EXHIBIT 10.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of February 28, 2006, between New Century Companies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the purchaser signatory hereto (the
"Purchaser").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof among the Company and the Purchaser (the
"Purchase Agreement").
The Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
CAPITALIZED TERMS USED AND NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN THAT ARE
DEFINED IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN SUCH TERMS IN
THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
"Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
"Effectiveness Date" means, with respect to the initial Registration
Statement required to be filed hereunder, the 90th calendar day following
the date hereof (120th calendar day if such Registration Statement is
reviewed by the Commission) and, with respect to any additional
Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c),
the 90th calendar day following the date on which the Company first knows,
or reasonably should have known, that such additional Registration
Statement is required hereunder; provided, however, in the event the
Company is notified by the Commission that one of the above Registration
Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review
and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement
shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is
so notified if such date precedes the dates required above.
"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(a).
"Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"Event Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"Filing Date" means, with respect to the initial Registration
Statement required hereunder, the 55th calendar day following the date
hereof and, with respect to any additional Registration Statements which
may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 55th day following the date
on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should have known that
such additional Registration Statement is required hereunder.
"Holder" or "Holders" means the holder or holders, as the case may
be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5(c).
"Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5(c).
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"Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
"Proceeding" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or
proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial
proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an
effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated
under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of
the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all
other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or
deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"Registrable Securities" means (i) all of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes or as interest on the Notes assuming
all of the Notes are converted and all permissible interest payments are
made in shares of Common Stock and the Notes are held until maturity, (ii)
all shares issuable as amortization payments on the Notes assuming all
permissible amortization payments are made in shares of Common Stock and
the Notes are held until maturity, (iii) all Warrant Shares, (iv) any
securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other
distribution recapitalization or similar event with respect to the
foregoing and (v) any additional shares issuable in connection with any
anti-dilution provisions in the Notes or the Warrants.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statements required
to be filed hereunder and any additional registration statements
contemplated by Section 3(c), including (in each case) the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus,
including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and
all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in such registration statement.
"Rule 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
"Rule 424" means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
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2. Registration
(a) The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a
Registration Statement covering the resale of 125% of the Registrable
Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to
Rule 415. The Registration Statement shall be on Form SB-2 (except if the
Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable
Securities on Form SB-2, in which case such registration shall be on
another appropriate form in accordance herewith) and shall contain (unless
otherwise directed by the Holders) substantially the "Plan of
Distribution" attached hereto as Annex A. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act
as promptly as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event prior
to the applicable Effectiveness Date, and shall use its best efforts to
keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act until all Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement have been sold or may be sold without volume
restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k) as determined by the counsel to the
Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and
acceptable to the Company's transfer agent and the affected Holders (the
"Effectiveness Period"). The Company shall immediately notify the Holders
via facsimile of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on the
same day that the Company receives notification of the effectiveness from
the Commission. Failure to so notify the Holder within 1 Trading Day of
such notification shall be deemed an Event under Section 2(b).
(b) If: (i) a Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its
Filing Date (if the Company files a Registration Statement without
affording the Holders the opportunity to review and comment on the same as
required by Section 3(a), the Company shall not be deemed to have
satisfied this clause (i)), or (ii) the Company fails to file with the
Commission a request for acceleration in accordance with Rule 461
promulgated under the Securities Act, within five Trading Days of the date
that the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier)
by the Commission that a Registration Statement will not be "reviewed," or
not subject to further review; or (iii) prior to its Effectiveness Date,
the Company fails to file a pre-effective amendment and otherwise respond
in writing to comments made by the Commission in respect of such
Registration Statement within 14 calendar days after the receipt of
comments by or notice from the Commission that such amendment is required
in order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective; or (iv) a
Registration Statement filed or required to be filed hereunder is not
declared effective by the Commission by its Effectiveness Date; or (v)
after the Effectiveness Date, a Registration Statement ceases for any
reason to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities
for which it is required to be effective, or the Holders are not permitted
to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell such Registrable Securities
for 10 consecutive calendar days but no more than an aggregate of 15
calendar days during any 12-month period (which need not be consecutive
Trading Days) (any such failure or breach being referred to as an "Event",
and for purposes of clause (ii) or (iv) the date on which such Event
occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five Trading
Day period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iii) the date which
such 14 calendar day period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (v) the
date on which such 10 or 15 calendar day period, as applicable, is
exceeded being referred to as "Event Date"), then in addition to any other
rights the Holders may have hereunder or under applicable law, on each
such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date
(if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such date) until the
applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to each Holder an amount
in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 1.5%
of the outstanding principal of the Notes for any Registrable Securities
then held by such Holder for the first 30 days (or part thereof) after the
Event Date and an additional 1.5% for any subsequent 30-day period (or
part thereof), thereafter. If the Company fails to pay any partial
liquidated damages pursuant to this Section in full within seven days
after the date payable, the Company will pay interest thereon at a rate of
20% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that is permitted to be paid
by applicable law) to the Holder, accruing daily from the date such
partial liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all such
interest thereon, are paid in full. The partial liquidated damages
pursuant to the terms hereof shall apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any
portion of a month prior to the cure of an Event.
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3. Registration Procedures
In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder,
the Company shall:
(a) Not less than five Trading Days prior to the filing of each
Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall, (i)
furnish to each Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed,
which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of such Holders,
and (ii) cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent
certified public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be
necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective counsel to conduct a
reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The
Company shall not file the Registration Statement or any such Prospectus
or any amendments or supplements thereto to which the Holders of a
majority of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably object in good
faith, provided that, the Company is notified of such objection in writing
no later than 5 Trading Days after the Holders have been so furnished
copies of such documents. Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a
completed Questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B
(a "Selling Holder Questionnaire") not less than two Trading Days prior to
the Filing Date or by the end of the fourth Trading Day following the date
on which such Holder receives draft materials in accordance with this
Section.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to a Registration Statement and the
Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a
Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable
Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period and prepare and file
with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to
register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable
Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms
of this Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant
to Rule 424; (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any
comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto and as promptly as reasonably possible
provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from
and to the Commission relating to a Registration Statement; and (iv)
comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement during the applicable
period in accordance (subject to the terms of this Agreement) with the
intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented.
(c) If during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable
Securities at any time exceeds 90% of the number of shares of Common Stock
then registered in a Registration Statement, then the Company shall file
as soon as reasonably practicable but in any case prior to the applicable
Filing Date, an additional Registration Statement covering the resale by
the Holders of not less than 125% of the number of such Registrable
Securities.
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(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which
notice shall, pursuant to clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied
by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite
changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the
case of (i)(A) below, not less than five Trading Days prior to such
filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in
writing no later than one Trading Day following the day (i)(A) when a
Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the Commission
notifies the Company whether there will be a "review" of such Registration
Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such
Registration Statement (the Company shall provide true and complete copies
thereof and all written responses thereto to each of the Holders); and (C)
with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission
or any other Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or
supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
information; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal
or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the
Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that
purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from
qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes
the financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible
for inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any
revisions to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so
that, in the case of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the
case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; and (vi) the occurrence or
existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company
that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination
of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow
continued availability of the Registration Statement or Prospectus;
provided that any and all of such information shall remain confidential to
each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public, unless
disclosure by a Holder is required by law; provided, further,
notwithstanding each Holder's agreement to keep such information
confidential, the Holders make no acknowledgement that any such
information is material, non-public information.
(e) Use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(f) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed
copy of each such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested
by such Person, and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person
(including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference)
promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly deliver to each Holder, without charge, as many copies
of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and
each amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably
request in connection with resales by the Holder of Registrable
Securities. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby
consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement
thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and
sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto, except after the giving on any notice
pursuant to Section 3(d).
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(h) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use
its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate
with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from the Registration or qualification) of
such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness
Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to
enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities
covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company shall
not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax
in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general
consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(i) If requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee
pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to
the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive
legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may
request.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by this Section 3,
as promptly as reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into
account the Company's good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to
the Company and its stockholders of the premature disclosure of such
event, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective
amendment, to a Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance
with clauses (ii) through (v) of Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of
any Prospectus until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been
made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company
will use its best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be
resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall be entitled to
exercise its right under this Section 3(j) to suspend the availability of
a Registration Statement and Prospectus, subject to the payment of partial
liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(b), for a period not to exceed 60
days (which need not be consecutive days) in any 12 month period.
(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission.
(l) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the
Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the
person thereof that has voting and dispositive control over the Shares.
During any periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations
hereunder with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities
solely because any Holder fails to furnish such information within three
Trading Days of the Company's request, any liquidated damages that are
accruing at such time as to such Holder only shall be tolled and any Event
that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay shall be suspended
as to such Holder only, until such information is delivered to the
Company.
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4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the
performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be
borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold
pursuant to the Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to
in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and
expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the Trading
Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, and (B) in
compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably
agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky
qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for
investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the
Holders), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses
of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing
prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by
the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in a
Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses,
(iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act
liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi)
fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its
internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit
and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.
In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar
commissions or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction
Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.
5. Indemnification
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall,
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold
harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, brokers (including
brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result
of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common
Stock), investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person who
controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers,
directors, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) and expenses (collectively,
"Losses"), as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration
Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or
relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the
case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading,
except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue
statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such
Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for
use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder
or such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities
and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such
form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being
understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose)
or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in
Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective
Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the
Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such
Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). The Company shall
notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any
Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware.
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(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not
jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers,
agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange
Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling
Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and
against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based
solely upon: (x) such Holder's failure to comply with the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act or (y) any untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment
or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of
or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in
writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in such
Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that (1)
such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information
regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates
to such Holder or such Holder's proposed method of distribution of
Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing
by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (it being
understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose),
such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or (2) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the
type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an
outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such
Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior
to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d).
In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater
in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such
Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such
indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall
be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder
(an "Indemnified Party"), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the
Person from whom indemnity is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the
defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that the
failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this
Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is
not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have
prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
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An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such
Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed
in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall
have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to
employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any
such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and
the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall reasonably
believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist if the
same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying
Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense
of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right
to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of one
separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such
Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior
written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any
pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party,
unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such Proceeding.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and
expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses
to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to
defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section)
shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten Trading
Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that
the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for
that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for
which such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder,
determined based upon the relative faults of the parties.
(d) Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 5(a)
or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party (by reason of public policy
or otherwise), then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and
Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions
that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and
Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material
fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by,
such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by
a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to
the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys' or
other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection
with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified
for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this
Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d),
no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in
excess of the amount by which the proceeds actually received by such
Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the
Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud by
such Holder.
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The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section
are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to
the Indemnified Parties.
6. Miscellaneous
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a
Holder, of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or
the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise
all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of
damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this
Agreement. The Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would
not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a
breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further
agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in
respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law
would be adequate.
(b) No Piggyback on Registrations. Except as set forth on Schedule
6(i), neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the
Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the
Company in the Registration Statement other than the Registrable
Securities. Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Company may,
in its sole discretion, file one registration statement to fulfill its
obligations to the Purchaser hereunder. The Company shall not file any
other registration statements until the initial Registration Statement
required hereunder is declared effective by the Commission, provided that
this Section 6(b) shall not prohibit the Company from filing amendments to
registration statements already filed.
(c) Compliance. Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply
with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as
applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(d) Discontinued Disposition. Each Holder agrees by its acquisition
of such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the
Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section
3(d), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such
Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended
Registration Statement, or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed,
and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental
filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in
such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The Company will use its best
efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as
promptly as it practicable. The Company agrees and acknowledges that any
periods during which the Holder is required to discontinue the disposition
of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be subject to the provisions
of Section 2(b).
(e) Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time during the
Effectiveness Period there is not an effective Registration Statement
covering all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall determine
to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement relating
to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the
Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or
Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or 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 the stock option or other employee
benefit plans, then the Company shall send to each Holder a written notice
of such determination and, if within fifteen days after the date of such
notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall
include in such registration statement all or any part of such Registrable
Securities such holder requests to be registered; provided, that, the
Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities
pursuant to this Section 6(e) that are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act or that are the subject
of a then effective Registration Statement.
10
(f) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions
hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by
the Company and each Holder of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart
from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates
exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of
all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates;
provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be
amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the
provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(g) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or
deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be
delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of
each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The
Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then-outstanding
Registrable Securities. Each Holder may assign their respective rights
hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase
Agreement.
(i) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter
into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the
effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on
Schedule 6(i), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights
with respect to any of its securities to any Person that have not been
satisfied in full.
(j) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed
to be an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by
facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding
obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is
executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile
signature were the original thereof.
(k) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be
determined with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(l) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
11
(m) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the
parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and
employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same
result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or
restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of
the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(n) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(o) Independent Nature of Holders' Obligations and Rights. The
obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the
obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be
responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other
Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or
document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder
pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a
partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity,
or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert
with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its
rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this
Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined
as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
********************
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration
Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
NEW CENTURY COMPANIES, INC.
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
13
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS TO NEW CENTURY COMPANIES RRA]
Name of Investing Entity: CAMOFI Master LDC
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
14
Plan of Distribution
--------------------
Each Selling Stockholder (the "Selling Stockholders") of the common stock
("Common Stock") of New Century Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may,
from time to time, sell any or all of their shares of Common Stock on the
Trading Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which
the shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or
negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the
following methods when selling shares:
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits Purchaser;
o block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block
as principal to facilitate the transaction;
o purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account;
o an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
o privately negotiated transactions;
o settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this
prospectus;
o broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
o a combination of any such methods of sale;
o through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; or
o any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), if available, rather
than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions
or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as
agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated. Each Selling Stockholder does not expect these commissions and
discounts relating to its sales of shares to exceed what is customary in the
types of transactions involved.
15
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the
Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or
other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any
commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the
resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has
informed the Company that it does not have any agreement or understanding,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common Stock.
The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the
Company incident to the registration of the shares. The Company has agreed to
indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this
prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act
may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. Each Selling
Stockholder has advised us that they have not entered into any agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriter or broker-dealer regarding
the sale of the resale shares. There is no underwriter or coordinating broker
acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the
date on which the shares may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without
registration and without regard to any volume limitations by reason of Rule
144(e) under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all
of the shares have been sold pursuant to the prospectus or Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale shares will be
sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under
applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale
shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in
the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage
in market making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two
business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the
Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the
Selling Stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus
available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to
deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of
the sale.
16
ANNEX B
NEW CENTURY COMPANIES, INC.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, par value $0.10 (the
"Common Stock"), of New Century Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), (the "Registrable Securities") understands that the Company has
filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration
Statement") for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Registrable Securities, in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
February 28, 2006 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company and
the Purchaser named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is
available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling
securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised
to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being
named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Registration
Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the "Selling Securityholder") of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item 3)
in the Registration Statement.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company
and represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. NAME.
(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder
--------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a)
above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3
below are held:
--------------------------------------------------------------
17
(c) Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a
natural person who directly you indirectly alone or with
others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered
by the questionnaire):
--------------------------------------------------------------
2. ADDRESS FOR NOTICES TO SELLING SECURITYHOLDER:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fax:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Person:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES:
(a) Type and Principal Amount of Registrable Securities beneficially
owned:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
4. BROKER-DEALER STATUS:
(a) Are you a broker-dealer?
Yes |_| No |_|
Note: If yes, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should
be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
(b) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
Yes |_| No |_|
(c) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify
that you bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary
course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the
Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or
understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to
distribute the Registrable Securities?
Yes |_| No |_|
Note: If no, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should
be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
18
5. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OWNED BY THE SELLING
SECURITYHOLDER.
Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the
beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other
than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.
(a) Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the
Selling Securityholder:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
6. RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMPANY:
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its
affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of
5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any
position or office or has had any other material relationship with the
Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three
years.
State any exceptions here:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any
inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur
subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement
remains effective.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the
inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied
upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the
Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused
this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or
by its duly authorized agent.
Dated: Beneficial Owner:
------------------------- ---------------------------
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
PLEASE FAX A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND
RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:
19
