<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2000
Registration No. 333-85095
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 3
to
FORM SB-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
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(Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
Delaware 511210 13-383101
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
95 PARKER STREET
NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS 01950
(978) 499-0222
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(Address and telephone number of Principal Executive Offices)
Mr. J.P. McCormick, Chief Financial Officer
Activeworlds.com, Inc.
95 Parker Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 499-0222
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(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Please send a copy of all communications to:
John A. Kostrubanic, Esq. Asher S. Levitsky P.C.
Peabody & Arnold LLP Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP
50 Rowes Wharf 605 Third Avenue
Boston, MA 02110-3342 New York, NY 10158
(617) 951-2100 (212) 953-6000
Fax: (617) 951-2125 Fax: (212) 953-6899
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon
as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
----------------
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
----------------
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. / /
----------------
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of
the securities act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a),
may determine.
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<PAGE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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Proposed
Title of Each Maximum Proposed Amount of
Class of Securities Amount Offering Price(1) Maximum Registration
To be Registered to be Registered Per Unit Aggregate Fees
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Units each consisting of one share of
common stock and one series B
redeemable common stock purchase
warrant(2): .......................... 1,380,000 $ 5.00 $ 6,900,000 $ 1,821.60
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Common stock(3) ....................... 1,380,000 6.00 8,280,000 2,185.92
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Underwriters' unit purchase option(4) . 120,000 .0001 12.01 --
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Units issuable upon exercise of the
Underwriters' unit purchase option(5) 120,000 $ 8.25 $ 990,000 $ 261.36
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Common stock(6) ....................... 120,000 6.00 720,000 190.08
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Totals .............................................................................................. $ 4,458.97(7)
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457 (a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, based on a price of $5.00 per unit. The price of the common stock
on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTC Bulletin Board) on March 9,
2000, after giving effect to the two-for-three reverse split which is to
be effective on the effective date of this registration statement was
$5.2969.
(2) Includes 180,000 units issuable upon exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option.
(3) Represents shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Series B
common stock purchase warrants included in the units offered hereby,
including warrants issuable upon exercise of the over-allotment option.
(4) The underwriters' unit purchase option entitles the underwriters to
purchase 120,000 units at 165% of the initial public offering price per
unit.
(5) Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one warrant.
(6) Represents shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants
issued pursuant to the underwriters' unit purchase option.
(7) Of which $4,458.97 has been paid.
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Form SB-2 Item Numbers and Caption Heading in Prospectus
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<S> <C>
1. Front of the Registration Statement and Outside
Front Cover of Prospectus ............................. Cover Page of Form SB-2 and of Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
Prospectus ............................................ Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
Prospectus
3. Summary Information and Risk Factors .................. Prospectus Summary and Risk Factors
4. Use of Proceeds ....................................... Use of Proceeds
5. Determination of Offering Price ....................... Cover Page of Prospectus, Risk Factors and
Underwriting
6. Dilution .............................................. Dilution
7. Selling Security Holders .............................. Not applicable
8. Plan of Distribution .................................. Cover Page of Prospectus and Underwriting
9. Legal Proceedings ..................................... Not Applicable
10. Directors, Promoters, Executive Officers,
Promoters and Control Persons ......................... Management
11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management .................................. Principal Stockholders
12. Description of Securities ............................. Description of Securities
13. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel ................. Legal Matters
14. Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities ........ Not Applicable
15. Organization Within Last Five Years ................... Related Party Transactions
16. Description of Business ............................... Risk Factors and Business
17. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan
of Operation .......................................... Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
18. Description of Property ............................... Business
19. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions .......................................... Related Party Transactions
20. Market for Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters ................................... Market for Common Stock
21. Executive Compensation ................................ Management
22. Financial Statements .................................. Financial Statements
23. Changes In and Disagreements With
Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure ............................................ Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an
offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 3, 2000
PROSPECTUS
1,200,000 Units
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
This is a firm-commitment offering of 1,200,000 of our units. For each
unit you purchase you will receive one share of our common stock and a Series B
redeemable common stock purchase warrant to purchase one share of our common
stock at $5.00 per share.
No public market currently exists for our units or warrants.
Our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
AWLD. We have applied for the listing of our common stock and units on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the Boston Stock Exchange. The warrants will not be
listed on any exchange or market until they may be separately traded. At that
time, we intend to apply for the listing of the warrants on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market and the Boston Stock Exchange.
The initial offering price of the units may not reflect the market price
after the offering.
---------------------
Investing in the units involves a high degree of risk. Please see the
"Risk Factors" beginning on page 7.
Per Unit Total
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Public Offering Price ........... $ $
Underwriting Discounts .......... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses,
to Activeworlds.com ............ $ $
We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 180,000
additional units on the same terms and conditions as set forth above solely to
cover over-allotments, if any.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about
, 2000.
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HD Brous & Co., Inc. SOLID ISG CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
FIRST COLONIAL SECURITIES GROUP, INC.
The date of this prospectus is March __, 2000
<PAGE>
INSIDE FRONT COVER ARTWORK
"Activeworlds.com, Inc.
"Building the 3D Internet"
ARTWORK:
On the page are four pictures of screenshots showing the Activeworlds
environment with applications which deal with the following applications: Top
left -- Training: picture shows avatars in a convention center; Top right --
Gaming: avatars in an e-commerce store; Bottom left -- Entertainment: picture
shows a hand of cards set up for a game of spades; and Bottom right --
E-commerce: avatar of a woman in a futuristic environment.
Above each screenshot photograph are the words "View within an Activeworlds
environment"
Under the photograph relating to Training: "TRAINING Avatars participate in
an information technology training and conference session using
Activeworlds"
Under the photograph relating to Gaming: "GAMING Virtual casino games for
fun in real time is one of many applications created with Activeworlds
Software Development Kit"
Under the photograph related to Entertainemnt: "ENTERTAINMENT Users
interact in realtime in thematic environments and create their own
three-dimensional websites with simple drag and drop building tools"
Under the photograph relating to E-commerce: "E-COMMERCE Using Avatars,
consumers shop in virtual stores and communicate with store clerks"
2
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information that we present more fully elsewhere
in this prospectus. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including
"Risk Factors" and the financial statements, before making any investment
decision.
Our Business
Activeworlds.com, Inc. is a provider of Internet software products and
services that enable the efficient delivery of three-dimensional content over
the Internet and intranets. Our comprehensive software platform is comprised of
proprietary three-dimensional server software, browser and authoring tools.
Users can use our Active Worlds technology to create objects and structures in
virtual worlds which other users can see and explore in real time. We also act
as an application service provider and permit users to license our technology
for integration into their web applications, which may be hosted on our server.
We believe that the emergence of the Internet as a global communications medium
has increased the demand for efficient delivery of three-dimensional content.
Our goals are to be the leader in three-dimensional Internet environments
and interactive communication and to position our software platform as a
standard for the delivery of three-dimensional content over the Internet. In
furtherance of these goals, we have chosen to offer our three-dimensional
browser to users free of charge to promote the use of our software platform. We
currently have a worldwide user base of more than 1,000,000 users.
We believe that by continually enhancing our technology, developing new
applications for the three-dimensional Internet market and implementing an
extensive marketing effort, we will be able to achieve our goals. We believe
that three-dimensional Internet applications provide enhanced richness that
will be of interest to users developing Internet-based advertising, distance
learning, training, entertainment, e-commerce, leisure time and chat
applications and other on-line activities. As three-dimensional Internet
technology becomes more accepted, we believe that a market will develop for our
technology in these areas.
We have licensed our software products to such well-known companies as
Boeing, Carlsberg Brewing, Centropolis Studios (a division of Columbia
Pictures), Earthweb, Kodak, Philips Multimedia, United States Government
agencies (including NASA), the Canadian Ministry of Education, The Amsterdam
Stock Exchange, Helsinki Telephone, Scandinavia Online and Swiss Telecom.
Additionally, The University of Colorado, Cornell University, The University of
Santa Cruz, The University of London, and Nagoya University (Japan) are using
our software. Our software has received reviews, awards and coverage from
numerous sources, including Bloomberg TV, CNET, Der Spiegel magazine, Industry
Standard magazine, Softseek, Tucows, Yahoo Internet Life magazine and ZDNet.
We currently derive our revenue primarily from three sources:
o Licenses for our software, which include the right to use our technology
either on our server or on a separate server which is licensed to the
client for use at its facilities
o Membership fees, which are paid by users who become citizens
o Three dimensional content production for our licensees
3
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The Offering
Securities Offered....... 1,200,000 units, each unit consisting of one share
of common stock and a series B warrant to purchase
one share of common stock. For one year from the
date of this prospectus, or earlier at the
discretion of the representatives, you will be able
to sell or otherwise transfer the common stock and
warrants which comprise the units only as units. As
a result, during this period you will not be able to
sell separately the common stock or warrants which
comprise the units.
Description of the Warrants
Exercise price.......... Each warrant will entitle you to purchase one
share of common stock at $ per share, subject to
adjustment.
Exercise period......... Unless we redeem the warrants, you may exercise
the warrants at any time during the period
commencing , 2001, or earlier with the
consent of the representatives, until , 2005.
Redemption.............. Commencing , 2001, we may redeem the
warrants at a price of $.10 per warrant if the
closing price of our common stock for each day of a
20 trading day period ending not earlier than three
trading days prior to the date the warrants are
called for redemption is at least 150% of the
exercise price of the warrants.
Common Stock Outstanding
Prior to this offering... 7,342,762 shares
After this offering..... 8,542,762 shares
The number of shares of common stock outstanding
prior to and after this offering does not include
3,189,225 shares of common stock which we may issue
as follows:
o 913,332 shares issuable upon exercise of stock
options which are either outstanding (including
246,667 options granted to two directors outside
of our 1999 long-term incentive plan) or which we
may grant pursuant to our 1999 long-term
incentive plan;
o 475,893 shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding warrants;
o 1,200,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants included in the units offered by this
prospectus;
o 360,000 shares issuable as part of the units
issuable upon exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option and the underlying
warrants; and
o 240,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the
underwriters' unit purchase option and the
underlying warrants.
Risk Factors............. An investment in our units involves a high degree
of risk. You should not consider purchasing our
units unless you can afford to lose your entire
investment. See "Risk Factors" for important factors
you should consider.
4
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Use of Proceeds.......... The net proceeds of this offering will be used for
marketing, research and development, equipment
purchases, working capital and other corporate
purposes.
Market Symbols
Common Stock............ AWLD (OTC Bulletin Board (present) and Nasdaq
SmallCap Market (proposed) AWD (Boston Stock
Exchange) (proposed))
Unit:................... AWLDU (Nasdaq SmallCap Market) (proposed) AWDU
(Boston Stock Exchange) (proposed)
We have applied for the listing of our common stock
and units on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the
Boston Stock Exchange. We intend to apply for
listing of the warrants and a trading symbol for
the warrants at the time the warrants become
separately traded.
All share and per share information in this prospectus reflects and, where
appropriate, is restated for, a one-for-two reverse split of our common stock,
effective in January 1999 and a two-for-three reverse split of our common
stock, which was approved by our board of directors and stockholders in March
2000 and will become effective on the effective date of this prospectus.
Unless we say otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes that
the over-allotment option has not been exercised.
About Activeworlds.com
Activeworlds.com, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated on
September 5, 1995 under the name Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. In January 1999:
o We acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Circle of Fire
Studios, Inc., a Nevada corporation, in exchange for 5,433,211 shares of
our common stock.
o We effected a one-for-two reverse split of our common stock.
o We sold 1,333,333 shares of our common stock in an offering pursuant to
a private placement.
o We changed our corporate name to Activeworlds.com, Inc., and we changed
the name of our subsidiary from Circle of Fire Studios, Inc., to
Activeworlds, Inc.
o Our sole business became the business of Circle of Fire Studios, which is
described in this prospectus. The former business of Vanguard
Enterprises, which was the marketing of hair care products on cable
television, was discontinued in 1996.
The transaction by which we acquired the stock of Circle of Fire Studios
is referred to as the "Circle of Fire Acquisition."
Our address is 95 Parker Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950. Our
telephone number is (978) 499-0222. Our website address is
www.activeworlds.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of
this prospectus.
5
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Statement of Operations Data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
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<S> <C> <C>
Revenue ............................................... $ 808,993 $ 576,163
(Loss) from operations ................................ (860,289) (69,533)
(Loss) before extraordinary item ...................... (835,819) (69,533)
Extraordinary item .................................... -- 109,807
Net income (loss) ..................................... (835,819) 40,274
Net income (loss) per share basic and diluted ......... (.116) .007
Common stock outstanding:
basic ............................................... 7,207,145 5,433,211
diluted ............................................. 7,207,145 5,476,051
</TABLE>
Balance Sheet Data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1999
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As Adjusted(1) Actual December 31, 1998
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets ............................ $ 5,421,250 $ 621,250 $ 148,847
Working capital (deficiency) .............. 5,091,922 291,922 (410,934)
Short-term debt ........................... -- -- 54,753
Accumulated deficit ....................... (1,620,488) (1,620,488) (784,669)
Stockholders' equity (deficiency) ......... 5,417,774 617,774 (393,946)
Net tangible book value per share ......... .59 .033 (.08)
</TABLE>
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(1) As adjusted to reflect the sale of the 1,200,000 units offered hereby at an
assumed public offering price of $5.00 per unit, and our receipt of the
net proceeds from the sale of the units.
6
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our units involves a high degree of risk, and you should
only consider purchasing our units if you can afford to sustain the loss of
your entire investment. You should carefully consider the risks described below
and the other information before deciding to purchase any units.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We have not generated significant revenue, and are likely to continue to
generate losses. We have incurred operating losses since our organization and
we are likely continue to incur losses. We may never generate revenues
sufficient to allow us to operate profitably. For the year ended December 31,
1999, we had a net loss of $836,000, or $.116 per share (basic and diluted) on
revenue of $809,000. For the year ended December 31, 1998, we had a loss before
extraordinary item of $70,000 and net income of $40,000 on revenue of $576,000.
Our net income for 1998 reflects an extraordinary gain of $110,000, which
resulted from our eliminating debt in connection with a litigation settlement.
We require significant funds to continue our operations. At December 31,
1999, our working capital was $292,000, which was sufficient to meet only our
most immediate cash requirements. Unless we complete this offering or raise
substantial capital from another financing, we will not have sufficient cash
for our operations and we may have to suspend or reduce our operations. Our
auditors' report on our financial statement includes an explanatory paragraph
as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our revenue from advertising has been nominal and may never develop into a
significant source of revenue. The majority of our revenue has been generated
from registration fees paid by our citizens. We believe that our long-term
success is dependent upon our ability to generate revenue from advertising. To
be successful in this regard we will need to develop brand recognition and an
effective internal sales force. We do not believe that our present user base is
sufficient to attract significant advertising revenue. Furthermore, in order to
attract advertisers to our website, we must make the website attractive both
through marketing and the content we offer to the persons sought by desired
advertisers. If our marketing effort is not successful in generating brand
recognition for the Active Worlds name and increasing advertising revenue, our
business and financial positions would be impaired.
We may not be successful in marketing our technology for e-commerce
applications. To operate profitably we need to license our technology for use
as an integral component in e-commerce solutions for business, educational,
training, entertainment, leisure-time and other commercial applications. We
intend to do so through aggressive marketing campaigns online and using
traditional media to promote the use of our technology. If our marketing
efforts are unsuccessful, we will face difficult and costly choices in deciding
whether and how to redirect these efforts. If we are unable to develop a
successful licensing program, our business will be materially and adversely
affected. For additional information please refer to "Business -- Our
Technology".
Our failure to develop strategic relationships could inhibit our ability
to grow. We believe that, in order to market our technology, we need to enter
into strategic relationships with other businesses to develop commercial
applications of our technology directed at specific businesses. We do not
presently have any agreements relating to strategic relationships, we may never
enter into such agreements, and our failure to develop such relationships could
impair our ability to grow.
Because we are seeking to expand our business and have limited management
personnel, we may have difficulty in managing our growth. Our expenses,
particularly personnel expenses incurred in connection with hiring and training
new employees, have increased substantially. We expect these expenses to
continue to increase as we implement our marketing and research and development
programs. As a result, since our senior management is comprised only of our
chief executive and financial officers, our personnel, management systems and
resources are being strained, with no assurance that the implementation of our
programs will result in increased revenue. To manage our growth, we must
implement operational and financial systems and controls and recruit, train and
manage new employees, including executive, middle management and technical
personnel. We cannot be certain that we will be able to integrate new
executives and other employees into our organization effectively. If we do not
manage our growth effectively, our business, results of operations and
financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
7
<PAGE>
We may have difficulty hiring qualified employees with technical or sales
experience. There is significant competition for qualified employees in the
computer programming and Internet industries, and in the area of sales and we
have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring
and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. We
cannot be certain that we will be able to recruit and retain employees to meet
our technical staffing or sales needs.
We are dependent upon our key personnel. We are dependent upon the
services of J.P. McCormick, our chief financial officer, Richard F. Noll, our
president and Roland Villet, our lead programmer. The loss of any of these
persons' services would have a material adverse effect on our business and
future prospects. Although Mr. McCormick, Mr. Noll and Mr. Villet have entered
into employment agreements with us, the existence of employment agreements does
not guarantee their continued employment with us. For additional information,
please refer to "Management".
If our expenses exceed our expectation, we may require significant cash in
addition to the proceeds of this offering. We require the net proceeds from
this offering to fund our marketing and research and development programs as
well as our administrative infrastructure. To the extent that these expenses
exceed our expectations and we are unable to generate funds from our
operations, the net proceeds from this offering may not be sufficient to fund
our operations for the next twelve months. We may not be able to obtain
financing when we require it, and any financing may not be on terms which are
acceptable to us and may result in substantial dilution to our stockholders. If
we are unable to raise needed funds, we may have to reduce the scope of our
marketing and research and development activities, which would have a material
adverse effect upon our business and financial condition.
We may be unable to respond to the rapid technological change in our
industry. The computer and Internet industries are characterized by rapidly
changing technologies, frequent new product and service introductions and
evolving industry standards. Our future success will depend on our ability to
adapt to rapidly changing technologies by continually improving the
performance, features and reliability of our services, particularly with
respect to other companies in the virtual reality area. If three-dimensional
Internet standards evolve in a manner which is incompatible with our
technology, we may not be able to effectively market our technology. Other
software and hardware companies may have the market power to impose on the
marketplace an incompatible technology, and we may not have access to that
technology. Our failure to offer the most current or widely accepted
technologies could have a material adverse effect upon our business.
We may make acquisitions following completion of this offering without
informing stockholders or seeking their approval. Following this offering, we
may make acquisitions of other businesses. Although we anticipate that any
business we acquire will be related directly or indirectly to our present
business, it is possible that we may make acquisitions in one or more unrelated
businesses. Any acquisition may be made using a portion of the net proceeds of
this offering or with our securities or a combination of cash and securities.
At present, we are not engaged in formal or informal discussions with respect
to any acquisition. However, if we make an acquisition, we may not seek
stockholder approval or provide stockholders with any information concerning
the acquisition prior to the execution of an acquisition agreement.
Furthermore, we cannot assure you that any acquisitions which we may make will
be profitable.
Future acquisitions may disrupt or otherwise have a negative impact on our
business. If we make acquisitions, we could have difficulty integrating the
acquired company's personnel and operations with our own. Furthermore, even if
an acquisition is not completed, the negotiations relating to the acquisition
could disrupt our business, distract our management and employees, increase our
expenses and otherwise impair our operations and financial condition.
We do not have any patent protection for our software, and we may not be
able to protect our intellectual property rights. Although we have registered a
version of our source code with the United States Copyright Office, we have no
patents on our software products, and we rely primarily on our nondisclosure
agreements with our employees and others to whom we have provided technical
proprietary information for protection of our software code. We also rely on
licensed software products in our operations. However, the steps we have taken
may not protect our intellectual property rights, and it is possible that third
parties may infringe upon our proprietary rights.
8
<PAGE>
If our computer systems and software products are not year 2000 compliant,
our business could suffer. Although we have not incurred any significant
liability as a result of the change of the year to 2000, we may incur liability
if we discover problems in connection with the failure of our software or
software provided to us by our suppliers or used by users of our
three-dimensional environment to be Year 2000 compliant.
RISKS RELATED TO THE INTERNET
If businesses do not accept three-dimensional Internet websites as a
medium for advertising and e-commerce, our ability to generate revenue may be
limited. If we cannot demonstrate to both advertisers and businesses that our
three-dimensional technology is viable and desirable as a medium for
transacting business, our ability to generate revenue from both advertising and
licensing of our technology will be limited.
Our systems may fail or experience a slow down and our users depend upon
others for access to our website. Substantially all of our communications
hardware and some of our other computer hardware operations are located at our
headquarters in Newburyport, Massachusetts. We do not have a back-up computer
system. Fire, floods, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures,
break-ins and similar events could damage these systems. Any of these
occurrences could adversely affect our business. Our insurance policies may not
adequately compensate us for any losses that may occur due to any failures or
interruptions in our systems. Furthermore, if the response time of our website
is slow for some reason, users could abandon our website and cease in using our
products and services.
If we are unable to assure e-commerce vendors and users that we can
provide adequate security, our website may not be accepted. Our website is
vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, viruses or other problems that
affect websites and Internet communication and commerce generally. As
e-commerce becomes more prevalent, our customers may become more concerned
about security. The circumvention of our security measures may result in the
misappropriation of proprietary information, such as credit card information,
or interruptions of our operations. Any such security breaches could damage our
reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or liability.
Government regulation and legal uncertainties could add additional costs
to doing business on the Internet. There are currently few laws or regulations
that specifically regulate communications or commerce on the Internet. However,
in the future, laws and regulations may be adopted and existing laws and
regulations may be interpreted in a manner that address issues such as user
privacy, pricing, defamation, taxation and the characteristics and quality of
products and services which may have an adverse effect on the number of users
of our technology.
RISKS RELATING TO THE OFFERING
Our common stock price has been and is likely to be highly volatile. Our
common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. However, until January 1999,
there was no significant trading activity in our stock, and a regular and
established market may never be developed or maintained. In addition, we cannot
give you any assurance as to the liquidity of any market for the units or
common stock or the prices at which you may be able to sell units or common
stock. The market price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue
to be, highly volatile as the stock market in general, and the market for
Internet-related and technology companies in particular, has been highly
volatile. You may not be able to sell your units or shares of our common stock
following periods of volatility because of the market's adverse reaction to the
volatility. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of
a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been
instituted. Litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of
management's attention and resources. We cannot assure you that our stock will
trade at the same levels as other Internet stocks or that Internet stocks in
general will sustain their current market prices. Factors that could cause
volatility may include actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly
operating results, announcements of technological innovations, changes in
financial estimates by securities analysts, conditions or trends in the
Internet industry and changes in the market valuations of other Internet
companies.
The offering price of our units and the terms of the warrants were
arbitrarily determined. The initial public offering price and the composition
of the units and the exercise price and other terms of the warrants were
determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and does not
necessarily relate to our book value, net worth, financial condition or other
established criteria of value. There is presently no market for our units. We
cannot be sure that any active market for our Units will develop or be
maintained, nor can we assure you that you will be able to resell the Units in
the future.
9
<PAGE>
Because the common stock and warrants comprising the units will not be
immediately transferable or separable, you will not be able to sell your common
stock or warrants as separate securities. If you buy units, you may not be able
to deliver shares of common stock included as part of the units in connection
with any sale by you of our common stock until the shares of common stock and
warrants are separately tradable. The common stock and warrants will not be
tradable except as units for one year from the date of this prospectus or
earlier at the discretion of the representatives of the underwriters. The
separation of the common stock and warrants may have an adverse effect upon the
price of the common stock.
We are unlikely to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable
future. We have not paid any dividends on our common stock since our inception
and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We
plan to retain earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion of
our business.
By paying $5.00 per unit, you will incur immediate and substantial
dilution. On December 31, 1999, we had a net tangible book value of $.033 per
share of common stock. If you purchase units in this offering, you will sustain
a dilution in the net tangible book value per share of common stock of $4.41,
or 88.2% from the $5.00 initial public offering price of the units, without
allocating any value to the warrants.
The representatives of the underwriters may be a dominating influence on
the market for our units. A significant number of the units may be sold to
customers of the underwriters and, in particular, the representatives of the
underwriters. These customers may subsequently sell their units to and purchase
units from the representatives. Although they have no obligation to do so, the
representatives may become market makers and otherwise effect transactions in
the units or our common stock and, if they participate in making a market, they
may be a dominating influence in the trading of our securities. The prices and
the liquidity of the units and common stock may be significantly affected by
the degree, if any, of the participation of the representatives in these
markets, should a market develop.
If our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the
Boston Stock Exchange, it will be subject to the penny-stock rules, which may
impair the market and market price of our common stock. We are applying for the
listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the Boston Stock
Exchange. If our common stock is listed and does not meet Nasdaq's and the
Boston Stock Exchange's requirements for continued listing, our common stock
may be delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the Boston Stock Exchange.
If our common stock is not listed on either the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the
Boston Stock Exchange, our common stock will become subject to the Securities
and Exchange Commission's penny-stock rules, which impose additional sales
practice requirements on broker-dealers which sell our stock to persons other
than established customers and institutional accredited investors. The rules
may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock and may
affect your ability to sell any common stock you purchase either pursuant to
this prospectus or in the open market.
We have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering,
and you will have only limited information as to the manner in which we will
use the proceeds. The net proceeds of this offering are allocated to working
capital purposes, including marketing and research and development. Management
will have broad discretion with respect to the expenditure of the net proceeds
of this offering. If you purchase units in this offering, you will be
entrusting your funds to our management, upon whose judgment you must depend,
with only limited information concerning our specific plans or intentions.
Furthermore, circumstances may change which may result in a reallocation of our
intended use of proceeds.
Our stock price may be affected by shares of common stock becoming
available for public sale. We estimate that the public float for our common
stock presently consists of approximately 1,666,666 shares of common stock.
This number includes 1,333,333 shares which were issued in private placements
in January 1999 and may be sold subject to the volume limitations under Rule
144 commencing ninety days from the date of this prospectus until January 2001,
at which time they may be sold without limitation. In addition, the 105,597
shares of common stock sold in a private placement in June 1999 may be sold
pursuant to Rule 144 commencing ninety days from the date of this prospectus.
The shares of common stock issued as part of the units may not be sold or
otherwise transferred except as part of a unit for one year from the date of
this prospectus, or earlier in the discretion of the underwriters. A total of
537,092 of the remaining shares of
10
<PAGE>
common stock will become eligible for sale under Rule 144 the earlier of ninety
days following the effective date of this offering or the date upon which we
become a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act, subject to the
Rule 144 volume limitations. Our officers, directors and 5% stockholders have
agreed not to sell an additional 5,011,718 shares publicly without the consent
of the representatives of the underwriters for six months from the date of this
prospectus. The availability of a significant number of shares of common stock
for public sale could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and
could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity
securities.
We may issue preferred stock without approval of our stockholders which
could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us and depress our
stock price. We have the authority to issue preferred stock without a vote of
our stockholders. In the future, our board of directors may issue one or more
series of preferred stock that has more than one vote per share or which give
the holders other preferential rights which may dilute or impair the rights of
the holders of common stock. This could permit our board of directors to issue
such stock to investors who support our management and give effective control
of our business to our management. Furthermore, under some circumstances
issuing preferred stock may violate the rules of the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
which could result in our common stock being delisted from that market. The
delisting of our common stock from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market could result in
both a drop in the stock price and decline in interest in our stock which could
make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.
We are controlled by our management which means that management can
prevent a third party from acquiring us even if an acquisition is in the best
interest of our stockholders. Upon completion of this offering, Mr. Richard F.
Noll, our president and chief executive officer, and Mr. J.P. McCormick, our
chairman of the board and chief financial officer, together will own
approximately 60% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, they may be
able to exercise control over all matters requiring stockholder approval,
including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate
transactions. Their voting control could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change of control which might benefit our stockholders. In
addition, Mr. Noll and Mr. McCormick were our only directors prior to November
1999. As a result, all actions taken by or ratified by our board of directors
during that period have been approved solely by Mr. Noll and Mr. McCormick.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that address, among
other things, our expectations with respect to the development of our business
and the market for three-dimensional technology for the Internet. In addition
to these statements, trend analysis and other information including words such
as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and
other similar expressions are forward looking statements. These statements may
be found in the sections of this prospectus entitled "Risk Factors,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Business." Some or all of the results anticipated by the
forward-looking statements will not occur as a result of various factors
including, but not limited to, all of the risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this prospectus.
DILUTION
The net tangible book value of our common stock at December 31, 1999 was
approximately $.033 per share. Net tangible book value represents the amount of
our tangible assets reduced by the amount of our liabilities. Without taking
into effect any change in our net tangible book value after December 31, 1999
other than as a result of the sale of the 1,200,000 shares of common stock
included in the units, after deducting fees and other estimated expenses of the
offering and ascribing no value to the warrants, our net tangible book value as
of December 31, 1999, would have been approximately $0.59 per share. This
amount represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value per share of
approximately $.557 to the present stockholders and an immediate dilution per
share of approximately $4.41 to the purchasers of the units. The dilution
represents the difference between the offering price per unit and the net
tangible book value per share after the offering.
11
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the dilution of one share of common stock
as of December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Offering price per share of common stock ................................ $ 5.00
Net tangible book value per share at December 31, 1999 .................. $ 0.033
Increase per share attributable to sale of the units offered hereby ..... $ 0.557
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after offering .............. $ 0.59
Dilution to public investors ............................................ $ 4.41
</TABLE>
If the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full, the pro
forma net tangible book value would be $0.671 per share of common stock,
resulting in an increase in the net tangible book value per share of $0.638 and
dilution to the public investors of $4.329 per share.
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK; DIVIDENDS
Our common stock has been traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the
symbol AWLD since January 22, 1999. From January 13, 1996 until January 21,
1999, our common stock was included in the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
VANG. During that period, our business was the business of Vanguard
Enterprises. The National Quotation Bureau, Inc. advised us that there was no
trading in the common stock during the period from January 1, 1997 until
January 14, 1999.
The high and low closing prices for our common stock since January 1, 1997
are as set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period High Low
- ------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1999:
First Quarter (January 15 through January 21) ......... $ 6.00 $0.75
First Quarter (from January 22) ....................... $13.875 $6.00
Second Quarter ........................................ $12.5625 $6.9375
Third Quarter ......................................... $ 8.71875 $4.6875
Fourth Quarter ........................................ $ 6.375 $6.00
2000:
First Quarter (through March 9) ....................... $ 6.00 $5.0625
</TABLE>
The closing price for our common stock on March 9, 2000 was $ 5.2969 per
share. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up,
mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. These prices
have been adjusted from the actual prices for such periods to reflect the 2 for
3 reverse stock split which will take place on the effective date of this
registration statement.
As of March 9, 2000, we believe that there were approximately 69 record
holders of our common stock.
We have paid no dividends on our common stock since inception, and we do
not expect to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the 1,200,000 units in
this offering will be approximately $4.8 million, based on an estimated initial
public offering price per unit of $5.00 per unit. Net proceeds are determined
after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated
offering expenses payable by us.
Net Proceeds Percent of Total
------------ ----------------
Marketing $3,000,000 63%
Research and Development $1,300,000 27%
Working Capital $ 500,000 10%
---------- ----
Total $4,800,000 100%
Marketing. We intend to retain the services of an outside marketing firm to
develop an effective marketing program. We will then utilize proceeds from the
offering to implement the plan developed by this firm, which will likely include
our purchasing various media exposure.
Research and Development. We intend to engage in additional research and
development activities so as to enhance our three-dimensional environment and
our website. We may also work with third parties or purchase content from third
parties for this purpose.
Working Capital. We intend to utilize a portion of the offering proceeds to
purchase or lease additional computers and other equipment.
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<PAGE>
The above allocations represent our best estimate based upon our current
plans. Our management will have broad discretion in allocating the proceeds.
Our ability to hire the necessary marketing personnel as well as the success of
our marketing program and competitive technological developments, among other
reasons, may affect the money available or required for our marketing program.
Similarly, the amount we spend on research and development is based both on our
hiring the personnel to perform research and development and the success of our
research and development program. We may reallocate the net proceeds either
among the categories listed above or to uses not presently contemplated. Such
reallocation will be based upon a number of factors, including future revenue
growth, the cash generated or used by our operations and the progress of our
marketing and research and development efforts. Any reallocation will be
determined by us, in our sole discretion.
Although we are not contemplating any acquisitions at this time, we may
use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to acquire other businesses
or software. Acquisition candidates may include other companies that would help
us expand our business in the area of three-dimensional Internet environments,
however, we may also acquire companies or businesses in other industries if we
are unable to develop our current business.
To the extent that the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option,
the net proceeds from the sale of these additional shares will be used for
working capital and other corporate purposes.
We believe the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to fund
our operations for at least the next twelve months, although it is possible
that we may require additional funds during the next twelve months if our
marketing program is not successful.
Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to
invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing investment grade
securities, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, or direct or
guaranteed obligations of the United States government.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 1999,
and as adjusted to reflect our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of the
1,200,000 units in this offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1999
Actual As Adjusted
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, 500,000 shares authorized,
none issued or outstanding .......................................... -- --
Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized,
7,342,762 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1999,
8,542,762 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted ................ 7,343 8,543
Additional paid-in capital ........................................... 2,237,419 7,036,219
Note receivable for shares ........................................... (6,500) (6,500)
Accumulated deficit .................................................. (1,620,488) (1,620,488)
Total stockholders' equity ........................................... 617,774 5,417,774
</TABLE>
The number of shares of common stock outstanding prior to and after this
offering does not include 3,189,225 shares of common stock which we may issue
as follows:
o 913,332 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options which are either
outstanding (including 246,667 options granted to directors outside of our
1999 stock plan) or which we may grant pursuant to our 1999 long-term
incentive plan;
o 475,893 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants;
o 1,200,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants included in the units
offered by this prospectus;
o 360,000 shares issuable as part of the units issuable upon exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option and the underlying warrants; and
o 240,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters unit purchase
option and the underlying warrants.
For information relating to our long-term lease obligations, see "Business
- -- Property" and Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
13
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Set forth below is selected financial data with respect to the year ended
December 31, 1999 and the year ended December 31, 1998. The selected statement
of operations information for 1999 and 1998 and the selected balance sheet
information for 1999 and 1998 has been derived from our audited financial
statements, which appear elsewhere in this prospectus.
Statement of Operations Data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues ................................. $ 808,933 $ 576,163
(Loss) from operations ................... (860,289) (69,533)
(Loss) before extraordinary item ......... (835,819) (69,533)
Extraordinary gain ....................... -- 109,807
Net income (loss) ........................ (835,819) 40,274
Net income (loss) per share:
basic and diluted ....................... (.116) .007
Common stock outstanding:
basic ................................... 7,207,145 5,433,211
diluted ................................. 7,207,145 5,476,051
</TABLE>
Balance Sheet Data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets ............................. 621,250 148,847
Working capital (deficiency) ............... 291,922 (410,934)
Short-term debt ............................ -- 54,753
Accumulated deficit ........................ (1,620,488) (784,669)
Stockholders' equity (deficiency) .......... 617,774 (393,946)
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
Our principal source of revenue to date has been from the license of our
uniservers and galaxervers. We also generate revenue from the annual $19.95
registration fee, which is paid by our users who become citizens, and from
technical support services which we offer to our licensees. Revenue from
advertising has been nominal. We recognize revenue from licenses when the
license is granted. We recognize revenue from membership fees ratably over the
periods the memberships are in effect.
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 1999 increased approximately 40%,
to $809,000 from $576,000 in the year ended December 31, 1998. This increase
resulted from an increase in licensing of our uniservers and galaxervers.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses in the year ended
December 31, 1999 increased approximately 182% to $1,288,000 from $456,000 in
1998. This increase resulted principally from approximately $550,000 of
professional fees, consisting primarily of investor and public relations
expenses and legal and accounting expenses we incurred in connection with the
Circle of Fire Acquisition, as well as additional expenses resulting from our
status as a public company. Our selling, general and administrative expenses
for 1999 also included approximately $202,000 from the issuance of options and
warrants as compensation for services. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses also reflected an increase in executive compensation
and increased payroll expenses generally as we increased our staff. Prior to
1999, we did not pay any compensation to Mr. J.P. McCormick, our chairman and
chief financial officer, or Mr. Richard F. Noll, our president and chief
executive officer. However, we accrued compensation to each of them at the
annual rate of $50,000 in 1998. Since we had no obligation to pay this
compensation, the amount of the compensation is treated as an increase to
additional paid-in capital. Since January 1, 1999, we paid each of Messrs.
McCormick and Noll a salary at the annual rate of $140,000.
Research and development expenses in the year ended December 31, 1999
increased 101% to $381,000 from $190,000 in 1998. This increase reflected an
expansion of our research and development activities to enhance our technology
and the development effort relating to our new browser, which we introduced in
the spring of 1999.
Interest income of $24,000 in 1999 resulted from the investment of
proceeds of our January 1999 private placement. We have a net operating loss
carry forward in the amount of $1,221,000 as of December 31, 1999, which may be
used to reduce our income taxes in the future if we recognize a profit. We
cannot assure you we will make a profit.
As a result of the foregoing, we sustained a net loss of $836,000, or
$.116 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 1999, as
compared with a net income of $40,000, or $.007 per share (basic and diluted),
for 1998.
During 1997, we entered into an agreement with two former
employee-stockholders settling claims asserted by those individuals against us.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we agreed to pay the claimants $500,000,
of which $385,000 was outstanding at December 31, 1998. The $500,000 settlement
was expensed in 1997. The settlement involved a repurchase of shares of the two
employee-stockholders and our grant to them of a security interest in certain
of our technology. In 1998, we brought an action in the United States District
Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking a declaratory judgment
concerning the scope of the security interest, and the two
employee-stockholders filed counterclaims. In one of these counterclaims, they
alleged that we had committed securities fraud due to our failure to disclose
an existing security interest in the technology when we repurchased their
shares as part of the 1997 settlement. In settlement of the litigation, the two
former employee-stockholders accepted a reduction in the amount due to them and
all claims between the parties were dismissed with prejudice. The reduction in
the payments due by us in 1998 is reflected as an extraordinary gain from the
extinguishment of debt relating the prior litigation settlement.
As a result of the $110,000 extraordinary gain resulting from the
extinguishment of debt related to the 1998 litigation settlement, our net
income for 1998 was $40,000, or $.007 per share (basic and diluted).
15
<PAGE>
Financial Condition
At December 31, 1999, we had working capital of $292,000, which included
cash of $481,000. The working capital reflected the remaining cash from the
January and June 1999 private placements, from which we received aggregate net
proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. We used the net proceeds from both
private placements for working capital, including a payment of $275,000 to
settle the litigation with the two former employee-stockholders. We have no
bank or credit facilities, and the private placements have been our sole source
of funds for operations. During the year ended December 31, 1999, we used
$735,000 for our operations. Our cash balances represent substantially our only
current asset. At December 31, 1999, our accounts receivable were $83,000. At
December 31, 1999, our working capital was sufficient to meet only our most
immediate cash requirements, and unless we complete this offering or raise
sufficient funds from another financing, we will not have sufficient cash for
our operations and we may have to suspend or reduce our operations. Our
auditors' report on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph
as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our principal cash requirements are for working capital, principally to
develop and implement an expanded marketing plan, research and development and
for our administrative infrastructure. We believe that the net proceeds from
the sale of the units in this offering will be sufficient to meet our
anticipated cash requirements for our operations for at least the twelve months
following this offering. However, to the extent that our marketing program is
not successful and these expenses exceed our expectations and we are unable to
generate cash flow from our operations, we may require additional funding
during the next twelve months. We may not be able to obtain financing when we
require it, and any financing may not be on terms which are acceptable to us
and may result in substantial dilution to our stockholders. If we are unable to
raise needed funds, we may have to reduce the scope or our marketing and
development activities, which would have a material adverse effect upon our
business and financial condition.
We may also acquire other businesses or software, including other
companies that would help us expand our business in the area of the
three-dimensional Internet environments. However, we may acquire companies or
businesses in other industries if we are unable to develop our present
business. To the extent that we make any acquisition, we may require additional
funds to be used for the purchase price in the acquisitions, to integrate the
acquired business with our existing business and to fund the operations of the
combined businesses. In addition, we may incur expenses negotiating
acquisitions which are not consummated.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS No. 130), which establishes standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the
financial statements. SFAS No. 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 130 offers alternatives for presentation of
disclosures required by the standard. The adoption of SFAS No. 130 had no
impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows, as the
amount of comprehensive income (loss) is the same as the net income (loss) for
all periods presented.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information (SFAS No. 131), which establishes standards for
reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements.
It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and
services, geographic areas and major customers. SFAS No. 131 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The adoption of SFAS No. 131
had no impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In February 1998, the FASB issued Employers' Disclosures about Pension and
Other Post Retirement Benefits (SFAS No. 132), which revises employers'
disclosures about pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 132
does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans. SFAS No. 132 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The adoption of
SFAS No. 132 did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial
position or cash flows since we do not have any pension or post retirement
benefit plans.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging
Activities (SFAS 133) which establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities.
SFAS No. 133 is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2000. As we do not currently engage or plan to engage in
derivative or hedging activities, there will be no impact to our results of
operations, financial position or cash flows upon the adoption of this
standard.
16
<PAGE>
BUSINESS
Our Business
We develop and license software products for use on the Internet which:
o enable us to create three-dimensional virtual environments, which we call
worlds, to which any visitor to our website can obtain access;
o permit licensees of our world server to create their own worlds, either
on our uniserver or their own uniserver or galaxerver, on which they can
control the content and access;
o allow visitors to our website to enter, move about in and interact with
others in a computer-generated, three-dimensional virtual environment; and
o enable us to act as an application service provider and permit users to
license our technology for integration into their web applications, which
may be hosted on our server.
We also offer licensees of our world server technical services to assist
them in the development of their worlds or to develop their worlds for them.
Unlike a two-dimensional environment which permits movement on a computer
screen only along horizontal and vertical axes (up, down, left and right), a
three-dimensional virtual environment also enables users to move forward and
backward.
We generally grant our world server licensees a non-exclusive right to use
our uniserver or galaxerver software, which comes with the right to receive any
upgrades for a one-year period. Our galaxerver is similar to our uniserver but,
unlike the uniserver, which can support a large number of worlds, the
galaxerver only supports one world. Our world server licensees can develop
their own worlds or they can engage us to develop their worlds for them or
assist them in the development of their world. Our world server enables our
licensees to create unique three-dimensional objects for use in their worlds
and to impose limitations on both the nature of the structures which may be
created and the users who may either visit the world or create structures on
the world.
Those world server licensees whose worlds are supported by our uniserver
can place restrictions on those persons who may have access to their worlds or
they may permit any users to visit their world. For example, a university
licensee could restrict access to its world to its students. Our licensees may
name their worlds and control the content of their worlds. We do not constantly
monitor the content of worlds created by our licensees, but we do have access
to all worlds which reside on our uniserver and monitor the worlds from time to
time. As of December 31, 1999, there were approximately 1,000 worlds supported
by our uniserver, of which ten worlds are our worlds and the remaining worlds
were created by our users or licensees. Approximately 600 of these worlds are
running at any one time.
The Market for Three-Dimensional Technology
The substantial growth of the Internet is well known. The growth of the
Internet has been accompanied by a range of applications designed to facilitate
both business and personal communications. We believe the three-dimensional
multi-user Internet market is a rapidly growing market and a natural evolution
of the development of Internet communities. At present, a typical website uses
two-dimensional web pages and book-style interfaces, which require the visitor
to click to turn pages of a virtual book. We believe that the next stages of
development will include three-dimensional interactive environments, which
permit visitors to move about in the environment and interact with other users.
We believe that three-dimensional technology has a wide variety of
applications, including the following:
o The entertainment industry, which can use three-dimensional technology to
offer virtual settings that allow the user to interact with both the
environment and other visitors. We have created virtual worlds for the
feature films Godzilla and The 13th Floor. For The 13th Floor, we created
a virtual world that was used to launch a virtual premiere of the movie
which was attended by the virtual renditions of stars of the movie and
other well-known actors.
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<PAGE>
o The education industry, which can use three-dimensional technology as
part of course material. The University of Colorado used our technology to
develop a world which shows a three-dimensional representation of the
inside of a computer. This world is used as part of the university's
course material. We are dedicating a uniserver to worlds which are to be
developed for schools and universities.
o Distance learning, which can use our technology for training purposes. We
created for Earthweb a world to provide on-line training, including
information technology training.
o E-commerce, where our technology can be used to develop and implement an
electronic storefront in which visitors can interact and move about in a
manner similar to a retail store.
o Three-dimensional communities, such as our Alpha World, the most popular
world served by our uniserver. We have developed these communities, in
which citizens and tourists can build structures, move about and
communicate with each other. The presence of any visitor is shown by his
or her physical representation known as an avatar. For more information
concerning our worlds, see "Business -- The Active Worlds Worlds."
o Chat rooms, in which thousands of users can interact and chat with each
in the same shared virtual space. The chat rooms can be part of a
three-dimensional community or can be in separate worlds dedicated solely
to chat. In addition to the text messages common to two-dimensional chat
room, the three-dimensional capability permits visitors to see, move
around, and interact with another visitor through their avatars. The
three-dimensional capabilities include the ability of a citizen to develop
an avatar with his or her picture.
The Active Worlds Worlds
A world is a defined segment of our virtual environment. On our uniserver,
we maintain our own worlds as well as worlds that are developed by our
licensees or by us pursuant to agreements with our licensees. The licensee may
restrict access to its world. Visitors can obtain access to our worlds by
visiting our website, www.activeworlds.com, downloading our browser at no
charge, and using the browser to visit one or more worlds that are maintained
on our uniserver and which are not owned by licensees which restrict access.
Our licensees may develop their worlds which are independent of our uniserver.
Once in one of our worlds, users can create virtual three-dimensional
structures, such as buildings, using our library of more than 3,000 computer
objects and textures. The design and texture of each world reflects the theme
of that world. The theme of a world is reflected in the particular type of
building objects that visitors can use to create structures. Thus, for example,
Mars world and Atlantis have themes and building materials that are consistent
with our vision of a world on Mars and an undersea world. Similarly, the user's
avatar, which is user's physical representation in the world, may vary from
world to world.
Any person who downloads our browser can visit our worlds and the worlds
of those of our licensees that permit access. A visitor may be a citizen, who
pays an annual fee, which is presently $19.95, or a tourist, who does not make
any payment. Any user can create a three-dimensional structure in our worlds,
however, the structures created by citizens are permanent. While we have the
ability and right to take down a structure created by a citizen who lets his or
her citizenship lapse, it has not been our practice to do so. If a tourist
constructs a structure in one of our worlds, a citizen can claim the space on
which the tourist's structure is situated and construct his or her own
structures. Our uniserver identifies those structures that are constructed by
citizens and those that are constructed by tourists. All users can add picture,
sound, music and information to their virtual structures through direct links
to anywhere on the Internet.
We operate one uniserver, which currently has a base of over 1,000,000
users. This Uniserver receives more than 1,000,000 hits per day, with each hit
representing an incidence of access to one of our ten company created worlds
such as downloading of building objects. Our primary method of delivering our
browser 2.2 is through the Internet.
When a user visits any of our worlds, his or her presence is immediately
indicated by his or her avatar and the user is greeted by his or her screen
name. Citizens can create avatars from a range of formats, while
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the avatar of a tourist is limited to two forms which identify the visitor as a
tourist. The avatar's position is shown on the world which the user is
visiting. Other users in the same section of the world can see and converse
with any user who is in the area at the same time. At present, communication is
made through text messages which appear on each visitor's screen. Our server
identifies, by screen name, each person within the area of vision. The avatars
can be viewed from different angles and positions, including a view from above
or from the eyes of user's avatar.
Our worlds are under constant development by both citizens and tourists.
By creating an object on an empty piece of land, a visitor can stake a claim to
cyberspace. Our library of thousands of building objects contains the necessary
materials for constructing a home, store, convention center, car, maze or any
other kind of building or structure. Citizens, but not tourists, can customize
their buildings with signs of all shapes and sizes. Visitors have placed more
than 40 million virtual objects and structures in AlphaWorld, our most popular
world, and they have created virtual towns and cities, complete with traffic
signs, community artwork and parkland, in which visitors (through their
avatars) can stroll, explore and interact with other users. In one of these
structures, users have created a portrait gallery in which citizens have placed
pictures of themselves and others.
Citizens also have the ability to construct a transport, which, when
touched, moves a visitor to another destination in the same world, a different
world or another location on the Internet. We call the ability to transport
users in this manner teleporting.
Our worlds can have a commercial or non-commercial theme. Our most popular
world is AlphaWorld, a community which consists of virtual real estate on which
visitors can create virtual structures from our library of more than 3,000
computer objects and textures. As of December 31, 1999, users had placed more
than 30 million building blocks on AlphaWorld. Other worlds are based on
specific themes or commercial applications, which are selected either by us or
by our licensees. These other worlds include:
o Theme Worlds, with themes such as underwater themes or space themes, in
which users can construct structures appropriate to those environments.
o @mart, which is a virtual shopping mall.
o Movie and entertainment worlds, such as The 13th Floor and Godzilla,
which we created for Centropolis Studios, a division of Columbia pictures.
These worlds reproduce selected aspects of the movies.
o Educational worlds, such as the University of Colorado's virtual
computer, which is a three-dimensional representation of the inside of a
computer and is used as part of the course material for the university's
business school.
o Business worlds, such as Earthweb's e-learning expo world. We created
this world for Earthweb to provide interactive on-line training in various
subjects, including information technology training.
o Game worlds, such as awbingo, which we developed to use artificial
intelligence capabilities for games such as bingo.
Our Objective
Our objective is to be the industry leader in three-dimensional Internet
technology platforms by:
o Enhancing and further developing the Active Worlds software and
technology.
o Providing services to three-dimensional Internet virtual environments.
o Licensing our technology to businesses who may want to develop one or
more unique worlds as part of their e-commerce strategy, which may be used
either for their internal use or for visits by the general public.
o Affording advertisers the ability to offer three-dimensional Internet
interactive advertising.
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o Developing three-dimensional e-commerce solutions for businesses seeking
to sell goods and services throughout the Internet.
o Offering users a community in which they can create virtual structures,
move about and communicate with other users.
Our Strategy
We intend to seek to meet our objective by:
Licensing our technology to businesses
As three-dimensional Internet technology becomes more accepted, we intend
to market licenses to our uniserver and galaxerver software and our technical
services to businesses. In order to achieve this goal, we intend to expand
substantially our marketing effort directed at these businesses. As part of
this marketing effort, we will seek to develop strategic relationships with
businesses to develop commercial applications aimed at specific market
segments.
These relationships could take a number of forms and may involve the grant
of an exclusive or semi-exclusive license for a specific market or application.
These relationships may also involve a revenue-sharing arrangement and may
provide us with additional development revenue.
As part of this strategy, we are expanding our educational programs to
include a new uniserver dedicated to education. We are designing this universe,
which we call Education Universe, to enable schools, universities and
non-profit educational groups to explore the potential of learning through
three-dimensional worlds based on our technology.
Expanding our user base
We intend to develop a marketing program aimed at potential visitors to
our website by seeking to create awareness of the Activeworlds.com name and
website by promoting the website through traditional advertising media. In this
manner, we intend to create additional worlds and provide more content on the
website. We believe that in order to generate revenue from advertising and
e-commerce on our website, we must increase the number of members who visit the
website and remain on the website for an extended period. We believe that more
than 1,000,000 users have accessed our website and that in a typical day there
are more than 1,000,000 hits to the three-dimensional website. We consider a
user to have accessed our website if the user has downloaded our browser and
used the browser to visit the website. We do not believe that this number is
sufficiently large to attract advertisers and e-commerce vendors to our
website. Accordingly, we believe that increasing our user base is critical to
our ability to generate revenue from advertising and e-commerce.
Marketing our website as a site for advertising
We intend to make our worlds attractive locations for both advertising and
e-commerce. We have developed a virtual mall, @mart, at which more than 100
companies have virtual stores. We intend to expand our effort to attract
e-commerce and advertising to our three-dimensional environment by seeking to
increase the number of virtual malls located at @mart, as well as market
separate worlds dedicated to products and services offered by one company.
Although we do not anticipate that revenue from @mart will represent a material
portion of our revenue, @mart is important for demonstrating to businesses the
application of our technology in an e-commerce environment and providing
three-dimensional content for visitors to our website.
We believe that we can make our worlds more attractive to advertising by:
o Increasing our user base to show sufficient interest in our worlds.
o Demonstrating the benefits which three-dimensional technology can offer
both advertisers and businesses, both in terms of visual effects and
technological features.
o Implementing an extensive advertising campaign, using print, radio and
television and the Internet.
o Implementing an extensive public relations effort involving speaking
tours with various news agencies.
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Our Technology
The key element to our three-dimensional environment is our proprietary
uniserver software which stores subscriber information, permits world servers
to operate and enable:
o the creation of three-dimensional worlds;
o the communication of physical characteristics of three-dimensional
objects in each world, so that a visitor to any world served by the
uniserver can see the structures in the world, move about in the world and
create new structures;
o the ability to locate structures and other users throughout the world,
o the transmission of messages among users to the world, and
o the transfer of information and files between any place on the Internet
and a specific location on a world.
The uniserver can operate on Unix, Linux or Windows 95, 98 or NT
platforms. Our galaxerver is similar to the uniserver except that unlike the
uniserver, which supports a large number of worlds, the galaxerver only
supports one world.
We developed our proprietary three-dimensional browser, Active Worlds
Browser 2.2, which can be downloaded without charge. Users cannot access our
three-dimensional environment without the browser. The browser is a Windows
98/NT-based software product which allows users to:
o experience shared multi-user, multimedia and three-dimensional
environments in any of the worlds which are publicly accessible in our
universe.
o develop and build virtual structures in our worlds.
o access and display picture, sound or music files from anywhere on the
Internet.
o converse with other users by text-based chat, which can be directed to
everyone who is currently visiting the world or conducted through private
conversations through messaging to a specific user.
o interface and integrate with two-dimensional Internet browsers, by
permitting the three-dimensional window for Active Worlds to run side by
side with a two-dimensional web page, which enables users to use all
Internet-based technologies, including ActiveX and Java.
o move between worlds in our universe and websites outside our universe.
o automatically update our software.
o visit @mart, our three-dimensional virtual mall, which is designed to
resemble a modern shopping mall where a variety of vendors offer both
traditional and Internet products and services.
o register for citizen status.
Our platform offers true color graphics, with 16 million colors, frame
rates which could be in the range of ten to thirty frames a second and 16 bit
sound. Using the browser, a visitor can see and interact with other visitors
and the virtual environment. Our platform can accommodate thousands of
simultaneous users.
Using our software, servers and authoring tools, users can communicate,
play games, conduct business and otherwise interact "face-to-face" in our
shared three-dimensional worlds on the Internet.
Marketing and Sales
Since Active Worlds is an Internet-based platform, the potential market
for our products is global. Our present marketing effort is directed at:
o Businesses and educational institutions, to which we are seeking to
license our technology and assist them to develop three-dimensional
applications to meet their specific needs.
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o Users, who we are trying to attract to our website by providing
interesting content and access to our technology.
o Advertisers, to whom we are trying to demonstrate a user base which meets
their demographic requirements.
o Educational and non-profit institutions through Education Universe.
In seeking to address the needs of businesses and educational
institutions, we license our uniserver and galaxerver technology to others to
allow our licensees to establish their own three-dimensional universe, which
can be either on our uniserver or independent of our uniserver.
We have licensed uniservers to The Boeing Company, Carlsberg, A.S.,
Centropolis Studios, Philips Multimedia, NASA and an agency of the United
States Government, among others. Some of our world server licensees include
Scandinavia Online, A.S., the Canadian Ministry of Education, the University of
Colorado, the University of London, Telecom PTT Switzerland and the Amsterdam
Stock Exchange.
In April 1998, we entered into an agreement with the Tech Museum in San
Jose, California, to sell them our products and services which resulted in the
development of the first stage of its Internet Cafe project focusing on the
Active Worlds platform. The museum dedicated a whole section comprised of
twelve computers to showcase Active Worlds as a computer technology advance.
In October 1999, we entered into an agreement with Advanced Shopping
Centre Management Pty. Limited, an Australian company, pursuant to which we
agreed to develop for Advanced Shopping Centre a virtual mall prototype which
is suitable for applications for property developers, managers of retail
shopping malls and retail merchants. The agreement contemplates the development
of enhancements to our present software products and the grant to Advanced
Shopping Centre of a four-year exclusive license to these enhancements. For
developing the enhancements we will receive fees of between $1.0 million and
$1.5 million, payable in installments, based on a delivery schedule and
acceptance testing. We received the initial payment of $150,000 on December 19,
1999.
We distribute a monthly newsletter, which we deliver by e-mail. This
newsletter describes developments in our program.
We presently rely on third party marketing and advertising agencies to
market our website and our other services both domestically and
internationally. We use third parties to market our software and related
products in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Spain, Germany, France, Korea,
Brazil, Taiwan and Russia. Our international distributors have developed
foreign language versions of our browser and have performed limited marketing
activities. Our revenue from software sold through these distributors has not
been significant.
We have marketing arrangements with two companies, neither of which has
generated significant revenue to date. In March 1997, we entered into an
agreement with Scandinavia Online SA, the largest Internet service provider in
Scandinavia, pursuant to which we gave Scandinavia Online a five-year exclusive
distribution right to our browser in Scandinavia. Scandinavia Online has
recently assigned distribution rights to Kilos AS, a Scandinavian-based
company. Scandinavia Online is a holder of shares of our common stock.
Our universe includes @mart, our virtual shopping mall. As of December 31,
1999, there were approximately 100 vendors offering products and services,
which included books, compact disks, clothes, tickets and computer products.
Approximately half of these vendors operate through affiliated merchant
programs and we receive a small percentage of any revenue derived from sales
made through our @mart link. The other vendors have no obligation to make any
payment to us, and they do not pay a fee to us at this time. To date, our
revenue from goods and services sold through @mart has not been significant,
and we do not anticipate that this revenue will be significant. Pursuant to our
agreement with Advanced Shopping Centre, we agreed that we will not directly
operate any virtual mall except @mart.
Competition
All aspects of the Internet market are new, rapidly evolving and intensely
competitive, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. Barriers to
entry are low, and current and new competitors can easily
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launch new websites at a relatively low cost using commercially-available
software. Our present competitors include nationally-known companies, including
Microsoft, that have expertise in computer and Internet technology, and a
number of other small companies, including those that serve specialty markets.
Other major companies have the financial and technical ability to compete
aggressively in the market for three-dimensional software products on the
Internet. Many, if not all, of these companies have longer operating histories,
larger customer bases, greater brand recognition in other business and Internet
markets and significantly greater financial, marketing, technical and other
resources than we have. Competitive pressures created by any one of these
companies, or by our competitors collectively, could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and we
can give no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against
current and future competitors.
In addition, other major software developers have the capability both to
develop three-dimensional software products, to market their products through
strong distribution channels and to package their software with other popular
products. To the extent that a significant market develops for
three-dimensional software, we anticipate that major software, computer and
Internet companies will develop competitive products. All of these companies
are better known than we are, and they have significantly greater resources. In
addition, competitive products may be under development by major software,
computer and Internet company of which we are unaware.
We believe that the market for three-dimensional interactive Internet
technologies is growing due to an increasing demand for interpersonal
interaction among Internet users, along with an exploding interest in
Internet-based applications generally. We also believe that the
three-dimensional aspects of our environment is a departure from most Internet
applications, which are two-dimensional and is a more aesthetically pleasing
manner of using the Internet. We believe that Active Worlds' robust
architecture, ease of use, speed, reliability and scalability have attracted
and will continue to attract users worldwide.
Companies, in addition to Microsoft, which offer three-dimensional
Internet technology include Blaxxun (formerly Black Sun Interactive), OZ
Interactive, Electric Communities (which merged with Onlive Technologies and
The Palace) and Platinum Technology.
Since the three-dimensional market is an emerging market, it is possible
that business may standardize on a technology which is not compatible with our
technology, and major software and hardware companies may have the market power
to impose on the marketplace an incompatible technology, and we may not have
access to that technology. If we cannot offer products that meet this standard,
whether imposed by a government agency or resulting from commercial
preferences, our business will suffer.
We believe that, at present, we may have a competitive advantage over our
competition in four fundamental areas:
o We use world wide web standards for the three-dimensional components that
make up our technology, and our technology permits the integration of
standard Internet protocols.
o We believe that our browser has smarter architecture and a more robust
engine than our competitors. The software upgrades itself automatically
upon entrance into the environment, making the upgrade process seamless.
o Users can integrate a two-dimensional browser within our browser to
provide a simultaneous two-dimensional and three-dimensional Internet
experience.
o Each environment is unique and multimedia enriched, offering the user an
almost unlimited combination of audio, video and graphical content
options.
Significant Customers
During each of 1999 and 1998, only one client accounted for 5% or more of
our revenue. In 1999, revenue from Advanced Shopping Centre Management Pty.
Limited amounted to $210,000 for the development and construction of a
prototype virtual shopping mall for them which amounted to approximately 26% of
our revenue for that year. During 1998, our largest customer was The Tech
Museum in San Jose,
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which purchased a special browser for $48,000, or 8.3% of revenue. In 1997, our
largest customer was Philips Multimedia, which generated revenue of $250,000,
or 59.6% of revenue, from a one-year license to use our source code and a
uniserver and a noncommercial research license. We also assisted Philips
Multimedia on its development of a website that provides an aerial view of
Alpha World.
Intellectual Property
All of our software was either developed by us or acquired from a third
party. We do not have any patents on any of our software. We have obtained
copyright registration for a version of our source code. We are developing and
upgrading our software on an ongoing basis and we do not have registered
copyrights for the most recent versions of our software. We rely upon
confidentially agreements signed by our employees. We have applied to the
United States Patent and Trademark Office for registration of Active Worlds and
our AW design as trademarks and service marks.
In March 1997, we purchased the Active Worlds software and AlphaWorld
content, as it existed at that time, including all object code, source code and
documentation, from Worlds, Inc. In connection with the purchase, we also
received the right to modify the software. We subsequently performed
substantial modifications to the acquired software. We hold a worldwide
non-exclusive license from Worlds, Inc. to certain other software to the extent
that such software is included in the Active Worlds and AlphaWorld software.
Government Regulations
We believe that no government approval is necessary for our principal
products or services and that there are no government regulations which
currently have a material effect on our operations. As Internet commerce
evolves, we expect that federal and state agencies may adopt legislation and
regulations covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, defamation,
taxation, content and quality of products and services and courts may interpret
existing laws and regulations in a manner which affects the Internet and
e-commerce. Although many of these regulations may not apply to our business
directly, we expect the future legislation and regulation could expose
companies involved in e-commerce and the sale of advertising over the Internet
to liability which could limit the growth of Internet commerce generally. We
could face exposure to liability resulting from allegations of defamation,
breach of privacy or inappropriate usage of e-mail by visitors to our website.
In addition, regulations which increase the cost of Internet access may have an
effect on the use of the Internet.
Research and Development
We spent approximately $381,000 on research and development in 1999, and
approximately $190,000 and $451,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
research and development expenses for 1997 included the $300,000 purchase price
for the Active Worlds technology, as it existed at the time of purchase, and
rights to related software. The balance of our research and development
expenditures has been used to develop and enhance our technology. All of our
research and development has been sponsored and paid for by us and was expensed
as incurred.
Future Acquisition Strategies
Following this offering, we may acquire other companies either for cash,
notes, equity or combination. In addition, we may enter into joint ventures or
other relationships, including joint marketing agreements, which we believe
would further our growth. Although we anticipate that any acquisitions will be
related to three-dimensional Internet technology, we may acquire companies in
unrelated businesses. We may not generate net income from any future
acquisition or agreement. We have not identified any particular business that
we may acquire in the future, and we may not be able to make any acquisitions.
Prior Business of Vanguard Enterprises, Inc.
We were incorporated and conducted our initial public offering under the
name Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. Vanguard Enterprises was incorporated on
September 5, 1995. Vanguard Enterprises was formed for the
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purpose of marketing a patented hair care product produced by a hair products
company, 21st Century Hair Design, Inc. Vanguard Enterprises entered into one
contract with 21st Century Hair Design. Based upon this contract, Vanguard
Enterprises raised capital and used the funds to purchase cable TV airtime to
broadcast infomercials featuring the product. Vanguard discontinued all
business activities in 1996. From that time until January 1999, Vanguard
Enterprises was not engaged in any business activities and had no material
assets.
Employees
As of December 31, 1999, we had ten full-time employees, including our two
officers, and one part-time employee. None of our employees are represented by
a labor union, and we believe that our employee relations are good.
Property
We lease approximately 4,500 square feet of office space at 95 Parker
Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950, pursuant to a lease which expires on
February 28, 2002. Our present monthly rent is $2,625, which is subject to
standard escalation provisions. Our office facilities are adequate for our meet
our current needs, and we believe that, if additional space is required, we
will be able to obtain it on reasonable terms.
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table names our directors and executive officers and their
ages.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
- ---------------------------------- ----- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard F. Noll .................. 34 President, chief executive officer and director
J.P. McCormick ................... 39 Chairman, chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer and director
Alexander M. Adelson(1) .......... 65 Director
Sean Deson(1) .................... 36 Director
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Member of the Audit and Compensation Committees.
Richard F. Noll, our founder, has been president, chief executive officer
and a director of us and our predecessor, Circle of Fire Studios since its
organization in January 1997. From August 1995 until December 1996, Mr. Noll
operated the business of Circle of Fire Studios, Inc. as a sole proprietorship.
For more than five years prior to August 1995 he was an independent artist and
designer. Mr. Noll attended Massachusetts College of Art and majored in the
Fine Arts.
J.P. McCormick has been chairman of the board, chief financial officer and
a director of us and Circle of Fire Studios, Inc. since May 1997. He has been
our treasurer since May, 1997 and our secretary since July, 1997. From 1987
until May 1997 he was the president of Associated Corporate Services Ltd., a
company which owned and operated two staffing franchises for Norrell Corp. Mr.
McCormick is a graduate of Kent State University, Ohio.
Alexander M. Adelson has been a director since November 1999. He has 36
years experience as an applied physicist and businessman specializing in
technical marketing matters. Mr. Adelson is president, chief executive officer
and vice chair of Antaeus Research, LLC, an information technology company
dedicated to smart bridge management systems. Since 1974, he has led the
Technology Resource Group of RTS Research Lab, Inc. Through RTS he helped
conceive and develop the first portable bar code scanner. He also acted as
program manager for twelve years with Symbol Technologies, Inc. Mr. Adelson
also serves on and is the vice chairman of the board of directors of Base Ten
Systems, Inc., a software technology development company focused on
manufacturing execution and clinical supply systems and services for the
pharmaceutical, chemicals and medical products industries.
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Sean Deson has been a director since December 1999. Mr. Deson recently
became the managing partner of Deson & Co., a strategy development and
investment firm focused on internet companies. Prior to that, Mr. Deson was a
senior vice president in investment banking at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
where he was a senior banker in its Internet focus group. Mr. Deson is also a
director of Technology Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., a company which creates
and manufactures flavors and fragrances for consumer products. Mr. Deson
received his B.S. in computers and M.B.A. in finance, both from the University
of Michigan.
Directors are elected for a period of one year and thereafter serve until
the next annual meeting at which their successors are duly elected by the
stockholders. Officers serve at the will of the Board of Directors. Except as
noted herein, there are currently no arrangements or understandings regarding
the length of time each director is to serve in such a capacity. There is no
immediate family relationship between or among any of the Directors or
executive officers.
We have granted the representatives of the underwriters the right, during
the five-year period following the date of this prospectus, to designate one
member to our board of directors or an advisor to the board. As of the date of
this prospectus, the representatives have not designated any person.
Committees of the Board of Directors
In January 2000, our board of directors created audit and compensation
committees. All members of the audit and compensation committees are to be
independent directors. Messrs. Adelson and Deson are the members of both
committees.
The audit committee will review the scope of our audit, recommend to the
board the engagement of our independent auditors, review the financial
statements with the independent auditors and management, review any issues
relating to the independence of the independent auditors, review with the
independent auditors and the board of directors any matters discussed in the
management letter issued by the independent auditors, and review any
transactions between us and any of our officers, directors or other related
parties other than matters that are within the scope of the compensation
committee.
Our compensation committee will evaluate our compensation policies,
approve executive compensation and executive employment contracts and
administer our 1999 long-term incentive plan.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned
by our president and chief executive officer, and our chief financial officer,
from our inception in 1997 to the end of our last fiscal year which includes
the period during which these individuals acted in these capacities for Circle
of Fire Studios, Inc. Except as set forth below, in 1999, 1998 and 1997 none of
our officers received compensation in excess of $100,000.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation
-----------------------------------------------
Long-Term
Compensation
(Awards,
Options, SARs
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus (Number)
- ----------------------------- ------ ----------- ------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard F. Noll, 1999 $140,000 -- 9,333
president and chief 1998 -- -- --
executive officer 1997 -- -- --
J.P. McCormick, 1999 $140,000 -- 9,333
chief financial officer 1998 -- -- --
1997 -- -- --
</TABLE>
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No stock options or other equity incentives were granted to either Richard
Noll or J.P. McCormick in 1998 or 1997.
During 1998, neither Mr. Noll nor Mr. McCormick received any compensation
from us. However, for financial statement purposes, we accrued compensation at
the rate of $50,000 for each of them in 1998. Since we have no obligation to
pay them the amount accrued, the amount of the compensation was treated as
additional paid-in capital. Messrs. Noll and McCormick have relinquished their
rights to collect this compensation at a later date.
In January 1999, we entered into three-year employment agreements with
Messrs. Noll and McCormick, pursuant to which they received an annual salary of
$57,000. These agreements were amended and restated in June 1999, at which time
their annual salaries were increased to $140,000, retroactive to January 21,
1999. Pursuant to the agreements, in January 1999, we granted each of them an
incentive stock option to purchase 9,333 shares of common stock at $.83 per
share, which was 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date
of grant. The fair market value was the price at which we sold common stock to
non-affiliated parties in the January 1999 private placement. The employment
agreements also provide that Messrs. Noll and McCormick will be eligible to
participate in a bonus pool of not more than 10% of our income before income
taxes in excess of $750,000. The amount of the bonus pool and the allocation of
the bonus pool among our senior executive officers will be determined by our
compensation committee. The agreements also provide Messrs. Noll and McCormick
with a $4,200 annual automobile allowance.
We pay an annual fee of $15,000 to Mr. Adelson and $24,000 to Mr. Deson
for each year of service as a director. In addition, we granted Mr. Adelson
options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock at $6.09 per share, and
Mr. Deson options to purchase 146,666 shares of our common stock at $6.09 per
share. Mr. Adelson's options vest annually in equal amounts over their five
year term, beginning on the date he became a director, provided that he is a
director on the vesting dates. Mr. Deson's options vest annually over their
five year term in the amount of 66,666 options at the end of his first year of
service as a director, followed by 20,000 options at the end of each of years
two, three, four and five for so long as he is a director. Neither Mr.
Adelson's nor Mr. Deson's options were granted pursuant to our 1999 long-term
incentive plan.
Stock Plan
In January 1999, we adopted our 1999 long-term incentive plan, pursuant to
which we are authorized to grant options to purchase up to 666,666 shares of
common stock to our key employees, officers, directors, consultants, and other
agents and advisors. Awards under the Plan may be either nonqualified stock
options or incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, restricted stock awards, deferred stock
awards, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based awards, as described in
the plan.
The plan is administered by a committee of our board of directors, which
will determine who will receive awards, the number of awards to be granted and
the specific terms of each grant, including vesting schedules, subject to the
provisions of our plan. If a committee is not appointed, the board of directors
performs the functions of the committee. Our compensation committee has been
appointed to administer the plan.
We cannot grant incentive stock options under the plan unless the exercise
price is at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the
date of grant. However, if the option holder owns more than 10% of our
outstanding stock, the exercise price of any incentive stock option granted to
him or her must be at least 110% of the fair market value on the date of grant.
Through December 31, 1999 we have granted options under the plan to
purchase an aggregate of 632,906 shares of common stock at exercise prices
ranging from $.645 to $13.125 per share. These options include options to
purchase 9,333 shares of common stock at $.83 per share, which we granted to
each of Messrs. Richard F. Noll and J.P. McCormick pursuant to their employment
agreements.
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<PAGE>
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the organization of Circle of Fire Studios in January
1997, Mr. Richard F. Noll, our president and chief executive officer,
transferred his interest in the Circle of Fire Studios sole proprietorship to
Circle of Fire Studios in exchange for shares of its common stock, which, as a
result of the Circle of Fire Acquisition became 2,566,309 shares of our common
stock. When Mr. Noll formed Circle of Fire Studios, he invested nominal capital
in the business, and his capital account, at the time he transferred the Circle
of Fire assets to us, was not substantial. His effective purchase price of his
2,566,309 shares of common stock is less than $.01 per share.
In April 1997, when Mr. McCormick joined us, he was issued shares of
Circle of Fire Studios' common stock for $5,000, in consideration of his
lending certain amounts to us and his agreeing to become employed by us. In May
1997, Associated Corporate Services, Ltd., a corporation of which Mr. McCormick
was then the president, purchased shares of Circle of Fire Studios for $50,000.
As a result of the Circle of Fire acquisition, the shares purchased by Mr.
McCormick became 2,489,479 shares of common stock and the shares purchased by
Associated Corporate Services became 76,829 shares of common stock. Mr.
McCormick's effective purchase price was a nominal amount, and his capital
account, at the time he transferred the Circle of Fire assets to us, was not
substantial. Associated Corporate Services' effective purchase price was $.645
per share. Messrs. Noll and McCormick have transferred a portion of their
shares to family members and related parties.
During 1997 and 1998, Mr. McCormick lent us approximately $110,000. This
amount has been repaid in full with interest at 8% per annum. Mr. Noll received
advances from us in 1998. As of December 31, 1999, $10,491 of these amounts were
owed by Mr. Noll to us.
We believe that the transactions described above between us and our
officers, directors and principal stockholders were on terms at least as fair
to us as had these transactions been concluded with unaffiliated parties. Since
Mr. McCormick and Mr. Noll were our only directors until November 1999, none of
the foregoing transactions were approved by any unaffiliated outside directors.
We will not offer preferred stock to our officers, directors or principal
stockholders except upon the same terms as it is offered to all other existing
stockholders or to new stockholders, unless the issuance is approved by the
audit committee, who will have access, at our expense, to independent legal
counsel. All future related party transactions, including any loans or
advances, will be for bona fide business purposes and approved by a majority of
our board which will include unaffiliated directors or by our audit committee
who do not have an interest in the transactions and who will have access, at our
expense, to independent legal counsel.
1999 PRIVATE PLACEMENTS
In January 1999, we sold 1,333,333 shares of common stock for $.75 per
share to unaffiliated investors, from which we received net proceeds of
$940,000. The proceeds from this sale were used for working capital and other
corporate purposes, including payments due in connection with the settlement of
litigation.
In June 1999, we sold nine private placement units at $100,000 per unit to
four accredited investors, from which we received net proceeds of approximately
$780,000. Each private placement unit consisted of 11,733 shares of our common
stock and a Series A redeemable common stock purchase warrant to purchase
13,333 shares of common stock at $8.55 per share. The effective price per share
of common stock purchased by these investors was $8.52, assuming no value is
allocated to the warrants. The warrants also provides the holders with cashless
exercise rights, which is the right to convert the warrant into the number of
shares of common stock having a value equal to the amount by which the excess
of the market value of the common stock at the time the warrants are exercised
exceeds the exercise price per share. We used the proceeds from this sale for
working capital and other corporate purposes, including expenses relating to
this offering. In connection with this private placement, we engaged HD Brous &
Co., Inc., one of the representatives of the underwriters, as exclusive
placement agent. We paid HD Brous a fee of $90,000 and a non-accountable
expense allowance of $27,000. We also issued HD Brous a warrant to purchase one
placement agent's unit for $90,000. A placement agent's unit consists of 10,560
shares of our common stock and a Series A common stock purchase warrant to
purchase 12,000 shares of our common stock at $8.55. The warrant we issued to
HD Brous terminates on the date of this prospectus. In connection with the
private placement, we and our officers, directors and 5% stockholders gave HD
Brous a three-year right of first refusal with respect to public and private
sales of our securities, including sales pursuant to Rule 144 of the Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act.
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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 1999, as to
the beneficial ownership of each director, each officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table and each person known by us to own at least 5% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of Shares
Amount and Nature of -------------------------------------
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) Beneficial Ownership(2) Prior to Offering After Offering
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Richard F. Noll(3) ........................ 2,538,650 34.6% 29.7%
J.P. McCormick(4) ......................... 2,489,479 33.9% 29.1%
Alexander M. Adelson (5) .................. 20,000 * *%
Sean Deson(6) ............................. 0 -- --
All officers and directors as a group (four
persons)(3),(4),(5) and (6) .............. 5,048,129 68.7% 59.1%
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The address of each person named is 95 Parker Street, Newburyport, MA
01950.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares of common stock subject to
options or warrants are deemed to be currently exercisable if they are
convertible or exercisable within 60 days of the date as to which
information is provided. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this
table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned.
(3) Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Noll include (a) 16,351 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Noll's wife, as to which Mr. Noll disclaims beneficial
interest, and (b) 9,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options held by Mr. Noll.
(4) Shares beneficially owned by Mr. McCormick includes 9,333 shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options held by Mr. McCormick.
(5) The shares owned by Mr. Adelson represent shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of options held by him.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Capital Stock
We are authorized to issue 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$.001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per
share. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and share in
dividends which the board of directors, in its discretion, may declare from
funds legally available. In the event of liquidation, each outstanding share of
common stock entitles its holder to participate ratably in the assets remaining
after payment of liabilities and any preferences due to holders of preferred
stock. At February 29, 2000, there were 7,342,762 shares of common stock
outstanding.
Stockholders have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or
purchase additional shares of any class of stock or of any of our other
securities, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with regard
to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and those
issuable as part of the units or upon exercise of the warrants will be, when
issued as provided in this prospectus, validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable. Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights.
Our board of directors is authorized to issue, from time to time and
without further stockholder action, up to 500,000 shares of preferred stock in
one or more distinct series. The board of directors is authorized to fix the
following rights and preferences, among others, for each series:
o The rate of dividends and whether these dividends shall be cumulative.
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<PAGE>
o The price at and the terms and conditions on which shares may be
redeemed.
o The amount payable upon shares in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation.
o Whether or not a sinking fund shall be provided for the redemption or
purchase of shares.
o The terms and conditions on which shares may be converted.
o Whether, and in what proportion to any other series or class, a series
shall have voting rights other than required by law, and, if voting rights
are granted, the number of voting rights per share.
We have no plans, agreements or understandings with respect to the
designation of any series or the issuance of any shares of preferred stock. We
have agreed with the underwriters that we will not create any series of
preferred stock or issue any shares of preferred stock without the consent of
the underwriters for two years from the date of this prospectus.
Units
Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one Series B
redeemable common stock purchase warrant. The common stock and warrants
comprising the units are not separately transferable prior to one year from the
date of this prospectus, or earlier at the discretion of the underwriters.
Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrants
Unless previously redeemed by us, you may, upon payment of the exercise
price of $5.00 per share, purchase one share of common stock during the period
commencing one year from the date of this prospectus, or earlier at the
election of the representative, and ending five years from the date of this
prospectus. You may only exercise the warrants if a current prospectus under
the Securities Act relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants is then in effect, and such securities are qualified
for sale or exempt from qualification under the applicable securities laws of
the state in which you reside.
Commencing one year from the date of this prospectus, or earlier with the
consent of the underwriter, the warrants are subject to redemption by the
Company, at a price of $.10 per warrant, (i) if the underlying common stock is
listed on the Nasdaq System or the American or New York Stock Exchange, (ii) if
at such time there is a current and effective registration statement covering
the warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the
warrants and (iii) if the closing price per share of common stock is at least
150% of the exercise price for at least 20 consecutive trading days ending not
earlier than three days prior to the date on which the warrants are called for
redemption. The warrants may not be called for redemption prior to the date the
warrants become exercisable. If we exercise our right to redeem the warrants,
you will automatically forfeit your right to exercise your warrants unless you
exercise the warrants before the close of business on the business day
immediately prior to the date set for redemption. If we redeem the warrants, we
must redeem all of the outstanding warrants.
In order for us to redeem the warrants, we must give you notice of
redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, within five business days, or
such later date which the underwriters may consent, after the warrants are
called for redemption, but no earlier than 60 and no later than the 30 days
before the date fixed for redemption. The notice of redemption shall specify
the redemption price, the date fixed for redemption, the place where the
warrant certificates shall be delivered and the redemption price paid. The
notice shall also advise you that your right to exercise the warrants shall
terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately
preceding the date fixed for redemption.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate(s)
on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the
warrants or, if the warrants are called for redemption, the day prior to the
redemption date at the offices of the Company's warrant agent with the form of
an Election to Purchase on the reverse side of the certificate(s) filled out
and executed as indicated, accompanied by payment of the full exercise price
for the number of shares of common stock for which the warrants are being
exercised.
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<PAGE>
The warrants contain provisions that protect the holders thereof against
dilution by adjustment of the exercise price, and the number of shares in
certain specified events, such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, sale
of substantially all of our assets, and for other similar events.
We are not required to issue fractional shares of common stock. We will
pay cash in lieu of fractional shares, based upon the current market value of
such fractional shares at the date of exercise. A holder of warrants will not
possess any rights as a stockholder unless and until he or she exercises the
warrants.
In the event of any merger, consolidation, sale or lease of substantially
all of our assets or reorganization whereby we are not the surviving
corporation, we may provide in the agreement relating to the transaction that
each warrant shall be converted into such securities of the surviving or
acquiring corporation or other entity as has a value equal to the value of the
warrants, which shall not exceed the amount by which the consideration to be
received per share of common stock exceeds the exercise price of the warrant.
The value of the warrants and securities being issued in exchange therefor are
to be determined by our board of directors. In the event that, in such a
transaction, the value of the consideration to be received per share of common
stock is not greater than the exercise price of the warrants, the warrants
shall terminate and no consideration will be paid with respect to the warrants.
Although the warrants have a fixed exercise price and a formula for
adjustments in certain events and have a fixed expiration date, it is possible
that in the future we may wish to reduce the exercise price or extend the
exercise period of the warrants. We have no plans to reduce such price or
extend the exercise period of the warrants. Any such change would be effected
pursuant to a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part or a new registration statement, and no warrants with
amended terms may be exercised unless and until such post-effective amendment
or new registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
The warrants are issued pursuant to a warrant agreement between us and
Interwest Transfer Company, as warrant agent.
Other Options and Warrants
In connection with the June 1999 private placement of private placement
units, we issued series A redeemable common stock purchase warrants to purchase
120,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.55 per share. These
warrants are exercisable until June 30, 2004 and give the holders certain
cashless exercise rights. These rights give the holders the ability to receive
from us the number of shares of common stock that equals the appreciation in
the value of the warrant with no cash payment by the holder. We have the right
to redeem the warrants commencing in June 2001 if the price of our common stock
is $12.83 per share, subject to adjustment, and the shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants are registered with the SEC.
In connection with this private placement, we issued to HD Brous, one of
the underwriters, in its capacity as exclusive placement agent, a warrant
entitling the holder to purchase, for $90,000, a placement agent's unit
consisting of 10,560 shares of common stock and a series A redeemable common
stock purchase warrant to purchase 12,000 shares of our common stock. The
warrant issued to the underwriter may terminate on the date of this prospectus.
We also have outstanding a warrant to purchase 166,667 shares of common
stock at $8.55, which has cashless exercise rights, and an option to purchase
166,667 shares of common stock at $5.70, which does not have cashless exercise
rights.
We granted to our director Alexander M. Adelson options to purchase
100,000 shares of our common stock at $6.09 per share, and to our director Sean
Deson options to purchase 146,666 shares of our common stock at $6.09 per
share. Mr. Adelson's options vest annually in equal amounts over their five
year term, beginning on the date he became a director, provided that he is a
director on the vesting dates. Mr. Deson's options vest annually over their
five year term in the amount of 66,666 options at the end of his first year of
service as a director, followed by 20,000 options at the end of each of years
two, three, four and five for so long as he is a director.
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<PAGE>
Dividend Policy
We presently intend to retain future earnings, if any, in order to provide
funds for use in the operation and expansion of our business and accordingly we
do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable
future.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
After this offering, there will be 8,542,762 shares of common stock
outstanding, of which 5,550,064 shares are restricted securities and are not
eligible for sale. The restricted securities will become eligible for sale as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Date Shares May be Sold
- ------------------ ------------------------
<S> <C>
537,092 Ninety days from the date of this prospectus
5,011,719 Six months from the date of this prospectus, subject to the Rule 144 limitation and
January 2001 without limitation. These shares are subject to a lock-up agreement with the
underwriters, who may give their consent to a sale commencing on January 2000, subject
to the Rule 144 limitations.
1,253 April 2000
</TABLE>
Rule 144 permits the sale of restricted securities, subject to the Rule
144 volume limitations, one year after the date of issuance or the date the
share are acquired from one of our affiliates. Pursuant to the Rule 144 volume
limitations, a holder of restricted securities held for one year may sell in
any three-month period the greater of 1% of the outstanding common stock or the
average weekly trading volume. A person who is not an affiliate of the Company
and who has held restricted securities for two years may sell such securities
without regard to the Rule 144 volume limitations. Our officers, directors and
5% stockholders have agreed not to publicly sell their shares during the
six-month period starting with the date of this prospectus, without the prior
consent of the underwriters.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that the issuance of shares of
common stock upon exercise of options or warrants or the registration of such
shares will have on the market for and market price of the common stock.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. That section provides that, with certain exceptions, a
Delaware corporation may not engage in any of a broad range of business
combinations with a person or affiliate or associate of such person who is an
interested stockholder for a period of three years from the date that such
person became an interested stockholder unless the transaction resulting in a
person's becoming an interested stockholder, or the business combination, is
approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the person becomes
an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder acquires 85% or more of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation in the same transaction that
makes it an interested stockholder (excluding certain employee stock ownership
plans) or on or after the date the person becomes an interested stockholder,
the business combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors
and by the holders of at least 662/3% of the corporation's outstanding voting
stock at an annual or special meeting, excluding shares owned by the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is defined as any person that is the
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or an
affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three
year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be
determined whether such person is an interested stockholder.
These provisions could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control. Our stockholders, by adopting an amendment to
our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, may elect not to be governed by
Section 203, effective twelve months after adoption. Neither our certificate of
incorporation nor our bylaws currently excludes us from the restrictions
imposed by Section 203.
32
<PAGE>
Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for the common stock and the warrant agent for the
warrants is Interwest Transfer Company, P.O. Box 17136, Salt Lake City, Utah
84117.
UNDERWRITING
Our underwriters, for whom HD Brous & Co., Inc., Solid ISG Capital Markets,
LLC and First Colonial Securities Group, Inc. are acting as the representatives,
have agreed, severally, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the
underwriting agreement, to purchase from us, and we have agreed to sell to the
underwriters, 1,200,000 units as follows:
HD Brous & Co., Inc.
Solid ISG Capital Markets, LLC
First Colonial Securities Group, Inc.
The underwriters are committed severally to purchase and pay for all of
the shares on a "firm commitment" basis if they purchase any shares.
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the units to
the public at the initial public offering prices set forth on the cover page of
this prospectus. The underwriters may allow to certain dealers, who are members
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., concessions not
exceeding $ per unit, of which not more than $ per unit may be reallowed to
other dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers. After the offering, the offering price, the concession and the
reallowance may be changed.
We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable during the
45-day period from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to a maximum of
180,000 additional units at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount, for the sole purpose
of covering over-allotments of the units.
We have agreed to pay to the underwriters a non-accountable expense
allowance of 3% of the aggregate public offering price of all units sold,
including any units sold pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option.
We have paid the underwriters $25,000 to date.
The underwriting agreement also provides for us to pay an underwriter a
fee in the event that the underwriter introduces us to a party which enters
into a business combination or other business transaction with us.
All of our officers, directors and 5% stockholders have agreed not to sell
(including any short sale or sale against the box) publicly or otherwise
transfer, subject to certain exceptions for transfers to related parties, any
of their securities during the six month period commencing with the date of
this prospectus, without the written consent of the underwriter. A sale against
the box is similar to a short sale, except that the seller owns the shares but
delivers borrowed shares to effect the sale. We have also agreed that, during
the six-month period commencing with the date of this prospectus, we will not,
without the consent of the underwriters, publicly sell or register any
securities pursuant to the Securities Act without the consent of the
underwriter, except that such restrictions do not apply to our registration of
stock issuable pursuant to our present stock option plans on a Form S-8
registration statement. We have also agreed with the underwriters that we will
not create any series of preferred stock or issue any shares of preferred stock
without the consent of the underwriters for two years from the date of this
prospectus.
The underwriting agreement provides for reciprocal indemnification between
us and the underwriters against certain liabilities in connection with the
registration statement, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
In connection with this offering, we have agreed to sell to the
underwriters, for nominal consideration, a unit purchase option to purchase
from us up to 120,000 units at an exercise price equal to 165% of the offering
price of the units being sold in this offering. The units to be issued upon the
exercise of this unit purchase option are identical to the units being sold
pursuant to this prospectus. The warrants issuable upon exercise of these units
are identical to the warrants included in the units we are selling in this
offering. The underwriters' unit purchase option is exercisable for a five year
period commencing on the date of this
33
<PAGE>
prospectus, except that during the one-year period commencing on the date of
this prospectus, neither the unit purchase option nor any securities issuable
upon exercise of the unit purchase option may be sold, transferred, assigned or
hypothecated, except to the officers or members of the underwriters or to other
underwriters and selling group members or officers, partners or members
thereof, all of which shall be bound by such restrictions. The holders of the
unit purchase options have no voting, dividend or other rights as our
stockholders with respect to securities issuable upon exercise of the unit
purchase options until the unit purchase options or the underlying warrants, as
the case may be, are exercised. The holders of the unit purchase options have
been given the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market for our
securities at a nominal cost, with a resulting dilution in the interests of
stockholders. The holders of the unit purchase options can be expected to
exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain
equity capital, if then needed, by a new equity offering on terms more
favorable to us than those provided by the unit purchase options. Such facts
may adversely affect the terms on which the company could obtain additional
financing. Any profit received by the underwriters on the sale of the unit
purchase options or the securities issuable upon exercise of the unit purchase
options may be deemed additional underwriting compensation.
We have agreed during the five-year period following the date of this
prospectus to, on up to two occasions, register the unit purchase option or the
units issuable upon the exercise of the unit purchase option upon the request
of the underwriters. We are required to file the first such registration
statement at our expense. We have agreed to cooperate with the holders of the
unit purchase options in filing a second registration at the expense of the
holders of the unit purchase options or underlying securities.
In addition, for seven years following the date of this prospectus, we are
required to give advance notice to the holders of the unit purchase option or
underlying securities of our intention to file a registration statement (except
a registration statement filed on Form S-4 or S-8), and in such case, the
holder of the purchase option and underlying securities shall have the right to
require us to include the underlying securities in such registration statement
at our expense.
In June 1999, we engaged HD Brous, one of the underwriters, to serve as
the exclusive placement agent for the sale of nine private placement units at
$100,000 per unit. Each private placement unit consisted of 11,733 shares of
our common stock and a Series A common stock purchase warrants to purchase
13,333 shares of common stock at $8.55 per share. We paid HD Brous a fee of
$90,000 and a non-accountable expense allowance of $27,000. We also issued to
HD Brous a warrant to purchase one placement agent's unit for $90,000. A
placement agent's unit consists of 10,560 shares of our common stock and a
Series A common stock purchase warrant to purchase 12,000 shares of our common
stock at $8.55 per share. The warrant will terminate on the date of this
prospectus. In connection with the private placement, we and our officers,
directors and 5% stockholders gave HD Brous a three-year right of first refusal
with respect to public and private sales of our securities, including sales
pursuant to Rule 144.
The underwriting agreement provides that, during the five-year period
following the date of this prospectus, the representatives will have the right
to designate one member to our board of directors or an advisor to the board.
The representatives have not designated such person and they do not expect to
exercise this right in the near future.
The underwriting agreement also requires us to maintain $1,000,000 of key
man life insurance on the lives of Messrs. Richard F. Noll and J.P. McCormick
during their respective terms of employment with us.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the units or
warrants.
The representatives have informed us that sales to any account over which
the underwriter exercises discretionary authority will not exceed 1% of this
offering.
LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the units offered by this prospectus will be passed upon
for us by Peabody & Arnold LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain legal matters
will be passed upon for the underwriter by Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP,
New York, New York.
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<PAGE>
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 1999 and December
31, 1998 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Pannell Kerr Forster
PC, independent auditors, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in
this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We will file annual, quarterly, and other reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports,
proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, at Room 1024, Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its regional
offices located at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 and Northwest
Atrium Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of
the SEC Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549 at prescribed rates. The SEC maintains a website that contains all
information filed by us. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.
This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form
SB-2 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the
units offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the
information which is in the registration statement. Certain parts of the
registration statement are omitted as allowed by the rules and regulations of
the SEC. Please refer to the registration statement and to the exhibits in the
registration statement for further information with respect to us and the units
offered in this prospectus. Copies of the registration statement are on file at
the offices of the SEC and may be obtained upon payment of the prescribed fee
or may be examined without charge at the public reference facilities of the SEC
described above. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the
provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of the material provision of
such documents, and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the copy of the applicable document filed with the SEC.
REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS
We intend to distribute to our stockholders annual reports containing
audited financial statements, and we will make available to our stockholders
such other information as we deem appropriate.
35
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Consolidated Financial Statements
at December 31, 1999 and for years ended
December 31, 1999 and 1998
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----------
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report .................................................... F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheet - December 31, 1999 ................................. F-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations for Years Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 F-4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency) for Years
Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 ............................................. F-5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for Years Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................... F-7 to 15
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE>
Independent Auditors' Report
To the Stockholders
Activeworlds.com, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
Activeworlds.com, Inc., as of December 31, 1999, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficiency) and cash
flows for each of the two years in the period then ended. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Activeworlds.com, Inc. at December 31, 1999, and the consolidated results of
their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the two years in
the period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming
that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in note 1 to
the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered substantial
cumulative consolidated net losses and has net capital at December 31, 1999 in
an amount less than its net loss for 1999. These factors raise substantial
doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in
regard to these matters are also described in note 1. The consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Pannell Kerr Forster, P.C.
------------------------------
Boston, MA
February 8, 2000
F-2
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Assets
Current assets
Cash .......................................................................... $ 481,408
Accounts receivable, trade - net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,000 82,519
Prepaid expenses .............................................................. 44,832
Advances to officer/stockholder/employees ..................................... 12,491
------------
Total current assets ........................................................ 621,250
------------
Property and equipment
Leasehold improvements ........................................................ 27,334
Equipment and fixtures ........................................................ 107,284
------------
134,618
Less: accumulated depreciation ................................................ 35,475
------------
Property and equipment, net ................................................. 99,143
------------
Other assets
Deferred offering costs ....................................................... 238,599
------------
Total assets ................................................................ $ 958,992
------------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion - capital lease ............................................... $ 9,537
Accounts payable .............................................................. 163,821
Accrued liabilities ........................................................... 32,075
Deferred revenue .............................................................. 123,895
------------
Total current liabilities ................................................... 329,328
Capital lease, net of current portion .......................................... 11,890
Commitments and contingencies
Total liabilities ........................................................... 341,218
------------
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
or outstanding ................................................................ --
Common stock, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,342,762
shares issued and outstanding ................................................. 7,343
Additional paid-in capital ..................................................... 2,237,419
Note receivable for shares issued .............................................. (6,500)
Accumulated deficit ............................................................ (1,620,488)
------------
Total stockholders' equity .................................................. 617,774
------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .................................. $ 958,992
------------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31
------------------------------
1999 1998
--------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues ................................................................. $ 808,993 $ 576,163
----------- ---------
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses .......................... 1,288,089 455,710
Research and development expenses ..................................... 381,193 189,986
----------- ---------
Total operating expenses ........................................... 1,669,282 645,696
----------- ---------
(Loss) from operations ................................................ (860,289) (69,533)
Interest income .......................................................... 24,470 --
----------- ---------
(Loss) before (provision for) benefit from income taxes and
extraordinary item ................................................... (835,819) (69,533)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes ................................ -- --
----------- ---------
(Loss) before extraordinary item ...................................... (835,819) (69,533)
Extraordinary item
Gain on extinguishment of debt related to litigation settlement, net of
tax effect of $-0- ................................................... -- 109,807
----------- ---------
Net income (loss) .................................................. $ (835,819) $ 40,274
----------- ---------
Earnings per share of common stock -- basic
(Loss) before extraordinary item ...................................... $ (.116) $ (.013)
Extraordinary item .................................................... -- .020
----------- ---------
Net income (loss) ..................................................... $ (.116) $ .007
----------- ---------
Earnings per share of common stock - assuming dilution
(Loss) before extraordinary item ...................................... $ (.013)
Extraordinary item .................................................... .020
---------
Net income ............................................................ $ .007
---------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency)
Years Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Preferred Stock Common Stock
------------------ ------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount
-------- -------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at January 1, 1998, as restated ..... -- $ -- 5,433,211 $ 5,433
Issuance of common stock in connection
with acquisition of net assets of
Vanguard (note 1) ........................... 333,333 333
Stockholder/employee contributions ...........
Contract service provider contribution .......
Issuance of stock options for compensation
and services ................................
Net income for year ..........................
---- ------ --------- -------
Balances at December 31, 1998 .............. -- -- 5,766,544 5,766
Private placements of common stock, net
of issuance costs ........................... 1,438,933 1,439
Issuance of common stock for goods and
services .................................... 137,285 138
Issuance of stock options and warrants for
services ....................................
Net (loss) for year ..........................
---- ------ --------- -------
Balances at December 31, 1999 .............. -- $ -- 7,342,762 $ 7,343
---- ------ --------- -------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Note Total
Additional Receivable Stockholders'
Paid-In Accumulated for Shares Equity
Capital Deficit Issued (Deficiency)
------------ ---------------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at January 1, 1998, as restated ..... $ 218,482 $ (824,943) $ (6,500) $ (607,528)
Issuance of common stock in connection
with acquisition of net assets of
Vanguard (note 1) ........................... 1,150 1,483
Stockholder/employee contributions ........... 136,000 136,000
Contract service provider contribution ....... 32,575 32,575
Issuance of stock options for compensation
and services ................................ 3,250 3,250
Net income for year .......................... 40,274 40,274
---------- ------------ -------- ----------
Balances at December 31, 1998 .............. 391,457 (784,669) (6,500) (393,946)
Private placements of common stock, net
of issuance costs ........................... 1,511,538 1,512,977
Issuance of common stock for goods and
services .................................... 132,362 132,500
Issuance of stock options and warrants for
services .................................... 202,062 202,062
Net (loss) for year .......................... (835,819) (835,819)
---------- ------------ -------- ----------
Balances at December 31, 1999 .............. $2,237,419 $ (1,620,488) $ (6,500) $ 617,774
---------- ------------ -------- ----------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31
-------------------------------
1999 1998
--------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating activities .......................................................
Net income (loss) ....................................................... $ (835,819) $ 40,274
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used)
by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization ........................................ 29,429 7,526
Abandoned improvements ............................................... _ 9,661
Common stock issued for goods and services ........................... 132,500 --
Options issued for compensation and services ......................... 202,062 3,250
Services provided in lieu of payment on an account receivable ........ 8,000 --
Officers'/employee's compensation waived and contributed to
additional paid-in capital .......................................... -- 136,000
Contract service provider payment waived and contributed to
additional paid in capital .......................................... -- 32,575
Gain on extinguishment of debt related to litigation settlement ...... -- (109,807)
Cash received in acquisition of Vanguard ............................. -- 477
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which provided (used)
cash
Accounts receivable ............................................... (38,683) (23,662)
Prepaid expenses .................................................. (44,832) --
Advances to officer/stockholder/employees ......................... (2,000) (10,491)
Accounts payable .................................................. 103,621 (37,136)
Accrued liabilities ............................................... (263,413) 20,492
Deferred revenue .................................................. (20,445) 19,940
Customer deposit .................................................. (5,000) 5,000
----------- ----------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities ............... (734,580) 94,099
----------- ----------
Investing activities
Purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements ....................... (82,496) (6,213)
----------- ----------
Net cash (used) by investing activities ........................ (82,496) (6,213)
----------- ----------
Financing activities
Payments on capital lease obligation .................................... (7,661) --
Net proceeds from sale of stock ......................................... 1,512,977 --
Payments on 8% note payable to officer/stockholder ...................... (54,753) (20,100)
Deferred offering costs ................................................. (238,599) --
----------- ----------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities ............... 1,211,964 (20,100)
----------- ----------
Net increase in cash ....................................................... 394,888 67,786
Cash at beginning of year .................................................. 86,520 18,734
----------- ----------
Cash at end of year ............................................ $ 481,408 $ 86,520
----------- ----------
Supplemental disclosure information
Cash paid for interest during the year .................................. $ 1,708 $ 6,075
----------- ----------
Cash paid for income taxes during the year .............................. $ -- $ --
----------- ----------
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities
Equipment purchased under capital lease ................................. $ 29,088 $ --
----------- ----------
Noncash assets acquired in acquisition of Vanguard ...................... $ _ $ 1,006
----------- ----------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 -- Organization and basis of presentation
On January 22, 1999, Activeworlds.com, Inc., a publicly traded Delaware
corporation then known as Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. ("Company"), acquired all
of the issued and outstanding common stock of Circle of Fire Studios, Inc., a
Nevada corporation ("Circle of Fire"), in exchange for 5,433,211 shares of its
common stock (the "1999 Acquisition") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization with Circle of Fire. As part of the 1999 Acquisition,
outstanding options to acquire common stock of Circle of Fire were exchanged
for options to purchase 322,682 shares of the Company's common stock. (See note
7.) At the time of the 1999 Acquisition, Vanguard had no significant
operations.
Circle of Fire is accounted for as the acquiring party and the surviving
accounting entity because the former stockholders of Circle of Fire received
approximately 94% of the voting rights in the combined corporation. The shares
issued by Vanguard pursuant to the 1999 Acquisition have been accounted for as
if those shares had been issued upon the organization of Circle of Fire. The
outstanding capital stock of Vanguard immediately prior to the 1999
Acquisition, has been accounted for as shares issued by Circle of Fire to
acquire the net assets of Vanguard as of December 31, 1998.
Because Circle of Fire is the accounting survivor, the consolidated
financial statements presented for all periods are those of Circle of Fire. All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The 1999 Acquisition is being accounted for as if it had taken place on
December 31, 1998. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1998 reflect the consolidated results of operations and cash flows
of Vanguard and Circle of Fire for the year ended December 31, 1998. The
consolidated financial statements are presented as those of Activeworlds.com,
Inc.
Immediately prior to the 1999 Acquisition, Vanguard effected a one-for-two
reverse split in its outstanding common stock, with no change in the par value
per share. In connection with the 1999 Acquisition, Vanguard also issued
133,333 shares of common stock to a financial advisor and sold 1,333,333 shares
of common stock at $.75 per share in private placement.
All share and per share information in the consolidated financial
statements reflect (a) the consummation of the 1999 Acquisition whereby shares
and options issued by Circle of Fire were exchanged for shares of the Company's
common stock and options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, (b)
the one-for-two reverse split, and (c) the two-for-three reverse stock split
approved by the Company during March 2000 (see unaudited note 16).
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in the consolidated
financial statements to the "Company" includes the operations of Circle of Fire
prior to the date of the 1999 Acquisition. References to "Vanguard" relate to
the operations of Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. prior to the date of the 1999
Acquisition.
The outstanding Circle of Fire common stock at the time of the 1999
Acquisition was held principally by officers.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which contemplate
that the Company will continue as a going concern. However, the Company has
suffered substantial cumulative consolidated net losses and has net capital at
December 31, 1999 in an amount less than its net loss for 1999.
In view of these matters, realization of a major portion of the assets in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued
operations of the Company, which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company's
ability to meet its financial requirements and the success of its future
operations. The Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission with respect to a public offering of its securities. If
the offering is successful, the costs associated with the registration
(including $238,599 of deferred offering costs reflected on the consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 1999) will
F-7
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
be charged against the additional paid-in capital provided by the sale. If the
offering is not successful, the associated costs will be charged to expense in
the period the offering is terminated. The Company's continued existence is
dependent upon the receipt of sufficient proceeds from a public offering, a
private placement or other financing.
Note 2 -- Summary of significant accounting policies
A. Nature of operations
Circle of Fire commenced operations on January 17, 1997. The Company
provides computer software products and on-line services that permit users to
enter, move about and interact with others in computer-generated,
three-dimensional virtual environment using the Internet.
B. Depreciation and amortization
Equipment and fixtures are depreciated using accelerated methods and
estimated lives of five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over six
years, the period of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense of
property and equipment totaled $25,488 and $6,623 for 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
Organization costs were being amortized over five years on a straight-line
basis. In accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Statement of Position 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities,
$3,941, the remaining balance as of January 1, 1999, was expensed in 1999.
Because of the immaterial amount, it was included in selling, general and
administrative expenses rather than being reported as the cumulative effect of
a change in accounting principle. Amortization expense for 1998 was $903.
C. Income taxes
The Company reports income for tax purposes on the cash basis. Deferred
taxes result from temporary differences and net operating loss carryforward. An
allowance for the full amount of the gross deferred tax asset has been
established due to the uncertainty of utilizing the deferred tax asset in the
future.
D. Accounting estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
E. Revenues
Memberships are recognized as revenue ratably over the periods the
memberships are in effect. Advances on royalties from licensing agreements are
recognized over the period the royalties are earned. Revenue from licensing the
Company's uniservers, galaxservers and worlds is recognized when the license is
granted and the Company has performed all of its obligations under the license
agreement. Revenue from technical services is recognized when the services are
performed. Revenue from long-term contracts is recognized on a
percentage-of-completion basis.
F. Significant customers
During 1999 and 1998, revenue from one customer amounted to approximately
26.0% and 8.3%, respectively. The customer was not the same in the two years.
F-8
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
G. Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1998 include the value of
services rendered by the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, who received no compensation during the year, and a key employee who
received stock options during such period in lieu of compensation. (See note
7.) The value of the services is also reflected as additional paid-in capital.
The value of services by the chief executive and financial officers was
$100,000 in the aggregate for 1998. The value of the services by the employee,
which is equal to the value of the options granted to the employee, was $36,000
for 1998. Both officers and the employee received compensation for their
services in 1999.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1998 also include
$32,575, the value of services rendered during 1998 by a contract service
provider who received shares during the year in lieu of payment. The value of
the services is also reflected as additional paid-in capital for 1998. The
related shares issued at the time of the 1999 Acquisition are included in the
balances at January 1, 1998, as restated, on the consolidated statement of
changes in stockholders' equity (deficiency).
H. Research and development of software
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
I. Earnings per share of common stock
Earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income
(loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the
year. Earnings per common share of stock -- assuming dilution reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue
common stock were exercised or converted into common stock which would then
share in the net income of the Company. See also note 11.
Note 3 -- Cash
Two checking accounts and one savings account are with the same bank;
total balances at that bank as of December 31, 1999, exceeded the amount
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation by approximately $431,000.
The Company has not experienced any losses on such balances.
Note 4 -- Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue consists of the following at December 31, 1999:
Deferred memberships ................... $ 98,668
Advances on royalties .................. 25,227
---------
$ 123,895
---------
Note 5 -- Capital lease
The Company leases equipment under a capital lease which will expire in
2002. Annual payments are applicable first to interest (at 6.3%) with the
balance to principal.
At December 31, 1999, future minimum payments are: 2000 -- $10,587; 2001
- -- $10,587; and 2002 (final year) -- $1,765. The amount representing interest
was $1,512, and the present value of net minimum lease payments was $21,427. At
December 31, 1999, the cost and accumulated depreciation of the leased
equipment were $29,088 and $5,817, respectively.
F-9
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
Note 6 -- Issuance of common stock
A. Private placement offerings
In connection with the 1999 Acquisition, Vanguard sold 1,333,333 shares of
common stock at $.75 per share in a private placement.
In June 1999, the Company sold nine private placement units at $100,000
per unit. Each private placement unit consisted of 11,733 shares of common
stock and a five-year warrant to purchase 13,333 shares of common stock at
$8.55 per share. The price of the units reflects a price of $8.52 per share,
with no value being allocated to the warrants. In connection with this private
placement, the Company paid the placement agent $117,000. The Company also
issued the placement agent a warrant to purchase one placement agent's unit for
$90,000. A placement agent's unit consists of 10,560 shares of common stock and
a warrant to purchase 12,000 shares of common stock at $8.55 per share. The
warrants may be redeemed commencing in June 2001 if the price of the common
stock is at least 150% of the exercise price. The warrants also give the
holders cashless exercise rights. The warrants will terminate on the date that
the Company's public offering of its securities is declared effective by the
Securities Exchange Commission.
The net proceeds of these private placements, after deducting costs of
$387,023, were $1,512,977.
Reference is also made to notes 7 and 16.
B. Issuance of common stock for goods and services
In connection with the 1999 Acquisition, Vanguard issued 133,333 shares of
common stock to an investment banker for services with a value of $100,000.
In 1999, the Company also issued 1,253 shares of common stock for
purchases of furniture with a value of $8,500 and 2,698 shares of common stock
for advertising services with a value of $24,000.
Reference is also made to note 16.
Note 7 -- Stock options and warrants
In 1999, the Company established a qualified Stock Incentive Plan for its
employees. Additionally, it issued non qualified stock options and warrants to
employees, independent contractors and others during both 1999 and 1998.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123") allows
the Company to account for stock-based compensation, including options, granted
to employees under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
("APB 25") and disclose in a footnote the pro forma effect on net income (loss)
if the fair value accounting method of SFAS 123 had been used.
The methodology used in estimating the fair value of the stock options was
the Minimum Value Method adjusted for the facts and circumstances of the stock
option agreements. Significant assumptions included a risk free interest rate
of 6% and an expected life of one year. The value of the options issued after
January 22, 1999 is determined based on the fair value of the stock traded at
the date granted.
During 1999, the Company granted incentive stock options to purchase
264,332 shares to employees under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan with an
exercise price equal to the fair value of the publicly traded stock at the date
the options were granted. Additionally, 18,667 incentive stock options were
granted to officers at 10% above fair value. The options expire ten years from
the grant date. During 1997 and 1998, the Company granted 307,316 non qualified
stock options to employees which expire ten years from the grant date.
F-10
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
During November and December 1999, the Company entered into agreements
with two individuals to become members of the Board of Directors. By agreeing
to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, they were granted options to
purchase 100,000 and 146,667 shares of the Company's common stock at an
exercise price of approximately $6.09.
In 1999, the Company cancelled a contract it had for a marketing firm to
provide investor relations services with payment to be made in stock options.
At the time of cancellation, 166,667 stock options had been granted at an
exercise price of $5.70.
In May 1999, the Company issued to an investor a warrant to purchase
166,667 shares of common stock at $8.55 per share. The warrant was issued in
consideration of the waiver by the investor of registration and other rights
the Company had granted in connection with its services relating to the 1999
Acquisition.
In 1999 and 1997, the Company also granted stock options and warrants to
purchase a total of 27,224 shares and 15,366 shares, respectively, in
accordance with the terms of various agreements with other contractors or
others providing services. The options and warrants were granted at the fair
value of the stock at the time the agreements were signed. The options and
warrants generally expire five years from the date of grant.
Under APB 25, no compensation was recognized in the consolidated financial
statements for the value of the stock options issued to employees with an
exercise price in excess of the estimated fair value of the Company stock at
the time of grant. In situations where the fair value of the stock options was
considered compensation, compensation expense was recorded and a corresponding
amount recorded as additional paid in capital.
The estimated value of stock options and warrants during 1999 ranged
between $.33 and $.48. The expense recognized for compensation and services for
these stock options and warrants granted in 1999 and 1998 was $202,062 and
$3,250, respectively.
The table below sets forth information as to options and warrants granted
in 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Weighted Number of Shares Weighted
of Shares Average Under Option in Average
Under Exercise Excess or Less Fair Value
Option Price Than Fair Value Price
----------- ---------- ------------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at January 1, 1999 ......... 322,682 $ .53 -- $ --
Granted during the year ................ 1,032,784 6.87 45,891 3.35
Exercised during the year .............. -- -- -- --
Expired during the year ................ -- -- -- --
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 ....... 1,355,466 4.14 45,891 3.35
Exercisable at December 31, 1999 ....... 845,800 1.80 27,225 2.85
</TABLE>
The shares under option and warrants at December 31, 1999 were in the
following exercise price ranges:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Currently
Options Outstanding Exercisable
--------------------------------------- -------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Number Exercise Contractual Number Exercise
Exercise Range of Options Price Life of Options Price
- ------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ------------ -----------
(in years)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ -0- -- $ 6.75 ......... 910,339 $ 2.32 8 527,340 $ 2.07
$6.7 -- $13.12........... 445,127 8.97 5 318,460 8.80
------- -------
1,355,466 845,800
--------- -------
</TABLE>
Reference is also made to note 16.
F-11
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
Note 8 -- Operating leases
Through April, 1999 the Company leased office facilities in Newburyport,
Massachusetts under a tenant-at-will lease agreement requiring sixty days'
advance notice of vacancy. In March, 1999 the Company entered into a lease for
office space with a 3 year term and a 3 year renewal period. The annual minimum
rental payments under the lease will be approximately $31,500.
Additionally, the Company leased vehicles in 1999 on three year operating
leases.
The future minimum rental payment under all operating leases are as
follows (including the 3 year renewal period on the lease for office space):
Year Ending
December 31 Amount
- ------------ ---------
2000 ...................... $ 43,614
2001 ...................... 40,491
2002 ...................... 33,315
2003 ...................... 31,500
2004 ...................... 31,500
2005 (final year) ......... 5,250
---------
Total ................... $ 185,670
---------
Rent expense for 1999 and 1998 was $36,849 and $9,354, respectively.
Note 9 -- Litigation settlement
In July 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with two former
employee-stockholders settling certain claims by those individuals against the
Company. Pursuant to a settlement agreement, the Company paid $10,000 and
issued its non-interest bearing notes for an aggregate of $490,000, of which
$384,807 was outstanding at December 31, 1998 (before adjustment for the
settlement). As a result of litigation concerning the parties' rights under the
settlement agreement, the Company entered into an agreement in January 1999,
with the two former employee-stockholders pursuant to which its obligations
under the notes were reduced to $275,000, which was the amount included in
accrued liabilities at December 31, 1998 and which was paid in 1999.
Accordingly, a partial extinguishment of debt was recorded effective December
31, 1998 in the amount of $109,807 representing the difference between the
recorded liability and the amount of the settlement in January, 1999 and is
reflected on the 1998 consolidated statement of operations as an extraordinary
item.
Note 10 -- Income taxes
At December 31, 1999, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward of
approximately $1,221,000 that may be used to offset future taxable income. If
not used, the carryforward will expire with the year 2018. The temporary
difference for income tax reporting on a cash basis results in additional
losses of approximately $192,000.
An allowance has been established for the full amount of the gross
deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty of utilizing the deferred taxes in
the future.
The tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward is
reflected in the following table as of December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Net operating loss carryforward ....................... $ 489,000
Accrual basis versus cash basis tax reporting ......... 77,000
---------
Deferred tax asset before valuation allowance ......... 566,000
Valuation allowance ................................... 566,000
---------
Net deferred tax asset ................................ $ --
---------
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
The effective combined Federal and State tax rate used in the calculation
of the deferred tax asset was 40%.
The operating loss carryforward is available to reduce Federal and State
taxable income and income taxes, respectively, in future years, if any. The
realizability of deferred taxes is not assured as it depends upon future
taxable income. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will ever
realize any future cash flows or benefits from these losses.
Permanent book/tax differences result from the value of the services of
two officers and an employee which was accrued for financial statement purposes
but which is not deductible for income tax purposes. These permanent book/tax
differences are not reflected in the net deferred tax asset.
Note 11 -- Earnings per share of common stock
The number of shares on which the basic earnings per share of common stock
has been calculated is as follows:
Weighted Average
Year Ended December 31, Number of Shares
- ------------------------- -----------------
1998 .................. 5,433,211
1999 .................. 7,207,145
The diluted earnings per share of common stock for 1998 has been
calculated using 5,476,051 weighted average number of shares for the year.
Diluted earnings per share of common stock has not been presented for 1999
since the effect of including the stock options and warrants outstanding during
1999 (note 7) would be antidilutive.
Reference is also made to note 16.
Note 12 -- Related party transactions
In 1997, an officer/stockholder provided $108,850 of working capital funds
to the Company. The unsecured loan payable bore interest at 8%. The remaining
outstanding principal balance was repaid in early 1999. Amounts paid to the
officer/stockholder during 1999 and 1998 totaled $54,753 and $26,000 (including
interest expense of $400 and $5,900), respectively.
An officer/stockholder of the Company was also a member of the board of
directors of a company which purchased a uniserver in the amount of $35,000 in
1998.
An officer/stockholder of the Company has received advances from the
Company during 1998. Advances to the officer/stockholder outstanding at
December 31, 1999 totaled $10,491.
Two members of the Board of Directors will receive annual compensation of
$15,000 and $24,000, respectively.
Reference is also made to notes 2G, 7 and 14.
Note 13 -- Pro forma information
Pro Forma Compensation:
The Company granted nonqualified options to purchase 76,829 shares of
common stock to an employee. The fair value of these options has been estimated
at $.19 per share. During the period from June 1, 1997 to May 31, 1998, 38,415
of the options vested and the remaining 38,414 options vested during the period
June 1, 1998 to May 31, 1999. Additionally, the Company granted 100,000 stock
options to a member of the Board of Directors upon joining the Board (see note
7): 20,000 options vested immediately at the date of grant; the
F-13
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
remaining 80,000 options vest at the rate of 20,000 on each of the four
succeeding anniversary dates. The fair value of the vested options has been
estimated at $.34 per share. (None of the 146,667 stock options granted to the
other member of the Board vest until after services have been performed. No
services were performed during 1999.)
SFAS 123 allows the Company to account for stock-based compensation
arrangements under the provisions of APB 25. Accordingly, the proforma
compensation for the stock options is $9,996 and $7,433 for 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31
--------------------------------
1999 1998
--------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Proforma information
(Loss) before (provision for) benefit from income taxes and
extraordinary item, per consolidated statement of operations .......... $ (835,819) $ (69,533)
Proforma adjustment for fair value of stock options ................. (9,996) (7,433)
----------- ----------
Proforma (loss) before extraordinary item .......................... (845,815) (76,966)
Gain on extinguishment of debt related to litigation settlement, net of
tax effect of $-0- .................................................... -- 109,807
----------- ----------
Proforma net income (loss) ......................................... $ (845,815) $ 32,841
----------- ----------
</TABLE>
Reference is also made to note 16.
Note 14 -- Commitments
A. Software development
On October 9, 1999 the Company entered into an agreement with a customer
to develop software for use in operating a virtual shopping mall. The term of
the agreement is four years. The total amount of the contract is for no less
than $1,000,000 but no more than $1,500,000. Additionally, the Company will
receive a fee equal to 1% of the revenue collected by the customer for the
virtual shopping mall once it is operational. In December 1999 the Company
received the first installment under the contract for $150,000 to begin
development of the software. The Company recognized $210,000 as revenue on the
contract in 1999.
B. Employment contracts
Effective January 21, 1999, the Company entered into three-year employment
agreements with its president and chief financial officer. Under the agreements
annual compensation for each is $140,000. Additionally, the president and chief
financial officer each were granted options to purchase up to 9,333 shares of
the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $.83 per share. The
agreements also provide for the president and chief financial officer to be
eligible to participate in a bonus pool of not more than 10% of income before
taxes, in excess of $750,000. A compensation committee will have sole
discretion as to the allocation of the bonus pool among the senior executives.
The bonus is not cumulative during any fiscal year.
Each agreement contains a provision whereby if the Company breaches the
provisions of the agreement, if the employee terminates the agreement for "good
reason" or if the Company terminates the employee other than for cause (as
defined in the agreement), the employee shall be entitled to payment equal to
the lesser of (a) one year's salary and bonus for the period of employment
prior to calendar year in which termination occurred; or (b) the salary due for
the balance of the term plus a pro rata portion of the bonus paid to the
employee for the previous year.
F-14
<PAGE>
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- (Continued)
Effective February 12, 1999, the Company entered into a five-year
employment agreement with the Company's lead programmer. Under the agreement,
annual compensation starts at $100,000, increased annually by 10% of previous
year's salary. Additionally, the employee was granted options to purchase up to
116,667 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $9.19 per
share. (See note 7.)
Reference is also made to note 16.
Note 15 -- Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the 1998 consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation. These reclassifications had
no effect on 1998 consolidated net income.
Note 16 -- Subsequent event (unaudited)
On February 29, 2000, the Company approved a two-for-three reverse stock
split of the Company's outstanding common stock, an action which also resulted
in adjustments to the Company's outstanding stock options and warrants (which
were also converted on a two-for-three basis) and the related exercise prices
(which were increased accordingly by 50%). The reverse stock split will become
effective on the date that the Company's public offering of its securities is
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying
financial statements and footnotes have been restated to reflect this
two-for-three reverse stock split.
F-15
<PAGE>
INSIDE BACK COVER ARTWORK
Virtual satellite picture of a portion of alphaworlds.
<PAGE>
================================================================================
No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or representations other than those contained in this Prospectus,
and if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Company or the underwriters. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to buy any security offered by this
Prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
security, by any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation
would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall under any circumstances, imply that the Information in this
Prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Prospectus.
--------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
--------
Prospectus Summary ......................... 3
Our Business ............................... 3
The Offering ............................... 4
Summary Financial Information .............. 6
Risk Factors ............................... 7
Forward-Looking Statements ................. 11
Dilution ................................... 11
Market for Common Stock; Dividends ......... 12
Use of Proceeds ............................ 12
Capitalization ............................. 13
Selected Financial Data .................... 14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of
Operations .............................. 15
Business ................................... 17
Management ................................. 25
Related Party Transactions ................. 28
1999 Private Placements .................... 28
Principal Stockholders ..................... 29
Description of Securities .................. 29
Underwriting ............................... 33
Legal Matters .............................. 34
Experts .................................... 35
Additional Information ..................... 35
Index to Financial Statements .............. F-1
---------------
Until , 2000 (25 days from the date of this Prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not
participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus.
This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when
acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
================================================================================
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
1,200,000 Units
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Each Unit Consisting of
One Share of Common Stock and
a Series B Redeemable
Common Stock Purchase Warrants
to Purchase One Share
of Common Stock
--------------------
PROSPECTUS
-------------------
HD Brous & Co., Inc.
SOLID ISG CAPITAL
MARKETS, LLC
FIRST COLONIAL
SECURITIES GROUP, INC.
, 2000
================================================================================
<PAGE>
PART II
Item 24. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our Bylaws
(Exhibit 3.6) provide us with broad power to indemnify our directors and
officers.
Reference is made to Paragraph 7 of the Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit
1.1) with respect to indemnification of us and the underwriters.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, offices or controlling persons of the
registrant, pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 25. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, excluding the
Representative's nonaccountable expense allowance, all of which expenses will
be paid by the Registrant:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee ................................... $ 4,458.89
NASD registration fee .................................. 2,189.00
Nasdaq listing fee ..................................... 10,000.00*
Boston Stock Exchange Listing Fee ...................... 7,750.00
Printing and engraving ................................. 30,000.00*
Accountants' fees and expenses ......................... 75,000.00*
Legal fees and expenses ................................ 210,000.00*
Transfer agent's and warrant agent's fees and expenses . 5,000.00*
Blue Sky fees and expenses ............................. 70,000.00*
Representative's non-accountable expense allowance ..... 180,000.00*
Miscellaneous .......................................... 5,602.11*
--------------
Total ............................................... $ 600,000.00*
==============
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Estimated
Item 26. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the past three years, we sold the following securities pursuant to
exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. All information reflects a one-for-two reverse split in our common
stock, which was effective on January 21, 1999, and a two-for-three reverse
split in our common stock, which was approved on March , 2000 and which will
take effect on the effective date of this prospectus.
1. In September 1995, the founders of Vanguard were issued 300,000 shares
of common stock for the amount of $25,000. The sale of these shares was exempt
from the registration provisions of the Securities Act pursuant to Section
4(2).
II-1
<PAGE>
2. In January 1996, Vanguard completed a public offering of 33,333 shares
of our common stock for the amount of $10,000. The sale of these shares was
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to
Rule 504. There was no underwriter for this sale.
3. On January 21, 1999, we issued to the ten former stockholders of Circle
of Fire Studios, Inc. an aggregate of 5,433,211 shares of common stock in
exchange for their shares of Circle of Fire Studios common stock. As part of
the acquisition, options to purchase shares of Circle of Fire Studios common
stock were exchanged for options to purchase 322,682 shares of our common
stock. The issuance of these shares and options was exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2). We
also issued 133,333 shares of common stock to Baytree Capital Associates, LLC,
for services relating to this acquisition.
4. In January 1999, we sold 1,333,333 shares of common stock in a private
placement for $.75 per share to unaffiliated parties. The sale of these shares
was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to
Rule 504. No general solicitation was made in connection with this private
placement, and no underwriter was engaged for this sale.
5. Pursuant to an April 1999 agreement, we granted to a marketing firm
stock options to purchase 166,667 shares of common stock at $5.70 per share, in
consideration of advertising services. The issuance of the options was exempt
from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
6. In January 1999, we sold 43,333 shares of common stock to Shamus Young,
who was an employee, for $6,500, which was paid by the issuance of a 8%
promissory note due December 31, 2000. Such sale was exempt from registration
pursuant to section 4(2) of the Securities Act. These shares were issued upon
exercise of an option.
7. During the period from January through June 1999, we granted options to
purchase 8,167 shares of common stock at $13.125 per share to a contractor for
services performed over such period and valued at approximately $12,250. The
issuance of the options was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act.
8. In April 1999, we issued 1,253 shares of common stock as payment for
furniture valued at $8,500. The issuance of the shares was exempt from
registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
9. In May 1999, we issued to Baytree Capital Associates, LLP, a warrant to
purchase 166,667 shares of common stock at $8.55 per share. The warrant was
issued in consideration of the waiver by Baytree Capital Associates of
registration and other rights we had granted to Baytree in connection with the
acquisition of Circle of Fire Studios. The issuance of this warrant was exempt
from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
10. In June 1999, we sold nine private placement units at $100,000 per
unit to four accredited investors: SoundShore Holdings Ltd., SoundShore
Opportunity Holding Fund Ltd., Hull Overseas, Ltd. and Duck Partners, L.P. Each
private placement unit consisted of 11,733 shares of common stock and a Series
A common stock purchase warrants to purchase 13,333 shares of common stock at
$8.55 per share. The effective price per share of common stock purchased by
these investors was $8.52 per share, assuming that no value is allocated to the
warrants. In connection with this private placement, we engaged HD Brous & Co.,
Inc. as exclusive placement agent. We paid HD Brous a fee of $90,000 and a
non-accountable expense allowance of $27,000. We also issued HD Brous a warrant
to purchase one placement agent unit for $90,000. A placement agent unit
consists of 10,560 shares of our common stock and a Series A common stock
purchase warrant to purchase 12,000 shares of our common stock at $8.55 per
share. The warrant to HD Brous will terminate on the effective date of this
registration statement.
In connection with the private placement, we and our officers, directors
and 5% stockholders gave HD Brous a three-year right of first refusal with
respect to public and private sales of our securities. The issuance of these
securities was exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 506 and Sections 4(2)
and 4(6) of the Securities Act.
II-2
<PAGE>
Item 27. Exhibits
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Issuer and the Underwriters.**
1.2 Form of Underwriters' Unit Purchase Option.**
2. Plan of reorganization between Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. and Circle of Fire Studios, Inc. dated
January 13, 1999.*
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
September 5, 1995.*
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on September 29, 1995.*
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on October 12, 1995.*
3.4 Certificate for Renewal and Revival of Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State on September 10, 1997.*
3.5 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on January 21, 1999.*
3.6 Bylaws of the Issuer.*
3.6.1 Restated Bylaws of Issuer.*
4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate.**
4.2 Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase
Warrant.*
4.3 Form of Series A Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant.*
5. Opinion of Peabody & Arnold LLP.**
10.1 Activeworlds.com, Inc. 1999 Long-term incentive plan.*
10.1.1 Activeworlds.com, Inc. Restated 1999 Long-term incentive plan.*
10.2 Lease Agreement dated February 27, 1999 between the Issuer and Robert L. Wood.*
10.3 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 21, 1999, between the
Issuer and Richard F. Noll.*
10.4 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 21, 1999, between the
Issuer and J. P. McCormick.*
10.5 Stock Option Agreement between the Issuer and Richard F. Noll.*
10.6 Stock Option Agreement between the Issuer and J. P. McCormick.*
10.7 Agreement dated October 1999, between the Issuer and Advance Shopping Centre Management
Pty. Limited.**
10.8 Agreement dated April 1998 between the Issuer and the Tech Museum in San Jose, California*
23.1 Consent of Pannell Kerr Forster PC (included on Page II-6).**
23.2 Consent of Peabody & Arnold LLP (included in Exhibit 5).**
24. Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page).**
27. Financial Data Schedule (for SEC purposes only)*
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Previously filed.
** Filed herewith.
*** To be filed by amendment.
II-3
<PAGE>
Item 28. Undertakings
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:
(i) Include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered and any deviation from the low or
high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20%
change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement, and
(iii) Include additional or changed material information on the plan of
distribution, and PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act,
treat each post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the
securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to be the
initial bona fide offering.
(3) File a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the
securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.
(4) That for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act,
the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(5) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(6) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(7) To provide the underwriters, at the closing specified in the
Underwriting Agreement, certificates representing the units in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies it has reasonable grounds to believe it meets
all the requirements for filing on this Form SB-2 and authorized this Amendment
No. 3 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, in the City of Newburyport, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this
3rd day of April, 2000.
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Noll
--------------------------
Richard F. Noll, President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints J.P. McCormick and Richard F. Noll, and
each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power
of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any registration
statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is
to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his, her or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof. Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment
No. 3 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signatures Title Date
- ---------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Richard F. Noll President and chief executive officer April 3, 2000
--------------------------- and director (principal executive
Richard F. Noll officer)
/s/ J.P. McCormick Chief financial officer and director April 3, 2000
--------------------------- (principal financial and accounting
J.P. McCormick officer)
/s/ Alexander M. Adelson Director April 3, 2000
---------------------------
Alexander M. Adelson
/s/ Sean Deson Director April 3, 2000
---------------------------
Sean Deson
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement
No. 333-85095 of our report dated February 8, 2000, accompanying the financial
statements of Activeworlds.com, Inc. as of December 31, 1999 and for the two
years then ended, and to the use of our name and the statements with respect to
us as appearing under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.
PANNELL KERR FORSTER, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
March 31, 2000
II-6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
No. Description
- ---------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Issuer and the Underwriters.*
1.2 Form of Underwriters' Unit Purchase Option.*
2. Plan of reorganization between Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. and Circle of Fire Studios, Inc. dated
January 13, 1999.*
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
September 5, 1995.*
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on September 29, 1995.*
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on October 12, 1995.*
3.4 Certificate for Renewal and Revival of Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State on September 10, 1997.*
3.5 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Issuer as filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State on January 21, 1999.*
3.6 Bylaws of the Issuer.*
3.6.1 Restated Bylaws of Issuer.*
4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate.*
4.2 Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase
Warrant.*
4.3 Form of Series A Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant.*
5. Opinion of Peabody & Arnold LLP.**
10.1 Activeworlds.com, Inc. 1999 Long-term incentive plan.*
10.1.1 Activeworlds.com, Inc. Restated 1999 Long-term incentive plan.*
10.2 Lease Agreement dated February 27, 1999 between the Issuer and Robert L. Wood.*
10.3 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 21, 1999, between the
Issuer and Richard F. Noll.*
10.4 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 21, 1999, between the
Issuer and J. P. McCormick.*
10.5 Stock Option Agreement between the Issuer and Richard F. Noll.*
10.6 Stock Option Agreement between the Issuer and J. P. McCormick.*
10.7 Agreement dated October 1999, between the Issuer and Advance Shopping Centre Management
Pty. Limited.**
10.8 Agreement dated April 1998 between the Issuer and the Tech Museum in San Jose, California*
23.1 Consent of Pannell Kerr Forster PC (included on Page II-6).**
23.2 Consent of Peabody & Arnold LLP (included in Exhibit 5).**
24. Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page).**
27. Financial Data Schedule (for SEC purposes only)*
</TABLE>
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* Previously filed.
** Filed herewith.
*** To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>
1,200,000 Units
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Each Unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and a Series B Redeemable
Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
Underwriting Agreement
As of , 2000
HD Brous & Co, Inc.
Solid ISG Capital Markets, L.L.C.
First Colonial Securities, Inc.
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I
annexed to this Agreement
40 Cuttermill Road
Great Neck, New York 11021
Dear Sirs:
Activeworlds.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I to
this Agreement for whom HD Brous & Co., Inc., a New York corporation ("Brous"),
Solid ISG Capital Markets, L.L.C. ("Solid ISG") and First Colonial Securities,
Inc. ("First Colonial") are the representatives (the "Representatives"). The
Representatives, along with such other underwriters named on Schedule I, are
referred to in this Agreement collectively as the "Underwriters." Upon the basis
of the representations, warranties, and agreements of the Company contained in
this Agreement and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Underwriters propose to purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 1,200,000
Units, each Unit to consist of one (1) share of the Company's common stock, par
value $.001 per share ("Common Stock"), and a Series B Redeemable Common Stock
Purchase Warrant ("Warrant") to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock at a
price of $ per share, subject to adjustment. The 1,200,000 Units are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Firm Units." The shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are presently authorized but unissued
shares of the Common Stock of the Company. In addition, the Company proposes to
grant the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an
additional 180,000 Units (collectively "Option Units") solely for the purpose of
covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with the sale of the Firm Units.
The Option Units may by purchased by the Representatives for their own account
or for the account of the several Underwriters, as the Representatives may
determine. The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the Representatives or
their designees, Unit Purchase Options (collectively, the "Unit Purchase
Option") to purchase 120,000 Units (collectively the "Purchase Option Units") as
more fully described in Paragraph 5(a) of this Agreement. The Warrants included
in the Firm Units, the Option Units and the Purchase Option Units are referred
to in this Agreement collectively as the "Warrants." The Firm Units, Option
Units and Purchase Option Units are referred to in this Agreement collectively
as the "Securities."
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<PAGE>
The Company hereby confirms the agreement made by it with respect to
the purchase of the Firm Units and the Option Units by the Underwriters, as
follows. The Representatives hereby represent and warrant that, if any
Underwriters other than the Representatives are named on Schedule I to this
Agreement, the Representatives are acting as the representatives of the several
Underwriters and you have been authorized by each of the other Underwriters to
enter into this Underwriting Agreement on its behalf and to act for it in the
manner herein provided.
1. Purchase, Sale, and Delivery of the Securities
(a) Purchase and Sale of Firm Units. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, and upon the basis of the representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to
the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not
jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a price of and /100
dollars ($ . ) per Unit, the number of Firm Units set forth opposite such
Underwriter's name on Schedule I to this Agreement. The Underwriters plan to
offer the Firm Units for sale to the public at the price and upon the terms set
forth in the Prospectus (the "Public Offering") as soon as practicable after the
date the Registration Statement, as hereinafter defined, is declared effective
(the "Effective Date") by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters shall have the
right to enter into agreements with co-underwriters and with selected dealers
for the sale of the Units to the public.
(b) Over-Allotment Option.
(i) The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters an option
(the "Over- Allotment Option") to purchase from the Company, solely for the
purpose of covering over-allotments in connection with the sale of Firm Units,
all or any portion of the Option Units for a period of forty-five (45) days from
the date of this Agreement at the same purchase price payable by the Underwriter
for Firm Units as provided in Paragraph 1(a) of this Agreement. The Option Units
shall be purchased from the Company, either for the accounts of the
Representatives on their own behalf or for the account of the several
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, in proportion to the number of Firm
Units set opposite the Underwriters' respective names in Schedule I to this
Agreement, as the Representatives shall determine, except that the respective
purchase obligations of each Underwriter shall be adjusted by the
Representatives so that no Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase fractional
Option Units.
(ii) The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised during the term
thereof by written notice to the Company from the Representatives. Such notice
shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Units as to which the option is
being exercised and the time and date of payment and delivery therefor. Such
time and date of delivery shall not be earlier than either the Closing Date (as
defined below) or the second business day after the day on which the option
shall have been exercised, nor later than the fifth business day after the date
of such exercise, as determined by the Representatives (the "Option Closing
Date"). Delivery and payment for such Option Units shall be at the offices set
forth below for delivery and payment of the Firm Units.
(iii) The obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and pay
for any of the Option Units is subject to the accuracy and completeness (as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Option Closing Date) of and compliance
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<PAGE>
in all material respects with the representations and warranties of the Company
in this Agreement, to the accuracy and completeness of the statements of the
Company or its officers made in any certificate or other documents to be
delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, to the performance in all
material respects by the Company of its obligations hereunder, to the
satisfaction by the Company of the conditions as of the date of this Agreement
and as of the Option Closing Date set forth in Paragraph 1(c) of this Agreement
and to the delivery to the Underwriters of opinions, certificates and letters
dated the Option Closing Date substantially similar in scope to those specified
in Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, but with each reference to the "Closing Date"
being deemed to be the "Option Closing Date." Notwithstanding the exercise of
the Over-Allotment Option, the Underwriters may, at any time prior to the
payment for the purchase price of the Option Units, cancel, in whole or in part,
the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, in which event, the Underwriters
shall only be obligated to purchase and pay for those only Option Units, if any,
remaining subject to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option after such
cancellation.
(c) Delivery of and Payment for Securities.
(i) Delivery of the stock and warrant certificates representing
the securities comprising the Firm Units shall be made to the Underwriters at
the offices of Brous, 40 Cuttermill Road, Great Neck, New York 11021, or such
other location as you shall determine and advise the Company upon at least two
(2) full business days' notice in writing, against payment therefor by certified
or bank cashier's check drawn in New York clearing house funds or similar next
day funds or by wire transfer payable to the order of the Company, at 10:00
A.M., Eastern Time, on ____________, 2000, or at such other time and business
day (Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays in New York, New York not being
considered business days for the purposes of this Agreement), not later than the
10th business day following the Effective Date, as shall be determined by the
Representatives, which time and date are herein called the "Closing Date."
(ii) Delivery of certificates for the Common Stock and Warrants
comprising the Units shall be made in registered form in such name or names and
in such denominations as you shall specify to the Company upon at least two (2)
full business days' notice in writing prior to the Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be. The Company will make the certificates
available to the Underwriters for examination at the offices of Brous, 40
Cuttermill Road, Great Neck, New York 11021, Attention: Howard D. Brous,
Chairman, or at such other location as you shall specify to the Company, not
later than 2:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on the business day immediately preceding
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be. At the request
of the Representatives, delivery of the Common Stock and Warrants comprising the
Units shall be made through the facilities of Depository Trust Company ("DTC").
(d) Use of Preliminary Prospectus. The Company hereby confirms its
authorization to the Underwriters to use, and to make available for use by
prospective dealers, the Preliminary Prospectus, and the Company hereby
authorizes the Underwriters, all selected dealers, and all other dealers to whom
any of the Securities may be sold by the Underwriters or selected dealers, to
use the Prospectus, as from time to time amended or supplemented, in connection
with the sale of the Securities in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the rules and
regulations (the "Regulations") of the Commission thereunder, and applicable
state law until completion of the Public Offering and for such longer period as
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<PAGE>
an Underwriter may request if the Prospectus is required to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Securities by an Underwriter or a dealer.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters that:
(a) Filing of Registration Statement. The Company has prepared in
conformity with the requirements under the Securities Act and the Regulations,
and has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act, a registration
statement on Form SB-2, File No. 333-85095, including the related preliminary
prospectus, for the registration of the Securities. The conditions for the use
of a registration statement on Form SB-2 set forth in the General Instructions
thereto have been satisfied with respect to the Company, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and the Registration Statement. As used in this
Agreement, the term "Registration Statement" means such registration statement
of the Company, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the
registration statement becomes effective under the Securities Act (including all
financial statements and financial schedules, exhibits, all other documents
filed as a part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and all the
information contained in any final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or deemed by virtue of Rule 430A of this
Commission under the Securities Act to be part of the Registration Statement).
The term "Prospectus" as used in this Agreement means the final prospectus
included as part of the Registration Statement, including, if applicable, the
information contained in any final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) of the Commission under the Securities Act or deemed by virtue of
Rule 430A of the Commission under the Securities Act to be part of the
Registration Statement. The term "Preliminary Prospectus" refers to and means
any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
prior to the Registration Statement becoming effective under the Securities Act.
(b) Use and Accuracy of Preliminary Prospectus. To the Company's
Knowledge, the Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the
use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any part thereof, and each Preliminary
Prospectus delivered to the Representatives for dissemination in connection with
the offering, at the time of filing thereof and delivery to the Representatives
for such dissemination, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact,
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; the foregoing shall not apply, however, to statements
in, or omissions from, any Preliminary Prospectus that are based upon and
conform to written information furnished to the Company with respect to any
Underwriter (or any affiliate or associate thereof) by or on behalf of the
Representatives or such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation
thereof. As used in this Agreement, the term "the Company's Knowledge" or words
of like import shall mean and include (i) actual knowledge of the Company or any
executive officer or " of the Company and (ii) that knowledge which a prudent
businessperson could reasonably have obtained in the management of such person's
business affairs after exercising reasonable due diligence.
(c) Effectiveness and Accuracy of Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, from the Effective Date through the
Closing Date and, if Option Units are purchased, up to the Option Closing Date,
will comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration
Statement nor the Prospectus will, on such dates, contain any untrue statement
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<PAGE>
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, on such dates, no
event will have occurred that should have been set forth in an amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that has not then
been set forth in such an amendment or supplement; the foregoing shall not
apply, however, to statements in, or omissions from, the Registration Statement
or Prospectus that are based upon and conform to written information furnished
to the Company with respect to any Underwriter (or any affiliate or associate
thereof) by or on behalf of such Underwriter specifically for use in the
preparation thereof. The descriptions in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus of contracts and other documents of the Company are accurate and
present fairly the information required to be disclosed, and there are no
contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act or the Regulations which have not been so described or
filed as required.
(d) Independent Public Accountants. Panel Kerr Forrester, PC, the
accountants whose reports on the financial statements of the Company are filed
with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement, are, and were
during the periods covered by its report, independent public accountants with
respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and the Regulations.
(e) Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Activeworlds, Inc., a Nevada Corporation (the
"Subsidiary"), is (i) a corporation duly organized and existing in good standing
under the laws of the state of its incorporation and has the requisite corporate
power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted
and (ii) qualified to conduct business as a foreign corporation to do business
and in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary and where the failure so to
qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect. Other than the Subsidiary, the
Company has no subsidiaries and has no equity interest in, and, the Company has
no loans to or guarantee of obligations of, any other corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or other entity. As used in this Agreement, the
term "Material Adverse Effect" means any material adverse effect on (A) the
Common Stock and the Warrants; (B) the ability of the Company to perform its
obligations under this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement or the Unit Purchase
Option or (C) the business, operations, properties, financial condition or
prospects of the Company or the Subsidiary.
(f) No Other Interests of Investments. Except for the Company's
ownership of and advances to the Subsidiary, neither the Company nor the
Subsidiary controls, directly or indirectly, or has any direct or indirect
interest or investment in any corporation, firm, partnership, association,
limited liability company, business trust or other business organization, and
does not own any shares of stock or any other securities of (other than bank
certificates of deposit, shares or units of interest in "money market" funds, or
as set forth in the Prospectus) and, except as set forth in the Prospectus,
neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has made any loans (other than advances
to employees in the ordinary course of business, none of which are material or
made to officers or "s) to or guaranteed any obligations of, any other
corporation, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, business
trust or other business organization.
(g) Capitalization and Legality of Securities. (i) The authorized,
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization." The capital stock and other
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<PAGE>
securities of the Company conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the
Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock." Except as otherwise
set forth in the Prospectus, there are no outstanding options, warrants, or
other rights to purchase any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock, or
to purchase any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common
Stock. The outstanding securities of the Company and the outstanding securities
of the Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
paid and non-assessable. All the shares of Common Stock which are (i) registered
pursuant to the Registration Statement, (ii) issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, and (iii) issuable
upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option and the warrants issuable upon
exercise of the Unit Purchase Option have been duly authorized and, when issued
and delivered against payment therefor as provided in this Agreement, the
Prospectus, Warrant Agreement or the Unit Purchase Option, as applicable, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(ii) The Company owns all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary has not granted any options, warrants or
rights or issued any convertible notes, debentures, preferred stock or other
securities or entered into any agreement or understanding upon the exercise or
conversion of which or pursuant to the terms of which any shares of any class or
series of capital stock of the Subsidiary may be issued.
(iii) This Agreement constitutes, and the Warrant Agreement,
the Warrants, Unit Purchase Option and the Warrants issuable upon exercise of
the Unit Purchase Option will constitute, when sold and delivered as
contemplated, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement
thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and similar laws and court decisions now or
hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights and remedies
generally and (B) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). A sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon sale of
the Securities and Purchase Option Units and upon the exercise of all of the
above-referenced Warrants.
(h) Financial Statements. The financial statements (audited and
unaudited) of the Company and the related financial exhibits and schedules
included in the Prospectus or filed with and as part of the Registration
Statement present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company (and
the Subsidiary) as of the balance sheet dates and the results of its
consolidated operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended,
and such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved; all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of
the results for such periods have been made. The financial statements filed with
the Registration Statement or included in the Prospectus are the only financial
statements required under the Securities Act or the Regulations to be included
in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
(i) Material Loss. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has,
since the date of the latest financial statements included in the Prospectus,
sustained any material loss or interference with its business from fire,
explosion, flood, or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or
from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order, or decree, other
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<PAGE>
than as set forth in the Prospectus. Since the respective dates as of which
information is set forth in the Prospectus, and except as otherwise set forth
therein: (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock, or material
increase in the long-term debt, of the Company or the Subsidiary; (ii) there has
not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
business, results of operations, general affairs, or management of the Company
or the Subsidiary, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) no event has occurred that would result in a material write-down of assets
of the Company or the Subsidiary; (iv) neither the Company nor the Subsidiary
has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, or
entered into any material transaction, other than those in the ordinary course
of business; (v) neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has purchased any of the
Company's outstanding capital stock; (vi) there has been no dividend or
distribution of any kind declared, paid, or made by the Company or the
Subsidiary in respect of the Common Stock; (vii) there has not been any material
interruption in the availability of materials, supplies, or equipment necessary
for the conduct of the business of the Company or the Subsidiary; and (viii)
there has not been any execution or imposition of any material lien, charge, or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or the Subsidiary.
(j) Compliance with Documents and Laws. Neither the Company nor the
Subsidiary is in violation of its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, or
other governing documents, or in material default in the due performance of any
material lease or other material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
note, loan, or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or
the Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its properties or businesses
are subject or bound, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any applicable
material license, franchise, certificate, permit, authorization, statute, rule
or regulation of or from any public, regulatory, or governmental agency or
authority having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary or any of their
respective properties or assets, or any approval, consent, order, judgment or
decree, except such as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. The execution and performance of this Agreement by the Company
will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or default under,
any material lease or other material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, note, loan, or other material agreement or instrument to which the
Company or the Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company, the Subsidiary or
any of their respective properties or businesses are subject, and no consent,
approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority or
agency having jurisdiction over any of the Company, the Subsidiary or any of
their respective properties or assets is required to be obtained by the Company
for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except such as have been obtained or may be required under the
Securities Act, the Regulations, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act") and the regulations of the Commission thereunder or state
securities (or "Blue Sky") laws or the applicable rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(k) Authorization of Agreements. Each of this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Warrant, the Unit Purchase Options, has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the valid,
binding and enforceable obligation of the Company. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants, and the Unit
Purchase Options by the Company, the consummation by the Company of the
transactions herein and therein contemplated, and the compliance by the Company
with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants, the Unit
Purchase Option have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and
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<PAGE>
do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time,
or both, (i) result in any violation of the certificate of incorporation and
by-laws of the Company, (ii) result in a breach of or conflict with any of the
terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
modification or termination of, or result in the creation or imposition of any
lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or
assets of the Company or the Subsidiary pursuant to any indenture, mortgage,
note, contract, commitment or other agreement or instrument to which the Company
or the Subsidiary is a party or which the Company or the Subsidiary or any of
their respective properties or assets are or may be bound or affected, (iii)
violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree
of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction
over the Company, the Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or
business, or (iv) violate any permit, certification, registration, approval,
consent, license or franchise applicable to the business or properties of the
Company or the Subsidiary.
(l) Title to Property. The Company has good title to, and valid and
enforceable leasehold estates in, all items of property described in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus as owned or leased by it, as the case may
be, or that are material to the conduct of the Company's businesses, free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests, and other
restrictions, other than those described in the Prospectus and those that
individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The leases, licenses or other contracts or instruments
under which the Company leases, holds or is entitled to use any property, real
or personal, are valid, subsisting and enforceable as against the Company and,
to the Company's Knowledge, the other parties thereto, with only such exceptions
as are not material and do not interfere with the use of such property made, or
proposed to be made, by the Company, and all rentals, royalties or other
payments accruing thereunder which became due prior to the date of this
Agreement have been duly paid, and neither the Company nor, to its Knowledge,
any other party is in default thereunder and, to the Company's Knowledge, no
event has occurred which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or
both, would constitute a default thereunder. The Company has not received notice
of any violation of any applicable law, ordinance, regulation, order or
requirement relating to its owned or leased properties except any such violation
that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Company has insured their respective properties against loss or damage by fire
or other casualty and maintain such other insurance which management of the
Company believes is adequate for the Company's present and proposed business
operations.
(m) Copyrights, Trademarks and Intellectual Property Rights. Except
as set forth in the Prospectus, the Company owns or possesses the requisite
licenses or rights to use all trademarks, copyrights, service marks, service
names, and trade names, if any, presently used in or necessary to conduct their
respective businesses as described in the Prospectus. To the Company's
Knowledge, neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has infringed the rights of
another in any patent, trademark, copyright, service mark, service name, trade
name, trade secret, confidential information, or any other such intellectual
property, and there is no outstanding claim of others alleging any such
infringement. To the Company's Knowledge, there is no claim or action by any
person pertaining to, or proceeding pending, or threatened, which challenges the
exclusive rights of the Company or the Subsidiary with respect to any
trademarks, copyrights, service marks, service names and trade names used in the
conduct of the Company's or the Subsidiary's business.
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<PAGE>
(n) Litigation. There is no litigation or governmental or other
proceeding or investigation before any court or before or by any public,
regulatory, or governmental agency or authority (or any judgment, decree, or
order of such court, agency, or authority) pending or, to the Company's
Knowledge, threatened, to which the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or of
which the business or property of the Company is the subject that is material to
the Company and is not disclosed in the Prospectus. There are no outstanding
orders, judgments or decrees of any court, governmental agency or other tribunal
naming the Company or the Subsidiary and enjoining the Company or the Subsidiary
from taking, or requiring the Company or the Subsidiary to take, any action, or
to which the Company, the Subsidiary or their respective properties or
businesses are bound or subject.
(o) Prohibited Payments. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary nor
any of their respective "s or officers acting in any capacity on behalf of the
Company or the Subsidiary nor, to the Company's Knowledge, any of the Company's
or the Subsidiary's sales agents, directly or indirectly, has used any corporate
funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment, or other unlawful
expenses relating to political activity; made any unlawful payment to foreign or
domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political
parties or campaigns from corporate funds; violated any provision of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback, or other unlawful payment.
(p) Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiary
maintain a system of internal accounting controls which, taken as a whole, is
sufficient to meet the broad objectives of preventing and detecting errors or
irregularities in amounts that would be material to the Company's and the
Subsidiary's financial statements, and neither the Company nor the Subsidiary
has received any formal or informal notice from its independent accountants to
the contrary. Except as specifically disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the
Company nor any of its employees or agents has made any payment or transfer of
any funds or assets of the Company, conferred any personal benefit by the use of
the assets of the Company or received any funds, assets, or personal benefit in
violation of any law, rule, or regulation, which is required to be stated in the
Prospectus or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(q) Tax Returns. The Company and the Subsidiary have filed all
Federal, state, and local tax returns required to be filed through the date of
this Agreement, including but not limited to franchise tax returns, or has
obtained valid extensions with respect to such filings not made; neither the
Company nor the Subsidiary is in default in the payment of any taxes or other
amounts that were payable pursuant to said returns or any assessments with
respect thereto; and neither the Company nor the Subsidiary is aware of any tax
or other payment deficiency outstanding, proposed, or assessed against the
Company or the Subsidiary that could, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as disclosed in writing to the Representatives, neither the
Company nor the Subsidiary has executed or filed with any taxing authority,
foreign or domestic, any agreement extending the period for assessment or
collection of any income taxes and is not a party to any pending action or
proceeding by and foreign or domestic governmental agency for assessment or
collection of taxes; and no claims for assessment or collection of taxes have
been asserted against the Company or the Subsidiary.
(r) Employee Plans. Except as set forth in the Prospectus, the
Company does not have any employee benefit plans (including, without limitation,
pension, profit sharing, and welfare benefit plans, but excluding health and
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disability insurance plans and disability provisions of employment contracts) or
deferred compensation arrangements.
(s) Labor Disputes. No labor dispute exists or, to the Company's
Knowledge, is imminent with the employees or other persons engaged by the
Company or the Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Registration Rights. No person, firm or entity of any nature
whatsoever has any right to require the Company to register or attempt to
register under the Securities Act or any other securities law any shares of
Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
any shares of Common Stock, by reason of the filing of the Registration
Statement with the Commission, and, except as set forth in the Prospectus, no
person, firm or entity has any rights which may require the Company to file a
registration statement within eighteen (18) months from the Effective Date.
(u) Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any person that
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company has taken
or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might
reasonably be expected to, cause or result in under the Exchange Act,
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security in order to
facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities.
(v) Finder or Broker. The Company has not retained or dealt with
any broker or finder with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and
the Company knows of no outstanding claims for services in the nature of a
finder's fee or origination fee with respect to the sale of the Securities. The
Company will indemnify and hold harmless Underwriters with respect to any claim
for a finder's fee by any party claiming to be owed such fee based on contacts,
conversations or arrangements with the Company.
(w) Employment Agreements. The employment agreements between the
Company and its officers named under the caption "Management -- Employment
Agreements" in the Prospectus, are binding and enforceable obligations upon the
respective parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms, except as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws or arrangements affecting creditors' rights
generally and subject to principles of equity, and public policy considerations.
(x) Contracts. Each material contract or other instrument (however
characterized or described) to which the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or
by which it or its property or business is or may be bound or affected and to
which reference is made in the Prospectus has been duly and validly executed by
the Company or by the Subsidiary, as applicable, is in full force and effect in
all material respects and, assuming that each other party has full power,
corporate or other, to execute, deliver and perform such contracts, is
enforceable against the parties thereto in accordance with its terms, and none
of such contracts or instruments has been assigned by the Company or the
Subsidiary, and neither the Company or the Subsidiary, nor, to the Company's
Knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the Company's
Knowledge, no event has occurred which, with the lapse of time or the giving of
notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. None of the material
provisions of such contracts or instruments violates any existing applicable
law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or
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court having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary or any of their
assets or businesses, where such violation or default would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(y) Year 2000 Compliance. To the Company's Knowledge, except as
disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company's and the Subsidiary's computer systems
and products are designed to be year 2000 compliant, and the disclosure in the
Prospectus concerning Year 2000 compliance is true and correct in all material
respects.
3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the
Underwriters that:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Company will use
its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement and any subsequent
amendments thereto to become effective as promptly as possible. The Company will
notify you promptly (i) when the Registration Statement or any subsequent
amendment thereto has become effective or any supplement to the Prospectus has
been filed and (ii) of the receipt of any requests, and the nature and substance
thereof, by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or for any other additional information. The Company
will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon your reasonable
request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or
Prospectus that may be necessary or advisable in connection with the
distribution of the Securities or any of the Securities. The Company will file
no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus (other
than any document required to be filed under the Exchange Act that upon filing
is deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) to which you shall reasonably
object by notice to the Company after having been furnished a copy within a
reasonable time, but no later than three (3) business days, prior to the
proposed filing thereof. The Company will furnish to you at or prior to the
filing thereof a copy of any document that upon filing is deemed to be
incorporated by reference in whole or in part in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus.
(b) Notice of Stop Order. The Company will advise you promptly, and
confirm in writing, when and if it receives notice or obtains Knowledge of (i)
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or other order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (ii) the suspension of the
qualification of any of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction
in which they were previously qualified, or (iii) the initiation or threat of
any proceeding for that purpose. The Company will promptly use its best efforts
to prevent the issuance, and to obtain the withdrawal if such issuance is not
prevented, of any such stop order or other suspension.
(c) Compliance with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Within
the time during which a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will use its best efforts to
comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act, as now and hereafter amended, and by the Regulations, as from time
to time in force to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the
distribution of the Securities as contemplated by the provisions therein, in
this Agreement, and in the Prospectus. If during such period any event as to
which the Company has Knowledge occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as
then amended or supplemented includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such
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period it is necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the
Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will notify you
promptly, will amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus to
comply with the Securities Act, the Company will notify you promptly, will amend
the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus (at the expense of the
Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or otherwise to effect such
compliance, and will furnish without charge to Underwriters and to any dealer in
securities as many copies of such amended or supplemented Prospectus as you may
from time to time reasonably request.
(d) Copies of Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to
Representatives, from time to time without charge, such number of copies of the
Registration Statement (at least one of which delivered to you shall be manually
signed and will include all exhibits), each Preliminary Prospectus, the
Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto, in each case as soon as
available and in such quantities and to such persons as requested by you.
(e) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best efforts,
in cooperation with you and your counsel, to register or qualify the Securities
for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you
reasonably designate, and will continue such qualifications in effect for so
long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Securities;
provided that in no event shall the Company be required in connection therewith
to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified
or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process in
any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(f) Section 11(a) Earnings Statement. The Company will make
generally available to its security holders (within the meaning of Section 11(a)
of the Securities Act) and deliver to you as soon as practicable (but not later
than fifteen (15) months after the Effective Date), an earnings statement that
shall satisfy the requirements of Section 11(a) and Rule 158 under the
Securities Act, covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months
after the Effective Date.
(g) Information to the Representatives. Until the earlier of the
third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date or such date as of which the
Warrants and the Unit Purchase Option have been exercised or have expired, the
Company will, at its cost and expense, furnish or cause to be furnished to you
and your counsel, with reasonable promptness, copies of (i) annual audited
balance sheets and audited statements of operations and changes in cash flows of
the Company, and quarterly balance sheets and statements of income of the
Company (which need not be audited), (ii) all reports, if any, to its
stockholders, (iii) all reports filed by the Company with the Commission, and
any securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") and (iv) such other material documents and information with respect to
the Company and its affairs as you may from time to time reasonably request and
which the Company can produce at reasonable cost; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to produce such information or documents if the
Company has received the opinion of its counsel that providing such information
to the Representatives is reasonably likely to create liability under applicable
Federal and state securities laws. Upon request, the Company shall also provide
the Representatives with current lists of its stockholders. In addition to the
foregoing, during the six months following the Effective Date, the Company
shall, at its cost and expense, furnish or cause to be furnished to the
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Representatives, (x) daily issuer transfer sheets by Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), which shall be transmitted to the Representatives by fax daily, and (y)
weekly transfer sheets provided by the Company's transfer agent, which shall be
provided to the Representatives at the end of each week. For the three years
subsequent to such six month period, upon request of the Representatives, the
Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Representatives with
copies of the Company's monthly DTC transfer sheets and transfer sheets from the
Company's transfer agent.
(h) Listing in Securities Manual; Investor Relations Firm. The
Company shall, as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, use its best
efforts to obtain listing on an expedited basis in Standard and Poor's
Corporation Records or such other recognized securities manuals for which it may
qualify for listing, and the Company shall use its best efforts to maintain such
listings for at least three (3) years after the Closing Date. The Company
further agrees at any time during the three (3) year period following the
Closing Date, to engage within sixty (60) days of a written request by you, the
services of an investor relations firm reasonably acceptable to you, who will
act as investor relations liaison during such three (3) year period, which
spokesperson is not required to be the same person during the duration of the
three (3) year period, to consult with and advise the Company regarding
communications and relations with stockholders and the financial and investment
communities.
(i) Listing on Nasdaq. The Company shall apply for the inclusion of
the Units, Common Stock and Warrants on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market (the
"SmallCap Market") under the symbols AWLDU, AWLD and AWLDW or another symbol
acceptable to the Representatives, to take effect on the Effective Date;
provided, that if the Common Stock and Warrants are not separately transferable
on the Effective Date, then the Warrants need not be included in the SmallCap
Market at such date; provided, however, that, on the date on which the Common
Stock and Warrants first become separately transferable, the Warrants shall be
listed on the Small Cap Market. At such time as the Company meets the
eligibility requirements for the inclusion of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market ("NNM"), the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain such
listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the Nasdaq listing
provided for in this Paragraph 3(i) for at least three (3) years after the date
of this Agreement.
(j) Exchange Act Filings. The Company shall file such registration
statement and take such other reasonable action, including the filing of a
registration statement on Form 8-A and requesting effectiveness not later than
the date the Registration Statement becomes effective, to register Common Stock
and the Warrants pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, such
registration statement to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement, and shall thereafter use its best efforts to keep
such registration effective. The Company shall comply with the Securities Act,
the Regulations, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
Commission under the Exchange Act, the applicable rules and regulations of the
Nasdaq, and applicable state securities laws so as to permit the continuance of
sales of and dealings in the Securities in compliance with applicable provisions
of such laws, rules, and regulations, including the filing with the Commission
and the Nasdaq of all reports required to be so filed, and the Company will
deliver to the holders of the Securities all reports required to be provided to
such holders pursuant to such laws, rules, or regulations.
(k) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds
received from the sale of the Securities in the manner set forth under the
caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus. The Company shall report the use of
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proceeds from the Offering in accordance with the Regulations and will provide a
copy of each such report to you and your counsel.
(l) Board Meetings and Membership.
(i) For a period of five (5) years commencing on the Closing
Date, the Representatives shall have the right to designate one nominee
(reasonably acceptable to the Company based on the designee's character and
reputation) for election to the Company's Board of Directors. The Company shall
initially elect such designee as soon as possible after the identity of such
designee is provided to the Company and thereafter shall include the
Representatives' designee as a member of the board of directors' slate.
Following the election of such nominee as a director, such person shall receive
the same compensation, including options, that is paid to other non-employee
directors of the Company and shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all
reasonable costs incurred in attending such meetings including, but not limited
to, food, lodging and transportation. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
such director harmless to the maximum extent permitted by law, against any and
all claims, actions, awards and judgments arising out of his or her service as a
director and, in the event the Company maintains a liability insurance policy
affording coverage for the acts of its officers and directors, to include such
director as an insured under such policy. Such director shall also serve on the
Company's audit, compensation and, if such committees are appointed, nominating
and executive committees. The rights and benefits of such indemnification and
the benefits of such insurance shall, to the extent possible, extend to the
Representatives insofar as it may be or may be alleged to be responsible for
such director, without additional cost to the Company.
(ii) In lieu of designating a member of the board of directors
pursuant to Paragraph 3(l)(i) of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have
the right, during the five-year period commencing on the Closing Date, to have
one observer to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and
its executive, audit, compensation and such other committees as shall be
designated by the Representatives. Such observer shall be entitled to the same
compensation and reimbursement for expenses of attending meetings as is provided
to non-employee directors and committee members and, to the extent it may
legally do so, such indemnity as is provided to the Company's non-employee
directors.
(m) Future Sales. Except for the permitted issuances described
below, for a period of one (1) year from the Effective Date, the Company shall
not sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (or securities convertible
into or exercisable for Common Stock) or Preferred Stock of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company without the Representatives' prior written consent.
Permitted issuance shall mean shares of Common Stock issuable (i) upon the
exercise or conversion of options or warrants specifically contemplated in the
Prospectus or provided for in this Agreement, (ii) pursuant to and in order to
consummate a merger with or acquisition of an unaffiliated party in a
transaction negotiated at arms' length and approved by (A) a majority of the
Company's Board of Directors, and (B) all of the non-employee directors; (iii)
in a public offering approved by the Representatives, and (iv) pursuant to a
private placement, at a price per share, or, with respect to convertible
securities and warrants, having an exercise or conversion price, not less than
80% of the average of the closing bid prices of the Common Stock for ten (10)
consecutive trading days ending not earlier than three (3) days prior to the
date of such sale or on other terms acceptable to the Representatives.
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(n) Preferred Stock. The Company shall not create any series of
preferred stock or issue any shares of preferred stock for two years from the
Effective Date without the consent of the Representatives.
(o) Press Releases. Prior to the later of the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, if any, the Company will not issue, directly or indirectly,
without your prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), any press release or other public communication or hold any press
conference with respect to the Company, its activities, or the public offering,
other than trade releases in the ordinary course of the Company's business.
(p) Undertakings. The Company will comply with the provisions of
all undertakings contained in the Registration Statement or made in connection
with any application to register or qualify any of the Securities under blue sky
laws.
(q) Certain Deliveries to the Representatives. The Company will
obtain from its officers, counsel, and accountants those certificates, opinions,
and letters referred to in Paragraph 6 of this Agreement.
(r) Key Man Life Insurance. The Company will obtain on or before
the Closing Date, and use its best efforts to maintain thereafter for the term
of their respective employment with the Company, key man life insurance policies
in the amount of $1,000,000 insuring the lives of Richard F. Noll and J. P.
McCormick, with the Company named as sole beneficiary.
(s) Employment Agreements. The Company has entered into employment
agreements with Richard F. Noll and J. P. McCormick on the terms that are
disclosed in the Prospectus.
(t) Redemption and Dividends. For a period of two (2) years from
the Closing Date, the Company shall not redeem any of its securities and shall
not pay any dividends or make any other cash distribution without obtaining the
Representatives' prior written consent. The Representatives shall either approve
or disapprove such contemplated redemption of securities or dividend payment or
distribution within ten (10) business days from the date the Representatives
receives written notice of the Company's proposal with respect thereto; a
failure of the Representatives to respond within the ten (10) business day
period shall be deemed approval of the transaction. Nothing in this Paragraph
3(t) shall be construed to prohibit the Company from calling the Warrants for
redemption subsequent to one year from the Effective Date.
(u) Restrictions on Sales, Options by Affiliates. The Company will
cause each of its officers, directors, five percent (5%) stockholders to agree
in writing that such person will not, during the six (6) month period
immediately following the Effective Date (the "Lockup Period"), offer, pledge,
sell (which term includes a short sale or sale against the box), contract to
sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise transfer or dispose of,
directly or indirectly, any shares of the Company's Common Stock without
obtaining the Representatives' prior written approval; provided that such
persons may transfer such securities in a private transaction to a person who
agrees to be subject to these restrictions.
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(v) Outstanding Warrants, Options and Other Rights. There shall not
be outstanding on the Closing Date any warrants, options, or other rights to
purchase any shares of Common Stock, except as otherwise set forth in the
Prospectus. During the two (2) years following the Effective Date, the Company
shall not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, grant
options, rights or warrants or sell any securities to its officers, directors,
employees or consultants under its stock option plan as described in the
Prospectus or otherwise except at an exercise, purchase or conversion price
which is not less than the market price of the Common Stock on the date of
grant, issuance or sale, as the case may be.
(w) Restrictions on Filing Registration Statements. During the
eighteen (18) months following the Effective Date, the Company will not, without
the prior written consent of the Representatives, register any securities
pursuant to the Securities Act, except that such restriction shall not apply to
the registration of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Company's present
stock option plan, as described in the Prospectus, on a Form S-8 registration
statement.
(x) Waiver of Registration Rights. The Company shall obtain a
waiver of so-called "piggy-back" registration rights from any holders of any
securities of the Company who have the right to require inclusion of any or all
of their securities in the Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement.
(y) Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. Within ninety (90)
days after the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Company will
use its best efforts to obtain Directors and Officers Liability Insurance in an
amount no less than $5,000,000 per occurrence.
(z) Accounting Firm. The Company shall retain an independent public
accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Representatives for a period of
three (3) years from the Effective Date. The Representatives agree that the firm
of Panel Kerr Forrester, PC, is acceptable to the Representatives. In addition,
for a period of two years from the Effective Date, the Company, at its expense,
shall cause its independent accounting firm to review, but not audit, the
Company's financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior
to the announcement of quarterly financial information, the filing of the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-QSB and the mailing of quarterly financial
information to stockholders, if applicable.
(aa) Restrictions on Acquisitions. During the one (1) year
following the Closing Date, without the prior consent of the Representatives,
the Company shall not enter into any agreement to acquire any other business or
the assets of any other business. The term "acquire" shall be broadly construed
and shall include the acquisition of assets, the merger with or into another
corporation or entity, whether directly by the Company or through a subsidiary,
or the acquisition of stock or other equity interests, however defined, of
another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust,
sole proprietorship or other entity of any kind or description.
4. Offering Expenses and Related Matters
(a) General. Whether or not the Public Offering is consummated, the
Company will pay all costs and expenses incident to the performance of the
obligations of the Company hereunder, including without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, (i) the preparation, printing, filing, and copying of the
Registration Statement, Prospectus, this Agreement, blue sky memoranda, the
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Agreement Among Underwriters, if any, a selected dealers agreement, if any, and
other underwriting documents, if any, and any drafts, amendments or supplements
thereto, including the cost of all copies thereof supplied to the Underwriters
in such quantities as reasonably requested by the Representatives, the costs of
mailing Prospectuses to offerees and purchasers of the Securities, and the
out-of-pocket travel expenses of the Representatives and counsel to the
Representatives or other professionals designated by the Representatives to
visit the Company's facilities or its counsel's offices for purposes of
discharging due diligence responsibilities; (ii) the printing, engraving,
issuance and delivery of certificates representing Common Stock and Warrants,
including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) the registration or
qualification of the Securities under state securities or "blue sky" laws,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (regardless of
whether such counsel is also counsel to the Representatives, subject to the
limitation set forth in Paragraph 4(c) of this Agreement) and filing fees in
connection therewith; (iv) all reasonable fees and expenses of the Company's
counsel and accountants; (v) all filing fees in connection with review of the
terms of the Public Offering by the NASD; (vi) all costs and expenses of any
listing of the Securities, Common Stock and Warrants on the SmallCap Market or
the NNM and/or any other stock exchange and/or in Standard and Poor's Stock
Guide and/or any other securities manuals; (vii) all costs and expenses of four
(4) bound volumes provided to the Representatives and their counsel of all
closing documents, paper exhibits, correspondence and records forming the
materials included in the Public Offering; (viii) the reasonable costs and
expenses of all pre-closing and post-closing advertisements relating to the
Public Offering (such as tombstone adds), in addition to fifteen (15) lucite
cubes;(ix) all costs of holding informational meetings and "road shows;" and (x)
all other costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Company in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The obligations
of the Company under this Paragraph 4(a) shall survive any termination or
cancellation of this Agreement.
(b) Non-Accountable Expense Allowance. In addition to the Company's
responsibility for payment of the foregoing expenses, the Company shall pay to
the Representatives a non-accountable expense allowance equal to three percent
(3%) of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering, including in such amount the
proceeds from any sale of Option Units. The non-accountable expense allowance
due shall be paid at the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, as
applicable, and shall include fees and disbursements of Representatives counsel
(exclusive of legal fees for state registration and qualification as provided in
Paragraph 4(c) of this Agreement), but shall not include fees of the Company's
counsel, state registration filing fees, NASD filing fees, Nasdaq listing fees,
printing and mailing to members of the underwriting or selling group, and any
and all other expenses customarily paid by the issuer in a public offering of
securities.
You hereby acknowledge your prior receipt from the Company of $25,000,
which amount shall be applied to the non-accountable expense allowance due when
and if the Public Offering is closed. If the Public Offering does not close,
then any portion of such amount in excess of your actual out of pocket expenses
shall be returned promptly by you to the Company.
(c) Compliance with Blue Sky Laws. You shall determine in which
states or jurisdictions the Securities shall be registered or qualified for
sale. Copies of all applications and related documents for the registration or
qualification of securities (except for the Registration Statement and
Prospectus) filed with the various states shall be supplied to the Company's
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counsel not later than one business day following their transmission to the
various states, and copies of all comments and orders received from the various
states shall be made available promptly to the Company's counsel. Immediately
prior to the Effective Date, counsel for the Representatives shall advise
counsel for the Company in writing of all states in which the offering has been
registered or qualified for sale or has been canceled, withdrawn, or denied, the
date of each such event, and the number of Securities registered or qualified
for sale in each such state. The Company shall be responsible for the cost of
state registration or qualification filing fees and the legal fees of
Representatives' counsel in connection with such filings, which filing fees are
payable to Representatives' counsel in advance of such filings. The legal fees
payable by the Company with respect to blue sky filings by Representatives'
counsel shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), of which twenty five thousand
dollars ($25,000) has been paid. The Company hereby acknowledges that any
remaining balance with respect to legal fees or blue sky filing fees is
immediately due and payable.
5. Unit Purchase Option; Other Financial Arrangements
(a) Unit Purchase Option. On the Closing Date, the Company will
sell to the Representatives, for an aggregate price of $10, the Unit Purchase
Option to purchase an aggregate of one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) Units
from the Company at an exercise price equal to one hundred sixty five percent
(165%) of the public offering price of the Units. The Unit Purchase Option and
the underlying securities shall be non-transferable (other than to officers or
partners of members of the underwriting or selling group or as otherwise may be
permitted by the NASD) during the one (1) year period commencing on the
Effective Date. The Unit Purchase Option and the terms of the underlying
securities shall be exercisable for a period of four (4) years commencing one
(1) year from the Effective Date. The Unit Purchase Option shall be in
substantially the form provided by the Representatives and filed as an Exhibit
to the Registration Statement.
(b) M/A Agreement.
(i) The Company hereby agrees that if, during the five (5) year
period commencing on the Effective Date, the Representatives shall introduce to
the Company another party or entity (the "Introduced Party"), and, as a result
of such introduction, a Transaction is consummated with such Introduced Party,
the Company shall pay to the Representatives a finder's fee (the "Fee") equal to
six percent (6%) of the first five million dollars ($5,000,000) of the
consideration paid or received in such Transaction; plus five percent (5%) of
the consideration in excess of five million dollars ($5,000,000) and up to six
million dollars ($6,000,000); plus four percent (4%) of the consideration in
excess of six million dollars ($6,000,000) and up to seven million dollars
($7,000,000); plus three percent (3%) of the consideration in excess of seven
million dollars ($7,000,000) and up to eight million dollars ($8,000,000); plus
two percent (2%) of the consideration in excess of eight million dollars
($8,000,000). As used in this Paragraph 5(b), a "Transaction" shall mean any of
the following (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and
properties of the Company or all or substantially all of the stock of the
Company, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other
corporation or other entity (other than a merger with a company owned or
controlled by the Company), (iii) the acquisition by the Company of the assets
or stock of another business entity in which the Company may be involved, or
(iv) a joint venture, licensing or marketing agreement or arrangement, however
structured.
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(ii) The Fee shall be paid in cash at the closing of the
particular Transaction, regardless of whether the Transaction involves
installment payments or the consideration paid includes securities or a
combination of securities and cash; provided, however, that in the event that
the Transaction is a marketing or license or other agreement pursuant to which a
stream of revenue or cash receipts may be generated or other Transaction where
it is impossible to determine the value of the consideration to be paid or
received or in the event that there are contingent payments, the Fee shall be
paid with respect to each payment at the same time as the payment is made or
received, as the case may be, regardless of when the payment is received as long
as the original agreement pursuant to which the payment is made was entered into
during the five (5) year period commencing on the Effective Date. No
modification of payment or other terms of any agreement shall impair the
Representatives' right to the Fee. In the event that the Transaction involves a
merger or sale of assets or tender offer or sale of stock where the
consideration is paid to any or all of the Company's stockholders, the
consideration paid to such stockholders shall be included in the consideration
paid or received for purposes of computing the Fee. All references to the
Company in the context of a Transaction shall include Activeworlds.com, Inc.,
any of its present or future subsidiaries or any affiliate of the Company,
regardless of whether such party shall pay or receive the consideration paid in
the Transaction.
(iii) In determining the value of the consideration paid or
received, the following provisions shall apply:
(A) Any securities which are regularly traded on a
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall be valued at the
average of the closing prices in the case of securities listed on the New York
or American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market (or the closing bid price
if there are no transactions on any of such days) or the average of the closing
bid prices, as reported by Nasdaq or the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or
similar recognized reporting agency, in the case of securities not traded on
such exchanges or in such markets on the ten (10) trading days prior to the
earlier of (I) the date of the agreement or (II) in the event that a press
release or other announcement is made by the Company and/or the Introduced Party
concerning the Transaction and the consideration provided for in the agreement
includes the transfer of a fixed number of securities, the date of such press
release or announcement.
(B) Any debt securities which are not regularly traded on
a securities exchange or on the over-the-counter market shall be valued at the
principal amount thereof if such obligations bear a stated interest rate or, if
no interest rate is stated, at the present value of the payments due, discounted
using an interest rate equal to the prime rate of Chemical Bank in effect on the
second business day prior to the closing date.
(C) The consideration received in a joint venture shall
be based on the consideration paid to the joint venture by the Introduced Party
plus any additional consideration paid by or on behalf of the joint venture
partner to the Company.
(D) In the event that the Transaction involves the
receipt by the Company of property or equipment the consideration shall be fair
value of the property and equipment.
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<PAGE>
(E) In the event that the fair market value of any
property cannot be determined pursuant to the application of Paragraph 5(b)(iii)
of this Agreement and the Company and the Representatives shall not be able to
agree on a value, the value shall be determined by an appraiser jointly selected
by the Company and the Representatives.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything in this Paragraph 5(b) to the
contrary, if the Company shall, within one hundred eighty (180) days immediately
following the expiration of five (5) years from the Effective Date, consummate a
Transaction with an Introduced Party which was introduced by the Representatives
to the Company during such five (5) year period, the Company shall pay the
Representatives the Fee in the same manner as is otherwise provided in this
Paragraph 5(b).
6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligation
of Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Securities shall be subject to the
accuracy in all material respects, as of the date of this Agreement and each
Closing Date (whether the Closing Date with respect to the Firm Units or an
Option Closing Date with respect to the Option Units), as if made on such
Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
this Agreement and the following additional conditions:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement.
(i) The Registration Statement shall have become effective not
later than 5:30 P.M., Eastern Time, on the date of this Agreement, or such later
time or date as shall have been consented to by you in writing (the "Effective
Date").
(ii) On the Closing Date, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration
of the Securities under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction (whether or not a
jurisdiction specified by the Underwriters) shall have been issued, and no
proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or shall be threatened or
contemplated by the Commission or the authorities of any such jurisdiction.
(iii) Any request of the Commission or any such authorities for
additional information to be included in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with to the reasonable
satisfaction of counsel for the Underwriters.
(b) Representations; Compliance with Agreement. The representations
and warranties of the Company in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and
as of the Closing Date, with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date, and
the Company shall have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the
obligations required to be performed or satisfied by it at or prior to the
Closing Date.
(c) No Untrue Statements. The Registration Statement and the
Prospectus shall contain all statements required to be stated therein in
accordance with the Securities Act and the Regulation and the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, since the
Effective Date, there shall not have occurred any event required to be set forth
in an amended or supplemented Prospectus that has not been so set forth (except
any such statement or omission based upon information furnished in writing by or
on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in the Registration Statement).
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<PAGE>
(d) No Material Change. Subsequent to the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and
except as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, (i) there shall have been
no material adverse changes with respect to the officers, directors, operations,
capitalization, contractual obligations, legal proceedings, proposed use of
proceeds from the sale of the Securities, business, plans or prospects, net
assets or liabilities or obligations, properties, or any other aspect of the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company or the Subsidiary,
(ii) neither the Company nor the Subsidiary shall have entered into any material
transaction not in the ordinary course of business, (iii) neither the Company
nor the Subsidiary shall have paid or declared any dividends or other
distributions on its capital stock, (iv) the conduct of the business and
operations of the Company and the Subsidiary shall not have been materially
interfered with by strike, fire, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity
(whether or not insured), or by any court or governmental action, order or
decree, and the properties of the Company and the Subsidiary shall not have
sustained any material loss or damage (whether or not insured) as a result of
any such occurrence, and (v) except as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending before any arbitrator,
court or governmental agency, authority or body or, to the Company's Knowledge,
threatened, to which the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or of which the
business or property of the Company or the Subsidiary is the subject and which,
if adversely decided, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
affect on the business, property, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or general affairs of the Company or the Subsidiary, and there have
been no material adverse development in any such suits, actions, proceedings or
investigations.
(e) NASD. The NASD shall have indicated that it has no objection to
the underwriting arrangements pertaining to the sale of the Securities by the
Underwriters. No action shall have been taken by the Commission or the NASD the
effect of which would make it improper, at any time prior to the Closing Date,
for any member firm of the NASD to execute transactions (as principal or as
agent) in the Securities, Common Stock or Warrants and no proceedings for the
purpose of taking such action shall have been instituted or shall be pending,
or, to the Representatives' or the Company's Knowledge, shall be contemplated by
the Commission or the NASD. The Company represents at the date of this
Agreement, and shall represent as of the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as
the case may be, that it has no Knowledge that any such action is in fact
contemplated by the Commission or the NASD.
(f) Certificates, Bylaws and Proceedings. The Company's Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws, and all proceedings taken in connection with the
authorization, issuance, or sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, shall
be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you.
(g) Officers' Certificate. The Company shall have furnished to the
Representatives a certificate of the President and of the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, dated the day of the Closing Date, to the effect that
each signer of such certificate has examined the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, and this Agreement, and confirming, in form satisfactory to the
Representatives, that the compliance by the Company of the conditions set forth
in Paragraphs 6(a) through (d) of this Agreement have been satisfied.
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<PAGE>
(h) Opinion of Company Counsel. The Company shall have furnished to
the Representatives the opinion of Pepe and Hazard, LLP, counsel for the
Company, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to counsel to the Representatives and substantially in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto. In rendering the opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters
of fact, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of the Company's
officers and governmental officials.
(i) Accountants' Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed and
as of the Closing Date, Panel Kerr Forrester, PC, independent public accountants
for the Company, shall have furnished to you a letter addressed to the
Representatives and dated the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, as
applicable, in form and substance previously approved by the Representatives and
its counsel.
(j) Agreements with Stockholders. The Representatives shall have
received the agreements, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, as contemplated by Paragraph 3(u) of this Agreement.
(k) Change in Capitalization. Subsequent to the respective dates as
of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
there shall not have been any material adverse change or decrease in the capital
stock or long-term debt obligations of the Company or any decreases in
stockholders' equity, net assets or current net assets of the Company or any
material adverse change in the financial position, revenues, expenses or results
of operations of the Company or the Subsidiary, each as compared with the
amounts shown in the most recent financial statements included in the
Registration Statement, except as disclosed in the Prospectus, that makes it
impractical or inadvisable in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives to
proceed with the Public Offering or the delivery of the Securities, as the case
may be, as contemplated in the Prospectus.
(l) Other Agreements. The Company shall have executed and delivered
to the Representatives the Warrant Agreement and the Unit Purchase Option to
purchase one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) Units.
(m) Opinion of Representatives' Counsel. The Representatives shall
have received an opinion from Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP, counsel for the
Representatives, as to the organization of the Company, the validity of the
Securities, the form of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and such
other related matters as you may request, and such counsel shall have been
furnished by the Company such papers and information as they request to enable
them to pass upon such matters. It is understood that such counsel will express
no opinion with respect to the financial statements and other financial,
accounting, and statistical data included in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. In rendering the foregoing opinion, such counsel shall be entitled
to rely upon the opinion delivered to the Representatives pursuant to Paragraph
6(h) of this Agreement as to matters of Federal securities law, and may rely as
to matters of fact upon such certificates and other documents and information as
they may reasonably request for purposes of such opinion.
(n) Other Information. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall
have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates,
and documents in connection with the Company's obligations set forth in this
Agreement as you may reasonably request.
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<PAGE>
If any of the conditions specified in this Paragraph 6 shall not have
been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement and all
obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by you at, or at any
time prior to, the Closing Date. Notice of such termination shall be given to
the Company in writing, or by facsimile transmission or telephone and confirmed
in writing.
7. Indemnification
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them
may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other Federal
or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact made by the Company in this Agreement, (ii) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact made by the
Company contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereof, or in
any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or in any blue sky application or other document executed by
the Company specifically for that purpose (or based upon written information
furnished by the Company) filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to
qualify any of the Securities or other Securities under the securities laws
thereof (any such application, document or information being referred to as a
"Blue Sky Application"); or (iii) the omission or alleged omission to state in
any such Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, or
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or Blue Sky Application a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein
not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with
investigating or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case
to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, or liability arises out of or
is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
you or such Underwriter specifically for use in connection with the preparation
thereof, and further provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity with
respect to any untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission, or alleged
omission contained in any Preliminary Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit
of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such loss, claims any of,
damage, or liability purchased any of the securities that are the subject
thereof (or to the benefit of any person who controls such Underwriter), if a
copy of the Prospectus was not delivered to such person with or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of such security to such person. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise
have.
(b) Indemnification by Underwriters. Each Underwriter, severally,
but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its
directors, each of its officers who has signed or signs the Registration
Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or
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<PAGE>
liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other Federal or state statutory
law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereof, or in
any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or in a Blue Sky Application, or (ii) the omission or the
alleged omission to state in any such Registration Statement, Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus, amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or Blue Sky
Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements made therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only
to the extent, that the same was made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of you or such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation
thereof, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or
defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Underwriters
may otherwise have.
(c) Claims. Within five (5) days after receipt by an indemnified
party under Paragraph 7(a) or (b) of this Agreement of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under such subsection,
notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; the
failure so to notify the indemnifying party shall relieve the indemnifying party
from any liability under this Paragraph 7 as to the particular item for which
indemnification is then being sought, unless such indemnifying party has
otherwise received actual notice of the action at least thirty (30) days before
any answer or response is required by the indemnifying party in its defense of
such action, but will not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any
indemnified party otherwise than under this Paragraph 7. If any such action is
brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the
indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such
indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof; provided, that if the
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and either (i) the indemnifying party or parties agree, or
(ii) representation of both the indemnifying party or parties and the
indemnified party or parties by the same counsel is inappropriate under
applicable standards of professional conduct because of actual or potential
conflicting interests between them, then the indemnified party or parties shall
have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defense and to
otherwise participate in the defense of such action. The indemnifying party will
not be liable to such indemnified party under this Paragraph 7 for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed
counsel in connection with the assumption of legal defenses in accordance with
the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however,
that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than
one separate counsel approved by the indemnifying party for all indemnified
parties), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel to
represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of
commencement of the action, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the
employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the
indemnifying party. In no event shall an indemnifying party be liable under this
Paragraph 7 for any settlement,
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<PAGE>
effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, of any claim or action against an indemnified party.
(d) Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution under the Securities Act in any case in which (i) an indemnified
party makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to Paragraphs 7(a) or (b) of
this Agreement (subject to the limitations thereof) but is judicially
determined, by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent
jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last
right of appeal, that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case
notwithstanding that the provisions of this Paragraph 7 provide for
indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may
be required on the part of any indemnified or indemnifying party in
circumstances for which indemnification is provided under Paragraphs 7(a) or (b)
of this Agreement, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters
shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages, or liabilities to
which they may be subject (after contribution from all others) in such
proportion so that the Underwriters is responsible for that portion represented
by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of
the Prospectus bears to the Public Offering Price appearing thereon, and the
Company is responsible for the remaining portion; provided, however, that if
such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, then the relative fault of
the Company and the Underwriters in connection with the statements or omissions
that resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, and damages and other
relevant equitable considerations shall also be considered. The relative fault
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether in the case of
an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact,
such statement or omission relates to information supplied by the Company or by
the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or
omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriters to
contribute pursuant to this Paragraph 7(d) were to be determined by pro rata or
per capita allocation of the aggregate damages (even if the Underwriters and
their respective controlling persons in the aggregate were treated as one entity
for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of
this Paragraph 7(d). For purposes of this Paragraph 7(d), the term "damages"
shall include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending against or appearing as a
third party witness in any action or claim that is the subject of the
contribution provisions of this Paragraph 7(d). Notwithstanding the provisions
of this Paragraph 7(d), an Underwriter and its controlling persons collectively
shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the difference
between the total price of the Securities purchased by the Underwriter, directly
or indirectly, from the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the amount of any
damages that such Underwriter and its controlling persons collectively have been
required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission other than
pursuant to this Paragraph 7(d). No person guilty of a fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. For the purposes of this Paragraph 7(d), any
person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights
to contributions as the Underwriter and each director of the Company, each
officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person,
if any, who controls the Company within Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
the Company.
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<PAGE>
The foregoing contribution agreement shall in no way affect the
contribution liabilities of any person having liability under Section 11 of the
Securities Act other than the Company and the Underwriters and persons
controlling the Company or the Underwriters.
After receipt by any party to this Agreement of notice of the
commencement of any action, suit, or proceeding, such person will, if a claim
for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (the
"contributing party"), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof
within a reasonable time thereafter, but the failure so to notify the
contributing party will not relieve the contributing party from any liability
that it may have to any party other than for contribution pursuant to this
Paragraph 7(d). Any notice given pursuant to any other provision of this
Paragraph 7 shall be deemed to be like notice pursuant to this Paragraph 7(d).
If any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such
person notifies a contributing party of the commencement thereof, the
contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying
party and any other contributing party similarly notified, subject to the
provisions of Paragraph 7(c) of this Agreement.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnity and contribution agreements
by the Underwriters and the Company contained in this Paragraph 7, and the
covenants, representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this
Agreement, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i)
any investigation made by the Underwriters or on their behalf or by or on behalf
of any person who controls any Underwriter, by the Company or any controlling
person of the Company or any director or any officer of the Company, (ii)
acceptance of the Securities and payment therefor, or (iii) any termination of
this Agreement, and shall survive the delivery of the Securities, and any
successor to the Company or to any Underwriter or any person who controls any
Underwriter or the Company, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefit
of such respective indemnity and contribution agreements.
8. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or at
such date after the effective time of the Registration Statement as you, in your
discretion, shall first release the Securities for sale to the public; provided,
however, that the provisions of Paragraphs 4, 6, and 7 of this Agreement shall
at all times be in full force and effect. For the purposes of this Paragraph 8,
the Securities shall be deemed to have been released for sale to the public upon
release by you after effectiveness of the Registration Statement of a newspaper
advertisement relating to the Securities or upon release by you thereafter of
telegrams advising securities dealers of the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, whichever shall first occur.
9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, in your absolute
discretion, by notice given to the Company prior to the Closing Date if the
Company shall have failed, refused, or been unable, prior to the Closing Date,
to perform any material agreement required to be performed by it hereunder, or
if any other condition of the Underwriters' obligations hereunder required to be
fulfilled by the Company is not fulfilled. In addition, this Agreement may be
terminated, as set forth above, if, prior to the Closing Date, any of the
following shall have occurred: (a) material governmental restrictions (not in
force and effect on the date of this Agreement) have been imposed on trading in
securities on the New York Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange or in the
over-the-counter market; (b) the determination by you that there shall have
occurred a material adverse change, beyond normal fluctuations, in general
financial market or economic conditions from such conditions on the date of this
Agreement; (c)
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<PAGE>
a material interruption in mail or telecommunications service or other general
means of communications within the United States after the execution and
delivery of this Agreement; (d) a banking moratorium has been declared by
Federal or New York state authorities; (e) an outbreak of major international
hostilities or other national or international calamity has occurred; (f) the
passage by the Congress of the United States or by any state legislative body of
any act or measure, or the adoption of any orders, rules, or regulations by any
governmental body or executive or any authoritative accounting institute or
board, that you believe will have a Material Adverse Effect on the business,
financial condition, or financial statements of the Company or the distribution
of the Securities or market for the Securities; or (g) any material adverse
change has occurred, since the respective dates of which information is given in
the Registration Statement and Prospectus, in the condition of the Company,
financial or otherwise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any
other party, except as provided in Paragraph 7 in this Agreement and except that
the Company shall remain obligated to pay costs and expenses pursuant to
Paragraph 4 in this Agreement. If you elect to prevent this Agreement from
becoming effective, or to terminate this Agreement, as provided in this
Paragraph 9, you shall promptly notify the Company by telecopier or telephone,
and confirm by letter, and the Underwriters shall not be under any liability to
the Company.
10. Default by One or More Underwriters or Selected Dealers.
(a) If one or more of the Underwriters or selected dealers shall
fail at the Closing Date to purchase the Firm Units that it or they are
obligated to purchase pursuant to this Agreement or a selected dealers agreement
(the "Defaulted Securities"), the Representatives shall have the right, within
24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters or selected dealers, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the
Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms in
this Agreement set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have
completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(i) If the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10%
of the total number of Firm Units, the non-defaulting Underwriters and the
non-defaulting selected dealers shall be obligated to purchase the full amount
thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations bear
to the underwriting obligations of the non-defaulting Underwriters and selected
dealers.
(ii) If the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
total number of Firm Units, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on
the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or selected dealer.
(b) In the event of any such default that does not result in a
termination of this Agreement, either the Representatives or the Company shall
have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period not exceeding seven
days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.
(c) Any action taken under this Paragraph 10 shall not release any
defaulting Underwriter or selected dealer from liability in respect of such
default.
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<PAGE>
11. Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Indemnities. The
respective agreements, representations, warranties, and indemnities contained in
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of you, any Underwriter or the Company, or
any of your or their respective officers or directors or controlling persons,
and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities and the Unit
Purchase Option.
12. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder (unless
otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement) shall be in writing and
shall be deemed given when delivered in person or by overnight courier service
or Express Mail, on the business day (before 5:00 P.M.) transmitted if sent by
facsimile transmission or similar means of communication if receipt if confirmed
or if transmission is confirmed as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 12, or
the fifth (5th) day after mailing if mailed if sent by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested) to the party to receive the same at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):
If to the Company: Activeworlds.com.,Inc.
95 Parker Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Facsimile: (978) 499-0221
Attention: Richard F. Noll, President
With a copy to: Peabody & Arnold, LLP
50 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110-1745
Facsimile: (617) 951-2125
Attention: John A. Kostrubanic, Esq.
If to the Underwriters: HD Brous & Co., Inc.
40 Cuttermill Road
Great Neck, New York 11021
Facsimile: (516) 773-1805
Attention: Mr. Howard D. Brous, Chairman
and
Solid ISG Capital Markets, L.L.C.
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Facsimile: (212) 221-7073
Attention: Mr. Averell Satloff
Senior Executive Vice President
and
First Colonial Securities, Inc.
1499 West Palmetto Park Road, 3rd Floor
Boca Raton, FL 33486
Facsimile: (561) 750-3347
Attention: Mr. Ben Lichtenberg
Director of Investment Banking
With a copy to: Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP
605 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10158
Facsimile: (212) 953-6899
Attention: Asher S. Levitsky P.C.
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13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. Except as to
the several Underwriters for whom you are acting as their representative, and
except and only to the extent stated in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement with
respect to the officers, directors and controlling persons referred to in such
Paragraph 7, no person other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors will have any right or obligation hereunder. The terms "successor"
and "successors and assigns" as used in this Agreement shall not include any
buyer, as such, of any of the Securities from the Underwriters.
14. Entire Understanding. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding between the parties to this Agreement and supersedes any prior or
contemporaneous oral or prior written agreement, understandings or letter of
intent, and may not be modified or amended nor may any right be waived except by
a writing signed by all parties in the case of a modification or amendment or
the party to be charged in the case of a waiver. No course of conduct or dealing
and no trade custom or practice shall be construed to modify any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and same agreement.
16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreements executed and to be performed wholly within such State.
[Signatures on following page]
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Please confirm, by signing and returning to the Company counterparts of
this Underwriting Agreement, that the foregoing correctly sets forth the
understanding between the Company and you, whereupon this Agreement will
constitute a binding agreement among us.
Very truly yours,
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
By:___________________________
Richard F. Noll, President
Confirmed and Accepted as of
the date first above-written:
HD BROUS & CO, INC.
By:________________________________
Howard D. Brous, Chairman
SOLID ISG CAPITAL MARKETS, L.L.C.
By:________________________________
Averell Satloff, Senior Executive Vice President
FIRST COLONIAL SECURITES, INC.
By:
_________________________________
Ben Lichtenberg, Director of Investment Banking
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<PAGE>
Exhibit A
Opinion of Company Counsel
1. The Company and the Subsidiary (a) has been duly incorporated and
is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the state
of its incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to own and operate
its properties and to carry on its business as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus; (b) on the Effective Date has authorized and
outstanding capital stock as set forth in the Prospectus, and (c) is duly
licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation in Massachusetts and all other
jurisdictions in which by reason of owning or leasing real property in such
jurisdiction it is required to be so licensed or qualified except where failure
to be so qualified or licensed would have no Material Adverse Effect.
2. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly and validly
authorized and issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, conform to
the description set forth in the Prospectus and do not have any, and were not
issued in violation of any, preemptive rights under the Company's certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or any other agreement known to such counsel.
3. The Company has authorized and reserved for issuance the shares of
Common Stock issuable (a) upon exercise of the outstanding options or warrants
(other than the Warrants) in accordance with the terms of the applicable options
or warrants, (b) upon exercise of the Warrants, including Warrants issued upon
exercise of the Unit Purchase Option, pursuant to the terms of the Warrants and
the Warrant Agreement, and (c) upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option, and
when issued upon such exercise, such shares of Common Stock will be duly and
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to
any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal pursuant to the Company's
certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other agreement known to such
counsel.
4. The shares of Common Stock included in the Units offered pursuant
to the Prospectus (a) are duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, (b) have not been issued in violation of the pre-emptive rights
or rights of first refusal pursuant to the Company's certificate of
incorporation or any agreement known to such counsel and (c) are not subject to
any liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests, stockholders agreements,
voting trusts or restrictions on voting or transfer other than as disclosed in
the Prospectus or as may be imposed under Federal and state securities laws.
5. The Warrants and the Unit Purchase Option, when issued as provided
in this Agreement and/or the Unit Purchase Option, will constitute the valid,
binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency and other laws of general applications affecting the enforceability
of creditors' rights and subject to the discretionary nature of any remedies in
the nature of equitable relief and except that no opinion is given with respect
to the indemnification and contribution provisions of the Representatives'
Warrants.
6. The shares of Common Stock and Warrants included in the Units
offered pursuant to the Prospectus, when issued pursuant to this Agreement upon
payment of the consideration provided for in this Agreement, will, to such
counsel's knowledge, be free of all liens, encumbrances, claims, security
interests, restrictions (other than those disclosed in the
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Prospectus or imposed by Federal or state securities laws), stockholders'
agreements and voting trusts resulting from agreements known to such counsel to
which the Company is a party.
7. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Unit
Purchase Option and upon exercise of the Warrants issuable upon exercise of the
Unit Purchase Option have been duly and validly authorized for issuance, and
when issued pursuant to the terms of the Unit Purchase Option and/or the Warrant
Agreement, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; the Warrants issuable upon exercise as provided in the Unit
Purchase Option, will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the
Company, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws of general
applications affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights and subject to
the discretionary nature of any remedies in the nature of equitable relief in
any legal or equitable action.
8. Except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, to such
counsel's knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement, there were no outstanding
options, warrants or other rights providing for the issuance of any class of
capital stock of the Company, or any security convertible into, or exchangeable
for, any shares of any class of capital stock of the Company.
9. To such counsel's knowledge, neither the filing of the Registration
Statement nor the offering of the Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives
rise to any registration rights or other rights, other than those which have
been waived or satisfied, relating to the registration under the Act of any
shares of Common Stock.
10. The certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock and Warrants
are in proper legal form.
11. To such counsel's knowledge, no consents, approvals, authorizations
or orders of agencies, officers or other regulatory authorities are necessary
for the valid authorization, issue or sale of the Securities pursuant to this
Agreement, except such as may be required under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act or state securities or blue sky laws or pursuant to the NASD's rules,
regulations and policies or as required under the regulations of the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market.
12. This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Unit Purchase Option
have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and constitute the valid
and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws of general
applications affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights and subject to
the discretionary nature of any remedies in the nature of equitable relief and
except that no opinion is given with respect to the provisions of Paragraph 7 of
this Agreement.
13. The Company has corporate power and authority to authorize, issue
and sell the Securities on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the Warrant Agreement, the Unit Purchase Option, as the case may be, and in the
Registration Statement and in the Prospectus, and the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Unit Purchase Option and compliance by
the Company with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Unit
Purchase Agreement will not conflict with, or constitute a default under, the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any indenture,
mortgage, deed or trust, note or any
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other agreement or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or the
Subsidiary is a party or by which they or their respective businesses or their
properties are bound, or, to such counsel's knowledge, any law, order, rule or
regulation, writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental
instrumentality, or court having jurisdiction over the Company, the Subsidiary
or their respective businesses or properties.
14. Such counsel knows of no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in
equity of a material nature pending, or to such counsel's knowledge, threatened,
against the Company before or by any state commission, regulatory body, or
administrative agency or other governmental body, wherein an unfavorable ruling,
decision or finding would materially adversely affect the business or financial
condition of the Company or which question either (a) the validity of the
issuance of the Securities, the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement or the Unit Purchase Option by the Company, or (b) any action
taken or to be taken by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement or the Unit Purchase Option, which are not disclosed in or
contemplated by the Prospectus.
15. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act.
Furthermore, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except as
to the financial statements and other financial, statistical and accounting
information contained therein or omitted therefrom, as to which no opinion is
expressed), comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the Act and the rules and regulations (the "Rules") of the Commission under the
Securities Act. In passing upon the form of such documents, such counsel has
assumed the correctness and completeness of the statements made or included
therein by the Company and take no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements contained therein except insofar as such
statements relate to the description of the Securities or relate to such
counsel. However, in the course of the preparation by the Company of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, such counsel had conferences with
officers and directors of the Company in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, and, without independently verifying the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus and relying on the Company's officers
regarding materiality, no facts have come such counsel's attention which gave
such counsel reason to believe that the Registration Statement, as of the
effective date thereof (except as to the financial statements and other
financial, statistical and accounting information contained therein or omitted
therefrom, as to which no opinion is expressed), contained any untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or that the Prospectus
(except as to the financial statements and other financial, statistical and
accounting information contained therein or omitted therefrom, as to which no
opinion is expressed) contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Such counsel
does not know of any documents which are required to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement which have not been so filed.
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SCHEDULE I
Underwriting Agreement Dated ___________, 2000
Underwriter Number of Firm
Units to be Purchased
HD Brous & Co., Inc.
Solid ISG Capital Markets, L.L.C.
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<PAGE>
UPO- Option to Purchase
Units
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Unit Purchase Option
--------------------
Dated: , 2000
THIS CERTIFIES THAT and its registered assigns (herein
sometimes called the "Holder") is entitled to purchase from Activeworlds.com,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), at the price
and during the period as hereinafter specified, up to Units
("Units"), each Unit consisting of one share of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share ("Common Stock"), and one Series B Redeemable Common Stock
Purchase Warrant of the Company (a "Warrant" and collectively, the "Warrants")
to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock. Each Warrant to purchase one share of
Common Stock entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at an
exercise price of and /100 dollars ($ ) per share, subject to
adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement, as hereinafter defined.
1. This option (this "Option"), together with options of like tenor,
constituting in the aggregate options (the "Options") to purchase an aggregate
of one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) Units, was originally issued pursuant
to an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") between the Company
and the several underwriters (the "Underwriters"), of which HD Brous & Co., Inc.
("Brous") Solid ISG Capital Markets, LLC ("Solid ISG") and First Colonial
Securities, Inc. ("First Colonial") are the representatives (the
"Representatives"), in connection with a public offering of one million two
hundred thousand (1,200,000) Units, at an aggregate price of $10 for the
Options. Except as specifically otherwise provided in this Option, the Common
Stock and the Warrants issued upon exercise of the Option shall bear the same
terms and conditions as described under the captions "Description of Securities"
and "Underwriting" in the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2, File
No. 333-85095 (the "Registration Statement") which was declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on , 2000 (the "Effective
Date"). Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Options to purchase one hundred
twenty thousand (120,000) Units are being issued to the Representatives, the
Underwriters and/or
<PAGE>
selected dealers, as the Representatives shall determine. The Holder shall have
registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), for this Option, the Units issuable upon exercise of this
Option, the Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units issuable upon
exercise of this Option and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants, as more fully described in Paragraph 7 of this Option. The
Warrants issuable upon exercise of this Option shall be issued pursuant to the
warrant agreement (the "Warrant Agreement") dated as of , 2000, between the
Company and , as warrant agent.
2. During the five-year period commencing on the Effective Date until
5:30 P.M., New York City time, on , 2005, inclusive (the "Term"), the Holder
shall have the option to purchase the Units pursuant to this Option at a price
of and /100 dollars ($ ) per Unit (the "Initial Exercise Price"),
representing 165% of the initial public offering price of the Units offered
pursuant to the Registration Statement.
3. This Option may be exercised at any time during the Term, in whole
or in part, by the surrender of this Option (with the purchase form at the end
of this Option properly executed) at the principal executive office of the
Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by
notice in writing to the Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the
books of the Company) accompanied by payment to the Company of the Option
Exercise Price, as hereinafter defined, for the number of Units specified in the
above-mentioned purchase form together with applicable stock transfer taxes, if
any, and delivery to the Company of a duly executed agreement (an "Assumption
Agreement"), which may be incorporated in the purchase form, signed by the
person(s) designated in the purchase form as the person in whose name the
underlying securities are to be issued (the "Purchaser") to the effect that such
person(s) agree(s) to be bound by the provisions of Paragraphs 8(b), (c) and (d)
of this Option. This Option shall be deemed to have been exercised, in whole or
in part to the extent specified in said purchase form, immediately prior to the
close of business on the date this Option is surrendered and payment is made in
accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 3, and the person or
persons in whose name or names the certificates for shares of Common Stock and
Warrants shall be issuable upon such exercise shall become the holder or holders
of record of such Common Stock
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and Warrants at that time and date. The Common Stock and Warrants and the
certificates for the Common Stock and Warrants so purchased shall be delivered
to the Holder or other Purchaser within a reasonable time, not exceeding ten
(10) days, after this Option shall have been so exercised; provided, that the
Company shall not be required to deliver certificates for the securities unless
the Purchaser shall have delivered the Assumption Agreement to the Company. If
the Option is exercised subsequent to expiration or redemption of the Warrants
(including any extensions thereof), the Holder of the Option shall exercise the
Warrants contemporaneously with the exercise of the Option.
4. Neither this Option nor the Common Stock or Warrants comprising the
Units issuable upon exercise of this Option nor the Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of such Warrants shall be transferred, sold, assigned, or hypothecated
during the one-year period commencing on the Effective Date, except that such
securities may be transferred during such period to successors of the Holder,
and may be assigned in whole or in part to any person who is an officer or
member of either of the Representatives, a member of the underwriting or selling
group or any officer, partner or member of the underwriting or selling group.
Any person who is a permitted transferee may transfer the Option by will or
trust or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution. Commencing one year
from the Effective Date, this Option and the securities issuable upon exercise
of this Option may be transferred without restriction as long as such transfer
is in compliance with applicable Federal and state securities laws. Any such
assignment during such period shall be effected by the Holder executing the form
of assignment at the end of this Option and surrendering this Option for
cancellation at the office of the Company or other office or agency as provided
in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement accompanied by a certificate (signed by an
officer of the Holder if the Holder is a corporation), stating that each
transferee is a permitted transferee under this Paragraph 4; whereupon the
Company shall issue, in the name or names specified by the Holder (including the
Holder) a new Option or Options of like tenor and representing in the aggregate
rights to purchase the same number of Units as are purchasable hereunder.
5. The Company covenants and agrees that all shares of Common Stock
which are sold as part of the Units purchased pursuant to this Option, and all
shares of Common Stock
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which may be issued upon exercise of the Warrants have been, and will be, duly
authorized and, will, upon issuance, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and no personal liability will attach to the holder thereof. The
Company covenants and agrees that the Warrants which are issued as part of the
Units purchased pursuant to this Option have been duly authorized and, when
issued and delivered, will have been duly executed, issued and delivered and
will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
enforceable in accordance with their terms. The Company further covenants and
agrees that during the period within which this Option may be exercised, the
Company will at all times have authorized and reserved a sufficient number of
shares of its Common Stock to provide for the exercise of this Option and that
it will have authorized and reserved a sufficient number of shares of Common
Stock for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.
6. This Option shall not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or
other rights as a stockholder of the Company.
7. (a) The Company shall advise the Holder, whether the Holder
holds this Option or has exercised this Option and holds Units or any of the
underlying securities, as hereinafter defined, by written notice (certified or
registered mail) at least twenty (20) days prior to the filing of any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or of any new
registration statement or post-effective amendment thereto under the Securities
Act covering any securities of the Company (other than a registration statement
on Form S-8, S-4 or subsequent similar forms), and will during the term of the
Option and for a period of two years thereafter, upon the request of the Holder,
at the Company's cost and expense, include in any such post-effective amendment
(if permitted by law) or registration statement, such information as may be
required to permit a public offering of all or any of the Units underlying this
Option, the Common Stock or Warrants issued as part of the Units, or the Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants (collectively "underlying
securities"). In connection with any such registration statement, the Company
shall supply prospectuses, use its best efforts to qualify any of the described
securities for sale in such states as such Holder reasonably designates and
furnish indemnification in the manner provided in Paragraph 8 of this Option.
The Holder(s) participating
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in any such registration shall furnish information and indemnification as set
forth in said Paragraph 8.
(b) In connection with any underwritten public offering
relating solely to an offering of the Company's securities by the Company, the
Holder will agree to defer any sale of such securities for up to ninety (90)
days from the effective date of the applicable registration statement, unless
the applicable registration statement is filed pursuant to Paragraph 7(c) of
this Option, provided that the Representatives have requested such deferral on
the grounds that the offering by the Company would be materially adversely
affected by the earlier sale of such securities and the Company agrees to keep
the registration statement current for nine (9) months after the effective date
of the registration statement or such longer period as such registration
statement is otherwise being kept effective. This Paragraph 7(b) shall not be
applicable with respect to any registration statement filed pursuant to
Paragraph 7(c) of this Option.
(c) If any majority holder (as defined below) shall give
notice to the Company at any time to the effect that such holder desires to
register under the Securities Act the Units or any of the underlying securities
under such circumstances that a public distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of any such securities will be involved then the Company will
promptly, but no later than thirty (30) business days after date such notice is
given (the "Notice Date"), time being of the essence, file a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement pursuant
to the Securities Act, to the end that the Units and/or any of the underlying
securities, as the Holder shall determine, may be publicly sold under the
Securities Act as promptly as practicable thereafter and the Company will use
its best efforts to cause such registration to become effective; provided, that
such holder shall furnish the Company with appropriate written information as to
the Holder and the proposed plan of distribution and indemnification as set
forth in Paragraph 8. The majority holder may, at its option, request the filing
of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a new
registration statement under the Securities Act on two occasions during the term
of the Option. Within ten (10) business days after receiving any such notice
pursuant to this Paragraph 7(c), the Company shall give notice to the other
Holders of the Options, advising that the Company is proceeding with such
post-effective amendment or registration statement and offering to include
therein the Units and/or the underlying securities of the other Holders,
provided that they shall furnish the Company with such appropriate information
(relating to the intentions of such holders) in connection therewith
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<PAGE>
as the Company shall request in writing. The costs and expense of the first such
post-effective amendment or new registration statement shall be borne by the
Company, except that each Holder shall bear the fees of his own counsel and/or
accountants and any underwriting discounts or commissions applicable to any of
the securities sold by him. The costs and expenses of the second such
registration statement shall be borne by the Holders. The Company will maintain
and keep such registration statement current under the Securities Act for a
period of at least nine (9) months from the effective date of such registration
statement. The Company shall supply prospectuses, use its best efforts to
qualify any of the described securities for sale in such states as such holder
reasonably designates and furnish indemnification in the manner provided in
Paragraph 8 of this Agreement.
(d) If, on the date of receipt by the Company of notice from
any majority holder requesting registration of Units and/or any of the
underlying securities pursuant to Paragraph 7(c) of this Option, the Company has
previously notified the Holder pursuant to Paragraph 7(a) of this Option that
the Company intends to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or a new registration statement under the Securities Act covering any
securities of the Company and offering to include the Units and/or the
underlying securities of the Holder in such Registration Statement or provides
notice to the Holder pursuant to Paragraph 7(a) of this Option within seven (7)
days after receipt of such notice from any majority holder, the Holder agrees
that the demand registration request shall be withdrawn and that if he so
elects, he may participate in the Registration Statement filed by the Company
pursuant to Paragraph 7(a) of this Option; provided that (x) the Registration
Statement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement covering the
Holder's Units and/or underlying securities is filed within sixty (60) days and
declared effective within one hundred fifty (150) days after the earlier of the
date of such notice to the Company from the majority holder pursuant to
Paragraph 7(c) or the date of such notice to the Holder from the Company
pursuant to Paragraph 7(a); and (y) the majority holder will not be deemed to
have exercised any demand registration right pursuant to Paragraph 7(c) of this
Option.
(e) The term "majority holder" as used in this Paragraph 7
shall mean the holder of at least a majority of the Common Stock (including the
Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants) for which the
Options (considered in the aggregate) are exercisable and shall include any
owner or combination of owners of such securities, which ownership shall be
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calculated by determining the number of shares of Common Stock held by such
owner or owners resulting from the exercise of any Option after giving effect to
any stock dividend, split, reverse split or other recapitalization, the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any unexercised Option, the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any then outstanding
Warrants issued upon exercise of any Option, and the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of any Warrants issuable upon exercise of any
Option.
(f) In connection with any registration described in Paragraph
7(a) of this Option, the Holder may request inclusion of the Option in such
registration statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to maintain any public market in the Options.
8. (a) Whenever, pursuant to Paragraph 7 of this Option, a
registration statement relating to this Option or any underlying securities is
filed under the Securities Act or is amended or supplemented, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each holder of the securities covered by such
registration statement, amendment or supplement (such holder being hereinafter
called the "Distributing Holder"), and each person, if any, who controls (within
the meaning of the Securities Act) the Distributing Holder, and each underwriter
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such securities and each person,
if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act) any such
underwriter, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which the Distributing Holder, any such controlling person or any
such underwriter may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or action in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any such registration statement or
any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus constituting a part thereof or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading; and will reimburse the Distributing Holder
and each such controlling person and underwriter for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by the Distributing Holder or such controlling person or
underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged
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<PAGE>
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in said registration
statement, said preliminary prospectus, said final prospectus or said amendment
or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such Distributing Holder or for any other Distributing Holder,
expressly for use in the preparation thereof.
(b) The Distributing Holder will indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who have signed said
registration statement and such amendments and supplements thereto, each person,
if any, who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and
each underwriter participating in such offering (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) any such underwriter, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which the Company or any such director, officer, controlling
person or underwriter may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of or are based
upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
said registration statement, said preliminary prospectus, said final prospectus,
or said amendment or supplement, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case
to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in said registration
statement, said preliminary prospectus, said final prospectus or said amendment
or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such Distributing Holder expressly for use in the preparation
thereof; and will reimburse the Company or any such director, officer or
controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them
in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Paragraph 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying
party, give the indemnifying party notice of the commencement thereof.
(d) In case any such action is brought against any indemnified
party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that
it may wish, join with any other indemnifying party similarly
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<PAGE>
notified to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Paragraph 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation; provided, that if the defendants in any such action
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and either (i) the
indemnifying party or parties agree, or (ii) representation of both the
indemnifying party or parties and the indemnified party or parties by the same
counsel is inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct
because of actual or potential conflicting interests between them, then the
indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to
assume such legal defense and to otherwise participate in the defense of such
action. The indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party
under this Paragraph 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed counsel in connection with the assumption
of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding
sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be
liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel approved by the
indemnifying party for all indemnified parties), (ii) the indemnifying party
shall not have employed counsel to represent the indemnified party within a
reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii) the
indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified
party at the expense of the indemnifying party. In no event shall an
indemnifying party be liable under this Paragraph 8 for any settlement, effected
without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
of any claim or action against an indemnified party.
9. The number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
the Option shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening
of certain events as hereinafter provided, except that, unless the Company
elects to issue additional Warrants pursuant to Paragraph 9(i) of the Warrant
Agreement, the provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall not apply to the Warrants
issuable upon exercise of this Option. The number and kind of securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to adjustment (with no
change in the Option Exercise Price) as follows:
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<PAGE>
(a) In case the Company shall pay a dividend or make a
distribution or a split with respect to its shares of Common Stock in shares of
Common Stock, subdivide or reclassify its outstanding Common Stock into a
greater number of shares, or combine or reclassify its outstanding Common Stock
into a smaller number of shares or otherwise effect a reverse split, the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Option shall, as of the
time of the record date for such dividend or distribution or of the effective
date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, be proportionately
adjusted so that the Holder of any Option exercised after such date shall be
entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares which, if such
Option had been exercised immediately prior to such time, he would have owned
upon such exercise and such shares as he would have been entitled to receive
upon such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such
adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event listed in this
Paragraph 9(a) shall occur.
(b) No adjustment in the Option Exercise Price shall be
required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at
least five cents ($.05) in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments
which by reason of this Paragraph 9(b) are not required to be made shall be
carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All
calculations under this Paragraph 9 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the
nearest one-hundredth of a share of Common Stock as the case may be. Anything in
this Paragraph 9 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled,
but shall not be required, to make such changes in the Option Exercise Price, in
addition to those required by this Paragraph 9, as it in its discretion shall
determine to be advisable in order that any dividend or distribution in shares
of Common Stock, subdivision, reclassification or combination of Common Stock,
issuance of warrants to purchase Common Stock or distribution of evidences of
indebtedness or other assets (excluding cash dividends) referred to hereinabove
in this Paragraph 9 hereafter made by the Company to the holders of its Common
Stock shall not result in any tax to the holders of its Common Stock or
securities convertible into Common Stock.
(c) Whenever the Option Exercise Price is adjusted, as herein
provided, the Company shall promptly cause a notice setting forth the adjusted
Option Exercise Price and adjusted number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Option as to each
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<PAGE>
Unit to be mailed to the Holders at their last address appearing in the Option
register maintained by the Company, and shall cause a certified copy thereof to
be mailed to its transfer agent. The Company may retain a firm of independent
public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors
(who may be the regular accountants employed by the Company) to make any
computation required by this Paragraph 9, and a certificate signed by such firm
shall be evidence of the correctness of such adjustment.
(d) In the event that at any time, as a result of an
adjustment made pursuant to Paragraph 9(a) of this Option, the Holder of any
Option thereafter shall become entitled to receive any shares of the Company,
other than Common Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so
receivable upon exercise of any Option 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 Common Stock contained in this Paragraph 9.
(e) Irrespective of any adjustments in the Option Exercise
Price or the number or kind of shares purchasable upon exercise of Options,
Options theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to express the same price
and number and kind of shares as are stated in the similar Options initially
issuable pursuant to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Option to be signed by
its duly authorized officers this day of , 2000.
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Attest:
By:______________________
Richard F. Noll
President
_______________________________
, Secretary
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<PAGE>
PURCHASE FORM
(To be signed only upon exercise of Option)
The undersigned, the holder of the foregoing Option, hereby irrevocably
elects to exercise the purchase rights represented by such Option for, and to
purchase thereunder, Units of Activeworlds.com, Inc., each Unit consisting of
one share of Common Stock and one Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase
Warrant (the "Warrants") to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock and herewith
makes payment of $ thereof, agrees to be bound by the provisions of Paragraphs
8(b), (c) and (d) of the Option, and requests that the certificates for shares
of Common Stock and Warrants be issued in the name(s) of, and delivered to
__________________________________________whose address(es) is
(are)_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______.
Dated: , 20
_________________________
By:______________________
Address:____________________________________
____________________________________
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<PAGE>
TRANSFER FORM
(To be signed only upon transfer of the Option)
For value received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and
transfers unto the right to purchase Units represented by the foregoing Option
to the extent of Units, and appoints attorney to
transfer such rights on the books of ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC. with full power of
substitution in the premises.
Dated: , 20
__________________________________
By:_____________________________
Signature Medallion Guaranteed
___________________
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<PAGE>
WARRANT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of this day of , 2000, by and between
Activeworlds.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and , as
Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, in connection with a public offering of 1,200,000 units (the
"Units"), each Unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $.001 per
share ("Common Stock"), and a Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant
(collectively, the "Warrants") to purchase one share of Common Stock, pursuant
to an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") dated as of , 2000,
between the Company and the several underwriters named therein of which HD Brous
& Co., Inc. ("Brous") Solid ISG Capital Markets, LLC ("Solid ISG") and First
Colonial Securities, Inc. ("First Colonial") are the representatives (the
"Representatives"), the Company may issue Warrants to purchase up to One Million
Two Hundred Thousand (1,200,000) shares of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the issuance, pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, to the Representatives and their designees of options (the "Unit
Purchase Options" and each a "Unit Purchase Option") to purchase up to one
hundred twenty thousand (120,000) Units, the Company may issue Warrants to
purchase up to one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) shares of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the
Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the
issuance, registration, transfer, exchange and redemption of the Warrants, as
hereinafter defined, the issuance of certificates representing the Warrants, the
exercise of the Warrants, and the rights of the holders thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth and for the purpose of defining the terms and
provisions of the Warrants and the certificates representing the Warrants and
the respective rights and obligations thereunder of the Company, the holders of
certificates representing the Warrants and the Warrant Agent, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings, unless the context shall otherwise require:
(a) "Corporate Office" shall mean the office of the Warrant
Agent (or its successor) at which at any particular time its principal business
shall be administered, which office is located at the date of this Agreement
at .
(b) "Effective Date" shall mean the date that the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").
<PAGE>
(c) "Exercise Date" shall mean, as to any Warrant, the date on
which the Warrant Agent shall have received both (a) the Warrant Certificate
representing such Warrant, with the exercise form thereon duly executed by the
Registered Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and (b)
payment in cash, or by official bank or certified check made payable to the
Company, of an amount in lawful money of the United States of America equal to
the Purchase Price; provided, however, that, subject to Paragraph 4 of this
Agreement, if payment shall be made by personal or corporate check, the exercise
of the Warrant shall not be effective until the Warrant Agent shall be satisfied
that the check shall have cleared; provided, further, that if such payment is
made prior to the Warrant Expiration Date or the expiration of a period during
which a reduced Purchase Price is in effect pursuant to Paragraph 9(f) of this
Agreement and the check shall not have cleared until after the Warrant
Expiration Date or such other date, then the Warrant shall be deemed to have
been exercised immediately prior to 5:00 P.M. New York City time on the Warrant
Expiration Date.
(d) "Purchase Price" shall mean the purchase price per share
to be paid upon exercise of each Warrant in accordance with the terms hereof,
which price shall be and /100 dollars ($ ) per share for the Warrants, subject
to adjustment from time to time pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 9 of
this Agreement.
(e) "Redemption Price" shall mean the price at which the
Company may, at its option, redeem the Warrants, in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, which price shall be ten cents ($.10) per Warrant. The
Redemption Price shall not be subject to adjustment pursuant to this Agreement.
(f) "Registration Statement" shall mean the Company's
registration statement on Form SB-2, File No. 333-85095, which was declared
effective by the Commission on , 2000.
(g) "Registered Holder" shall mean, as to any Warrant and as
of any particular date, the person in whose name the certificate representing
the Warrant shall be registered on that date on the books maintained by the
Warrant Agent pursuant to Paragraph 6 of this Agreement.
(h) "Transfer Agent" shall mean , as the Company's
transfer agent, or its authorized successor, as such.
(i) "Warrant Certificate" shall mean the certificate for the
Warrants in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.
(j) "Warrant Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 P.M. New York
City time on the first to occur of (i) , 2005, or (ii) the business day
immediately preceding the Redemption Date, as defined in Paragraph 8(c) of this
Agreement; provided, that if such date shall in the State
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<PAGE>
of New York be a holiday or a day on which banks are authorized or required to
close, the Warrant Expiration Date shall be the next day which is not such a
date. Upon notice to all warrant holders the Company shall have the right to
extend the Warrant Expiration Date.
(k) "Warrant Shares" shall mean the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
2. Warrants and Issuance of Warrants Certificates.
(a) Each Warrant initially shall entitle the Registered Holder
of the Warrant Certificate representing such Warrant to purchase, upon the
exercise thereof, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, subject to
modification and adjustment as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, such
number of shares of Common Stock as is set forth on the certificate representing
the Warrants.
(b) Upon execution of this Agreement, Warrant Certificates
representing the number of Warrants initially issuable pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement shall be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Warrant Agent. Upon written order of the Company signed by its President or
Chairman or a Vice President and by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or
its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, the Warrant Certificates shall be
countersigned, issued and delivered by the Warrant Agent.
(c) From time to time, up to the Warrant Expiration Date, the
Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver stock certificates in required
whole number denominations representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of Warrants in accordance with this Agreement.
(d) From time to time, up to the Warrant Expiration Date, the
Warrant Agent shall countersign and deliver Warrant Certificates in required
whole number denominations to the persons entitled thereto in connection with
any transfer or exchange permitted under this Agreement; provided that no
Warrant Certificates shall be issued except (i) those initially issued hereunder
or otherwise issuable pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, including those
issuable in exchange for certain outstanding warrants, (ii) those issued on or
after the date of this Agreement, upon the exercise of fewer than all Warrants
represented by any Warrant Certificate, to evidence any unexercised Warrants
held by the exercising Registered Holder, (iii) those issued upon any transfer
or exchange pursuant to Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, (iv) those issued in
replacement of lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificates
pursuant to Paragraph 7 of this Agreement, (v) those issued pursuant to the
Representatives' Option, and (vi) at the option of the Company, in such form as
may be approved by the Board of Directors, to reflect any adjustment or change
in the Purchase Price or the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise of the Warrants made pursuant to Paragraph 9 of this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
In addition, at the discretion of the Company, the Company may authorize the
issuance of additional Warrants, which shall be subject to the provisions of
this Agreement.
3. Form and Execution of Warrant Certificates.
(a) The Warrant Certificates for the Warrants shall be
substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit A to this Agreement, (the
provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein) and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends,
summaries or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the
Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which the Warrants may be listed, or to conform to usage or to the
requirements of Paragraph 2(b) of this Agreement. The Warrant Certificates shall
be dated the date of issuance thereof (whether upon initial issuance, transfer
or exchange in lieu of mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed Warrant
Certificates) and issued in registered form. Warrant Certificates shall be
numbered serially with the letter M or other letters acceptable to the Company
and the Warrant Agent.
(b) Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice President and by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, by manual signatures or by facsimile
signatures printed thereon, and shall have imprinted thereon a facsimile of the
Company's seal. Warrant Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the
Warrant Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In
case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant
Certificates shall cease to be an officer of the Company or to hold the
particular office referenced in the Warrant Certificate before the date of
issuance of the Warrant Certificates or before countersignature by the Warrant
Agent and issue and delivery thereof, such Warrant Certificates may nevertheless
be countersigned by the Warrant Agent, issued and delivered with the same force
and effect as though the person who signed the Warrant Certificates had not
ceased to be an officer of the Company or to hold such office. After
countersignature by the Warrant Agent, Warrant Certificates shall be delivered
by the Warrant Agent to the Registered Holder without further action by the
Company, except as otherwise provided by Paragraph 4 of this Agreement.
4. Exercise. Each Warrant may be exercised by the Registered
Holder thereof at any time after the issuance thereof, but not after the Warrant
Expiration Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein
and in the Warrant Certificate. A Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised
immediately prior to the close of business on the Exercise Date and the person
entitled to receive the securities deliverable upon such exercise shall be
treated for all purposes as the holder of those securities upon the exercise of
the Warrant as of the close
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<PAGE>
of business on the Exercise Date. As soon as practicable on or after the
Exercise Date, the Warrant Agent shall deposit the proceeds received from the
exercise of a Warrant and shall notify the Company in writing of the exercise of
the Warrant. Promptly following, and in any event within five (5) days after the
date of such notice from the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent, on behalf of the
Company, shall cause to be issued and delivered by the Transfer Agent, to the
person or persons entitled to receive the same, a certificate or certificates
for the securities deliverable upon such exercise, (plus a certificate for any
remaining unexercised Warrants of the Registered Holder) unless prior to the
date of issuance of such certificates the Company shall instruct the Warrant
Agent to refrain from causing such issuance of certificates pending clearance of
checks received in payment of the Purchase Price pursuant to such Warrants.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of payment made in the form of a
check drawn on an account of the Representatives or such other investment banks
and brokerage houses as the Company shall approve in writing to the Warrant
Agent, by the Representatives or such other investment bank or brokerage house,
certificates shall immediately be issued without prior notice to the Company or
any delay. Upon the exercise of any Warrant and clearance of the funds received,
the Warrant Agent shall promptly remit the payment received for the Warrant (the
"Warrant Proceeds") to the Company or as the Company may direct in writing.
5. Reservation of Shares; Listing; Payment of Taxes.
(a) The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve
and keep available out of its authorized Common Stock, solely for the purpose of
issue upon exercise of Warrants, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall
then be issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants. The Company
covenants that all Warrant Shares shall, at the time of delivery in accordance
with this Agreement, be duly and validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and
free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof (other
than those which the Company shall promptly pay or discharge), and that upon
issuance such shares shall be listed on each national securities exchange or
eligible for inclusion in each automated quotation system, if any, on which the
other shares of outstanding Common Stock of the Company are then listed or
eligible for inclusion.
(b) The Company covenants that if any securities to be
reserved for the purpose of exercise of Warrants hereunder require registration
with, or approval of, any governmental authority under any Federal securities
law before such securities may be validly issued or delivered upon such
exercise, then the Company will in good faith and as expeditiously as reasonably
possible, endeavor to secure such registration or approval. The Company will use
reasonable efforts to obtain appropriate approvals or registrations under state
"blue sky" securities laws. With respect to any such securities, however,
Warrants may not be exercised by, or shares
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<PAGE>
of Common Stock issued to, any Registered Holder in any state in which such
exercise would be unlawful.
(c) The Company shall pay all documentary, stamp or similar
taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed with respect to the
issuance of Warrants, or the issuance, or delivery of any shares upon exercise
of the Warrants; provided, however, that if the shares of Common Stock are to be
delivered in a name other than the name of the Registered Holder of the Warrant
Certificate representing any Warrant being exercised, then no such delivery
shall be made unless the person requesting the same has paid to the Warrant
Agent the amount of transfer taxes or charges incident thereto, if any.
(d) The Warrant Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized to
requisition the Company's Transfer Agent from time to time for certificates
representing shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and
the Company will authorize the Transfer Agent to comply with all such proper
requisitions. The Company will file with the Warrant Agent a statement setting
forth the name and address of the Transfer Agent of the Company for shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
6. Exchange and Registration of Transfer.
(a) Warrant Certificates may be exchanged for other Warrant
Certificates representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants of the same
class or may be transferred in whole or in part. Warrant Certificates to be
exchanged shall be surrendered to the Warrant Agent at its Corporate Office, and
upon satisfaction of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Company
shall execute and the Warrant Agent shall countersign, issue and deliver in
exchange therefor the Warrant Certificate or Certificates which the Registered
Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.
(b) The Warrant Agent shall keep at its office books in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register
Warrant Certificates and the transfer thereof in accordance with its regular
practice. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant
Certificate at such office, the Company shall execute and the Warrant Agent
shall issue and deliver to the transferee or transferees a new Warrant
Certificate or Certificates representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants.
(c) With respect to all Warrant Certificates presented for
registration or transfer, or for exchange or exercise, the subscription form on
the reverse thereof shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer and subscription, in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Warrant Agent, duly executed by the Registered Holder or his
attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.
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<PAGE>
(d) A reasonable service charge may be imposed by the Warrant
Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates. In
addition, the Company may require payment by such holder of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any exchanges, registration or transfer of Warrant Certificates.
(e) All Warrant Certificates surrendered for exercise or for
exchange in case of mutilated Warrant Certificates shall be promptly canceled by
the Warrant Agent and thereafter retained by the Warrant Agent until termination
of this Agreement or resignation as Warrant Agent, or, with the prior written
consent of the Representatives, disposed of or destroyed, at the direction of
the Company.
(f) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer
thereof, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered
Holder of any Warrant Certificate as the absolute owner thereof and of each
Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or
writing thereon made by anyone other than a duly authorized officer of the
Company or the Warrant Agent) for all purposes and shall not be affected by any
notice to the contrary.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no
Warrants issued upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option and no shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrants may be sold, transferred,
assigned or hypothecated for a period of one year from the Effective Date except
to the officers of the Representatives or to selling group members or officers
or partners thereof, all of whom shall be bound by such restrictions. Until the
expiration of such one-year period, Warrant Certificates and stock certificates
shall be marked with a legend referring to such restriction.
7. Loss or Mutilation. Upon receipt by the Company and the
Warrant Agent of evidence satisfactory to them of the ownership of and loss,
theft, destruction or mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and (in case of
loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity satisfactory to them, and (in the case
of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation thereof, the Company shall
execute and the Warrant Agent shall (in the absence of notice to the Company
and/or Warrant Agent that the Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona
fide purchaser) countersign and deliver to the Registered Holder in lieu thereof
a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor representing an equal aggregate number
of Warrants. Applicants for a substitute Warrant Certificate shall comply with
such other reasonable regulations and pay such other reasonable charges as the
Warrant Agent may prescribe.
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<PAGE>
8. Redemption.
(a) Commencing twelve (12) months from the Effective Date or
earlier with the consent of the Representatives, the Company shall have the
right, on not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days notice given
prior to the Redemption Date, as hereinafter defined, at any time to redeem the
then outstanding Warrants at the Redemption Price, provided that the Market
Price of the Common Stock shall equal or exceed the "Target Price" with respect
to the class of Warrants as to which the Company is exercising its right of
redemption. The "Target Price" shall mean one hundred fifty percent (150%) of
the Purchase Price with respect to the applicable class of Warrants. Market
Price for the purpose of this Paragraph 8 shall mean, if the Common Stock is
listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York or American Stock Exchange,
the average last reported sales price (or, if no sale is reported on any such
trading day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices) on the principal
market for the Common Stock or, if the Common Stock is not so listed or traded,
the average of the last reported bid prices of the Common Stock, during the
twenty (20) day period ending within three (3) days of the date the Warrants are
called for redemption. Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, not later than five (5) business days (or such longer period to
which the Representatives may consent) after the date the Warrants are called
for redemption. All Warrants of any class of Warrants must be redeemed if any
Warrants of such class are redeemed.
(b) If the conditions set forth in Paragraph 8(a) of this
Agreement are met, and the Company desires to exercise its right to redeem the
Warrants, it shall request the Representatives or the Warrant Agent to mail the
notice of redemption referred to in said Paragraph 8(a) to each of the
Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed, first class, postage prepaid,
not earlier than the sixtieth (60th) day nor later than the thirtieth (30th) day
before the date fixed for redemption, at their last addresses as shall appear on
the records maintained pursuant to Paragraph 6(b) of this Agreement. Any notice
mailed in the manner provided herein shall be conclusively presumed to have been
duly given whether or not the Registered Holder receives such notice. The
Warrant Agent agrees to mail such notice if requested by the Company or the
Representatives.
(c) The notice of redemption shall specify (i) the Redemption
Price, (ii) the date fixed for redemption, (iii) the place where the Warrant
Certificates shall be delivered and the redemption price to be paid, and (iv)
that the right to exercise the Warrants shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York
City time) on the business day immediately preceding the date fixed for
redemption. The date fixed for the redemption of the Warrants shall be the
Redemption Date. No failure to mail such notice nor any defect therein or in the
mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for such redemption
except as to a Registered Holder (A) to whom
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<PAGE>
notice was not mailed, or (B) whose notice was defective. An affidavit of the
Warrant Agent or of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of either of the
Representatives or the Company that notice of redemption has been mailed shall,
in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(d) If either class of Warrant shall have been redeemed, any
right to exercise a Warrant of such class shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York
City time) on the business day immediately preceding the Redemption Date. After
such time, Holders of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to
receive, upon surrender of the Warrant, the Redemption Price without interest,
subject to the provisions of applicable laws relating to the treatment of
abandoned property. In the event that the Warrants or the Warrant Shares shall
not be subject to a current and effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at any time subsequent to the date the
Warrants are called for redemption, the notice of redemption shall not be
effective and shall be deemed for all purposes not to have been given. Nothing
in the preceding sentence shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the Company
from thereafter calling the Warrants for redemption in the manner provided for,
and subject to the provisions of, this Paragraph 8.
(e) From and after the Redemption Date with respect to the
Warrants, the Company shall, at the place specified in the notice of redemption,
upon presentation and surrender to the Company by or on behalf of the Registered
Holder thereof of one or more Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants to be
redeemed, deliver or cause to be delivered to or upon the written order of such
Holder a sum in cash equal to the Redemption Price of each such Warrant. From
and after the Redemption Date and upon the deposit or setting aside by the
Company of a sum sufficient to redeem all the Warrants called for redemption,
such Warrants shall expire and become void and all rights hereunder and under
the Warrant Certificates, except the right to receive payment of the Redemption
Price, shall cease.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Company shall not call the Warrants for redemption unless there is, at the time
the Warrants are called for redemption, a current and effective registration
statement or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement covering
the issuance of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants.
(g) In the event that the Representatives' Option is exercised
at a time subsequent to the redemption of the Warrants but prior to the Warrant
Expiration Date, as defined in Paragraph 1(j) of this Agreement, then,
notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Warrants issued upon
such exercise may be redeemed by the Company at any time after issuance.
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<PAGE>
9. Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Securities Issuable
upon Exercise of Warrants.
(a) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to
time after the date of this Agreement, pay a dividend or make a distribution on
its shares of Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, subdivide or reclassify
its outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares, or combine or
reclassify its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or
otherwise effect a combination of shares or reverse split, the Purchase Price in
effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or distribution or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Warrant exercised after such
date shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares which,
if such Warrant had been exercised immediately prior to such time, he would have
owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive upon such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever any event listed in this Paragraph 9(a) shall occur.
(b) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to
time after the date of this Agreement, issue rights or warrants to all holders
of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common
Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) at a price (or having a
conversion price per share) less than the current market price of the Common
Stock (as defined in Paragraph 9(e) of this Agreement) on the record date
mentioned below, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall
equal the price determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to the date of such issuance by a fraction, of which the
numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
record date mentioned below plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock
which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock
so offered (or the aggregate conversion price of the convertible securities so
offered) would purchase at such current market price per share of the Common
Stock, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of
Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible
securities so offered are convertible). Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such rights or warrants are issued and shall become
effective immediately after the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants; and to the extent that
shares of Common Stock are not delivered (or securities convertible into Common
Stock are not delivered) after the expiration of such rights or warrants, the
Purchase Price shall be readjusted to the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants
been made upon the basis of delivery of only
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the number of shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common
Stock) actually delivered.
(c) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to
time after the date hereof, distribute to all holders of Common Stock evidences
of its indebtedness or assets (excluding cash dividends or distributions paid
out of current earnings and dividends or distributions referred to in Paragraph
9(a) of this Agreement) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those
referred to in Paragraph 9(b) of this Agreement), then in each such case the
Purchase Price in effect thereafter shall be determined by multiplying the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior thereto by a fraction, of which the
numerator shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
multiplied by the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined in
Paragraph 9(e) of this Agreement), less the fair market value (as determined by
the Company's Board of Directors) of said assets or evidences of indebtedness so
distributed or of such rights or warrants, and of which the denominator shall be
the total number of shares or Common Stock outstanding multiplied by such
current market price per share of Common Stock. Such adjustment shall be made
whenever any such distribution is made and shall become effective immediately
after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive
such distribution.
(d) Whenever the Purchase Price payable upon exercise of each
Warrant is adjusted pursuant to Paragraphs 9(a), (b) or (c) of this Agreement,
the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Warrant
shall simultaneously be adjusted by multiplying the number of shares issuable
upon exercise of each Warrant in effect on the date thereof by the Purchase
Price in effect on the date thereof and dividing the product so obtained by the
Purchase Price, as adjusted.
(e) For the purpose of any computation pursuant to Paragraphs
9(b) and (c) of this Agreement, the current market price per share of Common
Stock at any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices
for thirty (30) consecutive business days commencing fifteen (15) business days
before such date. The closing price for each day shall be the reported last sale
price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the
average of the last reported high bid and low asked prices regular way, in
either case on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is admitted to trading or listed, if the Common Stock is admitted to
trading or listing on the New York or American Stock Exchange or on The Nasdaq
Stock Market if included in such system or if not listed or admitted to trading
on such exchange or system, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked
prices as reported by Nasdaq, or the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or another
similar organization if Nasdaq is no
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longer reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market price
as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least five
cents ($0.05) in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by
reason of this Paragraph 9(f) are not required to be made shall be carried
forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations
under this Paragraph 9 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest
one-tenth of a share, as the case may be. Anything in this Paragraph 9 to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, upon notice to the record holders of
the Warrants, in its sole discretion, reduce the Purchase Price of the Warrants,
and, if such reduction is not otherwise required by this Paragraph 9, such
reduction (i) will not, unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines,
result in any change in the number or class of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of such Warrants, and (ii) may be of limited duration, in which
event the reduction in Purchase Price shall not apply to any Warrants exercised
after the expiration of the time during which the reduced Purchase Price is in
effect.
(g) The Company may retain a firm of independent public
accountants (who may be the regular accountants employed by the Company) of
recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors of the Company to make
any computation required by this Paragraph 9, and a certificate signed by such
firm shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment.
(h) In the event that at any time, as a result of an
adjustment made pursuant to Paragraph 9(a) of this Agreement, the holder of any
Warrant thereafter shall become entitled to receive any shares of the Company,
other than Common Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so
receivable upon exercise of any Warrant 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 Common Stock contained in Paragraphs 9(a) to (f),
inclusive, of this Agreement.
(i) The Company may elect, upon any adjustment of the Purchase
Price hereunder, to adjust the number of Warrants outstanding, in lieu of the
adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise
of each Warrant as hereinabove provided, so that each Warrant outstanding after
such adjustment shall represent the right to purchase one share of Common Stock.
Each Warrant held of record and each Warrant issuable upon exercise of the
Representatives' Option prior to such adjustment of the number of Warrants shall
become that number of Warrants or an Representatives' Option to purchase that
number of Warrants (calculated to the nearest tenth) determined by multiplying
the number one by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Purchase Price
in effect immediately prior to such
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adjustment and the denominator of which shall be the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment. Upon each adjustment of the number of
Warrants pursuant to this Paragraph 9, the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable, cause to be distributed to each Registered Holder of Warrant
Certificates on the date of such adjustment Warrant Certificates evidencing,
subject to Paragraph 10 of this Agreement, the number of additional Warrants to
which such Holder shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment or, at the
option of the Company, cause to be distributed to such Holder in substitution
and replacement for the Warrant Certificates held by him prior to the date of
adjustment (and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company) new Warrant
Certificates evidencing the number of Warrants to which such Holder shall be
entitled after such adjustment. With respect to the Representative's Option, the
Company shall give the registered holders of the Representative's Option notice
as to the number of Warrants issuable in respect of such Representative's Option
reflecting such adjustment. Any Warrants or notice to registered holders of
Representative's Option may be mailed by the Warrant Agent or by first class
mail, postage prepaid.
(j) In case of any reclassification, capital reorganization or
other change of outstanding shares of Common Stock, or in case of any
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation (other
than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and which does not result in any reclassification, capital
reorganization or other change of outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in
case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property of the
Company as, or substantially as, an entirety (other than a sale/leaseback,
mortgage or other financing transaction), the Company shall cause effective
provision to be made so that each holder of a Warrant then outstanding shall
have the right thereafter, by exercising such Warrant, to purchase the kind and
number of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash)
receivable upon such reclassification, capital reorganization or other change,
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock that might have been purchased upon exercise of such Warrant
immediately prior to such reclassification, capital reorganization or other
change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. Any such provisions shall
include provision for adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Paragraph 9. The Company
shall not effect any such consolidation, merger or sale unless, prior to or
simultaneously with the consummation thereof, the successor (if other than the
Company) resulting from such consolidation or merger or the corporation
purchasing assets or other appropriate corporation or entity shall assume, by
written instrument executed and delivered to the Warrant Agent, the obligation
to deliver to the holder of each Warrant such shares of stock, securities or
assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such holders may be
entitled
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to purchase and the other obligations under this Agreement. The foregoing
provisions shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, capital
reorganizations and other changes of outstanding shares of Common Stock and to
successive consolidations, mergers, sales or conveyances. In the event that, as
a result of any merger, consolidation or similar transaction, all of the holders
of Common Stock receive and are entitled to receive no consideration other than
cash in respect of their shares of Common Stock, then, at the effective time of
the transaction, the rights to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Warrants
shall terminate, and the holders of the Warrants shall, notwithstanding any
other provisions of this Agreement or the Warrants, receive in respect of each
Warrant to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock, upon presentation of the
Warrant Certificate, the amount by which the consideration per share of Common
Stock payable to the holders of Common Stock at such effective time exceeds the
Purchase Price in effect on such effective date, without giving effect to the
transaction. In the event that, subsequent to the effective time, additional
cash or other consideration is payable to the holders of Common Stock of record
as of the effective time, the same consideration shall be payable to the holders
of the Warrants to the extent that the total cash then received by the holders
of Common Stock exceeds the Purchase Price in effect at such effective date,
without giving effect to the transaction, with the same effect as if the
Warrants had been exercised on and as of such effective time. In the event of
any merger, consolidation, sale or lease of substantially all of the Company's
assets or reorganization whereby the Company is not the surviving corporation,
in lieu of the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 9(j), the Company may
provide in the agreement relating to the transaction that each Warrant shall
become, be converted into or be exchanged for, such securities of the surviving
or acquiring corporation or other entity as has a value equal to the value of
the Warrants (which shall not exceed the amount by which the consideration to be
received per share of Common Stock (valued on such date as the Company's Board
of Directors shall determine) exceeds the exercise price of the Warrant), the
value of the Warrants and securities being issued in exchange therefor to be
determined by the Company's Board of Directors, such determination to be final,
binding and conclusive on the Company and the holders of the Warrants. In the
event that, in such a transaction, the value of the consideration to be received
per share of Common Stock is not greater than the exercise price of the
Warrants, the Warrants shall terminate and no consideration will be paid with
respect thereof.
(k) Irrespective of any adjustments or changes in the Purchase
Price or the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the
Warrants, the Warrant Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued shall,
unless the Company shall exercise its option to issue new Warrant Certificates
pursuant to Paragraphs 2(e) and 9(i) of this Agreement, continue to express the
Purchase Price per share, the number of shares purchasable thereunder
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and the Redemption Price therefor as to the Purchase Price per share, and the
number of shares purchasable and the Redemption Price therefore were expressed
in the Warrant Certificates when the same were originally issued.
(l) After any adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to
this Paragraph 9, the Company will promptly prepare a certificate signed by the
Chairman, President, Vice President or Treasurer, of the Company setting forth:
(i) the Purchase Price as so adjusted, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable upon exercise of each Warrant after such adjustment, and, if the
Company shall have elected to adjust the number of Warrants, the number of
Warrants to which the registered holder of each Warrant shall then be entitled,
and (iii) a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment. The
Company will promptly file such certificate with the Warrant Agent and cause a
brief summary thereof to be sent by first class mail to each Representative and
to each registered holder of Warrants at his last address as it shall appear on
the registry books of the Warrant Agent. No failure to mail such notice nor any
defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity thereof. The
affidavit of an officer of the Warrant Agent or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company that such notice has been mailed shall, in the absence
of fraud, constitute prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(m) As used in this Paragraph 9, the term "Common Stock" shall
mean and include the Company's Common Stock authorized on the Effective Date and
shall also include any capital stock of any class of the Company thereafter
authorized which shall not be limited to a fixed sum or percentage in respect of
the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the
distribution of assets upon the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company; provided, however, that the shares issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants shall include only shares of such class designated in the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation as Common Stock on the Effective Date or, in the
case of any reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance
of the character referred to in Paragraph 9(j) of this Agreement, the stock,
securities or property provided for in such section or, in the case of any
reclassification or change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants as a result of a subdivision or combination or
consisting of a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from
no par value to par value, such shares of Common Stock as so reclassified or
changed.
(n) Any determination as to whether an adjustment in the
Purchase Price in effect hereunder is required pursuant to this Paragraph 9, or
as to the amount of any such adjustment, if required, shall be binding upon the
holders of the warrants and the Company if made in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company.
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(o) In lieu of an adjustment pursuant to Paragraph 9(b) of
this Agreement, if the Company shall grant to the holders of Common Stock, as
such, rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying a right or warrant
to purchase Common Stock, the Company may concurrently therewith grant to each
Registered Holder as of the record date for such transaction of the Warrants
then outstanding, the rights or warrants to which each Registered Holder would
have been entitled if, on the record date used to determine the stockholders
entitled to the rights or warrants being granted by the Company, the Registered
Holder were the holder of record of the number of whole shares of Common Stock
then issuable upon exercise of his Warrants. If the Company exercises such right
no adjustment which otherwise might be called for pursuant to said Paragraph
9(b) shall be made.
10. Fractional Warrants and Fractional Shares. If the number of
shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant is adjusted
pursuant to Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, the Company nevertheless shall not be
required to issue fractions of shares, upon exercise of the Warrants or
otherwise, or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional shares. With
respect to any fraction of a share called for upon any exercise hereof, the
Company, at its option, shall either issue a whole share in lieu of such
fractional share or pay to the Holder an amount in cash equal to such fraction
multiplied by the current market value of such fractional share, determined as
follows:
(a) If the Common Stock is listed on the New York or American
Stock Exchange or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on such exchange or
listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the current value shall be the
reported last sale price of the Common Stock on such exchange or system on the
last business day prior to the date of exercise of this Warrant, or if no such
sale is made on such day, the average closing bid and asked prices for such day
on such exchange or system; or
(b) If the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to unlisted
trading privileges, the current value shall be the last reported bid price
reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. on the last business day prior
to the date of the exercise of this Warrant; or
(c) If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to
unlisted trading privileges and bid prices are not so reported, the current
value shall be an amount determined in such reasonable manner as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
11. Warrant Holders Not Deemed Stockholders. No holder of
Warrants shall, as such, be entitled to vote or to receive dividends or be
deemed the holder of Common Stock that may at any time be issuable upon exercise
of such Warrants for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall anything contained in
this Agreement be construed to confer upon the holder of Warrants, as
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such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether
upon any recapitalization, issue or reclassification of stock, change of par
value or change of stock to no par value, consolidation, merger or conveyance or
otherwise), or to receive notice of meetings, or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, until such Holder shall have exercised such Warrants and
been issued shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions hereof
12. Rights of Action. All rights of action with respect to this
Agreement are vested in the respective Registered Holders of the Warrants, and
any Registered Holder of a Warrant, without consent of the Warrant Agent or of
the holder of any other Warrant, may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit,
enforce against the Company his right to exercise his Warrants for the purchase
of shares of Common Stock in the manner provide in the Warrant Certificate and
this Agreement.
13. Agreement of Warrant Holders. Every holder of a Warrant, by
his acceptance of the Warrants, consents and agrees with the Company, the
Warrant Agent and every other holder of a Warrant that:
(a) The warrants are transferable only on the registry books
of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by his
attorney duly authorized in writing and only if the Warrant Certificates
representing such Warrants are surrendered at the office of the Warrant Agent,
duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer satisfactory to
the Warrant Agent and the Company in their sole discretion, together with
payment of any applicable transfer taxes; and
(b) The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the
person in whose name the Warrant Certificate is registered as the holder and as
the absolute, true and lawful owner of the Warrants represented thereby for all
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any
notice or knowledge to the contrary, except as otherwise expressly provided in
Paragraph 6 of this Agreement.
14. Cancellation of Warrant Certificates. If the Company shall
purchase or acquire any Warrant or Warrants, the Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates evidencing the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Warrant
Agent and canceled by it and retired.
15. Concerning the Warrant Agent.
(a) The Warrant Agent acts hereunder as agent and in a
ministerial capacity for the Company, and its duties shall be determined solely
by the provisions of this Agreement. The Warrant Agent shall not, by issuing and
delivering Warrant Certificates or by any other act hereunder be deemed to make
any representations as to the validity, value or authorization of the
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Warrant Certificates or the Warrants represented thereby or of any securities or
other property delivered upon exercise of any Warrant or whether any stock
issued upon exercise of any Warrant is fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) The Warrant Agent shall not at any time be under any duty
or responsibility to any holder of Warrant Certificates to make or cause to be
made any adjustment of the Purchase Price or the Redemption Price provided in
this Agreement, or to determine whether any fact exists which may require any
such adjustments, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such
adjustment, when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the
same. It shall not (i) be liable for any recital or statement of facts contained
herein or for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in reliance on any
Warrant Certificate or other document or instrument believed by it in good faith
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties, (ii) be responsible for any failure on the part of the Company to
comply with any of its covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement or
in any Warrant Certificate, or (iii) be liable for any act or omission in
connection with this Agreement except for its own negligence or wilful
misconduct.
(c) The Warrant Agent may at any time consult with counsel
satisfactory to it (who may be counsel for the Company) and shall incur no
liability or responsibility for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
good faith in accordance with the opinion or advice of such counsel.
(d) Any notice, statement, instrument, request, direction,
order or demand of the Company shall be sufficiently evidenced by an instrument
signed by the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice President, its
Secretary, or Assistant Secretary, unless other evidence in respect thereof is
specifically prescribed in this Agreement. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable
for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in accordance with such notice,
statement, instruction, request, direction, order or demand believed by it to be
genuine.
(e) The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable
compensation for its services hereunder and to reimburse it for its reasonable
expenses hereunder; it further agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and hold it
harmless against any and all costs and counsel fees, for anything done or
omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of its duties and powers hereunder
except losses, expenses and liabilities arising as a result of the Warrant
Agent's negligence or wilful misconduct.
(f) The Warrant Agent may resign its duties and be discharged
from all further duties and liabilities hereunder (except liabilities arising as
a result of the Warrant Agent's own negligence or wilful misconduct), after
giving thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Company. At least fifteen
(15) days prior to the date such resignation is to become effective, the Warrant
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Agent shall cause a copy of such notice of resignation to be mailed to the
Registered Holder of each Warrant Certificate at the Company's expense. Upon
such resignation, or any inability of the Warrant Agent to act as such under
this Agreement, the Company shall appoint a new warrant agent in writing. If the
Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of fifteen (15) days
after it has been notified in writing of such resignation by the resigning
Warrant Agent, then the Registered Holder of any Warrant Certificate may apply
to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new warrant
agent. Any new warrant agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a
court, shall be a bank or trust company having a capital and surplus, as shown
by its last published report to its stockholders, of not less than $10,000,000
or a stock transfer company. After acceptance in writing of such appointment by
the new warrant agent is received by the Company, such new warrant agent shall
be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had
been originally named herein as the Warrant Agent, without any further
assurance, conveyance, act or deed; but if for any reason, it shall be necessary
or expedient to execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or
deed, the same shall be done at the expense of the Company and shall be legally
and validly executed and delivered by the resigning Warrant Agent. Not later
than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice
thereof with the resigning Warrant Agent and shall forthwith cause a copy of
such notice to be mailed to the Registered Holder of each Warrant Certificate.
(g) Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent or any new
warrant agent may be converted or merged or any corporation resulting from any
consolidation to which the Warrant Agent or any new warrant agent shall be a
party or any corporation succeeding to the trust business of the Warrant Agent
shall be a successor warrant agent under this Agreement without any further act,
provided that such corporation is eligible for appointment as successor to the
Warrant Agent under the provisions of the preceding paragraph. Any such
successor warrant agent shall promptly cause notice of its succession as warrant
agent to be mailed to the Company and to the Registered Holder of each Warrant
Certificate.
(h) The Warrant Agent, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and
any of its or their officers or directors, may buy and hold or sell Warrants or
other securities of the Company and otherwise deal with the Company in the same
manner and to the same extent and with like effects as though it were not
Warrant Agent. Nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in
any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
16. Modification of Agreement. The Warrant Agent and the Company
may, by supplemental agreement, make any changes or corrections in this
Agreement (i) that they shall deem appropriate to cure any ambiguity or to
correct any defective or inconsistent provision or manifest mistake or error
herein contained; or (ii) that they may deem necessary or desirable and
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which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Warrant
Certificates; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not otherwise be
modified, supplemented or altered in any respect except with the consent in
writing of the Registered Holders of Warrant Certificates representing not less
than fifty percent (50%) of the Warrants then outstanding; and provided,
further, that no change in the number or nature of the securities purchasable
upon the exercise of any Warrant, or the Purchase Price therefor, or the
acceleration of the Warrant Expiration Date, shall be made without the consent
in writing of the Registered Holder of the Warrant Certificate representing such
Warrant, other than such changes as are specifically prescribed by this
Agreement as originally executed or are made in compliance with applicable law;
and provided, further, that Paragraphs 4(b) and 4(c) may not be modified or
amended without the consent of the Representatives.
17. Notices. All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be
in writing signed by the party giving such notice, and, unless otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, delivered personally or sent by overnight
courier or messenger against receipt thereof or sent by registered or certified
mail (air mail if overseas), return receipt requested, or by facsimile
transmission or similar means of communication. Notices sent by facsimile
transmission or similar means of communication shall be confirmed by
acknowledged receipt or by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested. Notices shall be deemed to have been received on the date of personal
delivery or telecopy or, if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, shall be deemed to be delivered on the third business day after the
date of mailing. Notices shall be sent to the Registered Holders at their
respective addresses on the Warrant Agent's warrant register, to the Company at
95 Parker Street, Newburyport, MA 01950, telecopier (978) 499-0221, Attention:
Richard F. Noll, President and Chief Executive Officer, and to the Warrant Agent
at its Corporate Office, telecopier ( ) . Either party may, by like
notice, change the address, person or telecopier number to which notice should
be given.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreements entered and to be performed wholly within such State, without regard
to principles of conflicts of laws. The parties hereby (a) irrevocably consent
and agree that any legal or equitable action or proceeding arising under or in
connection with this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in any Federal or
state court situated in New York County, New York, (b) irrevocably submit to and
accept, with respect to their respective properties and assets, generally and
unconditionally, the in personam jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, and (c)
agree that any process in any action commenced in such court under this
Agreement may be served upon such party personally, by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier service which obtains
evidence of delivery, with the
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same full force and effect as if personally served upon such party in New York
City, in addition to any other method of service permitted by law.
19. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Company and, the Warrant Agent and their respective
successors and assigns, and the holders from time to time of Warrant
Certificates. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
confer upon any other person any right, remedy or claim, in equity or at law, or
to impose upon any other person any duty, liability or obligation.
20. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate at the close of
business on the Expiration Date of all the Warrants or such earlier date upon
which all Warrants have been exercised, except that the Warrant Agent shall
account to the Company for cash held by it, and the provisions of Paragraph 15
of this Agreement shall survive any such termination.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, which taken together shall constitute a single document.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
By:_______________________________________
Richard F. Noll, President and CEO
__________________________________________
By:_______________________________
, Authorized Officer
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EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]
No. A- Warrant to Purchase
-----------
Shares of Common Stock
Void after , 2005 (or earlier upon redemption).
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC
SERIES B REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
This certifies that FOR VALUE RECEIVED or
registered assigns (the "Registered Holder") is the owner of the number of
Series B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrants ("Warrants") specified above.
Each Warrant initially entitles the Registered Holder to purchase, subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in this Certificate and the Warrant Agreement
(as hereinafter defined), one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Common
Stock, par value $.001 per share ("Common Stock"), of Activeworlds.com, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at any time during the period commencing
with the issuance of this Warrant and ending on the Expiration Date, as
hereinafter defined, by delivery of this Warrant, with the Subscription Form on
the reverse hereof duly executed, at the corporate office of
, as Warrant Agent, or its successor (the "Warrant
Agent"), accompanied by payment of $ , subject to adjustment as
provided in the Warrant Agreement (the "Purchase Price") in lawful money of the
United States of America in cash or by official bank or certified check made
payable to the order of the Company.
This Warrant Certificate and each Warrant represented hereby are issued
pursuant to and are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Warrant Agreement (the "Warrant Agreement"), dated as of
, 2000, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent.
In the event of certain contingencies provided for in the Warrant
Agreement, the Purchase Price or the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
purchase upon the exercise of each Warrant represented hereby are subject to
modification or adjustment.
Each Warrant represented hereby is exercisable at the option of the
Registered Holder, but no fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued. In
the case of the exercise of less than all the Warrants represented hereby, the
Company shall cancel this Warrant Certificate upon the surrender hereof and
shall execute and deliver a new Warrant Certificates or Warrant Certificates of
like tenor, which the Warrant Agent shall countersign, for the balance of such
Warrants.
The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 P.M. (New York City time)
on , 2005 or earlier upon redemption as hereinafter provided. If such
date shall in the State of New York be a holiday or a day on which the banks are
authorized or required to close, then the Expiration Date shall mean 5:00 P.M.
(New York City time) the next following day which in the State of New York is
not a holiday or a day on which banks are authorized or required to close. Under
certain circumstances as provided in the Warrant Agreement, the period during
which the Warrant may be exercised may be extended.
The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any securities pursuant
to the exercise of this Warrant unless a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to such securities is
effective. The Company has covenanted and agreed that it will file a
registration statement and will use its commercially reasonably efforts to cause
the same to become effective and to keep such registration statement current
while any of the Warrants are outstanding. This Warrant shall not be exercisable
by a Registered Holder in any state where such exercise would be unlawful.
This Warrant Certificate is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by
the Registered Holder at the corporate office of the Warrant Agent, for a new
Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor representing an equal
aggregate number of Warrants, each of such new Warrant Certificates to represent
such number of Warrants as shall
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be designated by such Registered Holder at the time of such surrender. Upon
payment by the Registered Holder of any tax or other governmental charge imposed
in connection therewith, for registration of transfer of this Warrant
Certificate at such office, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates
representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants will be issued to the
transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations provided in the
Warrant Agreement.
Prior to the exercise of any Warrant represented hereby, the Registered
Holder shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company,
including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends or
other distributions, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any
proceedings of the Company, except as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
Commencing , 2000, or earlier as provided in the Warrant Agreement,
this Warrant may be redeemed at the option of the Company, at a redemption price
of $.10 per Warrant at any time, provided the average market price for the
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrant shall equal or exceed 150%
of the Purchase Price for the twenty day period ending within three days of the
date the Warrants are called for redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given
not earlier than the thirtieth (30th) nor later than the sixtieth (60th) day
before the date fixed for redemption, all as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
On and after 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the business day immediately
preceding the date fixed for redemption, the Registered Holder shall have no
rights with respect to this Warrant except to receive the $.10 per Warrant upon
surrender of this Certificate. This Warrant may only be called for redemption
if, on the date the Warrant is called for redemption, the issuance of the shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant is subject to a current and
effective registration statement.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer hereof, the
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder as the
absolute owner hereof and of each Warrant represented hereby (notwithstanding
any notations of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than a duly
authorized officer of the Company or the Warrant Agent) for all purposes and
shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
executed and to be performed wholly within such State, without regard to
principles of conflicts of laws.
This Warrant Certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the
Warrant Agent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to
be duly executed, manually or in facsimile by two of its officers thereunto duly
authorized and a facsimile of its corporate seal to be imprinted hereon.
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
Dated:_____________ By:_________________________
By:_________________________
Countersigned:
____________________________ [Seal]
as Warrant Agent
By:_______________________________
Authorized Officer
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ACTIVEWORLDS.COM, INC.
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTERED HOLDER hereby irrevocably elects to
exercise______________ Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate to
purchase the securities issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and
requests that certificates for such securities shall be issued in the name of
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(please print or type name and address)
Please insert Social Security
or other identifying number
______________________________
and be delivered to
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(please print or type name and address)
and if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this
Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such
Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder
at the address stated below.
Date:__________________________ X__________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification Number
___________________________________________
Signature Medallion Guaranteed
A-3
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ASSIGNMENT
To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ___________________________________________________
hereby sells, assigns and transfers onto
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
_____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(please print or type name and address)
______________________________ of the Warrants represented by this Warrant
Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _________________
_______________________________________________________________________Attorney
to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company, with full
power of substitution in the premises.
Date:________________________________ X_____________________________________
Signature Medallion Guaranteed
______________________________________
THE SIGNATURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT OR THE SUBSCRIPTION FORM MUST CORRESPOND TO THE
NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR,
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER. AND MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934) WHICH MAY INCLUDE A COMMERCIAL BANK OR
TRUST COMPANY, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, CREDIT UNION OR A MEMBER FIRM OF THE
AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE, NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE OR
MIDWEST STOCK EXCHANGE
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[LETTERHEAD OF PEABODY & ARNOLD LLP]
March 31, 2000
The Board of Directors
Activeworlds.com, Inc.
95 Parker Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel to Activeworlds.com, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on
Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 333-85095), as amended (the "Registration
Statement"), filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations thereunder, relating to the registration of (i)
1,380,000 units, including units to cover over-allotments, consisting of
1,380,000 shares (the "Shares"), of the Company's common stock, $0.001 par value
per share (the "Common Stock"), redeemable Series B Redeemable Common Stock
Purchase Warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase 1,380,000 shares of Common Stock
and 1,380,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and
(ii) an underwriters' unit purchase option of 120,000 units, consisting of
120,000 shares ("Purchase Option Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, Series
B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the "Purchase Option Warrants") to
purchase 120,000 shares of Common Stock and 120,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Option Warrants.
As such counsel, we have reviewed the corporate proceedings of the
Company in connection therewith and have also examined and relied upon originals
or copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to our satisfaction of all such
corporate records, documents, agreements, instruments relating to the Company
and certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Company, and
have also made such investigations of law and have discussed with
representatives of the Company and such other persons such questions of fact, as
we have deemed proper and necessary as a basis for rendering this opinion.
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(i) the Shares, the Warrants, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, the Purchase Option Shares, the Purchase Option
Warrants and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Purchase
Option Warrants have been duly authorized;
(ii) the Shares and Purchase Option Shares, when duly delivered and
paid for, pursuant to the terms of a validly authorized and executed
underwriting agreement,
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substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement,
will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
(iii) the Warrants and Purchase Option Warrants, when duly delivered
and paid for, pursuant to the terms of a validly authorized and executed warrant
agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration
Statement (the "Warrant Agreement"), will be duly and validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable; and
(iv) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants
and the Purchase Option Warrants, under the terms of a validly authorized and
executed Warrant Agreement, when duly delivered and paid for, will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ PEABODY & ARNOLD LLP
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT made November, 1999
PARTIES ACTIVEWORLDS.COM INC.
a corporation organised and existing pursuant to the laws of the
State of Delaware, with principal offices at 95 Parker Street,
Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950 ("Activeworlds")
AND ADVANCED SHOPPING CENTRE MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED
ACN 060 672 290
a limited company existing pursuant to the laws of New South Wales,
with principal offices at Level 10, 1 Newland Street, Bondi Junction
NSW 2022, Australia ("ASCM")
INTRODUCTION
A. ASCM has developed a new concept for retailing on the Internet, incorporating
distribution and loyalty programs, which it believes is superior to current
alternatives.
B. ASCM has developed a concept using the Internet which is suitable for
application by property developers and managers of retail shopping malls and
retail outlets and companies which operate retail stores at such malls and
outlets.
C. Activeworlds is in the business of developing and providing computer software
products and online services that permit the users of such products to enter,
move about and interact with others in a computer-generated virtual reality
environment using the Internet.
D. ASCM desires to appoint Activeworlds as its exclusive vendor to license to it
certain of Activeworlds' technology and to develop exclusively on behalf of
ASCM the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype which can be accessed through the
Internet, which would be similar to a real shopping mall, complete with
delivery alternatives and a loyalty program.
E. Activeworlds has agreed to accept its appointment on the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
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Development and Licence Agreement Page 1
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F. The parties also wish to express their intention that Activeworlds
exclusively develop the ASCM Browser Enhancements for ASCM to use in
operating the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype. Both parties agree to use their
best endeavours to bring about this intended outcome.
IT IS AGREED
1 Definitions and Interpretation
1.1 Definitions
In this Agreement:
(1) "Agreement" means this Agreement, including any schedule or annexure to
it;
(2) "Acceptance Tests" means the acceptance tests for each of the
Development Phases of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype as set out in the
Development Plan;
(3) "Activeworlds Content" means any text, graphics, design, photography,
artwork, audio, video or other forms of expression which have been created
by or which may be created in the future by Activeworlds, to the extent that
they do not consist of Third Party Rights;
(4) "Activeworlds' Software" means the proprietary computer software owned
by Activeworlds and utilised to operate and provide functionality to
three-dimensional, virtual, interactive worlds or environments;
(5) "Activeworlds Standard Rates" means Activeworlds standard rates, fees
and expenses as set out in Exhibit B;
(6) "Activeworlds Web Site" means the Internet Web Site created and operated
by Activeworlds which is accessible through the URL www.activeworlds.com, as
well as any other Web Site which may be developed or owned by Activeworlds
hereafter;
(7) "ASCM Browser Enhancements" means that portion of the browser software
developed specifically for and licensed to ASCM pursuant to this agreement,
which specifically excludes the Activeworlds Software;
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(8) "ASCM Content" means any text, graphics, design, photography, artwork,
audio, video or other materials or forms of expression which are owned or
have been created by or which may be created in the future by ASCM,
including the Delivery Program and Loyalty Program;
(9) "ASCM Intellectual Property" means all copyright, trade marks, service
marks, trade secrets, designs and patents of ASCM;
(10) "ASCM Uniserver" means the ASCM Uniserver Enhancements together with
that of the Activeworlds Software required to operate the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype.
(11) "ASCM Uniserver Enhancements" means that portion of the server software
developed specifically for and licensed to ASCM pursuant to this agreement,
which specifically excludes the Activeworlds Software;
(12) "ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype" means the prototype virtual shopping mall
developed by Activeworlds and delivered to ASCM on the ASCM Uniserver being
licensed by ASCM from Activeworlds which shall contain:
(a) various virtual representations of real world retail stores which
shall permit users to conduct e-commerce with such stores;
(b) the Delivery Program; and
(c) the Loyalty Program;
(13) "ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site" means any Internet Web Site through which
the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype or any Virtual Mall may be accessed, which
shall include that Web Site accessible through the URLs listed on Exhibit C
hereto, as well as any other Web Sites which may be developed and which
serve essentially the same function as the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site;
(14) "Audit Certificate" means a certificate by the nationally-recognized
auditors of ASCM to the effect that funds of at least the amount of the
Total Payment are and which are likely to remain available to ASCM to enable
it to meet its obligations under this Agreement;
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(15) "Confidential Information" means any information disclosed by one party
to the other in connection with this Agreement and which the receiving party
knows or has reason to know is regarded as confidential information by the
disclosing party, including:
(a) trade secrets;
(b) the structure, sequence and organisation of the source code of
computer software;
(c) marketing plans;
(d) techniques;
(e) processes;
(f) procedures and formulae; and
(g) client details;
(16) "Deliverables" means:
(a) in respect of ASCM, any ASCM Content and ASCM Intellectual
Property provided by ASCM to Activeworlds for integration into the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype, any other Virtual Mall or the ASCM Virtual Mall Web
Site; and
(b) in respect of Activeworlds, any of Activeworlds Content and
Activeworlds' Software utilised in or integrated into the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype, any other Virtual Mall or the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site;
(17) "Delivery Program" means the delivery system obtained by ASCM for use
in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype or any Virtual Mall;
(18) "Developers" means property developers, managers, mall owners or
operators, hotel/motel/resort owners and managers, and casino owners and
managers who are responsible for contracting with retailers to set up
virtual stores in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype;
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(19) "Development Phase" means a stage in the Development Plan by when
specified parts of the development of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype will
have been completed, specified results achieved or specified conclusions
reached as required by the Development Plan, which consist of Phase 1, Phase
2 and Phase 3;
(20) "Development Plan" means the plans, milestones and timetables, if any,
for the development of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype set out in Exhibit A;
(21) "Disclosing Party" means the party disclosing any Confidential
Information to the other party;
(22) "Effective Date" means the date being 90 days after the date of this
Agreement;
(23) "Fifth Instalment" means the sum representing 60% of the estimate of
costs provided by Activeworlds to ASCM under clause 8.3(2);
(24) "Fourth Instalment" means the sum of $125,000;
(25) "Functional Completion" in relation to the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype,
means completion satisfactory to ASCM in accordance with the Development
Plan;
(26) "Functional Requirements" means the requirements of ASCM in respect of
the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site including ASCM's requirements set out in
Exhibit A and any reasonable alterations and additions to the requirements;
(27) "Instalment Payments" means the instalments of the Total Payment
payable by ASCM to Activeworlds in accordance with clause 8.2;
(28) "Initial Instalment" means the sum of $150,000;
(29) "Intellectual Property Rights" means all and any intellectual and
industrial protection rights throughout the world including rights in
respect of or in connection with:
(a) any Confidential Information;
(b) copyright, including future copyright or rights in the nature of
or analogous to copyright;
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(c) trade marks;
(d) service marks; and
(e) designs,
whether or not now existing, and whether or not registered or
registerable and includes any right to apply for the registration of
such right and includes all renewals and extensions;
(30) "Internet" means the world wide connection of computer networks
providing for the transmittal of electronic mail, online information,
information retrieval and file transfer protocol;
(31) "Loyalty Program" means the loyalty system obtained by ASCM for use in
the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype or any Virtual Mall;
(32) "Phase 1" means Phase 1 as identified in the Development Plan;
(33) "Phase 2" means Phase 2 as identified in the Development Plan;
(34) "Phase 3" means Phase 3 as identified in the Development Plan;
(35) "Receiving Party" means the party receiving any Confidential
Information disclosed by the other party;
(36) "Revenue" means the gross sales revenue derived from sales of goods and
services by contracted retail stores or providers of entertainment or net
clearances by providers of on-line casino games on the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype;
(37) "Second Instalment" means the sum of $100,000;
(38) "Sixth Instalment" means the sum representing 40% of the actual costs
of Activeworlds development of Phase 3, less the amount of the Fifth
Instalment previously paid to Activeworlds;
(39) "Term" means the term of this Agreement set out in clause 11.1;
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(40) "Third Instalment" means the sum of $125,000;
(41) "Third Party Rights" means Intellectual Property Rights owned by or
exclusively licensed to third parties;
(42) "Total Payment" means an amount of not less than $1,000,000 but no more
than $1,500,000 comprising the Instalment Payments;
(43) "User" means any Developer and any person who seeks access to the ASCM
Virtual Mall Web Site;
(44) "Virtual Mall" means any virtual shopping mall developed by
Activeworlds and delivered to ASCM, including the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype;
(45) "Virtual Mall Software" means the ASCM Browser Enhancements and the
ASCM Server Enhancements.
(46) "Web Site" means any location accessible on the Internet through the
World Wide Web, which provides multimedia content via a graphical user
interface; and
(47) "World Wide Web" means a method of representing and obtaining graphical
data and linking data items used by Internet users.
2 ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype Development
2.1 Development
Activeworlds shall develop and construct the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype on
the ASCM Uniserver:
(1) in accordance with this Agreement, including, in accordance with the
Functional Requirements and the Development Plan;
(2) in accordance with any reasonable and lawful requests and directions of
ASCM which do not differ substantially from the Functional Requirements and
Development Plan.
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2.2 Upon Functional Completion, the ASCM Uniserver shall be accessible on the
Internet through the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site.
2.3 The ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype shall contain various virtual
representations of real world retail stores and permit users to conduct
e-commerce with such stores.
2.4 Activeworlds will create the virtual retail stores, tailor the retail stores
to fit the reasonable needs of particular retail merchants, provide
functionality to allow for payment processing by persons making purchases
through such retail stores and provide technical support, as detailed in the
Functional Requirements and the Development Plan.
2.5 Upon Functional Completion of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype, ASCM may
request that Activeworlds create additional Virtual Malls which may either
reside on the ASCM Uniserver or a new uniserver licensed from Activeworlds
by ASCM at such time.
3 Commencement and Continuation of Development
3.1 ASCM must on or before the Effective Date:
(1) provide the Audit Certificate to Activeworlds; and
(2) pay to Activeworlds the Initial Instalment.
3.2 Immediately upon receipt of the Audit Certificate and the Initial
Instalment, Activeworlds shall commence development of the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype.
3.3 Activeworlds shall have no obligation to continue working on the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype in the event ASCM fails to make any Instalment
Payment when due, unless ASCM is not obliged to make payment or is entitled
to suspend payment.
4 Progress of Development
4.1 Activeworlds shall adhere to any specific timeframe comprised within the
Development Plan and achieve each Development Phase by the date, if any,
specified in the Development Plan except to the extent any delay is cause by
ASCM, or any vendor or Developer.
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4.2 Activeworlds shall:
(1) provide ASCM on request with written or verbal reports (as reasonably
directed by ASCM) regarding the present status of the development of the
ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype
(2) have available suitably qualified, informed and authorised
representatives to participate by telephone conference in any meeting
arranged by ASCM in order to discuss and accurately answer questions
relating to progress under this Agreement.
4.3 Immediately after becoming aware of a potential or actual delay in achieving
a Development Phase, Activeworlds shall notify ASCM in writing of the nature
and cause of the delay and the steps being undertaken to overcome the delay.
4.4 If Activeworlds fails to comply with the Development Phases, ASCM may:
(1) withhold any payment otherwise due under this Agreement until
satisfactory completion of such Development Phase; and
(2) in the event that such failure continues more than 30 days, terminate
this Agreement and pursue any remedies available under this Agreement or at
law.
4.5 Activeworlds shall permit ASCM upon reasonable advance written notice to
examine the design techniques and workmanship (which shall not include any
source code) for the purposes of satisfying itself as to the present status
and quality of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype.
5 ASCM's Obligations
5.1 ASCM shall provide or make available to Activeworlds the Functional
Requirements including information regarding the proposed size and
description of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype, the number of vendors,
identity of vendors (if known), types of special functions required by any
particular vendors or the mall generally, and other Functional Requirements.
5.2 ASCM shall be responsible for negotiating and entering into binding
contracts with Developers.
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5.3 Subject to clause 5.4, ASCM shall, upon Functional Completion of the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype, pay 1% of the Revenue collected by ASCM to
Activeworlds for the hosting and maintenance of the ASCM Uniserver.
5.4 ASCM is not liable to pay any amount under clause 5.3 unless Activeworlds
strictly complies with its obligations under clause 10.
6 Additional Obligations
6.1 Hosting
Activeworlds will provide for hosting and maintenance of the ASCM Virtual
Mall Prototype and the ASCM Uniserver.
6.2 Credit Card Servicing Agency
Subject to clause 6.3, ASCM shall ensure that accounts are capable of being
established with credit card processing agencies and shall coordinate the
processing of credit card transactions made through the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype. The agencies shall permit the processing of credit card
transactions, including VISA and Mastercard transactions.
6.3 Activeworlds shall incorporate any functionality necessary to conduct all
credit card transactions into the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site including
appropriate security safeguards.
6.4 Audit Rights
ASCM shall retain such records of sales made through the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype (and shall require its vendors to provide it with such
information) as are reasonably required by Activeworlds so as to permit it
to monitor the amount of sales made by vendors through the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype and the level of Revenue for such period.
7 Acceptance Testing
7.1 Activeworlds shall conduct the Acceptance Tests, at its own cost and under
the supervision of ASCM, within 14 days of the completion of each
Development Phase in accordance with the Development Plan.
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7.2 Upon satisfactory completion of an Acceptance Test, Activeworlds shall
provide ASCM with certification of satisfaction that the Development Phase
complies with the Acceptance Test.
7.3 Notwithstanding clause 6.2, ASCM shall have the opportunity to conduct its
own acceptance tests within 30 days after completion of each of the
Development Phases and if the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype at that
Development Phase fails to comply with ASCM's acceptance tests, it may by
written notice to Activeworlds:
(1) specify a new date for carrying out further tests on the same terms and
conditions;
(2) accept the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype conditionally; or
(3) reject the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype as not being in conformity with
the Development Plan and, if Activeworlds fails to comply with the
Development Plan within 30 days thereafter, terminate this Agreement.
8 Payment for Services
8.1 Total Payment
ASCM agrees to pay Activeworlds the Total Payment as the total consideration
for the development of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype subject to the terms
of this Agreement.
8.2 Payment Procedure
Subject to clause 7.5, ASCM shall pay the Instalment Payments in accordance
with the following schedule of payments:
(1) the Initial Instalment is payable on or before the Effective Date;
(2) the Second Instalment is payable on completion of Phase 1 and
satisfactory completion of the relevant Acceptance Tests;
(3) the Third Instalment is payable prior to the commencement of Phase 2;
(4) the Fourth Instalment is payable on completion of Phase 2 and
satisfactory completion of the relevant Acceptance Tests;
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(5) subject to clause 7.3, the Fifth Instalment is payable prior to
commencement of Phase 3; and
(6) the Sixth Instalment is payable on completion of Phase 3 and
satisfactory completion of the relevant Acceptance Tests and Functional
Completion.
8.3 Prior to the commencement of Phase 3:
(1) ASCM shall provide Activeworlds with Functional Requirements for the
establishment of retail stores in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype; and
(2) within 14 days of receipt of the information under clause 7.3 (1),
Activeworlds shall, subject to clause 7.4, provide ASCM with a written
estimate of the reasonable costs of the further development of the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype required for satisfactory completion of Phase 3.
8.4 In calculating its estimate of costs, Activeworlds shall be entitled to
charge the Activeworlds Standard Rates for the development work proposed in
fulfilling the Functional Requirements specified by ASCM under clause 8.3(1)
provided that Activeworlds shall not be entitled to charge in aggregate an
amount in excess of the Total Payment for any work undertaken by
Activeworlds from commencement of development of the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype up to and including:
(1) completion of Phase 3; and
(2) achievement of Functional Completion of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype.
8.5 Notwithstanding clause 7.2, ASCM is not obliged to pay an Instalment Payment
due unless and until:
(1) the relevant Acceptance Tests at a Development Phase are satisfactorily
completed; and
(2) ASCM is satisfied with the outcome of any of its acceptance tests
carried out under clause 7.3.
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8.6 Activeworlds agrees that, in undertaking any further work for ASCM, such as
the development of additional Virtual Malls (other than the ASCM Virtual
Mall Prototype) or other developments, it will charge the Activeworlds
Standard Rates. Any amounts charged for such future work shall not be
limited to the amount of the Total Payment.
9 Intellectual Property Rights
9.1 Activeworlds:
(1) assigns to ASCM all existing and future Intellectual Property Rights in
the visual or audio content embodied in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype and
in any other ASCM Virtual Malls other than Third Party Rights, which shall
however specifically exclude all Intellectual Property Rights in
Activeworlds' Software or any content provided by Activeworlds, such as its
stock objects;
(2) grants to ASCM a limited, nontransferable, nonsublicensable,
royalty-free, exclusive license to use one copy of the ASCM Uniserver
Enhancements for its operation of virtual malls;
(3) grants to ASCM a limited, nontransferable, nonsublicensable,
royalty-free, exclusive license to use and sublicense ASCM Browser
Enhancements for its operation of virtual malls.
9.2 ASCM may copy the Virtual Mall Software and Activeworlds Software for
archival purposes or for permitted sublicensing, provided any copy must
contain all of the original proprietary notices or shrink wrap licenses
contained in such software. ASCM may not, directly or indirectly: modify,
translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble (except to the extent
applicable laws specifically prohibit such restriction), create derivative
works based on, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code or
underlying ideas or algorithms of the Virtual Mall Software or Activeworlds
Software. ASCM may not copy (except for archival purposes as set forth
above), rent, lease, distribute, transfer or otherwise transfer rights to
the Virtual Mall Software or Activeworlds Software; use the Virtual Mall
Software or Activeworlds Software for timesharing or service bureau
purposes; or remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Virtual Mall
Software or Activeworlds Software. Any exclusivity granted herein does not
apply to any other business or applications that are currently or could in
the future be used by Activeworlds for applications other than those
restricted pursuant to section 19 or the @mart mall currently in Active
Worlds.
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9.3 In relation to any Third Party Rights that have not been assigned to
Activeworlds, Activeworlds will use its best efforts to ensure that the use,
reproduction and commercial exploitation of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype
will not infringe any such rights and that no fees, royalties or other
payments are payable in respect of such Third Party Rights as a result of
any such use, reproduction and commercial exploitation unless agreed by the
parties in writing to the contrary.
10 Support
10.1 Activeworlds shall during the term provide such assistance, training and
documentation (which shall not include any source code) including
operational manuals, on-screen help menus or other materials to enable ASCM
to properly operate, effectively use and commercially exploit the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype.
10.2 Activeworlds shall during the Term provide to ASCM at no charge telephone
and technical and other support reasonably required by ASCM to assist ASCM
in the use, operation and commercial exploitation of the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype and any other ASCM Virtual Malls to the extent such malls are
developed in the future for ASCM by Activeworlds and all analysis and
programming services necessary to correct and resolve any errors or problems
that appear in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype as a result of its use by
ASCM or its User.
11 Term and Option to Renew
11.1 Term
This Agreement commences on the date of this Agreement and shall remain in
full force and effective for a period of 4 years from the date of Functional
Completion or until terminated pursuant to clause 11.
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11.2 Option to Renew
(1) A party seeking to extend the Term by an additional period of 4 years
may give written notice to the other party of its desire at least 3 months
prior to the expiration of the Term.
(2) Within 30 days of receipt of a notice under clause 10.2, the parties
must enter into bona fide negotiations to extend the Term of this Agreement
on terms and conditions acceptable to both parties, having regard to the
intention of the parties stated in the Introduction.
(3) If the parties fail to reach agreement on the extension of the Term
within 30 days after commencement of negotiations, then this Agreement shall
continue in force and remain effective up to the date of expiration of the
Term but subject to earlier termination under clause 11.
12 Termination
12.1 Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement by written
notice in the event that ASCM fails to satisfy clause 3.1 by the Effective
Date without any further obligations on either of the parties.
12.2 Events of Default by ASCM
Activeworlds shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and its
further obligations hereunder upon the occurrence of any of the following
events of default (subject to ASCM's ability to cure or remedy such event as
described in clause 12.4):
(1) ASCM is involved in any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding,
or any other proceeding concerning insolvency, dissolution, cessation of
operations, or reorganisation of indebtedness or has a receiver appointed
over its affairs and the proceeding or appointment is not dismissed within
60 days;
(2) ASCM becomes unable to pay its debts as they mature in the ordinary
course of business or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
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(3) ASCM fails to make any Instalment Payment to Activeworlds when due,
unless it is not obliged to make payment or is entitled to suspend payment;
or
(4) ASCM is in material default of any provision of this Agreement.
12.3 Events of Default by Activeworlds
ASCM shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and its further
obligations hereunder upon the occurrence of any of the following events
(subject to Activeworlds' ability to cure or remedy such events as described
in clause 12.4):
(1) Activeworlds becomes involved in any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy
proceeding or any other proceeding concerning insolvency, dissolution,
cessation of operations, or reorganisation of indebtedness, or has a
receiver appointed over its affairs and the proceeding or appointment is not
dismissed within 60 days;
(2) Activeworlds becomes insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature
in the ordinary course of business or makes an assignment for the benefit of
its creditors;
(3) Activeworlds fails to comply with the Development Plan within 30 days
after ASCM has given written notice under clause 7.3 (3); or
(4) Activeworlds is in material default of any provision of this Agreement.
12.4 Right to Cure Event of Default
Upon the occurrence of any event of default entitling a party to terminate
this Agreement (excepting those events set forth under clauses 12.2(1),
12.2(2), 12.3(1), 12.3(2) and 11.3 (3) hereof) the non-defaulting party may
send notice of termination, specifying the nature of the default, to the
other party. The non-defaulting party shall permit 60 calendar days,
following the date of such notice to enable the other party to cure the
default to the non-defaulting party's reasonable satisfaction. In the event
of a payment default, the non defaulting party shall provide the defaulting
party with written notice of such default and permit the other party 10
calendar days following such written notice to cure such default. Failure to
cure the default shall result in termination without further notice by the
non-defaulting party, unless such non-defaulting party extends the cure
period by written notice or withdraws the default notice.
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12.5 Obligations Upon Termination
Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, each Party shall return or
destroy all Confidential Information of the other Party and the trademark
and service mark licences granted in clauses 14.1 and 14.2 hereof shall
terminate. Following any termination of this Agreement, each Party shall
cease to make any representation or statement to the effect that they remain
affiliated with one another.
12.6 Continuing Obligations
Each right, obligation and warranty (except an obligation fully performed on
or prior to the termination or expiration of this Agreement) continues in
force despite termination or expiration of this Agreement.
13 Ownership
13.1 Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights
Except for the licenses provided for herein, Activeworlds shall own and
retain all right, title and interest in and to the Activeworlds' Software,
the Virtual Mall Software and Intellectual Property owned by Activeworlds.
13.2 ASCM Intellectual Property Rights
Except as otherwise provided herein, ASCM shall own and retain all right,
title and interest in and to any technology, content, data or information
otherwise developed or created by:
(1) ASCM; and
(2) Activeworlds to the extent it consists of visual or audio content
developed specifically for inclusion in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype or
any other ASCM Virtual Malls.
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14 Trade Mark Licences
14.1 Trade Mark Licence Grant to Activeworlds
ASCM grants to Activeworlds a limited, non exclusive, non transferable
licence to display those of ASCM's trade marks and/or service marks set
forth on Exhibit D ("ASCM Trade Marks") in the Activeworlds Web Site and in
any promotional materials distributed by Activeworlds which serve to promote
the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site or the beneficial relationship between
Activeworlds and ASCM. ASCM further grants to Activeworlds a licence during
the Term of this Agreement to use the ASCM Deliverables together with any
intellectual property rights embodied therein, including but not limited to
copyright, solely for the purposes of developing the ASCM Virtual Mall
Prototype.
14.2 Trade Mark Licence Grant to ASCM
Activeworlds grants to ASCM a limited, non exclusive, non transferable
licence to display those of Activeworlds trade marks and/or service marks
set forth on Exhibit E ("Activeworlds Trade Marks") in the ASCM Virtual Mall
Web Site and in any promotional materials distributed by ASCM with respect
to the Activeworlds Web Site or any portion thereof or any links to the
Activeworlds Web Site contained on the ASCM Virtual Mall Web Site.
14.3 ASCM's Rights
Activeworlds acknowledges that it has no proprietary interest in the ASCM
Trade Marks (other than the licence granted herein). Activeworlds' use of
the ASCM Trade Marks will not create any right, title or interest of
Activeworlds in or to the ASCM Trade Marks. Activeworlds agrees that it will
do nothing inconsistent with ASCM's ownership of the ASCM Trade Marks and
that all use of the ASCM Trade Marks by Activeworlds shall inure to the
benefit of ASCM. Activeworlds shall not register or attempt to register the
ASCM Trade Marks in any jurisdiction without the prior written permission of
an authorised officer of ASCM. Activeworlds agrees to keep ASCM appraised of
its manner of use of the ASCM Trade Marks other than as is obvious from a
review of the Activeworlds Web Site.
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14.4 Activeworlds' Rights
ASCM acknowledges that it has no proprietary interest in the Activeworlds
Trade Marks (other than the licence granted herein). ASCM's use of the
Activeworlds Trade Marks will not create any right, title or interest of
ASCM in or to the Activeworlds Trade Marks. ASCM agrees that it will do
nothing inconsistent with Activeworlds ownership of the Activeworlds Trade
Marks and that all use of the Activeworlds Trade Marks by ASCM shall inure
to the benefit of Activeworlds. ASCM shall not register or attempt to
register the Activeworlds Trade Marks in any jurisdiction without the prior
written permission of an authorised officer of Activeworlds. ASCM agrees to
keep Activeworlds appraised of its manner of using the Activeworlds Trade
Marks.
15 Intellectual Property Rights
15.1 ASCM's Rights
Activeworlds acknowledges that it has no proprietary interest in the ASCM
Intellectual Property Rights (other than the licence granted herein).
Activeworlds' use of the ASCM Intellectual Property Rights will not create
any right, title or interest of Activeworlds in or to the ASCM Intellectual
Property Rights. Activeworlds agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent
with ASCM's ownership of the ASCM Intellectual Property Rights and that all
use of the ASCM Intellectual Property Rights by Activeworlds shall inure to
the benefit of ASCM. Activeworlds shall not register or attempt to register
the ASCM Intellectual Property Rights in any jurisdiction without the prior
written permission of an authorised officer of ASCM. Activeworlds agrees to
keep ASCM appraised of its manner of use of the ASCM Intellectual Property
Rights other than as is obvious from a review of the Activeworlds Web Site.
15.2 Activeworlds' Rights
ASCM acknowledges that it has no proprietary interest in the Intellectual
Property Rights (other than the licence granted herein). ASCM's use of the
Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights will not create any right, title
or interest of ASCM in or to the Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights.
ASCM agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent with Activeworlds ownership
of the Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights and that all use of the
Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights by ASCM shall inure to the benefit
of Activeworlds. ASCM shall not register or attempt to register the
Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights in any jurisdiction without the
prior written permission of an authorised officer of Activeworlds. ASCM
agrees to keep Activeworlds appraised of its manner of using the
Activeworlds Intellectual Property Rights.
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16 Promotion
ASCM agrees that Activeworlds shall be provided with credit as the owner of
the Activeworlds Software and technology and as the developer of the ASCM
Virtual Mall Prototype and any other Virtual Mall, and shall be referenced
on the web page, which is initially accessed by Users of the ASCM Virtual
Mall Prototype or any other Virtual Mall.
17 Warranties and Consents
17.1 Activeworlds Warranties
Activeworlds warrants that the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype will:
(1) perform in accordance with the Functional Requirements;
(2) be fit for the purpose identified in the Development Plan and Functional
Requirements;
(3) not infringe any Intellectual Property Rights, including Third Party
Rights and ASCM Intellectual Property or constitute a breach of any
agreement with any other person; and
(4) the information provided to ASCM in relation to the subject matter of
this Agreement prior to its entry into this Agreement was and remains at the
date of this Agreement true and correct.
17.2 Deliverables
Each Party warrants to the other that the Deliverables made by it to the
other will substantially conform with the Functional Requirements.
17.3 Proprietary Rights Warranties
Each Party warrants to the other that it has the necessary rights to grant
the licences granted herein without violating or infringing upon the
patents, trade secrets, trade marks, service marks or copyrights of third
parties.
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17.4 Warranties of Authority
Each Party warrants to the other Party that it has the authority to enter
into this Agreement and that all necessary corporate or other approvals have
been or will be obtained.
17.5 Disclaimer of Warranties
The warranties contained in this clause 16 are the sole warranties express
or implied given by each party to the other in connection with this
Agreement and each party disclaims all other warranties to the other.
18 Indemnification
18.1 ASCM Indemnification
(1) ASCM shall, at its expense, defend, indemnify and hold harmless
Activeworlds, and its officers, directors and employees, agents and
independent contractors from any and all costs, damages, liabilities and
fees reasonably incurred by Activeworlds, including but not limited to fees
of attorneys and other professionals, with respect to any claims, actions,
demands or proceedings arising out of or in any way related to:
(a) a breach by ASCM of this Agreement, including any breach of ASCM's
warranties and representations set forth in clause 15 above; and
(b) any infringement or alleged infringement of the rights, including
the Intellectual Property Rights, to the extent arising from the integration
of ASCM's Deliverables in the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype,
provided that:
(c) Activeworlds gives prompt written notice to ASCM of any such claim,
action, demand or proceeding;
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(d) Activeworlds allows ASCM to control the defence and related
settlement negotiations (except in the case of any claim, action, demand or
proceeding relating to Activeworlds' Software); and
(e) Activeworlds fully assists in the defence so long as ASCM reimburses
Activeworlds for its reasonable expenses and employee time.
(2) In the event that any such claim, action, or demand is made against
Activeworlds, Activeworlds will promptly furnish ASCM with copies of any and
all documents (inclusive of all correspondence and pleadings other than
attorney-client communications) pertaining thereto.
(3) Activeworlds will also keep ASCM continuously and fully informed in a
timely manner as to the status of the same and will provide ASCM with copies
of any additional documents pertaining thereto.
18.2 Activeworlds Indemnification
(1) Activeworlds shall, at its expense, defend, indemnify and hold harmless
ASCM, and its officers, directors, and employees, agents and independent
contractors from any and all costs, damages, liabilities and fees reasonably
incurred by ASCM, including but not limited to fees of attorneys and other
professionals, with respect to any claims, actions, demands or proceedings
arising out of or in any way related to:
(a) a breach by Activeworlds of this Agreement, including any breach of
Activeworlds' warranties and representations set forth in clause 15; and
(b) any infringement or alleged infringement of rights, including
Intellectual Property Rights, of any person occurring through the use or
commercial exploitation of the ASCM Virtual Mall Prototype, to the extent
arising solely from ASCM's Deliverables,
provided that:
(c) ASCM gives prompt written notice to Activeworlds of any such claim,
action, demand or proceeding;
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(d) ASCM allows Activeworlds to control the defence and related
settlement negotiations (except in the case of any claim, action, demand or
proceeding relating to the ASCM Intellectual Property); and
(e) ASCM fully assists in the defence so long as Activeworlds reimburses
ASCM for its reasonable expenses and employee time.
(2) In the event that any such claim, action, demand or proceeding is made
against ASCM, ASCM will promptly furnish Activeworlds with copies of any and
all documents (inclusive of all correspondence and pleadings other than
attorney-client communications) pertaining thereto. ASCM will also keep
Activeworlds continuously and fully informed in a timely manner as to the
status of the same and will provide Activeworlds with copies of any
additional documents pertaining thereto.
18.3 Without prejudice to any other right or action or remedy which ASCM may
have, if Activeworlds fails to comply with clause 16.2, ASCM will have the
right to immediately suspend payment of any Instalment Payments due under
this Agreement until such claim, action, demand or proceeding has been
resolved.
19 Limitation of Liability
Except for any liability referred to in clause 16, neither party shall be
liable to the other for any lost profits, loss of market or opportunity
and/or incidental or consequential loss or damage howsoever arising in
connection with the subject matter of this Agreement, pursuant to any claim
in contract, negligence, tort, strict liability or other theory.
20 Confidentiality
20.1 Confidentiality
The Receiving Party to any Confidentiality Information shall hold all such
Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party in trust and confidence,
and protect it as the Receiving Party would protect its own confidential
information (which, in any event, shall not be less than reasonable
protection) and shall not use such Confidential Information for any purpose
other than that contemplated by this Agreement. Unless agreed by the
Disclosing Party in writing, the Receiving Party shall not disclose any
Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party, by publication or
otherwise, to any person other than employees, contractors (such as contract
manufacturers or software developers) and Developers who:
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(1) are bound to written confidentiality obligations consistent with and at
least as restrictive as those set forth herein; and
(2) have a need to know such Confidential Information for purposes of
enabling a Party to exercise its rights and perform its obligations pursuant
to this Agreement.
The forgoing confidentiality obligation shall be effective for a period of 5
years after first disclosure of the Confidential Information pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, provided however, that each Party will comply with
any obligations of confidentiality as may be imposed pursuant to agreements
with third parties for longer periods (each Party shall disclose to the
other in writing such obligations of confidentiality that may be imposed
pursuant to such agreements with third parties at the time of disclosure).
20.2 Exceptions
The obligations specified in this clause 20 shall not apply to any
Confidential Information to the extent that:
(1) it is already known to the Receiving Party without restriction prior to
the time of disclosure by the Disclosing Party;
(2) it is acquired by the Receiving Party from a third party without
confidentiality restriction and does not originate with the Disclosing
Party;
(3) it is independently developed or acquired by the Receiving Party by
employees or contractors without access to such Confidential Information;
(4) it is approved for release by written authorisation of the Disclosing
Party;
(5) it is in the public domain at the time it is disclosed or subsequently
falls within the public domain through no wrongful action of the Receiving
Party;
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(6) it is furnished to a third party by the Disclosing Party without a
similar restriction on that third party's right of disclosure;
(7) it is disclosed pursuant to the requirement of a governmental agency or
disclosure is permitted or required by operation of law, provided that the
Receiving Party uses its best efforts to notify the Disclosing Party in
advance of such disclosure and seeks confidential treatment for such
Confidential Information.
20.3 Confidentiality of Agreement
Each Party agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be
treated as Confidential Information; provided that each Party may disclose
the terms and conditions of this Agreement:
(1) to legal counsel;
(2) in confidence, to accountants, banks, and financing sources and their
advisors;
(3) in confidence, in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or
rights under this Agreement;
(4) if required by law.
21 Limitation on Operation of Virtual Mall by Activeworlds.
21.1 Activeworlds agrees that it shall not, during the term of this Agreement
directly operate any virtual mall except @Mart.
22 Jurisdiction and Applicable Law
22.1 Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the
United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as applied to agreements
entered into and to be performed entirely within Massachusetts between
Massachusetts residents.
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22.2 Venue
All disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be resolved through a court
of competent jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
23 Force Majeure
If the performance of this Agreement or any obligations hereunder is
prevented, restricted, or interfered with by the reasons of acts of God,
acts of an governmental authority, riot, revolution, fires, war, or other
cause beyond the reasonable control of the parties hereto ("Force Majeure"),
the Party so effected shall be excused from such performance until such
Force Majeure is removed, provided that the Party so effected shall use its
best efforts to avoid or remove such causes of non performance and shall
continue performance hereunder with the utmost dispatch whenever such causes
are removed.
24 Miscellaneous
24.1 Compliance with Export Control
The parties agree to comply with all USA export and re-export laws. ASCM
shall be solely responsible for compliance with any export and re-export
laws to the extent such laws impact upon its operation of the ASCM Virtual
Mall Prototype or any Virtual Mall.
24.2 Waiver
Any waiver of breach or default pursuant to this Agreement shall not be a
waiver of any other subsequent breach or default. Failure or delay by either
Party to enforce any term or condition of this Agreement shall not
constitute a waiver of such term or condition.
24.3 Severability
To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is found by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision
notwithstanding, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be
deleted.
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24.4 Assignment
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, either
party may assign or sublicence this Agreement (including any licences
contained herein) to any person to whom it transfers all or substantially
all of its assets without the consent of the other party. Otherwise, neither
party may assign, voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise, any rights
or delegate any duties under this Agreement (other than the right to receive
payments) without the other party's prior written consent, which may not be
unreasonably withheld, and any attempt to do so without that consent will be
void. This Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
24.5 No Deemed Assignment
Clause 22.4 does not apply in any way to restrict the sale of any
shareholding in either ASCM or Activeworlds.
24.6 Notices
Any notice required or permitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing delivered by hand, overnight courier, telecopy, facsimile, or
certified or registered mail to the address listed below and shall be
effective upon receipt:
Notices to Activeworlds:
Activeworlds.com, Inc.
95 Parker Street
Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950
USA
With a copy to:
John A Kostrubanic, Esq
Pepe & Hazard LLP
150 Federal Street, 28th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1745
USA
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Notices to ASCM:
Advanced Shopping Centre Management Pty Ltd
Level 10, 1 Newland Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
AUSTRALIA
With a copy to:
Stan Kalinko
Deacons Graham & James
Gold Fields House
1 Alfred Street
Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
24.7 Amendment
No alteration, waiver, cancellation, or any other change or modification in
any term or condition of this Agreement, or any agreement contemplated to be
negotiated or reached pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall be
valid or binding on either Party unless made in writing and signed by duly
authorised representatives of both parties.
24.8 Headings
Headings included herein are for convenience only, and shall not be used to
construe this Agreement.
24.9 Independent Contractors
For the purposes of this Agreement and all services to be provided
hereunder, each party shall be, and shall be deemed to be, an independent
contractor and not an agent, employee, partner, or joint venturer of the
other party. Neither party shall have authority to make any statements,
representations or commitments of any kind, or to take any action which
shall be binding on the other party, except as may be explicitly provided
for herein or authorised in writing.
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24.10 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including
facsimiles, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but
all of which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute a single
instrument.
24.11 Entire Agreement
The terms and conditions herein contained, including all Exhibits hereto,
constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement and supersede any previous agreements and
understandings, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof.
24.12 Construction
This Agreement is the product of negotiation between the parities and their
respective counsel. This Agreement will be interpreted fairly in accordance
with its terms and conditions and without any strict construction in favour
of either Party. Any ambiguity shall not be interpreted against the drafting
Party.
24.13 Press Releases
The parties agree that they will cooperate in preparing and releasing a
joint press release, at the launch of the developments provided for in this
Agreement and in connection with the release of any new significant
development, that will include, among other things, the following; a quote
from an officer of each Party, standard language as is customarily required
by ASCM and Activeworlds in such press releases, a Press contact and ASCM
and Activeworlds trade mark and service mark information.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
EXECUTED as an agreement.
SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF )
ACTIVEWORLDS.COM INC by: ) .................................................
)
................................................. .................................................
Director/Company Secretary Director
................................................. .................................................
Name of Director/Company Secretary Name of Director
(BLOCK LETTERS) (BLOCK LETTERS)
SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF )
ADVANCED SHOPPING CENTRE ) .................................................
MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED by: )
)
)
................................................. .................................................
Director/Company Secretary Director
................................................. .................................................
Name of Director/Company Secretary Name of Director
(BLOCK LETTERS) (BLOCK LETTERS)
</TABLE>
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