Exhibit 10.4
MASTER PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
[COMPANY NAME]
- and -
AMERICAN EQUITIES GROUP, INC.
Dated: [ ]
DEFINITIONS....................................................................1
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVOICES..............................................1
2. SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................3
3. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS......................................................4
4. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.........................................................5
5. SECURITY...................................................................5
6. RECOURSE...................................................................6
7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT..........................................................6
8. REMEDIES...................................................................7
9. GOVERNING LAW..............................................................8
10. JURISDICTION...............................................................8
11. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS.................................................8
12. COLLECTION.................................................................8
13. INDEMNIFICATION............................................................8
14. PURCHASER CHARGES..........................................................8
15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT.........................................................9
16. TERM.......................................................................9
17. EFFECTIVE DATE.............................................................9
18. SURVIVAL. ...............................................................9
19. BINDING EFFECT.............................................................9
20. FURTHER ASSURANCES. ......................................................9
21. COUNTERPARTS; TELECOPIES...................................................9
i
MASTER PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT
This Master Purchase & Sale Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into by [COMPANY NAME], a [STATE OF ORGANIZATION] corporation (the
"Seller"), having an office at [COMPANY ADDRESS] and AMERICAN EQUITIES GROUP,
INC., a New York corporation ("AEG" and/or "Purchaser"), having an office at 00
Xxxx Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000. The Seller and AEG hereby
agree to the terms and conditions contained herein and in any Addendums and/or
Attachments to this Agreement.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply to this Agreement:
a. "Advance Rate Percentage" shall mean [ADVANCE RATE PERCENTAGE].
b. "Account Debtor" shall mean any third party who is indebted to
Seller on account of products and/or services provided by Seller.
c. "Administrative Fee" shall mean ten percent (10%) of (A) the Net
Invoice Value of any Receivable which Seller does not sell to AEG in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (B) any amounts paid
to or collected by Seller with respect to any Receivable which are
not remitted to AEG in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
d. "Book Account" shall mean the account maintained by Purchaser for
the Seller pursuant to Section 1(c).
e. "Charge-back Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6(b). f. "Client Risk Receivable" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 1(b). g. "Collateral" shall mean those assets owned by
Seller which are subject to Purchaser's security interest granted in
Section 5(b).
h. "Discount Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(b).
i. "Dispute" shall mean a dispute, deduction, claim, offset, defense or
counterclaim of any kind, whether bona fide or not, including,
without limitation, any dispute relating to goods or services
already paid for or relating to Receivables other than the
Receivable on which payment is being withheld.
j. "Factor Risk Receivables" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1(b).
k. "Maximum Permitted Advance" shall be the amount obtained by
multiplying the Advance Rate Percentage by the sum of the Net
Invoice Values of all Factor Risk Receivables in a Receivable Pool.
l. "Net Invoice Value" shall mean, as to any Receivable, the amount
shown on the original invoice therefore as being payable in cash by
the customer owing the same, net of all commissions, discounts
(other than prompt payment discounts), allowances, and credits
granted by Seller or claimed by the Account Debtor.
m. "Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
n. "Overdraft" shall mean any negative balance in Seller's Book
Account.
o. "Receivable" or "Receivables" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1(a).
p. "Residual" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(b)(ii).
q. "Seller" shall mean [COMPANY NAME], and its subsidiaries, if any.
r. "Service Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(b).
s. "Supporting Documents" shall mean original invoices, confirmed
purchase orders, insertion orders, contracts, approvals, shipping
documents, and any other documents which AEG may require or specify
with respect to a Receivable.
t. "Termination Fee" shall mean the fee which may become payable to
Purchaser on termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 16.
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVOICES.
(a) Approval/Sale. AEG agrees to purchase, and Seller agrees to sell,
all of Seller's present and future accounts, contract rights, and other forms of
obligation for payment of money arising out of or in connection with
1
the sale of advertisements or advertising space in magazines, trade journals and
other periodicals including, but not limited to, the magazine [NAME OF
MAGAZINE], together with all collection rights in connection therewith, as well
as Seller's interest in any goods represented by its receivables and all goods
returned by customers and Seller's rights against any unpaid vendor(s)
(collectively, the "Receivables"). In purchasing Receivables, AEG has or will
materially rely upon the documents and other information provided by Seller and
on Seller's representations, warranties and covenants contained in this
Agreement. AEG shall be the absolute owner of all Receivables purchased under
this Agreement. As owner, AEG shall have the sole and exclusive power and
authority to collect each Receivable through legal action or otherwise,
including, in its sole determination, the right to settle, compromise, or assign
(in whole or part) any of the Receivables.
(b) Purchase Price. AEG will purchase all the Receivables generated by
Seller in connection with each issue of any magazine, trade journal, or other
periodical published by Seller, including, but not limited to, all of the
Receivables generated in connection with each issue of the magazine [NAME OF
MAGAZINE], and will consider them to be a pool of Receivables (a "Receivable
Pool"). Seller will forward the Supporting Documents with respect to each
Receivable Pool to AEG as such Supporting Documents are generated. As to any
Receivable within a Receivable Pool, if Seller fails to deliver Supporting
Documents with respect to that Receivable, if the Receivable is with an Account
Debtor which has any invoice which is outstanding more than 90 days, or if AEG
determines in the exercise of its reasonable discretion that the customer has
unacceptable credit, AEG shall have the right to declare the Receivable to be an
unacceptable client risk (a "Client Risk Receivable") and shall not advance any
monies against the Client Risk Receivable. Notwithstanding a Client Risk
Receivable designation, AEG shall be deemed to have purchased the Receivable,
shall have the right to collect the Receivable, and shall have the right to
charge Service Fees and Discount Fees on the Receivable. The Receivables upon
which AEG advances money at the Advance Rate Percentage shall be deemed factor
risk Receivables (the "Factor Risk Receivables"). The amount which AEG advances
with respect to any Receivable Pool shall not exceed the amount of the Maximum
Permitted Advance for that Receivable Pool. AEG will charge Seller a Service Fee
equal to (i) [SERVICE FEE PURCHASE] of the sum of the Net Invoice Values of all
Receivables in a Receivable Pool at the time a Receivable Pool is purchased, and
(ii) [SERVICE FEE - DAYS 31 AND 61] of the sum of the Net Invoice Values of any
unpaid and outstanding Receivables within a Receivable Pool on each of the 31st
and 61st days next following AEG's purchase of a particular Receivable Pool
(each, a "Service Fee") for the production, collection, accounting and
administrative services rendered by AEG under this Agreement. In addition, AEG
will charge Seller a Discount Fee equal to [DISCOUNT FEE] of the sum of the Net
Invoice Values of any unpaid and outstanding Receivables within a Receivable
Pool on each of the 31st and 61st days next following AEG's purchase of a
particular Receivable Pool (each, a "Discount Fee").
Upon AEG'S acceptance of a Receivable Pool and its receipt of all
Supporting Documents from Seller concerning that Receivable Pool, AEG shall be
deemed to have purchased the Receivable Pool and Seller shall be paid by check
or wire transfer as follows:
(i) the Maximum Permitted Advance less the Service Fee and any
other applicable charges then due within two (2) business days.
(ii) the Residual, as defined below, shall be payable monthly
with regard to each Receivable Pool. With regard to each Receivable Pool, the
amounts collected in excess of the Maximum Permitted Advance less the sum of (A)
all prior payments on account of the Residual for the Receivable Pool, and (B)
any offsets, charges, charge-backs, or other obligations that Seller shall have
to AEG, shall be the Residual.
2
(c) Book Account. As used herein the term "Book Account" shall mean
the account to which all monies owing to Seller by AEG shall be credited and all
monies owing by Seller to AEG shall be charged. All monies owing by either party
will be entered into the Book Account on the day they become due. An Overdraft
shall be payable on demand. Any (i) Overdraft, or (ii) payment or charge due
from Seller to AEG under the terms of this Agreement which is not paid when due,
including, but not limited to, any Service Fee, Discount Fee or Charge-back
Payment which is not paid when due (a "Past Due Charge"), may be set-off at any
time against any amount which would otherwise be due from AEG to Seller. Any (i)
Overdraft or (ii) Past Due Charge shall bear interest for each day it is
outstanding until paid in full at the rate of twenty four percent (24%) per
annum. Interest shall be charged daily and posted to the Book Account monthly.
AEG each month shall provide Seller with an account statement which lists all
charges and credits to the Book Account in the previous month. Each account
statement shall be conclusively presumed to be correct in all respects, except
for specific objections which the Seller makes in writing within fifteen (15)
days from the date upon which the account statement is sent.
(d) Invoicing. All invoices shall be sent from AEG directly to the
Account Debtors. Each invoice shall state in a manner satisfactory to AEG that
the Receivable is payable to AEG or an agreed upon trade style (D/B/A), in US
Dollars only, at an address specified by AEG and shall be accompanied by all
other Supporting Documents with respect to that invoice. Seller shall, and
hereby does, grant AEG a license to use Seller's name and trade names, if any,
in one or more alternate names or D/B/As for the purpose of administering,
managing, and collecting Receivables. This license may not be modified or
revoked until all Receivables purchased by AEG under this Agreement have been
collected and any and all Obligations of Seller to AEG have been paid in full.
At AEG's election Seller shall execute a Xxxx of Sale (without representation or
warranty except as is expressly set forth in this Agreement) to AEG transferring
ownership of all Receivables within a Receivable Pool.
2. SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Seller represents and
warrants to AEG the following which shall be continuing representations and
warranties for so long as this Agreement is in effect or AEG shall have any
commitment under this Agreement:
(a) Ownership of Receivables. Seller is the sole owner of the
Receivables and none of the Receivables has been previously assigned or
encumbered in any manner. Seller has full power and authority to sell each of
the Receivables and has duly authorized their sale to AEG pursuant to this
Agreement.
(b) Current Receivables. Each Receivable is for the amount stated on
the invoice. As of the date of sale of the Receivable there are no prepays,
set-offs, deductions, disputes, contingencies or counterclaims against any of
the Receivables or against Seller in connection therewith. Each Receivable is
currently due to Seller and is by its terms collectable in full no later than
thirty (30) days after the date of invoice.
3
(c) Corporate Structure. Seller is a corporation duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of [STATE OF
ORGANIZATION] and is qualified and authorized to do business in the State of
[STATE OF ORGANIZATION] and in all other states in which it is currently
conducting business and qualification is required. Seller does not have any
subsidiaries or affiliates. Seller is not a partner in any partnership or a
participant in any joint ventures.
(d) Proper Execution. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Seller has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
and does not and will not: (i) require any consent or approval of its
stockholders, (ii) contravene its corporate charter or by-laws, (iii) violate
any provision of any law, rule, regulations or any order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having
applicability to it and of which it has notice; or (iv) result in any breach of
or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any
other agreement, lease or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or
its properties may be bound or affected.
(e) Binding Obligations. This Agreement is, and when delivered will be,
a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller enforceable against the
Seller in accordance with its terms.
(f) Liens. Seller has no liens of any kind on any of its assets, and
Seller will not grant or suffer any such liens hereafter without AEG's prior
written consent.
(g) No Litigation. Seller has no notice of any actions, suits or
proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of Seller, threatened against or
affecting it before any court, governmental agency, arbitrator or other body
which may materially adversely affect the financial condition, operations,
properties or the business of Seller or the ability of the Seller to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
(h) Place of Business; Books and Records. Seller's principal place of
business and its chief executive offices are located at [COMPANY ADDRESS].
Seller has no other offices or places of business. Seller's books and records
and all of its assets are located at its principal place of business. Seller
maintains its books and records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles ("GAAP").
(i) Corporate Name, Merger, Acquisition. Seller has not (i) changed its
name or been known by any other name, (ii) been the surviving corporation of a
merger or consolidation, (iii) acquired all or substantially all of the assets
of any person or entity, or (iv) obtained assets in a transaction subject to any
bulk transfer laws.
4
(j) No Default; No Violation. Seller is not (A) in default under or in
breach of any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement,
lease or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its properties may
be bound or affected, or (B) in violation of any law, rule, regulation, order,
writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or award presently in effect
having applicability to it and of which it has notice.
(k) Year 2000. To the best of Seller's knowledge, all software utilized
in the conduct of Seller's business will have appropriate capabilities and
compatibility for operation to handle calendar dates falling on or after January
1, 2000, and all information pertaining to such calendar dates, in the same
manner and with the same functionality as the software does with respect to
calendar dates falling on or before December 31, 1999.
3. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect
or AEG shall have any commitment under this Agreement, Seller covenants and
agrees that it:
(a) will not, nor consent or permit any of its shareholders, directors,
officers, employees or agents to, deposit in any bank or other depository, any
check, remittance or other payment for or on account of any Receivable, nor
attempt to collect any payment from an Account Debtor.
(b) will, within 24 hours of its receipt of payment with respect to any
Receivable, forward such payment to AEG by regular mail.
(c) will preserve and maintain its corporate existence, in good
standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and in each foreign
jurisdiction in which it owns property or conducts business, and maintain all of
its properties, necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business, in
good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
(d) will keep adequate records and books of account in accordance with
GAAP and will maintain such books and records at its principal place of business
as specified in Section 2(h).
(e) will at its own expense, maintain insurance with respect to its
real and personal properties against such risks, in such commercially reasonable
form and with such insurers, as shall be reasonably satisfactory to AEG from
time to time and shall cause AEG to be named as an additional insured and as
loss payee on such policies.
(f) will at any reasonable time, and at Seller's expense, permit AEG or
any agent or representative thereof, to examine and make copies and abstracts
from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of the Seller
and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and
directors and independent accountants.
(g) will furnish to AEG:
5
(A) promptly after the commencement thereof, written notice of all
actions, suits, and proceedings before any court or governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, in
excess of $10,000 affecting Seller.
(B) written notice of any change in the officers or owners of
Seller within five (5) days of the occurrence of any such change.
(C) such other information respecting the condition or operations
financial or otherwise, of the Seller as AEG may from time to time reasonably
request.
(h) will maintain, preserve, and keep its buildings, machinery, and
equipment in good condition, repair, and working order for the proper and
efficient operation of its business.
(i) will comply in all respects with all applicable laws, rules,
regulations, and orders.
4. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. So long as this Agreement is in effect, or AEG
shall have any commitment under this Agreement, Seller shall not:
(a) organize or cause to exist any subsidiaries or affiliates without
AEG's prior written consent, which consent may be conditioned, without
limitation, upon such subsidiary or affiliate guarantying all of the Seller's
obligations under this Agreement.
(b) remove any inventory of raw materials or completed products from
its business premises other than on shipment to Account Debtors in the ordinary
course of business without the prior written consent of AEG.
(c) invest in or otherwise acquire any shares or substantially all of
the assets of any corporation, firm, or business, or division thereof.
(d) change the general character of its business as conducted at the
date hereof, or engage in any type of business not reasonably related to its
business as normally conducted.
(e) increase the salaries, expense accounts, or bonuses presently being
paid to its officers or directors or shareholders except for reasonable
increases made in the ordinary course of business.
(f) declare or pay any dividend on its capital shares of any class or
make any distribution to any shareholders as such or purchase, redeem, or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class.
(g) merge with or consolidate into any other entity or change its
corporate name or do business under any name other than its corporate name.
(h) permit any lien, security interest or other encumbrance of any
nature whatsoever to be placed on the Collateral other than the lien in favor of
AEG.
6
(i) change the location of its principal place of business or the
location of its chief executive offices without providing AEG with thirty (30)
days' prior written notice; provided, however, no change in location may be
effected until all filings required to be made to evidence AEG's ownership of
the Receivables and its first priority security interest in the Collateral have
been made.
(j) sell, lease, transfer, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any of its
assets except in the ordinary course of business.
(k) grant, or attempt to grant, any discount, credit, or allowance on
any Receivable that has been purchased by AEG without AEG's prior written
consent.
5. SECURITY.
(a) In the event that AEG's interest in the Receivables purchased under
this Agreement is deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a security
interest instead of a purchase, then this Agreement shall be deemed to
constitute a security agreement under Article 9 of the New Jersey Uniform
Commercial Code and AEG shall have all rights of a secured party thereunder with
respect to the Receivables so purchased, and the Collateral.
(b) As security for the payment and performance of Seller's obligations
under or in connection with (i) any Overdraft, (ii) any other obligation of
Seller to AEG under or in connection with this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, any attorneys' fees or other expenses incurred by AEG in enforcing
or amending this Agreement and any Termination Fee, and (iii) and any and all
other obligations of Seller to AEG, whether now existing or arising in the
future (such obligations, collectively, the "Obligations"), Seller does hereby
assign, transfer, and grant to AEG a lien upon and a valid first priority
security interest in the following assets (the "Collateral"): All accounts
receivable, including, but not limited to, the Receivables, and all books and
records pertaining to such accounts receivable, all machinery and equipment,
fixtures, inventory, trademarks, patents, copyrights, contract rights and all
other general intangibles, and all other personal property and assets of Seller,
all as more particularly described on Schedule A which is attached hereto and
made a part hereof.
(c) Seller also hereby grants AEG an irrevocable power of attorney,
which shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long
as this Agreement is in force and thereafter until all Obligations have been
fully paid, for the purpose of collecting the Receivables assigned hereunder and
exercising all of its rights with respect to the Collateral such rights to
include, but not be limited to, the right to sign Seller's name on any UCC
financing statement or any amendment thereto relating to Collateral.
7
6. RECOURSE.
(a) AEG shall have recourse against Seller with respect to any
Receivable not paid within 90 days from its invoice date. In addition, AEG shall
have recourse against Seller, if Seller: (i) is in breach of this Agreement;
(ii) has breached any representations, warranties or covenants with respect to
any unpaid Receivable; (iii) has contributed to or aggravated any Account
Debtor's financial inability to pay; (iv) is involved with any Account Debtor in
a Dispute of any kind, regardless of validity; or (v) any Account Debtor has
asserted a claim of loss or offset of any kind against Seller or AEG.
(b) AEG shall have the right to charge the amount of any Receivable for
which AEG has recourse against Seller back to Seller's Book Account and to
require Seller to immediately pay to AEG an amount equal to the number obtained
by multiplying the Net Invoice Value of such Receivable by the Advance Rate
Percentage (a "Charge-back Payment"); provided, however, if the sum of (A) the
Charge-back Payment plus (B) all amounts collected to date with respect to the
Receivable Pool which included such Receivable exceeds the Maximum Permitted
Advance for that Receivable Pool, then the amount of the Charge-back Payment
shall be reduced to an amount which shall cause such sum to equal such Maximum
Permitted Advance. The charge-back of a Receivable shall reduce the purchase
price for the Receivable Pool which included that Receivable. The charge-back of
a Receivable shall not constitute a reassignment thereof, and the title thereto
and the goods represented thereby shall remain in AEG until all Obligations are
paid in full.
7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
Each of the following shall constitute an event of default under this
Agreement an ("Event of Default"):
(a) any covenant, representation, or warranty made in this Agreement or
which is contained in any certificate, document, opinion, financial
or other statement furnished under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be found to have been incorrect or breached in any
material respect;
(b) Seller shall fail to pay any amount outstanding under or in
connection with this Agreement when due including, but not limited
to, any payment of an Overdraft or any other amount which may be
due upon the demand of AEG;
(c) a default occurs in the performance of any term, covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement;
8
(d) Seller shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of a
custodian, receiver, or trustee for it or for a substantial part of
its assets; or shall commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy
reorganization, arrangements, readjustment of debt, dissolution, or
liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or
hereafter in effect; or shall have any petition or application
filed or any such proceeding commenced against it in which an order
for relief is entered or adjudication or appointment is made, and
such involuntary petition or application is not overturned or
stayed within 60 days of entry; or by any act of omission shall
indicate its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in any such
petition, application, proceeding, receiver, or trustee for all or
any substantial part of its properties; or shall suffer any such
custodianship, receivership, or trusteeship; or the Seller shall
discontinue its operations;
(e) any security interest or other document delivered by Seller
pursuant to this Agreement shall at any time after its execution
and delivery and for any reason cease: (A) to create a valid and
perfected lien upon and first priority security interest in and to
the property covered therein; or (B) to be in full force and effect
or shall be declared null and void, or shall be terminated, or the
validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by Seller or
Seller shall deny it has any further liability or obligation under
this Agreement, or the Seller shall fail to perform any of its
obligations under any of its agreements with AEG.
(f) any guaranty of the Seller's obligations executed in favor of AEG
shall at any time after its execution and delivery and for any
reason cease to be in full force and effect or shall be declared
null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be
contested by the guarantor, or the guarantor shall deny he has any
further liability or obligation thereunder or shall fail to perform
his obligations thereunder;
(g) a material adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), business, operations or prospects of the Seller shall
have occurred;
then, and in any such event, AEG may, in its sole discretion, by notice to the
Seller, (A) terminate its obligation to (i) purchase Receivables, and (ii) make
advances or credit accommodations under any loans or other credit facilities
provided under or in connection with this Agreement, and (B) declare the
outstanding balance of any Overdraft and any and all other Obligations to be
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further
notice of any kind, including notice of dishonor, all of which are expressly
waived by the Seller.
9
8. REMEDIES. AEG shall have the following rights, in addition to its
rights at law and in equity.
(a) AEG may (i) upon five (5) business days written notice to Seller,
notify the postal authorities to change the address for delivery of Seller's
mail to an address designated by AEG; (ii) upon five (5) business days written
notice to Seller, receive, open, copy and distribute all mail addressed to
Seller, retaining all mail related to the Collateral and forwarding all other
mail to Seller; (iii) enter any and all premises where any of the Collateral is
located and take possession of the Collateral; (iv) require Seller, at Seller's
expense, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to AEG at a place or
places designated by AEG, and (v) sell any or all of the Collateral at either a
public or private sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or
transactions, for cash or on terms, in such manner and at such places (including
Seller's premises) as in AEG's opinion is commercially reasonable. Should AEG
exercise its rights to possession, Seller hereby waives its right, if any, to
cause AEG to post a bond or any other type of security. Any requirement of
reasonable notice regarding disposition of the Collateral by AEG shall be
conclusively met if notice is given to Seller in writing at least five (5) days
before the date fixed for a public sale or after which a private sale or other
disposition is to be made. AEG shall be entitled to purchase the Collateral at
any public sale. It is not necessary that the Collateral be present at any sale
by AEG hereunder. Any deficiency in the amount Seller owes to AEG which exists
after the disposition of the Collateral will be paid immediately by Seller to
AEG. Any excess of sale proceeds over the amounts owing by Seller to AEG shall
be returned to Seller, subject however, to applicable law and the rights of the
holders of other liens on the property.
(b) AEG may set off, exercise any lien or other right of attachment or
garnishment, and apply any and all monies, balances, credits, accounts and
deposits any time owing by AEG to or for Seller's account against any of
Seller's obligations to AEG.
9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL TRANSACTIONS OCCURRING HEREUNDER
SHALL BE DEEMED MADE IN AND GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.
10. JURISDICTION. The Parties consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction and
venue of the state or federal courts located in New Jersey. Service of process
on either party in connection with any dispute shall be binding on such party if
sent to it by Registered or Certified Mail at the address specified above.
SELLER WAIVES ANY RIGHT SELLER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTE
ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
10
11. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, should this Agreement call for the
payment of monies in excess of the maximum legally permitted rate of interest,
then this Agreement shall be deemed automatically amended so as to not require
payment of monies in excess of the maximum lawfully permitted rate of interest.
12. COLLECTION. AEG will undertake collection efforts for all Receivables
and use its best efforts to collect them in accordance with normal industry
practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AEG shall have the full power and
authority to collect each Receivable, through legal action or otherwise, and
may, in its sole discretion, settle, compromise, or assign (in whole or in part)
any of the Receivables, or otherwise exercise any other right with respect to
any of the Receivables if such action will facilitate collection. AEG shall have
the right to endorse Seller's name and trade names (if any) upon any and all
checks, drafts, money orders, and other instruments for the payment of money
that are payable to Seller which AEG receives in connection with its collection
of Seller's accounts receivable under or in connection with this Agreement.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. Seller agrees to indemnify and hold AEG harmless from
and against any and all claims, losses, expenses, costs, obligations and
liabilities (including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees at the trial,
appellate and post-judgment levels) that AEG may incur by reason of: (i)
Seller's breach of or failure to perform any of its representations, warranties,
commitments or covenants in this Agreement, or (ii) AEG's collecting or
attempting to collect any Receivable. To the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, Seller hereby releases AEG and its officers, attorneys, agents
and employees from all claims for loss or damage caused by any act or omission
on the part of any of them except for actions or omissions which constitute
willful misconduct.
14. PURCHASER CHARGES. AEG will charge Seller a [UNDERWRITING FEE]
underwriting fee to cover AEG's legal and accounting costs and expenses in
connection with the closing. In addition, Seller shall reimburse AEG for all out
of pocket expenses and costs incurred in connection with this Agreement
including, but not limited to, wire transfer fees, search fees, and filing fees.
Seller already has paid $1,000 of these fees and charges to AEG as a deposit.
The balance of these fees and charges will be paid in two (2) equal installments
which will be deducted from each of AEG's first two (2) advances to Seller. AEG
also shall charge Seller for its direct out-of-pocket costs for wire transfers,
mail, overnight delivery, lien searches, credit reports, accounting fees,
consultant fees, and all legal and other expenses, including, but not limited
to, reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by AEG in administering, enforcing, or
amending this Agreement. In addition, AEG will charge Seller an (A) an
Administrative Fee with respect to (i) any Receivable Seller fails to sell to
AEG, or (ii) any payment made to Seller with respect to a Receivable which is
not remitted to AEG, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and
(B) any Termination Fee payable pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement.
11
15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is the complete and entire
understanding between Seller and AEG and may only be modified by a written
instrument signed by the party to be bound thereby.
16. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the effective
date hereof and continue in effect for a period of two (2) years and shall be
automatically renewed from year to year thereafter unless terminated as provided
in this Section.
(a) Provided Seller is not in default of its obligations under this
Agreement, Seller may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the term
without penalty upon one-hundred eighty (180) days' written notice to AEG. If
the Agreement is terminated by AEG because of Seller's default, AEG shall charge
Seller a termination fee equal to the number obtained by multiplying (i) the
daily average of the sum of all Service Fees, Discount Fees, and other fees and
charges charged by AEG to Seller from the effective date of this Agreement to
the date of termination by (ii) one hundred and twenty (120).
(b) Upon the expiration of the initial two (2) year term of this
Agreement, either party may terminate this Agreement through ninety (90) days'
written notice to the other party.
(c) AEG may terminate this Agreement through written notice to Seller
if AEG is unable, after good faith attempts to do so, to secure funds with which
to purchase Seller's Receivables in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Upon any termination of this Agreement, (i) the aggregate amount of
any and all outstanding Receivables shall be charged back to Seller's Book
Account, (ii) any and all Obligations (including, but not limited to, any
Overdraft created through the charge back of Receivables upon termination) shall
be immediately due and payable in full, and (iii) AEG's obligation to purchase
Receivables and to make advances or credit accommodations under any other credit
facilities provided under or in connection with this Agreement shall terminate.
Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, all rights of AEG shall
survive the termination or expiration of the term of this Agreement until all of
the Obligations have been satisfied in full to AEG's satisfaction. In
recognition of AEG's right to have all its attorneys' fees and expenses incurred
under or in connection with this Agreement secured by the Collateral,
notwithstanding payment in full of the Obligations by Seller, AEG shall not be
required to record any terminations or satisfactions of any of its liens on the
Collateral unless and until Seller and any and all Guarantors have executed and
delivered to AEG a Release And Covenant Not To Xxx in a form acceptable to AEG.
AEG's security interest in, and rights in connection with, the Collateral shall
remain in effect until Seller has paid all of the Obligations in full. Upon
payment of the Obligations in full, AEG shall promptly reconvey all outstanding
and unpaid Receivables to Seller together with the underlying documentation with
respect to such Receivables.
12
17. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement shall be effective when (i) AEG has
received written confirmation from the appropriate state, county, and local
filing offices that it holds a first priority lien on the Collateral, or, in the
alternative, and in its sole discretion, AEG elects to waive this condition to
the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to all or any part of the
Collateral, and (ii) it is executed and accepted by AEG in its office in
Paramus, New Jersey.
18. SURVIVAL. All representations, warranties, indemnities and covenants of
the Seller under this Agreement shall survive the making of payment and the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
19. BINDING EFFECT. The terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement
shall be upon and shall enure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto,
their respective successors, and assigns.
20. FURTHER ASSURANCES. At anytime, upon the request of AEG, Seller shall
make, execute, and deliver any and all such additional documents and instruments
and do such further acts and things as AEG may reasonably require to effect, or
to effectuate more fully, the purposes of this Agreement.
21. COUNTERPARTS; TELECOPIES. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by
telecopier or other electronic device shall be binding and enforceable against
the party as if an original signed counterpart had been delivered.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized corporate officers on the day and year first
above written.
AS TO PURCHASER: AS TO SELLER:
AMERICAN EQUITIES GROUP, INC. [COMPANY NAME]
By:_______________________________ By:_________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX, C.E.O. [COMPANY'S CEO/PRESIDENT]
By:_______________________________ By:_________________________
XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX, SECRETARY [COMPANY'S SECRETARY]
13
SCHEDULE A
The "Collateral" shall mean the following, whether now or hereafter
existing or created or now or hereafter acquired by [COMPANY NAME] (the
"Debtor"):
(i) The Accounts Receivable (as hereafter defined);
(ii) The Inventory (as hereinafter defined;
(iii) The Equipment (as hereinafter defined);
(iv) Any claims of the Debtor against third parties for loss
or damage to, or destruction of, any and all of the foregoing, all guarantees,
security and liens for payment of any Accounts Receivable and documents of
title, policies, certificates of insurance, insurance proceeds, securities,
chattel paper, and other documents and instruments evidencing or pertaining
thereto; and all files, correspondence, computer programs (whether software,
firmware or operating systems), tapes, discs and related data processing
software or media owned by the Debtor or in which the Debtor has an interest
which contain information identifying or pertaining to any one or more of the
items in (i), (ii) and (iii) above, or (v) and (vi) below, or any account
debtor, showing the amounts owed by each, payment thereon or otherwise necessary
or helpful in the realization thereon or the collection thereof.
(v) Any and all moneys, securities, drafts, notes,
choses-in-action, items and other property or the Debtor, including, but not
limited to, customer lists, contract rights, leases, licenses (to the extent
said licenses permit assignment), the magazine title [NAME OF MAGAZINE] and all
other general intangibles (including, but not limited to, trademarks, trade
names, patents, copyrights, and all other forms of intellectual property, and
tax refunds), and all proceeds and products thereof, now or hereafter held or
received by or in transit to Lender from or for the Debtor, or which may now or
hereafter be in the possession of Lender, or as to which Lender may now or
hereafter control possession, by documents of title or otherwise, whether for
safekeeping, custody, pledge, transmission, collection or otherwise, and any and
all deposits, general or special, balances, sums, proceeds and credits of the
Debtor, and all rights and remedies which the Debtor might exercise with respect
to any of the foregoing but for execution of this Agreement; and
(vi) All proceeds and products of the Equipment, the Accounts
Receivable and the Inventory, said proceeds and products to include without
limitation, any "Collateral" as used in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v)
above.
14
The term "Accounts Receivable" shall mean, in addition to
the definition of the terms "Accounts" and "General Intangibles" contained in
the Uniform Commercial Code, of the State of New Jersey, any and all obligations
of any kind at any time due and/or owing to the Debtor and all rights of the
Debtor to receive payment or any other consideration (whether classified under
the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New Jersey or any other State as
accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, general intangibles, or otherwise)
including without limitation, invoices, contract rights (including without
limitation contracts for time or services from service bureaus and others,
licenses and agreements for computer hardware and/or software), accounts
receivable, acceptances, instruments and all other debts, obligations and
liabilities in whatever form owing to the Debtor from any person, firm,
governmental authority, corporation or any other entity, all security therefor,
and all the Debtor's rights to goods sold (whether delivered, undelivered, in
transit or returned), which may be represented thereby, whether now existing or
hereafter arising, together with all proceeds and products of any and all of the
foregoing.
The term "Inventory" shall mean, in addition to the
definition thereof contained in the Uniform Commercial Code, of the State of New
Jersey, all goods, merchandise or other personal property held by the Debtor for
sale or lease or to be furnished under labels and other devices, names or marks
affixed thereto for purposes of selling or identifying the same or the seller or
manufacturer thereof, and all right, title and interest of the Debtor therein
and thereto, all raw materials, work or goods in process or materials and
supplies of every nature used, consumed or to be consumed in the Debtor's
business, all packaging and shipping materials.
The term "Equipment" shall mean, in addition to the
definition thereof contained in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New
Jersey, all equipment, machinery, furniture, fixtures, and all other tangible
assets (including motor vehicles, if any) and all replacements, repairs,
modifications, alterations, additions, controls and operating accessories
therefor, all substitutions and replacements therefor, and all accessions and
additions thereto and all proceeds and products of the foregoing now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Debtor.
The term "Lender" means American Equities Group, Inc. and
its successors and assigns.
[COMPANY NAME]
By:_______________________________
Name: [COMPANY'S CEO/PRESIDENT]
Title:
15
