Exhibit 10.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of July 13,
2001, by and among The Ashton Technology Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
with its headquarters located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Company"), and each of the undersigned (together with
its respective affiliates and any assignee or transferee of all of its
respective rights hereunder, the "Initial Investor").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Exchange Agreement by and among
the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Securities Exchange Agreement"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained
therein, to issue and sell to the Initial Investor 9% Secured Convertible Notes
(the "Notes") convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), upon the terms and subject to the
limitations and conditions set forth in the Notes; and
B. To induce the Initial Investor to execute and deliver the
Securities Exchange Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain
registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Initial Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
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(a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(i) "Investors" means the Initial Investor and any transferee
or assignee who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in
accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) "register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement or
Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the
1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous
basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
Registration Statement by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC").
(iii) "Registrable Securities" means (A) the Conversion Shares
issued
or issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the
Notes; and (B) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable as a dividend on
or in exchange for or otherwise with respect to the Conversion Shares which are
held by the Investors.
(iv) "Registration Statement(s)" means a registration
statement(s) of the Company under the 1933 Act.
(b) Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Exchange
Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
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(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, on or
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prior to the date (the "Filing Date") which is thirty (30) days after the
Closing under the Securities Exchange Agreement (the "Closing Date"), file with
the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or, if Form S-3 is not then
available, on such form of Registration Statement as is then available to effect
a registration of the Registrable Securities, subject to the consent of the
Initial Investor, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) covering the
resale of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement, to the
extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (including Rule 416), shall state that such Registration Statement
also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as
may become issuable upon conversion of the Notes to prevent dilution resulting
from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The number of
shares of Common Stock initially included in such Registration Statement shall
be no less than two (2) times the number of Conversion Shares that are then
issuable upon conversion of the Notes (based on the lesser of the Market Price
as would then be in effect and the Fixed Conversion Price then in effect (each
as defined in the Notes)), without regard to any limitation on the Investor's
ability to convert the Notes. The Company acknowledges that the number of
shares initially included in the Registration Statement represents a good faith
estimate of the maximum number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
The Registration Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each
request for acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided to (and
subject to the approval of) the Initial Investor and their counsel prior to its
filing or other submission.
(b) [Intentionally Omitted.]
(c) Payments by the Company. The Company shall use its best efforts
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to obtain effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as practicable,
but in any event not later than September 25, 2001 (the "Registration
Deadline"). If (i) the Registration Statement(s) covering the Registrable
Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof
is not declared effective by the SEC by the Registration Deadline, or (ii) after
the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, sales of all
of the Registrable Securities cannot be made pursuant to the Registration
Statement, or (iii) the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on
the Nasdaq National Market ("NNM"), Nasdaq SmallCap Market ("Nasdaq
SmallCap"),the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the American
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Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") or the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the
"Bulletin Board") after being so listed or included for quotation, then the
Company will make payments to the Investors in such amounts and at such times as
shall be determined pursuant to this Section 2(c) as partial relief for the
damages to the Investors by reason of any such delay in or reduction of their
ability to sell the Registrable Securities (which remedy shall not be exclusive
of any other remedies available at law or in equity). The Company shall pay to
each holder of the Notes or Registrable Securities an amount equal to the
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (and, in the case of holders of
Registrable Securities, the principal amount of the Notes from which such
Registrable Securities were converted) ("Aggregate Note Price") multiplied by
the Applicable Percentage (as defined below) times the sum of: (i) the number of
months (prorated for partial months) after the Registration Deadline and prior
to the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC;
provided, however, that there shall be excluded from such period any delays
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which are solely attributable to changes required by the Investors in the
Registration Statement with respect to information relating to the Investors,
including, without limitation, changes to the plan of distribution, or to the
failure of the Investors to conduct their review of the Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 3(h) below in a reasonably prompt manner; (ii) the number of
months (prorated for partial months) during the Registration Period (as defined
below) that sales of all of the Registrable Securities cannot be made pursuant
to the Registration Statement after the Registration Statement has been declared
effective (including, without limitation, when sales cannot be made by reason of
the Company's failure to properly supplement or amend the prospectus included
therein in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including Section 3(b)
hereof or otherwise), but excluding any days during an Allowed Delay (as
defined in Section 3(f)); and (iii) the number of months (prorated for partial
months) that the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the
NNM, Nasdaq SmallCap, NYSE , AMEX or Bulletin Board or that trading thereon is
halted after the Registration Statement has been declared effective; provided,
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however, that the periods during which two of the conditions set forth in the
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second sentence of this Section exist shall not be double counted. The term
"Applicable Percentage" means one and one-half hundredths (.015). (For
example, if the Registration Statement becomes effective one (1) month after the
end the Registration Deadline, the Company would pay $15,000 for each $1,000,000
of Aggregate Note Price. If thereafter, sales could not be made pursuant to the
Registration Statement for an additional period of one (1) month, the Company
would pay an additional $15,000 for each $1,000,000 of Aggregate Note Price.)
Such amounts shall be paid in cash or, at each Investor's option, may be
convertible into Common Stock at the "Conversion Price" (as defined in the
Notes) in accordance with the terms of the Notes. Any shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of such amounts shall be Registrable Securities. If the
Investor desires to convert the amounts due hereunder into Registrable
Securities, it shall so notify the Company in writing within two (2) business
days of the date on which such amounts are first payable in cash and such
amounts shall be so convertible (pursuant to the mechanics set forth in the
Notes), beginning on the last day upon which the cash amount would otherwise be
due in accordance with the following sentence. Payments of cash pursuant hereto
shall be made within five (5) days after the end of each period that gives rise
to such obligation, provided that, if any such period extends for more than
thirty (30) days, interim payments shall be made for each such thirty (30) day
period.
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(d) Piggy-Back Registrations. Subject to the last sentence of this
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Section 2(d), if at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period
(as hereinafter defined) the Company shall determine to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than
on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to equity securities
to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business
or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee
benefit plans (including employee stock purchase plans)), the Company shall send
to each Investor who is entitled to registration rights under this Section 2(d)
written notice of such determination and, if within fifteen (15) days after the
effective date of such notice, such Investor shall so request in writing, the
Company shall include in such Registration Statement all or any part of the
Registrable Securities such Investor requests to be registered, except that if,
in connection with any underwritten public offering for the account of the
Company the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall impose a limitation on the
number of shares of Common Stock which may be included in the Registration
Statement because, in such underwriter(s)' judgment, marketing or other factors
dictate such limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution
(including pricing acceptable to the Company), then the Company shall be
obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited portion of
the Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has requested
inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall permit. Any exclusion of
Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Investors seeking to
include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable
Securities sought to be included by such Investors in the aggregate; provided,
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however, that the Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless
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the Company has first excluded all outstanding securities (other than those
offered by the Company), the holders of which are not entitled by contract to
inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not entitled
to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities; and provided, further,
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however, that, after giving effect to the immediately preceding proviso, any
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exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata with holders of other
securities having the contractual right to include such securities in the
Registration Statement other than holders of securities entitled to inclusion of
their securities in such Registration Statement by reason of demand registration
rights. No right to registration of Registrable Securities under this Section
2(d) shall be construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a)
hereof. If an offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to
registration under this Section 2(d) is an underwritten offering, then each
Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such
Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or
underwriters and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms
and conditions as other shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten
offering (including customary indemnification provisions). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, the registration rights of the
Investors pursuant to this Section 2(d) shall only be available to the Investors
in the event the Company fails to timely file, obtain effectiveness or maintain
effectiveness of any Registration Statement to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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(e) Eligibility for Form S-3. The Company represents and warrants
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that it meets the registrant eligibility and transaction requirements for the
use of Form S-3 for registration of the sale by the Initial Investor and any
other Investors of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall file all
reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely manner so
as to maintain such eligibility for the use of Form S-3.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
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In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Company shall have the following obligations:
(a) The Company shall prepare promptly, and file with the SEC as soon
as practicable after the Closing Date (but in no event later than the Filing
Date), a Registration Statement with respect to the number of Registrable
Securities provided in Section 2(a), and thereafter use its best efforts to
cause such Registration Statement relating to Registrable Securities to become
effective as soon as possible after such filing (but in no event later the
Registration Deadline), and, subject to an Allowed Delay, keep the Registration
Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the
earlier of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities have been
sold and (ii) the date on which the Registrable Securities (in the opinion of
counsel to the Initial Investor) may be immediately sold to the public without
registration or restriction (including without limitation as to volume by each
holder thereof) under the 1933 Act (the "Registration Period"), which
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(b) Subject to an Allowed Delay, the Company shall prepare and file
with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to the Registration Statements and the prospectus used in connection
with the Registration Statements as may be necessary to keep the Registration
Statements effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during
such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the
Registration Statements until such time as all of such Registrable Securities
have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by
the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in the Registration Statements. In
the event that on any Trading Day (as defined in the Notes) (the "Registration
Trigger Date") the number of shares available under a Registration Statement
filed pursuant to this Agreement is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable
Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the
Notes (based on the lesser of the Market Price and the Fixed Conversion Price
(each defined in the Notes) then in effect), without giving effect to any
limitations on the Investors' ability to convert the Notes, the Company shall
amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the
short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover two
hundred percent (200%) of all of the Registrable Securities so issued or
issuable (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion or exercise
contained in the Notes) as of the Registration Trigger Date, in each case, as
soon as practicable, but in any event within twenty (20) business days after the
necessity
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therefor arises (based on the market price of the Common Stock and other
relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely). The Company
shall use its best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration
Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing
thereof, but in any event within sixty (60) days of the Registration Trigger
Date. The provisions of Section 2(c) above shall be applicable with respect to
the Company's obligations under this Section 3(b).
(c) The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in a Registration Statement and its legal counsel (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the
SEC, or received by the Company, one copy of each Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto, each preliminary prospectus and prospectus and each amendment
or supplement thereto, and, in the case of the Registration Statement referred
to in Section 2(a), each letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the
SEC or the staff of the SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the
staff of the SEC, in each case relating to such Registration Statement (other
than any portion of any thereof which contains information for which the Company
has sought confidential treatment), and (ii) such number of copies of a
prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and
supplements thereto and such other documents as such Investor may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities
owned by such Investor. The Company will immediately notify each Investor by
facsimile of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any post-
effective amendment. The Company will promptly respond to any and all comments
received from the SEC, with a view towards causing each Registration Statement
or any amendment thereto to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as
practicable and shall file an acceleration request as soon as practicable
following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or, if applicable,
following notification by the SEC that any such Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto will not be subject to review.
(d) The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and
qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statements under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities being offered reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
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the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (a) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (b) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, (c) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction, (d) provide any undertakings that
cause the Company undue expense or burden, or (e) make any change in its charter
or bylaws, which in each case the Board of Directors of the Company determines
to be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
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(e) [Intentionally Omitted.]
(f) As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the
Company shall notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of which the
Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to any Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver such number
of copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor as such Investor may
reasonably request; provided that, for not more than twenty (20) consecutive
trading days (or a total of not more than forty-five (45) trading days in any
twelve (12) month period), the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-
public information concerning the Company (as well as prospectus or Registration
Statement updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good
faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company (an "Allowed
Delay"); provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the
Investors in writing of the existence of (but in no event, without the prior
written consent of an Investor, shall the Company disclose to such Investor any
of the facts or circumstances regarding) material non-public information giving
rise to an Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in writing to cease all
sales under such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay. Upon
expiration of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again be bound by the first
sentence of this Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise
thereto.
(g) The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, and, if such an order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such
order at the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds
Registrable Securities being sold (or, in the event of an underwritten offering,
the managing underwriters) of the issuance of such order and the resolution
thereof.
(h) The Company shall permit a single firm of counsel designated by
the Initial Investor to review such Registration Statement and all amendments
and supplements thereto (as well as all requests for acceleration or
effectiveness thereof) a reasonable period of time prior to their filing with
the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably
objects and will not request acceleration of such Registration Statement without
prior notice to such counsel. The sections of such Registration Statement
covering information with respect to the Investors, the Investor's beneficial
ownership of securities of the Company or the Investors intended method of
disposition of Registrable Securities shall conform to the information provided
to the Company by each of the Investors.
(i) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders
as soon as practicable, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of
the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
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(j) At the request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish, on the
date that Registrable Securities are delivered to an underwriter, if any, for
sale in connection with any Registration Statement or, if such securities are
not being sold by an underwriter, on the date of effectiveness thereof (i) an
opinion, dated as of such date, from counsel representing the Company for
purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is
customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the
underwriters, if any, and the Investors and (ii) a letter, dated such date, from
the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as
is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters
in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and
the Investors.
(k) The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
Registration Statement, (iii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants
or other agents retained by the Initial Investor, (iv) one firm of attorneys and
one firm of accountants or other agents retained by all other Investors, and (v)
one firm of attorneys retained by all such underwriters (collectively, the
"Inspectors") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall
be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector to enable each Inspector to
exercise its due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's officers,
directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may
reasonably request for purposes of such due diligence; provided, however, that
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each Inspector shall hold in confidence and shall not make any disclosure
(except to an Investor) of any Record or other information which the Company
determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or
other order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c)
the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The
Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential information in such
Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector shall have entered into
confidentiality agreements (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company)
with the Company with respect thereto, substantially in the form of this Section
3(k). Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such
Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow
the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed
confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between
the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investor's ability to
sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with
applicable laws and regulations.
(l) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure
of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i)
disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
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Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a
subpoena or other order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The
Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information
concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of
competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to such
Investor prior to making such disclosure, and allow the Investor, at its
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.
(m) The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities covered
by the Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities exchange
on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then
listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted
under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities of the
same class or series are not then listed on a national securities exchange,
secure the designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered
by the Registration Statement on the NNM or, if not eligible for the NNM and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two
market makers to register with the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities.
(n) The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar, which
may be a single entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the
effective date of the Registration Statement.
(o) The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Registrable
Securities to be offered pursuant to such Registration Statement and enable such
certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Investors may reasonably
request and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or the Investors may request, and, within three (3)
business days after a Registration Statement which includes Registrable
Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall
cause legal counsel selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent
for the Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable
Securities are included in such Registration Statement) an instruction in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and an opinion of such counsel in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 2.
(p) At the reasonable request of the holders of a majority-in-interest
of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC
such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement. In addition, the Company
shall not offer any securities for its own account or the account of others in
any Registration Statement under Section 2(a) hereof or any amendment or
supplement thereto under
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Section 3(b) hereof without the consent of the holders of a majority-in-interest
of the Registrable Securities.
(q) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(g) to the Securities Exchange
Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall not agree to, allow the holders of
any securities of the Company to include any of their securities in any
Registration Statement under Section 2(a) hereof or any amendment or supplement
thereto under Section 3(b) hereof without the consent of the holders of a
majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities.
(r) The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.
(s) The Company shall comply with all applicable laws related to a
Registration Statement and offering and sale of securities and all applicable
rules and regulations of governmental authorities in connection therewith
(including without limitation the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC).
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
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In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Investors shall have the following obligations:
(a) It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the
Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least three
(3) business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration
Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company
requires from each such Investor.
(b) Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statements hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from the Registration Statements.
(c) [Intentionally Omitted.]
(d) Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or
3(g), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the
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supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if
so directed by the Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the
expense of the Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of
destruction) all copies in such Investor's possession, of the prospectus
covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such
notice.
(e) No Investor may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's Registrable
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in usual and
customary form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and executes all
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of all underwriting
discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those payable by the
Company pursuant to Section 5 below.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
------------------------
All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualification fees, printers and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one
counsel selected by the Initial Investor pursuant to Section 3(h) hereof shall
be borne by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
---------------
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify, hold
harmless and defend (i) each Investor who holds such Registrable Securities, and
(ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and each person who
controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), if any, (each, an
"Indemnified Person"), against any joint or several losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (collectively, together with actions, proceedings or
inquiries by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization, whether commenced
or threatened in writing in respect thereof, "Claims") to which any of them may
become subject insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon: (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a
Registration Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under
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which the statements therein were made, not misleading; or (iii) any violation
or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other
law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or
regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable
Securities (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being,
collectively, "Violations"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section
6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall reimburse
the Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and
payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person
or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with
the preparation of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto; (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and (iii) with
respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any
Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, such corrected prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, and the
Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a Violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor
is participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly to
indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner
set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who signs the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, any underwriter
and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration
Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who controls such
stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act
(collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified Party"),
against any Claim to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out of or is based upon
any Violation by such Investor, in each case to the extent (and only to the
extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use
in connection with such Registration Statement; and subject to Section 6(c) such
Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly as such expenses
are incurred and are due and payable) reasonably incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the
-------- -------
indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior
written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not
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be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be
-------- ------- -------
liable under this Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for only
that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of
the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary
prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue
statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus
was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action
(including any governmental action), such Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall
have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so
desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the
indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the
case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
-------- -------
shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be
paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one
separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties,
as applicable, and such legal counsel shall be selected by Investors holding a
majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration
Statement to which the Claim relates (with the approval of a majority-in-
interest of the Initial Investor), if the Investors are entitled to
indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The failure to deliver written notice
to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any
such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced in its ability to
defend such action. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be
made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
------------
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or
limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution
with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section
6 to the fullest extent permitted by
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law; provided, however, that (i) no contribution shall be made under
-------- -------
circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification
under the fault standards set forth in Section 6, (ii) no seller of Registrable
Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of
Registrable Securities who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation,
and (iii) contribution (together with any indemnification or other obligations
under this Agreement) by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited
in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of
such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
--------------------------
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144
promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the
SEC that may at any time permit the investors to sell securities of the Company
to the public without registration ("Rule 144") and so long as there shall be
any of the Notes or any Conversion Shares held by the Investors, the Company
agrees to:
(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;
(b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Exchange Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
(c) furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and
the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the
Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to
sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
---------------------------------
The rights under this Agreement may be assigned by the Investors to any
transferee of not less than 100,000 Registrable Securities held by an Investor
if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign
such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned,
(iii) following such transfer or assignment, the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and
applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the
transferee or assignee
-14-
agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions
contained herein, (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Agreement, and (vi) such
transferee shall be an "accredited investor" as that term defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act and shall make appropriate
representations to the Company to that effect; provided, however, no such
-------- -------
assignment shall be effective without the consent of the Company if the
transferee is a direct business competitor of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
--------------------------------
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with written consent of the Company, each of the Initial
Investor (to the extent the Initial Investor still owns Registrable Securities)
and Investors who hold a majority interest of the Registrable Securities. Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding
upon each Investor and the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
-------------
(a) A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable
Securities.
(b) Any notices required or permitted to be given under the terms
hereof shall be sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested)
or delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery
service) or by facsimile and shall be effective five days after being placed in
the mail, if mailed by regular United States mail, or upon receipt, if delivered
personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight delivery service) or
by facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
The Ashton Technology Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: President
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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With copy to:
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to an Investor: to the address set forth immediately below such Investor's
name on the signature pages to the Securities Exchange Agreement.
With copy to:
Klehr, Harrison, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
000 X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esquire
Facsimile: 215-568-6603
(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
(d) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be
performed in the State of Delaware (without regard to principles of conflict of
laws). Both parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
United States federal courts and the state courts located in Delaware with
respect to any suit or proceeding based on or arising under this Agreement, the
agreements entered into in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby and irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such suit
or proceeding may be determined in such courts. Both parties irrevocably waive
the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit or
proceeding. Both parties further agree that service of process upon a party
mailed by first class mail shall be deemed in every respect effective service of
process upon the party in any such suit or proceeding. Nothing herein shall
affect either party's right to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law. Both parties agree that a final non-appealable judgment in any such suit
or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on such judgment or in any other lawful manner.
(e) This Agreement, the Notes, the Securities Exchange Agreement
(including all schedules and exhibits thereto) and that certain Security
Agreement, dated the date hereof, by and between the parties (the "Security
Agreement") constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein and therein. This Agreement, the Securities Exchange Agreement and the
Security Agreement supersede all
-16-
prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof.
(f) Subject to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of
each of the parties hereto.
(g) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and
the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered
to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
(i) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(j) Except as otherwise provided herein, all consents and other
determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, determined
as if all of the then outstanding principal balance under the Notes has been
converted into Registrable Securities.
(k) The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations
hereunder will cause irreparable harm to each Investor by vitiating the intent
and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company
acknowledges that the remedy at law for breach of its obligations hereunder will
be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the
Company of any of the provisions hereunder, that each Investor shall be
entitled, in addition to all other available remedies in law or in equity, 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, without
the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security
being required.
(l) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
(m) In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision
shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and
shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law. Any
provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
-17-
(n) The initial number of Registrable Securities included on any
Registration Statement and each increase to the number of Registrable Securities
included thereon shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the
number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time of such
establishment or increase, as the case may be. In the event an Investor shall
sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder's Registrable Securities, each
transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the number of Registrable
Securities included on a Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares
of Common Stock included on a Registration Statement and which remain allocated
to any person or entity which does not hold any Registrable Securities shall be
allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of shares of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors. For the avoidance of doubt,
the number of Registrable Securities held by an Investor shall be determined as
if the then outstanding principal balance of the Notes held by an Investor were
converted into Registrable Securities.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Initial Investor have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
THE ASHTON TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President
RGC INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS, LDC
By: Xxxx Xxxx Capital Management, L.P., Investment Manager
By: RGC General Partner Corp., as General Partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
--------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Managing Director
