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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 21, 1999
METRICOM, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-19903 77-0294597
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
980 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA 95030-2375
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (408) 399-8200
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Stock Purchase and Reseller Agreements
On June 20, 1999, Metricom, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
entered into a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock Purchase
Agreement") with MCI WorldCom, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("MCI WorldCom"), and
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, a Washington corporation ("Vulcan").
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company will
issue and sell to MCI WorldCom 30,000,000 shares of newly-designated Series A1
Preferred Stock at a price of $10 per share, and the Company will issue and sell
to Vulcan 30,000,000 shares of newly-designated Series A2 Preferred Stock
(collectively with the Series A1 Preferred Stock, the "Preferred Shares") at a
price of $10 per share, for aggregate proceeds to the Company of $600,000,000
(the "Transaction"). Under the terms of a proposed Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, attached as Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement (the
"Restated Certificate"), both series of Preferred Shares will bear cumulative
dividends at the rate of 6.5% per annum for three years. In addition, each
series will have the right to elect one director to the Company's Board of
Directors, although voting rights otherwise will be generally limited to
specified matters. The Preferred Shares will be subject to mandatory redemption
by the Company in 10 years following initial issuance and to redemption at the
option of the holder upon the occurrence of specified changes in control or
major acquisitions. The other rights and preferences of the Preferred Shares
will be as set forth in the Restated Certificate. Upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock of the Company, Vulcan will hold
approximately 49% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock and MCI WorldCom
will hold approximately 37%, with the remaining 14% held by other current public
stockholders and optionees (on a pro forma fully-diluted basis, using the
treasury method, based on common stock and options outstanding as of June 20,
1999). As a result, Vulcan's beneficial ownership will continue to be sufficient
to control the vote on most matters submitted to the stockholders of the
Company. The Transaction, including adoption of the Restated Articles, is
subject to certain conditions, including approval by the stockholders of the
Company. Vulcan, a 47% stockholder of the Company, has agreed to vote its shares
of the Company in favor of the Transaction and against any alternative
transaction unless the Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms. Pending
consummation of the Transaction, Vulcan has committed to provide the Company
with up to $30 million in secured financing on an interim basis.
The terms of this agreement are more specifically set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on
Form 8-K.
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On June 21, 1999, the Company, MCI WorldCom and Vulcan issued a press
release related to the Stock Purchase Agreement. The press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.2.
Annual Stockholders Meeting
In order to present to the Company's stockholders a proposal to approve the
Transaction and related matters during the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the date of the meeting will be delayed by more than 30 days from
the date of the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which took place
on June 26, 1998. Accordingly, the deadline for submitting a stockholder
proposal for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy for
the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission is July 20, 1999. The deadline for submitting
a stockholder proposal or a nomination for director that is not to be included
in such proxy statement and proxy is July 20, 1999. Stockholders are also
advised to review the Company's By-laws, which contain additional requirements
with respect to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director
nominations.
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Risk Factors
The following are risk factors and warnings you should consider before
making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only risks
we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think
are immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following
risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, or results of
operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading
price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your
investment.
WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDS
We have suffered recurring losses from operations. We have a net capital
deficiency that raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a
going concern. At March 31, 1999, we had working capital of $15.2 million. At
our current level of operations and rate of negative cash flow, management
anticipates that our cash and cash equivalents will be adequate to satisfy the
Company's operating loss and capital expenditure requirements through mid-July
1999. We are working with an investment banking firm to identify a strategic
partner that will facilitate the deployment of our high-speed network. We are
currently in discussions with various potential partnership candidates.
Management anticipates that such strategic partner will also provide financing
for our future operations. In the event that we do not enter into a strategic
partnership in June 1999, management plans to reduce the level of operations of
the Company and consider other financing alternatives that will enable us to
continue as a going concern. There can be no assurance that financing will be
available to us or that we will be able to successfully negotiate an agreement
with a strategic partner. The most recent report of independent public
accountants on the company's financial statements includes an explanatory
paragraph describing uncertainties concerning the company's ability to continue
as a going concern.
We intend to continue development of our next-generation, high-speed
network and modem and deployment and commercialization of Ricochet. In order to
do so, we will need to raise additional funds through the sale of equity or debt
securities in private or public financings or through strategic partnerships.
There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available on terms
favorable to the Company, if at all. In addition, Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
control position may deter or discourage investors who may otherwise have
provided financing to the Company. If the Company cannot obtain additional
financing, it may be required to scale back its development and
commercialization activities, which could seriously harm the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
On June 20, 1999, we entered into an agreement with Vulcan and MCI
WorldCom, Inc. under which we are to receive an aggregate of approximately
$600,000,000, less investment banking and other professional fees in connection
with the transaction, in exchange for preferred stock of the Company. Any
failure to close the transaction according to its terms would seriously harm our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
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WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY DEPLOYING RICOCHET
Our future success depends on the successful deployment of Ricochet in
major metropolitan areas of the United States. Before offering Ricochet service,
we must complete deploying the network in a portion of a metropolitan area that
is large enough to justify commencement of marketing and sales efforts.
Deploying the network includes obtaining site agreements, designing the network
configuration, installing the network infrastructure and testing the network.
After initial deployment and commencement of service in a portion of a
metropolitan area, we can extend the geographic coverage of the Ricochet network
to additional portions of the metropolitan area. Problems or delays in carrying
out the deployment plan could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. We have has limited prior
experience in deploying and operating a wireless data communications service.
Accordingly, the timing or extent of the deployment of Ricochet is uncertain.
The construction of our networks will depend to a significant degree on
our ability to lease or acquire sites for the location of our network equipment
and to maintain agreements for such sites as needed. We install most of our
Ricochet network radios on streetlights on which we lease space from electric
utilities, municipalities or other local government entities. In addition, we
often must contract with providers of electricity to the street lights to
provide power for our network radios and with owners of the right-of-way in
which street lights are located. Completing these complex contracts has caused
significant delays in deploying Ricochet networks. We must deal separately with
each city in which we plan to deploy our network. In some instances, cities have
never faced requests similar to ours, are reluctant to grant such rights or do
not have a process in place to do so. We must then meet with various municipal
organizations to discuss issues such as pricing, health and safety concerns,
traffic disruption, aesthetics and citizen concerns. If we are unable to
negotiate, renew or extend site agreements in a timely manner and on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all, we would need to obtain sites to
deploy network radios on commercial buildings, residential dwellings or similar
structures. Deploying a large area in this manner could be significantly more
expensive than installing network radios on street lights and may be restricted
or prohibited by a municipality. We also lease space on building rooftops for
our Wireless Access Point ("WAP") sites. In connection with the leasing of WAP
sites, we face competition with other providers of wireless communication
services. We expect that the site acquisition process will continue throughout
the construction of our networks. Each stage of the process involves various
risks and contingencies, many of which are not within our control and any of
which could adversely affect the construction of the our networks should there
be delays or other problems.
OUR PRODUCTS MAY NEVER BE ACCEPTED IN THE MARKET
The market might not accept Ricochet. A broad market for wide area
wireless data communications services has not yet developed. As a result, we
cannot reliably estimate the extent of the potential demand for Ricochet
service. In addition, we have limited experience marketing its Ricochet service.
As of March 31, 1999, we had approximately 26,800 subscribers. We believe that
market acceptance depends principally on:
- cost competitiveness,
- data rate,
- ease of use, including compatibility with existing applications,
- cost and size of Ricochet modems,
- extent of coverage,
- customer support,
- marketing,
- distribution and
- pricing strategies of Metricom and our competitors,
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- Our reputation and
- general economic conditions.
Some of the foregoing factors are beyond our control. If our customer base
for Ricochet does not expand as required to support the deployment of additional
networks, our business, financial condition and operating results will be
materially adversely affected. In addition, the market for wireless
communications services is characterized by a high customer turnover rate. We
might not be able to retain existing or future customers.
WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OBTAINING ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
We intend to continue to develop, deploy and commercialize our Ricochet
networks. The timing and amount of capital expenditures may vary significantly
depending on numerous factors including:
- market acceptance of Ricochet,
- availability and financial terms of site agreements for our network
infrastructure,
- technological feasibility,
- availability of Ricochet radios and modems and
- availability of sufficient management, technical, marketing and
financial resources.
We will need to raise additional funds through the sale of its equity or
debt securities in private or public financings or through strategic
partnerships in order to complete the deployment and commercialization of
Ricochet. Funds raised may prove insufficient to fund planned deployment.
Additional financing might not be available or, might only be available on
unfavorable terms. If we cannot obtain additional financing, we may be required
to scale back the planned deployment of our Ricochet networks and reduce capital
expenditures, which would have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and operating results.
WE HAVE ONLY A LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY AND WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO GENERATE
LOSSES
Our Ricochet technology is at an early stage of development and has been
in commercial operation for only a short period of time; consequently, we have
limited historical financial information for you to evaluate. We will incur
significant expenses in advance of generating revenues and is expected to
realize significant operating losses in the future as a result of the continuing
development, deployment and commercialization of its Ricochet networks. Our
future operating results are subject to a number of risks, including our ability
to implement our strategic plan, to attract and retain qualified individuals and
to raise appropriate financing as necessary. As such, the timing and extent of
revenue receipts and expense disbursements and our ability to successfully
complete all of the tasks associated with developing and maintaining a
successful enterprise are all uncertain. In addition, we might not successfully
manage our operations. Management's failure to guide and control growth
effectively (including implementing adequate systems, procedures and controls in
a timely manner) could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
Expenditures associated with the development, deployment and
commercialization of the Company's wireless network products and services had
led to cumulative net losses through March 31, 1999 of approximately $248.5
million. The Company expects to incur significant operating losses and to
generate negative cash flow from operating activities during the next several
years while it continues to develop and deploy its Ricochet networks and build
its customer base. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or
sustain profitability or positive cash flow from operating activities in a
timely manner.
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OUR PRODUCTS ARE SUBJECT TO REGULATION
Federal Regulation. We are subject to various FCC regulations. Under the
Communications Act, the FCC regulates non-government use of the electromagnetic
spectrum in the United States, including the 902 - 928 MHz frequency band (the
"900 Band") currently used by the Company's radio products, and the
2400 - 2483.5 MHz band (the "2.4 GHz Band") and 2305 - 2360 MHz bands (the "2.3
GHz Band") where we are proposing commercial operations in the near future. Part
15 of the FCC's regulations provides that a license is not required for the
operation of certified radio equipment in the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz Bands. We
design our license-free products to conform with, and be certified under, the
FCC's Part 15 spread spectrum rules. Operations in the 2.3 GHz Band will be in
accordance with FCC regulations for the Wireless Communications Service ("WCS"),
a licensed service governed by Part 27 of the FCC's regulations.
Certain licensed and unlicensed uses of the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz Bands,
including industrial, scientific and medical equipment, the United States
government, amateur radio services and, in certain instances, location and
monitoring systems, take precedence over license-free operation of the Company's
products and other Part 15 products. Our products must not cause harmful
interference to any equipment operating in the band and must accept interference
from all authorized equipment operating in the band. If we cannot eliminate any
such harmful interference caused by our products through technical or other
means, or are unwilling to accept interference caused by others to our services,
we or our customers could be required to cease operations in the band in the
locations affected by the harmful interference. Additionally, in the event the
license-free 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz Bands become unacceptably crowded, and no
additional frequencies are allocated by the FCC, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Operation in the 2.3 GHz WCS Band is pursuant to licenses that we
purchased at an FCC spectrum auction. These licenses, issued on July 21, 1997,
authorize the provision of service only in the Northeastern, Central and Western
United States Regional Economic Areas, and in the St. Louis, Missouri, Portland
Oregon and Seattle, Washington Major Economic Areas. When the FCC adopted
regulations for WCS, it required that WCS licensees provide certain protections
for the adjacent channel Wireless Cable and Instructional Television Fixed
services for a period of five years. There is currently pending at the FCC a
contested Petition For Reconsideration requesting that this protection period be
extended to ten years. While we believe that we can provide the requisite
protection to adjacent channel users, there can be no assurance that we can be
provided such protection in a technically or economically feasible manner.
The WCS operations will require the use of equipment that is certified by
the FCC. While we believe we can develop certified 2.3GHz equipment which
performs satisfactorily with our certified equipment operating in the
license-free bands, there can be no assurance that we can develop such
equipment, or that we can developed it in a timely and economical manner. The
licenses for WCS require us to provide "substantial service" to the public in
the authorized service areas within ten years of the license grant. In addition,
while the WCS licenses expire in ten years, the FCC will grant a "renewal
expectancy" to licensees whose operations have been in accordance with the FCC's
regulations. Although there can be no assurance of compliance with all of the
WCS requirements, we believe that we can comply with all of the conditions in an
economically efficient manner. Failure to meet any one or all of these
conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change.
Changes in the regulation of our activities by the FCC, as a result of its own
regulatory process or as directed by legislation or the courts, including
changes in the allocation of available spectrum, could have a material adverse
effect on us, and we might deem it necessary or advisable to move to another of
the Part 15 unlicensed bands or to obtain the right to operate in additional
licensed spectrum. Redesigning products to operate in another band could be
expensive and time consuming, and there can be no assurance that such redesign
would result in commercially viable products. In addition, there can be no
assurance that, if needed, we could
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obtain appropriate licensed or unlicensed spectrum on commercially acceptable
terms, if at all. On an ongoing basis, the FCC proposes and issues new rules and
amendments to existing rules that affect our business. We closely monitor the
FCC's activities and, when appropriate, actively participate in policy and
rulemaking proceedings. We are currently monitoring several proceedings at the
FCC that could have an impact on us. If the FCC adopts rules that directly or
indirectly restrict our ability to conduct our business as currently conducted
or proposed to be conducted, our business, financial condition or operating
results could be materially adversely affected.
The FCC has adopted, and affirmed through reconsideration, rules for the
Location and Monitoring Service ("LMS"), a licensed service replacing the
Automatic Vehicle Monitoring service operating in the 900 MHz Band. There is
currently very limited LMS operation; however, the FCC has recently concluded an
auction where only four entities purchased licenses for the entire country.
This could lead to the proliferation of LMS systems. In adopting the LMS rules,
the FCC affirmed the right of Part 15 users such as Metricom to operate in this
frequency band, provided certain "safe harbors," and authorized operation so
long as it does not cause "harmful interference," which was specifically defined
by the FCC. In addition, the FCC provided that all LMS licenses would be
conditioned upon testing with the Part 15 community to assure that there is no
harmful interference to Part 15 operations. While the LMS auction could lead to
increased congestion in the 900 MHz Band, we believe that there are sufficient
means to mitigate harmful interference to our operations. There can be no
assurance, however, that the operation of one or more of our network
installations at particular locations would not be adversely affected by
existing or proposed LMS operations or that extensive LMS operations would not
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating
results.
In March 1997, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding in response to a
request filed by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. on behalf of amateur
radio operators. The FCC proposed to amend its rules for the Amateur Radio
Services to allow amateur stations greater flexibility in the use of high-
powered spread spectrum technologies in, among others, the 900 MHz Band. To
protect other users, including Part 15 users such as Metricom, the FCC proposes
to require spread spectrum equipment used by amateur radio licensees to use the
minimum power necessary and to incorporate automatic power control circuitry in
their equipment to reduce the potential for interference. If the FCC ultimately
adopts rules as proposed, amateur spread spectrum operations might interfere
with our operations in certain discrete geographic areas. Although we believe we
would be able to overcome such interference, if any, by installing additional
network radios and other measures, there can be no assurance to that effect.
Wireless networks such as ours are subject to certain Federal Aviation
Administration and FCC guidelines regarding the location, lighting, construction
and modification of structures and antennas used in connection with the radio
spectrum. In addition, the FCC has authority to enforce certain provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act as they may apply to our facilities. The
FCC recently adopted rules containing guidelines and methods for evaluating the
environmental effects of radio frequency emissions from FCC-regulated
transmitters. The rules categorically exclude low power, Part 15 devices of the
type used by Metricom from routine environmental evaluation because they offer
little or no potential for exposure in excess of specified health and safety
guidelines. The environmental evaluation rules do apply to the 2.3 GHz equipment
being developed by Metricom for WCS operations. The FCC also incorporated into
its rules provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that preempt state
and local governmental regulation over the placement of radio frequency devices
based on radio frequency environmental effects. Despite these actions, some
public concerns about radio frequency emissions remain. Regulatory action in
response to these concerns could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning
implementation of the Communications Assistance For Law Enforcement Act
("CALEA"). CALEA requires entities offering certain communications services to
provide a means by which law enforcement agencies can conduct electronic
surveillance in the face of changing communications technologies. Because of
exemptions provided in the act itself, we believe that the CALEA provisions do
not apply to our operations. If the
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FCC or the courts nevertheless require us to implement CALEA compliance
capability, such action could have a material adverse impact on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
In April, 1988, the FCC proposed rules for the operation of radio
frequency ("RF") lighting devices in, among others, the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
RF lighting devices are governed by Part 18 of the FCC's rules and are among the
"senior" users in the unlicensed frequency band. While the FCC did not propose
to modify operations in the 2.4 GHz band, the proposal recognizes and encourages
further RF lighting devices. In our comments, we urged the FCC to limit the
amount of power generated by RF lighting devices in the band. If the FCC chooses
not to limit the power generated by RF lighting devices in the 2.4 GHz band, RF
lighting devices could interfere with our operations in certain discrete
geographic areas. While we believe we could overcome such interference, if any,
there can be no assurance that the proliferation of RF lighting devices in the
2.4 GHz band would not have a material adverse affect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
State and Local Regulation. We often want to place our network radios and
WAPs on public rights-of-way and other public property. Due to state and local
right-of-way, zoning and franchising issues, we are not always able to place our
radios in the most desirable locations, on an optimal schedule or in the most
cost-effective manner. There can be no assurance that state and local processes
associated with radio location will not have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition or operating results.
As a result of amendments to the Communications Act of 1934, certain
states may attempt to regulate us with respect to the terms and conditions of
service offerings. While we believe that state regulation, if any, will be
minimal, there can be no assurance that such regulation will not have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
Internet Regulation. Due to the increase in Internet use and publicity, it
is possible that new laws and regulations may be adopted, and that changes in
existing laws may be made, with respect to the Internet, including laws
regarding privacy, pricing and characteristics of services or products. Certain
other legislative initiatives, including those involving taxation of Internet
services and transactions, have also been proposed. Any legislation or
regulation regarding the Internet could adversely impact our ability to provide
planned services and have a material adverse affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the impact, if any, that
future laws or any legal changes may have on our business.
OUR TECHNOLOGY IS STILL BEING DEVELOPED
Our networks have not been in commercial operation for an extended period
of time. We are also developing a high-speed technology called Ricochet2. We
have not placed Ricochet2 in commercial operation. Unforeseen problems may
develop with respect to our technology or products or we may be unsuccessful in
completing the development of our technology and products. Significant risks
remain as to the technological performance of our services and products. These
include, for example:
- firmware failures,
- problems associated with large-scale deployment,
- inability of networks to meet expected performance in data rate,
latency, capacity and range,
- hardware reliability and performance problems,
- problems associated with links between Ricochet network radios, WAPs,
the wired backbone and other wired networks,
- excessive interference with or by our networks,
- failure to receive FCC certification,
- inability to reduce product size and cost,
- timing of completion of development and
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- preclusion from commercialization by proprietary rights of third
parties.
Given the limited deployment of Ricochet to date, there can be no
assurance that selected Ricochet network components will be adequate to meet the
geographic and radio frequency propagation characteristics of new areas of
development. For example, in mid-1995, because of network performance problems
discovered during the initial deployment of the Ricochet network in the Silicon
Valley, we had to redesign certain portions of our Ricochet radios and modems to
improve transmission and reception quality and upgrade all of the radios that
had been deployed to date. Further, we might not successfully complete the
development of Ricochet2 or other technology and products. Delays in
implementation of our networks as a result of technical difficulties could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating
results.
WE OPERATE IN A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY
Competition in the market for data communications services is intensifying
and a large number of companies in diverse industries are expected to enter the
market. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully
in this market. A number of privately and publicly held communications companies
have developed or are developing new wireless and wired data communications
services and products using competing technologies. The competition can be
placed into two categories: portable and fixed access. While Ricochet can be
used as a fixed point service, it is positioned primarily as a portable service
with its largest competitive advantages being portability and low flat rate
pricing.
Portable Services. Companies offering portable data communications
services include CDPD, cellular analog, PCS, ARDIS, RAM and two-way paging. The
primary attributes distinguishing these competitors are speed, price and
availability. The Company estimates that user throughput speed for these
competitors range from 2 to 10 kbps. Pricing is typically based on per kilobyte
or per minute charges, making heavy usage very expensive. CDPD is either
installed or being installed in a number of metropolitan areas, but complete
coverage and roaming arrangements are not yet in place. Analog and digital
cellular networks are widely available throughout the United States and, with
the addition of a special modem, can also be used for sending data. ARDIS (owned
by American Mobile Satellite) and RAM (owned by BellSouth Corporation), are
widely installed and operating across the United States and in some foreign
countries. ARDIS, RAM and two-way paging are currently not compatible or fast
enough for standard Internet browsers.
Fixed-Point Access. A variety of fixed point high-speed (up to 1 Mbps)
data technologies for both wired and wireless products are in various stages of
development. Fixed-point data services and technologies include XDSL, wireless
LANs, cable modems, satellite service, Integrated Services Digital Network
("ISDN") and AT&T's digital wireless service. These services are aimed at
providing data connectivity to the home or office at speeds that will support
future video & multimedia applications over the Internet, and typically require
either high quality phone line connections or special modems and hardware. There
can be no assurance that our competitors will not succeed in developing new
technologies, products and services that achieve broader market acceptance or
that could render Ricochet obsolete or uncompetitive.
Internet Access Services. Our Internet access services compete with those
currently offered by a large number of companies. We believe that existing
competitors include numerous national and regional independent Internet service
providers, established on-line service providers such as American Online and the
Microsoft Network, as well as long distance and regional telephone companies.
These services are typically offered over the phone network at speeds ranging
between 28.8 and 56.6 kbps. Certain competitors could choose to offer Internet
or on-line services at a price substantially below that of Ricochet. Such
actions would place us at a substantial competitive disadvantage. The
competitive environment could limit our ability to grow our subscriber base and
retain existing subscribers and could cause us to spend more on selling,
marketing and product development activities. These factors could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
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Our competitors are becoming increasingly aware of the commercial value of
technical findings and are becoming more active in seeking patent protection and
licensing arrangements for the use of technology that others have developed. The
development by others of new products and processes competitive with or superior
to ours could render our products obsolete or uncompetitive. Our competitive
position also depends upon our ability to attract and retain qualified
personnel, obtain patents or otherwise develop proprietary products or
processes, and secure sufficient capital resources.
A broad market for wide area wireless data communications services has not
yet developed. In order for the market to develop and for wireless services to
compete effectively with widely available wired solutions, we believe that
wireless data communications services will need to provide data rates and
functionality comparable to those of the predominant mode of wired
communications at an affordable cost without compromising ease of use.
WE OPERATE IN AN INDUSTRY WITH RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
The market for data communications systems is characterized by rapidly
changing technology and evolving industry standards in both the wireless and
wireline industries. Our success will depend to a substantial degree on our
ability to develop and introduce in a timely and cost-effective manner
enhancements to its existing systems and new products that meet changing
customer requirements and evolving industry standards. For example, increased
data rates, such as those provided by wired solutions like ISDN, may affect
customer perceptions as to the adequacy of the Company's services and may also
result in the widespread development and acceptance of applications that require
a higher data rate than the Company's Ricochet service currently provides. There
can be no assurance that the Company's technology or systems will not become
obsolete upon the introduction of alternative technologies. If the Company does
not develop and introduce new products and services and achieve market
acceptance in a timely manner, its business, financial condition and operating
results could be materially and adversely affected.
VULCAN CAN EXERT SIGNIFICANT CONTROL OVER METRICOM
In January 1998, Vulcan Ventures Incorporated acquired 4,650,000 shares of
Metricom's common stock bringing Vulcan's beneficial ownership to approximately
49.5% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Vulcan can control most
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of
members of the Board (other than the independent directors) and significant
corporate transactions. Accordingly, Vulcan can control or significantly
influence actions taken by the Board or by Metricom and can limit the ability of
our current stockholders to affect or influence Metricom's direction and the
composition of our Board.
In addition, conflicts of interest may arise as a consequence of the
control relationship between Vulcan and Metricom, including:
- conflicts between Vulcan, as a stockholder with effective control of
Metricom and the other stockholders, whose interests may differ with
respect to, among other things, our strategic direction or significant
corporate transactions,
- conflicts arising in respect of corporate opportunities that we could be
pursue, on the one hand, or by Vulcan and any of its other affiliated
entities, on the other hand, or
- conflicts arising in respect of any new contractual relationships
between us, on the one hand, and Vulcan and any of its other affiliated
entities, on the other hand.
In addition, Vulcan's beneficial ownership of approximately 49.5% of the
outstanding common stock makes it more difficult for a third party to effect a
change in management or to acquire control of Metricom without the approval of
Vulcan and, therefore, may delay, prevent or deter a proxy contest for control
of Metricom or other changes in management, or discourage bids for a merger,
acquisition or tender offer, in which our stockholders could receive a premium
for their shares. The common stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 10, 1997,
between Metricom and Vulcan (the "Stock Purchase
11.
<PAGE> 12
Agreement"), provides that transactions between Vulcan and Metricom outside the
ordinary course of business or having a dollar value of $25,000 or more must
first obtain the approval of the Independent Directors (as defined in the Stock
Purchase Agreement). To the extent that conflicts arise as a result of Vulcan's
control relationship that are not subject to such requirement, it is anticipated
that the Board of Directors would be guided by its fiduciary obligations as
directors under the Delaware General Corporate Law, included the directors' duty
of loyalty.
Although the Stock Purchase Agreement contains a number of provisions
designed to protect stockholders in the event of, among other things, a proposal
by Vulcan to acquire the Company or a proposal to sell the Company to a third
party, the Stock Purchase Agreement does not require Vulcan to sell its
controlling block of shares, even if an offer is made that might be attractive
to the other stockholders. Moreover, there can be no assurance that any of the
stockholder protection measures included in the Stock Purchase Agreement will be
effective in any particular case.
OUR TECHNOLOGY IS SUBJECT TO PATENT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY UNCERTAINTIES
Our success depends in part on our ability to:
- Obtain patents
- Protect trade secrets
- Operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others
- Prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights
Our technology will be protected from unauthorized use by others only to
the extent that it is covered by valid and enforceable patents or effectively
maintained as trade secrets.
Our policy is to file patent applications to protect our technology,
inventions and improvements to our inventions that we consider important to our
business. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade
secret protection and non-disclosure agreements to establish and protect our
proprietary rights. We have been issued 25 patents in the United States, which
expire between 2006 and 2016. Foreign patents corresponding to one domestic
patent have been granted in four foreign countries, foreign patents
corresponding to one other U.S. patent have been approved for grant in three
foreign countries, and other foreign and domestic patents are pending. There can
be no assurance that patents will issue from any pending applications or, if
patents do issue, that claims allowed will be sufficiently broad to protect our
technology. We also own over 30 United States trademark registrations and
approximately 20 foreign counterparts. There can be no assurance that any of our
current or future patents or trademarks will not be challenged, invalidated,
circumvented or rendered unenforceable, or that the rights granted thereunder
will provide us with significant proprietary protection or commercial advantage
to. We are not aware of any infringement of our patents, trademarks or other
proprietary rights by others.
Although we have pursued and intend to continue pursuing patent protection
of inventions that we consider important, we believe that other competitive
factors are more important than our patent position. However, these patents may
not preclude competitors from developing equivalent or superior products and
technology. There can be no assurance that the measures we adopt for the
protection of our intellectual property will be adequate to protect our
interests.
We also rely upon trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological
innovations and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our competitive
position. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary
information or otherwise gain access to or disclose our information. It is our
policy to require our employees, certain contractors, consultants, directors and
parties to
12.
<PAGE> 13
collaborative agreements to execute confidentiality agreements upon the
commencement of such relationships. These agreements might:
- be breached, not provide meaningful protection of our trade secrets or
adequate remedies in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such
information or permit our trade secrets to otherwise become known or be
independently discovered by our competitors.
Our commercial success will also depend in part on us not infringing the
proprietary rights of others and not breaching technology licenses that cover
technology we use in the our products. Third party patents may require us to
develop alternative technology or to alter our products or processes, obtain
licenses or cease certain activities. If any such licenses are required, we
might not be able to obtain such licenses on commercially favorable terms, if at
all. If we cannot obtain a license to any technology that we may require to
commercialize our products and services, such failure could have a material
adverse effect on us. We may have to resort to potentially costly litigation to
enforce any patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope and
validity of third party proprietary rights.
WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY MANAGING GROWTH
Management of growth is especially challenging for a company with a short
operating history and the failure to effectively manage growth could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating
results. Development, deployment and commercialization of Ricochet has required
and will continue to require management of a number of operational activities in
which we have little or no prior experience, including the administration of its
subscriber base, maintenance and support of Ricochet hardware and software and
management of our activities and properties in dispersed locations. We might not
be able to manage the growth of its business successfully.
WE HAVE LIMITED SOURCES OF SUPPLY
We generally use standard component parts that are available from multiple
sources. However, certain component parts used in our products are available
only from sole or limited source vendors. Our reliance on these sole or limited
source vendors involves certain risks, including the possibility of a shortage
of certain key component parts and reduced control over delivery schedules,
manufacturing capability, quality and costs. In addition, some key component
parts require long delivery times. We have in the past experienced delays in its
ability to obtain certain key component parts from suppliers. In the event of
future supply problems from our sole or limited source vendors, any inability to
develop alternative sources of supply quickly and on a cost-effective basis
could materially impair our ability to manufacture and deliver our products and
to implement our services.
WE DEPEND ON OUR KEY EMPLOYEES
Because of the technical nature of our business, we significantly depend
on the principal members of our management and engineering staff. Our success
will depend largely on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled
engineering and managerial personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense.
We cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such
personnel. The failure to maintain our management and engineering staff and to
attract additional key personnel could materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, many of our key
employees hold stock options that are vested or may be fully vested before we
achieve significant revenues or profitability. We intend to grant additional
options and provide other forms of incentive compensation to attract and retain
our key personnel, but we cannot guarantee these efforts will be successful.
WE HAVE LIMITED MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY AND WE FACE INVENTORY
MANAGEMENT RISKS
We have limited experience in large-scale manufacturing. Our printed
circuit boards and other subassemblies are assembled on a contract basis by
local manufacturers. Final assembly and testing operations are performed
internally. Our believes that we have or can secure adequate capacity to meet
forecasted demand for our products and networks for at least the next 12 months.
However, if customers
13.
<PAGE> 14
begin to place large orders for our products or if we decide to accelerate
deployment of Ricochet, our present manufacturing capacity may prove inadequate.
To be successful, our products and components must be manufactured in commercial
quantities at competitive cost and quality. Our long-term manufacturing strategy
is to supplement our manufacturing capabilities by increasing outsourcing of
product assembly and testing and by licensing other companies to manufacture
certain of our products. In the future, we will be required to achieve
significant product and component cost reductions. If we are unable to develop
or contract for manufacturing capabilities on acceptable terms and if product
and component cost reductions are not achieved, our competitive position, and
our ability to achieve profitability, would be materially impaired.
Effective inventory management requires us to accurately forecast demand
for our services and products and to adequately take into account the
introduction of new or replacement products. Failure to manage this process
effectively could result in insufficient inventory to meet demand, thereby
limiting revenues and deployment of Ricochet networks, or could result in excess
inventory that may become obsolete before it is sold, either of which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating
results.
WE MAY FACE QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS
We believe that our future operating results over both the short and long
term will be subject to annual and quarterly fluctuations due to several
factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include:
- the significant cost of building its Ricochet networks (including any
unanticipated costs associated therewith),
- fluctuating market demand for our services,
- establishment of a market for the Ricochet service,
- pricing strategies for competitive services,
- delays in the introduction of our services,
- new offerings of competitive services,
- changes in the regulatory environment,
- the cost and availability of Ricochet infrastructure and
- subscriber equipment and general economic conditions.
THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR STOCK MAY BE HIGHLY VOLATILE
The market prices for securities of emerging telecommunications companies
like us have been highly volatile. Announcements may have a significant impact
on the market price of our common stock. Such announcements may include:
- technological innovations or new commercial services by us or our
competitors
- developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents and
litigation matters
- regulatory developments in both the United States and foreign countries
- general market conditions
- comments made by analysts, including changes in analysts' estimates of
our financial performance
- quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and financial results
The stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and
volume fluctuations which have particularly affected the market prices for
emerging telecommunications companies and which have
14.
<PAGE> 15
often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad
market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's
stock, securities class action litigation has occurred against the issuing
company. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of
management's attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect
on our revenues and earnings. Any adverse determination in such litigation could
also subject us to significant liabilities.
WE RELY HEAVILY ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON
We have relied to date primarily on Southern California Edison ("SCE") as
the principal source of our revenues. Revenues from SCE accounted for 84%, 72%,
51%, 12% and 7% of our total revenues in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998
respectively. As of December 31, 1998, SCE was the only company to have made a
commitment to purchase a large volume of our products. We expect only a small
amount of revenues from SCE in 1999 and thereafter.
DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND
BYLAWS HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAKING A TAKEOVER OF US MORE DIFFICULT
Certain provisions of our charter documents may make it more difficult for
a third party to acquire control of us. Our board of directors may issue up to
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock and may determine the price, rights,
preferences, privileges, and restrictions, including voting and conversion
rights, of these shares of preferred stock. These determinations may be made
without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The rights of the
holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by
the rights of the holders of preferred stock currently outstanding and any
preferred stock that may be issued in the future. While we have no present
intention to issue shares of preferred stock, such issuance, while providing
desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other
corporate purposes, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a
majority of our voting stock. In addition, such preferred stock may have other
rights, including economic rights, senior to our common stock. As a result, the
issuance of preferred stock could decrease the market value of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that members of the board of
directors may be removed only for cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of
at least a majority of the shares of our outstanding capital stock entitled to
vote. Certain other provisions of our certificate of incorporation could also
have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or in management.
Such a delay or preventive effect could adversely affect the price of our common
stock. Among other things, these provisions:
- provide for a classified board of directors
- require that stockholder actions occur at duly called stockholder
meetings
- require advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations
and
- provide that vacancies on the Board be filled by persons elected by a
majority of the remaining directors
Certain provisions of Delaware law could also delay, prevent, or make more
difficult a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest involving our company. These
provisions could decrease the market value of our common stock.
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware GCL, an
anti-takeover law. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly-held Delaware
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business
combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination"
includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial
benefit to the stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, an "interested
stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or
within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting
stock.
15.
<PAGE> 16
WE FACE RISKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE YEAR 2000
Many installed computer systems and software products were programmed to
accept only two digits in the date code field. As the year 2000 approaches,
these code fields will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish years
beginning with "19" from those beginning with "20." As a result, in the next
year, computer systems and software products used by many companies may need to
be upgraded.
In the third quarter of 1998, Metricom began a plan to remedy potential
problems in connection with the year 2000. We are presently assessing, testing
and remedying our various systems and software. We recently upgraded our
business and financial systems to a version that our vendor has certified to be
year 2000 compliant. We are assessing whether our microcellular commercial data
networks are year 2000 compliant. These networks depend upon third parties for
telecommunications services and power. If our providers of these services are
not year 2000 compliant, we may have difficulty using our microcellular
commercial networks, which could harm our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
We intend to have our year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts
and contingency plans complete by the year 2000. We have not incurred material
costs in connection with our year 2000 compliance efforts. We estimate that our
total costs to address year 2000 compliance will be approximately $300,000, but
that cost estimate may change significantly based on the results of our year
2000 plan. We fund costs related to year 2000 issues from operating cash flows.
We might not be able to complete our year 2000 assessment, testing and
remediation or develop necessary contingency plans prior to year 2000, any of
which could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
During the next several months, we will communicate with our key suppliers
to assess year 2000 compliance. The various products, services, networks and
technologies of these suppliers that Metricom uses might not be year 2000
compliant. Similarly, our customers might have or might obtain information
technology systems, or other software, systems or products that are year 2000
compliant. Any year 2000 compliance problem facing Metricom or our customers
could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations. If our year 2000 compliance plan does not successfully resolve all
year 2000 compliance issues, we are prepared to use backup systems, where
possible, that do not rely on computers. In other critical functions where
computer systems are essential, we intend to develop an alternative contingency
plan in the coming months.
THE NOTES ARE SUBORDINATED AND DO NOT CONTAIN CERTAIN FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Our 8% convertible subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") are
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness
and are structurally subordinated to all liabilities (including trade payables)
of the Company's subsidiaries. The Indenture does not restrict the incurrence of
senior indebtedness or other indebtedness by the Company or its subsidiaries. On
October 29, 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Vulcan for a
$30,000,000 line of credit, of which $30,000,000 was outstanding as of March 31,
1999. Amounts drawn down against the line of credit are considered senior
indebtedness. By reason of such subordination of the Notes, in the event of the
insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or winding up
of the business of the Company, the assets of the Company will be available to
pay the amounts due on the Notes only after all senior indebtedness has been
paid n full and there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due
on any or all of the Notes then outstanding. See "Description of the Notes --
Subordination."
Our ability to meet our cash obligations in the future may depend in part
upon the ability of our subsidiaries to make cash distributions to us. The
ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us is and will continue to
be restricted by, among other limitations, applicable provisions of the laws of
national or state governments and contractual provisions. The Indenture does not
limit the ability of our subsidiaries to incur such restrictions in the future.
Our right to participate in the assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability
of holders of the Notes to benefit indirectly from such assets) are generally
subject to the prior claims of creditors, including trade creditors, of that
subsidiary except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such
subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subject to any security
interest of other creditors of such subsidiary. The Notes, therefore, are
structurally subordinated to
16.
<PAGE> 17
creditors, including trade creditors, of our subsidiaries with respect to the
assets of the subsidiaries against which such creditors have a claim.
WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REPURCHASE THE NOTES UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL
Upon a change in control, unless waived by holders of in excess of
two-thirds aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes, each holder
of Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of such holder's Notes.
If a change in control were to occur, we might not have sufficient financial
resources, or might not be able to arrange financing, to pay the repurchase
price for all Notes tendered by holders thereof. In addition, our repurchase of
the Notes as a result of a change in control may be prohibited or limited by, or
create an event of default under, the terms of agreements related to borrowings
which we may enter into from time to time, including agreements relating to
senior indebtedness. Our failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an
event of default under the Indenture. See "Description of the
Notes -- Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holder Upon a Change of
Control."
THERE IS NO EXISTING MARKET FOR THE NOTES
The Notes constitute a new issue of securities with no well-established
trading market. We do not intend to list the Notes on any national securities
exchange or to seek the admission thereof to trading in the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation system. The placement agents are not
obligated to make such a market and may discontinue any market-making activities
at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making activities are
subject to limits imposed by the Exchange Act.
Although prior to the registration of the Notes under the registration
statement the Notes were designated for trading through PORTAL, the Notes sold
hereunder will no longer be eligible for trading through PORTAL, and no
assurance can be given that an active trading market for the Notes will develop
or, if such market develops, as to the liquidity or sustainability of such
market. If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of
the Notes may experience difficulty in reselling, or an inability to sell, the
Notes. If a market for the Notes develops, any such market may be discontinued
at any time. If a public trading market develops for the Notes, future trading
prices of the Notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things,
prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar
securities. Depending on the prevailing interest rates, the market for similar
securities and other factors, including our financial condition, the Notes may
trade at a discount from their principal amount.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(C) Exhibits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ---------- -----------
<S> <C>
99.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1999, among Metricom, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, MCI WorldCom, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, a Washington corporation.
99.2 Press release, dated June 21, 1999.
</TABLE>
17.
<PAGE> 18
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
METRICOM, INC.
Date: July 9, 1999 By: /s/ Timothy A. Dreisbach
-----------------------------------------
Timothy A. Dreisbach
President and Chief Executive Officer
18.
<PAGE> 19
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- ------------
<S> <C>
99.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1999, among Metricom, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, MCI WorldCom, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, a Washington corporation.
99.2 Press release, dated June 21, 1999.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Among
METRICOM, INC.
(a Delaware corporation),
as Seller
and
MCI WORLDCOM, INC.
(a Georgia corporation)
and
VULCAN VENTURES INCORPORATED
(a Washington corporation),
as Purchasers
Dated as of June 20, 1999
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS...................................................................1
1.1 Defined Terms..........................................................1
1.2 Beneficial Ownership...................................................6
1.3 Securities Outstanding.................................................6
SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES...................................................7
2.1 Purchase and Sale of Shares............................................7
2.2 Closing Date...........................................................7
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.................................7
3.1 Organization, Powers and Qualifications................................7
3.2 Subsidiaries...........................................................7
3.3 Authorized Capital Stock...............................................8
3.4 Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Minute Books and Records........9
3.5 Authority; Binding Effect..............................................9
3.6 No Conflict; Approvals.................................................9
3.7 Governmental Consents and Approvals...................................10
3.8 SEC Reports...........................................................10
3.9 Financial Statements..................................................10
3.10 Absence of Certain Changes............................................11
3.11 Indebtedness; Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities......................11
3.12 Assets................................................................11
3.13 Contracts.............................................................12
3.14 Insurance.............................................................13
3.15 Authorizations; Compliance With Law...................................13
3.16 Taxes.................................................................14
3.17 Absence of Litigation; Claims.........................................15
3.18 Employee Benefit Plans; Employment Agreements.........................15
3.19 Labor Matters.........................................................17
3.20 Environmental Matters.................................................18
3.21 Intellectual Property.................................................20
3.22 Regulatory Matters....................................................21
3.23 Year 2000 Disclosure..................................................21
3.24 Adequacy of Disclosure................................................22
3.25 Proxy Statement.......................................................22
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
3.26 Board Action; Vote Required; Applicability of Section 203............. 22
3.27 Opinion of Financial Advisor.......................................... 23
3.28 Brokers and Finders................................................... 23
3.29 Offering of Shares.................................................... 23
3.30 Transactions With Related Parties..................................... 23
3.31 Business Activities................................................... 23
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS............................. 23
4.1 Organization, Powers and Qualifications............................... 24
4.2 Authority; Binding Effect............................................. 24
4.3 Compliance with Laws.................................................. 24
4.4 Investment Representations............................................ 24
4.5 Interested Stockholder................................................ 25
4.6 Proxy Statement....................................................... 25
4.7 Additional Information................................................ 25
SECTION 5. RESTRICTED SECURITIES; REGISTRATION RIGHTS................................... 26
5.1 Restricted Securities................................................. 26
5.2 Reorganization, Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or
Disposition of Assets................................................ 27
5.3 Registration Rights................................................... 27
SECTION 6. COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY.................................. 27
6.1 Regulatory and Other Authorizations................................... 27
6.2 Governmental Filings.................................................. 27
6.3 Compliance with Antitrust or Competition Laws and the
Communications Act.................................................... 28
6.4 Public Announcements.................................................. 28
6.5 Further Assurances.................................................... 28
6.6 Takeover Statute...................................................... 28
6.7 Notification.......................................................... 28
6.8 Reasonable Best Efforts............................................... 29
SECTION 7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY..................................................... 29
7.1 Access to Information................................................. 29
7.2 Conduct of the Company's Business..................................... 30
7.3 No Solicitation....................................................... 31
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
7.4 Stockholders' Meeting................................................. 33
7.5 Charter Amendments.................................................... 34
7.6 Subsequent Financial Statements....................................... 35
7.7 Control of Operations................................................. 35
7.8 Access to Information................................................. 35
7.9 Use of Proceeds....................................................... 35
SECTION 8. COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASERS.................................................. 35
8.1 Proxy Information..................................................... 35
SECTION 9. CONDITIONS TO THE PURCHASERS' OBLIGATIONS.................................... 36
9.1 Representations and Warranties........................................ 36
9.2 Agreements and Conditions............................................. 36
9.3 Regulatory Approvals.................................................. 36
9.4 Purchase of Shares Not Enjoined....................................... 36
9.5 Stockholder Approval.................................................. 36
9.6 Other Agreements...................................................... 37
9.7 Section 203........................................................... 37
9.8 Nasdaq Notification................................................... 37
9.9 Opinions of Counsel................................................... 37
9.10 No Pending Litigation................................................. 37
9.11 Minimum Purchase...................................................... 37
SECTION 10. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS...................................... 37
10.1 Representations and Warranties........................................ 37
10.2 Agreements and Conditions............................................. 38
10.3 Governmental Approvals................................................ 38
10.4 Sale of Shares Not Enjoined........................................... 38
10.5 Stockholder Approval.................................................. 38
10.6 Other Agreements...................................................... 38
10.7 Opinions of Counsel................................................... 38
SECTION 11. TERMINATION.................................................................. 38
11.1 Termination........................................................... 38
11.2 Effect of Termination................................................. 40
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS................................................................ 40
12.1 Notices............................................................... 40
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
12.2 Expenses.............................................................. 41
12.3 Benefits; Assignment.................................................. 42
12.4 Entire Agreement; Amendment and Waiver................................ 42
12.5 Headings.............................................................. 42
12.6 Governing Law......................................................... 42
12.7 Remedies.............................................................. 42
12.8 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS................................... 43
12.9 Severability.......................................................... 44
12.10 Execution and Delivery................................................ 44
12.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties............................ 44
12.12 Waiver of Right to Subscribe for Additional Shares.................... 44
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE> 6
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 20, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between MCI WorldCom, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "A1
Preferred Stock Purchaser"), Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, a Washington
corporation ("Vulcan" or the "A2 Preferred Stock Purchaser") and Metricom, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to raise money for further development of
its technology, deployment of its business plan and for working capital and
other corporate purposes; and
WHEREAS, A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser wishes to make an investment in
the Company by purchasing newly issued shares of Preferred Stock having the
rights, preferences and privileges described herein; and
WHEREAS, the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser has conditioned its investment
on the Principal Stockholder's (as defined in Section 1.1 hereof) making a
comparable investment in newly issued shares of the Company's A2 Preferred
Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Principal Stockholder has certain preemptive rights to
acquire a portion of newly issued shares of the Company in order to maintain its
percentage interest in the Company and, in view of such preemptive rights and A1
Preferred Stock Purchaser's unwillingness to make its investment unless the
Principal Stockholder makes such investment, the Principal Stockholder has
agreed to make such an investment in newly issued shares of the Company's A2
Preferred Stock.
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
1.1 DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
"A1 Preferred Stock" shall mean that series of Preferred Stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Company designated as the Series A1
Preferred Stock, whose powers, preferences and rights and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions are set forth in the
Restated Certificate.
"A2 Preferred Stock" shall mean that series of Preferred Stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Company designated as the Series A2
Preferred Stock, whose powers, preferences and rights and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions are set forth in the
Restated Certificate.
"Acquisition Proposal" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 7.3 hereof.
1.
<PAGE> 7
"Affiliate" shall mean, as applied to a specified Person, any
other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such specified Person.
"Alternative Transaction" shall have the meaning assigned to it
in Section 7.3 hereof.
"Antitrust Division" shall mean the Antitrust Division of the
United States Department of Justice or its successor.
"Business Combination" shall mean a merger or consolidation in
which the Company is a constituent corporation and pursuant to which the
Common Stock is exchanged for cash, securities or other property or a
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a
Sunday, a bank holiday or any other day on which commercial banking
institutions in New York, New York are not generally open for business.
"Restated Certificate" shall mean the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which
certificate is to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware pursuant to Section 7.5 of this Agreement.
"Certificate of Incorporation" shall mean the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as the same may be hereafter
amended or supplemented.
"Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of
this Agreement.
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2
of this Agreement.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
including regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.
"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share, of the Company as designated in the Restated Certificate.
"Communications Act" shall mean the Communications Act of 1934,
as amended, and all related legislation or any successor thereto. Any
reference to a particular section of the Communications Act shall refer
to such section as the same may be hereafter renumbered or otherwise
amended.
"Company Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any fact,
condition, event, development or occurrence (excluding any fact,
circumstance, event, development
2.
<PAGE> 8
or occurrence affecting the economy, financial markets or
telecommunications industry generally) which, individually or when taken
together with all other such facts, conditions, events, developments or
occurrences, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition, operating results, business or
prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries (hereinafter defined),
taken as a whole, without giving effect to the consummation of the
Transaction. The parties acknowledge and agree that the loss of the
Company's FCC licenses, or any event that would reasonably be expected
to result in the loss of the Company's FCC licenses, constitutes a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
"Conversion Shares" shall mean the shares of the Common Stock
issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares in
accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares.
"DGCL" shall mean the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, as amended or as the same shall be in effect from time to
time.
"Employee Shares" shall mean shares issued upon the exercise of
options issued to employees, consultants or directors pursuant to the
Employee Stock Plans or otherwise.
"Employee Stock Plans" shall mean the Company's 1988 Stock
Option Plan, 1993 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, 1997 Equity
Incentive Plan, 1997 Non-Officer Equity Incentive Plan and 1991 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and any other past, current or future employee stock
ownership, thrift, savings, stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted
stock or stock option plan or similar arrangement, or any grantor trust
established to fund any such plan or otherwise for the benefit of
employees, consultants or directors, pursuant to which current or former
employees, consultants or directors of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may acquire Equity. Any rights of any current or former
employee, consultant or director to purchase Equity under any Employee
Stock Plan, or any similar plans shall be deemed a right to acquire
Equity for all purposes hereunder.
"Equity" shall mean any and all shares of capital stock of the
Company, securities of the Company convertible into such shares, and
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect
from time to time.
"FCC" shall mean the Federal Communications Commission or its
successor.
"FCC Order" shall mean either:
(i) A written order or other determination from the
staff of the FCC (either in the first instance or upon review,
reconsideration or other action
3.
<PAGE> 9
subsequent to an order or other determination of the staff) either
approving the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or stating that no such approval is required (or, in the case
of such review, reconsideration or other subsequent action, a written
order or other determination to the effect set forth above or affirming
or upholding, or having the effect of affirming or upholding, whether by
dismissing or denying a petition for reconsideration or terminating the
consideration thereof or otherwise, a previous order or determination to
the effect set forth in this paragraph (i)), which order or
determination shall no longer be subject to further administrative
review by the FCC; or,
(ii) A written or other determination from the FCC
itself (either in the first instance or upon review, reconsideration or
other action subsequent to an order or other determination of the staff
of the FCC) either approving the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or stating that no such approval is
required (or, in the case of such review, reconsideration or other
action subsequent to an order or determination of the staff of the FCC,
a written order or other determination from the FCC itself to the effect
set forth above or affirming, upholding or having the effect of
affirming or upholding, whether by dismissing or denying a petition for
reconsideration or application for review or terminating the
consideration thereof or otherwise, an order or other determination of
the staff of the FCC to the effect set forth in paragraph (i)).
For purposes of this definition, an order or other determination of the
staff shall be deemed no longer subject to further administrative review
by the FCC:
(x) If no petition for reconsideration or application for
review by the FCC of the order or determination of the staff has been
filed within 30 days after the date of public notice of the order or
determination, as such 30-day period is computed and as such date is
defined in sections 1.104 and 1.4, as applicable, of the FCC's rules,
and the FCC has not initiated review of the order or determination of
the staff on its own motion within 40 days after the date of public
notice of the order or determination, as such 40-day period is computed
and as such date is defined in sections 1.117 and 1.4 of the FCC's
rules, or
(y) If any such petition for reconsideration or application
for review has been filed, or, if the FCC has initiated review of the
order or determination of the staff on its own motion, the FCC itself
has issued a written order or other determination or taken other action
to the effect set forth in paragraph (ii) above.
"FTC" shall mean the Federal Trade Commission or its successor.
"Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,
any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
4.
<PAGE> 10
"HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules promulgated
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
"Interest Rate" shall mean the interest rate per annum publicly
announced by Citibank, N.A. as its "Base Rate" as in effect from time to
time.
"Liens" shall mean any lien, pledge, charge, claim, option,
subscription, warrant, call, proxy, power of attorney, voting
arrangement, reversionary interest, right of first refusal, conditional
sales contract, preemptive right, easement, encumbrance, transfer
restriction, security interest, mortgage, defect of title of any kind or
any similar interests of any kind.
"NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
"Nasdaq" shall mean the electronic inter-dealer quotation system
operated by The Nasdaq-Amex Market Group.
"Owned of Record or Voted by" shall have the meaning used in 47
U.S.C. sec. 310(b)(4) and interpretations thereof by the FCC.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean the A1 Preferred Stock and the A2
Preferred Stock.
"Preferred Stock Purchaser Directors" shall mean those directors
elected by the holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant to the Restated
Certificate.
"Principal Stockholder" shall mean Vulcan Ventures Incorporated.
"Proposals" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 of
this Agreement.
"Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.4 of this Agreement.
"Purchasers" shall mean, collectively, the A1 Preferred Stock
Purchaser and Vulcan.
"Related Party" shall mean any (i) Person that beneficially owns
more than 10% of either the Voting Equity or Equity, (ii) director or
officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) corporation,
partnership or other entity of which any such Person owns greater than a
50% equity interest.
5.
<PAGE> 11
"Requirement of Law" shall mean as to any Person, any law,
treaty, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to
such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its
property is subject.
"Restated Registration Rights Agreement" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.3 of this Agreement.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
successor.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations
of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to
time.
"Shares" shall mean the Preferred Shares.
"Stockholders' Meeting" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.4 of this Agreement.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to the Company, any
corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of the voting
power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company and any joint venture of the
Company. Metricom DC, L.L.C. is a Subsidiary.
"Transaction" shall mean the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement.
"Voting Equity" shall mean any and all Voting Securities,
securities of the Company convertible into Voting Securities, and
options, warrants or other rights to acquire Voting Securities.
"Voting Securities" shall mean the Common Stock and any other
securities of the Company having voting power under ordinary
circumstances with respect to the election of directors of the Company.
1.2 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. Unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to "beneficially own" any securities in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
1.3 SECURITIES OUTSTANDING. In determining the number or other
amount outstanding of any securities of the Company, securities owned by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be not outstanding.
6.
<PAGE> 12
SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES.
2.1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES. On the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall, on the Closing Date:
(a) issue and sell to the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser, and
the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, 30,000,000
shares of the A1 Preferred Stock (the "A1 Preferred Shares") shares at a price
of $10 per share; and
(b) issue and sell to Vulcan, and Vulcan shall purchase from
the Company, 30,000,000 shares of A2 Preferred Stock (the "A2 Preferred Shares")
at a price of $10 per share.
The delivery of the Preferred Shares at the Closing shall be against the
respective Purchaser's payment to the account designated by the Company of
immediately available funds.
2.2 CLOSING DATE. The closing (the "Closing") of the purchase and
sale of the Preferred Shares shall take place at the offices of Cooley Godward
LLP, One Maritime Plaza, 20th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111-3580, as soon as
practicable but no more than five Business Days following the satisfaction of
all of the conditions to each party's obligations set forth in Sections 9 and 10
(or, with respect to any condition not satisfied, the waiver thereof by the
party for whose benefit the condition exists) or at such other place and date as
the parties may mutually agree. The date and time of such Closing are herein
referred to as the "Closing Date."
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Purchasers
as follows, except as set forth on a Disclosure Schedule delivered by the
Company concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the
"COMPANY SCHEDULE"), each of which exceptions shall specifically identify the
relevant subsection hereof to which it relates and shall be deemed to be
representations and warranties as if made hereunder:
3.1 ORGANIZATION, POWERS AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Company has been
incorporated and is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it has been and is now
being conducted and to own, lease and operate the properties and assets used in
connection therewith and to enter into this Agreement, to sell the Preferred
Shares and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. The Company is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation authorized to do business and is in good
standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, all of
which jurisdictions are disclosed in the COMPANY SCHEDULE.
3.2 SUBSIDIARIES. The COMPANY SCHEDULE lists each Subsidiary of the
Company, and each equity investment of the Company, the jurisdiction of its
organization and the amount of its securities outstanding and the owners
thereof. Each Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. Each Subsidiary
has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it has been
and is now being conducted and to own, lease and operate the assets and
properties used in connection therewith. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation authorized to do business
7.
<PAGE> 13
and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required, all of which jurisdictions are disclosed on the COMPANY SCHEDULE. All
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary have been duly
authorized, are validly issued and outstanding, are fully paid and
nonassessable, were issued in compliance with all applicable Federal and state
securities laws, and, are lawfully owned of record and beneficially by the
Company or another Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens. There are no existing
subscriptions, options, warrants, convertible securities, calls, commitments,
agreements, conversion rights or other rights of any character (contingent or
otherwise) calling for or requiring the issuance, transfer, sale or other
disposition of any shares of the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or calling for
or requiring the issuance of any securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary, nor is the Company
or any Subsidiary subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of capital stock of any
Subsidiary and there are no restrictions on the payment of dividends with
respect to the capital stock of any Subsidiary. Except for its Subsidiaries or
as set forth in the COMPANY SCHEDULE, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
directly or indirectly (a) owns or controls any shares of any corporation nor
has any voting securities of, or economic interest in, either of record,
beneficially or equitably, in any association, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture or other legal entity, or (b) is a general partner of any
partnership.
3.3 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK. As of the date hereof, the authorized
capital stock of the Company consists of (a) 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share, of which 19,346,798 shares were outstanding as of
May 24, 1999 and (b) 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per
share, none of which are issued and outstanding. Since May 24, 1999, no shares
of Common Stock have been issued by the Company other than Employee Shares. All
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and are
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and were issued in
compliance with all applicable Federal and state securities laws. Except for (A)
3,896,575 shares of Common Stock subject to options granted under the Company's
1988 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Equity Incentive Plan and 1997 Non-Officer Equity
Incentive Plan and to the Company's Chief Executive Officer outside those plans,
(B) 484,000 shares of Common Stock subject to options granted to members of the
Company's Board of Directors under the Company's 1993 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan and to members of the Company's Advisory Board, (C) 200,000
shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding warrants, (D) 3,092,783 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Company's 8% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2003 ("Convertible Notes"), and (E) 167,666 shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's 1991 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, there were not outstanding as of the date of this Agreement any
existing subscriptions, options, warrants, rights (including conversion or
preemptive rights), convertible securities, calls, commitments or agreements for
the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any shares of its capital stock
or any securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of its capital
stock nor is the Company subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of capital stock of the Company
or any Subsidiary, in any case except as set forth on Schedule 3.3 of the
COMPANY SCHEDULE and as contemplated by this Agreement. Other than Vulcan and
the rights associated with the Convertible Notes, no person has any registration
rights with respect to any stock of the Company. As of the date of this
Agreement, the Company has available for future grant 246,379 shares of Common
Stock for issuance pursuant to the Employee Stock Plans. The Company does not
have a shareholder rights plan. Except as disclosed on the COMPANY SCHEDULE,
there
8.
<PAGE> 14
are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company
is a party, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, to which any shareholder of
the Company is a party, with respect to the voting of capital stock of the
Company and there is no restriction on the payment of dividends on any capital
stock of the Company, other than this Agreement. When issued and paid for
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Preferred Shares to be sold
hereunder by the Company will be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
nonassessable.
3.4 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, BY-LAWS, MINUTE BOOKS AND RECORDS.
The copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto and of
the By-laws, as amended, of the Company and its Subsidiaries which have been
delivered to the Purchasers are true, correct and complete copies thereof as in
effect on the date hereof. The minute books of the Company and its Subsidiaries
which have been made available for inspection contain minutes, which are
accurate and complete, of all meetings and accurate consents in lieu of meetings
of the Board of Directors (and any committee thereof) and of the stockholders of
the Company and its Subsidiaries since the respective dates of incorporation.
The books and records of the Company and each Subsidiary accurately reflect the
transactions to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
their properties are subject or bound, and the assets and liabilities of the
Company or its Subsidiaries.
3.5 AUTHORITY; BINDING EFFECT. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the Transaction. All necessary corporate action required to have been
taken by or on behalf of it by applicable law, its charter document or otherwise
to authorize (a) the approval, execution and delivery on its behalf of this
Agreement and (b) its performance of its obligations under this Agreement and
the consummation of the Transaction have been taken, except that the adoption of
the Agreement must be approved by a majority of the votes of all outstanding
shares of Common Stock of record on the record date for the Stockholders'
Meeting. This Agreement constitutes the Company's valid and binding agreement,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (A) as the same may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws of
general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights, including
without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent
conveyances and preferential transfers, and (B) for the limitations imposed by
general principles of equity.
3.6 NO CONFLICT; APPROVALS. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Transaction will not, (a)
violate or conflict with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or
the comparable organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, or (b)
constitute a breach or default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or
both would become a breach or default), give rise to any Lien, third party right
of termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration, or loss of any
benefit, or give rise to any requirement to repurchase or offer to repurchase
any indebtedness or securities of the Company or any subsidiary under any
contract to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is
bound, or (c) subject to the consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
filings, declarations and registrations specified in Section 3.7 or in the
COMPANY SCHEDULE in response thereto, conflict with or result in a violation of
any permit, concession, franchise or license or any law, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties
or assets.
9.
<PAGE> 15
3.7 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except as set forth on the
COMPANY SCHEDULE, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the Transaction will require any consent, approval, order,
authorization, or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any local,
state, Federal or foreign court, administrative agency, commission or other
Governmental Authority, agency or instrumentality, except (a) the filing of the
Proxy Statement (hereinafter defined) and related proxy materials with the
Securities Exchange Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act, (b)
notification pursuant to, and expiration or termination of the waiting period
under the HSR Act, and (c) the filings with and consents or approvals of the FCC
and state public service commissions, public utility commissions or similar
state regulatory bodies ("Public Utility Commissions") which are described in
the COMPANY SCHEDULE.
3.8 SEC REPORTS. The Company has timely filed all required forms,
reports and documents with the SEC since January 1, 1996 (collectively, the
"Company's SEC Reports"), including without limitation the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 (the "Company 1998 Form
10-K"). The Company's SEC Reports have complied in all respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. As of their
respective dates, none of the Company's SEC Reports, including, without
limitation, any financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by
reference therein, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There have been filed
as exhibits to, or incorporated by reference in, the Company 1998 Form 10-K all
contracts which, as of the date hereof, are material as described in Item
601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The Company has heretofore delivered to the
Purchasers, in the form filed with the SEC, all of the Company's SEC Reports.
3.9 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has delivered to the
Purchasers true and complete copies of (a) consolidated balance sheets of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including Metricom D.C. LLC) at
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated statements of earnings,
changes in stockholders' equity and statements of cash flow for the years then
ended, together with the notes thereto, audited by Arthur Andersen & Co. (the
"Company's Auditors"), and (b) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at March 31, 1999 and 1998 and related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
statements of cash flow for the periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, all of
which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved ("GAAP"). Such
balance sheets, including the related notes, fairly present the consolidated
financial position, assets and liabilities (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at the
dates indicated and such consolidated and consolidating statements of income,
changes in stockholders' equity and statements of cash flow fairly present the
consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flow of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods indicated.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements as at and for the periods ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998 contain all adjustments which are solely of a normal
recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position for the
periods then ended. The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 described above is referred
to
10.
<PAGE> 16
herein as the "Company 1998 Balance Sheet" and the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at March 31, 1999
described above is referred to herein as the "Interim 1999 Balance Sheet." The
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and consolidated Subsidiaries
at December 31, 1998 described above is referred to herein as the "Company
Audited Financial Statements."
3.10 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as described in the COMPANY
SCHEDULE, since December 31, 1998 (the "Audit Date"), the Company and its
Subsidiaries have conducted their business solely in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice. Except as otherwise disclosed on the COMPANY
SCHEDULE, since the Audit Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not:
(a) suffered any Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) been subject to any other events or conditions of any
character that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or impair the
ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or
prevent or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(c) made any change to their respective accounting methods,
principles or practices;
(d) been subject to any revaluation of any assets of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate has
had, or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect,
including writing down the value of capitalized software or inventory or writing
off notes or accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; or
(e) incurred any liabilities, other than liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or
discharged or satisfied any Lien, or paid any liabilities, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or failed to pay or
discharge when due any liabilities of which the failure to pay or discharge has
caused or will cause any damage or risk of loss to it or any of its assets or
properties.
3.11 INDEBTEDNESS; ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. The COMPANY
SCHEDULE discloses as of the date hereof all indebtedness for money borrowed of
the Company or any Subsidiary, accurately disclosing for each such indebtedness
the payee, the original principal amount of the loan, the current unpaid balance
of the loan, the interest rate and the maturity date. Neither the Company nor
its Subsidiaries have any indebtedness, liability or obligation of any kind
(whether known or unknown, accrued, absolute, asserted or unasserted, contingent
or otherwise) except (a) as and to the extent reflected, reserved against or
otherwise disclosed in the Company 1998 Balance Sheet, or (b) for liabilities
and obligations incurred subsequent to the Audit Date in the ordinary course of
business, which in the aggregate do not exceed $250,000.
3.12 ASSETS. Except as described in the COMPANY SCHEDULE, the Company
and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all their properties and
assets, including without limitation those assets and properties reflected in
the Interim 1999 Balance Sheet in the amounts and categories reflected therein,
free and clear of all Liens, except (a) the lien of current taxes not
11.
<PAGE> 17
yet due and payable, (b) properties, interests, and assets disposed of by the
Company or any Subsidiary since March 31, 1999 solely in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, (c) such secured indebtedness as is
disclosed in the Interim 1999 Balance Sheet covering the properties referred to
therein and the Company Schedule, and (d) such imperfections of title, easements
and encumbrances, if any, as are not substantial in character, amount or extent
and do not detract from the value, or interfere with the present or proposed
use, of the properties subject thereto ("Permitted Liens"). All buildings,
structures, facilities, equipment and other items of tangible personal property
reflected on the Interim 1999 Balance Sheet or acquired since March 31, 1999 are
in good operating condition and repair, subject to normal wear and maintenance,
are useable in the regular and ordinary course of business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries and conform to all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances,
codes, rules and regulations and Authorizations (hereinafter defined) relating
to their construction, use and operation. The method of amortization or
depreciation used by the Company for financial reporting purposes is sufficient
to write-off entirely each building, structure, facility and item of equipment
or other tangible personal property during its useful life. Neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries owns or ever has owned any real property.
3.13 CONTRACTS.
(a) The COMPANY SCHEDULE lists each written or oral
contract, agreement, arrangement, lease, instrument, mortgage, indenture or
commitment to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party or may be bound or to
which their respective properties or assets may be subject ("Contract") (i)
which is material to the Company or a Subsidiary; (ii) which is with any present
or former employee or for the employment of any person or consultant or which is
a non-compete arrangement with any employee or former employee of the Company or
a Subsidiary; (iii) which is a severance agreement, program or policy of the
Company or a Subsidiary with or relating to its employees; (iv) under the terms
of which any of the rights or obligations of a party thereto will be modified or
altered as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby or which contain
change in control provisions; (v) which involves a commission, representative,
franchise, distributorship, or sales agency arrangement; (vi) which is a
conditional sale or lease arrangement; (vii) which involves a license, or other
arrangement which relates in whole or in part to any software, patent,
trademark, trade name, service mark or copyright or to any ideas, technical
assistance or other know-how of or used by the Company or a Subsidiary in the
conduct of its business; (viii) which represents any confidentiality or
non-disclosure arrangement pursuant to which the Company or a Subsidiary has
agreed to keep confidential information obtained from any other person; (ix)
which is an arrangement limiting or restraining the Company or any Subsidiary or
any successor thereto from engaging or competing in any manner or in any
business; (x) under which the Company or any Subsidiary guarantees the payment
or performance by others or in any way is or will be liable with respect to
obligations of any other person; or (xi) which grants Company a right of way.
(b) All Contracts are valid and binding and in full force
and effect as to the Company on the date of this Agreement except to the extent
they have previously expired in accordance with their terms. None of the
Company, its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company's knowledge, any other parties,
have violated any provision of, or committed or failed to perform any act which
with notice, lapse of time or both would constitute a default under the
provisions of, any Contract, the termination or violation of which, or the
default under which, either
12.
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singularly with respect to a single Contract or in the aggregate with respect to
all the Contracts would have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The COMPANY
SCHEDULE sets forth a description of the Company's dispute over various matters
relating to Metricom D.C., LLC with PepData, Inc., including the Company's
estimate of its maximum liability with respect to such disputes. Neither the
execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transaction will
constitute a breach of any of the Contracts or, except as set forth in the
COMPANY SCHEDULE, require that the Company give any notice, request any consent,
approval or waiver or pay any fees or charges. True and complete copies of all
Contracts listed on the COMPANY SCHEDULE, together with all amendments thereto
through the date hereof, have been made available to the A1 Preferred Stock
Purchaser; provided, however, the Company has made available to the A1 Preferred
Stock Purchaser only representative agreements regarding its rights of way. The
Company is not a party to any agreements, either written or oral, with respect
to the provision of Internet access and related services.
3.14 INSURANCE. The COMPANY SCHEDULE accurately sets forth as of the
day preceding the date hereof all policies of insurance, other than title
insurance policies, held by or on behalf of the Company and all outstanding
claims thereunder in excess, individually or in the aggregate, of $1,000,000.
All such policies of insurance are in full force and effect, and no notice of
cancellation has been received. In the reasonable judgment of the Company, such
policies are in amounts which are adequate in relation to the business and
properties of the Company, and all premiums to date have been paid in full.
3.15 AUTHORIZATIONS; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.
(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries hold all licenses,
franchises, certificates, consents, permits, approvals, certificates of public
convenience and necessity, and authorizations ("Authorizations") from all
Governmental Authorities and other persons (including without limitation all
required Authorizations which may be issued or required by the FCC and Public
Utility Commissions) which are necessary for the lawful conduct of their
respective businesses and that will be needed for any currently planned products
or services (including, but not limited to, Ricochet II) and their use and
occupancy of their assets and properties in the manner heretofore conducted,
used and occupied. A complete and correct list of all material Authorizations,
and all Authorizations issued or granted by or under the auspices of the Federal
government, held by the Company and its Subsidiaries are set forth in the
COMPANY SCHEDULE. All of such Authorizations are valid, in good standing and in
full force and effect and the Company and its Subsidiaries have duly performed
all of their respective obligations under such Authorizations. No event has
occurred with respect to the Authorizations which permits, or after notice or
lapse of time or both would permit, revocation or termination thereof or would
result in any other impairment of the rights of the holder of any of the
Authorizations, and no terminations thereof have been, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened.
(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied
with, and is not in violation of any aspect of, any Federal, state or local law,
ordinance, code, order or governmental rule or regulation to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, including without limitation, rules,
regulations or order of the FCC and the California Public Utilities Commission,
and has not failed to obtain or to adhere to the requirements of any license,
permit or
13.
<PAGE> 19
authorization necessary to the ownership, operation or use of its assets or the
conduct of its business. With respect to the licenses in the Wireless
Communications Service ("WCS") granted by the FCC to the Company, the Company
has complied with the condition in each license with respect to the payment of
the auction bid amount, and the grant of each license is final and no longer
subject to reconsideration, review, or appeal by or before the FCC or any court.
With respect to the Company's operations on unlicensed spectrum, all equipment
used by the Company in such operations has been properly certified and
authorized under the FCC's Part 15 rules and other regulations. None of the
Company's operations has had or currently has a significant environmental
effect, as defined by the FCC in its rules and regulations. To the Company's
knowledge, the Company's equipment and operations have not caused and do not
currently cause any harmful interference to other equipment and operations in
the unlicensed spectrum. Except as disclosed in the COMPANY SCHEDULE, there have
been and are currently no claims or complaints of radio interference, harm or
damage resulting from the Company's operations. The Company's operations have
not and are not being currently interfered with or impaired in any respect by
the operation of other users of unlicensed spectrum.
3.16 TAXES.
(a) All Federal, state, local and foreign tax returns,
reports, statements and other similar filings required to be filed by the
Company or its Subsidiaries (the "Tax Returns") on or prior to the date hereof
or with respect to taxable periods ending on or prior to the date hereof with
respect to any Federal, state, local or foreign taxes, assessments,
deficiencies, fees and other governmental charges or impositions (including
without limitation all income tax, unemployment compensation, social security,
payroll, sales and use, excise, privilege, property, ad valorem, transfer,
franchise, license, school and any other tax or similar governmental charge or
imposition (including interest, penalties or additions with respect thereto)
under laws of the United States or any state or municipal or political
subdivision thereof or any foreign country or political subdivision thereof)
("Taxes") have been timely filed with the appropriate governmental agencies in
all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are required to be filed, and all
such Tax Returns correctly reflect the liabilities of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for Taxes for the periods, property or events covered thereby.
(b) All Taxes, including those without limitation which are
called for by the Tax Returns, or heretofore or hereafter claimed to be due by
any taxing authority from the Company and its Subsidiaries, have been fully paid
or properly accrued. The accruals for Taxes contained in the Company 1998
Balance Sheet and the Interim 1999 Balance Sheet are adequate to cover the tax
liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Audit Date and as of
March 31, 1999, respectively, and include adequate provision for all deferred
taxes, and nothing has occurred subsequent to such date to make any of such
accruals inadequate.
(c) Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have received
any notice of assessment or proposed assessment in connection with any Taxes or
Tax Returns and there are not pending tax examinations of or tax claims asserted
against the Company or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets or
properties. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has extended, or waived the
application of, any statute of limitations of any jurisdiction regarding the
assessment or collection of any Taxes.
14.
<PAGE> 20
(d) There are no tax liens (other than any lien for current
taxes not yet due and payable) on any of the assets or properties of the Company
or its Subsidiaries. The Company has no knowledge of any basis for any
additional assessment of any Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have made
all deposits required by law to be made with respect to employees' withholding
and other employment taxes, including without limitation, the portion of such
deposits relating to taxes imposed upon the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(e) The Company and its Subsidiaries have withheld and paid
all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid on or before the date of this
Agreement in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, former
employee, creditor, shareholder, Affiliate, customer or supplier or any other
third party.
(f) The Company and its Subsidiaries have not made any
payments, are not obligated to make any payments, and are not a party to any
agreement that under certain circumstances could require it to make any
payments, that are not deductible under Section 280G of the Code.
3.17 ABSENCE OF LITIGATION; CLAIMS. There are no claims, actions,
suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, overtly threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or
any properties or rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or with
respect to which any director, officer, employee or agent is or may be entitled
to claim indemnification from the Company or any Subsidiary, before any
Governmental Authority or arbitrator, nor is there any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
outstanding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.
(a) The COMPANY SCHEDULE lists all employee benefit plans
(as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and all bonus, stock option, stock purchase,
incentive, deferred compensation, supplemental retirement, severance and other
similar fringe or employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements, and any
current or former employment or executive compensation or severance agreements,
written or otherwise, for the benefit of, or relating to, any employee or
consultant of the Company, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
which is a member of a controlled group including the Company or which is under
common control with the Company (an "ERISA Affiliate") within the meaning of
Section 414 of the Code, or any subsidiary of the Company, as well as each plan
with respect to which the Company or an ERISA Affiliate could incur liability
under Section 4069 (if such plan has been or were terminated) or Section 4212(c)
of ERISA (together, the "Employee Plans"), excluding former agreements under
which the Company has no remaining obligations and any of the foregoing that are
required to be maintained by the Company under the laws of any foreign
jurisdiction. With respect to each Employee Plan, as applicable, a copy of (i)
each such written Employee Plan, together with all amendments, trust agreements,
insurance policies and service agreements; (ii) the three most recently filed
Forms 5500 or 5500 C/R and any financial statements attached thereto; (iii) the
most recent IRS determination letter; (iv) the most recent summary plan
description; and (v) all reports submitted within the preceding three years by
third-party administrators, actuaries,
15.
<PAGE> 21
investment managers, consultants, or other independent contractors, has been
made available to the Purchasers.
(b) Except as set forth in the COMPANY SCHEDULE: (i) except
as required by Section 4980B of the Code, none of the Employee Plans promises or
provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any person and
none of the Employee Plans is a "multiemployer plan," as such term is defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA; (ii) there has been no breach of any fiduciary duty, as
described in Section 404 of ERISA, and no "prohibited transaction," as such term
is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, with respect to
any Employee Plan, which could result in any liability of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries; (iii) all Employee Plans are in compliance in all respects
with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes (including ERISA and
the Code), orders, and governmental rules and regulations currently in effect
with respect thereto (including all applicable requirements for notification to
participants, the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS")
and the Secretary of the Treasury), all employee plans have been operated at all
times in accordance with their terms, and the Company and each of its
subsidiaries have performed all obligations required to be performed by them
under, are not in default under or violation of, and have no knowledge of any
default or violation by any other party to, any of the Employee Plans; (iv) each
Employee Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and each
trust intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code is the subject of a
favorable determination letter from the IRS, and nothing has occurred which may
reasonably be expected to impair such determination; (v) all contributions
required to be made to any Employee Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code, or
the terms of the Employee Plan or any collective bargaining agreement, have been
made on or before their due dates and a reasonable amount has been accrued for
contributions to each Employee Plan for the current plan years; (vi) with
respect to each Employee Plan, neither any "reportable event" within the meaning
of Section 4043 of ERISA (excluding any such event for which the thirty (30) day
notice requirement has been waived under the regulations to Section 4043 of
ERISA) nor any event described in Section 4062, 4063, 4064 or 4041 of ERISA has
occurred; and (vii) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or
reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than
liability for premium payments to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
arising in the ordinary course); (vii) neither the Company nor any ERISA
Affiliate has incurred any liability for any excise, income or other taxes or
penalties with respect to any Employee Plan, and no event has occurred and no
circumstance exists that could give rise to any such liability; (ix) there are
no pending or threatened claims against any Employee Plan (other than routine
claims for benefits) or against any fiduciary or an Employee Plan with respect
to such plan, nor is there any basis for such a claim; and (x) no Employee Plan
is presently under audit or examination (and no notice has been received by the
Company or any ERISA Affiliate of a potential audit or examination) by any
governmental entity, and no matters are pending with respect to any Employee
Plan under any governmental corrective or remedial program.
(c) The COMPANY SCHEDULE sets forth a true and complete list
of each current or former employee, consultant, officer or director of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries who holds any option to purchase Common Stock
as of the date hereof, together with the number of shares of Common Stock which
are subject to such option, the date of grant of such option, the extent to
which such option is vested (or will become vested within six months from the
date hereof), the option price of such option (to the extent determined as of
the date hereof), whether
16.
<PAGE> 22
such option is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code (an "ISO"), and the expiration date of
such option. The COMPANY SCHEDULE also sets forth the total number of such ISOs
and such nonqualified options.
(d) Any amount that could be received (whether in cash or
property or the vesting of property) as a result of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by any employee, officer or director of the
Company or any of its Affiliates who is a "disqualified individual" (as such
term is defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any
employment, severance or termination agreement, other compensation arrangement
or Employee Plan currently in effect would not be characterized as an "excess
parachute payment" (as such term is defined in Section 280G of the Code).
(e) THE COMPANY SCHEDULE lists all employment or consulting
contracts, agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party.
(f) The COMPANY SCHEDULe lists the name and years of service
of all persons employed by the Company as of the date hereof and for each of the
past two fiscal years, the salary, bonus, and total compensation (including
vacation, personal and sick days) paid or owed to each such employee.
3.19 LABOR MATTERS. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is or ever has been a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other
labor agreement with any union or labor organization and no union or labor
organization has been recognized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as an
exclusive bargaining representative for employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. To the Company's knowledge, there is no current union
representation question involving employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor does the Company have knowledge of any significant activity or
proceeding of any labor organization (or representative thereof) or employee
group to organize any such employees. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has made any commitment that would require the application of the
terms of any collective bargaining agreements entered into by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to Purchasers, or to any subsidiary of any of the Purchasers
(other than the Company or its Subsidiaries). Except as disclosed on the COMPANY
SCHEDULE, (a) there is no active arbitration under any collective bargaining
agreement involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) there is no
unfair labor practice, grievance, employment discrimination or other labor or
employment related charge, complaint or claim against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pending before any court, arbitrator, mediator or governmental
agency or tribunal, or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, (c) there is no
strike, picketing or work stoppage by, or any lockout of, employees of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending, or to the Company's knowledge,
threatened, against or involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d)
there is no significant active arbitration under any collective bargaining
agreement involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries regarding the
employer's right to move work from one location or entity to another, or to
consolidate work locations, or involving other similar restrictions on business
operations.
17.
<PAGE> 23
3.20 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries has received any written or, to the Company's knowledge,
oral communication from any person or Governmental Authority that alleges that
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with applicable
Environmental Laws.
(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained or
has applied for all Environmental Permits necessary for the construction of
their facilities or the conduct of their operations, and all such Environmental
Permits are effective or, where applicable, a renewal application has been
timely filed and is pending agency approval, and the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all terms and conditions of the
Environmental Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
knowledge of any past or present events, conditions, circumstances, activities,
practices, incidents, actions or plans that may interfere with, or prevent,
future continued compliance on the part of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with the Environmental Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has knowledge of matters or conditions that would preclude
reissuance or transfer of any Environmental Permit, including amendment of such
instrument, to Purchasers or one of their respective subsidiaries where such
action is necessary to maintain compliance with Environmental Laws.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
knowledge of any future requirement imposed by any Environmental Law or
Environmental Permit which could reasonably be expected to result in the accrual
of a cost not previously disclosed in writing to Purchasers.
(d) There is no Environmental Claim (as defined below)
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, overtly threatened (i) against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) against any person or entity whose
liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
or may have retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law, or
(iii) against any property or operations which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries owns, leases or manages, in whole or in part.
(e) The Company has no knowledge of any Releases of any
Hazardous Material that would be reasonably likely to form the basis of any
Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or against
any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either contractually
or by operation of law.
(f) The Company has no knowledge, with respect to any
predecessor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, of any Environmental
Claim pending or threatened, or of any Release of Hazardous Materials that would
be reasonably likely to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
18.
<PAGE> 24
(g) To the Company's knowledge, the Company has disclosed to
Purchasers all facts which the Company reasonably believes form the basis of a
current or future cost relating to any environmental matter affecting the
Company and its Subsidiaries.
(h) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to
the knowledge of the Company, any owner of premises leased or operated by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries has filed any notice with respect to such
premises under Federal, state, local or foreign law indicating past or present
treatment, storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials, as regulated under 40
C.F.R. Parts 264-267 or any state, local or foreign equivalent or is engaging or
has engaged in business operations involving the generation, transportation,
treatment, recycle or disposal of any waste regulated under Environmental Laws
pertaining to radioactive materials or the nuclear power industry, including,
without limitation, requirements of Volume 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
(i) None of the properties owned, leased or operated by the
Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any predecessor
thereof are now or were in the past, listed on the National Priorities list of
Superfund Sites, the CERCLIS Information System, or any other comparable state
or local environmental database.
(j) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not
require any governmental approvals under the Environmental Laws, including those
that are triggered by sales or transfers of businesses or real property.
(k) As used in this Section 3.20:
(i) "Environmental Claim" means any and all
administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters,
directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of
noncompliance or violation (written or oral) by any person or entity (including
any Federal, state, local or foreign Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
over the Company or its Subsidiaries) alleging potential liability of the
Company or its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, potential
responsibility for or liability for enforcement, investigatory costs, cleanup
costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs, natural
resources damages, property damages, personal injuries or penalties) arising out
of, based on or resulting from (A) the presence, or Release or threatened
Release into the environment, of any Hazardous Materials at any location,
whether or not owned, operated, leased or managed by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (including but not limited to obligations to clean up contamination
resulting from leaking underground storage tanks); or (B) circumstances forming
the basis of any violation or alleged violation by the Company or its
Subsidiaries of any Environmental Law; or (C) any and all claims by any third
party against the Company or its Subsidiaries seeking damages, contribution,
indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from
the presence or Release of any Hazardous Materials.
(ii) "Environmental Laws" means all applicable
foreign, Federal, state and local laws (including the common law), rules,
requirements and regulations relating to pollution, the environment (including,
without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or
subsurface strata) or protection of human health as it relates to the
19.
<PAGE> 25
environment including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to
Releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or
handling of Hazardous Materials.
(iii) "Hazardous Materials" means (A) any petroleum or
any by-products or fractions thereof, asbestos in any form that is or could
become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, any form of natural gas,
explosives, and polychlorinated biphenyls; (B) any chemicals, materials or
substances, whether waste materials, raw materials or finished products, which
are now defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances,"
"hazardous wastes," "hazardous materials," "extremely hazardous substances,"
"restricted hazardous wastes," "toxic substances," "toxic pollutants,"
"pollutants," "contaminants," or words of similar import under any Environmental
Law; and (C) any other chemical, material or substance, whether waste materials,
raw materials or finished products, regulated or forming the basis of liability
under any Environmental Law in a jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries operates.
(iv) "Release" means any release, spill, emission,
leaking, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or
migration into the environment (including without limitation ambient air,
atmosphere, soil, surface water, groundwater or property).
3.21 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is
licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights to use, all patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, and any applications
therefor, technology, know-how, computer software programs or applications, and
tangible or intangible proprietary information or materials that are used in its
or any of its Subsidiaries' businesses as currently conducted and that will be
needed for any currently planned products, services or business activities
(including, but not limited to, Ricochet II), and to the actual knowledge of its
executive officers all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and
copyrights held by it and/or its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting.
(b) Except as disclosed in the COMPANY SCHEDULE:
(i) it and its Subsidiaries are not, nor will any of
them be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
performance of its obligations hereunder, in violation of any licenses,
sublicenses and other agreements as to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party and pursuant to which it or any Subsidiary is authorized to use any
third-party patents, trademarks, service marks and copyrights ("Third-Party
Intellectual Property Right");
(ii) to its knowledge, no claims as of the date
hereof with respect to (A) the patents, registered and unregistered trademarks
and service marks, registered copyrights, trade names, and any applications
therefor owned by it or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Owned Intellectual
Property Rights"); (B) any trade secrets; or (C) Third-Party Intellectual
Property Rights, are currently pending or overtly threatened by any person or
entity; and
20.
<PAGE> 26
(iii) to its knowledge, there is no unauthorized use,
infringement or misappropriation of any of the Owned Intellectual Property
Rights by any third party, including any of its or any of its Subsidiaries'
employees or former employees.
3.22 REGULATORY MATTERS.
(a) Except as disclosed in the COMPANY SCHEDULE and except
for billing disputes with customers arising in the ordinary course of business
that in the aggregate involve de minimis amounts, there are no proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the Company's knowledge, overtly threatened,
before any domestic or foreign court, administrative, governmental or regulatory
body in which any of the following matters are being considered, nor has the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries received written notice or inquiry from any
such body, government official, consumer advocacy or similar organization or any
private party, indicating that any of such matters should be considered or may
become the object of consideration or investigation: (i) reduction of rates
charged to customers; (ii) reduction of earnings; (iii) refunds of amounts
previously charged to customers; or (iv) failure to meet any expense,
infrastructure, service quality or other commitments previously made to or
imposed by any administrative, governmental or regulatory body.
(b) Except as disclosed in the COMPANY SCHEDULE, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any outstanding commitments regarding
(i) reduction of rates charged to customers; (ii) reduction of earnings; (iii)
refunds of amounts previously charged to customers or (iv) expenses,
infrastructure expenditures, service quality or other regulatory requirements,
to or by any domestic or foreign court, administrative, governmental or
regulatory body, government official, consumer advocacy or similar organization.
3.23 YEAR 2000 DISCLOSURE. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
has taken preliminary steps to identify and analyze both internally developed
and acquired software which is material to its operations and utilizes date
embedded codes that may experience operations problems when the Year 2000 is
reached and, where problems have arisen, has made, or have coordinated with
customers, suppliers, financial institutions and others with which it has
business relationships that are material to the Company's business to make, all
necessary modifications to the identified software to make such software Year
2000 compliant. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, the Company and
its Subsidiaries have not incurred, and do not expect to incur, significant
operating expenses to be Year 2000 compliant, and business operations have not
been disrupted and, to the Company's knowledge, its customers have not
experienced any interruption of service as a result of making such software Year
2000 compliant. "Year 2000 compliant" means, with respect to the Company's and
each Subsidiaries' information technology, the information technology is
designed to be used prior to, during and after the calendar Year 2000 A.D., and
the information technology used during each such time period will accurately
receive, provide and process date/time data (including, without limitation,
calculating, comparing and sequencing) from, into and between the 20th and 21st
centuries, including the years 1999 and 2000, and leap-year calculations and
will not malfunction, cease to function, or provide invalid or incorrect results
as a result of date/time data, to the extent that other information technology,
used in combination with the information technology being acquired, properly
exchanges date/time data with it. "Information technology," means computer
software, computer firmware, computer hardware (whether general or specific
purpose), and other similar
21.
<PAGE> 27
or related items of automated, computerized, or software system(s) that are used
or relied on by the Company or the Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business.
3.24 ADEQUACY OF DISCLOSURE. The Company has made available to
Purchasers copies of all documents listed or referred to in the COMPANY SCHEDULE
hereto or referred to herein. Such copies are, and all documents and materials
delivered or made available in connection with Purchasers' investigation of the
Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby are, true and
complete and include all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto or
waivers currently in effect thereunder. No representation or warranty by the
Company in this Agreement nor any certificate, schedule, statement, document or
instrument furnished or to be furnished to Purchasers pursuant hereto, or in
connection with the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement,
when considered in the aggregate with all such representations, warranties,
certificates, schedules, statements, documents or instruments, contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact required to be stated herein or therein or necessary to make any
statement herein or therein not misleading. There is no fact known to the
Company that has specific application to the Company (other than general
economic or industry conditions) and that adversely affects or, as far as the
Company can reasonably foresee, threatens, the business, operations, assets,
properties, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and
its Subsidiaries that has not been set forth in this Agreement or the COMPANY
SCHEDULE. 3.25 PROXY STATEMENT. The information supplied by the Company for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be sent to the stockholders of the Company
in connection with the special meeting of the Company's stockholders to consider
this Agreement shall not, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed to
stockholders, at the time of the Stockholders' Meeting, or at the Closing Date,
contain any statement which, at such time and in light of the circumstances
under which it was made, is false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made in the Proxy Statement not false or misleading or omit to state
any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier
communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the Stockholders'
Meeting which has become false or misleading. If at any time prior to the
Closing Date any event relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates should be discovered by the Company which should be set forth in an
amendment to the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly inform Purchasers.
3.26 BOARD ACTION; VOTE REQUIRED; APPLICABILITY OF SECTION 203.
(a) A special committee of disinterested directors of the
Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Company have each
unanimously determined that the Transaction is advisable and is in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders and the Board of Directors has
approved the Transaction and resolved to recommend to such stockholders that
they vote in favor thereof.
(b) Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers' representations
in Section 4.5 of this Agreement, the Company's Board of Directors has taken all
steps within its power that are necessary prior to execution of this Agreement,
to ensure that none of the Purchasers shall be, by reason of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the performance of the obligations
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hereunder, subject to the restrictions of Section 203 of the DGCL. No other
"fair price," "moratorium," "control share acquisition" or other form of
anti-takeover statute or regulation (each a "Takeover Statute") as in effect on
the date hereof or any anti-takeover provision in the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws is applicable to the Company or the Transaction.
(c) The Company has been advised by the Principal
Stockholder that it intends to vote its shares of Common Stock in favor of the
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Proposals.
3.27 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has received the
opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., dated the date of this Agreement, to the
effect that, as of such date the transactions contemplated hereby are fair from
a financial point of view to the holders of Common Stock and a copy of such
opinion will be provided to the Purchasers.
3.28 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has
employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees,
commissions or finder's fees in connection with the transactions contemplated
herein except to J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. pursuant to the engagement letter
dated June 14, 1999, and Banc of America Securities LLC pursuant to the
engagement letter dated November 16, 1998. Copies of each such letters have been
provided to the Purchasers.
3.29 OFFERING OF SHARES. Neither the Company, directly or indirectly,
nor any agent on its behalf, has offered or will offer or has solicited or will
solicit an offer to acquire Equity in the Company from any Person so as to
require registration of the issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares to be sold
to the Purchasers under the circumstances contemplated by this Agreement under
the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act.
3.30 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES. Except as set forth in the
COMPANY SCHEDULE or in transactions that are immaterial or in the ordinary
course of business and on arms-length terms, no Related Party (a) has borrowed
money from, or loaned money to, the Company or its Subsidiaries, (b) has any
contractual or other claims, express or implied, of any kind whatsoever against
the Company or its Subsidiaries, (c) has any interest in any property or assets
used by the Company or its Subsidiaries or (d) is or was a party to any oral or
written agreement or is engaged in any other transaction with the Company or its
Subsidiaries. With respect to Related Parties that are partnerships or
corporations of which Vulcan owns greater than a 50% equity interest, this
representation is made only to the Company's knowledge.
3.31 BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. Since 1992, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries is, or ever has been, involved in any line of business
activities not described in the Company's SEC Filings.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS.
Each of the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser and the A2 Preferred Stock
Purchaser individually and severally represents and warrants to, and agrees
with, the Company as follows:
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4.1 ORGANIZATION, POWERS AND QUALIFICATIONS. It has been
incorporated and is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation. It has all requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it has been and is now
being conducted and to own, lease and operate the properties and assets used in
connection therewith and to enter into this Agreement, to buy the shares
specified herein and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. It is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation authorized to do business and is in good
standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, except
where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on
such Purchaser or its subsidiaries taken as a whole or its ability to consummate
the Transaction.
4.2 AUTHORITY; BINDING EFFECT. It has all requisite corporate power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
Transaction. All necessary corporate action, required to have been taken by or
on behalf of it by applicable law, its charter document or otherwise to
authorize (a) the approval, execution and delivery on its behalf of this
Agreement and (b) its performance of its obligations under this Agreement and
the consummation of the Transaction have been taken. This Agreement constitutes
its valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, except (A) as the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium or similar laws of general application relating to or
affecting creditors' rights, including without limitation, the effect of
statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent conveyances and preferential
transfers, and (B) for the limitations imposed by general principles of equity.
4.3 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except for applicable requirements under
the Communications Act, state communications laws, the rules and regulations of
the FCC, state regulatory laws and the expiration or termination of the waiting
period under the HSR Act, no consent, approval or authorization of, or filing,
registration, qualification, declaration or designation with, any Governmental
Authority is required on its part as a condition to the valid execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the purchase of the Preferred Shares in the
manner contemplated by this Agreement, except where the absence of any such
consent, approval or authorization of, or the failure to make any such filing,
registration, qualification, declaration or designation with any Governmental
Authority would not have a material adverse effect on it or its subsidiaries
taken as a whole or its ability to consummate the Transaction.
4.4 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. It understands that neither the
Preferred Shares nor the Conversion Shares have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). It also understands
that the Preferred Shares and the Conversion Shares are being offered and sold
pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based
in part upon Purchaser's representations contained in this Agreement. Each
Purchaser, individually and severally, hereby represents and warrants as
follows:
(a) Taking into account the personnel and resources it can
practically bring to bear on the purchase of the Preferred Shares contemplated
hereby, it is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in making, and is
qualified to make, decisions with respect to investments in shares presenting an
investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the Preferred Shares,
including investments in securities issued by the Company, and has requested,
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received, reviewed and considered all information it deems relevant in making an
informed decision to purchase the Preferred Shares.
(b) It is acquiring its respective Preferred Shares in the
ordinary course of its business and for its own account for investment only and
with no present intention of distributing any of the Preferred Shares and has no
arrangement or understanding with any other persons regarding the distribution
of the Preferred Shares.
(c) It will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell,
pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit any offers to buy, purchase
or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) any of the Preferred Shares except in
compliance with the Securities Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and the terms and conditions hereof.
(d) It is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of
Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
4.5 INTERESTED STOCKHOLDER. The A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser
represents and warrants that, in each case within the meaning of Section 203 of
the DGCL:
(a) at no time from three years prior to the time the
Company's Board of Directors approved the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement through the time of the signing hereof, has it or any "affiliate" or
"associate" of it "owned" fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Company's "voting
stock"; and
(b) there are no facts, known to it that have not been
disclosed to the Company that relate to whether it or any of its "affiliates" or
"associates," directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
"controls" or "controlled" or is or was "controlled by" or is or was "under
common control with" the Company.
4.6 PROXY STATEMENT. All information furnished in writing by it and
its respective affiliates or associates, as those terms are defined in Rule
12b-2 under the Exchange Act, for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will not, at
the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement to the stockholders of the Company,
at the time of the Stockholders' Meeting or at the Closing Date, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which made, not misleading.
4.7 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Each Purchaser that is subject to the
reporting requirements of the Exchange Act individually and severally represents
and warrants that the information contained in the following documents relating
to it did not or will not, as the case may be, at the respective dates of filing
with the Commission or, with respect to any proxy statement, the date of mailing
to stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading:
(a) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 (without exhibits), as amended;
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(b) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month
period ended March 31, 1999; and
(c) all other documents, if any, filed by it with the
Commission since January 1, 1999 and prior to the Closing pursuant to the
reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 5. RESTRICTED SECURITIES; REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
5.1 RESTRICTED SECURITIES.
(a) Upon original issuance thereof, and until such time as
the same is no longer required hereunder or under the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act or applicable state securities or blue sky laws, any
certificate issued representing any of the Preferred Shares or the Conversion
Shares (including, without limitation, all certificates issued upon transfer or
in exchange thereof or in substitution therefor) shall bear the following
legend:
"THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS THEY ARE SO REGISTERED OR UNLESS AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."
(b) The certificates representing the Preferred Shares or
the Conversion Shares (including, without limitation, any certificate issued
upon transfer or in exchange thereof or in substitution therefor) shall also
bear any legend required under any applicable state securities or blue sky laws.
(c) The Company may make a notation on its records or give
instructions to any transfer agents or registrars for the Preferred Shares in
order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 5.1.
(d) Each of the Purchasers shall submit any and all
certificates representing Equity beneficially owned by such Purchaser or any of
its Affiliates to the Company so that the legend or legends required by this
Section 5.1 may be placed thereon.
(e) The Company shall not incur any liability for any delay
in recognizing any transfer of Equity if the Company in good faith reasonably
believes that such transfer may have been or would be in violation in any
material respect of the provisions of the Securities Act, applicable state
securities or blue sky laws, or this Agreement.
(f) After such time as any of the legends described by this
Section 5.1 are no longer required on any certificate or certificates
representing the Preferred Shares or the Conversion Shares, upon the request of
the respective Purchaser, the Company will cause such certificate or
certificates to be exchanged for a certificate or certificates that do not bear
such legend.
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5.2 REORGANIZATION, RECLASSIFICATION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR
DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. The provisions of this Section 5 shall apply, to the full
extent set forth herein with respect to the capital stock of the Company, to any
and all securities of the Company or any successor to or assignee of the Company
(whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be
issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of such securities,
including, without limitation, in connection with any stock dividends, splits,
reverse splits, combinations, reclassifications, recapitalizations, mergers,
consolidations and the like occurring after the date hereof.
5.3 REGISTRATION RIGHTS. At or prior to the Closing, the Company and
the Purchasers shall enter into a restated registration rights agreement (the
"Restated Registration Rights Agreement") providing for registration rights with
respect to the Conversion Shares substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
SECTION 6. COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY.
6.1 REGULATORY AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) Each party hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to comply with all legal requirements which may be imposed on such party
with respect to the Transaction and to obtain all Authorizations, consents,
orders and approvals of Governmental Authority and non-governmental third
parties that may be or become necessary for (i) its respective execution and
delivery of, and the performance of its respective obligations pursuant to this
Agreement and (ii) the ownership of the Preferred Shares by the Purchasers, and
each party will cooperate fully with the other parties in promptly seeking to
obtain all such authorizations, consents, orders and approvals.
(b) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, the Purchasers shall have no obligation to oppose, challenge
or appeal any suit action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority, agency or
tribunal, domestic or foreign or any order or ruling by any such body (i)
seeking to restrain or prohibit or restraining or prohibiting the consummation
of the Transaction, (ii) seeking to prohibit or limit or prohibiting or limiting
the ownership, operation or control by the Company or its Subsidiaries, the
Purchasers or any of their respective subsidiaries or any portion of the
business or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries or the Purchasers or any
of their respective subsidiaries or seeking to compel or compelling the Company
or its Subsidiaries or the Purchasers or any of their respective subsidiaries to
dispose of, grant rights in respect of, or hold separate any portion of the
business or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries or the Purchasers or any
of their respective subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall take or agree to take any of the actions described in the
immediately preceding sentence without the prior written consent of the
Purchasers.
6.2 GOVERNMENTAL FILINGS. Each of the Company and the Purchasers
agrees to make all of its respective necessary filings in connection with the
Transaction under the HSR Act with the FCC and with all other appropriate
regulatory bodies and to use its reasonable best efforts to furnish or cause to
be furnished, as promptly as practicable, all information and documents
requested under each of such laws and shall otherwise cooperate with the
applicable
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Governmental Authority in order to obtain any required regulatory approvals in
as expeditious a manner as possible.
6.3 COMPLIANCE WITH ANTITRUST OR COMPETITION LAWS AND THE
COMMUNICATIONS ACT. Each of the Company and the Purchasers shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as the
Antitrust Division, the FTC, or the FCC may assert with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein under applicable antitrust or
competition laws, or the Communications Act, respectively. In the event that a
suit is instituted by any Person or Governmental Authority challenging this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein as violative of applicable
antitrust or competition laws or the Communications Act, each of the Company and
the Purchasers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resist or resolve
such suit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any such objections
of, or suit instituted by, the Antitrust Division, the FTC, or the FCC, none of
the Purchasers nor the Company shall be required to dispose of any assets or to
provide any undertakings or comply with any condition that, in their respective
reasonable opinions, would materially diminish, taken as a whole, its or the
Company's respective rights or protections (with respect to its investment, in
the case of any Purchaser) under this Agreement, the Restated Certificate or
materially and adversely affect their respective businesses taken as a whole.
6.4 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. No party hereto shall make any public
announcements or otherwise communicate with any news media with respect to this
Agreement or the Transaction without prior consultation with the other parties
as to the timing and contents of any such announcement as may be reasonable
under the circumstances; provided, that nothing contained herein shall prevent
any party from promptly making all filings with Governmental Authorities and all
disclosure as may, in its good faith judgment, be required or advisable in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the Transaction (in which case the disclosing party shall advise the other
parties and provide them with a copy of the proposed disclosure or filing prior
to making the disclosure or filing).
6.5 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall execute and deliver such
additional instruments and other documents and shall take such further actions
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and comply with all
of the terms of this Agreement and the Transaction, including, without
limitation, making application as soon as practicable hereafter for all consents
and approvals required in connection with the Transaction and diligently
pursuing the receipt of such consents and approvals in good faith thereafter and
timely provide all notices required to be provided in connection with the
Transaction.
6.6 TAKEOVER STATUTE. If any takeover statute shall become
applicable to the Transaction, the Company and each of the Purchasers and the
members of their respective Boards of Directors shall grant such approvals and
take such actions as are reasonably necessary so that the Transaction may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation
on the Transaction.
6.7 NOTIFICATION. Each party hereto shall, in the event of, or
promptly after obtaining knowledge of the occurrence or threatened occurrence
of, any fact or circumstance that would
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cause or constitute a breach of any of its representations and warranties set
forth herein, give notice thereof to the other parties and shall use its best
efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy such breach, provided, however, that
none of such notices shall be deemed to modify, amend or supplement the
representations and warranties of the such party or the disclosure schedules of
such party for the purpose of Sections 9 and 10 hereof.
6.8 REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS. Subject to the fiduciary duties of the
Company's Board of Directors, as determined by such directors in good faith
after consultation with and receipt of advice from independent legal counsel,
and except as otherwise provided herein, each of the parties hereto agrees to
use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules and
regulations to consummate and make effective the Transaction in the most
expeditious manner practicable, including but not limited to the satisfaction of
all conditions to the Transaction set forth in Section 9 and 10, and to
consummate the Transaction as promptly as practicable, but in no event later
than February 1, 2000. Without limiting the foregoing, the Purchasers shall make
commercially reasonable efforts to be legally qualified under the rules,
regulations, and orders of the FCC and all other appropriate regulatory agencies
in connection with the Transaction, to the extent legally required; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not require either of the Purchasers or any of
their respective Affiliates to dispose of any asset or to provide any
undertakings or take any action or comply with any condition that would
reasonably be expected to materially diminish its or the Company's respective
rights or protections (with respect to such Purchaser's investment) under this
Agreement and the Restated Certificate or adversely affect its business or
assets.
SECTION 7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
7.1 ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Closing, the
Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries and its and their directors,
officers, employees and agents to, afford to the Purchasers and their respective
advisors, officers, employees and agents reasonable access at all reasonable
times to its officers, employees, agents, properties, books, records and
contracts and will furnish to the Purchasers and their respective advisors all
financial, operating and other data and information as the Purchasers or their
respective advisors may reasonably request in connection with the Transaction.
(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date,
the Company agrees that the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser shall be entitled to
designate an observer to attend meetings of the Board of Directors of the
Company; provided, however, that such observer shall be excluded from such
meetings at all times during which the Board of Directors is discussing or
considering the Transaction or any matter related thereto, any transaction
competing with or in the alternative to the Transaction, and any other matter
for which the attendance of such observer would not be in the best interests of
the stockholders as determined by the Chief Executive Officer. The Company shall
provide such observer with the same notice of meetings of the Board of Directors
of the Company as that provided to directors.
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7.2 CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS. Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, the Company will, and will cause its
Subsidiaries to, conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary and normal
course thereof, except as otherwise contemplated or permitted by this Agreement;
and the Company and its Subsidiaries will use their commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve substantially intact the business organization of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, to keep available the services of those of its
present officers, employees and consultants that are integral to the operation
of its business as presently conducted and to preserve the present relationships
of the Company and its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers and other persons
with which the Company and its Subsidiaries have significant business relations.
By way of amplification and not limitation, except as otherwise expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, the Company agrees on behalf of itself and its
Subsidiaries that, without the prior written consent of the Purchasers, they
will, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date:
(a) not directly or indirectly do any of the following: (i)
amend or propose to amend its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws except
pursuant to Section 7.5; (ii) split, combine or reclassify any outstanding
shares of its capital stock, or declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable
in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to such shares; (iii) redeem,
purchase, acquire or offer to acquire any shares of its capital stock; (iv)
issue, sell, pledge or dispose of, or agree to issue, sell, pledge or dispose
of, any additional shares of, or securities convertible or exchangeable for, or
any options, warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, its
capital stock of any class or other property or assets whether pursuant to any
rights agreement, stock option plans described in the COMPANY SCHEDULE or
otherwise, provided that the Company may grant new options under the Employee
Stock Plans (A) as set forth on the COMPANY SCHEDULE in a manner consistent with
past practices or (B) in accordance with Section 7.2(d)(iv), and issue shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to currently outstanding options referred to in
the COMPANY SCHEDULE in response to Section 3.3 above; (v) accelerate, amend or
change the period of exercisability of options or restricted stock granted under
any of the Employee Stock Plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any
options granted under any of such plans except as required by the terms of such
plans or any related agreements in effect as of the date of this Agreement; or
(vi) enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect
to any of the matters set forth in this paragraph (a);
(b) not, directly or indirectly (i) acquire (by merger,
consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other business organization or
division thereof or make any equity investments therein; (ii) issue, sell,
pledge, dispose of or encumber any assets (including without limitation
licenses, Authorizations or rights) of the Company or its Subsidiaries or enter
into any securitization transactions except for sales of inventory or immaterial
amounts of assets in the ordinary course of business; (iii) incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities; (iv) make any
commitments or agreements for capital expenditures or capital additions or
betterments exceeding in the aggregate $500,000 except such as may be involved
in ordinary repair, maintenance or replacement of its assets; (v) enter into or
modify any material contract, lease or agreement except in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practice; (vi) terminate, modify, assign,
waive, release or relinquish any material contract rights or amend any material
rights or claims, or forgive, cancel or compromise any material debts, claims or
rights not in the ordinary course of business or except as expressly provided
herein; or
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(vii) enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect
to any of the matters set forth in this paragraph (b);
(c) not, directly or indirectly (i) initiate any litigation
or arbitration proceeding, or settle a litigation or arbitration proceeding or
enter into a consent decree, or series of related litigation or arbitration
proceedings or consent decrees, that results in payments aggregating more than
$100,000 or deprives either of the Purchasers of a benefit of this Agreement,
(ii) revalue any of its assets, including writing down the value of inventory or
writing off notes or accounts receivable, other than as required by GAAP or in
the ordinary course of business pursuant to arm's length transactions on
commercially reasonable terms, (iii) make any material change to their
respective accounting methods, principles or practices other than as required by
GAAP, or (iv) settle or compromise any Tax liability, or prepare or file any Tax
Return inconsistent with past practice or, on any such Tax Return, take any
position, make any election, or adopt any method that is inconsistent with
positions taken, elections made or methods used in preparing or filing similar
Tax Returns in prior periods;
(d) not, directly or indirectly, (i) except in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice grant any increase in the
salary or other compensation of its employees or grant any bonus to any employee
or enter into any employment agreement or make any loan to or enter into any
material transaction of any other nature with any officer or employee of the
Company; (ii) take any action to institute any new severance or termination pay
practices with respect to any directors, officers or employees of the Company or
to increase the benefits payable under its severance or termination pay
practices; (iii) adopt or amend, in any respect, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation, any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock
option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment
or other employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, fund, plan or arrangement for
the benefit or welfare of any directors, officers or employees; or (iv) hire any
management-level employee or engage any consultant with total annual aggregate
compensation (including any options as determined by Black-Scholes or another
generally accepted method of valuation) in excess of $150,000; and
(e) not, directly or indirectly, take (and will use
reasonable efforts to prevent any Affiliate of the Company from taking) or agree
in writing or otherwise to take, (i) any of the actions described in this
Section 7.2, (ii) any action which would make any of the Company's
representations or warranties in this Agreement, if made on and as of the date
of such action or agreement, untrue or incorrect in any material respect, or
(iii) any action which could prevent it from performing, or cause it not to
perform, its obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may incur such unsecured or
secured indebtedness to the Principal Stockholder as may be necessary or
desirable to finance its operations. All such financing will be on terms no less
favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
7.3 NO SOLICITATION.
(a) From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company
agrees that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of the
respective officers and directors
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of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall, and the Company shall direct
and use its best efforts to cause its employees, agents and representatives
(including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant
retained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) ("Representatives") not to,
(i) solicit, initiate or take any action knowingly to facilitate the submission
of inquiries, proposals or offers ("Acquisition Proposals") from any third party
relating to (A) any acquisition or purchase of assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (B) the purchase of any equity security (including, without
limitation, any debt entitled to vote in the election of directors), of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including a self tender offer) or any
security that is convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for any such equity
security, (C) any Business Combination, any merger, consolidation, sale of
substantially all assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (D) any other
transaction the consummation of which would, or could reasonably be expected to
impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the Transaction or which
would, or could reasonably be expected to, materially dilute the benefits to the
Purchasers of the Transaction (each of the foregoing items set forth in (A)
through (D), an "Alternative Transaction"), or agree to or endorse any
Alternative Transaction, or (ii) engage in any discussions relating to any
Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to, agree
to, approve or recommend any Acquisition Proposal except to the extent legally
required for the discharge by the Board of Directors of the Company of its
fiduciary duties under applicable law, provided, however, that notwithstanding
any other provision hereof, the Company may, (A) at any time prior to the time
the Company's stockholders shall have voted to approve this Agreement, engage in
discussions or negotiations with a third party (and may furnish such third party
information concerning the Company and its business, properties and assets to
such party) who (without any solicitation, initiation, encouragement, discussion
or negotiation relating to an Acquisition Proposal, directly or indirectly, by
or with the Company or the Representatives after the date hereof) makes an
unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal if, and only to the extent
that, (1) the third party has first made an Acquisition Proposal that (as
determined in good faith in each case by the Company's Board of Directors after
consultation with its financial advisors and taking into account the long term
strategic benefits) (I) is reasonably capable of being completed, taking into
account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the Acquisition
Proposal and the Person making the Acquisition Proposal, and (II) would, if
consummated, result in a transaction or transactions more favorable from a
financial point of view to the holders of Company Common Stock than the
Transaction (such an Acquisition Proposal, a "Superior Proposal"), and the
Company's Board of Directors shall conclude in good faith, after considering
applicable provisions of state law, on the basis of oral or written advice of
outside counsel that such action is necessary for the Board of Directors to act
in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law, and (2)
prior to furnishing such information to or entering into discussions or
negotiations with such third party, the Company receives from such third party
an executed confidentiality agreement requiring the third party to keep
confidential any and all confidential information received from the Company, and
(3) the Company shall have fully complied with this Section 7.3; (B) comply with
Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to a tender or
exchange offer, and/or (C) accept a Superior Proposal from a third party,
provided the Company first terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(h)
hereof.
32.
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(b) Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Company shall immediately cease and terminate any existing solicitation,
initiation, encouragement, activity, discussion or negotiation with any Persons
conducted heretofore by the Company or its Representatives with respect to the
foregoing. The Company shall notify the Purchasers orally and in writing of any
such inquiries, offers or proposals (including, without limitation, the terms
and conditions of any such proposal and the identity of the Person making it),
within 24 hours of the receipt thereof, shall keep the Purchasers informed of
the status and terms of any such inquiry, offer or proposal, and shall give the
Purchasers at least one Business Day prior written notice of (i) any meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Company to take any action with respect to an
Acquisition Proposal or to withdrawing or modifying, in a manner adverse to
either Purchaser, its recommendation to the Company's stockholders in favor of
approval of the Transaction, and (ii) any agreement to be entered into with any
Person making such inquiry, offer or proposal.
(c) Prior to accepting a Superior Proposal, the Company
shall, and shall cause its financial and legal advisors to, negotiate in good
faith with each of the Purchasers, for a period of not less than three days, to
make such changes to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable
the Company to proceed with the Transaction and shall proceed with the
Transaction, as so modified, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines
that such Superior Proposal no longer constitutes a Superior Proposal.
(d) During the period from the date of this Agreement
through the Closing Date, the Company shall not terminate, amend, modify or
waive any provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which it
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. During such period, the Company shall
enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the provisions of
any such agreement, including, but not limited to, by obtaining injunctions to
prevent any breaches of such agreements and to enforce specifically the terms
and provisions thereof in any court of the United States of America or of any
state having jurisdiction.
7.4 STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, the
Company shall take all action necessary in accordance with Rules 14a-1 et. seq.
of the Exchange Act, the rules of the Nasdaq National Market, the DGCL, and its
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws to call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of all the outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock
(such meeting and any continuation thereof, the "Stockholders' Meeting") as
promptly as practicable (unless such date shall be delayed due to circumstances
reasonably beyond the control of the parties) to consider and vote upon the
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
and for such other purposes as may be necessary or desirable. Subject to the
fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors under applicable law, as determined
by such directors in good faith after consultation with and receipt of advice
from independent legal counsel, the Board of Directors of the Company shall use
its reasonable best efforts to solicit and secure from its stockholders such
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transaction, which efforts may
include, without limitation, soliciting stockholder proxies therefor and to
advise the other party upon its request, from time to time, as to the status of
the stockholder vote then tabulated.
33.
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(b) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the date
hereof, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange
Act and, as promptly as practicable after the receipt of comments from the SEC
staff with respect thereto and to any required or appropriate amendments
thereto, shall mail to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon a proxy
statement (as amended or supplemented, the "Proxy Statement") in connection with
the Stockholders' Meeting to consider proposals (the "Proposals") concerning (i)
the approval of this Agreement and the Transaction, including, without
limitation, the issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares (the "Transaction
Proposal"), and (ii) the adoption of the Restated Certificate (the "Restated
Certificate Proposal"). The Proxy Statement shall contain the recommendation of
the Board of Directors of the Company that the stockholders approve the
Proposals, unless otherwise legally required for the discharge by the Board of
Directors of its fiduciary duties, under applicable law, as determined by such
directors in good faith after consultation with and receipt of advice from
independent legal counsel. The Company shall notify the Purchasers promptly of
the receipt by it of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request
by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement or for
additional information and will supply the Purchasers with copies of all
correspondence between the Company and its representatives, on the one hand, and
the SEC or the members of its staff or any other governmental officials, on the
other hand, with respect to the Proxy Statement.
(c) The Proxy Statement, as of the date thereof and as of
the date of the Stockholders' Meeting, will not include an 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 light of the circumstances under
which they will be made, not misleading, provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not apply to any investment bank's fairness opinion included therein or to
the extent that any such untrue statement of a material fact or omission to
state a material fact was made by the Company in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information concerning the Purchasers furnished to the Company by
the Purchasers specifically for use in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement
shall not be filed, and no amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement will
be made, by the Company without consultation with the Purchasers and their
counsel.
(d) The Company shall promptly advise the Purchasers if the
Board of Directors of the Company determines to withdraw or modify in a manner
adverse to the Purchasers its recommendation to approve the Proposals.
7.5 CHARTER AMENDMENTS. On or before the Closing Date, following the
approval of the Proposals by the stockholders of the Company at the
Stockholders' Meeting, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the Restated Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto, to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall require such
Restated Certificate to be filed on behalf of or by the Company prior to the
time that all conditions set forth in Sections 9 and 10 (other than those
related to such filing or such adoptions) have been satisfied or waived. The
Company covenants and agrees that, on or before the Closing Date, it shall not
cause any amendment to be made to its charter documents other than the
amendments set forth in the Restated Certificate, and the Board of Directors of
the Company shall not cause any amendments to be made to the By-laws of the
Company, in either case without the prior consent of the Purchasers.
34.
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7.6 SUBSEQUENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Prior to the Closing Date, the
Company will consult with the Purchasers prior to (a) making publicly available
its financial results for any period and (b) the filing of, and will timely file
with the SEC, each Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
Current Report on Form 8-K and all other reports required to be filed by such
Party under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and will promptly deliver to the other copies of each such report
filed with the SEC.
7.7 CONTROL OF OPERATIONS. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall
give the Purchasers, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the
Company's operations prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, each
of the Company and Purchasers shall exercise, consistent with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its
respective operations.
7.8 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. After the Closing, the Company will
permit representatives of the Purchasers at their expense to visit and inspect
all properties, books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to
discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with the principal
officers of the Company, its attorneys and auditors, all at such reasonable
times and as often as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the
Purchasers to reasonably monitor their investment in the Company, and to provide
such other access and information as may be reasonably required to enable the
Purchasers to comply with applicable requirements of U.S. securities laws,
generally accepted accounting principles and requirements of Governmental
Authorities, subject to reasonable and appropriate confidentiality agreements
pursuant to which any such information received or otherwise obtained shall be
held in confidence and subject to the terms of any confidentiality agreements
with third parties to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject,
unless and to the extent that, in connection with a Federal government contract,
an agency of the Federal government or a contractor requires the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to restrict access to any properties or information
reasonably related to such contract on the basis of applicable laws and
regulations with respect to national security matters and unless and to the
extent that other Requirements of Law require the Company to restrict access to
any properties or information.
7.9 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company shall use the proceeds from the
sale of the Preferred Shares for (a) the development and deployment of Ricochet
2 technology; (b) working capital and general corporate purposes related to
network deployment and operation; and (c) repayment of outstanding loans when
due.
SECTION 8. COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASERS.
8.1 PROXY INFORMATION. Each Purchaser represents, warrants,
covenants and agrees that (a) it will provide to the Company for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement all information concerning it and its Affiliates requested
by the Company and necessary for the preparation of such Proxy Statement and (b)
such information will not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
35.
<PAGE> 41
SECTION 9. CONDITIONS TO THE PURCHASERS' OBLIGATIONS.
Each Purchaser's obligation to purchase and pay for the Preferred Shares
is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions:
9.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be true and
correct when made, and (except for Sections 3.10(a) and (b) and for a threatened
or pending suit, action, proceeding, injunction or judgment that challenges the
Transaction which is covered in Section 9.10 and except to the extent such
representations speak to an earlier date) shall be true and correct at and as of
the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date, in each case
except for changes or differences that result from actions or events
contemplated by this Agreement or that would not have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
9.2 AGREEMENTS AND CONDITIONS. The Company shall have performed and
complied in all material respects with all agreements, covenants and conditions
contained herein that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or
before the Closing Date, except for failures to so perform or comply that would
not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company shall have obtained any
and all consents, permits and waivers from any third parties necessary for the
consummation of the Transaction, except for failures to obtain consents, permits
or waivers that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
9.3 REGULATORY APPROVALS. All required consents and approvals from
the FCC shall have been obtained pursuant to an FCC Order, free of any special
condition adverse to the Purchasers, provided that in the event that no
petitions have then been filed against the assignment application, this
condition shall be deemed met 30 days after the FCC's initial grant of approval
of the assignment. All other regulatory, governmental, judicial or other
third-party approvals, consents or waivers necessary with respect to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
obtained or waived and the waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired
or been terminated. No Governmental Authorities shall have terminated or overtly
threatened to terminate any right of way, wired access point or utility
agreements, except such that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
deprive the Purchasers of the material benefits of this Agreement, it being
understood that this is a higher standard than "Company Material Adverse Effect"
and, without limiting the foregoing, the termination or overtly threatened
termination of any one such agreement would not alone be deemed to deprive the
Purchasers of the material benefits of this Agreement. The Purchasers and any
permitted assignee thereof shall be legally qualified under the rules,
regulations, and orders of the FCC and all other appropriate regulatory agencies
in connection with the Transaction.
9.4 PURCHASE OF SHARES NOT ENJOINED. The purchase of the Shares by
the Purchasers shall not have been enjoined (temporarily or permanently) as of
the Closing Date.
9.5 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. At the Stockholders' Meeting, the
stockholders of the Company shall have approved (a) the Transaction Proposal by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such proposal and (b) the
Restated Certificate Proposal by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock.
36.
<PAGE> 42
9.6 OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Restated Registration Rights Agreement
shall have been executed by the relevant parties (other than the Purchasers) and
delivered to the Purchasers, and all actions required to have been taken
thereunder on or prior to the Closing hereunder shall have been accomplished
(other than the Closing under this Agreement).
9.7 SECTION 203. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have
taken appropriate action so that, if the Closing occurs, the provisions of
Section 203 of the DGCL restricting "business combinations" with "interested
stockholders" (each as defined in such Section 203) will not apply to the
Purchasers.
9.8 NASDAQ NOTIFICATION. The Company shall have provided
notification of the proposed issuance of the Shares to the Nasdaq pursuant to
Schedule D to the By-Laws of the NASD, and Nasdaq shall not have objected to the
proposed issuance or notified the Company that its Common Stock may be delisted
from Nasdaq National Market.
9.9 OPINIONS OF COUNSEL.
(a) The Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers an
opinion of Cooley Godward LLP, counsel to the Company, substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit C hereto.
(b) The Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers an
opinion of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., FCC counsel to the Company,
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.
9.10 NO PENDING LITIGATION. No suit, action or other proceeding, or
injunction or judgment relating thereto, shall be pending before any court or
governmental or regulatory official, body or authority in which it is sought to
restrain or prohibit or to obtain damages or other relief in connection with
this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, and no investigation
that would reasonably be expected to result in any such suit, action or
proceeding shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, in
each case, which either Purchaser determines, in good faith and after
consultation with and receipt of advice from independent legal counsel, is
reasonably likely to result in a monetary loss in excess of $15 million or to
deprive either of the Purchasers of a material benefit of this Agreement.
9.11 MINIMUM PURCHASE. The Purchasers shall have tendered, and the
Company shall have accepted, in the aggregate at the Closing, consideration of
not less than $600,000,000 for the purchase of the Preferred Shares.
SECTION 10. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS.
The Company's obligation to sell the Preferred Shares to the Purchasers
is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions:
10.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties of the Purchasers contained in Section 4 hereof shall be true and
correct when made and (except to the extent such representations speak to an
earlier date) shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, as though
made on and as of the Closing Date, except for changes or differences that would
not impair the ability of the Purchasers to consummate the Transaction.
37.
<PAGE> 43
10.2 AGREEMENTS AND CONDITIONS. Each of the Purchasers shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements, covenants
and conditions contained herein that are required to be performed or complied
with by it on or before the Closing Date, except for failures to perform that
would not impair the ability of the Purchasers to consummate the Transaction.
Each of the Purchasers shall have obtained any and all consents, permits and
waivers from any third parties necessary for the consummation of the
Transaction, except for failures to obtain consents, permits or waivers that
would not impair the ability of the Purchasers to consummate the Transaction.
10.3 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. If required, an FCC Order shall have
been obtained, which has not been revoked or stayed as of the Closing Date and
the waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated,
provided that such governmental approvals shall not be deemed to have been
obtained for purposes hereof if such governmental approvals contain a condition
or restriction that would materially and adversely affect the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, in the reasonable opinion of
the Company, would materially diminish, taken as a whole, the Company's rights
or protections under this Agreement.
10.4 SALE OF SHARES NOT ENJOINED. The sale of the Preferred Shares by
the Company shall not have been enjoined (temporarily or permanently) as of the
Closing Date.
10.5 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. At the Stockholders' Meeting, the
stockholders of the Company shall have approved (a) the Transaction Proposal by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such proposal and (b) the
Restated Certificate Proposal by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares Common Stock.
10.6 OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Restated Registration Rights Agreement
shall have been executed by the relevant parties (other than the Company) and
delivered to the Company, all actions required to have been taken thereunder on
or prior to the Closing hereunder shall have been accomplished (other than the
Closing under this Agreement).
10.7 OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. The Purchasers shall have delivered to the
Company opinions of counsel substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E
hereto.
SECTION 11. TERMINATION.
11.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be terminated (by written notice by the terminating party to the
other party) and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any
time prior to the Closing Date:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Company and each of the
Purchasers;
(b) by either of the Purchasers or by the Company if the
Closing shall not have been consummated on or before February 1, 2000 (the
"Termination Date"); provided, however, that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 11.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Termination
Date;
38.
<PAGE> 44
(c) by either of the Purchasers or by the Company if a
Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall have issued an order, decree or
ruling or taken any other action (which order, decree or ruling the parties
shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to lift), in each case
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and such order, decree, ruling or other action
shall have become final and nonappealable;
(d) by the Company or either Purchaser if an FCC Order shall
be permanently and unconditionally denied;
(e) by either Purchaser if the Company shall have breached,
or failed to comply with, any of its obligations under this Agreement or any
representation or warranty made by the Company shall have been incorrect when
made or shall have since ceased to be true and correct, except for Section
3.10(a) and (b) and for a threatened or pending suit, action, proceeding,
injunction or judgment that challenges the Transaction which is covered in
Section 9.10 and except as a result of actions or events contemplated by this
Agreement, and such breach, failure or misrepresentation is not cured within 30
days after notice thereof and such breaches, failures or misrepresentations,
individually or in the aggregate, result or would reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, and by the Company if either
Purchaser shall have breached, or failed to comply with, in any material respect
any of its obligations under this Agreement or any representation or warranty
made by either Purchaser shall have been incorrect in any material respect when
made or shall have since ceased to be true and correct in any material respect,
and such breach, failure or misrepresentation is not cured within 30 days after
notice thereof and such breaches, failures or misrepresentations, individually
or in the aggregate, result or would reasonably be expected to materially impair
the ability of either of the Purchasers to consummate the Transaction;
(f) by either Purchaser if the Board of Directors of the
Company or any committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (i) shall
withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to the Purchasers its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement, (ii) shall fail to reaffirm such approval or
recommendation within 10 days after either Purchaser's request, (iii) shall
approve or recommend that the stockholders of the Company approve any
Alternative Transaction, (iv) shall have (A) recommended that the stockholders
of the Company tender their shares in a tender offer or exchange offer (other
than by such Purchaser or an Affiliate thereof) or (B) publicly announced its
intention to take no position with respect to such tender or exchange offer or
(C) caused a registration statement to be filed with respect thereto, or (v)
shall resolve to take any of the actions specified in this clause (f);
(g) by either of the Purchasers or the Company if the
Stockholders shall fail to approve the Proposals at the Stockholders' Meeting,
including any adjournments thereof;
(h) by the Company, at any time prior to adoption of this
Agreement by the Stockholders of the Company, if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall approve a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that (i) the
Company shall have complied with Section 7.3 (including subsections (b) and (c)
thereof) and (ii) the Company shall have made the payment of the termination fee
required by Section 11.2.
39.
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11.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement as
provided in Section 11.1 hereof, this Agreement shall forthwith terminate and,
except for liabilities arising prior to or as a result of the termination, there
shall be no liability on the part of any of the parties, except as set forth in
Sections 11.2(b) and 11.2(c) hereof.
(b) If this Agreement (i) is terminated by either Purchaser
pursuant to Section 11.1(f) hereof or by the Company pursuant to Section 11.1(h)
hereof; (ii) is terminated as a result of the Company's breach of Section 7.3
hereof which is not cured within 10 days after notice thereof to the Company; or
(iii) is terminated by either of the Purchasers or by the Company pursuant to
Section 11.1(g) and either (A) at the time of such termination pursuant to
Section 11.1(g) or prior to the Stockholders' Meeting there shall have been an
Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such offer shall have been rejected or
shall have been withdrawn prior to the time of such termination or of the
Stockholders' Meeting), or (B) within one year after termination of the
Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(g) the Company shall have entered into an
agreement with respect to, or consummated, an Alternative Transaction, the
Company shall pay to the Purchasers (to be divided in proportion to the number
of Preferred Shares to be purchased by each) a cash termination fee of
$10,000,000 (the "Termination Fee") within one Business Day after such
termination or, in the case of 11.2(b)(iii)(B), within one Business Day after
entering into an agreement with respect to, or consummating, an Alternative
Transaction.
(c) If the Company fails to promptly pay the Termination Fee
due under Section 11.2(b), the Company shall pay the costs and expenses
(including reasonable legal and expert fees and expenses) in connection with any
action, including the filing of any lawsuit or other legal action, taken to
collect payment, together with interest on the amount of any unpaid fee at the
Interest Rate from the date such fee was required to be paid.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS.
12.1 NOTICES. All notices, demands, requests, certificates or other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
telegraphed, mailed by certified or registered mail with charges prepaid, hand
delivered or sent by facsimile transmission, by tested or otherwise
authenticated telex or cable or by commercial courier guaranteeing next Business
Day delivery:
(a) if to the Company: Metricom, Inc.
980 University Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Attn: Timothy A. Dreisbach, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (408) 399-8637
Fax: (408) 399-8274
40.
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with a copy to: Cooley Godward LLP
One Maritime Plaza
20th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111-3580
Attn: Kenneth L. Guernsey
Phone: (415) 693-2091
Fax: (415) 951-3699
(b) if to the A1 Preferred Stock Purchaser:
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
3060 Williams Drive, Suite 600
Fairfax, VA 22031
Attn: Robert M. Finch,
Vice President- Strategic
Development
Phone: (703) 206-5669
Fax: (703) 645-4637
with a copy to: MCI WorldCom, Inc.
10777 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 330
St. Louis, MO 63127
Attn: P. Bruce Borghardt, Esq.
General Counsel-Corporate
Development
Phone: (314) 909-4100
Fax: (314) 909-4101
(c) if to Vulcan: Vulcan Northwest, Inc.
110 110th Avenue Northeast, Suite 550
Bellevue, WA 98004
Attn: William D. Savoy, President
Phone: (425) 453-1940
Fax: (425) 453-1985
with a copy to: Irell & Manella
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Alvin Segel, Esq.
Phone: (310) 203-7069
Fax: (310) 284-3052
Any notice delivered after business hours or on a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday at the place designated in such delivery shall be deemed for purposes of
computing any time period hereunder to have been delivered on the next Business
Day.
12.2 EXPENSES. Each party shall bear its own expenses, including the
fees and expenses of any attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, brokers,
finders or other intermediaries or other Persons engaged by it, incurred in
connection with this Agreement or the other agreements contemplated hereby and
the Transaction.
41.
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12.3 BENEFITS; ASSIGNMENT. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns; however, except as expressly provided in this
Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned (a) by the Company under any
circumstances (other than as provided in Section 5.2) or (b) by either of the
Purchasers, except (i) to an Affiliate of such Purchaser, provided that the
Purchaser (A) shall remain liable for the performance by any such Affiliate of
its obligations under this Agreement, and (B) shall act as agent for any and any
such Affiliate in connection with the receipt or giving of any and all notices
under this Agreement and (ii) any Purchaser may assign its rights under the
Restated Registration Rights Agreement as provided therein. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than
the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns any
rights, remedies or obligations under or by reason of this Agreement.
12.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement (which includes the Schedules and
Exhibits hereto) and the Restated Registration Rights Agreement constitute the
entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof except for
those written agreements or understandings executed in writing by a duly
authorized officer of each party subsequent date hereof.
(b) This Agreement may not be amended, changed,
supplemented, waived or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing
signed by the party against which enforcement is sought. Any waiver by any party
hereto of a breach of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach.
12.5 HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
12.6 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS TO MATTERS
BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER MATTERS OF CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE AND, AS TO ALL OTHER MATTERS, WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND THE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
12.7 REMEDIES.
(a) The Company and each of the Purchasers acknowledges that
the other parties would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages in
the event that any of the covenants or agreements of the other party in this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with its terms, and it is therefore
agreed that each of the Purchasers and the Company, in addition to and without
limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an
injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction,
subject to Section 12.8, enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically
the terms and provisions
42.
<PAGE> 48
hereof, and each of the Purchasers and the Company hereby waive any and all
defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the
court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, any action that the Company or the
Board of Directors of the Company is required to take or is prohibited from
taking pursuant to an order of a court shall not give rise to a breach of this
Agreement, provided that (i) the Company is not prior to such order in breach of
this Agreement with respect to such action and (ii) the Company has used
reasonable efforts in good faith (including, without limitation, the taking of
any appropriate appeals) to resist the imposition of such order.
(b) All rights, powers and remedies provided under this
Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be
cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of
any thereof by any party shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise
of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.
12.8 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS. EACH OF THE PURCHASERS AND
THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT
TO THIS AGREEMENT OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT
THEREOF BROUGHT BY THE OTHER PARTY HERETO OR ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE
BROUGHT AND DETERMINED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IN DENVER,
COLORADO OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR COLORADO, AND EACH OF THE
PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS WITH REGARD TO ANY SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT TO ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH
OF THE PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO
ASSERT, BY WAY OF MOTION, AS A DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHERWISE, IN ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE DEFENSE OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY,
ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE
ABOVE-NAMED COURTS FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN THE FAILURE TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12.8, THAT IT OR ITS PROPERTY IS EXEMPT OR IMMUNE
FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS COMMENCED IN SUCH
COURTS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OF NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT,
ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT, EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT OR OTHERWISE),
AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT THE SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, THAT THE VENUE
OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER, OR THAT THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE
SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, MAY NOT BE ENFORCED IN OR BY SUCH COURTS AND FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE
BENEFIT OF ANY DEFENSE THAT WOULD HINDER, FETTER OR DELAY THE LEVY, EXECUTION OR
COLLECTION OF ANY AMOUNT TO WHICH THE PARTY IS ENTITLED PURSUANT TO THE FINAL
JUDGMENT OF ANY
43.
<PAGE> 49
COURT HAVING JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PURCHASERS AND THE COMPANY FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED
COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY
REGISTERED AIRMAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN
THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
RECEIPT OF SUCH REGISTERED MAIL. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF EITHER
PARTY TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY IN ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE OTHER PARTY MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUIT. THE PURCHASERS
EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE IRREVOCABLE
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATES OF CALIFORNIA AND COLORADO AND OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA, PROVIDED THAT THE PURCHASERS' CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE
CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.8 IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE REFERRED TO IN THIS
SECTION 12.8 AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE A GENERAL SUBMISSION TO SAID COURTS
OR IN THE STATE OF COLORADO OTHER THAN FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
12.9 SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Agreement
shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
12.10 EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. This Agreement may be executed and
delivered either originally by facsimile in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof
of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.
12.11 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Notwithstanding any
investigation made by any party to this Agreement, all representations and
warranties made by the Company and the Purchasers herein and in any
certificates, schedules or statements furnished pursuant hereto shall survive
the execution of this Agreement and shall expire as of and be of no further
force or effect after the Closing.
12.12 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO SUBSCRIBE FOR ADDITIONAL SHARES. Pursuant to
Section 6.3 of that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October
10, 1997, between the Company and Vulcan (the "Vulcan Agreement"), Vulcan hereby
waives any right it may have under the Vulcan Agreement, as a result of or in
connection with the Transaction, to receive further notice of the proposed
Transaction, to subscribe for or purchase any additional shares of capital stock
of the Company (other than the A2 Preferred Shares to be purchased in the
Transaction under this Agreement) or to purchase shares on different terms and
conditions.
12.13 VOTING OBLIGATION.
(a) Vulcan hereby agrees that, until the earlier to occur of
(a) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof (b) or
the Closing Date, it will vote all Voting Securities of the Company
beneficially owned by it in favor of the Proposals at the Stockholders' Meeting
and against any Alternative Transaction; provided, however, that this Section
shall not preclude Vulcan from voting any of its Voting Securities in favor of
any proposals to amend any Employee Stock Plans.
(b) Vulcan shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of the Voting Securities beneficially owned by it as of the date hereof prior to
the earlier to occur of (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 11.1 hereof or (ii) the Closing Date; provided, however, that Vulcan
shall not be prohibited by this Section 12.13(b) from a disposition of any of
its shares if, in each case, the transferee of such shares agrees to be bound by
this Section 12.13 and agrees that such limitations shall apply to all of its
transferees.
44.
<PAGE> 50
SIGNATURE PAGE TO PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Preferred
Stock Purchase Agreement as of June 20, 1999.
METRICOM, INC.
By: /s/ Timothy A. Dreisbach
-------------------------------------
Name: Timothy A. Dreisbach
Title: President and
Chief Executive Officer
MCI WORLDCOM, INC.
By: /s/ John W. Sidgmore
-------------------------------------
Name: John W. Sidgmore
Title: Vice Chairman
VULCAN VENTURES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ William D. Savoy
-------------------------------------
Name: William D. Savoy
Title: President
<PAGE> 51
EXHIBIT A
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
METRICOM, INC.
Timothy A. Dreisbach and Dale W. Marquart hereby certify that:
ONE: The original name of this corporation is Metricom, Inc., and the
date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware is October 24, 1991.
TWO: They are the duly elected and acting President and Secretary,
respectively, of Metricom, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation is hereby
amended and restated to read as follows:
I.
The name of the corporation is METRICOM, INC. (the "Corporation" or the
"Company").
II.
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of
Delaware is 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, City of Dover, County of Kent,
and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Delaware
at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.
III.
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.
IV.
A. This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to
be designated, respectively, "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock." The total
number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is two hundred
thirty million (230,000,000) shares, one hundred fifty million (150,000,000)
shares of which shall be Common Stock (the "Common Stock") and eighty million
(80,000,000) shares of which shall be Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock").
The Preferred Stock shall have a par value of one tenth of one cent ($0.001) per
share and the Common Stock shall have a par value of one tenth of one cent
($0.001) per share.
B. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased
or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Common Stock then
outstanding) by the
1.
<PAGE> 52
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation
(voting together on an as-if-converted basis).
C. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or
more series. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized, within the limitations
and restrictions stated in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to fix or
alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed
upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares
constituting any such Series and the designation thereof, or any of them; and to
increase or decrease the number of shares of any series prior or subsequent to
the issue of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such
series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be so
decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which
they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of
shares of such series.
D. Thirty-six million (36,000,000) of the authorized shares of
Preferred Stock are hereby designated "Series A1 Preferred Stock" (the "Series
A1 Preferred") and thirty-six million (36,000,000) of the authorized shares of
Preferred Stock are hereby designated "Series A2 Preferred" (the "Series A2
Preferred").
E. The rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and other
matters relating to the Series A1 Preferred are as follows:
1. DIVIDEND RIGHTS.
a. The holders of record of shares of Series A1
Preferred shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cumulative dividends payable, at the option of the Company, in cash or
additional shares of Series A1 Preferred, at the annual rate per share of six
and one-half percent (6.5%) of the Original Issue Price of the Series A1
Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination or other
similar event with respect to such shares). Dividends shall be payable annually,
in arrears, on the 15th day of December in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a "Series A1 Preferred Dividend Payment Date"), commencing
on the first Series A1 Preferred Dividend Payment Date which is at least fifteen
(15) days after the date that the first share of Series A1 Preferred is issued.
The rights of the holders of Series A1 Preferred to additional cumulative
dividends under this paragraph (a) shall terminate on the third anniversary of
the date that the first share of Series A1 Preferred was issued (the "Series A1
Preferred Dividend Termination Date"). The "Original Issue Price" of the Series
A1 Preferred shall be ten dollars ($10.00). Dividends payable to the holders of
the Series A1 Preferred shall be payable prior and in preference to any
dividends to the holders of Series A2 Preferred and Common Stock.
b. Dividends payable pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 1 shall begin to accrue on each share of Series A1 Preferred on a
daily basis and shall be cumulative from the date that the first share of Series
A1 Preferred is issued (the "Series A1 Preferred Original Issue Date"), whether
or not earned or declared. The amount of dividends so payable shall be
determined on the basis of twelve (12) 30-day months and a 360-day year. Accrued
but
2.
<PAGE> 53
unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series
A1 Preferred in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares of the Series A1 Preferred at the
time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A1 Preferred entitled to receive
payment of a dividend declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than
sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
c. Unless accrued dividends payable pursuant to
paragraph (a) on all outstanding shares of Series A1 Preferred shall have been
fully paid for all past dividend periods and the full dividends thereon payable
pursuant to paragraph (a) for the dividend period current at the time shall have
been paid or declared and funds set apart therefor, no dividend shall be paid
upon or declared or set apart for the Series A2 Preferred or (except a dividend
payable in Common Stock) for the Common Stock (collectively, the "Junior
Stock").
d. Following the Series A1 Preferred Dividend
Termination Date, dividends shall be payable on the Series A1 Preferred only
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise set
forth in this Section 1, holders of Series A1 Preferred shall not be entitled to
receive any dividends, whether in cash or property.
2. VOTING RIGHTS.
a. GENERAL RIGHTS. The Series A1 Preferred shall
not have any voting rights, except as otherwise provided herein or as required
by law.
b. SEPARATE VOTES OF SERIES A1 PREFERRED. For so
long as more than seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) shares of
Series A1 Preferred (subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, split,
combination or other similar event with respect to such shares) remain
outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent required herein or by law,
the vote or written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding Series A1 Preferred shall be necessary for effecting or validating
the following actions:
(i) Any amendment, alteration, or repeal of
any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(including any filing of a Certificate of Designation), that alters or changes
the voting powers, preferences, or other special rights or privileges, or
restrictions of the Series A1 Preferred so as to affect the Series A1 Preferred
adversely in a manner different from other classes or series of stock;
(ii) Any issuance of any new class or series
of stock or any other equity securities of the Company, in each case ranking
senior to the Series A1 Preferred in right of liquidation preference or
dividends or any issuance of debt securities of the Company convertible into
equity securities of the Company at a conversion price below the Original Issue
Price of the Series A1 Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split,
combination or other similar event with respect to such shares);
(iii) Any redemption or repurchase of Junior
Stock, except for (A) acquisitions of Junior Stock (not to exceed one percent
(1%) per year of the total of the then-
3.
<PAGE> 54
outstanding Common Stock of the Company, determined on a fully diluted basis) by
the Company at cost (plus an interest factor not to exceed ten percent (10%) per
annum if applicable), pursuant to compensatory plans or agreements which permit
the Company to repurchase such shares upon termination of services to the
Company or (B) redemptions of the Series A2 Preferred pursuant to the terms of
Section F.5. hereof; or
(iv) Any declaration or payment of any
dividend on outstanding Common Stock, unless funds legally available therefor
are at least equal to the net operating income of the Company reported in its
audited financial statements for its most recent fiscal year plus net operating
income of the Company reported in its unaudited financial statements for any
subsequent interim periods.
c. ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. For so long as
more than seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) shares of Series A1
Preferred remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split,
combination or other similar event with respect to such shares) the holders of
Series A1 Preferred, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one
(1) member of the Company's Board of Directors at each meeting or pursuant to
each consent of the Company's stockholders for the election of directors, and to
remove from office such director and to fill any vacancy caused by the
resignation, death or removal of such director; provided, however, that the
holders of the outstanding shares of Series A1 Preferred may waive such right
from time to time and instead may designate an observer who shall have the right
to receive reasonable notice of and to attend all meetings of the Company's
Board of Directors and the Committees thereof, other than any committee or other
meeting of the Independent Directors (as defined in Section V.A. hereof) or any
meeting at which the Board or any Committee thereof may discuss or consider any
matter for which attendance of such observer would not be in the best interests
of the stockholders of the Company as determined by the Company's Chief
Executive Officer.
3. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.
a. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, before any distribution or
payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Stock, the holders of Series
A1 Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company an
amount per share of Series A1 Preferred equal to the greater of (i) the Series
A1 Preferred Original Issue Price, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on the
Series A1 Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination, or
other similar event with respect to such shares) or (ii) the amount such holder
would have received if such share had been converted to Common Stock pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, for each share of Series A1 Preferred held by such holders.
If, upon any such liquidation, distribution or winding up, the assets of the
Company shall be insufficient to make payment in full to all holders of Series
A1 Preferred of the liquidation preference set forth in this Section 3(a), then
such assets shall be distributed among the holders of Series A1 Preferred at the
time outstanding, ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which each such
holder would otherwise be entitled.
b. After the payment of the full liquidation
preference of the Series A1 Preferred as set forth in Section 3(a) above, the
remaining assets of the Company
4.
<PAGE> 55
legally available for distribution, if any, shall be distributed to the holders
of Junior Stock in accordance with this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
c. The following events shall be considered a
liquidation under this Section:
(i) any consolidation or merger of the
Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any
other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, own less than
fifty percent (50%) (on an as-converted basis, assuming conversion of all
outstanding shares of Series A1 and Series A2 Preferred) of the Company's voting
power immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization, or any
transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in
which in excess of fifty percent (50%) (on an as-converted basis, assuming
conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A1 and Series A2 Preferred) of
the Company's voting power is transferred, excluding any consolidation or merger
effected exclusively to change the domicile of the Company (an "Acquisition");
or
(ii) a sale, lease or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (an "Asset Transfer").
(iii) In any of such events, if the
consideration received by the Company is other than cash, its value will be
deemed its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors. Any securities shall be valued as follows:
(a) Securities not subject to
investment letter or other similar restrictions on free marketability covered by
paragraph (b) below:
(1) If traded on a
securities exchange or through the Nasdaq National Market, the value shall be
deemed to be the average of the closing prices of the securities on such
quotation system over the 30-day period ending three (3) days prior to the
closing;
(2) If actively traded
over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid
or sale prices (whichever is applicable) over the 30-day period ending three (3)
days prior to the closing; and
(3) If there is no active
public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined
by the Board of Directors.
(b) The method of valuation of
securities subject to investment letter or other restrictions on free
marketability (other than restrictions arising solely by virtue of a
stockholder's status as an affiliate or former affiliate) shall be to make an
appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in paragraphs
(a)(1), (2) or (3) to reflect the approximate fair market value thereof, as
determined by the Board of Directors.
5.
<PAGE> 56
4. CONVERSION.
The Series A1 Preferred shall be subject to the
following provisions with respect to the conversion of the Series A1 Preferred
into shares of Common Stock:
a. VOLUNTARY CONVERSION. Subject to and in
compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, any shares of Series A1
Preferred may, at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, subject to the following
limitations: no shares of Series A1 Preferred shall be convertible prior to the
second anniversary of the Series A1 Preferred Original Issue Date. Commencing on
the date that is six (6) months following such second anniversary, twenty-five
percent (25%) of the shares of Series A1 Preferred issued on the Series A1
Preferred Original Issue Date shall become convertible into Common Stock and, on
each 6-month anniversary thereafter, an additional twenty-five percent (25%)
shall become convertible into Common Stock, until all such shares shall have
become convertible into Common Stock. Such right to convert shall be allocated
among the holders of Series A1 Preferred ratably in accordance with their
holdings of Series A1 Preferred. Notwithstanding the above, the foregoing
limitations shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and all shares
of the Series A1 Preferred shall become immediately convertible at the option of
the holder immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control of the
Company or a Major Acquisition by the Company (as defined elsewhere in this
Section 4). The number of shares of Common Stock to which a holder of Series A1
Preferred shall be entitled upon conversion shall be the product obtained by
multiplying the "Series A1 Preferred Conversion Rate" then in effect (determined
as provided in Section 4(b)) by the number of shares of Series A1 Preferred
being converted.
b. SERIES A1 PREFERRED CONVERSION RATE. The
conversion rate in effect at any time for conversion of the Series A1 Preferred
(the "Series A1 Preferred Conversion Rate") shall be the quotient obtained by
dividing the Original Issue Price of the Series A1 Preferred by the "Series A1
Preferred Conversion Price," calculated as provided in Section 4(c).
c. SERIES A1 PREFERRED CONVERSION PRICE. The
conversion price for the Series A1 Preferred shall initially be the Original
Issue Price of the Series A1 Preferred (the "Series A1 Preferred Conversion
Price"). Such initial Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price shall be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with this Section 4. All references to the
Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price herein shall mean the Series A1 Preferred
Conversion Price as so adjusted.
d. MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. Each holder of Series
A1 Preferred who desires to convert the same into shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this Section 4 shall surrender the certificate or certificates
therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for
the Series A1 Preferred, and shall give written notice to the Company at such
office that such holder elects to convert the same. Such notice shall state the
number of shares of Series A1 Preferred being converted. Thereupon, the Company
shall promptly issue and deliver at such office to such holder a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder is
entitled and shall promptly pay (i) any accrued but unpaid dividends on the
shares of Series A1 Preferred being converted and (ii) the value of any
6.
<PAGE> 57
fractional share of Common Stock otherwise issuable to any holder of Series A1
Preferred in cash (at the Common Stock's fair market value determined by the
Board of Directors as of the date of conversion). Such conversion shall be
deemed to have been made at the close of business on the date of such surrender
of the certificates representing the shares of Series A1 Preferred to be
converted, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder of such shares of Common Stock on such date.
e. ADJUSTMENT FOR STOCK SPLITS AND COMBINATIONS. If
the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the Series A1 Preferred
Original Issue Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock without
a corresponding subdivision of the Preferred Stock, the Series A1 Preferred
Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be
proportionately decreased. Conversely, if the Company shall at any time or from
time to time after the Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares without a corresponding combination
of the Preferred Stock, the Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price in effect
immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any
adjustment under this Section 4(e) shall become effective at the close of
business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
f. ADJUSTMENT FOR COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Company at any time or from time to time after the
Original Issue Date makes, or fixes a record date for the determination of
holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution
payable in additional shares of Common Stock, in each such event the Series A1
Preferred Conversion Price that is then in effect shall be decreased as of the
time of such issuance or, in the event such record date is fixed, as of the
close of business on such record date, by multiplying the Series A1 Preferred
Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the
total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the
close of business on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution; provided, however, that if
such record date is fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such
distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Series A1
Preferred Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of
business on such record date and thereafter the Series A1 Preferred Conversion
Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4(f) to reflect the actual
payment of such dividend or distribution.
g. ADJUSTMENT FOR RECLASSIFICATION, EXCHANGE AND
SUBSTITUTION. If at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date,
the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A1 Preferred is
changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of
stock or other securities or property, whether by recapitalization,
reclassification or otherwise (other than an Acquisition or Asset Transfer as
defined in Section 3(c) or a subdivision or combination of shares or stock
dividend or a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets provided
for elsewhere in this Section 4), in any such event each holder of Series A1
Preferred shall have the right thereafter to convert such stock into the kind
and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such
7.
<PAGE> 58
recapitalization, reclassification or other change by holders of the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A1 Preferred
could have been converted immediately prior to such recapitalization,
reclassification or change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein
or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof.
h. REORGANIZATIONS, MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR
SALES OF ASSETS. If at any time or from time to time after the Series A1
Preferred Original Issue Date, there is a capital reorganization of the Common
Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into, or a sale of all
or substantially all of the Company's assets to, another person, corporation or
other entity (other than an Acquisition or Asset Transfer as defined in Section
3(c) or a recapitalization, subdivision, combination, reclassification, exchange
or substitution of shares provided for elsewhere in this Section 4), as a part
of such capital reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets,
provision shall be made so that the holders of the Series A1 Preferred shall
thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion of the Series A1 Preferred the
number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the Company to
which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
conversion would have been entitled on such capital reorganization, subject to
adjustment in respect of such stock or securities by the terms thereof. In any
such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the
provisions of this Section 4 with respect to the rights of the holders of Series
A1 Preferred after the capital reorganization to the end that the provisions of
this Section 4 (including adjustment of the Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price
then in effect and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series
A1 Preferred) shall be applicable after that event and be as nearly equivalent
as practicable.
i. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTMENT. In each case of an
adjustment or readjustment of the Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price for the
number of shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon conversion of
the Series A1 Preferred, if the Series A1 Preferred is then convertible pursuant
to this Section 4, the Company, at its expense, shall compute such adjustment or
readjustment in accordance with the provisions hereof and prepare a certificate
showing such adjustment or readjustment, and shall mail such certificate, by
first class mail, postage prepaid, to each registered holder of Series A1
Preferred at the holder's address as shown in the Company's books. The
certificate shall set forth such adjustment or readjustment, showing in detail
the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a
statement of (i) the Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price at the time in effect,
and (ii) the type and amount, if any, of other property which at the time would
be received upon conversion of the Series A1 Preferred.
j. NOTICES OF RECORD DATE. Upon (i) any taking by
the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the
purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any
dividend or other distribution, or (ii) any Acquisition (as defined in Section
3(c)) or other capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification or
recapitalization of the capital stock of the Company, any merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation, or any Asset
Transfer (as defined in Section 3(c)), or any voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, the Company shall mail to
each holder of Series A1 Preferred at least ten (10) days prior to the
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earlier of the record date specified therein or the date on which any such
action is to become effective (or such shorter period approved by a majority of
the outstanding Series A1 Preferred) a notice specifying (A) the date on which
any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or distribution
and a description of such dividend or distribution, (B) the date on which any
such Acquisition, reorganization, reclassification, transfer, consolidation,
merger, Asset Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to
become effective, and (C) the date, if any, that is to be fixed as to when the
holders of record of Common Stock (or other securities) shall be entitled to
exchange their shares of Common Stock (or other securities) for securities or
other property deliverable upon such Acquisition, reorganization,
reclassification, transfer, consolidation, merger, Asset Transfer, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up.
k. AUTOMATIC CONVERSION.
(i) Subject to Section 4(a), each share of
Series A1 Preferred shall automatically be converted into shares of Common
Stock, based on the then-effective Series A1 Preferred Conversion Price,
immediately upon the transfer of such share by the original purchaser of such
share from the Company to a transferee that is not a Purchaser or an Affiliate
of a Purchaser (as such terms are defined in the Preferred Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1999, between the Company and the Purchasers
named therein). Upon such automatic conversion, any accrued but unpaid dividends
shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(d).
(ii) Subject to Section 4(a), upon the
occurrence of the event specified in Section 4(k)(i) above, the applicable
shares of Series A1 Preferred shall be converted automatically without any
further action by the holders of such shares and whether or not the certificates
representing such shares are surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates
evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless the
certificates evidencing such shares of Series A1 Preferred are either delivered
to the Company or its transfer agent as provided below, or the holder notifies
the Company or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen
or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Company to indemnify
the Company from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates.
Upon the occurrence of such automatic conversion of the Series A1 Preferred, the
holders of Series A1 Preferred shall surrender the certificates representing
such shares at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for the Series A1
Preferred. Thereupon, there shall be issued and delivered to such holder
promptly at such office and in its name as shown on such surrendered certificate
or certificates, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of
Common Stock into which the shares of Series A1 Preferred surrendered were
convertible on the date on which such automatic conversion occurred, and any
accrued but unpaid dividends shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4(d).
l. FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of
Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series A1 Preferred. All shares
of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more
than one share of Series A1 Preferred by a holder thereof shall be aggregated
for purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance
of any fractional share. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the
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conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share, the Company
shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay cash equal to the product of
such fraction multiplied by the Common Stock's fair market value (as determined
by the Board of Directors) on the date of conversion.
m. RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the
conversion of the shares of the Series A1 Preferred, such number of its shares
of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the
conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A1 Preferred. If at any time
the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be
sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series
A1 Preferred, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion
of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
n. NOTICES. Any notice required by the provisions
of this Section 4 shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i)
upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed
telex or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if
not, then on the next business day, (iii) five (5) days after having been sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
(iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier,
specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All notices
shall be addressed to each holder of record at the address of such holder
appearing on the books of the Company.
o. PAYMENT OF TAXES. The Company will pay all taxes
(other than taxes based upon income) and other governmental charges that may be
imposed with respect to the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of shares of Series A1 Preferred, excluding any tax or other charge
imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of
shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Series
A1 Preferred so converted were registered.
p. NO DILUTION OR IMPAIRMENT. Without the consent
of the holders of then outstanding Series A1 Preferred as required under Section
2(b), the Company shall not amend its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
participate in any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger,
dissolution, issue or sale of securities or take any other voluntary action, for
the purpose of avoiding or seeking to avoid the observance or performance of any
of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but shall at
all times in good faith assist in carrying out all such action as may be
reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to protect the conversion rights of
the holders of the Series A1 Preferred against dilution or other impairment.
5. REDEMPTION.
a. The Company shall redeem, from any funds legally
available therefor, all of the outstanding shares of Series A1 Preferred on the
date that is the tenth anniversary of the Series A1 Preferred Original Issue
Date (the "Series A1 Preferred Redemption
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Date"). The Company shall effect such redemption on the Series A1 Preferred
Redemption Date by paying in cash, in exchange for the shares of Series A1
Preferred to be redeemed, a sum equal to the Original Issue Price per share of
Series A1 Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination or
other similar event with respect to such shares), plus all accrued but unpaid
dividends on such shares (the "Series A1 Preferred Redemption Price").
b. Within a reasonable time following a "Change in
Control" of the Company or a "Major Acquisition" by the Company, the Company
shall provide written notice (the "A1 Offer Notice"), by first class mail,
postage prepaid, to each holder of record (at the close of business on the
business day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of Series A1
Preferred offering to redeem such shares at the option of the holder thereof and
specifying a date not less than twenty (20) nor more than forty (40) days
following the date of such notice on which the shares of Series A1 Preferred
shall be redeemed (the "Optional Series A1 Preferred Redemption Date"). Each
holder of Series A1 Preferred shall thereafter have the right to require the
Company to redeem all, but not less than all, of the shares of Series A1
Preferred then held by such holder. A holder may exercise its right to require
redemption of the Series A1 Preferred held by it by notifying the Company in
writing, within ten (10) days following the date of the A1 Offer Notice by the
Company, of its intent to exercise its right. The Company shall redeem, on the
Optional Series A1 Preferred Redemption Date, all the shares of Series A1
Preferred of holders who have timely elected to participate in the redemption.
The Company shall effect such redemption on the Optional Series A1 Preferred
Redemption Date by paying in cash, in exchange for the shares of Series A1
Preferred to be redeemed, a sum per share equal to one hundred and one percent
(101%) of the Original Issue Price of the Series A1 Preferred (as adjusted for
any stock dividend, split, combination or other similar event with respect to
such shares), plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares (the
"Optional Series A1 Preferred Redemption Price"). For the purposes hereof, a
"Change of Control" of the Company shall mean an event or series of related
events as a result of which any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended
(the "Exchange Act")), other than Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, MCI WorldCom,
Inc. and their respective affiliates, (i) is or becomes the "beneficial owner"
(as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than thirty
percent (30%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (determined on
a fully diluted basis) or (ii) acquires the right to elect at least thirty
percent (30%) of the Board of Directors of the Company. For the purposes hereof,
a "Major Acquisition" by the Company shall mean the acquisition by the Company
of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities or all or
substantially all of the assets of any corporation or other entity or the merger
of the Company with another entity in which the Company is the surviving entity,
in each case, in consideration of the issuance of equity securities of the
Company which exceed, in the aggregate, twenty-five percent (25%) of the
outstanding equity securities of the Company, determined on a fully diluted
basis; provided, however, that a Major Acquisition shall not include any
acquisition of equity securities or assets of any entity of which the Company
owned, at the Series A1 Preferred Original Issue Date, at least fifty percent
(50%) of its outstanding equity securities or assets.
c. As used herein and in Sections 5(d) and 5(e)
below, the term "A1 Redemption Date" shall refer to each of "Series A1 Preferred
Redemption Date" and the "Optional Series A1 Preferred Redemption Date," and the
term "A1 Redemption Price" shall
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refer to each of "Series A1 Preferred Redemption Price" and the "Optional Series
A1 Preferred Redemption Price." At least twenty (20) but no more than forth (40)
days prior to each Series A1 Preferred Redemption Date, written notice shall be
mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each holder of record (at the close of
business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of
the Series A1 Preferred to be redeemed, at the address last shown on the records
of the Company for such holder, notifying such holder of the redemption to be
effected, specifying the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, the
A1 Redemption Date, the A1 Redemption Price, the place at which payment may be
obtained and calling upon such holder to surrender to the Company, in the manner
and at the place designated, his certificate or certificates representing the
shares to be redeemed (the "A1 Redemption Notice"). Except as provided in
Section 5(d), on or after the A1 Redemption Date, each holder of Series A1
Preferred to be redeemed shall surrender to the Company the certificate or
certificates representing such shares, in the manner and at the place designated
in the A1 Redemption Notice or A1 Offer Notice, and thereupon the A1 Redemption
Price of such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name
appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each
surrendered certificate shall be canceled. In the event less than all the shares
represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be
issued representing the unredeemed shares.
d. From and after the A1 Redemption Date, unless
there shall have been a default in payment of the A1 Redemption Price, all
rights of the holders of shares of Series A1 Preferred designated for redemption
in the A1 Redemption Notice as holders of Series A1 Preferred (except the right
to receive the A1 Redemption Price without interest upon surrender of their
certificate or certificates) shall cease with respect to such shares, and such
shares shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Company or be
deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. If the funds of the Company
legally available for redemption of shares of Series A1 Preferred on any A1
Redemption Date are insufficient to redeem the total number of shares of Series
A1 Preferred to be redeemed on such date, those funds which are legally
available will be used to redeem the maximum possible number of such shares
ratably among the holders of such shares to be redeemed based upon their
holdings of Series A1 Preferred. The shares of Series A1 Preferred not redeemed
shall remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided
herein. If any of the A1 Redemption Price shall remain unpaid on the A1
Redemption Date, interest shall accrue on such unpaid amounts at the rate of
eighteen percent (18%) per annum or, if lower, at the highest rate permitted by
law. At any time thereafter when additional funds of the Company are legally
available for the redemption of shares of Series A1 Preferred, such funds will
immediately be used to redeem the balance of the shares which the Company has
become obliged to redeem on any A1 Redemption Date, but which it has not
redeemed, and to pay any interest thereon. No payment of the A2 Redemption Price
or any interest thereon shall be made so long as any of the A1 Redemption Price
or any interest thereon shall remain unpaid.
e. On or prior to each A1 Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit the A1 Redemption Price of all shares of Series A1
Preferred designated for redemption in the A1 Redemption Notice and not yet
redeemed with a bank or trust corporation having aggregate capital and surplus
in excess of $100,000,000 as a trust fund for the benefit of the respective
holders of the shares designated for redemption and not yet redeemed, with
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irrevocable instructions and authority to the bank or trust corporation to pay
the A1 Redemption Price for such shares to their respective holders on or after
the A1 Redemption Date upon receipt of notification from the Company that such
holder has surrendered his share certificate to the Company pursuant to Section
5(d) above. As of the A1 Redemption Date, the deposit shall constitute full
payment of the shares to their holders, and from and after the A1 Redemption
Date the shares so called for redemption shall be redeemed and shall be deemed
to be no longer outstanding, and the holders thereof shall cease to be
stockholders with respect to such shares and shall have no rights with respect
thereto except the rights to receive from the bank or trust corporation payment
of the A1 Redemption Price of the shares, without interest, upon surrender of
their certificates therefor. Such instructions shall also provide that any funds
deposited by the Company pursuant to this Section 5(e) for the redemption of
shares thereafter converted into shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant
to Section 4 hereof prior to the A1 Redemption Date shall be returned to the
Company forthwith upon such conversion. The balance of any funds deposited by
the Company pursuant to this Section 5(e) remaining unclaimed at the expiration
of two (2) years following the A1 Redemption Date shall thereafter be returned
to the Company upon its request expressed in a resolution of its Board of
Directors.
6. NO REISSUANCE OF SERIES A1 PREFERRED.
No share or shares of Series A1 Preferred acquired by
the Company by reason of redemption, purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be
reissued, and the Board of Directors is authorized pursuant to Section 243 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law to retire any such share or shares. The
retirement of any such share or shares shall not reduce the total authorized
number of shares of Preferred Stock.
f. The rights, preferences, privileges,
restrictions and other matters relating to the Series A2 Preferred are as
follows:
1. DIVIDEND RIGHTS.
a. The holders of record of shares of Series A2
Preferred shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cumulative dividends payable, at the option of the Company, in cash or
additional shares of Series A2 Preferred, at the annual rate per share of six
and one-half percent (6.5%) of the Original Issue Price of the Series A2
Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination or other
similar event with respect to such shares). Dividends shall be payable annually,
in arrears, on the 15th day of December in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a "Series A2 Preferred Dividend Payment Date"), commencing
on the first Series A2 Preferred Dividend Payment Date which is at least fifteen
(15) days after the date that the first share of Series A2 Preferred is issued.
The rights of the holders of Series A2 Preferred to additional cumulative
dividends under this paragraph (a) shall terminate on the third anniversary of
the date that the first share of Series A2 Preferred was issued (the "Series A2
Preferred Termination Date"). The "Original Issue Price" of the Series A2
Preferred shall be ten dollars ($10.00). Dividends payable to the holders of the
Series A1 Preferred shall be prior and in preference to any dividends payable to
the holders of Series A2 Preferred, and dividends
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payable to the holders of Series A2 Preferred shall be prior and in preference
to any dividends payable to the holders of Common Stock.
b. Dividends payable pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 1 shall begin to accrue on each share of Series A2 Preferred on a
daily basis and shall be cumulative from the date that the first share of Series
A2 Preferred is issued (the "Series A2 Preferred Original Issue Date"), whether
or not earned or declared. The amount of dividends so payable shall be
determined on the basis of twelve (12) 30-day months and a 360-day year. Accrued
but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of
Series A2 Preferred in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at
the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares of the Series A2 Preferred at the
time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A2 Preferred entitled to receive
payment of a dividend declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than
sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
c. Unless accrued dividends payable pursuant to
paragraph (a) on all outstanding shares of Series A2 Preferred shall have been
fully paid for all past dividend periods and the full dividends thereon for the
dividend period current at the time shall have been paid or declared and funds
set apart therefor, no dividend (except a dividend payable in Common Stock)
shall be paid upon or declared or set apart for the Common Stock.
d. Following the Series A2 Preferred Dividend
Termination Date, dividends shall be payable on the Series A2 Preferred only
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise set
forth in this Section 1, holders of Series A2 Preferred shall not be entitled to
receive any dividends, whether in cash or property.
2. VOTING RIGHTS.
a. GENERAL RIGHTS. The Series A2 Preferred shall
not have any voting rights, except as otherwise provided herein or as required
by law.
b. SEPARATE VOTES OF SERIES A2 PREFERRED. For so
long as more than seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) shares of
Series A2 Preferred (subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, split,
combination or other similar event with respect to such shares) remain
outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent required herein or by law,
the vote or written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding Series A2 Preferred shall be necessary for effecting or validating
the following actions:
(i) Any amendment, alteration, or repeal of
any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(including any filing of a Certificate of Designation), that alters or changes
the voting powers, preferences, or other special rights or privileges, or
restrictions of the Series A2 Preferred so as to affect the Series A2 Preferred
adversely in a manner different from other classes or series of stock;
(ii) Any issuance of any new class or series
of stock or any other equity securities of the Company, in each case ranking
senior to the Series A2 Preferred in
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right of liquidation preference or dividends or any issuance of debt securities
convertible into the equity securities of the Company at a conversion price
below the Original Issue Price of the Series A2 Preferred (as adjusted for any
stock dividend, split, combination or other similar event with respect to such
shares);
(iii) Any redemption or repurchase of Common
Stock, except for acquisitions of Common Stock (not to exceed one percent (1%)
per year of the total of the then-outstanding Common Stock of the Company,
determined on a fully diluted basis) by the Company at cost (plus an interest
factor not to exceed ten percent (10%) per annum if applicable), pursuant to
compensatory plans or agreements which permit the Company to repurchase such
shares upon termination of services to the Company; or
(iv) Any declaration or payment of any
dividend on outstanding Common Stock, unless funds legally available therefor
are at least equal to the net operating income of the Company reported in its
audited financial statements for its most recent fiscal year plus net operating
income of the Company reported in its unaudited financial statements for any
subsequent interim periods.
c. ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. For so long as
more than seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) shares of Series A2
Preferred remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split,
combination or other similar event with respect to such shares) the holders of
Series A2 Preferred, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one
(1) member of the Company's Board of Directors at each meeting or pursuant to
each consent of the Company's stockholders for the election of directors, and to
remove from office such director and to fill any vacancy caused by the
resignation, death or removal of such director.
3. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.
a. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, before any distribution or
payment shall be made to the holders of any Common Stock, the holders of Series
A2 Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company an
amount per share of Series A2 Preferred equal to the greater of (i) the Series
A2 Preferred Original Issue Price, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on the
Series A2 Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination, or
other similar event with respect to such shares) or (ii) the amount such holder
would have received if such share had been converted to Common Stock pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, for each share of Series A2 Preferred held by such holders.
If, upon any such liquidation, distribution or winding up, the assets of the
Company shall be insufficient to make payment in full to all holders of Series
A2 Preferred of the liquidation preference set forth in this Section 3(a), then
such assets shall be distributed among the holders of Series A2 Preferred at the
time outstanding, ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which each such
holder would otherwise be entitled.
b. After the payment of the full liquidation
preference of the Series A2 Preferred as set forth in Section 3(a) above, the
remaining assets of the Company legally available for distribution, if any,
shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
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c. The following events shall be considered a
liquidation under this Section:
(i) an Acquisition; or
(ii) an Asset Transfer.
(iii) In any of such events, if the
consideration received by the Company is other than cash, its value will be
deemed its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors. Any securities shall be valued as follows:
(a) Securities not subject to
investment letter or other similar restrictions on free marketability covered by
paragraph (b) below:
(1) If traded on a
securities exchange or through the Nasdaq National Market, the value shall be
deemed to be the average of the closing prices of the securities on such
quotation system over the 30-day period ending three (3) days prior to the
closing;
(2) If actively traded
over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid
or sale prices (whichever is applicable) over the 30-day period ending three (3)
days prior to the closing; and
(3) If there is no active
public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined
by the Board of Directors.
(b) The method of valuation of
securities subject to investment letter or other restrictions on free
marketability (other than restrictions arising solely by virtue of a
stockholder's status as an affiliate or former affiliate) shall be to make an
appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in paragraphs
(a)(1), (2) or (3) to reflect the approximate fair market value thereof, as
determined by the Board of Directors.
4. CONVERSION.
The Series A2 Preferred shall be subject to the
following provisions with respect to the conversion of the Series A2 Preferred
into shares of Common Stock:
a. VOLUNTARY CONVERSION. Subject to and in
compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, any shares of Series A2
Preferred may, at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common
Stock to which a holder of Series A2 Preferred shall be entitled upon conversion
shall be the product obtained by multiplying the "Series A2 Preferred Conversion
Rate" then in effect (determined as provided in Section 4(b)) by the number of
shares of Series A2 Preferred being converted.
b. SERIES A2 PREFERRED CONVERSION RATE. The
conversion rate in effect at any time for conversion of the Series A2 Preferred
(the "Series A2 Preferred Conversion
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Rate") shall be the quotient obtained by dividing the Original Issue Price of
the Series A2 Preferred by the "Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price,"
calculated as provided in Section 4(c).
c. SERIES A2 PREFERRED CONVERSION PRICE. The
conversion price for the Series A2 Preferred shall initially be the Original
Issue Price of the Series A2 Preferred (the "Series A2 Preferred Conversion
Price"). Such initial Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price shall be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with this Section 4. All references to the
Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price herein shall mean the Series A2 Preferred
Conversion Price as so adjusted.
d. MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. Each holder of Series
A2 Preferred who desires to convert the same into shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this Section 4 shall surrender the certificate or certificates
therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for
the Series A2 Preferred, and shall give written notice to the Company at such
office that such holder elects to convert the same. Such notice shall state the
number of shares of Series A2 Preferred being converted. Thereupon, the Company
shall promptly issue and deliver at such office to such holder a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder is
entitled and shall promptly pay (i) any accrued but unpaid dividends on the
shares of Series A2 Preferred being converted and (ii) the value of any
fractional share of Common Stock otherwise issuable to any holder of Series A2
Preferred in cash (at the Common Stock's fair market value determined by the
Board of Directors as of the date of conversion). Such conversion shall be
deemed to have been made at the close of business on the date of such surrender
of the certificates representing the shares of Series A2 Preferred to be
converted, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder of such shares of Common Stock on such date.
e. ADJUSTMENT FOR STOCK SPLITS AND COMBINATIONS. If
the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the Series A2 Preferred
Original Issue Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock without
a corresponding subdivision of the Preferred Stock, the Series A2 Preferred
Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be
proportionately decreased. Conversely, if the Company shall at any time or from
time to time after the Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares without a corresponding combination
of the Preferred Stock, the Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price in effect
immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any
adjustment under this Section 4(e) shall become effective at the close of
business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
f. ADJUSTMENT FOR COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Company at any time or from time to time after the
Original Issue Date makes, or fixes a record date for the determination of
holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution
payable in additional shares of Common Stock, in each such event the Series A2
Preferred Conversion Price that is then in effect shall be decreased as of the
time of such issuance or, in the event such record date is fixed, as of the
close of business on such record date, by multiplying the Series A2 Preferred
Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the
total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
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immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such
record date, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total number of shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such
issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of shares
of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution; provided,
however, that if such record date is fixed and such dividend is not fully paid
or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Series
A2 Preferred Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of
business on such record date and thereafter the Series A2 Preferred Conversion
Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4(f) to reflect the actual
payment of such dividend or distribution.
g. ADJUSTMENT FOR RECLASSIFICATION, EXCHANGE AND
SUBSTITUTION. If at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date,
the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A2 Preferred is
changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of
stock or other securities or property, whether by recapitalization,
reclassification or otherwise (other than an Acquisition or Asset Transfer as
defined in Section 3(c) or a subdivision or combination of shares or stock
dividend or a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets provided
for elsewhere in this Section 4), in any such event each holder of Series A2
Preferred shall have the right thereafter to convert such stock into the kind
and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such
recapitalization, reclassification or other change by holders of the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A2 Preferred
could have been converted immediately prior to such recapitalization,
reclassification or change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein
or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof.
h. REORGANIZATIONS, MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR
SALES OF ASSETS. If at any time or from time to time after the Series A2
Preferred Original Issue Date, there is a capital reorganization of the Common
Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with, or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to, another person, corporation or
other entity (other than an Acquisition or Asset Transfer as defined in Section
3(c) or a recapitalization, subdivision, combination, reclassification, exchange
or substitution of shares provided for elsewhere in this Section 4), as a part
of such capital reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets,
provision shall be made so that the holders of the Series A2 Preferred shall
thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion of the Series A2 Preferred the
number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the Company to
which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
conversion would have been entitled on such capital reorganization, subject to
adjustment in respect of such stock or securities by the terms thereof. In any
such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the
provisions of this Section 4 with respect to the rights of the holders of Series
A2 Preferred after the capital reorganization to the end that the provisions of
this Section 4 (including adjustment of the Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price
then in effect and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series
A2 Preferred) shall be applicable after that event and be as nearly equivalent
as practicable.
i. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTMENT. In each case of an
adjustment or readjustment of the Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price for the
number of shares of Common
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Stock or other securities issuable upon conversion of the Series A2 Preferred,
if the Series A2 Preferred is then convertible pursuant to this Section 4, the
Company, at its expense, shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in
accordance with the provisions hereof and prepare a certificate showing such
adjustment or readjustment, and shall mail such certificate, by first class
mail, postage prepaid, to each registered holder of Series A2 Preferred at the
holder's address as shown in the Company's books. The certificate shall set
forth such adjustment or readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon which
such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement of (i) the
Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price at the time in effect, and (ii) the type
and amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon
conversion of the Series A2 Preferred.
j. NOTICES OF RECORD DATE. Upon (i) any taking by
the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the
purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any
dividend or other distribution, or (ii) any Acquisition (as defined in Section
3(c)) or other capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification or
recapitalization of the capital stock of the Company, any merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation, or any Asset
Transfer (as defined in Section 3(c)), or any voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, the Company shall mail to
each holder of Series A2 Preferred at least ten (10) days prior to the earlier
of the record date specified therein or the date on which any such action is to
become effective (or such shorter period approved by a majority of the
outstanding Series A2 Preferred) a notice specifying (A) the date on which any
such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or distribution and
a description of such dividend or distribution, (B) the date on which any such
Acquisition, reorganization, reclassification, transfer, consolidation, merger,
Asset Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become
effective, and (C) the date, if any, that is to be fixed as to when the holders
of record of Common Stock (or other securities) shall be entitled to exchange
their shares of Common Stock (or other securities) for securities or other
property deliverable upon such Acquisition, reorganization, reclassification,
transfer, consolidation, merger, Asset Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or
winding up.
k. AUTOMATIC CONVERSION.
(i) Each share of Series A2 Preferred shall
automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, based on the
then-effective Series A2 Preferred Conversion Price, immediately upon the
transfer of such share by the original purchaser of such share from the Company
to a transferee that is not a Purchaser or an Affiliate of a Purchaser (as such
terms are defined in the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June
20, 1999, between the Company and the Purchasers named therein). Upon such
automatic conversion, any accrued but unpaid dividends shall be paid in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4(d).
(ii) Upon the occurrence of the event
specified in Section 4(k)(i) above, the applicable shares of Series A2 Preferred
shall be converted automatically without any further action by the holders of
such shares and whether or not the certificates representing such shares are
surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless the certificates evidencing
such shares of
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Series A2 Preferred are either delivered to the Company or its transfer agent as
provided below, or the holder notifies the Company or its transfer agent that
such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement
satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss incurred by
it in connection with such certificates. Upon the occurrence of such automatic
conversion of the Series A2 Preferred, the holders of Series A2 Preferred shall
surrender the certificates representing such shares at the office of the Company
or any transfer agent for the Series A2 Preferred. Thereupon, there shall be
issued and delivered to such holder promptly at such office and in its name as
shown on such surrendered certificate or certificates, a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of
Series A2 Preferred surrendered were convertible on the date on which such
automatic conversion occurred, and any accrued but unpaid dividends shall be
paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(d).
l. FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of
Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series A2 Preferred. All shares
of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more
than one share of Series A2 Preferred by a holder thereof shall be aggregated
for purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance
of any fractional share. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the
conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share, the Company
shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay cash equal to the product of
such fraction multiplied by the Common Stock's fair market value (as determined
by the Board of Directors) on the date of conversion.
m. RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the
conversion of the shares of the Series A2 Preferred, such number of its shares
of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the
conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A2 Preferred. If at any time
the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be
sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series
A2 Preferred, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion
of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
n. NOTICES. Any notice required by the provisions
of this Section 4 shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i)
upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed
telex or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if
not, then on the next business day, (iii) five (5) days after having been sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
(iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier,
specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All notices
shall be addressed to each holder of record at the address of such holder
appearing on the books of the Company.
o. PAYMENT OF TAXES. The Company will pay all taxes
(other than taxes based upon income) and other governmental charges that may be
imposed with respect to the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of shares of Series A2 Preferred, excluding any tax or other charge
imposed in connection with any transfer involved in
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the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in
which the shares of Series A2 Preferred so converted were registered.
p. NO DILUTION OR IMPAIRMENT. Without the consent
of the holders of then outstanding Series A2 Preferred as required under Section
2(b), the Company shall not amend its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
participate in any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger,
dissolution, issue or sale of securities or take any other voluntary action, for
the purpose of avoiding or seeking to avoid the observance or performance of any
of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but shall at
all times in good faith assist in carrying out all such action as may be
reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to protect the conversion rights of
the holders of the Series A2 Preferred against dilution or other impairment.
5. REDEMPTION.
a. The Company shall redeem, from any funds legally
available therefor, all of the outstanding shares of Series A2 Preferred on the
date that is the tenth anniversary of the Series A2 Preferred Original Issue
Date (the "Series A2 Preferred Redemption Date"). The Company shall effect such
redemption on the Series A2 Preferred Redemption Date by paying in cash, in
exchange for the shares of Series A2 Preferred to be redeemed, a sum equal to
the Original Issue Price per share of Series A2 Preferred (as adjusted for any
stock dividend, split, combination or other similar event with respect to such
shares), plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares (the "Series A2
Preferred Redemption Price").
b. Within a reasonable time following a "Change in
Control" of the Company or a "Major Acquisition" by the Company, the Company
shall provide written notice (the "A2 Offer Notice"), by first class mail,
postage prepaid, to each holder of record (at the close of business on the
business day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of Series A2
Preferred offering to redeem such shares at the option of the holder thereof and
specifying a date not less than twenty (20) nor more than forth (40) days
following the date of such notice on which the shares of Series A2 Preferred
shall be redeemed (the "Optional Series A2 Preferred Redemption Date"). Each
holder of Series A2 Preferred shall thereafter have the right to require the
Company to redeem all, but not less than all, of the shares of Series A2
Preferred then held by such holder. A holder may exercise its right to require
redemption of the Series A2 Preferred held by it by notifying the Company in
writing, within ten (10) days following the date of the A2 Offer Notice by the
Company, of its intent to exercise its right. The Company shall redeem, on the
Optional Series A2 Preferred Redemption Date, all the shares of Series A2
Preferred of holders who have timely elected to participate in the redemption.
The Company shall effect such redemption on the Optional Series A2 Redemption
Date by paying in cash, in exchange for the shares of Series A2 Preferred to be
redeemed, a sum per share equal to one hundred and one percent (101%) of the
Original Issue Price of the Series A2 Preferred (as adjusted for any stock
dividend, split, combination or other similar event with respect to such
shares), plus all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares (the "Optional
Series A2 Preferred Redemption Price"). For the purposes hereof, a "Change of
Control" of the Company shall mean an event or series of related events as a
result of which any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections
13(d)(3) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
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1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than Vulcan Ventures,
Incorporated, MCI WorldCom, Inc. and their respective affiliates, (i) is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act) of more than thirty percent (30%) of the outstanding equity
securities of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis) or (ii) acquires
the right to elect at least thirty percent (30%) of the Board of Directors of
the Company. For the purposes hereof, a "Major Acquisition" by the Company shall
mean the acquisition by the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding equity securities or all or substantially all of the assets of any
corporation or other entity or the merger of the Company with another entity in
which the Company is the surviving entity, in each case, in consideration of the
issuance of equity securities of the Company which exceed, in the aggregate,
twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company,
determined on a fully diluted basis; provided, however, that a Major Acquisition
shall not include any acquisition of equity securities or assets of any entity
of which the Company owned, at the Series A2 Preferred Original Issue Date, at
least fifty percent (50%) of its outstanding equity securities or assets.
c. As used herein and in Sections 5(d) and 5(e)
below, the term "A2 Redemption Date" shall refer to each of "Series A2 Preferred
Redemption Date" and the "Optional Series A2 Preferred Redemption Date," and the
term "A2 Redemption Price" shall refer to each of "Series A2 Preferred
Redemption Price" and the "Optional Series A2 Preferred Redemption Price." At
least twenty (20) but no more than forty (40) days prior to each A2 Redemption
Date, written notice shall be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each
holder of record (at the close of business on the business day next preceding
the day on which notice is given) of the Series A2 Preferred to be redeemed, at
the address last shown on the records of the Company for such holder, notifying
such holder of the redemption to be effected, specifying the number of shares to
be redeemed from such holder, the A2 Redemption Date, the A2 Redemption Price,
the place at which payment may be obtained and calling upon such holder to
surrender to the Company, in the manner and at the place designated, his
certificate or certificates representing the shares to be redeemed (the "A2
Redemption Notice"). Except as provided in Section 5(d), on or after the A2
Redemption Date, each holder of Series A2 Preferred to be redeemed shall
surrender to the Company the certificate or certificates representing such
shares, in the manner and at the place designated in the A2 Redemption Notice or
A2 Offer Notice, and thereupon the A2 Redemption Price of such shares shall be
payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or
certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be
canceled. In the event less than all the shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the
unredeemed shares.
d. From and after the A2 Redemption Date, unless
there shall have been a default in payment of the A2 Redemption Price, all
rights of the holders of shares of Series A2 Preferred designated for redemption
in the A2 Redemption Notice as holders of Series A2 Preferred (except the right
to receive the A2 Redemption Price without interest upon surrender of their
certificate or certificates) shall cease with respect to such shares, and such
shares shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Company or be
deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. If the funds of the Company
legally available for redemption of shares of Series A2 Preferred on any A2
Redemption Date are insufficient to redeem the total number of shares of Series
A2 Preferred to be redeemed on such date, those
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funds which are legally available will be used to redeem the maximum possible
number of such shares ratably among the holders of such shares to be redeemed
based upon their holdings of Series A2 Preferred. The shares of Series A2
Preferred not redeemed shall remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights
and preferences provided herein. If any of the A2 Redemption Price shall remain
unpaid on the A2 Redemption Date, interest shall accrue on such unpaid amounts
at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum or, if lower, at the highest
rate permitted by law. At any time thereafter when additional funds of the
Company are legally available for the redemption of shares of Series A2
Preferred, such funds will immediately be used to redeem the balance of the
shares which the Company has become obliged to redeem on any A2 Redemption Date,
but which it has not redeemed, and to pay any interest thereon. No payment of
the A2 Redemption Price or any interest thereon shall be made so long as any of
the A1 Redemption Price or any interest thereon shall remain unpaid.
e. On or prior to each A2 Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit the A2 Redemption Price of all shares of Series A2
Preferred designated for redemption in the A2 Redemption Notice and not yet
redeemed with a bank or trust corporation having aggregate capital and surplus
in excess of $100,000,000 as a trust fund for the benefit of the respective
holders of the shares designated for redemption and not yet redeemed, with
irrevocable instructions and authority to the bank or trust corporation to pay
the A2 Redemption Price for such shares to their respective holders on or after
the A2 Redemption Date upon receipt of notification from the Company that such
holder has surrendered his share certificate to the Company pursuant to Section
5(d) above. As of the A2 Redemption Date, the deposit shall constitute full
payment of the shares to their holders, and from and after the A2 Redemption
Date the shares so called for redemption shall be redeemed and shall be deemed
to be no longer outstanding, and the holders thereof shall cease to be
stockholders with respect to such shares and shall have no rights with respect
thereto except the rights to receive from the bank or trust corporation payment
of the A2 Redemption Price of the shares, without interest, upon surrender of
their certificates therefor. Such instructions shall also provide that any funds
deposited by the Company pursuant to this Section 5(e) for the redemption of
shares thereafter converted into shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant
to Section 4 hereof prior to the A2 Redemption Date shall be returned to the
Company forthwith upon such conversion. The balance of any funds deposited by
the Company pursuant to this Section 5(e) remaining unclaimed at the expiration
of two (2) years following the A2 Redemption Date shall thereafter be returned
to the Company upon its request expressed in a resolution of its Board of
Directors.
6. NO REISSUANCE OF SERIES A2 PREFERRED.
No share or shares of Series A2 Preferred acquired by
the Company by reason of redemption, purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be
reissued, and the Board of Directors is authorized pursuant to Section 243 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law to retire any such share or shares. The
retirement of any such share or shares shall not reduce the total authorized
number of shares of Preferred Stock.
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V.
For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of
the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the
powers of the Corporation, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class
thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:
A. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of
the Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of
directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed
exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of
Directors.
The directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I,
Class II and Class III, respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class
in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the closing of
the Corporation's initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and
sale of the Common Stock of the corporation (the "Initial Public Offering"), the
term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall
be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of
stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of
office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of
stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of
office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of
stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to
succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, each director
shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent
director.
Any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes shall be filled by either
(i) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the
then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Voting Stock") voting together as a
single class; or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of
Directors. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number
of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that
any such newly created directorship shall be filled by the stockholders, be
filled only by the affirmative vote of the directors then in office, even though
less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director elected in accordance
with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term
of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the
vacancy occurred and until such director's successor shall have been elected and
qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any vacancy on the
Board of Directors resulting from the resignation, death, disability, removal
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or disqualification of any director serving on the Board of Directors both prior
to and immediately after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 10, 1997, between the Company and
the purchaser named therein, or any successor thereto, or successor of such
successor (an "Independent Director"), a committee of the Board of Directors
consisting of the remaining Independent Directors shall, pursuant to Section
141(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, fill such vacancy by a majority
vote of such directors. Any director so elected by such committee shall be an
"Independent Director" for purposes of this paragraph.
B. The Bylaws may be altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by
the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of
the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred by statute, the Board
of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, supplement or repeal the
Bylaws.
C. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written
ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
D. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation
except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with
the Bylaws and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the stockholders may act without a meeting, without prior notice and
without a vote solely in the election of directors to fill vacancies on the
Board of Directors (other than a vacancy resulting from the resignation, death,
disability, removal or disqualification of any Independent Director).
E. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of
directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of
the stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the
Bylaws of the corporation.
F. Any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed
from office at any time (i) with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of
the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class; or (ii) without cause by
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the
Voting Stock.
VI.
A. The liability of the directors of the Corporation for monetary
damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law.
B. The Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of
agents (as defined in Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law) for
breach of duty to the Corporation and its stockholders through bylaw provisions,
through agreements with the agents, and/or through stockholder resolutions, or
otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 145
of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
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C. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall be
prospective only and shall not effect the rights under this Article VI in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act giving
rise to liability or indemnification.
VII.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote
or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any
particular class or series of the Voting Stock required by law, this Certificate
of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting
power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together
as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Article V,
Article VII or Article X.
VIII.
The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
IX.
The Corporation elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as the same may be amended from time to time. This
election shall be effective as of the earliest date permitted by law.
X.
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or
hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in Article VII of this
Certificate, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted
subject to this right.
* * * *
FOUR: This Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly
approved by the Board of Directors of this Corporation.
FIVE: This Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the Board of Directors and the
stockholders of the Corporation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, METRICOM, INC. has caused this Restated Certificate
of Incorporation to be signed by the President and the Secretary in __________,
California this __ day of __________ 1999.
METRICOM, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
Timothy A. Dreisbach
President
ATTEST:
By:
-----------------------------------
Dale W. Marquart
Secretary
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EXHIBIT B
METRICOM, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
____________, 1999
<PAGE> 79
METRICOM, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the
"AGREEMENT") is entered into as __________, 1999, by and among METRICOM, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY") and holders of the Company's outstanding
securities listed on the Schedule of Investors attached hereto as Exhibit A
(collectively the "INVESTORS" and each individually as an "INVESTOR").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its security holders are parties to
a Registration Rights Agreement, originally dated as of June 23, 1986, as
amended to date (the "Original Registration Rights Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
June 20, 1999 (the "Purchase Agreement"), the Company has sold and issued
30,000,000 shares of its Series A1 Preferred Stock to MCI Worldcom, Inc. and
30,000,000 shares of its Series A2 Preferred Stock to Vulcan Ventures
Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the holders of the requisite percentage of
Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original Registration Rights
Agreement) desire to amend the Original Registration Rights Agreement to permit
the Company to grant to MCI Worldcom, Inc. and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
registration rights with respect to the shares purchased under the Purchase
Agreement, to revise Schedule A to the Original Registration Rights Agreement to
include only those holders and those holders' shares which are eligible for
registration rights as of the date first set forth above, to make certain other
changes to the Original Registration Rights Agreement and to restate the
Original Registration Rights Agreement in full;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises,
representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in this
Agreement and in the Purchase Agreement, the parties mutually agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
SECTION 1. GENERAL
1.1 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement the following terms shall
have the following respective meanings:
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"FORM S-3" means such form under the Securities Act as in effect
on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act
subsequently adopted by the
1.
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SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by
reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
"HOLDER" means any person owning of record Registrable
Securities that have not been sold to the public or any assignee of record of
such Registrable Securities in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof.
"MAJOR HOLDER" means MCI WorldCom, Inc., Vulcan Ventures
Incorporated or any assignee of record of Registrable Securities held by either
of such Holders (in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof) that is an affiliate of
a Major Holder or holds at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the then
outstanding Registrable Securities.
"REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such registration statement or document.
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (a) Common Stock of the Company
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Shares, (b) the shares of Common Stock
of the Company listed on Schedule A hereto that are issuable upon exercise of
certain warrants issued by the Company, and (c) Common Stock of the Company
issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or
other security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, such above-described securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrable Securities shall not include any
securities sold by a person to the public either pursuant to a registration
statement or Rule 144 or sold in a private transaction in which the transferor's
rights under Section 2 of this Agreement are not assigned.
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES THEN OUTSTANDING" shall be the number of
shares determined by calculating the total number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock that are Registrable Securities and either (a) are then issued and
outstanding or (b) are issuable pursuant to then exercisable or convertible
securities.
"REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean all expenses incurred by the
Company in complying with Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 hereof, including, without
limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company, reasonable fees and disbursements not
to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of a single special counsel for
the Holders, blue sky fees and expenses and the expense of any special audits
incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation
of regular employees of the Company which shall be paid in any event by the
Company).
"SEC" or "COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
"SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"SELLING EXPENSES" shall mean all underwriting discounts and
selling commissions applicable to the sale.
"SHARES" shall mean the Company's Series A1 Preferred Stock and
Series A2 Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
2.
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SECTION 2. REGISTRATION; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
2.1 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.
(a) Each Holder agrees not to make any disposition of all or
any portion of the Shares or Registrable Securities unless and until:
(i) There is then in effect a registration statement
under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition
is made in accordance with such registration statement; or
(ii) (A) The transferee has agreed in writing to be
bound by the terms of this Agreement, (B) such Holder shall have notified the
Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a
detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition,
and (C) if reasonably requested by the Company, such Holder shall have furnished
the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
that such disposition will not require registration of such shares under the
Securities Act. It is agreed that the Company will not require opinions of
counsel for transactions made pursuant to Rule 144 except in unusual
circumstances.
(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (i)
and (ii) above, no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be
necessary for a transfer by a Holder which is (A) a partnership to its partners
or former partners in accordance with partnership interests, (B) a corporation
to its shareholders in accordance with their interest in the corporation, (C) a
limited liability company to its members or former members in accordance with
their interest in the limited liability company, or (D) to the Holder's family
member or trust for the benefit of an individual Holder; provided that in each
case the transferee will be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same
extent as if he were an original Holder hereunder.
(b) Each certificate representing Shares or Registrable
Securities shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of the Agreement)
be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially similar to the
following (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities
laws):
"THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS THEY ARE SO REGISTERED OR UNLESS AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE."
(c) The Company shall be obligated to reissue promptly
unlegended certificates at the request of any holder thereof if the holder shall
have obtained an opinion of counsel (which counsel may be counsel to the
Company) reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that the securities
proposed to be disposed of may lawfully be so disposed of without registration,
qualification or legend.
3.
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(d) Any legend endorsed on an instrument pursuant to
applicable state securities laws and the stop-transfer instructions with respect
to such securities shall be removed upon receipt by the Company of an order of
the appropriate blue sky authority authorizing such removal.
2.2 DEMAND REGISTRATION.
(a) Subject to the conditions of this Section 2.2, if the
Company shall receive a written request from either (i) one or more of the Major
Holders or (ii) Holders who in the aggregate hold at least 500,000 shares of
Registrable Securities (the "INITIATING HOLDERS"), that the Company file a
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of
Registrable Securities the anticipated aggregate offering price of which, net of
underwriting discounts and commissions, would exceed $10,000,000 (A "QUALIFIED
PUBLIC OFFERING"), then the Company shall, within thirty (30) days of the
receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all Holders and, subject
to the limitations of this Section 2.2, use its best efforts to effect, as soon
as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable
Securities that the Initiating Holders request to be registered.
(b) If the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the
Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting,
they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to
this Section 2.2 or any request pursuant to Section 2.4 and the Company shall
include such information in the written notice referred to in Section 2.2(a) or
Section 2.4(a), as applicable. In such event, the right of any Holder to include
its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such
Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's
Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All
Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall
enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or
underwriters selected for such underwriting by a majority in interest of the
Initiating Holders (which underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Company). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
2.2 or Section 2.4, if the underwriter advises the Company that marketing
factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten
(including Registrable Securities) then the Company shall so advise all Holders
of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto,
and the number of shares that may be included in the underwriting shall be
allocated to the Holders of such Registrable Securities on a pro rata basis
based on the number of Registrable Securities held by all such Holders
(including the Initiating Holders); provided, however, that:
(i) the number of shares of Registrable Securities
to be included in such underwriting and registration on behalf of Initiating
Holders that are Major Holders shall not be subject to reduction pursuant to
this Section 2.2(b); and
(ii) the number of shares of Registrable Securities
to be included in such underwriting and registration shall not be reduced unless
all other securities of the Company are first entirely excluded from the
underwriting and registration.
Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be
withdrawn from the registration.
4.
<PAGE> 83
(c) The Company shall not be required to effect a
registration pursuant to this Section 2.2:
(i) after the Company has effected two (2)
registrations pursuant to this Section 2.2 and such registrations have been
declared or ordered effective; provided, however, that this subsection (i) shall
not apply to any registration for which the Initiating Holders include one or
more of the Major Holders;
(ii) if the Company shall furnish to Holders
requesting a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.2, a certificate
signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the
Company and its shareholders for such registration statement to be effected at
such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer such filing
for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the
request of the Initiating Holders; provided that such right to delay a request
shall be exercised by the Company not more than once in any twelve (12) month
period; or
(iii) if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of
shares of Registrable Securities that are then eligible to be registered on Form
S-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to Section 2.4 below; provided, however,
that this subsection (iii) shall not apply to any registration for which the
Initiating Holders include one or more of the Major Holders.
2.3 PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS. The Company shall notify all Holders of
Registrable Securities in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing
of any registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of a public
offering of securities of the Company (including, but not limited to,
registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the
Company, but excluding registration statements relating to employee benefit
plans or with respect to corporate reorganizations or other transactions under
Rule 145 of the Securities Act) and will afford each such Holder an opportunity
to include in such registration statement all or part of such Registrable
Securities held by such Holder. Each Holder desiring to include in any such
registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by it
shall, within fifteen (15) days after the above-described notice from the
Company, so notify the Company in writing. Such notice shall state the intended
method of disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Holder. If a Holder
decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any registration
statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall nevertheless
continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any
subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by
the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
(a) UNDERWRITING. If the registration statement under which
the Company gives notice under this Section 2.3 is for an underwritten offering,
the Company shall so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities. In such
event, the right of any such Holder to be included in a registration pursuant to
this Section 2.3 shall be conditioned upon such Holder's participation in such
underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in the
underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute
their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such underwriting by the
5.
<PAGE> 84
Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, if the
underwriter determines in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation
of the number of shares to be underwritten, the number of shares that may be
included in the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the Company; second,
to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Registrable
Securities held by the Holders; and third, to any shareholder of the Company
(other than a Holder) on a pro rata basis. No such reduction shall (i) reduce
the securities being offered by the Company for its own account to be included
in the registration and underwriting, or (ii) reduce the amount of securities of
the selling Holders included in the registration below twenty-five percent (25%)
of the total amount of securities included in such registration. If any Holder
disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to
withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter,
delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the
registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from
such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration. For any
Holder which is a partnership or corporation, the partners, retired partners and
shareholders of such Holder, or the estates and family members of any such
partners and retired partners and any trusts for the benefit of any of the
foregoing person shall be deemed to be a single "HOLDER", and any pro rata
reduction with respect to such "Holder" shall be based upon the aggregate amount
of shares carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals
included in such "Holder," as defined in this sentence.
(b) RIGHT TO TERMINATE REGISTRATION. The Company shall have
the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this
Section 2.3 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any
Holder has elected to include securities in such registration. The Registration
Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in
accordance with Section 2.5 hereof.
2.4 FORM S-3 REGISTRATION. In case the Company shall receive from
any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities a written request or requests
that the Company effect a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor to Form
S-3) or any similar short-form registration statement and any related
qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, the Company will:
(a) promptly give written notice of the proposed
registration, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders
of Registrable Securities; and
(b) as soon as practicable, effect such registration and all
such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit
or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holder's
or Holders' Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together
with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or
Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given
within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such
registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 2.4:
(i) if Form S-3 (or any successor or similar form)
is not available for such offering by the Holders;
6.
<PAGE> 85
(ii) if the Holders, together with the holders of any
other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration,
propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at an
aggregate price to the public of less than one million dollars ($1,000,000);
(iii) if within thirty (30) days of receipt of a
written request from any Holder or Holders pursuant to this Section 2.4, the
Company gives notice to such Holder or Holders of the Company's intention to
make a public offering within ninety (90) days;
(iv) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a
certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company
stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the
Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its shareholders
for such Form S-3 registration to be effected at such time, in which event the
Company shall have the right to defer the filing of the Form S-3 registration
statement for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the
request of the Holder or Holders under this Section 2.4; provided, that such
right to delay a request shall be exercised by the Company not more than twice
in any twelve (12) month period, or
(v) if the Company has, within the twelve (12) month
period preceding the date of such request, already effected two (2)
registrations on Form S-3 for the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.4 (unless
the registration is requested by one or more of the Major Holders, in which case
the Company shall not be excused from effecting such registration under this
subsection unless it has, within the twelve (12) month period preceding the date
of such request, already effected one (1) or more registrations requested by
such Major Holder(s) under Section 2.2 or this Section 2.4), or
(vi) in any particular jurisdiction in which the
Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general
consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or
compliance.
(c) Subject to the foregoing, the Company shall file a Form
S-3 registration statement covering the Registrable Securities and other
securities so requested to be registered as soon as practicable after receipt of
the request or requests of the Holders. Registrations effected pursuant to this
Section 2.4 shall not be counted as demands for registration or registrations
effected pursuant to Sections 2.2 or 2.3, respectively.
2.5 EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION. Except as specifically provided
herein, all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration,
qualification or compliance pursuant to Section 2.2 or any registration under
Section 2.3 or Section 2.4 herein shall be borne by the Company. All such
Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations requested
pursuant to Section 2.4 (other than registrations requested by one or more Major
Holders) after the first two (2) registrations shall be paid by the selling
Holders pro rata in proportion to the number of shares sold by each. All Selling
Expenses incurred in connection with any registrations hereunder, shall be borne
by the holders of the securities so registered pro rata on the basis of the
number of shares so registered. The Company shall not, however, be required to
pay for expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.2 or
2.4, the request of which has been subsequently withdrawn by the Initiating
Holders unless (a) the
7.
<PAGE> 86
withdrawal is based upon material adverse information concerning the Company of
which the Initiating Holders were not aware at the time of such request or (b)
the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right
to one requested registration pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.4, as
applicable, in which event such right shall be forfeited by all Holders). If the
Holders are required to pay the Registration Expenses, such expenses shall be
borne by the holders of securities (including Registrable Securities) requesting
such registration in proportion to the number of shares for which registration
was requested. If the Company is required to pay the Registration Expenses of a
withdrawn offering pursuant to clause (a) above, then the Holders shall not
forfeit their rights pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.4 to a demand
registration.
2.6 OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. Whenever required to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously
as reasonably possible:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
with respect to such Registrable Securities and use all reasonable efforts to
cause such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of
the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder,
keep such registration statement effective for up to thirty (30) days or, if
earlier, until the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution related
thereto. The Company shall not be required to file, cause to become effective or
maintain the effectiveness of any registration statement that contemplates a
distribution of securities on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415
under the Securities Act.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such registration statement for the period set forth in
paragraph (a) above.
(c) Furnish to the Holders such number of copies of a
prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable
Securities owned by them.
(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify
the securities covered by such registration statement under such other
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably
requested by the Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required in
connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to
file a general consent to service of process in any such states or
jurisdictions.
(e) In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter
into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and
customary form, with the managing underwriter(s) of such offering. Each Holder
participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its
obligations under such an agreement.
(f) Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by
such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event
as a result of which the prospectus included in such
8.
<PAGE> 87
registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the
circumstances then existing.
(g) Use its best efforts to furnish, on the date that such
Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such
securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion, dated as of such
date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such
registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in
an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and (ii)
a letter dated as of such date, from the independent certified public
accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by
independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten
public offering addressed to the underwriters.
2.7 TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. All registration rights
granted under this Section 2 to Holders other than Major Holders shall terminate
on December 31, 2001 and shall thereafter be of no further force or effect. In
addition, a Holder's registration rights shall expire if all Registrable
Securities held by and issuable to such Holder (and such Holder's affiliates,
partners, former partners, members and former members) may be sold under Rule
144 (including paragraph (k) thereof) during any ninety (90) day period.
2.8 DELAY OF REGISTRATION; FURNISHING INFORMATION.
(a) No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an
injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result
of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or
implementation of this Section 2.
(b) It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of
the Company to take any action pursuant to Section 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4 that the
selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding
themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of
disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registration
of their Registrable Securities.
(c) The Company shall have no obligation with respect to any
registration requested pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.4 if, due to the
operation of subsection 2.2(b), the number of shares or the anticipated
aggregate offering price of the Registrable Securities to be included in the
registration does not equal or exceed the number of shares or the anticipated
aggregate offering price required to originally trigger the Company's obligation
to initiate such registration as specified in Section 2.2 or Section 2.4,
whichever is applicable.
2.9 INDEMNIFICATION. In the event any Registrable Securities are
included in a registration statement under Sections 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4:
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the partners, officers and directors of
each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder
and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law,
insofar as such losses, claims,
9.
<PAGE> 88
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a
"VIOLATION") by the Company: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including
any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any
amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state
securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act or any state securities law in connection with the offering
covered by such registration statement; and the Company will pay as incurred to
each such Holder, partner, officer, director, underwriter 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;
provided however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.9(a)
shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, nor shall the Company
be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for
use in connection with such registration by such Holder, partner, officer,
director, underwriter or controlling person of such Holder.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will, if
Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to
which such registration qualifications or compliance is being effected,
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, its officers and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act, any underwriter and any other Holder selling securities under
such registration statement or any of such other Holder's partners, directors or
officers or any person who controls such Holder, against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which the Company or any such
director, officer, controlling person, underwriter or other such Holder, or
partner, director, officer or controlling person of such other Holder may become
subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state
law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to
the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder under an
instrument duly executed by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use in
connection with such registration; and each such Holder will pay as incurred any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director,
officer, controlling person, underwriter or other Holder, or partner, officer,
director or controlling person of such other Holder in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if
it is judicially determined that there was such a Violation; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.9(b) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further, that in no event shall any
indemnity under this Section 2.9 exceed the net proceeds from the offering
received by such Holder.
10.
<PAGE> 89
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
this Section 2.9 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 2.9, deliver to
the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid
by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the
counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual
or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other
party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the
commencement of any such action, if materially prejudicial to its ability to
defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to
the indemnified party under this Section 2.9, but the omission so to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability
that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.9.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.9
is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified
party with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to
herein, the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party
thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by applicable law contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss,
claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified
party on the other in connection with the Violation(s) that resulted in such
loss, claim, damage or liability, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the
indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission; provided, that in no event shall any contribution by a
Holder hereunder exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such
Holder.
(e) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this
Section 2.9 shall survive completion of any offering of Registrable Securities
in a registration statement and the termination of this agreement. No
Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall,
except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional
term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party
of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
2.10 ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The rights to cause the
Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2 may be
assigned by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of Registrable Securities which
(a) is a subsidiary, parent, general partner, limited partner, retired partner,
member or retired member of a Holder, (b) is an affiliate of a Major Holder, (c)
is a Holder's family member or trust for the benefit of an individual Holder, or
(d)
11.
<PAGE> 90
acquires at least fifty thousand (50,000) shares of Registrable Securities (as
adjusted for stock splits and combinations); provided, however, (i) the
transferor shall, within ten (10) days after such transfer, furnish to the
Company written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee
and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
assigned and (ii) such transferee shall agree to be subject to all restrictions
set forth in this Agreement.
2.11 AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Any provision of this Section
2 may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or
in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with
the written consent of the Company, the Major Holders and the Holders of at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding. Any
amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 2.11 shall be
binding upon each Holder and the Company. By acceptance of any benefits under
this Section 2, Holders of Registrable Securities hereby agree to be bound by
the provisions hereunder.
2.12 LIMITATION ON SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION RIGHTS. After the date of
this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities then
outstanding, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of
any securities of the Company that would grant such holder registration rights
pari passu or senior to those granted to the Holders hereunder.
2.13 "MARKET STAND-OFF" AGREEMENT; AGREEMENT TO FURNISH INFORMATION.
(a) Each Holder hereby agrees that such Holder shall not
sell, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or
enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a
sale, any Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by such Holder
(other than those included in the registration) for a period specified by the
representative of the underwriters of Common Stock (or other securities) of the
Company not to exceed ninety (90) days following the effective date of a
registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided
that all officers and directors of the Company enter into similar agreements.
(b) Each Holder agrees to execute and deliver such other
agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriter
which are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to give further
effect thereto. In addition, if requested by the Company or the representative
of the underwriters of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, each
Holder shall provide, within ten (10) days of such request, such information as
may be required by the Company or such representative in connection with the
completion of any public offering of the Company's securities pursuant to a
registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The obligations described
in this Section 2.13 shall not apply to a registration relating solely to
employee benefit plans on Form S-1 or Form S-8 or similar forms that may be
promulgated in the future, or a registration relating solely to a Commission
Rule 145 transaction on Form S-4 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the
future. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the
shares of Common Stock (or other securities) subject to the foregoing
restriction until the end of said ninety (90) day period.
12.
<PAGE> 91
2.14 RULE 144 REPORTING. With a view to making available to the
Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may
permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without
registration, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to:
(a) Make and keep public information available, as those
terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144 or any similar or analogous
rule promulgated under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date
of the first registration filed by the Company for an offering of its securities
to the general public;
(b) File with the SEC, in a timely manner, all reports and
other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities,
furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request: a written statement by the
Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144 of
the Securities Act, and of the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become
subject to such reporting requirements); a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company; and such other reports and documents as a
Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of
the SEC allowing it to sell any such securities without registration.
SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS
3.1 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
under the laws of the State of California as applied to agreements among
California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within
California.
3.2 SURVIVAL. The representations, warranties, covenants, and
agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by any Holder and
the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby. All statements as to
factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or
on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the
Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.
3.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators of the
parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each
person who shall be a holder of Registrable Securities from time to time;
provided, however, that prior to the receipt by the Company of adequate written
notice of the transfer of any Registrable Securities specifying the full name
and address of the transferee, the Company may deem and treat the person listed
as the holder of such shares in its records as the absolute owner and holder of
such shares for all purposes, including the payment of dividends or any
redemption price.
3.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules
hereto, the Purchase Agreement and the other documents delivered pursuant
thereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the
parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound
to any other in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein.
13.
<PAGE> 92
3.5 SEVERABILITY. In the event one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement should, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement
shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had
never been contained herein.
3.6 AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Agreement
may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the Company and the
holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the obligations
of the Company and the rights of the Holders under this Agreement may be waived
only with the written consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
Registrable Securities.
3.7 DELAYS OR OMISSIONS. It is agreed that no delay or omission to
exercise any right, power, or remedy accruing to any Holder, upon any breach,
default or noncompliance of the Company under this Agreement shall impair any
such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any
such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of any
similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. It is further
agreed that any waiver, permit, consent, or approval of any kind or character on
any Holder's part of any breach, default or noncompliance under the Agreement or
any waiver on such Holder's part of any provisions or conditions of this
Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent
specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this
Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to Holders, shall be cumulative and not
alternative.
3.8 NOTICES. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the
party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed telex or facsimile if sent
during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business
day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with
a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with
written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the party
to be notified at the address as set forth on the signature pages hereof or
Exhibit A hereto or at such other address as such party may designate by ten
(10) days advance written notice to the other parties hereto.
3.9 ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event that any suit or action is
instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement, the prevailing party in
such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, costs
and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with
respect to this Agreement, including without limitation, such reasonable fees
and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without
limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.
3.10 TITLES AND SUBTITLES. The titles of the sections and subsections
of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be
considered in construing this Agreement.
14.
<PAGE> 93
3.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
15.
<PAGE> 94
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND
RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first
paragraph hereof.
COMPANY: INVESTORS:
METRICOM, INC. VULCAN VENTURES INCORPORATED
By: By:
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
MCI WORLDCOM, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
SIGNATURE PAGE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
<PAGE> 95
EXHIBIT A
SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REGISTRABLE
SHARES
INVESTOR OUTSTANDING
- -------- -----------
<S> <C>
MCI WorldCom, Inc. 30,000,000
3060 Williams Drive, Suite 600
Fairfax, VA 22031
Attn: Robert M. Finch
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated 35,816,667
13810 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 480
Bellevue, WA 98005-4400
Attn: William D. Savoy
</TABLE>
A-1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
<PAGE> 96
EXHIBIT C
OPINION OF COOLEY GODWARD LLP
We have acted as counsel for Metricom, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the issuance and sale of 30 million shares of the
Company's Series A1 Preferred Stock and 30 million shares of the Company's
Series A2 Preferred Stock (the "Shares") to the Purchasers pursuant to the
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1999 (the "Purchase
Agreement") between the Company and the Purchasers. We are rendering this
opinion pursuant to Section 9.10(a) of the Purchase Agreement. Except as
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
respective meanings given to them in the Purchase Agreement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the
representations and warranties as to factual matters contained in and made
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement by the various parties and originals or
copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates,
opinions, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. Where we render
an opinion "to the best of our knowledge" or concerning an item "known to us" or
our opinion otherwise refers to our knowledge, it is based solely upon (a) an
inquiry of attorneys within this firm who perform legal services for the
Company, (b) receipt of a certificate executed by an officer of the Company
covering such matters, and (c) such other investigation, if any, that we
specifically set forth herein.
In rendering this opinion, we have assumed: the genuineness and authenticity of
all signatures on original documents; the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals; the conformity to originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies; the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of
certificates of public officials; and the due authorization, execution and
delivery of all documents (except the due authorization, execution and delivery
by the Company of the Purchase Agreement and the Restated Registration Rights
Agreement (collectively, the "Agreements")) where authorization, execution and
delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents. We have also
assumed: that all individuals executing and delivering documents had the legal
capacity to so execute and deliver; that you have received all documents you
were to receive under the Agreements; that the Agreements are obligations
binding upon you; that you have filed any required California franchise or
income tax returns and have paid any required California franchise or income
taxes; and that there are no extrinsic agreements or understandings among the
parties to the Agreements that would modify or interpret the terms of the
Agreements or the respective rights or obligations of the parties thereunder.
Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the federal laws of the United
States of America, the laws of the State of California and the Delaware General
Corporation Law. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular
jurisdiction apply and no opinion to the extent that the laws of any
jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject
matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to (a) compliance with any
antifraud law, rule or regulation relating to securities or to the sale or
issuance thereof, (b) compliance with
1.
<PAGE> 97
substantive aspects of antitrust law or (c) matters arising under the
Communications Act or the regulations of the FCC.
With regard to our opinion in paragraph 4 below, we have examined and relied
upon a certificate executed by an officer of the Company to the effect that the
consideration for all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was
received by the Company in accordance with the provisions of the applicable
Board of Directors resolutions and any plan or agreement relating to the
issuance of such shares, and we have undertaken no independent verification with
respect thereto.
With regard to our opinion in paragraph 5 below with respect to material
defaults under any material agreement known to us, we have relied solely upon
(a) inquiries of officers of the Company, (b) the list of material contracts to
which the Company is a party, or by which it is bound, contained in Schedule
3.13 of the Company Schedule delivered to the Purchasers pursuant to Section 3
of the Purchase Agreement, and (c) an examination of the items on the
aforementioned list; we have made no further investigation.
On the basis of the foregoing, in reliance thereon and with the foregoing
qualifications, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is a validly existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. The Company has the requisite corporate power to own or lease
its property and assets, to conduct its business as it is currently being
conducted, and to execute, deliver and perform the Agreements and is qualified
as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in the
jurisdictions identified on Schedule 3.1 of the Company Schedule.
3. The Agreements have been duly and validly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding agreements of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except as rights to indemnity under Section 2.9 of the Restated
Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable laws and except as
enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights, and
subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of
equitable relief, including specific performance.
4. The Company's authorized capital stock consists of (a) 150
million shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which _________
shares are issued and outstanding, and (b) 80 million shares of Preferred Stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of which 30 million shares
have been designated Series A1 Preferred Stock, of which (excluding the Shares)
none are issued and outstanding, and 30 million shares have been designated
Series A2 Preferred Stock, of which (excluding the Shares) none are issued and
outstanding. The Shares have been duly authorized and, upon issuance
2.
<PAGE> 98
and delivery against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and
nonassessable. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares
have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and, upon issuance and
delivery upon conversion of the Shares, will be validly issued, outstanding,
fully paid and nonassessable. To the best of our knowledge, except as disclosed
in the Purchase Agreement or the Company Schedule, there are no options,
warrants, conversion privileges, preemptive rights or other rights presently
outstanding to purchase any of the authorized but unissued capital stock of the
Company other than the conversion privileges of the Shares and the other rights
created in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement.
5. The execution and delivery of the Agreements by the Company and
the issuance of the Shares pursuant thereto do not: violate any provision of the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws; except as disclosed
in the Company Schedule, constitute a material default under the provisions of
any material agreement known to us to which the Company is a party or by which
it is bound; or violate or contravene (a) any governmental statute, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company or (b) any order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award that has been entered against the
Company and of which we are aware, the violation or contravention of which would
materially and adversely affect the Company, taken as a whole, or its assets,
financial condition or operations, taken as a whole.
6. To the best of our knowledge, there is no action, proceeding or
investigation pending, or threatened in writing, against the Company before any
court or administrative agency that questions the validity of the Agreements or
would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate,
in any material adverse change in the assets, financial condition or operations
of the Company.
7. All consents, approvals, authorizations or orders of, and all
filings, registrations and qualifications with, any regulatory authority or
governmental body in the United States required for the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated by the Agreements have been made or
obtained, except for (a) the filing of a Notice of Transaction Pursuant To
Section 25102(f) of the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, and (b) the
filing of a Form D pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation D.
8. Subject to the accuracy of the Purchasers' representations in
Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement and to the timely filing of a Form D
pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation D, the offer and sale
of the Shares is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
This opinion is intended solely for your benefit and is not to be made available
to or be relied upon by any other person, firm, or entity without our prior
written consent.
Note: Cooley Godward LLP may rely on the opinion(s) of one or more other firms
with respect to portions of the foregoing opinion.
3.
<PAGE> 99
EXHIBIT D
OPINION OF SHOOK, HARDY & BACON
D-R-A-F-T
06/20/99
___________, 1999
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
3060 Williams Drive, Suite 600
Fairfax, VA 22031
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
110 110th Avenue Northeast, Suite 550
Bellevue, WA 98004
Re: Metricom, Inc., Special Federal Communications
Commission Counsel's Opinion
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We serve as special Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") counsel
for Metricom, Inc. (the "Seller") in connection with (i) its authorizations for
Wireless Communications Service ("WCS") stations KNLB207, KNLB295, KNLB296,
KNLB297, KNLB298, KNLB299, KNLB300 and KNLB301(the "WCS Authorizations,"); (ii)
in connection with its operations pursuant to Part 15 of the rules and
regulations of the FCC (47 C.F.R. Sections 15.1 et seq.); and, (iii) in
connection with its operations in the Experimental Radio Services pursuant to
Part 5 of the rules and regulations of the FCC (47 C.F.R. Sections 5.1 et seq.)
. This opinion is delivered to you at the request of the Seller in connection
with that certain Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement among Seller, MCI WorldCom,
Inc. and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, dated as of June 20 , 1999 (the
"Agreement").
For the purposes of this opinion, we have made such examination of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"), and the
rules, regulations, decisions and policies published and promulgated by the FCC
thereunder and pursuant thereto (collectively, together with the Communications
Act, the "Rules") as we have deemed necessary or proper for this opinion. In
addition, we have investigated such questions of law and examined such documents
as in our judgment were necessary to enable us to render the opinions expressed
below. We are opining solely with respect to the Rules, and we express no
opinion herein concerning any other laws, rules or regulations or as to the laws
of any jurisdiction.
As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have
reviewed and relied upon: (a) statements and representations made to us by the
Seller; (b) the publicly available files of the
<PAGE> 100
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
____________, 1999
Page 2
FCC; (c) a review of such of our internal records and files as we have deemed
appropriate. In our investigation we have assumed (i) the genuineness of the
signatures, and the authority of the persons signing all documents in connection
with which this opinion is rendered, (ii) the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, (iii) the conformity to authentic original
documents of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the
originals of said copies and (iv) the due authorization, execution and delivery
of all documents, instruments and agreements. Where, in this opinion, the phrase
"to the best of our knowledge" or like language is used to qualify an opinion
herein, it shall mean that, in addition to relying on the matters set forth in
the foregoing sentences, the opinion so qualified is limited to the knowledge of
our lawyers currently within our firm who have worked on matters on behalf of
the Seller.
We have not conducted a field inspection of, nor undertaken an
independent evaluation of, the technical aspects of the radio frequency
facilities being operated by Seller (the "Facilities"), nor have we
independently verified that each piece of equipment being operated by Seller is
properly authorized or is operating in accordance with the Rules, and we have
relied upon Seller's description of the facilities and equipment. Moreover, a
field inspection is not within the scope of our professional responsibility or
expertise as attorneys and we do not make such inspections. Accordingly, we
express no opinion regarding matters whose determination would require such a
field inspection, including but not limited to the matters such as the physical
condition of the Facilities or whether actual operation of these facilities is
in compliance with the Rules. It is also understood that the phrase "to the best
of our knowledge" or like language includes the limitation expressed in this
paragraph with respect to the fact that we have not conducted any field
inspection of the Facilities.
Based upon the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the
limitations, qualifications, assumptions and exceptions set forth herein, we are
of the opinion that:
1. The Seller is the duly authorized holder of the WCS
Authorizations, originally issued by the FCC to Seller on July 21, 1997, to
provide WCS service, pursuant to Part 27 of the FCC's rules and regulations (47
C.F.R. Sections 27.1 et seq.) on designated channel blocks in the Northeastern,
Central and Western United States Regional Economic areas, and in the St. Louis,
Missouri, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington Economic areas. The FCC
granted two pro forma transfer of control applications for the WCS
Authorizations on January 1, 1998 involving transfers relating to Lindner
Investments and Vulcan Ventures, Inc. (FCC Public Notice, Report No. LB-98-22,
January 30, 1998). The WCS Authorizations are in full force and effect and, with
the exceptions as noted at paragraph 3 below, and those conditions set forth on
the WCS Authorizations, they are
<PAGE> 101
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
____________, 1999
Page 3
not, to the best of our knowledge, threatened with suspension or cancellation
and are not the subject of any investigation, proceeding or action by the FCC
that could result in suspension, termination, revocation, nonrenewal in the
ordinary course, or other material adverse modification.
2. With respect to the FCC's original grant of the WCS
Authorizations, and the subsequent grants of pro forma transfers of control,
except as noted in the exceptions at paragraph 3 below: (i) no request for stay
of such grant has been filed, no action with respect to any such stay is
pending, no such stay is in effect, and, if any deadline for filing any such
request is designated by statute or regulation, it has passed; (ii) no appeal,
petition for rehearing or reconsideration or application for review of such
grant is pending before the FCC and the time for filing any such action has
passed; (iii) the FCC does not have such grant under reconsideration on its own
motion and the time for such reconsideration has passed; and, (iv) no appeal or
petition for review to a court, or request for stay by a court, of the FCC's
grant is pending or in effect, and, if any deadline for filing any such appeal
or request is designated by statute or rule, such deadline has passed.
3. The following paragraphs (A) and (B) are exceptions to
paragraphs 1 and 2 above:
(A) With respect to the pro forma transfer of control involving
Lindner Investments, the FCC questioned whether an unauthorized transfer of
control had taken place. Despite this inquiry, the FCC granted the transfer of
control application; however, the FCC placed the following statement on the
Public Notice granting the application: "This grant is without prejudice to any
enforcement action the Commission may take." To the best of our knowledge, the
FCC has not initiated any enforcement action with regard to this transfer of
control.
(B) With respect to the pro forma transfer of control involving
a stock purchase which increased Vulcan Ventures, Inc.'s holdings in the WCS
licensee to over 49%, it was stated in the application that such transfer would
negate the original licensee's "Very Small Business " bidding credit (35%) in
the auction, and that the licensee would be subject to an "Unjust Enrichment
Payment" as specified at Section 1.2111 of the FCC's rules (47 C.F.R. Section
1.2111). To the best of our knowledge, (i) the amount of this payment should
have been $775,175.60; (ii) the FCC has never requested any payment; and, (iii)
there is no current action or proceeding relating to this payment.
4. In addition to the WCS Authorizations, Seller also operates
certain of its equipment in the 902-928 MHz and 2400-2483.5 MHz frequency bands.
Operations in these bands is subject to Part 15 of the FCC's rules, providing
for the operation of equipment certified pursuant to Parts 2 (47 C.F.R. Section
2.1 et seq.) and 15 of the FCC's rules without the requirement for a license. To
the best of our knowledge, all equipment currently in commercial operation by
Seller has been
<PAGE> 102
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
____________, 1999
Page 4
properly certified, Seller holds the valid certification authorizations, and the
equipment is operating in accordance with the Rules.
5. Operations pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules requires that
the equipment be operated in a manner which does not cause interference to, and
which accepts interference from, other authorized operations in the applicable
frequency bands. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no complaints
of interference pending or being considered by the FCC, with respect to the
operation of Seller's equipment. Similarly, Seller has not filed any formal or
informal complaints of interference with the FCC as a result of receiving
interference from any other equipment.
6. In addition to WCS and Part 15 operations, in order to provide
for research and development of new radio frequency equipment, Seller operates
some equipment which is not authorized under Part 15 or Part 27. In order to
authorize the operation of this equipment, where required, Seller has obtained
appropriate authorizations from the FCC in the form of Experimental
Authorizations pursuant to Part 5 of the FCC's rules. To the best of our
knowledge, Seller is operating experimental equipment in accordance with the
terms of the authorizations and in accordance with the Rules.
7. To the best of our information and knowledge, based solely on
our research of the FCC's licensing data bases which are available to the public
and our files, (i) the Seller does not presently hold any FCC license, permits
or authorizations other than those referenced herein; (ii) the Seller is in
compliance with all applicable Rules governing the authorizations and the
ownership and operation of the Facilities and has filed all material statements,
reports and information required by the Rules; and, (iii) the authorizations
referenced herein presently include all FCC licenses, permits and authorizations
necessary for Seller to conduct its business in its present form. We do not
express any opinion concerning the necessary authorizations for the Seller to
provide currently planned products or services, including Ricochet II.
Without limiting the applicability of any qualification, limitation or
assumption set forth herein, the foregoing opinions are subject to the following
additional qualifications:
a. We are qualified to practice law in the District of
Columbia. The opinions set forth herein are limited in all respects to matters
governed by the federal law of the United States and the law of the District of
Columbia, in each case to the extent applicable and not excepted from the scope
of the opinions set forth herein. We express no opinion as to choice of law or
conflicts of law.
<PAGE> 103
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
____________, 1999
Page 5
b. The information set forth herein is as of the date
hereof. We assume no obligation to advise you of changes which may hereafter be
brought to our attention. Our opinions are given as of the date hereof and are
expressly limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may
be inferred beyond what is explicitly stated in this letter. We do not opine
with respect to any law, regulation, rule or governmental policy which may be
proposed, enacted or adopted after the date hereof, nor do we assume any
responsibility to advise you of future changes in our opinion.
c. This opinion is furnished by us solely for your benefit
and may be relied upon only by you in connection with the transactions under the
Agreement. This opinion may not be used, circulated or quoted, in whole or in
part, or be furnished to or relied upon by any other person or governmental
agency without our prior written consent.
d. This letter expressed our professional legal opinion as
to the foregoing matters and is based upon our professional knowledge and
judgment; it is not, however, to be construed as a guaranty.
e. Under the Rules, the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement may constitute an assignment, or transfer of control of the holder of,
the subject authorizations, requiring for its consummation the prior consent of
the FCC, either by order or public notice, granted upon an appropriate
application therefor. No opinion is expressed as to FCC action on applications
for transfer of control or assignment, should it be determined that such
applications must be filed.
Very truly yours,
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON, L.L.P.
<PAGE> 104
EXHIBIT E
OPINION OF PURCHASERS' COUNSEL
[USUAL AND CUSTOMARY INTRODUCTION AND CLOSING TO BE PROVIDED.]
(1) Purchaser is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
[and in good standing] under the laws of the State of ________ and has all
requisite corporate power to own or lease its property and assets, conduct its
business as currently conducted and to execute, deliver and perform the Purchase
Agreement and the Restated Registration Rights Agreement.
(2) Purchaser's execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase
Agreement and the Restated Registration Rights Agreement (a) have been duly
authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Purchaser and (b)
will not violate (i) any provision of applicable law, or (ii) any provision of
the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Purchaser.
(3) Upon execution and delivery, and assuming the valid execution
thereof by the Company, the Purchase Agreement and the Restated Registration
Rights Agreement will constitute the valid and binding obligations of Purchaser,
enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms, except
to the extent enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and
other similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights
and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity, including,
without limitation, concepts of reasonableness, materiality, good faith and fair
dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive
relief or other equitable remedies, regardless of whether enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and except as rights to indemnity
under Section 2.9 of the Restated Registration Rights Agreement may be limited
by applicable law.
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EXHIBIT 99.2
Metricom Secures $600 Million Investment from MCI
WorldCom and Vulcan Ventures, Inc. to Fund
National Wireless Data Network Expansion
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1999--Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCOM -
news), a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, today
announced $600 million in funding from Vulcan Ventures, Inc. and MCI WorldCom,
each providing $300 million, to fund national rollout of its Ricochet 128 kbps
mobile data service.
The first wave of commercial availability is scheduled for mid-2000. In
addition, MCI WorldCom and Metricom have entered into a strategic relationship,
which includes national distribution of Ricochet.
Under the terms of the deal, MCI WorldCom and Vulcan Ventures, Inc. will
purchase 60 million new convertible preferred shares of Metricom stock, priced
at $10 per share. When consummated, and following an allowed conversion from
preferred to common, the breakdown of ownership will include Vulcan Ventures,
Inc. at 49 percent, MCI WorldCom at 38 percent, with the remaining 13 percent
ownership held by other current public shareholders. The transaction is subject
to certain conditions, including Metricom shareholder approval. Metricom will
remain a publicly traded company headed by CEO Timothy A. Dreisbach. The
investment underscores Vulcan Venture Inc.'s ongoing endorsement of Metricom and
the Ricochet technology.
Included in the strategic agreement, MCI WorldCom has signed a five-year,
non-exclusive wholesale agreement valued at $350 million with Metricom for its
Ricochet services. Metricom will utilize MCI WorldCom's high-speed data and
Internet network and support operations as it expands nationally. Metricom will
also enlist additional distribution channels for Ricochet, and embark on a
multi-million dollar branding and marketing campaign to raise awareness and
advance adoption of the service among the target market of mobile professionals.
"Our ultimate goal is to allow mobile professionals to take their full desktop
functionality anywhere they need to work," said Dreisbach. "This means accessing
data and applications on corporate LANs and the Internet anywhere in the same
fashion as sitting in an office. By teaming with Vulcan Ventures, Inc. and a
strategic partner with the national presence and reputation of MCI WorldCom, we
gain the resources and expertise to accelerate the availability and adoption of
our Ricochet service on a nationwide basis."
Metricom targets multiple segments within the overall mobile worker marketplace.
One of these segments includes the mobile professional "road warriors" who
travel extensively for their jobs. In a recent study, International Data
Corporation (IDC) predicted by 2001 that 7.3 million of the professionals in
this segment, who carry cellular/PCS phones, laptops and other mobile computing
devices, do business within the metropolitan areas included on Metricom's
rollout plan. "The mobile professional market available to Metricom is forecast
to exceed 13 million users in 2005," said Iain Gillott, vice president,
Worldwide Consumer & Small Business Telecommunications at IDC. "Critical success
factors in this segment of the mobile data market are the ability to provide
cost effective, reliable mobile Internet and LAN access throughout the major
metropolitan areas."
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In addition to the primary business user market, Ricochet addresses the high
bandwidth data access requirements of residential users that may not have viable
ISDN, cable or DSL alternatives.
Unlike technologies just now evolving to solve growing high-performance
high-speed wireless data requirements, Ricochet is a proven technology that
leads the industry today at 28.8 kbps. Building on Ricochet's success, Metricom
has been testing 128 kbps service and expects to launch the higher speed service
in mid-2000 in the following metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago,
Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, New
York, Washington, DC. Current rollout plans call for a total of 46 metropolitan
areas to gain Ricochet coverage by mid-2001. "We have been impressed with the
management, focus, and technology advancement made by Metricom over the past
year," said William D. Savoy, President, Vulcan Ventures, Inc. "By adding a
world-class partner like MCI WorldCom, we expect to accelerate the availability
and adoption of Ricochet by mobile professionals who want fully functional
access to applications and data on LANs, Intranets and the Internet anywhere,
anytime."
Ricochet is uniquely positioned to capture a significant share of the growing
mobile professional market with the fastest data speeds, "always-on"
connections, flat-rate "all-you-can-use" pricing, no metered roaming fees, and
true mobility at 70 mph. These benefits are a result of the Ricochet
architecture, which is based on a digital packet-switched network employing
spread-spectrum radio frequency transmission and standard Internet protocol
(IP). Ricochet was designed from inception for packet data, which means high
throughput, extremely low Bit Error Rate (BER), instantaneous handoff, and low
cost per connection.
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology.
The Company's Ricochet service provides mobile professionals with
high-performance, cost-effective untethered access to the Internet, private
Intranets, local-area networks, e-mail, and other online services. Ricochet is
generally available in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and
Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; in select areas of New York City; on
corporate campuses; and at gate areas at major airports throughout the United
States. For more information, call 1-800 Go-Wireless, or visit Metricom's Web
site at http://www.metricom.com.
About MCI Worldcom
MCI WorldCom is a global leader in communications services with 1998 revenues of
more than $30 billion and established operations in over 65 countries
encompassing the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. MCI WorldCom is
a premier provider of facilities-based and fully integrated local, long
distance, international and Internet services. MCI WorldCom's global networks,
including its state-of-the-art pan-European network and transoceanic cable
systems, provide end-to-end high-capacity connectivity to more than 40,000
buildings worldwide. MCI WorldCom is traded on NASDAQ under WCOM. For more
information on MCI WorldCom, visit the World Wide Web at http://www.wcom.com.
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About Vulcan Ventures Inc.
Vulcan Ventures Inc. of Bellevue, Washington was founded by Paul G. Allen in
1986 to research and implement his investments. Allen's investments through
Vulcan Ventures, Inc. are long-term, as his goals enable him to take
above-average risks and a long-term view. Through Vulcan Ventures, Allen invests
in companies which offer products, services or technologies that fit his wired
world strategy, and can contribute to or benefit from the technology and
strategy of other Paul Allen companies.
Metricom and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This press
release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially
from such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties,
including those described in Metricom's 1998 Form 10-K and other reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Metricom, Inc.
Jeannie Slone, 408/399-8136
or
MCI WORLDCOM
Frank Walter, 800/644-NEWS
Investors
Gary Brandt, 601/460-8544
or
Vulcan Ventures, Inc.
Nicole Christie, 425/453-1940
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