EXHIBIT 99.9
EXECUTION COPY
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
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This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
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the 20th day of July, 1999, by and among XXXXX INTERACTIVE SA, a French
corporation ("Xxxxx"), XXXXX XXXXX, an individual ("Fargo"), HERVE CAEN, an
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individual, and XXXX XXXX, an individual (together, the "Caens").
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RECITALS
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WHEREAS, Interplay Entertainment Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Interplay"), Xxxxx and Fargo are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the
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"Stock Purchase Agreement") whereby Interplay will issue and sell and Xxxxx will
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purchase 6,250,000 shares of common stock of Interplay for an aggregate purchase
price of $25,000,000;
WHEREAS, it is a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated
by the Stock Purchase Agreement that Xxxxx, Fargo and the Caens enter into this
Agreement.
AGREEMENT
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and premises
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Exchange of Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
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herein contained, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined) on the Closing Date
(as hereinafter defined), Fargo will exchange Two Million (2,000,000) shares of
common stock, no par value, of Interplay (the "Interplay Common Stock") owned by
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him (the "Interplay Shares") for Ninety-Six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Six
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(96,666) shares of common stock, par value Twenty-Five (25) Francs per share, of
Xxxxx (the "Xxxxx Common Stock") (such shares of Xxxxx Common Stock shall be
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referred to as the "Exchanged Shares"). Such exchange ratio is calculated based
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upon a valuation of Interplay Common Stock of Four Dollars ($4.00) per share and
a valuation of Xxxxx Common Stock of Eighty-Two and 76/100 Dollars ($82.76) per
share.
2. Restrictions on Transfer; Holding Period; Lock-Up Period. Fargo hereby
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agrees that the Exchanged Shares will be subject to the following restrictions
upon Transfer (as defined below), in addition to the restrictions set forth in
Section 3:
2.1 Restrictions on Transfer.
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(a) Fargo understands and agrees that the Exchanged Shares have not
been registered under any French or United States securities laws, and that
accordingly they will not be fully transferable except as permitted under
various exemptions contained in such laws. Fargo acknowledges that he must bear
the economic risk of its investment in the Exchanged Shares for an indefinite
period of time (subject,
however, to Xxxxx' obligation under Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement) since they
have not been registered under French or United States securities laws and
therefore cannot be sold unless they are subsequently registered or an exemption
from registration is available.
(b) Fargo hereby represents and warrants to Xxxxx that he is acquiring
the Exchanged Shares for investment purposes only, for his own account, and not
as nominee or agent for any other any natural person, corporation, trust,
association, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture and
other entity and any government, governmental agency, instrumentality or
political subdivision (collectively, "Person"), and not with the view to, or for
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resale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
(c) Fargo hereby agrees with Xxxxx as follows:
(i) Subject to Section 2.1(d) below, the certificates
evidencing the Exchanged Shares and each certificate issued in transfer thereof,
will bear such legend or legends as may be appropriate to effectuate the
purposes of this Agreement, and as may be required under any applicable law.
(ii) Fargo will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate
or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Exchanged Shares without first
providing Xxxxx with an opinion of counsel to the effect that such sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition will be exempt
from any registration, disclosure, qualification or other like requirements
under French or United States securities laws.
(iii) Fargo consents to Xxxxx' making a notation on its records
or giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Exchanged Shares in order to
implement the restrictions on transfer of the Exchanged Shares mentioned in this
subsection (c).
(d) Any legend endorsed on a certificate evidencing Exchanged Shares
pursuant to Section 2.1(c)(i) hereof and any stop transfer instructions and
record notations with respect to such Exchanged Shares shall be removed and
Xxxxx shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of such
Exchanged Shares (a) if such Exchanged Shares are registered under French
securities laws or (b) if Fargo provides Xxxxx with an opinion of counsel (which
may be counsel for Xxxxx) reasonably acceptable to Xxxxx to the effect that a
public sale or transfer of such Exchanged Shares may be made without
registration under French securities laws.
2.2 Holding Period. Fargo understands and agrees that, pursuant to
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the restrictions of Le Nouveau Marche (the "Stock Exchange"), he will not be
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permitted to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or pledge, collateralize or
hypothecate any of the Exempt Exchanged Shares, or enter into any contract,
option, or other arrangement with respect to any of the foregoing (each, a
"Transfer"), any of the Restricted Exchanged Shares for a period (the "Holding
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Period") commencing on the date of the issuance of the Exchanged Shares and
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ending on July 8, 2000. The "Restricted Exchanged Shares" shall mean those
shares representing eighty percent (80%) of the Exchanged Shares.
2.3 Lock-Up Period. With respect to the Exchanged Shares which are
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not subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.2 (the "Exempt Exchanged
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Shares"), Fargo agrees not to Transfer any of such Exempt Exchanged Shares for a
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period (the
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"Lock-Up Period") commencing on the date of the issuance of the Exchanged Shares
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and ending on the date which is two hundred seventy (270) days following the
Closing Date.
3. Sale of Exchanged Shares; Right of First Refusal; Tag-Along Rights.
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3.1 Sale of Exchanged Shares. Following the expiration of the
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Holding Period or Lock-Up Period, as applicable:
(a) Fargo shall have the right, from time to time, to elect, by
written notice to Xxxxx, to require Xxxxx to arrange for the sale of all or any
portion of such Exchanged Shares on the Stock Exchange on Fargo's behalf;
provided, however, that Xxxxx shall have the right to elect that such sale of
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the Exchanged Shares be to Xxxxx, or to Herve Caen and/or Xxxx Xxxx on the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 3.2 with respect to the right of first
refusal; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.2,
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such sale shall be made at the then-current trading price of Xxxxx Common Stock.
(b) If Xxxxx (or either of the Caens) does not exercise the right
of first refusal pursuant to Section 3.2, or if Xxxxx is unable to arrange a
sale of such Exchanged Shares within sixty (60) days following receipt of notice
from Fargo, then Xxxxx shall, at Fargo's option, either (i) repurchase such
Exchanged Shares for cash at a purchase price equal to the average closing
trading price per share of Xxxxx Common Stock for the ten (10) trading days
immediately preceding the date of such notice or (ii) exchange such Exchanged
Shares for shares of Interplay Common Stock at an exchange rate based upon the
average closing trading price per share of Interplay Common Stock and Xxxxx
Common Stock for the ten (10) trading days immediately preceding the date of
such notice.
3.2 Right of First Refusal. If after expiration of the Holding
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Period or Lock-Up Period, as applicable, Fargo desires in good faith to Transfer
any of the Exchanged Shares, he shall deliver a written notice of such intent
(the "Refusal Notice") to Xxxxx. The Refusal Notice shall contain (a) a
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description of the proposed Transfer transaction and the terms thereof including
the number of Exchanged Shares proposed to be transferred (collectively, the
"Refusal Securities"), (b) the name of each Person to whom or in favor of whom
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the proposed Transfer is to be made (the "Refusal Transferee"), (c) a
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description of the consideration to be received by Fargo upon Transfer of the
Refusal Securities and (d) an offer to sell to Xxxxx or its nominee all, but not
less than all, of such Refusal Securities which are the subject of the Refusal
Notice (the "Refusal Offer"). The Refusal Notice shall be accompanied by a copy
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of any written offer by the Refusal Transferee relating to such proposed
Transfer (e.g. any executed letter of intent stating the terms of such offer).
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Each Refusal Offer shall contain the same terms and conditions, and shall be for
the same consideration, as described in the Refusal Notice. In the event that
the Refusal Offer provides payment of non-cash consideration for all or a
portion of the Refusal Securities, Xxxxx shall have the right to pay the
purchase price in the form of cash equal in amount to the value of the non-cash
consideration. If Fargo and Xxxxx cannot agree on such cash value within ten
(10) days following delivery of the Refusal Offer, the valuation (the
"Valuation") shall be made by an appraiser of recognized standing selected by
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mutual agreement of Fargo and Xxxxx or, if the parties cannot agree on an
appraiser within twenty (20) days after delivery of the Refusal Offer, each
shall select an appraiser of recognized standing and the two appraisers so
selected shall designate a third appraiser of recognized standing, whose
Valuation shall be
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determinative of such value of the non-cash consideration. Within ten (10)
business days after the Refusal Notice is delivered by Fargo to Xxxxx (or, if
later, the delivery of the Valuation), Xxxxx may, by written notice delivered
to Fargo (the "Refusal Acceptance Notice"), accept the offer to acquire all,
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but not less than all, of the Refusal Securities as described in the Refusal
Notice. If Xxxxx does not deliver a Refusal Acceptance Notice to Fargo within
ten (10) business days after the Refusal Notice is delivered by Fargo to Xxxxx,
then Fargo may proceed with the Transfer of the Refusal Securities to the
Refusal Transferee without any further obligations under this Section 3.2.
Transfers pursuant to the Refusal Acceptance Notice shall occur not more than
ninety (90) calendar days after the date on which the Refusal Acceptance Notice
has been delivered to Fargo by Xxxxx. Xxxxx shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to transfer all or a portion of its right of first refusal set forth
in this Section 3.2 to Herve Caen and/or Xxxx Xxxx.
3.3 Binding Upon Transferee. The obligations of Fargo under Section
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3.2 shall be binding upon each Transferee to whom shares of the applicable
Exchanged Shares are Transferred by Fargo. Prior to the consummation of any
Transfer, Fargo shall cause the Transferee to execute an agreement in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Xxxxx, providing that such Transferee shall
fully comply with the terms of this Agreement.
3.4 Fargo Tag-Along Rights.
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(a) Tag-Along Right. Neither Herve Caen nor Xxxx Xxxx (in such
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case, a "Selling Stockholder") shall, directly or indirectly, sell, assign,
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pledge, encumber, hypothecate, gift, bequest or otherwise transfer, whether for
value or no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including, without
limitation, by operation of law or by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment,
bankruptcy or other legal or equitable proceedings, (in each case, a "Transfer")
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for value to any transferee (a "Transferee") shares of Xxxxx Common Stock which
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in the aggregate equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate holdings
of Xxxxx Common Stock held by the Caens on the date prior to such proposed
Transfer (the "Transfer Shares") held by such Stockholder (a "Selling
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Stockholder") unless the terms and conditions of such Transfer shall include an
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offer (the "Offer") to Fargo (the "Tag-Along Stockholder"), at the same price
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and on the same terms and conditions as the Selling Stockholder has agreed to
sell the Transfer Shares, to include in the Transfer to the third party
Transferee an amount of Xxxxx Common Stock determined in accordance with this
Section 3.4.
(b) Obligation of Transferee to Purchase. The Transferee of the
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Selling Stockholder shall purchase from the Tag-Along Stockholder the number of
shares of Xxxxx Common Stock owned or controlled by the Tag-Along Stockholder
that the Tag-Along Stockholder desires to require the Transferee to purchase
(the "Tag-Along Shares"); provided, however, that the number of Tag-Along Shares
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to be sold by each Tag-Along Stockholder shall not exceed the number of shares
of Xxxxx Common Stock derived by multiplying (i) the aggregate number of shares
of Xxxxx Common Stock covered by the Offer by (ii) a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Xxxxx Common Stock owned by the Tag-Along
Stockholder at the time of the Transfer and the denominator of which is the
total number of shares of Xxxxx Common Stock held by the Stockholders at the
time of the Transfer (the "Tag-Along Formula").
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(c) Notice. In the event a Selling Stockholder proposes to
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Transfer any Transfer Shares, it shall notify, or cause to be notified, in
writing, the Tag-
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Along Stockholder of each such proposed Transfer. Such notice shall be given not
more than sixty (60) nor less than twenty (20) calendar days prior to the
proposed sale date and set forth: (i) the name of the Transferee and the number
of Transfer Shares proposed to be transferred, (ii) the proposed amount and form
of consideration and terms and conditions of payment offered by the Transferee
(the "Transferee Terms"), (iii) that the Transferee has been informed of the
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"tag-along right" provided for in this Section 3.4, and has agreed to purchase
any Tag-Along Shares from the Tag-Along Stockholder in accordance with the terms
hereof, and (iv) the proposed sale date.
(d) Exercise. The tag-along right may be exercised by the Tag-
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Along Stockholder by delivery of a written notice to the Selling Stockholder
(the "Tag-Along Notice") within fifteen (15) business days following receipt
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of the notice specified in the preceding subsection. The Tag-Along Notice shall
state the number of Tag-Along Shares thatthe Tag-Along Stockholder wishes to
include in such Transfer to the Transferee, which number may exceed the total
number of Transfer Shares proposed to be transferred but which may not exceed
the total number of shares of Xxxxx Common Stock owned or controlled by the Tag-
Along Stockholder. Upon the giving of a Tag-Along Notice, the Tag-Along
Stockholder shall be entitled and obligated to sell the number of Tag-Along
Shares set forth in the Tag-Along Notice, subject to adjustment pursuant to the
Tag-Along Formula, to the Transferee on the Transferee Terms; provided,
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however, the Selling Stockholder shall not consummate the sale of any Transfer
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Shares offered by them if the Transferee does not purchase all Tag-Along Shares
which the Tag-Along Stockholder is entitled and desires to sell pursuant hereto.
After expiration of the fifteen (15) business day period referred to above, if
the provisions of this Section 3.4 have been complied with in all respects, the
Selling Stockholder shall have the right, for a period of forty-five (45)
calendar days from the expiration of the fifteen (15) business day period
referred to above, to Transfer the Transfer Shares to the Transferee on the
Transferee Terms without further notice to any other party.
(e) Proportional Indemnity. Anything to the contrary contained
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notwithstanding, any indemnity provided by any Stockholder making a Transfer
pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be in proportion to and limited to the
consideration received by such Stockholder for the Xxxxx Common Stock
transferred by such Stockholder, as a percentage of all consideration received
by all Stockholders for all Xxxxx Common Stock transferred pursuant to this
Section 3.4.
(f) No Limitation on Section 3.1. Nothing in this Section 3.4
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shall in any way limit Fargo's rights under Section 3.1 hereof.
(g) No Limitation on Permitted Transfers. The foregoing
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notwithstanding, the rights and obligations set forth in Section 2 and this
Section 3 shall not apply to any Permitted Transfer. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Permitted Transfer" shall mean (i) any Transfer by a Stockholder
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to such Stockholder's ancestors, descendants or spouse or to a trust for the
benefit of such individuals or (ii) any bona fide gift or (iii) any Transfer by
a Stockholder to an entity that is wholly owned, and will remain wholly owned,
by such Stockholder (or such Stockholder and one or more of the individuals
referred to in the preceding clause (i)); provided, that (a) as a condition
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precedent to any Transfer made pursuant to one of the exemptions provided in
clause (i), (ii) or (iii), (1) the Stockholder proposing the Permitted Transfer
shall inform the other Stockholders of such Transfer or gift prior to effecting
it, and (2) the transferee or donee shall furnish the other Stockholders and
Xxxxx with a written agreement to be bound by
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and comply with all provisions of this Agreement, and such transferee or donee
shall be treated as a "Stockholder" for all purposes of this Agreement, (b) in
the case of a Transfer in trust, such Stockholder shall become the trustee or,
with such Stockholder's spouse, a co-trustee of such trust, (c) in the case of a
Transfer not in trust, as a condition precedent to such Transfer such
Stockholder shall retain an irrevocable proxy to vote the transferred shares of
Xxxxx Common Stock and (d) in the case of a Transfer described in clause (iii),
as a condition precedent to the Transfer all holders of equity or other
ownership interests in such entity shall enter into an agreement with the other
Stockholders and Xxxxx, which shall be mutually satisfactory to the other
Stockholders, Xxxxx and the transferee, under which the outstanding equity or
other ownership interests in such transferee shall be subjected to the same
restrictions against Transfer that appear in this Agreement.
4. Closing; Satisfaction of Conditions to Closing; Escrow Arrangement.
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4.1 Closing. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
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Section 4.2, the closing of the exchange of the Interplay Shares for the
Exchanged Shares (the "Closing") shall occur at the offices of Paul, Hastings,
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Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, concurrently with the closing of the other transactions contemplated
by the Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Closing Date"). At the Closing, Xxxxx
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will deliver to Fargo a certificate evidencing the Exchanged Shares, which shall
be registered in Fargo's name, against surrender to Xxxxx by Fargo of the
Interplay Shares.
4.2 Satisfaction of Conditions to Closing; Interim Closing.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.1, Fargo acknowledges and agrees
that, in order for Xxxxx to issue the Exchanged Shares: (a) an independent
auditor appointed by a court sitting in France shall have issued a report with
respect to the adequacy of consideration received by Xxxxx for the Exchanged
Shares; (b) the shareholders of Xxxxx shall have duly approved the issuance of
the Exchanged Shares after receipt of the report described in clause (a) above;
and (c) the Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by all the
respective parties thereto. If the conditions set forth in clauses (a) through
(c) of this Section 4.2 have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date,
then, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.1, on the Closing Date the
parties shall consummate an interim closing (the "Interim Closing") whereby
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Fargo shall deliver (i) to Xxxxx a proxy (the "Proxy") in the form attached
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hereto as Exhibit A and (ii) to the escrow agent the Interplay Shares pursuant
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to the Escrow Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Escrow Agreement").
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Upon the consummation of the Interim Closing, Xxxxx shall be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the Interplay Shares. Upon the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 4.2, the parties
shall use their reasonable best efforts to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable. In the event that Xxxxx has not
satisfied the conditions set forth in Section clauses (a) and (b) hereof which
are applicable to it on or prior to December 31, 1999, then the Escrow Agent
shall on the first business day thereafter return to Fargo the Interplay Shares
and this Agreement shall be null and void unless otherwise agreed by the
parties.
5. Representations and Warranties by Fargo. In order to induce Xxxxx to
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enter into this Agreement, Fargo hereby covenants with, and represents and
warrants to, Xxxxx as follows:
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5.1 Binding Obligations. This Agreement has been duly executed and
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delivered by Fargo and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of
Fargo and is enforceable against Fargo in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforcement is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
5.2 Ownership of Interplay Shares. Fargo owns of record and
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beneficially the Interplay Shares, free and clear of any and all mortgages,
pledges, security interests, encumbrances, liens or charges of any kind
(collectively, "Liens"), and upon the delivery to Xxxxx of the Interplay Shares,
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Xxxxx will be the record and beneficial owner of the Interplay Shares, free and
clear of any and all Liens.
5.3 Compliance with Laws and Other Instruments. The execution,
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delivery and performance by Fargo of this Agreement (a) will not require from
the board of directors or stockholders of Interplay any consent or approval that
has not been validly and lawfully obtained, (b) will not require any
authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of or filing or
registration with any court or governmental department, commission, board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality of government, except such as shall have
lawfully and validly obtained prior to the Closing, (c) will not cause Fargo to
violate or contravene (i) any provision of law, (ii) any rule or regulation of
any agency or government, domestic of foreign, (iii) any order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award binding upon Fargo.
5.4 No Proxy. Fargo has not granted nor is Fargo a party to any
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proxy, voting trust or other agreement which is inconsistent with, conflicts
with or violates any provision of this Agreement.
6. Representations and Warranties by Xxxxx. In order to induce Fargo to
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enter into this Agreement, Xxxxx hereby covenants with, and represents and
warrants to, Fargo as follows:
6.1 Organization, Standing, etc. Xxxxx is a corporation duly
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organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of France, and
has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
and to carry out the provisions hereof and thereof.
6.2 Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of Xxxxx consists of
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10,100,000 shares of common stock, and Xxxxx has no authority to issue any other
capital stock. 1,152,302 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding, and
such shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Except where the failure to do so would not result in a material adverse effect,
or any condition, situation or set of circumstances that could reasonably be
expected to have an adverse effect, on Xxxxx and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole (a "Material Adverse Effect"), the offer, issuance and sale of the shares
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of common stock were registered or qualified under French law.
6.3 Exchanged Shares. On or before the Closing, the Exchanged Shares
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will have been duly authorized and validly issued, and upon the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, will be fully paid and nonassessable, free
and clear of all Liens and restrictions, other than Liens that might have been
created by Fargo and restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable law.
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6.4 Corporate Acts and Proceedings. Except as disclosed on Schedule
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6.4 hereto, all corporate acts and proceedings required for the authorization,
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execution and delivery of this Agreement by Xxxxx, and the performance of this
Agreement by Xxxxx, have been lawfully and validly taken or will have been so
taken prior to the Closing.
6.5 Compliance with Laws and Other Instruments. Except as disclosed
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on Schedule 6.5, and except as provided in Section 4.2 and the Stock Purchase
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Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by Xxxxx of this Agreement
(a) will not require from the board of directors or stockholders of Xxxxx any
consent or approval that has not been validly and lawfully obtained, (b) will
not require any authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of or
filing or registration with any court or governmental department, commission,
board, bureau, agency or instrumentality of government, except such as shall
have lawfully and validly obtained prior to the Closing, (c) will not cause
Xxxxx to violate or contravene (i) any provision of law, (ii) any rule or
regulation of any agency or government, domestic of foreign, (iii) any order,
writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award binding upon Xxxxx,
or (iv) any provision of the charter documents of Xxxxx, (d) will not violate or
be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with or without notice
or lapse of time or both) a default under, any indenture, loan or credit
agreement, note agreement, deed of trust, mortgage, security agreement or other
material agreement, lease or instrument, commitment or arrangement to which
Xxxxx is a party or by which Xxxxx or any of its properties, assets or rights is
bound or affected, which in any case would have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.6 Binding Obligations. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid
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and binding obligations of Xxxxx and is enforceable against Xxxxx in accordance
with its terms, except as such enforcement is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
6.7 Financial Statements. Attached hereto as Schedule 6.7 is Xxxxx'
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unaudited balance sheet (the "Balance Sheet") as of December 31, 1998 (the
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"Balance Sheet Date") and the unaudited statement of operations for the twelve-
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month period then ended. The foregoing financial statements (a) are in
accordance with the books and records of Xxxxx, (b) present fairly the financial
condition of Xxxxx at the Balance Sheet Date and the results of its operations
and cash flow for the period therein specified, and (c) have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in France and applied
on a basis consistent with prior accounting periods, subject to normal year end
adjustments.
6.8 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.8 hereto, there is
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no legal action, suit, arbitration or other legal, administrative or other
governmental investigation, inquiry or proceeding (whether federal, state, local
or foreign) pending or, to Xxxxx' knowledge, threatened against or affecting
Xxxxx or its properties, assets or business (existing or contemplated), before
any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality or any arbitrator, which if adversely determined would have a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.8 hereto, Xxxxx is
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not aware of any fact which might result in or form the basis for any such
action, suit, arbitration, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding, which if
adversely determined would have a Material Adverse Effect. Xxxxx is not in
default with respect to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award of any
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court or of any governmental agency or instrumentality (whether federal, state,
local or foreign), except where such default would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.9 Securities Laws. Based in part upon the representations of Fargo
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in Sections 2.1 and 5, the offer, issue and sale of the Exchanged Shares are and
will be exempt from any registration, disclosure, qualification or other like
requirements under French securities laws.
6.10 No Brokers or Finders. No Person has, or as a result of the
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transactions contemplated herein will have, any right or valid claim against
Xxxxx or Fargo for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or
broker, or in any similar capacity, except for Concordia Capital Technology
Group, Inc., whose fees will be the responsibility of Xxxxx.
6.11 Patents and Other Intangible Assets.
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(a) Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.11 hereto, Xxxxx (i) owns
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or has the right to use all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, licenses and rights with respect to the foregoing, used in or
necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted, (ii) to Xxxxx"
actual knowledge, is not infringing upon or otherwise acting adversely to the
right or claimed right of any Person under or with respect to any patent,
trademark, service xxxx, trade name, copyright or license with respect thereto,
where such infringement would have a material adverse effect on Xxxxx.
(b) Except for license, publishing and distribution agreements
with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business, and except
as disclosed on Schedule 6.11 hereto, Xxxxx has not sold, transferred, assigned,
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licensed or subjected to any Lien, any intellectual property, trade secret,
know-how, invention, design, process, computer software or technical data, or
any interest therein, necessary for the development, manufacture, use, operation
or sale of any product listed on Schedules 6.13(a) and 6.13(b) hereto.
(c) Xxxxx has not received any communication alleging or stating
that Xxxxx or any of its employees or other agents has violated or infringed, or
by conducting business as proposed, would violate or infringe, any patent,
trademark, service xxxx, trade name, copyright, trade secret, proprietary right,
process or other intellectual property of any other Person, which could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Xxxxx.
6.12 Title to Property and Encumbrances; Leases. Except where
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failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect, Xxxxx has good and
marketable title to all of its properties and assets, including without
limitation the properties and assets reflected in the Balance Sheet and the
properties and assets used in the conduct of its business, except for properties
disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the Balance Sheet Date and
except for properties held under valid and subsisting leases which are in full
force and effect and which are not in default, subject to no Lien, except those
which are shown and described on the Balance Sheet and except for Permitted
Liens (as hereinafter defined). "Permitted Liens" shall mean (a) Liens for
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taxes and assessments or governmental charges or levies not at the time due or
in respect of which the validity thereof shall currently be contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings; (b) Liens in respect of pledges or deposits
under workers' compensation laws or similar
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legislation, carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', laborers' and materialmen's
and similar Liens, if the obligations secured by such Liens are not then
delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and
(c) Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of Xxxxx or any subsidiary
of Xxxxx which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or
the obtaining of advances or credits and which do not in the aggregate
materially detract from the value of its property or materially impair the use
thereof in the operation of its business.
6.13 Computer Software.
-----------------
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.13(a) hereto, each of the
----------------
computer software programs developed by Xxxxx that are listed on Schedule
--------
6.13(a) hereto (the "Operational Software") is functional, complete and
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operational in all material respects in accordance with its specifications, has
been documented in accordance with Xxxxx' standard practices, and Xxxxx
possesses both the source code and object code versions thereof.
(b) Attached as Schedule 6.13(b) hereto is a true and complete
----------------
list of all computer software games currently in active development by or on
behalf of Xxxxx (the "Developing Software"). Schedule 6.13(b) also sets forth
------------------- ----------------
whether each such game is being internally or externally developed and, if
externally developed, the name of the third party developer.
6.14 Disclosure. To the knowledge of Herve Caen, the information
----------
contained in this Agreement, the Balance Sheet, and in any writing furnished
pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, taken as a whole, is true, complete
and correct (except that with respect to the Balance Sheet, the information
contained therein shall be true, complete and correct as of the date thereof),
and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or herein or necessary to make
the statements therein or herein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
7. Certificates. The certificates evidencing the Exchanged Shares, and
------------
each certificate issued in transfer thereof, will bear appropriate legends as
required by this Agreement and applicable law and the rules and regulations of
the Stock Exchange.
8. Enforcement.
-----------
8.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations,
------------------------------------------
warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto contained in this
Agreement or in any writing delivered pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement or at the Closing shall survive any examination by or on behalf of any
party hereto and shall survive the Closing and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby until the date which is twelve (12) months
after the Closing Date; provided, however, that each of the representations and
-------- -------
warranties contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 6.3 and 6.6 hereof shall survive any
examination by or on behalf of any party hereto and shall survive the Closing
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby until the
expiration of any applicable statute of limitations with respect to such
representation and warranty.
10
8.2 Indemnification.
---------------
(a) Subject to Section 8.2(e) hereof, Xxxxx hereby covenants and
agrees to defend, indemnify and save and hold harmless Fargo from and against
any loss, cost, expense, liability, claim or legal damages (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants and
other costs and expenses incident to any actual or threatened claim, suit,
action or proceeding (each, an "Action") and all costs of investigation)
-------
(collectively, the "Damages") arising out of or resulting from (i) any
-------
inaccuracy in or breach of, or failure to perform or observe, any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Xxxxx in this Agreement
or in any writing delivered pursuant to this Agreement or at the Closing, or
(ii) any claims of third parties claiming compensation, commissions or expenses
for services as a broker or finder based upon obligations incurred by Xxxxx.
(b) Subject to Section 8.2(e) hereof, Fargo hereby covenants and
agrees to defend, indemnify and save and hold harmless Xxxxx, together with
officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and representatives and
each Person who controls Xxxxx from and against any Damages arising out of or
resulting from (i) any inaccuracy in breach of, or failure to perform or
observe, any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Fargo in
this Agreement or in any writing or other agreement delivered pursuant hereto,
or (ii) any claims of third parties claiming compensation, commissions or
expenses for services as a broker or finder based upon obligations incurred by
Fargo.
(c) In the event that any indemnified party is made a defendant
in or party to any action, suit, proceeding or claim, judicial or
administrative, instituted by any third party for Damages or other relief (any
such third party action, suit, proceeding or claim being referred to as a
"Claim"), the indemnified party (referred to in this clause (b) as the
-----
"notifying party") shall give notice thereof (a "Notice of Claim") as soon as
--------------- ---------------
practicable and in event within thirty (30) days after the notifying party
receives notice thereof. The failure to give such notice shall not affect
whether an indemnifying party is liable for reimbursement unless such failure
has resulted in the loss of substantive rights with respect to the indemnifying
party's ability to defend such Claim, and then only to the extent of such
loss. Notice of the intention so to contest and defend shall be given by
the indemnifying party to the notifying party within twenty (20) business days
after the notifying party's notice of such Claim (but, in all events, at
least ten (10) business days prior to the date that an answer to such Claim is
due to be filed). Such contest and defense shall be conducted by reputable
attorneys employed by the indemnifying party and approved by the indemnified
party (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld). The indemnifying party
shall have the sole right to control the contest and defense of such Claim. The
notifying party shall be entitled, at its own cost and expense (which expense
shall not constitute Damages unless the notifying party reasonably determines
that the indemnifying party because of a conflict of interest, may not
adequately represent, the interests of the indemnified parties, and has provided
the indemnifying party with notice of such determination, and only to the extent
that such expenses are reasonable), to participate in such contest and defense
and to be represented by attorneys of its or their own choosing. The notifying
party will cooperate with the indemnifying party in the conduct of such defense.
Neither the notifying party nor the indemnifying party may concede, settle or
compromise any Claim without the consent of the other party, which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed in light of all factors of importance to
such party; provided, however, that if the indemnified party shall
11
fail to consent to the settlement of any Claim where (i) such settlement
includes an unconditional release of all claims against the indemnified party
and requires no payment on the part of the indemnified party to the claimant or
any other party, (ii) such settlement does not require any action on the part of
the indemnified party and does not impose terms restricting or adversely
affecting the indemnified party's activity, and (iii) the claimant has
affirmatively indicated that it will accept such settlement, then the
indemnifying party shall no liability with respect to any payment to be made in
respect of such claim in excess of the proposed settlement amount.
(d) In the event any indemnified party shall have a claim
against any indemnifying party that does not involve a Claim, the indemnified
party shall deliver a notice of such claim with reasonable promptness to the
indemnifying party. The failure to give such notice shall not affect whether an
indemnifying party is liable for reimbursement unless such failure has resulted
in the loss of substantive rights with respect to the indemnifying party's
ability to defend such claim, and then only to the extent of such loss. If the
indemnifying party notifies the indemnified party that it does not dispute the
claim described in such notice or fails to notify the indemnified party within
thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice by the indemnified party whether
the indemnifying party disputes the claim described in such notice, the Damages
in the amount specified in the indemnified party's notice will be conclusively
deemed a liability of the indemnifying party and the indemnifying party shall
pay the amount of such Damages to the indemnified party on demand.
(e) Any claim for indemnity under this Section 8.2 shall be
delivered in writing to the indemnifying party and set forth with reasonable
specificity as to the amount claimed and the underlying facts supporting such
claim. The indemnifying party shall have thirty (30) days to accept or dispute
such claim by written notice to the indemnified party (a "Contest Notice");
--------------
provided,however, that if, at the time a Notice of Claim is submitted to the
indemnifying party the amount of the Claim in respect thereof has not yet been
determined, such thirty (30) day period shall not commence until a further
written notice (a "Notice of Liability") has been sent or delivered by the
-------------------
indemnified party to the indemnifying party setting forth the amount of the
Claim incurred by the indemnified party that was the subject of the earlier
Notice of Claim. Such Contest Notice shall specify the reasons or bases for the
objection of the Indemnifying Party to the claim, and if the objection relates
to the amount of the Claim asserted, the amount, if any, which the indemnifying
party believes is due the indemnified party. If no such Contest Notice is given
with such 30-day period, the obligation of the indemnifying party to pay to the
indemnified party the amount of the Claim set forth in the Notice of Claim, or
subsequent Notice of Liability, shall be deemed established and accepted by the
indemnifying party. If, on the other hand, the indemnifying party contests a
Notice of Claim or Notice of Liability (as the case may be) within such 30-day
period, the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall thereafter
attempt in good faith to resolve their dispute by agreement. If the parties are
unable to so resolve their dispute within the immediately succeeding thirty (30)
days, such dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Orange County,
California, as provided in Section 9.4 below. The award of the arbitrator shall
be final and binding on the parties and may be enforced in any court of
competent jurisdiction. Upon final determination of the amount of the Claim that
is the subject of an indemnification claim (whether such determination is the
result of the indemnifying party's acceptance of, or failure to contest, a
Notice of Claim or Notice of Liability, or of a resolution of any dispute with
respect thereto by agreement of the parties or binding arbitration), such
12
amount shall be payable, in cash by the indemnifying party to the indemnified
parties who have been determined to be entitled thereto within fifteen (15) days
of such final determination of the amount of the Claim due by the indemnifying
party. Any amount that becomes due hereunder and is not paid when due shall bear
interest at the maximum legal rate per annum from the date due until paid.
(f) Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) Fargo shall
not be indemnified and held harmless in respect of any Damages unless and until
the aggregate amount of such Damages exceeds $100,000, in which event Fargo
shall be indemnified and held harmless in respect of all Damages without regard
to the foregoing $100,000 limit, and (ii) the liability of Xxxxx to Fargo shall
be limited to an amount equal to the valuation of the Exchanged Shares as
calculated in accordance with Section 1 above.
(g) Except as provided in Section 8.3, the provisions of this
Section 8.2 shall be the exclusive remedy or exclusive means to obtain relief,
as the case may be, of any party in the event of any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein (or in any
certificate or other document delivered pursuant hereto) by another party, or
with respect to any Action or Claim; provided, however, that this subsection
-------- -------
(g) shall not limit any statutory claim, or any claim in tort, which any party
may have against the other party.
8.3 Injunctive Relief. (a) Any party may bring a claim seeking
-----------------
specific performance by way of injunctive relief before a court of competent
jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, and (b) any party
seeking to enforce a claim for indemnification may bring any claim of
indemnification which is not resolved within the thirty day period provided in
Section 8.2(b) before a court of competent jurisdiction.
8.4 No Implied Waiver. Except as expressly provided in this
-----------------
Agreement, no course of dealing between Xxxxx and Fargo and no delay in
exercising any such right, power or remedy conferred hereby or now or hereafter
existing at law in equity, by statute or otherwise, shall operate as a waiver
of, or otherwise prejudice, any such right, power or remedy.
9. Miscellaneous.
-------------
9.1 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other
-------
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing (including
telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given,
if to Xxxxx to:
Xxxxx Interactive SA
c/x Xxxxx Software Corporation
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxx Xxxx, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
13
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
Paul, Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx - 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
if to Fargo to:
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxxx
c/o Interplay Entertainment Corp.
00000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
X.X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, a professional corporation
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address or telecopier number as such party may specify for the
purpose by notice to the other party or parties to this Agreement, as the case
may be. Any notice, request, consent or other communication hereunder shall be
deemed to have been given and received on the day on which it is delivered (by
any means including personal delivery, overnight air courier, United States or
French mail, as the case may be) or telecopied (or, if such day is not a
business day or if the notice, request, consent or communication is not
telecopied during business hours of the intended recipient, at the place of
receipt, on the next following business day).
9.2 Injunctive Relief. It is hereby agreed and acknowledged that it
-----------------
will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the
parties fail to comply with any of the obligations herein imposed on them and
that in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved party will be irreparably
damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Any such party shall,
therefore, be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to
enforce such obligations, and if any action should be brought in equity to
enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto
shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
9.3 Survival of Representations and Warranties. Each party's
------------------------------------------
representations and warranties made in this Agreement shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
9.4 Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue; Attorneys' Fees. This
------------------------------------------------------
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflicts of laws
principles. The parties hereto
14
hereby consent and agree that the United States District Court for the Central
District of California, or the Superior Court of California for the County of
Orange, will have exclusive jurisdiction over any legal action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and
each party consents to the in personam jurisdiction of such courts for the
-- --------
purpose of any such action or proceeding and agrees that venue is proper in such
courts. In the event of any dispute, controversy or proceeding between or among
the parties concerning this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to receive from the non-prevailing party its
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
9.5 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
-------------------------
or more counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
9.6 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
------------
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
9.7 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waiver. This Agreement
---------------------------------------
(including the Exhibits hereto) constitutes the entire agreement among Xxxxx and
Fargo with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or
written agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter
hereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings
relating to such subject matter other than those set forth in this Agreement and
such other writings. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived,
or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by a written document
executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions.
9.8 Limitation of Liability on Caens. It is acknowledged and agreed
--------------------------------
that Herve Caen and Xxxx Xxxx are entering into this Agreement solely in their
capacities as shareholders of Xxxxx, and that they shall not be held personally
liable for any breaches of any representations and warranties of Xxxxx
hereunder, or for any breaches of any obligations of Xxxxx hereunder.
9.9 Arbitration. Except for actions to obtain injunctions or other
-----------
equitable remedies, all disputes among the parties hereto shall be determined
solely and exclusively by arbitration under, and in accordance with the rules
then in effect of, the American Arbitration Association, or any successors
thereto ("AAA"), in Los Angeles, California, unless the parties otherwise agree
----
in writing. The parties shall, in connection with such arbitration, in addition
to any discovery permitted under AAA rules, be permitted to conduct discovery in
accordance with Section 1283.05 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, the
provisions of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The parties
shall unanimously select an arbitrator; provided, that if the parties cannot
--------
agree upon an arbitrator within seven (7) days, such arbitrator shall be
selected by the AAA upon application of any party. Judgment upon the award of
the agreed upon arbitrator or the so chosen arbitrator, as the case may be,
shall be binding and may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
15
[EXCHANGE AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
XXXXX INTERACTIVE SA, a French corporation
By: /s/ Herve Caen
------------------------------------
An Authorized Officer
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
----------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxx
/s/ Herve Caen
----------------------------------------
Herve Caen
/s/ Xxxx Xxxx
----------------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxx
