REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of
March 8, 2000, between netguru, inc., a Delaware corporation f/k/a Research
Engineers, Inc., with offices at 00000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxx Associates, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership, and Westgate International, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited
partnership (individually and collectively, the "Investor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
Whereas, pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated
on or about the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Investor (the
"Purchase Agreement"), the Company has agreed to sell and issue to the Investor,
and the Investor has agreed to purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 12,000
shares, Liquidation Preference $1,000 each, of the Company's Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares") subject to the terms and
conditions set forth therein, and Warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase shares
of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock")
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein; and
Whereas, the Purchase Agreement provides the Investor an option to
purchase up to $6,000,000 of shares of Common Stock (the "Option Shares"), on
the terms and conditions set forth therein; and
Whereas, the Purchase Agreement contemplates that the Preferred Shares
will be convertible into shares (the "Common Shares") of Common Stock pursuant
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Certificate of Designations for the
Preferred Shares (the "Certificate"); and
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises,
representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in the Purchase
Agreement and this Agreement, the Company and the Investors agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Purchase
Agreement or the Certificate. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:
"Closing" and "Closing Date" shall have the meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Purchase Agreement; provided that they shall refer to the initial
Closing and Closing Date scheduled under the Purchase Agreement.
"Commission" or "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission
or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
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"Holder" and "Holders" shall include the Investor and any transferee or
transferees of the Preferred Shares, Warrants, Common Shares or Registrable
Securities which have not been sold to the public, and any transferee or
transferees of the right to acquire Option Shares, to whom the registration
rights conferred by this Agreement have been transferred in compliance with this
Agreement and the Purchase Agreement.
The terms "register", "registered" and "registration" shall refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations
thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such
registration statement.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean: (i) the Common Shares or other
securities issued or issuable to each Holder or its permitted transferee or
designee upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or exercise of the Warrants;
(ii) the Option Shares, (iii) securities issued or issuable upon any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar event with respect to such
Common Shares; and (iv) any other security issued as a dividend or other
distribution with respect to, in exchange for or in replacement of the
securities referred to in the preceding clauses.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses to be incurred by the
Company in connection with each Holder's registration rights under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees,
printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky
fees and expenses, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to Holders
(using a single counsel selected by a majority in interest of the Holders) for a
"due diligence" examination of the Company and review of the Registration
Statement and related documents, and the expense of any special audits incident
to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation of
regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by the
Company).
"Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(a) herein.
"Regulation D" shall mean Regulation D as promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act, and as subsequently amended.
"Securities Act" or "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"Selling Expenses" shall mean all underwriting discounts and selling
commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and all fees and
disbursements of counsel for Holders not included within "Registration
Expenses".
2. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. The Company shall use its best
efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities (including,
without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective
amendments, appropriate qualification under applicable blue sky or other state
securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued
under the Securities Act) as would permit or facilitate the sale or distribution
of all the Registrable Securities in the manner (including manner of sale) and
in all states reasonably requested by the Holder. Such best efforts by the
Company shall include, without limitation, the following:
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(a) The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible
after the Closing Date:
i) But in any event within 60 days of the Closing,
prepare and file a registration statement with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act on Form S-3
under the Securities Act (or in the event that the Company is
ineligible to use such form, such other form as the Company is
eligible to use under the Securities Act) covering resales by
the Holders of the Registrable Securities and no other
securities (except shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of Warrants issued to Shoreline Pacific Institutional
Finance, the Institutional Division of Financial West Group or
its designees and those shares listed on Schedule A attached
hereto) ("Registration Statement"), which Registration
Statement, to the extent allowable under the Securities Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416),
shall state that such Registration Statement also covers such
indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as
may become issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares
and exercise of the Warrants. The number of shares of Common
Stock initially included in such Registration Statement shall
be no less than the sum of two times the number of Common
Shares that are then issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Shares and exercise of the Warrants (assuming full conversion
or exercise, respectively, at the then applicable Conversion
Price (as defined in the Certificate) or Exercise Price (as
defined in the Warrant), and the number of Option Shares then
issuable (assuming full exercise of such option at such time).
Nothing in the preceding sentence will limit the Company's
obligations to reserve shares of Common Stock pursuant to
Section 3.7 of the Purchase Agreement. Thereafter the Company
shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement and other filings to be declared effective as soon
as possible, and in any event prior to 120 days following the
Closing Date. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will
promptly respond to all SEC comments, inquiries and requests,
and shall request acceleration of effectiveness at the
earliest possible date. The Company shall provide the Holders
reasonable opportunity to review any such Registration
Statement or amendment or supplement thereto prior to filing.
ii) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus
used in connection with such Registration Statement as may be
necessary to comply with the provisions of the Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement and notify the Holders of the filing
and effectiveness of such Registration Statement and any
amendments or supplements.
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iii) Furnish to each Holder such numbers of copies of
a current prospectus conforming with the requirements of the
Act, copies of the Registration Statement, any amendment or
supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference
therein and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably
require in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder.
iv) Register and qualify the securities covered by
such Registration Statement under the securities or "Blue Sky"
laws of all domestic jurisdictions; provided that the Company
shall not be required in connection therewith or as a
condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a
general consent to service of process in any such states or
jurisdictions.
v) Notify each Holder immediately of the happening of
any event (but not the substance or details of any such events
unless specifically requested by a Holder) as a result of
which the prospectus (including any supplements thereto or
thereof) included in such Registration Statement, as then in
effect, includes an untrue statement of material fact or omits
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing, and use its best
efforts to promptly update and/or correct such prospectus.
vi) Notify each Holder immediately of the issuance by
the Commission or any state securities commission or agency of
any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or the threat or initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose. The Company shall use its best
efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any
stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
earliest possible time.
vii) Permit counsel to the Holders to review the
Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements
thereto within a reasonable period of time (but not less than
3 full Trading Days (as defined in the Certificate)) prior to
each filing, and shall not file any document in a form to
which such counsel reasonably objects and will not request
acceleration of the Registration Statement without prior
notice to such counsel.
viii) List the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement with all securities exchange(s) and/or
markets on which the Common Stock is then listed and prepare
and file any required filings with the Nasdaq National Market
or any exchange or market where the Common Shares are traded.
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ix) Take all steps necessary to enable Holders to
avail themselves of the prospectus delivery mechanism set
forth in Rule 153 (or successor thereto) under the Act.
(b) Set forth below in this Section 2(b) are (I)
events that may arise that the Investors consider will interfere with the full
enjoyment of their rights under this Agreement, the Purchase Agreement, the
Warrants and the Certificate (the "Interfering Events"), and (II) certain
remedies applicable in each of these events.
Paragraphs (i) through (iv) of this Section 2(b)
describe the Interfering Events, provide a remedy to the Investors if an
Interfering Event occurs and provide that the Investors may require that the
Company repurchase outstanding Preferred Shares, Warrants and Option Shares at a
specified price if certain Interfering Events are not timely cured.
Paragraph (v) provides, inter alia, that if default
adjustments required as the remedy in the case of certain of the Interfering
Events are not provided when due, the Company may be required by the Investors
to redeem outstanding Preferred Shares, Warrants and Option Shares at a
specified price.
Paragraph (vi) provides, inter alia, that the
Investors have the right to specific performance.
The preceding paragraphs in this Section 2(b) are
meant to serve only as an introduction to this Section 2(b), are for convenience
only, and are not to be considered in applying, construing or interpreting this
Section 2(b).
(i) DELAY IN EFFECTIVENESS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
(A) In the event that such Registration Statement has
not been declared effective within 120 days from the Closing
Date, or the Company at any time fails to issue unlegended
Registrable Securities as required by Article VI of the
Purchase Agreement, then the Company shall pay each Holder a
Monthly Delay Payment (as defined below) for each 30 day
period (or portion thereof) that effectiveness of the
Registration Statement is delayed or failure to issue such
unlegended Registrable Securities persists. In addition to the
foregoing, if the Registration Statement has not been declared
effective within 210 days after the Closing Date, then each
Holder shall have the right to sell, at any time after the
210th day after the Closing Date, any or all of its Preferred
Shares, Warrants and Option Shares to the Company for
consideration (the "Mandatory Repurchase Price") equal to (I)
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for the Preferred Shares, the greater of (x) 120% of the
Liquidation Preference of all such Preferred Shares being sold
to the Company, or (y) the Liquidation Preference for the
Preferred Shares being sold to the Company divided by the then
applicable Conversion Price multiplied by the greater of the
last closing price of the Common Stock on (i) the date a
Holder exercises its option pursuant to this Section 2(b) to
require repurchase of Preferred Shares or (ii) the date on
which the event triggering Holder's remedies under this
Section 2(b) first occurred, in each case payable in cash and
(II) for the Warrants 120% of the product of (a) the
difference between the greater of clauses (i) or (ii) above
and the exercise price of the Warrants, multiplied by (b) the
number of Warrants being sold to the Company, payable in cash,
and (III) for the Option Shares, 120% of the product of (a)
the greater of clauses (i) or (ii) above, multiplied by (b)
the number of Option Shares being sold to the Company, payable
in cash.
(B) As used in this Agreement, a "Monthly Delay
Payment" shall be a cash payment equal to 1% of the
Liquidation Preference of the Preferred Shares held by a
Holder for the first 30 day period (or portion thereof) that
the specified condition in this Section 2(b) has not been
fulfilled or the specified deficiency has not been remedied,
2% of such Liquidation Preference for the next 30 day period
(or portion thereof) that the specified condition in this
Section 2(b) has not been fulfilled or the specified
deficiency has not been remedied, and 3% of such Liquidation
Preference thereafter for each subsequent 30 day period (or
portion thereof) that the specified condition in this Section
2(b) has not been fulfilled or the specified deficiency has
not been remedied. Payment of the Monthly Delay Payments and
Mandatory Repurchase Price shall be due and payable from the
Company to such Holder within 5 business days of demand
therefor. Without limiting the foregoing, if cash payment of
the Mandatory Repurchase Price is not made within such 5
business day period, the Holder may revoke and withdraw its
election to cause the Company to make such mandatory purchase
at any time prior to its receipt of such cash. At the option
of the Holder, Monthly Delay Payments may be added to the
Liquidation Preference of the Preferred Shares held by it.
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(C) Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be
excluded from the calculation of the number of days that the
Registration Statement has not been declared effective the
delays which are solely attributable to delays in the
Investors providing information required for the Registration
Statement.
(ii) NO LISTING; PREMIUM PRICE REDEMPTION FOR DELISTING OF
CLASS OF SHARES.
(A) In the event that the Company fails, refuses or
for any other reason is unable to cause the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed
with Nasdaq National Market or one of the other Approved
Markets (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) at all times
during the period ("Listing Period") from the earlier of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the 120th day
following the Closing Date until such time as the registration
period specified in Section 5 terminates, then the Company
shall provide to each Holder a Monthly Delay Payment, for each
30 day period or portion thereof during which such listing is
not in effect. In addition to the foregoing, following the
10th day that such listing is not in effect, each Holder shall
have the right to sell to the Company any or all of its
Preferred Shares, Warrants and Option Shares at the Mandatory
Repurchase Price. The provisions of Section 2(b)(i)(B) shall
apply to this Section 2(b)(ii)(A).
(B) In the event that shares of Common Stock of the
Company are not listed on any of the Approved Markets at all
times following the Closing Date, or are otherwise suspended
from trading and remain unlisted or suspended for 3
consecutive days, then the Company shall provide to each
Holder a Monthly Delay Payment for each 30 day period or
portion thereof during which such listing is not in effect. In
addition to the foregoing, following the 5th day that the
shares are not so listed or are otherwise suspended, at the
option of each Holder and to the extent such Holder so elects,
each Holder shall have the right to sell to the Company the
Preferred Shares, the Warrants and the Option Shares held by
such Holder, in whole or in part, for the Mandatory Repurchase
Price on the terms set forth in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above.
(iii) BLACKOUT PERIODS. In the event any Holder's ability to
sell Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement
is suspended for more than (i) five (5) consecutive days or
(ii) twenty (20) days in any calendar year ("Suspension Grace
Period"), including without limitation by reason of any
suspension or stop order with respect to the Registration
Statement or the fact that an event has occurred as a result
of which the prospectus (including any supplements thereto)
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included in such Registration Statement then in effect
includes an untrue statement of material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing (a "Blackout"), then
the Company shall provide to each Holder a Monthly Delay
Payment for each 30 day period or portion thereof from and
after the expiration of the Suspension Grace Period, on the
terms set forth in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above. In addition, at
any time following the expiration of the Suspension Grace
Period if the Blackout continues for more than five (5)
additional consecutive days, a Holder shall have the right to
sell to the Company its Preferred Shares, Option Shares and/or
Warrants in whole or in part for the Mandatory Repurchase
Price on the terms set forth in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above.
(iv) REDEMPTION FOR CONVERSION DEFICIENCY. In the event that
the Company does not have a sufficient number of Common Shares
available to satisfy the Company's obligations to any Holder
upon receipt of a Conversion Notice (as defined in the
Certificate) or exercise of the Warrants or exercise of the
option with respect to the Option Shares or the Company is
otherwise unable or unwilling for any reason to issue such
Common Shares or Option Shares (other than failure of the
Holder to comply with the conversion notice and delivery
requirements of Section 5 of the Certificate) (each, a
"Conversion/Exercise Deficiency") in accordance with the terms
of the Certificate, Purchase Agreement and Warrants for any
reason after receipt of a Conversion Notice or exercise notice
from any Holder, then:
(A) The Company shall provide to each Holder a
Monthly Delay Payment for each 30 day period or portion
thereof following the Conversion/Exercise Deficiency on all
outstanding Preferred Shares, Option Shares and Warrants, on
the terms set forth in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above.
(B) At any time five days after the commencement of
the running of the first 30-day period described above in
clause (A) of this paragraph (iv), at the request of any
Holder, the Company promptly shall purchase from such Holder,
for the Mandatory Repurchase Price and on the terms set forth
in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above, any and all outstanding Preferred
Shares, Option Shares and/or Warrants, if the failure to issue
Common Shares results from the lack of a sufficient number
thereof and shall purchase all of such Holder's Preferred
Shares, Option Shares and/or Warrants (or such portion
requested by such Holder) for such consideration and on such
terms if the failure to issue Common Shares results from any
other cause, or is without cause.
(v) MANDATORY PURCHASE PRICE FOR DEFAULTS.
(A) The Company acknowledges that any failure,
refusal or inability by the Company to perform the obligations
described in the foregoing paragraphs (i) through (iv) will
cause the Holders to suffer damages in an amount that will be
difficult to ascertain, including without limitation damages
resulting from the loss of liquidity in the Registrable
Securities and the additional investment risk in holding the
Preferred Shares, Option Shares, Warrants and Registrable
Securities. Accordingly, the parties agree, after consulting
with counsel, that it is appropriate to include in this
Agreement the foregoing provisions for Monthly Delay Payments
and mandatory redemptions in order to compensate the Holders
for such damages. The parties acknowledge and agree that the
Monthly Delay Payments and mandatory redemptions set forth
above represent the parties' good faith effort to quantify
such damages and, as such, agree that the form and amount of
such payments and mandatory redemptions are reasonable and
will not constitute a penalty.
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(B) In the event that the Company fails to pay any
Monthly Delay Payment within 5 business days of demand
therefor, each Holder shall have the right to sell to the
Company any or all of its Preferred Shares, Option Shares
and/or Warrants at the Mandatory Repurchase Price on the terms
set forth in Section 2(b)(i)(B) above.
(C) The Holder shall have the right to withdraw any
request for redemption hereunder at any time prior to its
receipt of the Mandatory Repurchase Price.
(vi) CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. The Monthly Delay Payments and
mandatory purchases provided for above are in addition to and
not in lieu or limitation of any other rights the Holders may
have at law, in equity or under the terms of the Certificate,
the Purchase Agreement, the Warrants and this Agreement,
including without limitation the right to monetary contract
damages and specific performance. Each Holder shall be
entitled to specific performance of any and all obligations of
the Company in connection with the registration rights of the
Holders hereunder. Each Monthly Delay Payment provided for
herein in the foregoing clauses shall be in addition to each
other Monthly Delay Payment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no
event shall the Company be obligated to pay to any holder an
aggregate amount greater than three percent (3%) of the
Liquidation Preference for the Preferred Shares held by such
holder for any 30-day period, provided, that this sentence
shall not in any way affect the Company's mandatory purchase
obligations hereunder.
(vii) REMEDIES FOR REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. In any case in
which a Holder of Preferred Shares, Option Shares and/or
Warrants has the right to cause the purchase of its securities
under this Section 2(b), it shall also have the right to cause
the Company to purchase the Registrable Securities that such
Holder owns, in whole or in part at the Holder's option, at a
purchase price equal to 120% of the product of (a) the greater
of the last closing price of the Common Stock on (i) the date
a Holder exercises its option pursuant to this Section 2(b) or
(ii) the date on which the event triggering Holder's remedies
under this Section 2(b) first occurred, multiplied by (b) the
number of Registrable Securities being sold to the Company,
payable in cash.
In the case in which a Holder of Preferred Shares or Warrants
would have the right to receive Monthly Delay Payments with
respect to Preferred Shares or Warrants under Section 2(b), it
shall also have the right to receive payments with respect to
Registrable Securities owned by it in an amount at the rate of
the Monthly Delay Payments that would have applied to the
Preferred Shares or Warrants converted into or exercised for
Common Shares had such Preferred Shares or Warrants not been
converted or exercised.
(c) If the Holder(s) intend to distribute the
Registrable Securities by means of an underwriting, the Holder(s) shall so
advise the Company. Any such underwriting may only be administered by nationally
or regionally recognized investment bankers reasonably satisfactory to the
Company.
(d) The Company shall enter into such customary
agreements for secondary offerings (including a customary underwriting agreement
with the underwriter or underwriters, if any) and take all such other reasonable
actions reasonably requested by the Holders in connection therewith in order to
expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. Whether
or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
Registrable Securities are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Company
shall:
i) make such representations and warranties to the
Holders and the underwriter or underwriters, if any, in form,
substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in secondary offerings;
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ii) cause to be delivered to the sellers of
Registrable Securities and the underwriter or underwriters, if
any, opinions of independent counsel to the Company, on and
dated as of each effective day (or in the case of an
underwritten offering, dated the date of delivery of any
Registrable Securities sold pursuant thereto) of the
Registration Statement, and within ninety (90) days following
the end of each fiscal year thereafter, which counsel and
opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Holders and the underwriter(s), if any,
and their counsel and covering, without limitation, such
matters as the due authorization and issuance of the
securities being registered and compliance with securities
laws by the Company in connection with the authorization,
issuance and registration thereof and other matters that are
customarily given to underwriters in underwritten offerings,
addressed to the Holders and each underwriter, if any;
iii) cause to be delivered, immediately prior to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement (and, in the case
of an underwritten offering, at the time of delivery of any
Registrable Securities sold pursuant thereto), and at the
beginning of each fiscal year following a year during which
the Company's independent certified public accountants shall
have reviewed any of the Company's books or records, a
"comfort" letter from the Company's independent certified
public accountants addressed to the Holders and each
underwriter, if any, stating that such accountants are
independent public accountants within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the applicable published rules and
regulations thereunder, and otherwise in customary form and
covering such financial and accounting matters as are
customarily covered by letters of the independent certified
public accountants delivered in connection with secondary
offerings; such accountants shall have undertaken in each such
letter to update the same during each such fiscal year in
which such books or records are being reviewed so that each
such letter shall remain current, correct and complete
throughout such fiscal year; and each such letter and update
thereof, if any, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Holders;
iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the
same shall include customary indemnification and contribution
provisions to and from the underwriters and procedures for
secondary underwritten offerings; and
v) deliver such documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the Holders of the Registrable
Securities being sold or the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to evidence compliance with clause (i)
above and with any customary conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement, if any.
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(e) The Company shall make available for inspection
by the Holders, representative(s) of all the Holders together, any underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, and any
attorney or accountant retained by any Holder or underwriter, all financial and
other records customary for purposes of the Holders' due diligence examination
of the Company and review of any Registration Statement, all SEC Documents (as
defined in the Purchase Agreement) filed subsequent to the Closing, pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's
officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested
by any such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection
with such Registration Statement, provided that such parties agree to keep such
information confidential.
(f) Subject to Section 2(b) above, the Company may
suspend the use of any prospectus used in connection with the Registration
Statement only in the event, and for such period of time as, such a suspension
is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission. The Company will use
its best efforts to cause such suspension to terminate at the earliest possible
date.
(g) The Company shall file a Registration Statement
with respect to any newly authorized and/or reserved Registrable Securities
consisting of Common Shares described in clause (i) of the definition of
Registrable Securities within five (5) business days of any stockholders meeting
authorizing same and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective within sixty (60) days of such stockholders
meeting. If the Holders become entitled, pursuant to an event described in
clause (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the definition of Registrable Securities, to
receive any securities in respect of Registrable Securities that were already
included in a Registration Statement, subsequent to the date such Registration
Statement is declared effective, and the Company is unable under the securities
laws to add such securities to the then effective Registration Statement, the
Company shall promptly file, in accordance with the procedures set forth herein,
an additional Registration Statement with respect to such newly Registrable
Securities. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) cause any such
additional Registration Statement, when filed, to become effective under the
Securities Act, and (ii) keep such additional Registration Statement effective
during the period described in Section 5 below and cause such Registration
Statement to become effective within 45 days of that date that the need to file
the Registration Statement arose. All of the registration rights and remedies
under this Agreement shall apply to the registration of such newly reserved
shares and such new Registrable Securities, including without limitation the
provisions providing for default payments and mandatory redemptions contained
herein.
3. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION. All Registration Expenses in connection
with any registration, qualification or compliance with registration pursuant to
this Agreement shall be borne by the Company, and all Selling Expenses of a
Holder shall be borne by such Holder.
4. REGISTRATION ON FORM S-3. The Company shall use its best efforts to
remain qualified for registration on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor
form or forms, or in the event that the Company is ineligible to use such form,
such form as the Company is eligible to use under the Securities Act.
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5. REGISTRATION PERIOD. In the case of the registration effected by the
Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall keep such registration
effective until the later of (a) the date on which all the Holders have
completed the sales or distribution described in the Registration Statement
relating thereto or, if earlier, until such Registrable Securities may be sold
by the Holders under Rule 144(k) (provided that the Company's transfer agent has
accepted an instruction from the Company to such effect), and (b) the fifth
(5th) anniversary of the Closing Date.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) COMPANY INDEMNITY. The Company will indemnify each Holder,
each of its officers, directors, agents and partners, and each person
controlling each of the foregoing, within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to which
registration, qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant to this
Agreement, and each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls, within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, any underwriter, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement
(or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus,
offering circular or other document (including any related registration
statement, notification or the like) incident to any such registration,
qualification or compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any
state securities law or in either case, any rule or regulation thereunder
applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the
Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance,
and will reimburse each Holder, each of its officers, directors, agents and
partners, and each person controlling each of the foregoing, each such
underwriter and each person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and
any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and
defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, provided that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to a Holder to the extent that any
such claim, loss, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based on any
untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the
Company by such Holder or the underwriter (if any) therefor and stated to be
specifically for use therein. The indemnity agreement contained in this Section
6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent
of the Company (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld).
(b) HOLDER INDEMNITY. Each Holder will, severally and not
jointly, if Registrable Securities held by it are included in the securities as
to which such registration, qualification or compliance is being effected,
indemnify the Company, each of its directors, officers, agents and partners, and
Page 13
each underwriter, if any, of the Company's securities covered by such a
registration statement, each person who controls the Company or such underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, each other Holder (if any), and each of their officers,
directors and partners, and each person controlling such other Holder(s) against
all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of
a material fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus,
offering circular or other document, or any omission (or alleged omission) to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statement therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, and will reimburse the Company and such other Holder(s) and
their directors, officers and partners, underwriters or control persons for any
legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating
and defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to
the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged
untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder
and stated to be specifically for use therein, and provided that the maximum
amount for which such Holder shall be liable under this indemnity shall not
exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities pursuant to the registration statement in question. The indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities if such settlement
is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld).
(c) Procedure. Each party entitled to indemnification under
this Section 6 (the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required
to provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such
Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be
sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any
such claim in any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the
Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party
(whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party
may participate in such defense at its own expense, and provided further that
the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 6 except to
the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely affected by
such failure to provide notice. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any
such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does
not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect
to such claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such
non-privileged information regarding itself or the claim in question as an
Indemnifying Party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably
required in connection with the defense of such claim and litigation resulting
therefrom.
Page 14
7. CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6
herein is unavailable to the Indemnified Parties in respect of any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein (other than by reason of the
exceptions provided therein), then each such 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, claims, damages or
liabilities as between the Company on the one hand and any Holder on the other,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
Company and of such Holder in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one
hand and of any Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by such Holder.
In no event shall the obligation of any Indemnifying Party to
contribute under this Section 7 exceed the amount that such Indemnifying Party
would have been obligated to pay by way of indemnification if the
indemnification provided for under Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof had been
available under the circumstances.
The Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Holders or the underwriters were treated as one entity
for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraphs. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraphs shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified
Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no Holder or underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which (i) in the
case of any Holder, the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement in question or
(ii) in the case of an underwriter, the total price at which the Registrable
Securities purchased by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds, in any such case, the amount of any damages that such Holder or
underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 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.
8. SURVIVAL. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in
Sections 6 and 7 and the representations and warranties of the Company referred
to in Section 2(d)(i) shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement or
any underwriting agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Indemnified Party or by or on behalf of the Company, and (iii) the consummation
of the sale or successive resales of the Registrable Securities.
Page 15
9. INFORMATION BY HOLDERS. Each Holder shall furnish to the Company
such information regarding such Holder and the distribution and/or sale proposed
by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be
reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification or
compliance referred to in this Agreement. The intended method or methods of
disposition and/or sale (Plan of Distribution) of such securities as so provided
by such Investor shall be included without alteration in the Registration
Statement covering the Registrable Securities and shall not be changed without
written consent of such Holder.
10. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES. The certificate(s) representing the
Common Shares held by any Investor (or then Holder) may be exchanged by such
Investor (or such Holder) at any time and from time to time for certificates
with different denominations representing an equal aggregate number of Common
Shares, as reasonably requested by such Investor (or such Holder) upon
surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for such registration or
transfer or exchange. Upon receipt by the Corporation of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any
certificate representing the Preferred Shares, Option Shares or the Warrants, or
the underlying Common Shares of any of the foregoing, and, in the case of loss,
theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, or upon
surrender and cancellation of such certificate if mutilated, the Corporation
will make and deliver a new certificate of like tenor and dated as of such
cancellation at no charge to the holder.
11. TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT. Except as otherwise provided herein, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and permitted assigns. The rights granted to the Investors by
the Company under this Agreement to cause the Company to register Registrable
Securities may be transferred or assigned (in whole or in part) to a transferee
or assignee of Preferred Shares, Option Shares, Warrants or Registrable
Securities, and all other rights granted to the Investors by the Company
hereunder may be transferred or assigned to any transferee or assignee of any
Preferred Shares, Option Shares, Warrants or Registrable Securities; provided in
each case that the Company must be given written notice by the such Investor at
the time of or within a reasonable time after said transfer or assignment,
stating the name and address of said transferee or assignee and identifying the
securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred
or assigned; and provided further that the transferee or assignee of such rights
agrees in writing to be bound by the registration provisions of this Agreement.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) REMEDIES. The Company and the Investor 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.
Page 16
(b) JURISDICTION. Each of the Company and the Investor (i)
hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States
District Court, the New York State courts and other courts of the United States
sitting in New York County, 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. The Company and the Investor consent
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 paragraph shall affect or
limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(c) NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing by facsimile, mail or
personal delivery and shall be effective upon actual receipt of such notice. The
addresses for such communications shall be:
to the Company:
netguru, inc.
00000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
with a copy to:
Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
to the Investor:
c/o Stonington Management Corporation
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Mr. Xxxxx Xxxxx
Page 17
with copies to:
Kleinberg, Kaplan, Xxxxx & Xxxxx, P.C.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Any party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving
at least five days' written notice of such changed address to the other parties
hereto.
(d) INDEMNITY. Each party shall indemnify each other party
against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorney's fees)
incurred as a result of such parties' breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any
enforcement of this indemnity.
(e) WAIVERS. No waiver by any party of any default with
respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be
deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any other
provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of
any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of
any such right accruing to it thereafter. The representations and warranties and
the agreements and covenants of the Company and each Investor contained herein
shall survive the Closing.
(f) EXECUTION IN COUNTERPART. This Agreement may be executed
in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
(g) SIGNATURES. Facsimile signatures shall be valid and
binding on each party submitting the same.
(h) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement, together with
the Purchase Agreement, the Certificate, the Warrants and the agreements and
documents contemplated hereby and thereby, contains the entire understanding and
agreement of the parties, and may not be amended, modified or terminated except
by a written agreement signed by the Company plus the Holders of 75% of the
Preferred Shares issued under the Purchase Agreement to that date; provided that
for the purposes of this Section 12(h)) the Holders of Common Shares still
entitled to registration rights under this Agreement will be deemed to still be
Holders of that number of Preferred Shares which were converted into such number
of Common Shares issued upon conversion which are still held by them.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the validity and
performance of the terms hereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to
be performed entirely within such state, except to the extent that the law of
the State of Delaware regulates the Company's issuance of securities.
Page 18
(j) JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL
BY JURY.
(k) TITLES. The titles used in this Agreement are used for
convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this
Agreement.
(l) NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this
Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express
their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against
any party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
NETGURU, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Title: President
WESTGATE INTERNATIONAL, L.P.
By: MARTLEY INTERNATIONAL, INC., as
attorney-in-fact
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
XXXXXXX ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: General Partner
Page 19
SCHEDULE A
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LIST OF SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
----------------------------
AND
---
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------
