C.
52
Vanderbilt Avenue, 17th
Fl.
New York,
NY 10017
Fax:
(212) 317-8855
Unless
otherwise stated above, such communications shall be effective when they are
received by the addressee thereof in conformity with this Section. Any party may
change its address for such communications by giving notice thereof to the other
parties in conformity with this Section.
8.4 Governing Law. All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of this Agreement shall be governed by and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York without reference to the conflicts of laws principles
thereof.
8.5 Jurisdiction and
Venue. This Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the Federal District Court, Southern District of New York and if such court does
not have proper jurisdiction, the State Courts of New York County, New
York. The parties to this Agreement agree that any breach of any term
or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a breach occurring in the
State of New York by virtue of a failure to perform an act required to be
performed in the State of New York and irrevocably and expressly agree to submit
to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court, Southern District of New York
and if such court does not have proper jurisdiction, the State Courts of New
York County, New York for the purpose of resolving any disputes among the
parties relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby. The parties irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the
laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court in respect hereof brought
in New York County, New York, and further irrevocably waive any claim that any
suit, action or proceeding brought in Federal District Court, Southern District
of New York and if such court does not have proper jurisdiction, the State
Courts of New York County, New York has been brought in an inconvenient
forum. Each of the parties hereto consents to process being served in
any such suit, action or proceeding, by mailing a copy thereof to such party at
the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing in this Section 8.5 shall affect or limit any right
to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
8.6 Successors and
Assigns. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties and may not be
assigned without the written consent of the other parties; provided, however,
that any of the Purchasers shall be permitted to assign this Agreement to any
Person to whom it assigns or transfers securities issued or issuable pursuant to
this Agreement. Any assignee must be an “accredited investor” as
defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities Act.
8.7 Severability. If any
provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, shall for any reason or
to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall continue
in full force and effect and in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated.
8.8 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement and the other agreements and instruments referenced herein
constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings.
8.9 Other Remedies.
Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly
conferred upon a party shall be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any
other remedy conferred hereby or by law, or in equity on such party, and the
exercise of any one remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any
other.
8.10 Amendment and
Waivers. Subject to Section 5.12, any term or provision of this Agreement
may be amended, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived
(either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only by a writing signed by the Seller and at least 75% in
interest of the Purchasers, and such waiver or amendment, as the case may be,
shall be binding upon all Purchasers. The waiver by a party of any
breach hereof or default in the performance hereof shall not be deemed to
constitute a waiver of any other default or any succeeding breach or
default. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented by any
party hereto except pursuant to a written amendment executed by the Seller and
at least 75% in interest of the Purchasers. No amendment shall be
effected to impact a Purchaser in a disproportionately adverse fashion without
the consent of such individual Purchaser.
8.11. Termination. This
Agreement may be terminated by any Purchaser, as to such Purchaser’s obligations
hereunder only and without any effect whatsoever on the obligations between the
Seller and the other Purchasers, by written notice to the Seller, if the Closing
has not been consummated on or before June 29, 2007; provided, however, that no
such termination will affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by the
other party (or parties).
8.12 No Waiver. The
failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions hereof shall not be
construed to be a waiver of the right of such party thereafter to enforce such
provisions.
8.13 Construction of Agreement;
Knowledge. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “knowledge,” when
used in reference to a corporation means the knowledge of the directors and
executive officers of such corporation (including, if applicable, any person
designated as a chief scientific, medical or technical officer) assuming such
persons shall have made inquiry that is customary and appropriate under the
circumstances to which reference is made, and when used in reference to an
individual means the knowledge of such individual assuming the individual shall
have made inquiry that is customary and appropriate under the circumstances to
which reference is made.
8.14 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon and all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement
shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken
together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as
signatories. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the
party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same
force and effect as if such facsimile signature page were an original
thereof.
8.15 No Third Party
Beneficiary. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended,
or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person other than the parties
hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Agreement.
8.16 Waiver of Trial by
Jury. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
[Signature
Page Follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.
SELLER:
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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|
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By:
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Name:
Najeeb Ghauri
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer
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By:
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Name:
Patti L. W. McGlasson
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Title:
Secretary
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PURCHASER:
THE
TAIL WIND FUND LTD.
By:
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THE
TAIL WIND ADVISORY & MANAGEMENT LTD.,
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as
investment manager
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By:
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David
Crook, CEO
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Address:
c/o Tail
Wind Advisory & Management Ltd.
77 Long
Acre
London,
WC2E 9LB, UK
Attn:
David Crook
Telephone:
011-44-207-420-3808
Facsimile:
011-44-207-420-3819
Email:
dcrook@tailwindam.com
Residence/Jurisdiction
of Organization: B.V.I.
Amount of
Investment/Purchase Price: $____________________
[Omnibus
NTWK Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement Signature
Page]
PURCHASER:
SOLOMON
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
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Andrew
P. Mackellar, Director
|
Address:
c/o
Andrew P. MacKellar
Greenlands
The Red
Gap
Castletown,
IM9 1HB, British Isles
Telephone:
+011 (44) 1624 824171
Facsimile:
+011 (44) 1624 824191
Email:
mackellar_twi@manx.net
Residence/Jurisdiction
of Organization: B.V.I.
Amount of
Investment/Purchase Price: $____________________
[Omnibus
NTWK Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement Signature
Page]
PURCHASER:
Residence/Jurisdiction of Organization:
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Amount of
Investment/Purchase Price: $____________________
[Omnibus
NTWK Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement Signature
Page]
Schedule
3.1
Seller’s
Subsidiaries
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1.
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NetSol
Technologies Ltd. located in Lahore,
Pakistan.
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2.
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NetSol
Connect (Pvt) Limited located in Karachi, Pakistan. (51%
interest)
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3.
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NetSol
Abraxas, Inc., located in Adelaide,
Australia.
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4.
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NetSol
USA, Inc., located in Calabasas,
California
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5.
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NetSol
Technologies Ltd. located in London,
England.
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6.
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NetSol-CQ
Ltd., Located in Horsham, England
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7.
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TIG-NetSol
(Pvt) Limited, Located in Lahore, Pakistan.(50.1%
interest)
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8.
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NetSol
Omni, located in Lahore, Pakistan.
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9.
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NetSol
McCue, Inc., Located in Burlingame,
California
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Schedule
3.10
None
Schedule
3.11
None
Schedule
3.15
None
Schedule
3.17
None
Schedule
3.18
None
Schedule
3.19
See
Schedule 3.1
Schedule
3.20
None
Schedule
3.21
None
Schedule
3.22
None
ANNEX
B
FORM
OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
THIS
WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR
TRANSFERRED, IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID
ACT OR UNLESS THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION UNDER SAID ACT IS NOT
REQUIRED.
THIS
WARRANT DOES NOT REQUIRE PHYSICAL SURRENDER OF THE WARRANT IN THE EVENT OF A
PARTIAL EXERCISE. AS A RESULT, FOLLOWING ANY EXERCISE OF ANY PORTION
OF THIS WARRANT, THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH THIS WARRANT MAY
BE EXERCISED MAY BE LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES SET FORTH
BELOW.
Issuance
Date: ____________, 2007
Warrant
No. [ ]
COMMON
STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
To
Purchase ___________1
Shares of Common Stock of NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
THIS IS
TO CERTIFY THAT [______________], or registered assigns (the “Holder”), is
entitled, during the Exercise Period (as hereinafter defined), to purchase from
NetSol Technologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), the Warrant
Stock (as hereinafter defined and subject to adjustment as provided herein), in
whole or in part, at a purchase price of $1.652 per share, all on and
subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
1. Definitions. As
used in this Warrant, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth
below:
“Affiliate” means any
person or entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a
person or entity, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under
the Securities Act. With respect to a Holder of Warrants, any
investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by
the same investment manager as such Holder will be deemed to be an Affiliate of
such Holder.
“Appraised Value”
means, in respect of any share of Common Stock on any date herein specified, the
fair saleable value of such share of Common Stock (determined without giving
effect to the discount for (i) a minority interest or (ii) any lack of liquidity
of the Common Stock or to the fact that the Company may have no class of equity
registered under the Exchange Act) as of the last day of the most recent fiscal
month ending prior to such date specified, based on the value of the Company on
a fully-diluted basis, as determined by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by the Company’s Board of Directors and having no prior
relationship with the Company.
1 Insert
50% of Purchase Price divided by Per Share Purchase Price (as defined in
Purchase Agreement) or 50% of number of Additional Shares purchased upon
greenshoe exercise.
2 Insert
112.5% of Per Share Purchase Price.
“Business Day” means
any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be a legal holiday or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are
authorized or required by law or other government actions to close.
“Change of Control”
means the (i) acquisition by an individual or legal entity or group (as set
forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of more than one-half of the voting
rights or equity interests in the Company; or (ii) sale, conveyance, or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, property or business of
the Company or the merger into or consolidation with any other corporation
(other than a wholly owned subsidiary corporation) or effectuation of any
transaction or series of related transactions where holders of the Company’s
voting securities prior to such transaction or series of transactions fail to
continue to hold at least 50% of the voting power of the Company (or, if other
than the Company, the successor or acquiring entity) immediately following such
transaction.
“Commission” means the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency then
administering the Securities Act and other federal securities laws.
“Common Stock” means
(except where the context otherwise indicates) the Common Stock, $0.001 par
value per share, of the Company, and any capital stock into which such Common
Stock may thereafter be changed or converted, and shall also include (i) capital
stock of the Company of any other class (regardless of how denominated) issued
to the holders of shares of Common Stock upon any reclassification thereof which
is also not preferred as to dividends or assets on liquidation over any other
class of stock of the Company and which is not subject to redemption and (ii)
shares of common stock of any successor or acquiring corporation received by or
distributed to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in the circumstances
contemplated by Section 4.5.
“Current Market Price”
means, in respect of any share of Common Stock on any date herein
specified,
(1) if
there shall not then be a public market for the Common Stock, the higher
of
(a) the
book value per share of Common Stock at such date, and
(b) the
Appraised Value per share of Common Stock at such date,
or
(2) if
there shall then be a public market for the Common Stock, the average of the
daily market prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately before
such date. The daily market price for each such Trading Day shall be (i) the
closing bid price on such day on the principal stock exchange on which such
Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading, or quoted, as applicable,
(ii) if no sale takes place on such day on any such exchange, the last reported
closing bid price on such day as officially quoted on any such exchange, (iii)
if the Common Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on any stock
exchange, the last reported closing bid price on such day in the
over-the-counter market, as furnished by the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automatic Quotation System or the National Quotation Bureau, Inc., (iv)
if neither such corporation at the time is engaged in the business of reporting
such prices, as furnished by any similar firm then engaged in such business, or
(v) if there is no such firm, as furnished by any member of the NASD selected
mutually by the holder of this Warrant and the Company or, if they cannot agree
upon such selection, as selected by two such members of the NASD, one of which
shall be selected by holder of this Warrant and one of which shall be selected
by the Company.
“Current Warrant
Price” means, in respect of a share of Common Stock at any date herein
specified, the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased pursuant
to this Warrant on such date. Unless and until the Current Warrant Price is
adjusted pursuant to the terms herein, the initial Current Warrant Price shall
be $_____ per share of Common Stock.
“Exchange Act” means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal statute,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same
shall be in effect from time to time.
“Exercise Date” means
the date which is the earlier of (a) the date on which a Registration Statement
(as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) covering all the Warrant Stock is
declared effective by the Commission, and (b) the first anniversary of the
original issuance date hereof.
“Exercise Period”
means the period during which this Warrant is exercisable pursuant to Section
2.1.
“Expiration Date”
means the date which is five (5) years following the Exercise Date.
“GAAP” means generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as from time to
time in effect.
“NASD” means the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or any successor corporation
thereto.
“Other Property” has
the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.
“Person” means any
individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, incorporated
organization, association, corporation, limited liability company, institution,
public benefit corporation, entity or government (whether federal, state,
county, city, municipal or otherwise, including, without limitation, any
instrumentality, division, agency, body or department thereof).
“Purchase Agreement”
means that certain Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of June
___, 2007 among the Company and the other parties named therein, pursuant to
which this Warrant was originally issued.
“Restricted Common
Stock” means shares of Common Stock which are, or which upon their
issuance upon the exercise of any Warrant would be required to be, evidenced by
a certificate bearing the restrictive legend set forth in Section
3.2.
“Securities Act” means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in
effect at the time.
“Trading Day” means
any day on which the primary market on which shares of Common Stock are listed
is open for trading.
“Transfer” means any
disposition of any Warrant or Warrant Stock or of any interest in either
thereof, which would constitute a sale thereof within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
“Warrants” means this
Warrant and all warrants issued upon transfer, division or combination of, or in
substitution for, any thereof. All Warrants shall at all times be identical as
to terms and conditions and date, except as to the number of shares of Common
Stock for which they may be exercised.
“Warrant Price” means
an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Common Stock being purchased upon
exercise of this Warrant pursuant to Section 2.1, multiplied by (ii) the Current
Warrant Price.
“Warrant Stock” means
the 303,030 shares of Common Stock to be purchased upon the exercise hereof,
subject to adjustment as provided herein.
2. Exercise of
Warrant.
2.1. Manner of
Exercise.
(a) From
and after the Exercise Date and until 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the
Expiration Date (the “Exercise Period”), the Holder may exercise this Warrant,
on any Business Day, for all or any part of the number of shares of Warrant
Stock purchasable hereunder.
(b) In
order to exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, the Holder shall deliver to
the Company at its principal office or at the office or agency designated by the
Company pursuant to Section 12, (i) a written notice of Holder’s election to
exercise this Warrant, which notice shall specify the number of shares of
Warrant Stock to be purchased, (ii) payment of the Warrant Price as provided
herein, and (iii) upon exercise of this Warrant in full, this
Warrant. Such notice shall be substantially in the form of the
subscription form appearing at the end of this Warrant as Exhibit A, duly
executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Upon receipt thereof, the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within three
Business Days thereafter, electronically transmit the Common Stock issuable upon
exercise hereof to the Holder, by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime
broker with Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit Withdrawal
Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system using the Fast Automated Securities Transfer
(“FAST”) program. The parties agree to coordinate with DTC to
accomplish this objective. In lieu of such electronic delivery
through DWAC, the Company shall, to the extent requested by the Holder or
required by law, execute or cause to be executed and deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate
number of full shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise
hereof. The time periods for delivery of physical certificates
evidencing the Warrant Shares are the same as those described
above. Any stock certificate or certificates so delivered shall be,
to the extent possible, in such denomination or denominations as the Holder
shall request in the notice and shall be registered in the name of the Holder or
such other name as shall be designated in the notice. This Warrant shall be
deemed to have been exercised and such certificate or certificates shall be
deemed to have been issued, and the Holder or any other Person so designated to
be named therein shall be deemed to have become a Holder of record of such
shares for all purposes, as of the date when the notice to exercise is received
by the Company as described above. If this Warrant shall have been
exercised in part, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate
or certificates representing Warrant Stock, if not effected using book entry as
described below, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of
the Holder to purchase the unpurchased shares of Common Stock called for by this
Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this
Warrant, or at the request of the Holder, appropriate notation may be made on
this Warrant and the same returned to the Holder.
(c) Payment
of the Warrant Price may be made at the option of the Holder by: (i) certified
or official bank check payable to the order of the Company, or (ii) wire
transfer to the account of the Company, provided that if at any time following
the 120th day
after the Closing Date there is no effective Registration Statement registering,
or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the
Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised at such time by means of a
“cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a
certificate for the number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
|
(A)
=
|
the
closing sale price on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of
such election;
|
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(B)
=
|
the
Warrant Price of this Warrant, as adjusted;
and
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(X)
=
|
the
number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in
accordance with the terms of this Warrant by means of a cash exercise
rather than a cashless
exercise.
|
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, on the Expiration Date, this Warrant shall be
automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section
2.1(c).
(d) All
shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant pursuant to
the terms hereof shall be validly issued and, upon payment of the Warrant Price,
shall be fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive
rights.
(e) Book-Entry. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, upon exercise of any portion of this
Warrant in accordance with the terms hereof, the warrantholder shall not be
required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless such holder
is purchasing the full amount of Warrant Shares represented by this
Warrant. The warrantholder and the Company shall maintain records
showing the number of Warrant Shares so purchased hereunder and the dates of
such purchases or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to the
warrantholder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of this
Warrant upon each such exercise. In connection therewith a form of
ledger to maintain a record of such transactions is attached
hereto. The warrantholder and any assignee, by acceptance of this
Warrant or a new Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the
provisions of this paragraph, following exercise of any portion of this Warrant,
the number of Warrant Shares which may be purchased upon exercise of this
Warrant may be less than the number of Warrant Shares set forth on the face
hereof.
2.2. Fractional Shares.
The Company shall not be required to issue a fractional share of Common Stock
upon exercise of any Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder of
one or more Warrants, the rights under which are exercised in the same
transaction, would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the
Company shall pay an amount in cash equal to the Current Market Price per share
of Common Stock on the date of exercise multiplied by such
fraction.
2.3. Continued Validity. A
Holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, in
whole or in part (other than a Holder who acquires such shares after the same
have been publicly sold pursuant to a Registration Statement under the
Securities Act or sold pursuant to Rule 144 thereunder), shall continue to be
entitled with respect to such shares to all rights to which it would have been
entitled as the Holder under Sections 10 and 13 of this Warrant.
2.4. Restrictions on Exercise
Amount.
(i) Unless
a Holder delivers to the Company irrevocable written notice prior to the date of
issuance hereof or sixty-one days prior to the effective date of such notice
that this Section 2.4(i) shall not apply to such Holder, the Company shall not
issue to the Holder, and the Holder may not acquire, a number of shares of
Warrant Stock to the extent that, upon such exercise, the number of shares of
Common Stock then beneficially owned by such holder and its Affiliates and any
other persons or entities whose beneficial ownership of Common Stock would be
aggregated with the Holder’s for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act
(including shares held by any “group” of which the holder is a member, but excluding shares beneficially owned by virtue of
the ownership of securities or rights to acquire securities that have
limitations on the right to convert, exercise or purchase similar to the
limitation set forth herein) would exceed 9.9% of the total number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company then issued and outstanding. For purposes
hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act
and applicable regulations of the Commission, and the percentage held by the
holder shall be determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act. Each delivery of a notice of exercise by a Holder
will constitute a representation by such Holder that it has evaluated the
limitation set forth in this paragraph and determined, based on the most recent
public filings by the Company with the Commission, that the issuance of the full
number of shares of Warrant Stock requested in such notice of exercise is
permitted under this paragraph.
3. Transfer, Division and
Combination.
3.1. Transfer. The
Warrants and the Warrant Stock shall be freely transferable, subject to
compliance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to the
Securities Act. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection
with any transfer of this Warrant or the resale of the Warrant Stock, this
Warrant or the Warrant Stock, as applicable, shall not be registered under the
Securities Act, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such
transfer (i) that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant or the Warrant Stock
as the case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of counsel that is
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer may be
made without registration under the Securities Act, (ii) that the Holder or
transferee execute and deliver to the Company an investment letter in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, and (iii) that the transferee be
an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the
Securities Act. Transfer of this Warrant and all rights hereunder, in whole or
in part, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, shall be registered on the
books of the Company to be maintained for such purpose, upon surrender of this
Warrant at the principal office of the Company referred to in Section 2.1 or the
office or agency designated by the Company pursuant to Section 12, together with
a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto duly
executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any
transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender
and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new
Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the
denomination specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the
assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned,
and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Following a transfer that complies
with the requirements of this Section 3.1, the Warrant may be exercised by a new
Holder for the purchase of shares of Common Stock regardless of whether the
Company issued or registered a new Warrant on the books of the Company. In
connection with any transfer of this Warrant after the Registration Statement
(as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) is declared effective under the
Securities Act, the Holder or transferee of this Warrant shall reimburse the
Company for its reasonable out of pocket costs in connection with such transfer
(including without limitation the reasonable attorneys fees for preparing and
filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC and/or delivering an updated opinion
letter to the Seller’s transfer agent).
3.2. Restrictive Legends.
Each certificate for Warrant Stock initially issued upon the exercise of this
Warrant, and each certificate for Warrant Stock issued to any subsequent
transferee of any such certificate, unless, in each case, such Warrant Stock is
registered under the Securities Act or is eligible for resale without
registration pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, shall be stamped
or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following
form:
“THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR
TRANSFERRED, IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID
ACT OR UNLESS THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION UNDER SAID ACT IS NOT
REQUIRED.”
“THE
SALE, TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2007, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG THE COMPANY AND
CERTAIN HOLDERS OF ITS OUTSTANDING SECURITIES. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE
OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS
CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”
3.3. Division and Combination;
Expenses; Books. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other
Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office or agency of the
Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations
in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or
attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 3.1 as to any transfer which may be
involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver
a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided
or combined in accordance with such notice. The Company shall prepare, issue and
deliver at its own expense the new Warrant or Warrants under this Section 3. The
Company agrees to maintain, at its aforesaid office or agency, books for the
registration and the registration of transfer of the Warrants.
4. Adjustments. The
number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable, and the
price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise of this Warrant, shall
be subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in this Section 4. The
Company shall give the Holder notice of any event described below which requires
an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4 in accordance with Sections 5.1 and
5.2.
4.1. Stock Dividends,
Subdivisions and Combinations. If at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding the Company shall:
(i) declare
a dividend or make a distribution on its outstanding shares of Common Stock in
shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide
its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common
Stock, or
(iii) combine
its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common
Stock, then:
(1) the
number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant
immediately after the occurrence of any such event shall be adjusted to equal
the number of shares of Common Stock which a record holder of the same number of
shares of Common Stock that would have been acquirable under this Warrant
immediately prior to the record date for such dividend or distribution or the
effective date of such subdivision or combination would own or be entitled to
receive after such record date or the effective date of such subdivision or
combination, as applicable, and
(2) the
Current Warrant Price shall be adjusted to equal:
(A) the
Current Warrant Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend
or distribution or of the effective date of such subdivision or combination,
multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock into which this Warrant is
exercisable immediately prior to the adjustment, divided by
(B) the
number of shares of Common Stock into which this Warrant is exercisable
immediately after such adjustment.
Any
adjustment made pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph shall become effective
immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled
to receive such dividend or distribution, and any adjustment pursuant to clauses
(ii) or (iii) of this paragraph shall become effective immediately after the
effective date of such subdivision or combination.
4.2. Certain Other
Distributions. If at any time while this Warrant is outstanding the
Company shall cause the holders of its Common Stock to be entitled to receive
any dividend or other distribution of:
(i) cash,
(ii) any
evidences of its indebtedness, any shares of stock of any class or any other
securities or property or assets of any nature whatsoever (other than cash or
additional shares of Common Stock as provided in Section 4.1 hereof),
or
(iii) any
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any evidences of its
indebtedness, any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or
property or assets of any nature whatsoever, then:
(1) the
number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant shall
be adjusted to equal the product of the number of shares of Common Stock
acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to the record date
for such dividend or distribution, multiplied by a fraction (x) the numerator of
which shall be the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock at the date
of taking such record and (y) the denominator of which shall be such Current
Warrant Price minus the amount allocable to one share of Common Stock of any
such cash so distributable and of the fair value (as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company) of any and all such evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock, other securities or property or warrants or other
subscription or purchase rights so distributable; and
(2) the
Current Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to the record date fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution shall be
adjusted to equal (x) the Current Warrant Price multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately
prior to the adjustment, divided by (y) the number of shares of Common Stock
acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately after such adjustment. A
reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from
par value to no par value or from no par value to par value) into shares of
Common Stock and shares of any other class of stock shall be deemed a
distribution by the Company to the holders of its Common Stock of such shares of
such other class of stock within the meaning of this Section 4.2 and, if the
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into a larger or smaller
number of shares of Common Stock as a part of such reclassification, such change
shall be deemed a subdivision or combination, as the case may be, of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock within the meaning of Section
4.1.
4.3. Securities
Issuances. In the event that the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (A) issues or sells any Common Stock or convertible securities,
warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase or exchange
for, shares of Common Stock (“Convertible Securities”) or (B) directly or
indirectly effectively reduces the conversion, exercise or exchange price for
any Convertible Securities which are currently outstanding, at or to an
effective Per Share Selling Price (as defined below) which is less than the
Current Warrant Price, then in each such case the Current Warrant Price in
effect immediately prior to such issue or sale or record date, as applicable,
shall be automatically reduced effective concurrently with such issue or sale to
an amount equal to such Per Share Selling Price. In the
event of any such reduction, the number of Warrant Shares hereunder shall be
inversely proportionately increased such that the aggregate exercise price
hereunder shall remain the same. The foregoing provision shall not
apply to any issuances or sales of Common Stock or Convertible Securities (i)
pursuant to any Convertible Securities currently outstanding on the date hereof
in accordance with the terms of such Convertible Securities in effect on the
date hereof, or (ii) to any officer, director or employee of the Company
pursuant to a bona fide option or equity incentive plan duly adopted by the
Company. The Company shall give to the Warrantholder written notice
of any such sale of Common Stock within 24 hours of the closing of any such sale
and shall within such 24 hour period issue a press release announcing such sale
if such sale is a material event for, or otherwise material to, the
Company.
For the
purposes of the foregoing adjustments, in the case of the issuance of any
Convertible Securities, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise, exchange or conversion of such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to be outstanding.
For
purposes of this Section 4.3, if an event occurs that triggers more than one of
the above adjustment provisions, then only one adjustment shall be made and the
calculation method which yields the greatest downward adjustment in the Current
Warrant Price shall be used.
“Per
Share Selling Price” shall include the amount actually paid by third parties for
each share of Common Stock in a sale or issuance by the Company. In
the event a fee is paid by the Company in connection with such transaction
directly or indirectly to such third party or its affiliates, any such fee shall
be deducted from the selling price pro rata to all shares sold in the
transaction to arrive at the Per Share Selling Price. A sale of
shares of Common Stock shall include the sale or issuance of Convertible
Securities, and in such circumstances the Per Share Selling Price of the Common
Stock covered thereby shall also include the exercise, exchange or conversion
price thereof (in addition to the consideration received by the Company upon
such sale or issuance less the fee amount as provided above). In case
of any such security issued in a transaction in which the purchase price or the
conversion, exchange or exercise price is directly or indirectly subject to
adjustment or reset based on a future date, future trading prices of the Common
Stock, specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the
business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock, or otherwise (but
excluding standard stock split anti-dilution provisions or weighted-average
anti-dilution provisions similar to that set forth herein, provided that any
actual reduction of such price under any such security pursuant to such
weighted-average anti-dilution provision shall be included and cause a
adjustment hereunder), the Per Share Selling Price shall be deemed to be the
lowest conversion, exchange, exercise or reset price at which such securities
are converted, exchanged, exercised or reset or might have been converted,
exchanged, exercised or reset, or the lowest adjustment, as the case may be,
over the life of such securities. If shares are issued for a
consideration other than cash, the Per Share Selling Price shall be the fair
value of such consideration as determined in good faith by independent certified
public accountants mutually acceptable to the Company and the
Holder. In the event the Company directly or indirectly effectively
reduces the conversion, exercise or exchange price for any Convertible
Securities which are currently outstanding, then the Per Share Selling Price
shall equal such effectively reduced conversion, exercise or exchange
price.
4.4. Other Provisions Applicable
to Adjustments. The following provisions shall be applicable to the
making of adjustments of the number of shares of Common Stock into which this
Warrant is exercisable and the Current Warrant Price provided for in Section
4:
(a) When Adjustments to Be
Made. The adjustments required by Section 4 shall be made whenever and as
often as any specified event requiring an adjustment shall occur, except that
any that would otherwise be required may be postponed (except in the case of a
subdivision or combination of shares of the Common Stock, as provided for in
Section 4.1) up to, but not beyond the date of exercise if such adjustment
either by itself or with other adjustments not previously made adds or subtracts
less than 1% of the shares of Common Stock into which this Warrant is
exercisable immediately prior to the making of such adjustment. Any adjustment
representing a change of less than such minimum amount (except as aforesaid)
which is postponed shall be carried forward and made as soon as such adjustment,
together with other adjustments required by this Section 4 and not previously
made, would result in a minimum adjustment or on the date of exercise. For the
purpose of any adjustment, any specified event shall be deemed to have occurred
at the close of business on the date of its occurrence.
(b) Fractional Interests.
In computing adjustments under this Section 4, fractional interests in Common
Stock shall be taken into account to the nearest 1/100th of a
share.
(c) When Adjustment Not
Required. If the Company undertakes a transaction contemplated under this
Section 4 and as a result takes a record of the holders of its Common Stock for
the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution or
subscription or purchase rights or other benefits contemplated under this
Section 4 and shall, thereafter and before the distribution to stockholders
thereof, legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend, distribution,
subscription or purchase rights or other benefits contemplated under this
Section 4, then thereafter no adjustment shall be required by reason of the
taking of such record and any such adjustment previously made in respect thereof
shall be rescinded and annulled.
(d) Escrow of Stock. If
after any property becomes distributable pursuant to Section 4 by reason of the
taking of any record of the holders of Common Stock, but prior to the occurrence
of the event for which such record is taken, a holder of this Warrant exercises
the Warrant during such time, then such holder shall continue to be entitled to
receive any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise hereunder by reason of
such adjustment and such shares or other property shall be held in escrow for
the holder of this Warrant by the Company to be issued to holder of this Warrant
upon and to the extent that the event actually takes place. Notwithstanding any
other provision to the contrary herein, if the event for which such record was
taken fails to occur or is rescinded, then such escrowed shares shall be
canceled by the Company and escrowed property returned to the
Company.
4.5. Reorganization,
Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of
Assets.
(a) If
there shall occur a Change of Control and, pursuant to the terms of such Change
of Control, shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation, or
any cash, shares of stock or other securities or property of any nature
whatsoever (including warrants or other subscription or purchase rights) in
addition to or in lieu of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation
(“Other Property”), are to be received by or distributed to the holders of
Common Stock of the Company, then the Holder of this Warrant shall have the
right thereafter to receive, upon the exercise of the Warrant, the number of
shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the
Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and the Other Property receivable
upon or as a result of such Change of Control by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock into which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior
to such event.
(b) In
case of any such Change of Control described in Section 4.5(a) above, the
resulting, successor or acquiring entity (if other than the Company) and, if an
entity different from the successor or acquiring entity, the entity whose
capital stock or assets the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to receive
as a result of such Change of Control, shall expressly assume the due and
punctual observance and performance of each and every covenant and condition
contained in this Warrant to be performed and observed by the Company and all
the obligations and liabilities hereunder, subject to such modifications as may
be deemed appropriate (as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company) in order to provide for adjustments of shares of the Common Stock
into which this Warrant is exercisable which shall be as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the adjustments provided for in Section 4. For purposes of
Section 4, common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation shall include
stock of such corporation of any class which is not preferred as to dividends or
assets on liquidation over any other class of stock of such corporation and
which is not subject to redemption and shall also include any evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock or other securities which are convertible into or
exchangeable for any such stock, either immediately or upon the arrival of a
specified date or the happening of a specified event and any warrants or other
rights to subscribe for or purchase any such stock. The foregoing provisions of
this Section 4 shall similarly apply to successive Change of Control
transactions.
4.6. Other Action Affecting
Common Stock. In case at any time or from time to time the Company shall
take any action in respect of its Common Stock, other than the payment of
dividends permitted by Section 4 or any other action described in Section 4,
then, unless such action will not have a materially adverse effect upon the
rights of the holder of this Warrant, the number of shares of Common Stock or
other stock into which this Warrant is exercisable and/or the purchase price
thereof shall be adjusted in such manner as may be equitable in the
circumstances.
4.7. Certain Limitations.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company agrees not to enter
into any transaction which, by reason of any adjustment hereunder, would cause
the Current Warrant Price to be less than the par value per share of Common
Stock.
4.8. Stock Transfer Taxes.
The issue of stock certificates upon exercise of this Warrant shall be made
without charge to the holder for any tax in respect of such issue. The Company
shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect
of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares in any name other
than that of the holder of this Warrant, and the Company shall not be required
to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the person or
persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount
of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that
such tax has been paid.
5. Notices to Warrant
Holders.
5.1. Certificate as to
Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of
the Current Warrant Price, the Company, at its expense, shall promptly compute
such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and prepare
and furnish to the Holder of this Warrant a certificate setting forth such
adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such
adjustment or readjustment is based. The Company shall, upon the written request
at any time of the Holder of this Warrant, furnish or cause to be furnished to
such Holder a like certificate setting forth (i) such adjustments and
readjustments, (ii) the Current Warrant Price at the time in effect and (iii)
the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, or other property
which at the time would be received upon the exercise of Warrants owned by such
Holder.
5.2. Notice of Corporate
Action. If at any time:
(a) the
Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose
of entitling them to receive a dividend (other than a cash dividend payable out
of earnings or earned surplus legally available for the payment of dividends
under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or other
distribution, or any right to subscribe for or purchase any evidences of its
indebtedness, any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or
property, or to receive any other right, or
(b) there
shall be any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification or
recapitalization of the capital stock of the Company or any consolidation or
merger of the Company with, or any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all the property, assets or business of the Company to, another
corporation,
(c) there
shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
the Company, or
(d) the
Company shall cause the holders of its Common Stock to be entitled to receive
(i) any dividend or other distribution of cash, (ii) any evidences of its
indebtedness, or (iii) any shares of stock of any class or any other securities
or property or assets of any nature whatsoever (other than cash or additional
shares of Common Stock as provided in Section 4.1 hereof); or (iv) any warrants
or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any evidences of its indebtedness,
any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property or assets
of any nature whatsoever;
then, in
any one or more of such cases, the Company shall give to the Holder (i) at least
20 days’ prior written notice of the date on which a record date shall be
selected for such dividend, distribution or right or for determining rights to
vote in respect of any such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up, and (ii) in the case of any such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up, at least 20 days’ prior written notice of the date when the same shall take
place. Such notice in accordance with the foregoing clause also shall specify
(i) the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution or right, the date on which the holders of Common Stock
shall be entitled to any such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount
and character thereof, and (ii) the date on which any such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is to take place and the time, if any
such time is to be fixed, as of which the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities or other
property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up. Each such written notice shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the
Holder at the last address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company
and delivered in accordance with Section 15.2.
5.3. No Rights as
Stockholder. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting or
other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to exercise and payment for
the Warrant Price in accordance with the terms hereof.
6. No Impairment. The
Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its
articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets,
consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other
voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of
the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the
carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be
necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of the Holder against impairment.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (a) not
increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise
immediately prior to such increase in par value, (b) take all such action as may
be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of
this Warrant, and (c) use its best efforts to obtain all such authorizations,
exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction
thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations
under this Warrant. Upon the request of the Holder, the Company will at any time
during the period this Warrant is outstanding acknowledge in writing, in form
satisfactory to the Holder, the continuing validity of this Warrant and the
obligations of the Company hereunder.
7. Reservation and
Authorization of Common Stock; Registration With Approval of Any Governmental
Authority. From and after the date of issuance hereof, the Company shall
at all times reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of Warrants
such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will be
sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants (without
regard to any ownership limitations provided in Section 2.4(i)). All shares of
Common Stock which shall be so issuable, when issued upon exercise of any
Warrant and payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Warrant, shall
be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable, and not subject to
preemptive rights. Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment
reducing the Current Warrant Price below the then par value, if any, of the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may be necessary in order that the Company may
validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of such Common
Stock at such adjusted Current Warrant Price. Before taking any action which
would result in an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock for which
this Warrant is exercisable or in the Current Warrant Price, the Company shall
obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as
may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction
thereof. If any shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for issuance upon
exercise of Warrants require registration or qualification with any governmental
authority under any federal or state law before such shares may be so issued
(other than as a result of a prior or contemplated distribution by the Holder of
this Warrant), the Company will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible
and at its expense endeavor to cause such shares to be duly
registered.
8. Taking of Record; Stock and
Warrant Transfer Books. In the case of all dividends or other
distributions by the Company to the holders of its Common Stock with respect to
which any provision of Section 4 refers to the taking of a record of such
holders, the Company will in each such case take such a record and will take
such record as of the close of business on a Business Day. The Company will not
at any time, except upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company,
close its stock transfer books or Warrant transfer books so as to result in
preventing or delaying the exercise or transfer of any Warrant.
9. Piggyback Registration
Rights. The resale of the Warrant
Stock shall be registered to the extent set forth and in accordance with the
terms and conditions contained in that certain Investor Rights Agreement dated
of even date hereof, among the Holder, the Company and the other parties named
therein (the “Investor Rights Agreement”). The Holder acknowledges that pursuant
to the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company has the right to request that the
Holder furnish information regarding such Holder and the distribution of the
Warrant Stock as is required by law or the Commission to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the Investor Rights
Agreement), and the Company may exclude from such registration the shares of
Warrant Stock acquirable hereunder if Holder fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time prior to the filing of each Registration Statement,
supplemented prospectus included therein and/or amended Registration
Statement.
10. Supplying
Information. Upon any default by the Company of its obligations hereunder
or under the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company shall cooperate with the
Holder in supplying such information as may be reasonably necessary for such
Holder to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or
hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of an
exemption from the Securities Act for the sale of any Warrant or Restricted
Common Stock.
11. Loss or Mutilation.
Upon receipt by the Company from the Holder of evidence reasonably satisfactory
to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this
Warrant and indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it and
reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto and
in case of mutilation upon surrender and cancellation hereof, the Company will
execute and deliver in lieu hereof a new Warrant of like tenor to the Holder;
provided, however, that in the case of mutilation, no indemnity shall be
required if this Warrant in identifiable form is surrendered to the Company for
cancellation.
12. Office of the
Company. As long as any of the Warrants remain outstanding, the Company
shall maintain an office or agency (which may be the principal executive offices
of the Company) where the Warrants may be presented for exercise, registration
of transfer, division or combination as provided in this Warrant.
13. Financial and Business
Information.
13.1. Quarterly
Information. The Company will deliver to the Holder, as soon as available
and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three
quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, one copy of an unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of
such quarter, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income,
retained earnings and cash flow of the Company and its subsidiaries for such
quarter and, in the case of the second and third quarters, for the portion of
the fiscal year ending with such quarter, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous
fiscal year. Such financial statements shall be prepared by the Company in
accordance with GAAP and accompanied by the certification of the Company’s chief
executive officer or chief financial officer that such financial statements
present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and
cash flow of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and
for such year-to-date period, as the case may be; provided, however, that the
Company shall have no obligation to deliver such quarterly information under
this Section 13.1 to the extent it is publicly available; and provided further,
that if such information contains material non-public information, the Company
shall so notify the Holder prior to delivery thereof and the Holder shall have
the right to refuse delivery of such information.
13.2. Annual Information.
The Company will deliver to the Holder as soon as available and in any event
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, one copy of an
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the
end of such year, and audited consolidated statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flow of the Company and its subsidiaries for such year;
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding
periods in the previous fiscal year; all prepared in accordance with GAAP, and
which audited financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion thereon of
the independent certified public accountants regularly retained by the Company,
or any other firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized
national standing selected by the Company; provided, however, that the Company
shall have no obligation to deliver such annual information under this Section
13.2 to the extent it is publicly available; and provided further, that if
such information contains material non-public information, the Company shall so
notify the Holder prior to delivery thereof and the Holder shall have the right
to refuse delivery of such information..
13.3. Filings. The Company
will file on or before the required date all regular or periodic reports
(pursuant to the Exchange Act) with the Commission and will deliver to Holder
promptly upon their becoming available one copy of each report, notice or proxy
statement sent by the Company to its stockholders generally.
14. Limitation of
Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of affirmative action by
the Holder to purchase shares of Common Stock, and no enumeration herein of the
rights or privileges of the Holder hereof, shall give rise to any liability of
the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock, whether such liability is
asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
15. Miscellaneous.
15.1 Nonwaiver and
Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any
right hereunder on the part of the Holder shall operate as a waiver of such
right or otherwise prejudice Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. If the Company
fails to make, when due, any payments provided for hereunder, or fails to comply
with any other provision of this Warrant, the Company shall pay to the Holder
such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any third party costs and expenses
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of
appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due
pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies
hereunder.
15.2 Notice Generally. All
notices, requests, demands or other communications provided for herein shall be
in writing and shall be given in the manner and to the addresses set forth in
the Purchase Agreement.
15.3 Successors and
Assigns. Subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 3.1, this
Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors and assigns of the
Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of all
Holders from time to time of this Warrant, and shall be enforceable by any such
Holder.
15.4 Amendment. This
Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions of this Warrant waived with
the written consent of both the Company and the Holder.
15.5 Severability.
Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such
manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such
provision shall be modified to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity,
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
of this Warrant.
15.6 Headings. The
headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and
shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
15.7 Governing Law. This
Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be
consummated in the State of New York and shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the local laws of the State of New York without regard to the
provisions thereof relating to conflicts of laws. The Company hereby irrevocably
consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts located
in New York City, New York in connection with any action or proceeding arising
out of or relating to this Warrant. In any such litigation the Company agrees
that the service thereof may be made by certified or registered mail directed to
the Company pursuant to Section 15.2.
[Signature
Page Follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, NetSol Technologies, Inc. has caused this Warrant to be
executed by its duly authorized officer and attested by its
Secretary.
Dated:
[ ], 2007
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NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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By:
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Name:
Najeeb Ghauri
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer
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Attest:
By:
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Name:
Patti L. W. McGlasson
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Title:
Secretary
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EXHIBIT
A
SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
[To be
executed only upon exercise of Warrant]
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road,
Suite
2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Attention: General
Counsel
Facsimile
No.: (818) 222-9197
This
undersigned hereby elects to exercise the right of purchase represented by the
within Warrant (“Warrant”) for, and to purchase thereunder _______________
shares of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) provided for therein, and requests
that certificates for the Warrant Shares be issued as follows:
_______________________________
Name
_______________________________
Address
_______________________________
_______________________________
and, if
the number of Warrant Shares shall not be all the Warrant Shares purchasable
upon exercise of the Warrant, that a new Warrant for the balance of the Warrant
Shares.
In lieu
of delivering physical certificates representing the Warrant Shares purchasable
upon exercise of this Warrant, provided the Company's transfer agent is
participating in the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") Fast Automated Securities
Transfer ("FAST") program, upon request of the Holder, the Company shall use its
best efforts to cause its transfer agent to electronically transmit the Warrant
Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise to the undersigned, by crediting the
account of the undersigned's prime broker with DTC through its Deposit
Withdrawal Agent Commission ("DWAC") system.
To the
extent the undersigned intends to sell the Warrant Shares issued to the
undersigned upon exercise of this Warrant pursuant to a Registration Statement
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the undersigned agrees to
comply with all applicable prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities
Act with respect to such sale.
Dated:
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Signature:
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Name
(please print)
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Address
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EXHIBIT
B
ASSIGNMENT
FORM
FOR VALUE
RECEIVED the undersigned registered owner of this Warrant for the purchase of
shares of common stock of NetSol Technologies, Inc. hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto the Assignee named below all of the rights of the undersigned
under this Warrant, with respect to the number of shares of common stock set
forth below:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
(Name and
Address of Assignee)
_______________________________________
(Number
of Shares of Common Stock)
and does
hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________ attorney-in-fact to
register such transfer on the books of the Company, maintained for the purpose,
with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:_________________________________
______________________________________
(Print
Name and Title)
______________________________________
(Signature)
______________________________________
(Witness)
NOTICE:
The signature on this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon
the face of the Warrant in every particular, without alteration or enlargement
or any change whatsoever.
ANNEX
C
INVESTORS
RIGHT AGREEMENT
INVESTOR
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This
Investor Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made
and entered into as of June 22, 2007 among NetSol Technologies, Inc.,
a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and each
of the purchasers executing this Agreement (collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This
Agreement is being entered into pursuant to the Common Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and
the Purchasers (the “Purchase
Agreement”).
The
Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized
terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such
terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Advice” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 3(m).
“Affiliate” means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
controls or is controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the
purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person,
means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms of
“affiliated,” “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
“Blackout Period”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(n).
“Board” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3(n).
“Business Day” means
any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be a legal holiday or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are
authorized or required by law or other government actions to close.
“Commission” means the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means
the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
“Effectiveness Period”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“Event” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 8(e).
“Exchange Act” means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Holder” or “Holders” means the
holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable
Securities, including without limitation the Purchasers and their
assignees.
“Indemnified Party”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying Party”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Losses” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Person” means an
individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company,
government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of
any kind.
“Proceeding” means an
action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation,
an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced
or threatened.
“Prospectus” means the
prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by
any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement,
and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus.
“Registrable
Securities” means (a) the Shares and the Warrant Shares (without regard
to any limitations on beneficial ownership or issuance contained in the
Warrants) or other securities issued or issuable to each Purchaser or its
transferee or designee (i) upon exercise of the Warrants, or (ii) upon any
distribution with respect to, any exchange for or any replacement of such
Warrants, or (iii) upon any conversion, exercise or exchange of any securities
issued in connection with any such distribution, exchange or replacement; (b)
securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing; and (c) any
other security issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, in
exchange for, in replacement or redemption of, or in reduction of the
liquidation value of, any of the securities referred to in the preceding
clauses; provided, however, that such securities shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when such securities have been sold to or through a broker or dealer
or underwriter in a public distribution or a public securities transaction or
when such securities may be sold without any restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k)
as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion
letter, addressed to the Company's transfer agent to such effect as described in
Section 2 of this Agreement. Additional Shares and Additional Warrant
Shares shall constitute Registrable Securities.
“Registration
Statement” means the registration statements and any additional
registration statements contemplated by Section 2, including (in each case) the
Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or
Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto,
and all material incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
“Rule 144” means Rule
144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such
Rule.
“Rule 158” means Rule
158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such
Rule.
“Rule 415” means Rule
415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such
Rule.
“Securities Act” means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Special Counsel”
means Peter J. Weisman, P.C.
“Warrant Shares” means
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued or
to be issued to the Purchasers or their assignees or designees in connection
with the offering consummated under the Purchase Agreement.
2. Piggy-Back
Registrations. If at any time when there is not an effective Registration
Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall
determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the
Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form
S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or its then equivalents
relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any
acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in
connection with stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the Company
shall send to each Holder of Registrable Securities written notice of such
determination and, if within seven (7) Business Days after receipt of such
notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing (which request shall specify
the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by the Holder), the
Company will cause the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable
Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Holder, to
the extent required to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so
to be registered, provided that if at any time after giving written notice of
its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the
registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company
shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such
securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such
determination to such Holder and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination
not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable
Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to
pay expenses in accordance with Section 4 hereof), and (ii) in the case of a
determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay registering any
Registrable Securities being registered pursuant to this Section 8(d) for the
same period as the delay in registering such other securities. The Company shall
include in such registration statement all or any part of such Registrable
Securities such Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to
this Section 8(d) that are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the
Securities Act. In the case of an underwritten public offering, if
the managing underwriter(s) or underwriter(s) should reasonably object to the
inclusion of the Registrable Securities in such registration statement, then if
the Company after consultation with the managing underwriter should reasonably
determine that the inclusion of such Registrable Securities would materially
adversely affect the offering contemplated in such registration statement, and
based on such determination recommends inclusion in such registration statement
of fewer or none of the Registrable Securities of the Holders, then (x) the
number of Registrable Securities of the Holders included in such registration
statement shall be reduced pro-rata among such Holders (based upon the number of
Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration), if the
Company after consultation with the underwriter(s) recommends the inclusion of
fewer Registrable Securities, or (y) none of the Registrable Securities of the
Holders shall be included in such registration statement, if the Company after
consultation with the underwriter(s) recommends the inclusion of none of such
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that if securities are being offered
for the account of other persons or entities as well as the Company, such
reduction shall not represent a greater fraction of the number of Registrable
Securities intended to be offered by the Holders than the fraction of similar
reductions imposed on such other persons or entities (other than the
Company). The Company shall keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective under the Securities Act until such date as is the
earlier of (x) the date when all Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement have been sold or (y) the date on which all Registrable
Securities may be sold without any restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) as
determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter,
addressed to the Company's transfer agent to such effect (the “Effectiveness
Period”).
3. Registration
Procedures.
In
connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder, the Company
shall:
(a) Include
in any Registration Statement a Plan of Distribution substantially in the form
of Exhibit A
attached hereto with respect to the Holders selling Registrable Securities. Not
less than three (3) Business Days prior to the filing of the Registration
Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the
Company shall (i) furnish to the Special Counsel, copies of all such documents
proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated by
reference) will be subject to the review of such Special Counsel, and (ii) at
the request of any Holder cause its officers and directors, counsel and
independent certified public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall
be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel to such Holders, to conduct a
reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities
Act. The Company shall not file the Registration Statement or any
such Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto to which the Holders of
a majority of the Registrable Securities or the Special Counsel shall reasonably
object in writing within three (3) Business Days after their receipt thereof,
unless counsel to the Company determines in writing that such objection is
without merit.
(b) (i)
Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the
Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable
Securities for the Effectiveness Period and to the extent any Registrable
Securities are not included in such Registration Statement for reasons other
than the failure of the Holder to comply with Section 3(m) hereof, shall prepare
and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to
register for resale under the Securities Act all Registrable Securities; (ii)
cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the
Securities Act; (iii) respond as promptly as possible, and in no event later
than 10 Business Days, to any comments received from the Commission with respect
to the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and as promptly as
possible provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from
and to the Commission relating to the Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in
all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in the
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented.
(c) Notify
the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold and the Special Counsel as
promptly as possible (A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement is proposed to be filed
(but in no event in the case of this subparagraph (A), less than three (3)
Business Days prior to date of such filing); (B) when the Commission notifies
the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and
whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement; and
(C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective (which notice shall be delivered to the
Purchasers and Special Counsel on the same day as such effectiveness), and after
the effectiveness thereof: (i) of any request by the Commission or any other
Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (ii) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the
initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iii) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; and (iv) if the financial statements included in the Registration
Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein or of the occurrence of any
event that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to the
Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Without limitation to any remedies to which the Holders may be entitled under
this Agreement, if any of the events described in clauses (i) through (iv) of
Section 3(c)(C) occurs, the Company shall use its best efforts to respond to and
correct the event.
(d) Use
its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, use best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of, (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(e) If
requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities, (i) promptly incorporate in a
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
such information as the Company reasonably agrees should be included therein and
(ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to take any action pursuant to this Section 3(e) that would, in the
written opinion of counsel for the Company (addressed to the Special Counsel),
violate applicable law.
(f) Furnish
to each Holder and the Special Counsel, without charge, at least one conformed
copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and all exhibits to the extent requested by
such Person (including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference)
promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly
deliver to each Holder and the Special Counsel, without charge, as many copies
of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request; and the
Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior
to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to
register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders and the Special
Counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from
such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and
sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the
United States as any Holder requests in writing, to keep each such registration
or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness
Period and to do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to
enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it
is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general
service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or
subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not
then so subject.
(i) Cooperate
with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive
legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations
and registered in such names as any Holder may request at least two (2) Business
Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities. In connection therewith, the
Company shall promptly after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
(but no later than one day thereafter) cause an opinion of counsel to be
delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other
authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent,
which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable
Securities without legend upon sale by the Holder of such shares of Registrable
Securities under the Registration Statement.
(j) Upon
the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(c)(C)(iii) or (iv), as
promptly as possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a
post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(k) Cause
all Registrable Securities relating to such Registration Statement to be listed
on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market.
(l) Comply
in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission and make generally available to its security holders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and
Rule 158 not later than 45 days after the end of any 3-month period (or 90 days
after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing
on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective
date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall conform to the
requirements of Rule 158.
(m) Request
each selling Holder to furnish to the Company information regarding such Holder
and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as is required by law or the
Commission to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, and the Company may
exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any such Holder who
fails (i) to furnish such information or (ii) to agree to furnish, upon request,
such additional information regarding such Holder as may later be required by
law to be disclosed, in each case, within a reasonable time prior to the filing
of each Registration Statement, supplemented Prospectus and/or amended
Registration Statement.
If the
Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder
of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to
require (if such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required
by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force) the deletion
of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such
reference ceases to be required.
Each
Holder agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities that, upon
receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind
described in Section 3(c)(i), 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), such Holder
will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the
Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement contemplated by
Section 3(j), or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either
case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or
Registration Statement.
(n) If
(i) there is material non-public information regarding the Company which the
Company's Board of Directors (the “Board”) reasonably
determines not to be in the Company's best interest to disclose and which the
Company is not otherwise required to disclose, or (ii) there is a significant
business opportunity (including, but not limited to, the acquisition or
disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any
merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available to
the Company which the Board reasonably determines not to be in the Company's
best interest to disclose and which the Company would be required to disclose
under the Registration Statement, then the Company may postpone or suspend
filing or effectiveness of a registration statement for a period not to exceed
20 consecutive days, provided that the Company may not postpone or suspend its
obligation under this Section 3(n) for more than 30 days in the aggregate during
any 12 month period (each, a “Blackout
Period”).
4. Registration
Expenses.
All fees
and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by
the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not the Registration
Statement is filed or becomes effective and whether or not any Registrable
Securities are sold pursuant to the Registration Statement. The fees and
expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with each
other securities exchange, quotation system or market on which Registrable
Securities are required hereunder to be listed, (B) with respect to filings
required to be made with the Commission, and (C) in compliance with state
securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of Special Counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of
the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as
the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities may designate)), (ii)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing or photocopying
prospectuses), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, (v) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Company's independent public accountants (including, in
the case of an underwritten offering, the expenses of any comfort letters or
costs associated with the delivery by independent public accountants of a
comfort letter or comfort letters) and legal counsel, and (vi) fees and expenses
of the Special Counsel in connection with any Registration Statement hereunder.
In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses
incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of
any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing
of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required
hereunder.
5. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the
Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors,
agents, brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as
principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call
of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person
who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, agents and
employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, costs of preparation and
reasonable attorneys' fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as
incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or
relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any
Prospectus or form of prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to
the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions
are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to
the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, which information was
reasonably relied on by the Company for use therein or to the extent that such
information relates to (x) such Holder and was reviewed and expressly approved
in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such
Prospectus or such form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or (y) such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities
as set forth in Exhibit A (or as such Holder otherwise informs the Company in
writing); or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type described
in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), the use by a Holder of an
outdated or defective Prospectus after the delivery to the Holder of written
notice from the Company that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior
to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 3(m). The
Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such indemnity shall remain in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an
Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 5(c) to this Agreement) and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the
Holders.
(b) Indemnification by
Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person
who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents and
employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising solely out of
or based solely upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arising solely out of or based solely upon
any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus
or supplement thereto, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made) not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such
untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information so
furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in
the Registration Statement or such Prospectus and that such information was
reasonably relied upon by the Company for use in the Registration Statement,
such Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or to the extent
that such information relates to (x) such Holder and was reviewed and expressly
approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration
Statement, such Prospectus, or such form of prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or (y) such Holder's proposed method of distribution of
Registrable Securities as set forth in Exhibit A (or as such Holder otherwise
informs the Company in writing) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event
of the type described in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv) or 3(n), the use
by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the delivery to the
Holder of written notice from the Company that the Prospectus is outdated or
defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in
Section 3(m); provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 5(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses if such
settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Holder, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Holder shall be liable under this Section 5(b)
for only that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Holder as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification
Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any
Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”),
such Indemnified Party promptly shall notify the Person from whom indemnity is
sought (the “Indemnifying Party”)
in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection
with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to
give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or
liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it
shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which
determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure
shall have proximately and materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying
Party.
An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the
defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such
Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party
and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised
by counsel in writing (with a copy to the Indemnifying Party) that a conflict of
interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified
Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ
separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying
Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel
shall be at the reasonable expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying
Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected
without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of
which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not impose any monetary
or other obligation or restriction on the Indemnified Party.
All
reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees
and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or
preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this
Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party, which notice
shall be delivered no more frequently than on a monthly basis (regardless of
whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require
such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to
the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder).
(d) Contribution. If a
claim for indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an
Indemnified Party because of a failure or refusal of a governmental authority to
enforce such indemnification in accordance with its terms (by reason of public
policy or otherwise), then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and
Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that
resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission
or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to
information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or
payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 5(c), any reasonable attorneys' or other
reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any
Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or
expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to
such party in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Holder shall be required to contribute under this
Section 5(d) for only that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such
Holder as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition
to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties. The indemnity and contribution agreements herein are in addition to and
not in diminution or limitation of any indemnification provisions under the
Purchase Agreement.
6. Rule
144.
As long
as any Holder owns any Shares, Warrants or Warrant Shares, the Company covenants
to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the
applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after
the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act. As long as any Holder owns any Shares, Warrants or Warrant
Shares, if the Company is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, it will prepare and furnish to the Holders and
make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) promulgated under the
Securities Act annual and quarterly financial statements, together with a
discussion and analysis of such financial statements in form and substance
substantially similar to those that would otherwise be required to be included
in reports required by Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as
any other information required thereby, in the time period that such filings
would have been required to have been made under the Exchange Act. The Company
further covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder may
reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such
Person to sell Shares and Warrant Shares without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act, including compliance with the provisions
of the Purchase Agreement relating to the transfer of the Shares and Warrant
Shares. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder
a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.
7. Covenants of
Purchasers.
In
connection with the Registration Statement, each of the Purchasers covenants as
follows:
(a)
Unless and until such Purchaser has provided written notice to the Company to
the contrary, all sales of Registrable Securities by such Purchaser shall be
made without payment of underwriting discounts or commissions except for the
usual and customary commission paid to brokers or dealers.
(b) Such
Purchaser shall advise the Company of any arrangement with a broker or dealer
for the sale of such Purchaser’s Registrable Securities through a block trade,
special offering, exchange or secondary distribution or a principal purchase by
a broker or dealer, and the details of such transaction.
(c) Such
Purchaser shall comply with all prospectus delivery requirements with respect to
sales of the Registrable Securities to the extent required by the Securities Act
and other applicable law.
(d) Such
Purchaser shall report to the Company, upon written request of the Company,
whether all Registrable Securities held by such Purchaser have been sold or
otherwise transferred.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies. In the
event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder, of any of their obligations
under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this
Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific
performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each Holder
agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any
losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that
a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent
Agreements. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Purchase Agreement,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to an agreement
currently in effect, nor shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on or
after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, without the written consent of the Holders of a
majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, the Company shall not
grant to any Person the right to request the Company to register any securities
of the Company under the Securities Act unless the rights so granted are subject
in all respects to the prior rights in full of the Holders set forth herein, and
are not otherwise in conflict with the provisions of this
Agreement.
(c) Notice of
Effectiveness. Within two (2) Business Days after the Registration
Statement which includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the
Commission, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the
Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with
copies to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such
Registration Statement) confirmation that the Registration Statement has been
declared effective by the Commission in form and substance reasonably acceptable
to the holders of Registrable Securities.
(d) [Intentionally Left
Blank.]
(e) Failure to File Registration
Statement and Other Events. The Company and the Holders agree
that the Holders will suffer damages if the Registration Statement is not filed
and maintained in the manner contemplated herein during the Effectiveness
Period. The Company and the Holders further agree that it would not
be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with
precision. Accordingly, if (i) the Company fails to include
Registrable Securities in a registration statement filed with the Commission
under the Securities Act to the extent required in accordance herewith, or (ii)
the Registration Statement is filed with and declared effective by the
Commission but thereafter ceases to be effective as to all Registrable
Securities at any time prior to the expiration of the Effectiveness Period,
without being succeeded promptly by a subsequent Registration Statement filed
with the Commission, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, including
pursuant to Section 3(n), or (iii) trading in the Common Stock shall be
suspended or if the Common Stock is delisted from any securities exchange,
quotation system or market on which Registrable Securities are required
hereunder to be listed (each an “Exchange”), without
immediately being listed on any other Exchange, for any reason for more than one
(1) Business Day, other than pursuant to Section 3(n), or (iv) the conversion or
redemption rights of the Holders, or the exercise rights of the Holders under
the Warrants, are suspended for any reason without the consent of the particular
Holder, or (v) the Company has breached Section 3(n) of this Agreement (any such
failure or breach being referred to as an “Event”), the Company
shall pay in cash as liquidated damages for such failure and not as a penalty to
each Holder an amount equal to one percent (1%) of such Holder's Purchase Price
paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement for the initial thirty
(30) day period until the applicable Event has been cured, which shall be pro
rated for such periods less than thirty (30) days, and one percent (1%) of such
Holder's Purchase Price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
for each subsequent thirty (30) day period until the applicable Event has been
cured which shall be pro rated for such periods less than thirty days (the
“Periodic
Amount”). Payments to be made pursuant to this Section 8(e)
shall be due and payable immediately upon demand in immediately available cash
funds. The parties agree that the Periodic Amount represents a
reasonable estimate on the part of the parties, as of the date of this
Agreement, of the amount of damages that may be incurred by the Holders in
connection with such Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company shall remain obligated to cure the breach or correct the condition that
caused the Event, and the Holder shall have the right to take any action
necessary or desirable to enforce such obligation.
(f) Specific Enforcement,
Consent to Jurisdiction.
(i) The
Company and the Holders acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and
to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition
to any other remedy to which any of them may be entitled by law or
equity.
(ii) Each
of the Company and the Holders (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York City, New York
for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to
this Agreement and (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such
suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the
jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an
inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is
improper. Each of the Company and the Holders consents to process being served
in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party
at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing in this Section 8(f) shall affect or limit any right to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.
(g) Amendments and
Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of
this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or
consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the
same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the Holders of at least
75% of the Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of the
Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided,
however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or
supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence.
(h) Notices. Any and all
notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earlier of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile telephone number specified for
notice prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day, (ii) the next
Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is
delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number specified in this Section on a
day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on such date, (iii)
the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized
overnight courier service such as Federal Express or (iv) actual receipt by the
party to whom such notice is required to be given. The addresses for such
communications shall be with respect to each Holder at its address set forth
under its name on Schedule 1 attached
hereto, or with respect to the Company, addressed to:
Netsol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road,
Suite
2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Attention: General
Counsel
Facsimile
No.: (818) 222-9197
or to
such other address or addresses or facsimile number or numbers as any such party
may most recently have designated in writing to the other parties hereto by such
notice. Copies of notices to any Holder shall be sent to the
addresses set forth on the signature page of such Holder to the Purchase
Agreement.
(i) Successors and
Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties and their successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of each Holder and its successors and assigns; provided, that the
Company may not assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of each Holder; and provided,
further, that each Holder may assign its rights hereunder in the manner and to
the Persons as permitted under the Purchase Agreement.
(j) Assignment of Registration
Rights. The rights of each Holder hereunder, including the right to have
the Company register for resale Registrable Securities in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, shall be automatically assignable by each Holder to any
transferee of such Holder of all or a portion of the Warrants or the Registrable
Securities if: (i) the Holder agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee
to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company
within a reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a
reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice
of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the
securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred
or assigned, (iii) following such transfer or assignment the further disposition
of such securities by the transferee or assignees is restricted under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time
the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this
Section 8(j), the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to
be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement, and (v) such transfer shall
have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Purchase
Agreement. The rights to assignment shall apply to the Holders (and to
subsequent) successors and assigns.
The
Company may require, as a condition of allowing such assignment in connection
with a transfer of Warrants or Registrable Securities (i) that the Holder or
transferee of all or a portion of the Warrants or the Registrable Securities as
the case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of counsel that is
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer may be
made without registration under the Securities Act, (ii) that the Holder or
transferee execute and deliver to the Company an investment letter in form and
substance acceptable to the Company and (iii) that the transferee be an
“accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities
Act.
(k) Counterparts;
Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event
that any signature is delivered by electronic image or facsimile transmission,
such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the party executing
(or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and
effect as if such electronic image or facsimile signature were the original
thereof.
(l) Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law
thereof.
(m) Cumulative Remedies.
The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies
provided by law.
(n) Severability. If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable in any
respect, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set
forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(o) Headings. The
headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this
Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions
hereof.
(p) Registrable Securities Held
by the Company and its Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval of
Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required
hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates (other
than any Holder or transferees or successors or assigns thereof if such Holder
is deemed to be an Affiliate solely by reason of its holdings of such
Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent
or approval was given by the Holders of such required
percentage.
(q) Obligations of
Purchasers. The Company acknowledges that the obligations of each
Purchaser under this Agreement, are several and not joint with the obligations
of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the
performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under this
Agreement. The decision of each Purchaser to enter into to this
Agreement has been made by such Purchaser independently of any other
Purchaser. The Company further acknowledges that nothing contained in
this Agreement, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto, shall be
deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint
venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers
are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations
or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Purchaser shall be
entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without
limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be
necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any
proceeding for such purpose.
Each
Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it has been represented by its own
separate legal counsel in their review and negotiation of this Agreement and
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. For reasons of
administrative convenience only, this Agreement has been prepared by Special
Counsel (counsel for The Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (“TWF”)) and the
Special Counsel will perform certain duties under this Agreement. Such counsel
does not represent all of the Purchasers but only TWF. The Company
has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Agreement for the
convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so
by the Purchasers. The Company acknowledges that such procedure with
respect to this Agreement in no way creates a presumption that the Purchasers
are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
[signature
page follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Investor Rights Agreement
to be duly executed by their respective authorized persons as of the date first
indicated above.
COMPANY:
NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
By:
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Name:
Najeeb Ghauri
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer
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By:
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Name:
Patti L. W. McGlasson
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Title:
Secretary
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PURCHASER:
THE
TAIL WIND FUND LTD.
By:
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THE
TAIL WIND ADVISORY & MANAGEMENT LTD.,
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as
investment manager
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By:
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David
Crook, CEO
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[Omnibus
NetSol Technologies, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement Signature
Page]
PURCHASER:
SOLOMON
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
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Andrew
P. Mackellar, Director
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[Omnibus
NetSol Technologies, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement Signature
Page]
PURCHASER:
[Omnibus
NetSol Technologies, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement Signature
Page]
EXHIBIT
A
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We are
registering the shares of common stock on behalf of the selling security
holders. Sales of shares may be made by selling security holders, including
their respective donees, transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest
directly to purchasers or to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or through
agents. Sales may be made from time to time on the Nasdaq Capital Market, any
other exchange or market upon which our shares may trade in the future, in the
over-the-counter market or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to market prices, or at negotiated or fixed prices. The
shares may be sold by one or more of, or a combination of, the
following:
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a
block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as
principal to facilitate the transaction (including crosses in which the
same broker acts as agent for both sides of the
transaction);
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purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer,
including resales for its account, pursuant to this
prospectus;
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ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits
purchases;
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through
options, swaps or derivatives;
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in
privately negotiated transactions;
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in
making short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus or in
transactions to cover such short sales;
and
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put
or call option transactions relating to the
shares.
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The
selling security holders may effect these transactions by selling shares
directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers, which may act as agents
or principals. These broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling security holders and/or
the purchasers of shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to
whom they sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular
broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). The selling security
holders have advised us that they have not entered into any agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding
the sale of their securities.
The
selling security holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers
or other financial institutions. In connection with those transactions, the
broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the
shares or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for the shares in the
course of hedging positions they assume with the selling security holders. The
selling security holders may also enter into options or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery of
shares offered by this prospectus to those broker-dealers or other financial
institutions. The broker-dealer or other financial institution may then resell
the shares pursuant to this prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if required
by applicable law, to reflect those transactions).
The
selling security holders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with the
sale of shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section
2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, and any commissions received by
broker-dealers or any profit on the resale of the shares sold by them while
acting as principals may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions
under the Securities Act. The selling security holders may agree to indemnify
any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving
sales of the shares against liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify each of the selling security holders
and each selling security holder has agreed, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify us against some liabilities in connection with the offering of the
shares, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The
selling security holders will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. We have informed the selling security holders that the
anti-manipulative provisions of Regulation M promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales in the market.
Selling
security holders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market
transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided they
meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of Rule 144.
Upon
being notified by a selling security holder that a material arrangement has been
entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade,
special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase
by a broker or dealer, we will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required
pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing:
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the
name of each such selling security holder and of the participating
broker-dealer(s);
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the
number of shares involved;
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the
initial price at which the shares were
sold;
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the
commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to the
broker-dealer(s), where applicable;
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that
such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the
information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus;
and
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other
facts material to the transactions.
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In
addition, if required under applicable law or the rules or regulations of the
Commission, we will file a supplement to this prospectus when a selling security
holder notifies us that a donee or pledgee intends to sell more than 500 shares
of common stock.
We are
paying all expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the shares.
The selling security holders will bear all brokerage or underwriting discounts
or commissions paid to broker-dealers in connection with the sale of the
shares.
ANNEX
D
WAIVER
AGREEMENT