WARRANT AGREEMENT
THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of September 1, 1996, is
made and entered into by and among Optel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx (the "Warrantholder"). This Agreement is being
executed in connection with the Separation and Consulting Agreement of even date
herewith by and between the Company and the Warrantholder (the "Separation
Agreement").
The Company agrees, in consideration of the Warrantholder's entering into
the Separation Agreement, to issue and sell, and the Warrantholder, by entering
into the Separation Agreement, will receive warrants, as hereinafter described
(the "Warrants"), to purchase up to 1,360 (the "Shares"), of the Company's Class
A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). The Purchase and
sale of the Warrants shall occur contemporaneous with, and is subject to the
closing of the Separation Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing and for the purpose of defining the terms
and provisions of the Warrants and the respective rights and obligations
thereunder, the Company and the Warrantholder, for value received, hereby agree
as follows:
Section 1. Transferability and Form of Warrants.
1.1. Registration. The Warrants shall be numbered and shall be registered
on the books of the Company when issued.
1.2. Certain Limitations on Transfer. The Warrants and the Shares shall not
be sold, assigned, tranferred or pledged except upon the conditions specified in
this Agreement. The Warrants may not be transferred voluntarily and may only be
transferred upon death, either by will or intestacy law, or otherwise by
operation of law and only then if such transfer is made in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement. The Warrantholder will cause any proposed purchaser,
assignee, transferee or pledgee of the Warrants or the Shares, except for
transferees in dispositions of Shares that are pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Act (as defined herein) or transferees in
dispositions of Shares occurring after an IPO (as defined herein) pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), to agree to
take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and upon the conditions
specified in this Agreement. The Warrants may be divided or combined, upon
request to the Company by the Warrantholder, into a certificate or certificates
representing the right to purchase the same aggregate number of Shares. Unless
the context indicates otherwise, the term "Warrantholder" shall include any
transferee or transferees of the Warrants or the Shares that is required to be
bound by the terms hereof, and the term "Warrants" shall include any and all
warrants outstanding pursuant to this Agreement, including those evidenced by a
certificate or certificates issued upon division, exchange, transfer or
substitution pursuit to this Agreement. The Company may refuse to effect the
transfer of the Warrants until the transferee of the Warrants executes a
counterpart to this Agreement and it shall be a condition to any transfer that
the transferee execute and
deliverer to the Company a separate certificate that contains the
representations and covenants in Section 11 hereof. The Warrantholder, by his
receipt of a Warrant Certificate, agrees to be bound by and to comply with the
terms of this Agreement. The Warrantholder represents and agrees, that the
Warrant (and Shares if the Warrant is exercised) is purchased only for
investment, for the Warrantholder's own account and without any present
intention to sell, or with a view to distribution of, the Warrant or Shares.
1.3. Form of Warrants. The text of the Warrants and of the form of election
to purchase Shares shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A attached
hereto. The number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject
to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, all as hereinafter
provided. The Warrants shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
President or by a Vice President, attested to by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary. A Warrant bearing the signature of an individual who was at any time
the proper officer of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that
such individual shall have ceased to hold such office prior to the delivery of
such Warrant or did not hold such office on the date of this Agreement.
The Warrants shall be dated as of the date of signature thereof by the
Company either upon initial issuance or upon division, exchange, transfer or
substitution.
1.4. Legend on Warrants. Each Warrant Certificate shall bear the following
legend:
(a) "THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED
FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW. SUCH WARRANTS MAY NOT BE
SOLD OR TRANSFERRED UNLESS REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER SAID ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND UNLESS THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT
SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS
DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SAID ACT. COPIES OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT COVERING
THE PURCHASE OF THESE WARRANTS AND IMPOSING VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION PROVISIONS RESTRICTING THEIR TRANSFER, MAY BE OBTAINED
AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS
CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
OFFICES OF THE CORPORATION."; and
(b) any legend required by applicable state securities law.
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Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any
Warrant certificate bearing such legends shall also bear the above legends
unless, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, the securities represented
thereby need no longer be subject to such restrictions. The Warrantholder
consents to the Company's making a notation on his records and giving
instructions to any registrar or transfer agent of the Warrants in order to
implement the restrictions on transfer established in this Agreement.
Section 2. Exchange of Warrant Certificate. Any Warrant certificate may be
exchanged for another certificate or certificates entitling the Warrantholder to
purchase a like aggregate number of Shares as the certificate or certificates
surrendered then entitled such Warrantholder to purchase. Any Warrantholder
desiring to exchange a Warrant certificate shall make such request in writing
delivered to the Company, and shall surrender, properly endorsed, with
signatures guaranteed, the certificate evidencing the Warrant to be so
exchanged. Thereupon, the Company shall execute and deliver to the person
entitled thereto a new Warrant certificate or certificates as so requested.
Section 3. Term of Warrants; Exercise of Warrants.
(a) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrantholder shall
have the right, at any time and from time to time during the period
commencing on the Waiver Effective Date (as such term is defined in the
Separation Agreement), and ending at 5:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time, on
August 31, 1999 (the "Termination Date"), to purchase from the Company up
to the number of fully paid and nonassessable Shares to which the
Warrantholder may at the time be entitled to purchase pursuant to this
Agreement, upon surrender to the Company, at its principal office, of the
certificate evidencing the Warrants to be exercised, together with the
purchase form on the reverse thereof duly filled in and signed, with
signatures guaranteed and upon payment to the Company of the Warrant Price
(as defined in and determined in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 3 and Sections 7 and 8 hereof), but in no event for less than 100
Shares (subject to appropriate adjustment for any stock split
recapitalization or similar event) for any Warrantholder (unless less than
an aggregate of 100 Shares (subject to appropriate adjustment for any stock
split, recapitalization or similar event) are then purchasable under all
outstanding Warrants held by a Warrantholder. The Warrants shall be
exercisable, at the election of the Warrantholder, either in full or from
time to time (subject to the other provisions in this Section) in part and,
in the event of a certificate evidencing the Warrants is exercised in
respect of less than all of the Shares specified therein at any time prior
to the Termination Date, a new certificate evidencing the remaining portion
of the Warrants held by the Warrantholder will be issued by the Company. It
shall be a condition to exercise that the Warrantholder execute and deliver
a certificate to the Company containing the representations and covenants
set forth in Section 11 hereof, which certificate must state that such
representations and warranties are true and correct. If the Waiver
Effective Date does
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not occur, then this Agreement will be terminated without further
obligation by either party.
(b) Payment by each Warrantholder of the aggregate Warrant Price due
from him shall be made in cash or by immediately available funds, certified
check or any combination thereof.
(c) Upon such surrender of the Warrants and payment of such Warrant
Price as aforesaid, the Company shall issue and cause to be delivered to or
upon the written order of the exercising Warrantholder and in such name or
names as the exercising Warrantholder may designate (which in no way shall
limit the transfer restrictions hereunder) a certificate or certificates
for the number of full Shares, so purchased upon the exercise of this
Warrant, together with cash, as provided in Section 9 hereof, in respect of
any fractional Shares otherwise issuable upon such surrender. Such
certificate or certificates shall be deemed to have been issued and any
person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a
holder of record of such securities as of the date of surrender of the
Warrants and payment of the Warrant Price, as aforesaid, notwithstanding
that the certificate or certificates representing such securities shall not
actually have been delivered or that the stock transfer books of the
Company shall then be closed.
Section 4. Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay all documentary stamp
taxes, if any, attributable to the initial issuance of the Warrants or the
securities comprising the Shares; provided, however, the Company shall not be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any secondary
transfer of the Warrants or of the securities comprising the Shares.
Section 5. Mutilated or Missing Warrants. In case the certificate or
certificates evidencing the Warrants shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed, the Company shall, at the request of the Warrantholder, issue and
deliver in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated
certificate or certificates, or in lieu of and substitution for the certificate
or certificates lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Warrant certificate or
certificates of like tenor and representing an equivalent right or interest, but
only upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or
destruction of such Warrant and a bond of indemnity, if requested, also
satisfactory in form and amount at the applicant's cost. Applicants for such
substitute Warrant certificate shall also comply with such other reasonable
regulations and pay such other reasonable charges as the Company may prescribe.
Section 6. Reservation of Shares. There has been reserved, and the Company
shall at all times keep reserved so long as the Warrants remain outstanding, out
of its authorized Common Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall
be subject to purchase under the Warrants. Every transfer agent for the Common
Stock and other securities of the Company issuable upon the exercise of the
Warrants will be irrevocably authorized and directed at all times to reserve
such number of authorized shares and other securities as shall be requisite for
such purpose. The
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Company will keep a copy of this Agreement on file with every transfer agent for
the Common Stock and other securities of the Company issuable upon the exercise
of the Warrants. The Company will supply every such transfer agent with duly
executed stock and other certificates, as appropriate, for such purpose and will
provide or otherwise make available any cash which may be payable as provided in
Section 9 hereof. On or before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
pursuant to the terms of the Warrants resulting in an increase in the number of
shares of Common Stock deliverable upon such conversion or exercise above the
number thereof previously authorized, reserved and available therefor, the
Company shall take all such action so required for compliance with this Section.
Section 7. Warrant Price. The price per Share at which Shares shall be
purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants (the "Warrant Price") shall be
$984, subject to adjustment as provided in this Agreement.
Section 8. Adjustments of Number of Shares and Warrant Price. The number
and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants and the
Warrant Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the
happening of certain events, as follows:
8.1. Adjustments The number of Shares purchasable upon the exercise of
the Warrants shall be subject to adjustment as follows:
(a) In case the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in Common Stock
or make a distribution in Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its outstanding
Common Stock, (iii) combine its outstanding Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares of Common Stock or (iv) issue by
reclassification of its Common Stock other securities of the Company,
the number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants
immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Warrantholder
shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of Shares or other
securities of the Company which it would have owned or would have been
entitled to receive immediately after the happening of any of the
events described above had the Warrants been exercised immediately
prior to the happening of such event or any record date with respect
thereto. Any adjustment made pursuant to this subsection 8.1(a) shall
become effective immediately after the effective date of such event
retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event.
(b) No adjustment in the number of Shares purchasable pursuant to
the Warrants shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least three percent in the number of Shares
then purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants or, if the Warrants
are not then exercisable, the number of Shares purchasable upon the
exercise of the Warrants on the first date thereafter that the
Warrants become exercisable; provided, however, that any adjustments
which by reason of this subsection 8.1(b) are not required to be made
immediately shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment.
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(c) Whenever the number of Shares purchasable upon the exercise
of the Warrant is adjusted, as herein provided, the Warrant Price
payable upon exercise of the Warrant shall be adjusted by multiplying
such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction,
of which the numerator shall be the number of Shares purchasable upon
the exercise of the Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and
of which the denominator shall be the number of Shares so purchasable
immediately thereafter.
(d) Whenever numbers of Shares purchasable upon the exercise of
the Warrants is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall cause
to be promptly mailed to the Warrantholder by first class mail,
postage prepaid, notice of such adjustment and a certificate of the
chief financial officer of the Company setting forth the number of
Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants after such
adjustment, a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment
and the computation by which such adjustment was made.
(e) For the propose of this Section 8.1, the term "Common Stock"
shall mean (i) the class of stock designated as the Class A Common
Stock of the Company at the date of this Agreement or (ii) any other
class of stock resulting from successive change or reclassifications
of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value.
In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made
pursuant to this Section 8, the Warrantholder shall become entitled to
purchase any securities of the Company other than Common Stock,
thereafter the number of such other securities so purchasable upon
exercise of the Warrants shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to
the provisions with respect to the Shares contained in this Section 8.
8.2. No Adjustment for Certain Matters. During the term of the
Warrants or upon the exercise of the Warrants, no adjustment shall be made
(i) in respect of any dividends or distributions, except as specifically
provided in subsection 8.1(a) or (ii) in respect of the consummation of any
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company or a consolidation,
merger, share exchange or similar business combination or sale of its
property, assets and business as an entirety or substantially as an
entirety. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
shall have no obligation to cause any purchase or successor by merger, sale
of assets or similar business combination to assume the obligations under
this Agreement.
8.3.Statement on Warrant Certificates. Irrespective of any adjustments
in the number of securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants, Warrant
certificates theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the
same number of securities as are stated in the similar Warrant certificates
initially issuable pursuant to this Agreement.
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However, the Company may, at any time in its sole discretion (which shall
be conclusive), make any change in the form of Warrant certificate that it
may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof; and
any Warrant certificate thereafter issued, whether upon registration or
transfer of, or in exchange or substitution for, an outstanding Warrant
certificate, may be in the form so changed.
Section 9. Fractional Interests; Fair Value. The Company shall not be
required to issue fractional Shares on the exercise of the Warrants. If any
fraction of a Share would, except for the provisions of this Section 9, be
issuable on the exercise of the Warrants (or specified portion thereof), the
Company shall pay an amount in cash equal to the then Fair Value of the Common
Stock multiplied by such fraction. As used herein, the term "Fair Value" of the
Common Stock or other Securities or other property shall mean the fair value as
determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors, which
determination shall be binding upon the Warrantholder; provided, however, that
after the closing date of an initial public offering of Common Stock pursuant to
a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the SEC (an
"IPO"), Fair Value of the Common Stock for any day shall mean the last sales
price, regular way, on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such
day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, on such day,
in either case as reported in the principal transaction reporting system with
respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal national
securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading, or,
if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange but sales price information is reported for such security, as reported
by The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") National Market or such other
self-regulatory organization or registered securities information processor (as
such terms are used under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")) that then reports information concerning such security, or, if
sales price information is not so reported, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market on such day, as reported by Nasdaq
or such other entity, or, if on such day such security is not quoted by any such
entity, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a
professional market maker making a market in such security selected by the Board
of Directors of the Company. If on such day no market maker is making a market
in such security, the fair value of such security on such day as determined in
good faith by the board of Directors of the Company shall be used.
Section 10. No right as Stockholder; Notices to Warrantholder. Nothing
contained in this Agreement or in the Warrants shall be construed as conferring
upon the Warrantholder or his transferees any rights as a stockholder of the
Company, including the right to vote, receive dividends, call meetings, consent
or receive notices as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of stockholders
for the election of directors of the Company or any other matter or imposing any
fiduciary or other duty on the Company, its officers or directors, in favor of
the Warrantholder, all of which rights and duties are expressly disclaimed and
waived by the Warrantholder.
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Section 11. Securities laws; Restrictions on Transfer of Shares;
Registration Rights.
11.1.
(a) Compliance with Securities Act. The Warrantholder agrees that
this Warrant and the related Shares (each of the Warrant and the
Shares being referred to herein as a "Security" and together,
"Securities") are being acquired for investment and that such
Warrantholder will not purchase, offer, sell or otherwise dispose of
any of the Securities except under circumstances which will not result
in a violation of the Act. In order to exercise this Warrant, the
Warrantholder must be able to confirm and shall confirm in writing, by
executing a certificate to be supplied by the Company, all of the
representations and other covenants contained in this Agreement,
including that the Securities so purchased are being acquired for
investment and not with a view toward distribution or resale. The
Securities (unless registered under the Act) shall be stamped or
imprinted with, in addition to any other appropriate or required
legend, a legend in substantially the following form.
"THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
TRANSFERRED UNLESS REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED
UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS THE CORPORATION
RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE
HOLDER, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
CORPORATION, STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR
TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND
PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SAID
ACT. COPIES OF THE AGREEMENT COVERING THE
PURCHASE OF THESE SECURITIES THAT RESTRICT
THEIR TRANSFER AND PROVIDE, FOR CERTAIN
VOTING AGREEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF FIRST
REFUSAL MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY
WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD
OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
CORPORATION AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
OFFICES OF THE CORPORATION."
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Any certificate for Shares issued at any time in exchange or
substitution for any certificate bearing such legends (except a new
certificate issued to a transferee upon completion of a public distribution
pursuant to a registration statement under the Act or upon completion of a
sale occurring after an IPO under Rule 144 under the Act of the securities
represented thereby) shall also bear the above legends unless, in the
opinion of the Company's counsel, the securities represented thereby need
no longer be subject to such restrictions. The Warrantholder consents to
the Company making a notation on his records and giving instructions to any
registrar or transfer agent of the Common Stock in order to implement the
restrictions on transfer established in this Agreement.
In addition, the Warrantholder specifically represents to the Company
both at the time of initial purchase of the Warrant and at those future
times as specified herein:
(i) Prior to entering into the Separation Agreement, the original
Warrantholder was the Chairman of the Board of the Company and as of
the date of this Agreement remained as a director of the Company. The
Warrantholder has experience in analyzing and investing in companies
like the Company and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
an investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect his own
interests. The Warrantholder is an "Accredited Investor" as that term
is defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Act. The Warrantholder
is aware of the Company's business affairs and financial condition,
and has acquired information about the Company sufficient to reach an
informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. The
Warrantholder is acquiring the Securities for his own account for
investment purposes only not as a nominee or agent and not with a view
to, or for the resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof
for purposes of the Act. The Warrantholder is acquiring the Securities
for investment for his own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution
thereof. The Warrantholder acknowledges the Company's obligation to
include the Shares in certain registration statements as set forth in
the Warrant Agreement, the effectiveness of which registration
statements may be required for the resale of the Shares. Without
limiting the generality of the preceding sentences of this Section,
the Warrantholder has not offered or sold any portion of the
Securities to be acquired by such Warrantholder and has no present
intention of reselling or otherwise disposing of any portion of such
Securities either currently or after the passage of a fixed or
determinable period of time or upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of
any predetermined event or circumstance, and in particular the
Warrantholder has no current intention to resell the Shares under such
registration statements nor would he have such intention if such
registration statements were effective
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as of the date of this representation. The Warrantholder understands
that investment in the Securities is subject to a high degree of risk.
the Warrantholder can bear the economic risk of his investment,
including the full loss of his investment, and by reason of his
business or financial experience or the business or financial
experience of his professional advisors has the capacity to evaluate
the merits and risks of his investment and protect his own interest in
connection with the purchase of the Securities. The Warrantholder
represents that he does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement
or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant
participation to such person or to any third person, with respect to
any of the Securities. If other than an individual, the Warrantholder
also represent he has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring
the Securities. The Warrantholder's purchase is not and will not be
part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the
Act.
(ii) The Warrantholder understands that the Securities have not
been and, except as provided in this Agreement with respect to the
sale of the Shares to third parties, will not be registered under the
Act or any applicable state securities law in reliance upon a specific
exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things,
the bona fide nature of the Warrantholder's investment intent as
expressed herein and the accuracy of the Warrantholder's
representations as expressed herein and the Warrantholder will furnish
the Company with such additional information as is reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with such exemption.
(iii) The Warrantholder further understands that the Securities
must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act
and any applicable state securities laws, or unless exemptions from
registration are otherwise available. Moreover, the Warrantholder
understands that the Company is under no obligation to and does not
expect to register the Securities except as provided for in this
Agreement with respect to the Shares.
(iv) The Warrantholder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144,
promulgated under the Act, which, in substance, permit limited public
resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or indirectly,
from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), subject
to the satisfaction of certain conditions, if applicable, including,
among other things: the availability of certain public information
about the Company; the resale occurring not less than two years after
the party has purchased and paid for the securities to be sold; the
sale being made through a broker in an unsolicited "broker's
transaction" or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said
term is defined under the Exchange Act); and the amount of
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securities being sold during any three-month period not exceeding the
specified limitations stated therein.
(v) The Warrantholder further understands that at the item he
wishes to sell the Securities, it is possible that there will be no
public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a
public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the
current public information requirement of Rule 144, and that, in such
event, the Warrantholder may be precluded from selling the Securities
under Rule 144 even if the minimum holding period had been satisfied.
(vi) the Warrantholder further understands that in the event all
of the requirements of Rule 144, are not satisfied, registration under
the Act or compliance with registration exemption will be required;
and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rule 144 is not exclusive, the
Staff of the SEC has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to
sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering
and otherwise than pursuant to Rule 144 will have a substantial burden
of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is
available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their
respective brokers who participate in such actions do so at their own
risk.
(vii) the Warrantholder has had a reasonable opportunity to ask
questions relating to the Company' business, management and financial
affairs with the Company's management, customers and other parties,
and the Warrantholder has received satisfactory responses to the
Warrantholder's inquires. The Warrantholder is not, and has not been
within the ninety (90) days prior to the closing date of the purchase
of the Securities, a broker or dealer of securities. To the best of
his knowledge, (i) the Warrantholder was contacted regarding the sale
of the Securities by a person or entity with whom the Warrantholder
had a prior relationship and (ii) no securities were offered or sold
to him by means of any form of general solicitation or general
advertising, and in connection therewith the Warrantholder: did not
(A) receive or review any advertisement, article, notice or other
communication published in a newspaper or magazine or similar media or
broadcast over television or radio, whether closed circuit or
generally available; or (B) attend any seminar, meeting or industry
investor conference whose attendees were invited by any general
solicitation or general advertising.
(b) Disposition of Securities. There shall be no transfer of Warrants
except for transfer at death as set forth in Section 1.2. The transferee
any Warrants must give notice to the Company of such transfer. Until such
notice is
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given, the transferee shall forfeit has right to exercise his registration
rights hereunder. With respect to any offer, sale or other disposition of
any Securities that are not registered under the Act, the Warrantholder
hereof agrees to give written notice to the Company prior thereto,
describing briefly the manner thereof, together with a written opinion of
such Warrantholder's counsel to the effect that such offer, sale or other
disposition may be effected without registration or qualification (under
the Act as then in effect or any federal or state law then in effect) of
such Securities and indicating whether or not under the Act, certificates
for the Securities in question to be sold or otherwise disposed of require
any restrictive legend as to applicable restrictions on transferability in
order to ensure compliance with such law. Such opinion and such counsel
must be satisfactory to the Company in its reasonable judgment and such
opinion shall state that it may be relied upon by counsel to the company,
and any stock exchange or transfer agent. Promptly upon receiving such
written notice and satisfactory opinion, if so requested, the Company shall
notify such Warrantholder that such Warrantholder may sell or otherwise
dispose of such Securities, all in accordance with the terms of the notice
delivered to the Company. If a determination has been made pursuant to this
subsection (b) that the opinion of counsel for the Warrantholder is not
satisfactory to the Company, the Company shall so notify the Warrantholder
promptly after such determination has been made and shall specify in detail
the legal analysis supporting any such conclusion. Each certificate
representing the Securities thus transferred (except a transfer registered
under the Act or a transfer of Shares, occurring after an IPO, pursuant to
Rule 144) shall bear a legend as to the applicable restrictions on
transferability in order to ensure compliance with such laws, unless in the
aforesaid opinion of counsel for the Warrantholder, such legend is not
required in order to ensure compliance with such laws. The Company may
issue stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent in connection with
such restrictions.
(c) Transferees Bound. Prior to any transfer of Shares (except a
transfer registered under the Act or a transfer of Shares, occurring after
an IPO, pursuant to Rule 144), the proposed transferee shall agree in
writing with the Company to be bound by the terms of this Agreement
(whether or not the Warrant has been exercised or otherwise outstanding)
as if an original signatory hereto, and the proposed transferee must be
able to and must deliver a certificate to the Company containing the
representations and covenants as set forth in this subsection 11.1.
(d) No Registration of Transferred Warrants. The Warrantholder is not
entitled to any registration rights with respect to the transfer of the
Warrants.
11.2. Certain Definitions. As used in this Section 11, the following terms
shall have the following meanings.
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"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any person, any other person
controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such
person (for the purposes of this definition "control," when used with respect to
any specified person, shall mean the power to direct the management and policies
of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing).
"Business Day" shall mean a day Monday through Friday on which banks are
generally open for business in the State of Texas.
"Holder" shall mean the Warrantholder, and any person holding Registrable
Securities to whom the registration rights under this Section 11 have been
transferred in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Majority Holders" shall mean any Holder(s) who in the aggregate are
holders of not less than 51% of the then outstanding Registrable Securities.
"Person" shall mean any person , individual, corporation, partnership,
trust or other nongovernmental entity or any governmental agency, court,
authority or other body (whether foreign, federal, state, local or otherwise).
The terms "register," "registered" and registration" refer to the
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of
such registration statement.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean (A) the Shares, and (B) any shares of
Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon the conversion of any warrant, right or
other security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect
to or in replacement of the Shares; provided, however, that securities shall be
treated as Registrable Securities only if and only for so long as they (I) have
not been disposed of pursuant to a registration statement declared effective by
the SEC,(II) have not been sold in a transaction exempt from the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, so that all transfer
restrictions and restrictive legends with respect thereto are removed upon the
consummation of such sale, (III) are held by a Holder or a permitted transferee
pursuant to the terms hereof, or (IV) the registration rights as to the Holders
of such Registrable Securities have not expired pursuant to Section 11.4(i).
"Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in
complying with Section 11.3 hereof, including, without limitation, all
registration, qualification, listing and filing fees, printing expenses, fees
and expenses of counsel for the Company, and the expense of any special audits
incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the fees of
legal counsel for any Holder).
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"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other
federal agency at the time administering the Act.
"Selling Expenses" shall mean all underwriting discounts, selling
commissions, transfer taxes and expense allowances applicable to the sale of
Registrable Securities and all fees and expenses of legal counsel for any
Holder.
11.3 Piggy-Back Registration Rights.
(a) Registration Rights. Following the time of the exercise of a
Warrant, the Holder of a Warrant Share thereby purchased shall be entitled
to the "piggy-back" registration rights granted hereby. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 11.3, the registration rights granted hereby may
be used one time only. If the Company shall determine to register any of
its equity securities, either for its own account or the account of a
security holder or holders, other than (i) a registration relating to
employee benefit plans, or (ii) a registration relating to a transaction
subject to Rule 145 promulgated under the Act, the company will.
(i) promptly give to each Holder written notice thereof; and
(ii) include in such registration (and any related qualification
under blue sky laws or other compliance) the Registrable Securities
specified in a written requests or requests, (subject to the
limitation of Section 11.3(b) below made within ten (10) days after
receipt of such written notice from the Company, by the Holder.
Such notification will be kept confidential by the Holder. If the
Holder desires to include in any such registration statement all or
any part of the Registrable Securities held by him, the Holders shall,
within ten (10) days after receipt of the above-described notice from
the Company, so notify the Company in writing. Such notice shall state
the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities by
such Holder.
(b) Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives
notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the
Company shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given
pursuant to subsection 11.3(a)(i). In such event the right of any Holders
to registration pursuant to Section 11.3 shall be conditioned upon such
Holders' participation in such underwriting, and the inclusion of
Registrable Securities in the underwriting shall be limited to the extent
provided therein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities
through such underwriting shall (together with the Company and the other
holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into
an
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underwriting agreements in customary form with the managing underwriter
selected for such underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 11.3, if the managing underwriter determines that
marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be
underwritten, the underwriter may limit the Registrable Securities to be
included in such registration. In the event of a limitation (or
elimination) on the number of shares to be included in a registration, then
the Company shall so advise the Holders, and the number of shares of
Registrable Securities that may be included in the registration and
underwriting shall be allocated among each Holder and all other persons
with registration rights that have requested that shares held by them be
registered. Such allocation shall be in proportion, as nearly as
practicable, to the respective number of shares of Common Stock requested
to be registered by each Holder and by such other persons. To facilitate
the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the
Company may round the number of shares allocated to such Holder to the
nearest 100 shares. If a holder disapproves of the terms of any such
underwriting, he may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the
Company and the managing underwriter. Any securities excluded or withdrawn
from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration, and shall
not be transferred in a public distribution except in accordance with the
terms of subsection 11.4(f)(vi). In the event that any Registrable
Securities of a Holder are not included in a registration as a result of
the limitation or elimination imposed by this subsection 11.3(b) then such
Holder shall be entitled to one additional piggy-back registration right on
the same terms as are provided in this Agreement.
11.4 Registration Matters
(a) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company or any other Person
initiating a registration shall have the right for any reason and without
liability to any Holder to terminate, suspend or withdraw any registration
initiated by it under this Section 11 prior to or after the effectiveness
of such registration whether or not a Holder has elected to include
securities in such registration; provided, that any termination, suspension
or withdrawal of a registration prior to effectiveness of such registration
statement or after effectiveness but prior to the expiration of the period
described in subsection 11.4(c)(i) below shall not count as the Holder's
piggy-back registration hereunder.
(b) Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in
connection with any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to
Section 11 shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to
the securities registered by or on behalf of the Holders shall be borne by
such Holders.
(c) registration Procedures. In the case of the registration,
qualification or compliance effected by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, the
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Company will, upon reasonable request, inform each Holder whose Shares are
included in the registration as to the status of such registration,
qualification and compliance. Subject to Section 11.4(a) above, at its
expense, the Company will:
(i) use its reasonable best efforts to keep such registration and
any qualification or compliance under state securities laws which the
Company determines to obtain, effective until at least the 90 days
(excluding any days for which sales may not be made pursuant to
Section 11.4(d)) after the effective date of the registration or until
the Holders have completed the distribution described in the
registration statement relating thereto, whichever first occurs; and
(ii) furnish such number of prospectuses and other documents
incident thereto as the Holders from time to time may reasonably
request.
The period of time during which the Company is required hereunder to
keep the Registration Statement effective is referred to herein as "the
Registration Period." Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, at the Company's election the Company may cease to keep such
registration, qualification or compliance effective with respect to a
Holder's Registrable Securities , and the related registration rights of a
Holder shall expire, at such time as the Holder may sell under Rule 144
under the Act (or other exemption from registration acceptable to the
Company) in a three-month period all Registrable securities than held by
such Holder.
(d) Delay of sales
(i) Each Holder will cease all sales of Registrable Securities if
the Company believes that the filing of a requested registration
statement at the time it is requested, or the offering and sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant thereto, (A) would adversely affect a
pending or proposed public offering of the Company's securities, or a
material acquisition, or a transaction or negotiations, discussions or
pending proposals with respect thereto or (B) would adversely affect
the business, financial condition or prospects of the Company in view
of the disclosures which may be required or advisable thereby;
provided, however, that the Company's right to cause cessation of
sales hereunder may be exercised on only one occasion within any
360-day period and in no event may cause cessation of sales hereunder
for more than 90 days on such occasion.
(ii) the Holders shall have no right to take any action to
restrain, enjoin or otherwise delay any registration pursuant to this
Section
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11 as a result of any controversy that may arise with respect to the
interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
(e) Indemnification.
(i) The Company will indemnify each Holder, each of its officers,
directors, employees, partners, each underwriter (if any) , legal
counsel and accountants, and each person controlling such Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, with respect to which any
registration, qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant
to this Agreement, and each person who controls any underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against all expenses, claims
losses, damages and liabilities (or action in respect thereof),
including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any
litigation, commenced or threatened, arising out of or based on any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or a material fact
contained in any registration statement, prospectus, offering circular
or other document, or any amendment or supplement thereof, incident to
any such registration, qualification or compliance, or based on any
omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Holder, each of its
officers, directors, employees, partners legal counsel and
accountants, and each person controlling such holder, and each person
who controls any such underwriter, for reasonable legal and any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating,
preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action as incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any untrue statement or
omission or allegation thereof is made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an
instrument duly executed by or on behalf of such Holder and stated to
be specifically for use in preparation of such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document; and provided further
that the Company will not be liable in any such case where the
expense, claim, loss, damage or liability arises out of or is related
to the failure of any Holder to comply with the covenants and
agreement contained in this Agreement respecting sales of Registrable
Securities; and provided further, that the indemnity with respect to
any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
underwriter or seller of a security (or to the benefit of any person
controlling such underwriter or seller) to the extent that any such
claim, loss, damage or liability results from the fact that the
definitive prospectus, as amended and supplemented, was not sent or
delivered to the person asserting any such claims, losses, damages or
liabilities at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of
Registrable Securities to such person and the untrue statement (or
alleged untrue
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statement) or omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact
contained in a preliminary prospectus was corrected in the definitive
prospectus, as amended or supplemented, provided that the Company
delivered the definitive prospectus, as amended or supplemented, to,
such underwriter or seller on a timely basis to permit such delivery
or sending.
(ii) Each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such
Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration,
qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify the Company,
each of it directors, officers, employees, partners, legal counsel and
accountants, each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls
the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof), including any of the foregoing incurred
in settlement of any litigation, commenced or threatened, arising out
of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a
material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus,
offering circular or other document, or any amendment or supplement
thereof, incident to any such registration, qualification or
compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, or any failure by each
such Holder to comply with the covenants or agreements contained in
this Agreement respecting the Registrable Securities and will
reimburse the Company, such directors, officers, employees, partners,
legal counsel and accountants for reasonable legal and any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating,
preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action as incurred, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof
is made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by an instrument duly executed by or on
behalf of such Holder and stated to be specifically for use in
preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, offering
circular or other document; provided, however, that the indemnity with
respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the person
controlling such underwriter or seller) to the extent that such claim,
loss, damage or liability results from the fact that the definitive
prospectus, as amended and supplemented, was not sent or delivered to
the person asserting any such claim, loss, damage or liability at or
prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Registrable
Securities to such person and the untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) or omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact
contained in a preliminary prospectus was corrected in the definitive
prospectus, as amended or supplemented, provided that the Company
delivered the definitive prospectus, as amended or
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supplemented, to, such underwriter or seller on a timely basis to
permit such delivery or sending.
(iii) Each party entitled to indemnification under this
subsection 11.4(e) the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the
party required to provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party")
promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any
claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the
Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the
Indemnifying Party, which shall conduct the defense of such claim or
litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval
shall not unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may
participate in such defense at such party's expense, and provided
further that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as
provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its
obligations under this Agreement, unless such failure is prejudicial
to the Indemnifying Party in defending such claim or litigation. An
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action
or claim effected without its written consent (which consent will not
be unreasonably withheld).
(iv) If the indemnification provided for in this subsection
11.4(e) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable
to an Indemnified Party with respect to any loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense referred to therein, then the Indemnifying Party, in
lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party thereunder, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as
a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and all Holders offering shares in the
offering (the "Selling Shareholders") on the other from the offering
of the Company securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the
Company on the one hand and the Selling Shareholders on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand, and the Selling Shareholders on the other
shall be the net proceeds from the offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Company on the one hand and the Selling
Shareholders on the other. the relative fault of the Company on the
one hand and the Selling Shareholder on the other shall be determined
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a
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material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the
one hand and/or the Selling Shareholders and the parties' relevant
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Selling
Shareholders agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this subsection 11.4(e) were based solely
upon the number of entities from whom contribution was requested or by
any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection 11.4(e).
(f) Covenants of Holder
(i) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event requiring the preparation of a
supplement or amendment to a prospectus relating to Registrable
Securities so that, as thereafter delivered to such Holder, such
prospectus will not contain untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, each holder
will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the registration statements contemplated by Section 11
until its receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
from the Company and, if so directed by the company, each Holder shall
deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in such Holders' possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
(ii) Each Holder agrees to notify the company, at any time when a
prospectus relating to the registration statement contemplated by
Section 11, is required to be delivered by it under the Act, of the
occurrence of any event relating to such Holder which requires the
preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Holder which requires
the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Registrable
Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
relating to such Holder, and such Holder shall promptly make available
to the Company the information to enable the Company to prepare any
such supplement or amendment. Each Holder also agrees that, upon
delivery of any notice by it to the Company of the happening of any
event of the kind described in the next preceding sentence of this
subsection, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement until
its receipt of the copies of the supplemental or amended prospectus
contemplated by this subsection, which the Company shall promptly make
available to such Holder and, if so directed by the Company, such
Holder shall deliver to the Company all
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copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities
current at the time of receipt of such notice.
(iii) Each Holder shall furnish to the Company such information
regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as
the Company may request in writing or as shall be required in
connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred
to in this Section 11.
(iv) Each Holder hereby covenants with the Company (1) not to
make any sale of the Shares without effectively causing the prospectus
delivery requirements under the Act to be satisfied, and (2) if such
Shares are to be sold by any method or in any transaction other than
on a national securities exchange, in the over-the-counter market, on
the Nasdaq National Market, in privately negotiated transactions, or
in a combination of such method, to notify the Company at least five
business days prior to the date on which such Holder first offers to
sell any such Shares. Each Holder agrees not to take any action with
respect to any distribution deemed to be made pursuant to such
registration statement that constitutes a violation of Rule 10(b)-6
under the Exchange Act or any other applicable rule, regulation or
law.
(v) Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that in the event of
sales under a shelf registration statement under subsection 11.4
hereof the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to such registration
statement are not transferable on the books of the Company unless the
stock certificate submitted to the transfer agent evidencing such
Shares is accompanied by a certificate reasonably satisfactory to the
Company to the effect that (A) the Registrable Securities have been
sold in accordance with such registration statements and (B) the
requirement of delivering a current prospectus has been satisfied.
(vi) Whether prior to or after the time the registration rights
contemplated by Section 11 have terminated with respect to the
Holders, each Holder agrees that it will not effect any sale,
disposition or other transfer of Shares or Registrable Securities
(whether or not its Shares or Registrable Securities are included in
the registration) except pursuant to such registration statement, for
a period of 180 days (or for such longer period as each executive
officer of the Company personally agrees to be bound in a similar
lock-up agreement) from the effective date of a registration statement
in the case of an IPO and for a period 120 days (or for such longer
period as each executive officer of the Company personally agrees to
be bound in a similar
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lock-up agreement) from the effective date of a registration statement
in the case of a secondary public offering; provided, however, that as
to each such registration, the Holder's obligations shall be limited
to be no greater than obligations of all executive officers and
directors of the company pursuant to similar lock-up agreements. Each
Holder agrees not to take any action with respect to any distribution
deemed to be made pursuant to such registration statement that
constitutes a violation of Rule 10(b)-6 under the Exchange Act or any
other applicable rule, regulation or law.
(g) Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company
to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement granted to
the Holder by the Company under Section 11 may be assigned only to a
transferee of the Warrants that receives the Warrants in a transfer made in
accordance with this Agreement and who gives the notices required under
this Agreement. The rights of the Holder with respect to Registrable
Securities as set out herein shall not be transferable to any other Person,
and any attempted transfer shall cause all rights of such Holder therein to
be forfeited.
(h) Waivers and Amendments. With the written consent of the Company
and the Majority Holders, any provision of Sections 11.3 and 11.4 may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance, either retroactively
or prospectively and either for a specified period of time or indefinitely)
or amended. Upon the effectuation of each such waiver or amendment, the
Company shall promptly give written notice thereof to each Holder, if any,
who have not previously received notice thereof or consented thereto in
writing.
(i) Termination of Registration Rights. Notwithstanding any thing to
the contrary contained herein, at the Company's election, the registration
rights of any Holder shall expire, and the Company may cease to keep any
registration, qualification or compliance effective with respect to any
Registrable Securities, and at such time as such Holder may sell under Rule
144 under the Act in a three-month period all Registrable Securities then
held by such Holder.
Section 12. Notices. Any notice pursuant to this Agreement by the Company
or by the Warrantholder or a Holder of Shares shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if delivered or mailed by certified or registered
first class mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid:
(a) If to the Warrantholder or a Holder of Shares, addressed to Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx, 00000 Xxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000.
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(b) If to the Company, addressed to it at Optel, Inc., 0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Chief Executive Officer
(with a copy to the General Counsel of the Company at the same address).
Each party may from time to time change the address to which notices to it are
to be delivered or mailed hereunder by notice in accordance herewith to the
other party.
Section 13. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement
by or for the benefit of the Company, the Warrantholder or the Holder of Shares
shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
Section 14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
made under the laws of the State of Texas and for all purposes shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of said State applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such state.
Section 15. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any person or corporation other than the Company, the
Warrantholder and the Holders of Shares any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the Company, the Warrantholder and the Holders of Shares.
Section 16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 17. Amendment. Except as expressly provided herein, neither this
Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated
other than by written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of
any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought; provided,
however, that any provisions hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or
terminated upon the written consent of the Company and the Warrantholder having
the right to acquire by virtue of holding the Warrants at least 50% of the
Shares which are then issuable upon exercise of the then outstanding Warrants.
Section 18. Termination of Company Obligations. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, all rights (but not the obligations) of any
Warrantholder (including without limitation, both any successor to the original
Warrantholder and any Holder of Shares) shall terminate and all obligations (but
not all rights) of the Company shall terminate upon the first date that Xx.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx violates paragraphs 5 or 6 of the Separation Agreement.
Section 19.Stockholders Agreement; Rights of First Refusal. In the event
that the Warrant is exercised prior to an IPO, then the Warrantholder hereby
agrees that he shall thereupon (and without any further action by the
Warrantholder) become bound by the terms of the
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Stockholders Agreement dated as of December 22, 1994 (the "Stockholders
Agreement") among the Company VPC Corporation, Vanguard Communications, L. P.
and Vanguard Communications, Inc. Any transfer by the Warrantholder of any
Shares shall be subject to sections 6.4(a) and (b) and sections 6.6(a),(e) and
(f) of the Stockholders Agreement as if the term "Vanguard" in such sections
(and only in such sections) referred to the Warrantholder. The Warrantholder
shall be subject to the restrictions and obligations of the Stockholders
Agreement in favor of the Company and other stockholders, but shall not be
entitled to the benefits arising therefrom other than the rights to receive
compensation upon the exercise of any purchase rights by another stockholder or
third party.
If the Shareholders Agreement is terminated prior to an IPO, all shares
will nonetheless be (without any further action by the Warrantholder) subject to
the right of first refusal on the same terms as Sections 6.4(a) and (b) of such
Shareholders Agreement (the "Stockholder Provisions") which are incorporated
herein and made a part hereof as fully as though set forth herein at length. In
such event, the Stockholder Provisions shall be enforceable and effective in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement (with such changes as may be
necessary or appropriate to (i) conform the names of the designated parties in
such sections to the names of the parties hereto and (ii) to provide that
defined terms used in such sections have the same meanings herein as in the
Stockholders Agreement as the case may be) irrespective of the time of
termination of the term of the Stockholders Agreement. This second paragraph of
Section 19 shall be effective until the date of the closing an IPO.
Upon the request of the Company, the Warrantholder will also enter a
written agreement pursuant to which the Warrantholder further evidences his
agreements as set forth in this Section.
Section 20. Gender. The gender of words used in this Agreement shall be
construed to include whichever may be appropriate under any particular
circumstances of the masculine, feminine or neuter genders.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
OPTEL, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
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Name: Xxxx Xxxx
Title: Chief Operating Officer
XXXXX X. XXXXXX
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------
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