EXHIBIT 10.17
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of May
11, 2000, is made and entered into by and between Diamond Entertainment
Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), and Anthony E. Rakos (the
"Investor").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Securities Purchase
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Investor and
certain other Investors identified on Schedule I to the Securities Purchase
Agreement, up to $500,000 worth of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, no
par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), which may be converted into shares
of the Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"),
pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Amendment to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation establishing the designations, preferences and
other rights of the Preferred Stock ("Certificate of Designations"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of, and in partial consideration for,
the Investor's agreement to enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Company has agreed to provide the Investor with certain registration rights with
respect to the Registrable Securities;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Securities
Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound
hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows (capitalized terms used herein and
not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the
Securities Purchase Agreement):
ARTICLE I
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 1.1 Form S-1, SB-2 or S-3 Registration Statements.
(a) Filing of Registration Statement. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare and, within ninety (90)
days following the date hereof (the "Filing Deadline"), file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a registration statement on Form S-1 or SB-2
(or, if the Company is then eligible, on Form S-3) under the Securities Act (the
"Initial Registration Statement") for the registration for the resale by all
Investors who purchased Preferred Stock pursuant to the Securities Purchase
Agreement up to 11,875,000 shares of Common Stock and up to 1,525,000 shares
underlying the Warrants issued pursuant to Section 4(k) of the Securities
Purchase Agreement to May Davis Group, Inc. (the "Placement Agent"), and Butler
Gonzalez, LLP ("Butler Gonzalez") (collectively, the "Initial Registrable
Securities"). Prior to the filing of the Initial Registration Statement with the
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SEC, the Company shall furnish a copy of the Initial Registration Statement to
Investors, the Placement Agent and Butler Gonzalez for their review and comment
together with a Selling Shareholder Questionnaire in form prepared by the
Company. Investors, the Placement Agent and Butler Gonzalez shall furnish
comments on the Initial Registration Statement and an executed Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire to the Company within five (5) days of the receipt
thereof from the Company. Thereafter, if the Company desires to issue to the
Investor and/or the Investor desires to convert any Registrable Securities in
addition to the Initial Registrable Securities, the Company shall first file
with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 or SB-2 (or, if the Company is
then eligible, on Form S-3) under the Securities Act (the Initial Registration
Statement and any subsequent registration statement, each, a "Registration
Statement").
(b) Effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement. The
Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (i) to have the Initial
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC by no later than one
hundred and fifty (150) days after the date hereof (the "Registration Deadline")
and (ii) to insure that the Initial Registration Statement and any subsequent
Registration Statement remains in effect throughout the term of this Agreement
as set forth in Section 4.2, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
(c) Failure to File the Initial Registration Statement. In the
event that the Initial Registration Statement is not filed by the Company with
the SEC by the Filing Deadline, then the Applicable Discount (as defined in the
Certificate of Designations) shall be reduced by an additional 2% for the first
thirty (30) days.
(d) Failure to Maintain Effectiveness of a Registration
Statement. Subject to Section 1.1(e) hereto, in the event the Company fails to
maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement (or the underlying
prospectus) throughout the period set forth in Section 4.2, other than any
temporary suspensions permitted by Section 1.1(e), and the Investor holds any
Registrable Securities at any time during the period of such ineffectiveness (an
"Ineffective Period"), the Company shall pay to the Investor in immediately
available funds into an account designated by the Investor an amount equal to
one percent (1%) of the aggregate Purchase Price of all of the Registrable
Securities then held by the Investor for each thirty (30) calendar day period
(prorated for partial periods) of such Ineffective Period. The payments required
by this Section 1.1(d) shall be made on the first Trading Day after the
expiration of an Ineffective Period (or if an Ineffective Period shall last more
than thirty (30) calendar days, the expiration of each additional thirty (30)
calendar day period of an Ineffective Period).
(e) Deferral or Suspension During a Blackout Period. Sections
1.1(c) and (d) notwithstanding, if the Company shall furnish to the Investor
notice (a "Blackout Notice") signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief
Financial Officer of the Company stating that he has determined in good faith
that it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for
the Initial Registration Statement to be filed (or for any Registration
Statement to remain in effect) and it is therefore desirable to defer the filing
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of such Initial Registration Statement (or temporarily suspend the effectiveness
of any Registration Statement or use of the related prospectus), the Company
shall have the right (i) immediately to defer such filing for a period of not
more than thirty (30) days beyond the date by which such Initial Registration
Statement was otherwise required hereunder to be filed or (ii) suspend the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement for a period of not more than thirty
(30) days (any such deferral or suspension period of up to thirty days, a
"Blackout Period"). The Investor acknowledges that it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such initial Registration
Statement to be filed (or for any Registration Statement to remain in effect)
during a Blackout Period and therefore essential to defer such filing (or
suspend such effectiveness) during such Blackout Period and agrees to cease any
disposition of Registrable Securities during such Blackout Period. The Company
may not utilize any of its rights under this Section 1.1(e) to defer the filing
of a Registration Statement (or suspend its effectiveness) more than twice in
any twelve (12) month period. Following such deferral or suspension, the
Investor shall be entitled to the payment required by Section 3(c) of the
Certificate of Designations establishing the designations and preferences of the
Preferred Stock.
(f) Liquidated Damages. The Company and the Investor hereto
acknowledge and agree that the sums payable under subsections 1(c) or 1(d) above
shall constitute liquidated damages and not penalties. The parties further
acknowledge that (i) the amount of loss or damages likely to be incurred is
incapable or is difficult to precisely estimate, (ii) the amounts specified in
such subsections bear a reasonable relationship to, and are not plainly or
grossly disproportionate to the probable loss likely to be incurred in
connection with any failure by the Company to obtain or maintain the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, (iii) one of the reasons for the
Company and the Investor reaching an agreement as to such amounts was the
uncertainty and cost of litigation regarding the question of actual damages, and
(iv) the Company and the Investor are sophisticated business parties and have
been represented by sophisticated and able legal counsel and negotiated this
Agreement at arm's length.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Section 2.1 Filings; Information. The Company will effect the
registration and sale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, the
Company in each such case will do the following as expeditiously as possible,
but in no event later than the deadline, if any, prescribed therefor in this
Agreement:
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(a) The Company shall (i) prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 or SB-2 (or, if the Company is then eligible,
Form S-3) within ninety (90) days from the date hereof (if use of such form is
then available to the Company pursuant to the rules of the SEC and, if not, on
such other form promulgated by the SEC for which the Company then qualifies,
that counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be
available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in accordance with the
intended method of distribution of such Registrable Securities); (ii) use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed Registration Statement to
become effective within one hundred and fifty (150) days of the date hereof and
remain effective during the period set forth in Section 1.1(b) hereof (pursuant
to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or otherwise); (iii) prepare and file with
the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the
prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the time period prescribed by Section
1.1(b); and (iv) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect
to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the
Investor set forth in such Registration Statement.
(b) The Company shall file all necessary amendments and
supplements to any Registration Statement in order to effectuate the purpose of
this Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(c) No later than ten (10) days prior to filing any amendment
or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement or any subsequent
Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto
(excluding, in each case, amendments deemed to result from the filing of
documents incorporated by reference therein), or such shorter period as is
reasonable under the circumstances, the Company shall deliver to the Investor
and one firm of counsel representing the Investor, in accordance with the notice
provisions of Section 4.8, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to
be filed, together with exhibits thereto, which documents will be subject to
review by the Investor and such counsel, and thereafter deliver to the Investor
and such counsel, in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4.8, such
number of copies of the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included
in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such
other documents or information as the Investor or counsel may reasonably request
in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities.
(d) The Company shall deliver, in accordance with the notice
provisions of Section 4.8, to each seller of Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement such number of conformed copies of such Registration
Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including
all exhibits and documents incorporated by reference), such number of copies of
the prospectus contained in any Registration Statement (including each
preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus
filed under Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act relating to such
seller's Registrable Securities, and such other documents, as such seller may
reasonably request to facilitate the disposition of its Registrable Securities.
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(e) After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company
shall promptly notify the Investor of any stop order issued or threatened by the
SEC in connection therewith and take all reasonable actions required to prevent
the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered.
(f) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the
Investor may reasonably request in light of its intended plan of distribution
and (ii) cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by
such other governmental agencies or authorities in the United States as may be
necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and
all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to
enable the Investor to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities
in light of its intended plan of distribution; provided, however, that the
Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this
paragraph (f), subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or consent
or subject itself to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(g) The Company shall immediately notify the Investor upon the
occurrence of any of the following events in respect of a Registration Statement
or related prospectus in respect of an offering of Registrable Securities: (i)
receipt of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental
authority for additional information, amendments or supplements to such
Registration Statement or related prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the SEC or
any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or notification of the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose; (iv) the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such
Registration Statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or
that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement, related
prospectus or documents so that, in the case of such Registration Statement, it
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, and that in the case of the related prospectus, it will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (v) the
Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to such
Registration Statement would be appropriate, and the Company will promptly make
available to the Investor any such supplement or amendment to the related
prospectus.
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(h) The Company shall enter into customary agreements and take
such other customary actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition by the Investor of such Registrable Securities
(whereupon the Investor may, at its option, require that any or all of the
representations, warranties and covenants of the Company also be made to and for
the benefit of the Investor).
(i) The Company shall make available to the Investor (and will
deliver to Investor's counsel), subject to restrictions imposed by the United
States federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, copies of
all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or its auditors
and will also make available for inspection by the Investor and any attorney,
accountant or other professional retained by the Investor (collectively, the
"Inspectors"), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
and properties of the Company (collectively, the "Records") as shall be
reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence
responsibility, and cause the Company's officers and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any Inspectors in connection with a
Registration Statement. Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to
be confidential and that it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not
be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement or (ii) the disclosure or release of such Records is requested or
required pursuant to oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information
or documents or a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction
or other legal process; provided, however, that prior to any disclosure or
release pursuant to clause (ii), the Inspectors shall provide the Company with
prompt notice of any such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an
appropriate protective order or waive such Inspectors' obligation not to
disclose such Records; and, provided, further, that if failing the entry of a
protective order or the waiver by the Company permitting the disclosure or
release of such Records, the Inspectors, upon advice of counsel, are compelled
to disclose such Records, the Inspectors may disclose that portion of the
Records that counsel has advised the Inspectors that the Inspectors are
compelled to disclose. The Investor agrees that information obtained by it as a
result of such inspections (not including any information obtained from a third
party who, insofar as is known to the Investor after reasonable inquiry, is not
prohibited from providing such information by a contractual, legal or fiduciary
obligation to the Company) shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by
it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company
unless and until such information has been made generally available to the
public. The Investor further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure
of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to
the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate
action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(j) The Company shall otherwise comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC, including, without limitation, compliance with
applicable reporting requirements under the Exchange Act.
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(k) The Company may require the Investor to promptly furnish
in writing to the Company such information as may be legally required in
connection with such registration including, without limitation, all such
information as may be requested by the SEC or the NASD. The Investor agrees to
provide such information requested in connection with such registration within
five (5) calendar days after receiving such written request, or such shorter
period as is reasonable under the circumstances, and the Company shall not be
responsible for any delays in obtaining or maintaining the effectiveness of any
Registration Statement caused by the Investor's failure to timely provide such
information.
(l) The Company shall use its best efforts either: (i) to
secure the inclusion for quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.'s OTC
Bulletin Board Bulletin for such Resgistrable Securities, or (ii) if, despite
the Company's best efforts to satisfy the preceding clause (i), the Company is
unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clause (i), to secure the inclusion for
quotation in the "pink sheets" for such Registrable Securities, and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the case of clause (i) or (ii), to
arrange for at least two market makers to register with the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), as such with respect to such Registrable
Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with
satisfying its obligation under this Section 2(l).
Section 2.2 Registration Expenses. In connection with each Registration
Statement, the Company shall pay all registration expenses incurred in
connection with the registration thereunder (the "Registration Expenses"),
including, without limitation: (a) all registration, filing, securities exchange
listing and fees required by the NASD, (b) all registration, filing,
qualification and other fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue
sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company), (c) all word processing, duplicating, printing, messenger and delivery
expenses, (d) the Company's internal expenses (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), and (e) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public
accountants retained by the Company; but excluding underwriting fees, discounts,
transfer taxes or commissions, if any, attributable to the sale of the
Registrable Securities, which shall be payable by each holder of Registrable
Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities of each
holder that are included under this Agreement.
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ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
Section 3.1 Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, its partners, Affiliates, officers,
directors, employees, counsel and duly authorized agents, and each Person or
entity, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, together with the
partners, Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, counsel and duly
authorized agents of such controlling Person or entity (collectively, the "
Controlling Persons"), from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability,
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees
and disbursements and costs and expenses of investigating and defending any such
claim) (collectively, "Damages"), joint or several, and any action or proceeding
in respect thereof to which the Investor, its partners, Affiliates, officers,
directors, employees and duly authorized agents, and any Controlling Person, may
become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, as incurred, insofar as
such Damages (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are
based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus
relating to the Registrable Securities or arises out of, or are based upon, any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, except insofar as any
such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Investor which is specifically intended by the Investor for
use in the preparation of any such Registration Statement, preliminary
prospectus or prospectus, and shall reimburse the Investor, its partners,
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, counsel and duly authorized agents,
and each such Controlling Person, for any legal and other expenses reasonably
incurred by the Investor, its partners, Affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, counsel and duly authorized agents, or any such Controlling Person,
as incurred, in investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any
such Damages or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be liable to the Investor to the extent that any such Damages arise
out of or are based upon an untrue statement or omission made in any preliminary
prospectus if (i) the Investor failed to send or deliver a copy of the final
prospectus delivered by the Company to the Investor with or prior to the
delivery of written confirmation of the sale by the Investor to the Person
asserting the claim from which such Damages arise, and (ii) the final prospectus
would have corrected such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or such
omission or alleged omission.
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(b) Indemnification by the Investor. The Investor agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its Affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, counsel and duly authorized agents, and each Controlling Persons of
the Company, from and against any and all Damages, joint or several, and any
action or proceeding in respect thereof to which the Investor, its partners,
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, counsel and duly authorized agents,
and any such Controlling Person, may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, as incurred, insofar as such Damages (or actions or proceedings in
respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus relating to the Registrable
Securities or arises out of, or are based upon, any omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, but only to the extent that any such untrue statement,
alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is made in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Investor which is specifically intended by the Investor for use in the
preparation of any such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or
prospectus, and shall reimburse the Company, its partners, Affiliates, officers,
directors, employees, counsel and duly authorized agents, and each such
Controlling Person, for any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Investor, its partners, Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, counsel and
duly authorized agents, or any such Controlling Person, as incurred, in
investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such Damages or
actions or proceedings.
Section 3.2 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after
receipt by any person or entity in respect of which indemnity may be sought
pursuant to Section 3.1 (an "Indemnified Party") of notice of any claim or the
commencement of any action, the Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against the person or entity against whom such indemnity
may be sought (the "Indemnifying Party"), notify the Indemnifying Party in
writing of the claim or the commencement of such action. In the event an
Indemnified Party shall fail to give such notice as provided in this Section 3.2
and the Indemnifying Party to whom notice was not given was unaware of the
proceeding to which such notice would have related and was prejudiced by the
failure to give such notice, the indemnification provided for in Section 3.1
shall be reduced to the extent of any actual prejudice resulting from such
failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the failure
to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from
any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Party otherwise than under
Section 3.1. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an Indemnified
Party, and it shall notify the Indemnifying Party thereof, the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it
wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified Indemnifying Party, to assume
the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its
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election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that
the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel to
represent the Indemnified Party and its Controlling Persons who may be subject
to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be
sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be for the account of such Indemnified Party,
unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually
agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) in the reasonable judgment of
the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, representation of both parties
by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts
of interest between them, it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying
Party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or action or separate but
substantially similar or related claims or actions in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (together with
appropriate local counsel) at any time for all Indemnified Parties, or for fees
and expenses that are not reasonable. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any
claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified
Party is or could have been a party and indemnity is sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or
proceeding. Whether or not the defense of any claim or action is assumed by the
Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party will not be subject to any liability
for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld.
Section 3.3 Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that
specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Article III (with appropriate
modifications) shall be given by the Company with respect to any required
registration or other qualification of securities under any federal or state law
or regulation of any governmental authority other than the Securities Act. The
provisions of this Article III shall be in addition to any other rights to
indemnification, contribution or other remedies which an Indemnified Party may
have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.
Section 3.4 Contribution. If the indemnification and reimbursement
obligations provided for in any section of this Article III is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless the Indemnified Parties in respect of any Damages
referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such Damages as between the Company on the one
hand and the Investor on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the Company and of the Investor in connection with
such statements or omissions, as well as other equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Investor on the other
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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The Company and the Investor agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the
Damages referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 3.4, the Investor shall in no event be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable
Securities of the Investor were sold to the public (less underwriting discounts
and commissions) exceeds the amount of any damages which the Investor has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 No Outstanding Registration Rights. The Company represents
and warrants to the Investor that there is not in effect on the date hereof any
agreement by the Company pursuant to which any holders of securities of the
Company have a right to cause the Company to register or qualify such securities
under the Securities Act or any securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction,
except for piggyback registration rights granted to the holders of three
convertible notes in the aggregate amount of $250,000 issued to Mr. James K.T.
Lu, Balmore Funds and Mr. Jeffrey I. Schillen which notes are convertible into
5,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Section 4.2 Term. The obligations of the Company and the rights
provided to the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder shall terminate at
such time as all Registrable Securities have been issued and have ceased to be
Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 1.1(c) and (d),
Article III, Section 4.8, and Section 4.9 shall survive the termination or
expiration of this Agreement.
Section 4.3 Rule 144. The Company will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to file in a timely manner information, documents and reports in
compliance with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will, at its
expense, promptly take such further action as holders of Registrable Securities
may reasonably request to enable such holders of Registrable Securities to sell
Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 under the Securities Act
("Rule 144"), as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar
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rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. If at any time the Company is
not required to file such reports, it will, at its expense, forthwith upon the
written request of any holder of Registrable Securities, make available adequate
current public information with respect to the Company within the meaning of
paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 144 or such other information as necessary to permit
sales pursuant to Rule 144. Upon the request of the Investor, the Company will
deliver to the Investor a written statement, signed by the Company's principal
executive or financial officer, as to whether it has complied with such
requirements.
Section 4.4 Certificate. The Company will, at its expense, forthwith
upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities, deliver to such holder
a certificate, signed by the Company's principal financial officer, stating (a)
the Company's name, address and telephone number (including area code), (b) the
Company's Internal Revenue Service identification number, (c) the Company's SEC
file number, (d) the number of shares of each class of capital stock outstanding
as shown by the most recent report or statement published by the Company, and
(e) whether the Company has filed the reports required to be filed under the
Exchange Act for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of such
certificate and in addition has filed the most recent annual report required to
be filed thereunder.
Section 4.5 Amendment and Modification. No provision of this Agreement
may be waived, unless such waiver is set forth in a writing executed by both
parties to this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, including the
provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and
waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given,
unless the Company has obtained the written consent of the holders of a majority
of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the waiver of any provision hereof with respect to a matter that relates
exclusively to the rights of holders of Registrable Securities whose securities
are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other holders of Registrable Securities may be
given by holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold
by such holders; provided that the provisions of this sentence may not be
amended, modified or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of
the immediately preceding sentence. No course of dealing between or among any
Person having any interest in this Agreement will be deemed effective to modify,
amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of
any person under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 4.6 Successors and Assigns; Entire Agreement. This Agreement
and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The
Investor may assign its rights under this Agreement to any subsequent holder of
the Registrable Securities, provided that the Company shall have the right to
require any holder of Registrable Securities to execute a counterpart of this
Agreement as a condition to such holder's claim to any rights hereunder. This
Agreement, together with the Securities Purchase Agreement, sets forth the
entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter
hereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and
understandings of any and every nature among them.
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Section 4.7 Severability. In the event that any provision of this
Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect without said provision; provided that such severability shall be
ineffective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to
any party.
Section 4.8 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents,
approvals, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in
writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be (a) personally served,
(b) deposited in the mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, (c) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges
prepaid, or (d) transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, or facsimile, addressed
as set forth below or to such other address as such party shall have specified
most recently by written notice given in accordance herewith. Any notice or
other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed
effective (i) upon hand delivery or delivery by facsimile, with accurate
confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or
number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following
such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received) or (ii) on the second business day
following the date of mailing by express courier service or on the fifth
business day after deposited in the mail, in each case, fully prepaid, addressed
to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first
occur. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to: Diamond Entertainment Corporation
800 Tucker Lane
Walnut, CA 81709
Attention: President
Telephone: (909) 839-1989
Facsimile: (909) 869-1990
With a copy(which shall not
constitute notice), to: De Martino Finkelstein Rosen & Virga
1818 N Street, N.W.
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
Attention: Neil R.E. Carr, Esq.
Telephone: (202) 659-0494
Facsimile: (202) 659-1290
If to the Investor, to: ---------------------------------
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
Attention:
Telephone: (---) --------
Facsimile: (---) --------
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Either party hereto may from time to time change its address or
facsimile number for notices under this Section 4.8 by giving at least ten (10)
days' prior written notice of such changed address or facsimile number to the
other party hereto.
Section 4.9 Governing Law, Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. The parties hereto hereby
submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States Federal and state
courts located in New York, New York with respect to any dispute arising under
this Agreement, the agreements entered into in connection herewith or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
Section 4.10 Title and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this
Agreement are used for the convenience of reference and are not to be considered
in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
Section 4.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which may be executed by less than all of the parties and
shall be deemed to be an original instrument which shall be enforceable against
the parties actually executing such counterparts and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, once executed by a
party, may be delivered to the other parties hereto by facsimile transmission of
a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the parties so delivering this
Agreement.
Section 4.12 Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or
cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall
execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and
documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the
intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.13 No Strict Construction. The language used in this
Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express
their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against
any party.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK.)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Registration
Rights Agreement to be executed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first set forth above.
DIAMOND ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
/s/ James K .T. Lu
By: ----------------------------------------------
Name: James K. T. Lu
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Anthony E. Rakos
----------------------------------------------
[Name of Investor]
/s/ Anthony E. Rakos
By: ----------------------------------------------
Name: Anthony E. Rakos
Title: ---------------------------------------
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