EXHIBIT 4.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
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entered into as of March 31, 1999, between Number Nine Visual Technology
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and KA Investments LDC, a
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Cayman Islands corporation (the "Purchaser ").
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This Agreement is made pursuant to the Convertible Preferred Stock
Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the
Purchaser (the "Purchase Agreement").
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The Company and the Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
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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 meaning set forth in Section 3(o).
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"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
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directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or under common control with
such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control," when used with
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respect to any Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms of "affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
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correlative to the foregoing.
"Business Day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which
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shall be a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in the state of
New York generally are authorized or required by law or other government actions
to close.
"Certificate of Designation" shall have the meaning set forth in the
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Purchase Agreement.
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase
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Agreement.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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"Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per
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share.
"Effectiveness Date" means the 90/th/ day following the Closing Date.
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"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
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2(a).
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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"Filing Date" means the 30/th/ day following the Closing Date.
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"Holder" or "Holders" means the holder or holders, as the case may be,
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from time to time of Registrable Securities.
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
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"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).
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"Person" means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust,
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incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability
company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision
thereof) or other entity of any kind.
"Preferred Stock" means the Company's shares of 4% Series B
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Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, to be issued to the Purchaser
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
"Proceeding" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding
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(including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as
a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in the Registration
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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 the 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 the shares of Common Stock issuable (i)
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upon conversion in full of the Preferred Stock, (ii) as payment of dividends in
respect of the Preferred Stock, assuming all dividends are paid in shares of
Common Stock and that all shares of Preferred Stock remain outstanding for three
years, and (iii) upon exercise of the Warrants; provided, that in order to
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account for the fact that the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock (and as the payment of
dividends thereon) is determined in part upon the market price of the Common
Stock prior to the time of conversion, Registrable Securities contemplated by
clauses (i) and (ii) above shall include (but not be limited to) a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to no less than 200% of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock (together with the payment
of dividends thereon) are convertible, assuming such conversion occurred on the
Closing Date, the Filing Date or the date the Company files an acceleration
request with the Commission relating to the Registration Statement, whichever
yields the lowest Conversion Price (as defined in the Purchase Agreement),
provided, however, that in no event shall the number of Registrable Securities
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exceed the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is obligated to
issue upon conversion of the Preferred Stock (and as payment of dividends
thereon) pursuant to Sections 5(a)(iii)(B) and (C) of the Certificate of
Designation.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statement and any
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additional registration statements contemplated by Section 2(a), 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 144" means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 158" means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to
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the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
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rules and regulations promulgated thereunder..
"Special Counsel" means one special counsel to the Holders, for which
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the Holders will be reimbursed by the Company pursuant to Section 4.
"Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering" means a
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registration in connection with which securities of the Company are sold to an
underwriter for reoffering to the public pursuant to an effective registration
statement.
"Warrants" means, collectively, the Common Stock purchase warrant
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issued to the Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Common Stock
purchase warrant issued to Brighton Capital Ltd. in connection with consulting
services provided to the Company.
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2. Shelf Registration
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(a) On or prior to the Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file
with the Commission a "Shelf" Registration Statement covering all Registrable
Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule
415. The Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (or if the Company is not
then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 such
registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith, or, in
connection with an Underwritten Offering hereunder, such other form agreed to by
the Company and by the Holders of Registrable Securities). 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 Effectiveness Date, and shall use its best efforts to
keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act
until the date which is three years after the date that such Registration
Statement is declared effective by the Commission or such earlier date when 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 (the "Effectiveness
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Period"), provided, however, that the Company shall not be deemed to have used
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its best efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective during the
Effectiveness Period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in the
Holders not being able to sell the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period, unless such action is
required under applicable law or the Company has filed a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement and the Commission has not declared it
effective.
(b) If the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities so
elect, an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration
Statement may be effected in the form of an Underwritten Offering. In such
event, and, if the managing underwriters advise the Company and such Holders in
writing that in their opinion the amount of Registrable Securities proposed to
be sold in such Underwritten Offering exceeds the amount of Registrable
Securities which can be sold in such Underwritten Offering, there shall be
included in such Underwritten Offering the amount of such Registrable Securities
which in the opinion of such managing underwriters can be sold, and such amount
shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders proposing to sell Registrable
Securities in such Underwritten Offering.
(c) If any of the Registrable Securities are to be sold in an
Underwritten Offering, the investment banker in interest that will administer
the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities included in such offering subject to the Company's right to approve
such underwriter (which may not be reasonably withheld or delayed). No Holder
may participate in any Underwritten Offering hereunder unless such Holder (i)
agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting agreements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required
under the terms of such arrangements.
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3. Registration Procedures
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In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder,
the Company shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the Commission on or prior to the Filing
Date, a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or if the Company is not then
eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 such
registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith, or, in
connection with an Underwritten Offering hereunder, such other form agreed to by
the Company and by the Holders of Registrable Securities) which shall contain
the "Plan of Distribution" attached hereto as Annex A (except if otherwise
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directed by the Holders), and cause the Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that not
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less than five (5) Business Days prior to the filing of the 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 the Holders, their
Special Counsel and any managing underwriters, 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,
their Special Counsel and such managing underwriters, 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 such Holders and such underwriters, 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, their Special Counsel, or any managing underwriters,
shall reasonably object on a timely basis.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the
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,
and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any
similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; (iii)
respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received from the
Commission with respect to the 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 the
Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the
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Holders thereof set forth in the Registration Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) File additional Registration Statements if the number of
Registrable Securities at any time exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock
then registered in a Registration Statement. The Company shall have 30 days to
file such additional Registration Statements after its receipt of notice of the
requirement thereof which the Holders may give at any time when the Registrable
Securities exceeds 85% of the number of shares of Common Stock then registered
in a Registration Statement hereunder. In such event, the Registration
Statement required to be filed by the Company shall include no less than a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to, subject to the limitations on the
Company's obligation to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to Sections
5(a)(iii)(B) and (C) of the Certificate of Designation, no less than 200% of the
number of shares of Common Stock into which all then outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock are convertible (assuming such conversion occurred on the Filing
Date for such Registration Statement or the date of the filing of the final
acceleration request therefor, whichever date yields a lower Conversion Price)
and any other Registrable Securities not then registered in a Registration
Statement.
(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold, their
Special Counsel and any managing underwriters as promptly as reasonably possible
(and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than five (5) days prior to such
filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no
later than one (1) Business Day following the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or
any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the 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 the 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 the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement covering any or
all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that
purpose; (iv) if at any time any of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated hereby ceases to be true and correct in all material respects; (v)
of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension
of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any
Proceeding for such purpose; and (vi) of the occurrence of any event that makes
any statement made in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any
material respect or that requires any revisions to the Registration Statement,
Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any
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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.
(e) Use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(f) If requested by any managing underwriter or the Holders of a
majority in interest of the Registrable Securities to be sold in connection with
an Underwritten Offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement such information as such
managing underwriters and such Holders reasonably agree should be included
therein, and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or
such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has
received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the Company
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shall not be required to take any action pursuant to this Section 3(f) that
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, violate applicable law or be
materially detrimental to the business prospects of the Company.
(g) Furnish to each Holder, their Special Counsel and any managing
underwriters, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration
Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial statements and
schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference, 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.
(h) Promptly deliver to each Holder, their Special Counsel, and any
underwriters, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
(including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as
such Persons may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents to the use
of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders and any underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of
the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.
(i) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its
best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders, any
underwriters and their Special Counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws
of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder or underwriter
reasonably requests in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification
(or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any
and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
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required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not
then so qualified or to take
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any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or subject the Company to any
material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(j) Cooperate with the Holders and any managing underwriters 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 applicable law, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such
Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names
as any such managing underwriters or Holders may request.
(k) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(d)(vi),
as promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including
a post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus
will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(l) Use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities relating
to such Registration Statement to be listed on the Nasdaq National Market
("NASDAQ") or on any other stock market or trading facility on which the shares
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of Common Stock are traded, listed or quoted (each a "Subsequent Market") as and
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when required pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
(m) Enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in
form, scope and substance as is customary in Underwritten Offerings) and take
all such other actions in connection therewith (including those reasonably
requested by any managing underwriters and the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities, and whether or not an underwriting
agreement is entered into, (i) make such representations and warranties to such
Holders and such underwriters as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters
in underwritten public offerings, and confirm the same if and when requested;
(ii) in the case of an Underwritten Offering obtain and deliver copies thereof
to each Holder and the managing underwriters, if any, of opinions of counsel to
the Company and updates thereof addressed to each Holder and each such
underwriter, in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to any such
managing underwriters and Special Counsel to the selling Holders covering the
matters customarily covered in opinions requested in Underwritten Offerings and
such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Special Counsel and
underwriters; (iii) immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, and, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, at the time of delivery
of any Registrable Securities sold pursuant thereto, use its best reasonable
efforts to obtain and deliver copies to the Holders and the managing
underwriters, if any, of "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any
other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary
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of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial
statements and financial data is, or is required to be, included in the
Registration Statement), addressed to the Company in form and substance as are
customary in connection with Underwritten Offerings; (iv) if an underwriting
agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and
procedures no less favorable to the selling Holders and the under writers, if
any, than those set forth in Section 5 (or such other provisions and procedures
acceptable to the managing underwriters, if any, and holders of a majority of
Registrable Securities participating in such Underwritten Offering); and (v)
deliver such documents and certificates as may be reason ably requested by the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold, their Special
Counsel and any managing underwriters to evidence the continued validity of the
representations and warranties made pursuant to Section 3(m)(i) above and to
evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company.
(n) Make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any
representative of such Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition
of Registrable Securities, and any attorney or accountant retained by such
selling Holders or underwriters, at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the
officers, directors, agents and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to
supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any such Holder,
representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the
Registration Statement; provided, however, that any information that is
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determined in good faith by the Company in writing to be of a confidential
nature at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by
such Persons, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or
administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory
authorities; (ii) disclosure of such information, in the opinion of counsel to
such Person, is required by law; (iii) such information becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to
safeguard by such Person; or (iv) such information becomes available to such
Person from a source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a
confidentiality agreement with the Company.
(o) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission.
(p) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the
Company such information regarding the distribution of such Registrable
Securities and the beneficial ownership of Common Stock held by such Holder as
is required by law to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and as shall be
reasonably required to effect the registration of their Registrable Securities,
and the Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of
any such Holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a
reasonable time after receiving such request.
If the Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (if such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise
is not required by the Securities Act or any
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similar Federal statute then in force) the deletion of the reference to such
Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement filed or
prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be required.
Each Holder covenants and agrees that (i) it will not sell any
Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until it has received
copies of the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented as contemplated in
Section 3(h) and notice from the Company that such Registration Statement and
any post-effective amendments thereto have become effective as contemplated by
Section 3(d) and (ii) it and its officers, directors or Affiliates, if any, 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.
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 Sections 3(d)(ii), 3(d)(iii), 3(d)(iv), 3(d)(v) or
3(d)(vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the
copies of the supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement
contemplated by Section 3(k), or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
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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.
4. Registration Expenses
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(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Company, except as and to the extent
specified in Section 4(b), shall be borne by the Company whether or not pursuant
to an Underwritten Offering and whether or not the Registration Statement is
filed or becomes effective and whether or not any Registrable Securities are
sold pursuant to the Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to
in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the NASDAQ and any
Subsequent Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, and (B)
in compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Holders 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 the managing underwriters, if any, or
the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities may designate)), (ii)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or
by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the
Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv)
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and Special Counsel for the
Holders up to an aggregate of $7,500, (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, the
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable
Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.
(b) If the Holders require an Underwritten Offering pursuant to the
terms hereof, the Company shall be responsible for all costs, fees and expenses
in connection therewith, except for the fees and disbursements of the
Underwriters (including any underwriting commissions and discounts and the costs
of printing prospectuses) and their legal counsel and accountants. By way of
illustration which is not intended to diminish from the provisions of Section
4(a), the Holders shall not be responsible for, and the Company shall be
required to pay the fees or disbursements incurred by the Company (including by
its legal counsel and accountants) in connection with, the preparation and
filing of a Registration Statement and related Prospectus for such offering, the
maintenance of such Registration Statement in accordance with the terms hereof,
the listing of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the requirements
hereof, and printing expenses incurred to comply with the requirements hereof.
5. Indemnification
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(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall,
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notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder, the officers, directors, agents (including any underwriters
retained by such Holder in connection with the offer and sale of Registrable
Securities), brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable
Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under
a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees of each of
them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers,
directors, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, costs of preparation
and attorneys' fees) and expenses (collectively, "Losses"), as incurred, arising
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out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of
prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or 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 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, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any
amendment or supplement thereto. The Company shall notify the Holders promptly
of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company
is aware in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(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
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment not subject
to appeal or review) arising solely out of or based solely upon any untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arising solely out of or based solely upon any omission of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading 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 the Registration
Statement or such Prospectus 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 counsel
designated by the Holders to review such Registration Statement expressly for
use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus,
or in any amendment or supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability of
any selling Holder hereunder be greater in
-12-
amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds (net of brokerage commissions)
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 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 proximately and materially
adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party
or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to
assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named
parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both
such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party
shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to
exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the
right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the 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.
All fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable
fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or
preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this
Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party (regardless of
whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require
--------
such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to
the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder).
-13-
(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 Section 5(c), any reasonable attorneys' or
other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any
Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or
expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to
such party in accordance with its terms.
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 allo cation 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. No Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section
are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the
Indemnified Parties.
-14-
6. Miscellaneous
-------------
(a) Transferability. Registrable Securities may only be disposed of
---------------
pursuant to an effective Registration Statement, to the Company or pursuant to
an available exemption from or in a transaction not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Registrable Securities may be transferred to an Affiliate (as
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Purchaser or to one or more
funds under common management with the Purchaser, and among any such Affiliates
or one or more funds, provided that any such transferee certifies to the Company
that it is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the
Securities Act and that it is acquiring the Securities solely for investment
purposes. Any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of
this Agreement and shall have the rights of the Purchaser under this Agreement.
In addition, the Company shall cooperate reasonably with the Purchaser and such
assignee or transferee in connection with such assignment or transfer in order
to permit such assignee or transferee to resell Registrable Securities under a
Registration Statement.
(b) 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.
(c) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
--------------------------
subsidiaries has, 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 is inconsistent with the rights granted to
the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
Except as and to the extent specified in Schedule 6(c) hereto, 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. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the written
consent of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities, the Company shall not grant to any Person the right to request the
Company to register any securities of the Company under the Securities Act
unless the rights so granted are subject in all respects to the prior rights in
full of the Holders set forth herein, and are not otherwise in conflict or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) No Piggyback on Registrations. Except as and to the extent
-----------------------------
specified in Schedule 6(c) hereto, 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, and the Company shall not after the date hereof enter
into any agreement providing any such right to any of its security holders.
-15-
(e) Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time when there is not an
------------------------
effective Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities the
Company shall determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration
statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others
under the Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4
or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or 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, then the Company
shall send to each holder of Registrable Securities written notice of such
determination and, if within twenty (20) days after receipt 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, however, that the Company shall not
-------- -------
be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 7(d)
that are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the Commission.
In connection with any offering by the Company involving an
underwriting of shares of Common Stock to be issued for the account of a
stockholder of the Company other than a Holder, if such offering is one in which
a Holder has elected to participate pursuant to this Section 6(e) and the
managing underwriter has imposed a limitation on the number of shares of Common
Stock which may be included in any such registration statement because, in its
judgment, such limitation is necessary to effect an orderly public distribution
of the shares of Common Stock and to maintain a stable market for the securities
of the Company, then the Company may cut-back the number of Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration statement on the following basis:
if the registration statement is for the account of a selling stockholder other
than a Holder, then all classes of the Company's stock other than the initiating
securityholder for whom such registration is intended shall first be cut-back,
provided, that all classes of the Company's stock other than the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock and the Registrable Securities shall be cut back in
full prior to any cut-back to the Series A Preferred and the Registrable
Securities and, thereafter, the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock and the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be cut-back pro rata, based
upon the number of shares of Common Stock and the Registrable Securities then
held by such participating securityholder. The Holders will not be subject to
any underwriter cutback in the event of any underwritten offering of Common
Stock by the Company on a primary basis.
(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 the Holders of at least two-thirds of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that, for the purposes of this sentence,
-------- -------
Registrable Securities that are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company,
or an Affiliate of the Company are not deemed outstanding. 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 at least a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such
waiver or consent relates; provided,
--------
-16-
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 in writing
and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of
transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the
facsimile telephone number specified in this Section prior to 8:00 p.m. (New
York City time) on a Business Day, (ii) the Business Day after the date of
transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the
facsimile telephone number specified in the Purchase Agreement later than 8:00
p.m. (New York City time) on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York City
time) on such date, (iii) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if
sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual
receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address
for such notices and communications shall be as follows:
If to the Company: Number Nine Visual Technology Corporation
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX
Facsimile No.:
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
With copies to: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky
and Popeo, P.C.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to the Purchaser: KA Investments LDC
c/o Deephaven Capital Management LLC
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
With copies to: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq. and
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
-17-
If to any other Person who is then the registered Holder:
To the address of such Holder as it appears in the stock transfer books of
the Company or such other address as may be designated in writing
hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person.
(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
each Holder. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the
manner and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase Agreement.
(i) 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.
(j) Governing Law. The corporate laws of the State of Delaware shall
-------------
govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its
stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity,
enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New
York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party
hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts sitting in the City of New York, borough of Manhattan, for the
adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any
transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to
the enforcement of the any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably
waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably
waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any
such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the
address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such
service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right
to serve process in any manner permitted by law.
(k) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative
-------------------
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
-18-
(l) 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 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.
(m) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(n) Shares Held by The Company and its Affiliates. Whenever the
---------------------------------------------
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or
its Affiliates (other than any Holder or transferees or successors or assigns
thereof if such Holder is deemed to be an Affiliate solely by reason of its
holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining
whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required
percentage.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
-19-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
NUMBER NINE VISUAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By:/s/
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
KA INVESTMENTS LDC
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
NUMBER NINE VISUAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
KA INVESTMENTS LDC
By:/s/
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Annex A
-------
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
--------------------
The Selling Stockholders 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 any 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. The Selling Stockholders may use any one or more of the
following methods when selling shares:
. ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-
dealer solicits purchasers;
. 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;
. purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer
for its account;
. an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
. privately negotiated transactions;
. short sales;
. broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified
number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
. a combination of any such methods of sale; and
. any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
The Selling Stockholders may pledge their shares to their brokers under the
margin provisions of customer agreements. If a Selling Stockholder defaults on
a margin loan, the broker may, from time to time, offer and sell the pledged
shares.
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. The Selling Stockholders do not
22
expect these commissions and discounts to exceed what is customary in the types
of transactions involved.
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.
The Company is required to pay all fees and expenses incident to the
registration of the shares, including fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Selling Stockholders. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling
Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
23
SCHEDULE 6(C) TO THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
--------------------------------------------------
Silicon Graphics, Inc. ("SGI") currently owns 3,350,894 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, (the "Series A Preferred") and a
warrant to purchase for a period of three years commencing on August 11, 1998 at
an exercise price of $2.75 per share up to that number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock equal to 3% of the Company's then issued and outstanding Common
Stock at the time of exercise (the shares underlying the Warrant together with
the Series A Preferred, "the SGI Shares"). The Company and SGI have entered into
the following agreements regarding the SGI Shares:
1. An Investor Rights Agreement dated August 11, 1998 by and between the
Company and SGI.
2. A Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and SGI dated
March 31, 1999 attached to Schedule 6(c) hereto.
9
