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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): May 4, 2000
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BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
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(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-12302 06-1196501
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
122 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code 212-633-3300
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Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report )
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Exhibit Index appears on page 4 hereof.
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Item 5. Other Events.
On May 4, 2000, Barnes & Noble, Inc. (the "Company") and B&N Acquistion
Corporation , a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company (the
"Purchaser"), executed a definitive merger agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
providing for the acquisition of Funco, Inc., a Minneapolis- based electronic
games retailer ("Funco"), for approximately $161.5 million. The acquisition of
control of Funco is expected to be completed in June 2000.
As a first step in the transaction, the Purchaser will commence a cash tender
offer ("the "Offer") by May 18, 2000 for all outstanding shares of common stock
of Funco (the "Shares") for $24.75 per share. Completion of the Offer is subject
to the satisfaction of certain conditions which include, among other things, the
following: (i) there shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn a number
of Shares which, together with all Shares owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or Purchaser, represents at least 51% of the total voting power of
Funco's outstanding Shares and (ii) the expiration or early termination of the
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended.
Following the completion of the Offer (and subject to certain conditions),
Purchaser will be merged with and into Funco, with Funco surviving as a
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger"). In the Merger,
those shareholders of Funco who did not tender their Shares (other than the
Company and its subsidiaries and shareholders exercising dissenters' rights)
will be entitled to receive the same price per Share that is offered in the
Offer for each Share held by them.
The terms and conditions of the acquisition (including the Offer and the Merger)
are more fully described in the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit
2.1 to this Form 8-K.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 4,
2000, by and among Funco, Inc., Barnes & Noble, Inc.
and B&N Acquisition Corporation
2.2 Shareholder Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2000, by
and between Barnes & Noble, Inc. and David R. Pomije
99 Press release, dated May 4, 2000, announcing the
execution of the Merger Agreement, filed under the
Company's Schedule TO on May 5, 2000, and
incorporated herein by reference
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SIGNATURE
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 thereunto duly authorized.
BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
(Registrant)
By:/s/ Maureen O'Connell
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Name: Maureen O'Connell
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 10, 2000
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO.
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 4,
2000, by and among Funco, Inc., Barnes & Noble, Inc.
and B&N Acquisition Corporation
2.2 Shareholder Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2000, by
and between Barnes & Noble, Inc. and David R. Pomije
99 Press release, dated May 4, 2000, announcing the
execution of the Merger Agreement, filed under the
Company's Schedule TO on May 5, 2000, and
incorporated herein by reference
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
FUNCO, INC.,
BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
and
B&N ACQUISITION CORPORATION
Dated as of May 4, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I. THE TENDER OFFER..............................................................................2
Section 1.1 THE OFFER..............................................................................2
Section 1.2 OFFER DOCUMENTS........................................................................3
Section 1.3 COMPANY ACTIONS........................................................................4
Section 1.4 DIRECTORS..............................................................................5
ARTICLE II. THE MERGER....................................................................................6
Section 2.1 MERGER.................................................................................6
Section 2.2 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER...........................................................6
Section 2.3 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION......................7
Section 2.4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION...........................7
Section 2.5 CONVERSION OF SHARES...................................................................7
Section 2.6 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.....................................................................8
Section 2.7 STOCK OPTIONS..........................................................................9
Section 2.8 PAYMENT FOR SHARES.....................................................................9
Section 2.9 NO FURTHER RIGHTS OR TRANSFERS........................................................11
ARTICLE III. CLOSING......................................................................................11
Section 3.1 GENERALLY.............................................................................11
Section 3.2 DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING.............................................................12
ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY ...................................................12
Section 4.1 ORGANIZATION..........................................................................13
Section 4.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.....................................................................13
Section 4.3 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT;
REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS. .......................................................14
Section 4.4 SEC FILINGS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.....................................................15
Section 4.5 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES............................................................16
Section 4.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS..................................................17
Section 4.7 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. .................................................................17
Section 4.8 INVENTORIES...........................................................................17
Section 4.9 TAXES.................................................................................18
Section 4.10 PROPERTIES............................................................................19
Section 4.11 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.................................................................19
Section 4.12 AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.................................................20
Section 4.13 LITIGATION. ..........................................................................21
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Section 4.14 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.................................................................22
Section 4.15 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS................................................................23
Section 4.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS..................................................................25
Section 4.17 GOVERNMENTAL PERMITS..................................................................25
Section 4.18 YEAR 2000.............................................................................25
Section 4.19 LABOR MATTERS.........................................................................26
Section 4.20 INSURANCE.............................................................................26
Section 4.21 OPINION OF BLAIR......................................................................26
Section 4.22 NO EXISTING DISCUSSIONS...............................................................26
Section 4.23 VOTING REQUIREMENTS...................................................................26
Section 4.24 PROXIES...............................................................................27
Section 4.25 TENDER OF SHARES......................................................................27
Section 4.26 TERMINATION OF EB MERGER AGREEMENT
AND POMIJE SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT......................................................27
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER.......................................27
Section 5.1 ORGANIZATION OF PARENT................................................................27
Section 5.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS.................................27
Section 5.3 OFFER DOCUMENTS AND PROXY STATEMENT...................................................28
Section 5.4 LITIGATION............................................................................29
Section 5.5 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.................................................................29
Section 5.6 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES...................................................................29
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS....................................................................................29
Section 6.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS...................................................................29
Section 6.2 COOPERATION; NOTICE; CURE.............................................................31
Section 6.3 NO SOLICITATION.......................................................................32
Section 6.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMPANY EMPLOYEES...........................................33
Section 6.5 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING.................................................................34
Section 6.6 LEGAL CONDITIONS TO MERGER............................................................35
Section 6.7 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.....................................................................36
Section 6.8 BROKERS OR FINDERS....................................................................36
Section 6.9 AMENDMENT OF COMPANY'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.........................................36
Section 6.10 STOCK OPTIONS.........................................................................36
Section 6.11 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.............................................................37
Section 6.12 EMPLOYEE MATTERS......................................................................37
Section 6.13 INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................................37
Section 6.14 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE............................................38
Section 6.15 KEY EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS...............................................................38
Section 6.16 EB TERMINATION FEE....................................................................38
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ARTICLE VII. CONDITIONS TO MERGER...............................................................................38
Section 7.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER............................38
ARTICLE VIII. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT ........................................................................39
Section 8.1 TERMINATION...........................................................................39
Section 8.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.................................................................40
Section 8.3 FEES AND EXPENSES.....................................................................41
ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................41
Section 9.1 AMENDMENT.............................................................................42
Section 9.2 EXTENSION; WAIVER; CONSENT............................................................42
Section 9.3 TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY..............................42
Section 9.4 NOTICES...............................................................................42
Section 9.5 INTERPRETATION........................................................................43
Section 9.6 COUNTERPARTS..........................................................................43
Section 9.7 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE..................................................................44
Section 9.8 SEVERABILITY..........................................................................44
Section 9.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES........................................44
Section 9.10 GOVERNING LAW.........................................................................44
Section 9.11 ASSIGNMENT............................................................................44
Section 9.12 REIMBURSEMENT TO PARENT...............................................................45
Section 9.13 INDEX TO DEFINED TERMS................................................................45
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "AGREEMENT"), dated as of
May 4, 2000, by and among Funco, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("COMPANY"),
Barnes & Noble, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PARENT"), and B&N Acquisition
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
Parent ("PURCHASER" and, together with Company, hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the "CONSTITUENT CORPORATION(S)").
RECITALS
A. Each of the Boards of Directors of Company, Parent and Purchaser has
determined that it is in the best interests of its respective shareholders for
Parent to acquire Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein (the "ACQUISITION");
B. As a first step in the Acquisition, Company, Parent and Purchaser
each desire that Parent cause Purchaser to commence a cash tender offer (as it
may be amended from time to time as permitted hereunder, the "OFFER") to
purchase all of Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (the "SHARES"), for $24.75 per share, or such higher price as may be
paid in the Offer (the "PER SHARE AMOUNT"), net to the seller in cash, on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;
C. To complete the Acquisition, the respective Board of Directors of
Company (and the Special Committee (as defined in Section 1.3(a)), Parent, on
its own behalf as a party to this Agreement and as the indirect shareholder of
Purchaser, and Purchaser has approved this Agreement and the merger of Purchaser
with and into Company (the "MERGER"), wherein any issued and outstanding Shares
not tendered and purchased by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer (other than Shares
described in Section 2.5(c) and Dissenting Shares described in Section 2.6(a))
will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined
in Section 2.5(a)), on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement
and in accordance with the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (the "MBCA");
D. The Board of Directors of Company (the "COMPANY BOARD") and the
Special Committee has resolved to recommend that all holders of Shares
("SHAREHOLDERS") accept the Offer and approve this Agreement and the Merger, and
has determined that the Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best
interests of Company and the Shareholders; and
E. The parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and
covenants in connection with the Offer and the Merger and also to prescribe
various conditions to the Offer and the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below, the
parties agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I. THE TENDER OFFER
Section 1.1 THE OFFER.
(a) Subject to the last sentence of this Section 1.1(a) and
provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with
Section 8.1, as promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than ten
business days after the public announcement of Purchaser's intention to commence
the Offer), Parent will cause Purchaser to commence (within the meaning of Rule
14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE
ACT")), the Offer whereby Purchaser will offer to purchase for cash all of the
Shares at the Per Share Amount, net to the seller in cash (subject to reduction
for any stock transfer taxes payable by the seller if payment is to be made to
an individual or entity other than the Person in whose name the certificate for
such Shares is registered or any applicable federal back-up withholding). For
purposes of this Agreement, "PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation,
limited liability company, limited liability partnership, partnership,
association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity or group (as
defined in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time (as
defined in Section 2.2 hereof), the outstanding Shares shall have been changed
into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock
dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or
exchange of shares, the Per Share Amount will be correspondingly adjusted on a
per- share basis to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification,
recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares. The obligation of
Parent to cause Purchaser to commence the Offer, to consummate the Offer and to
accept for payment and to pay for Shares validly tendered in the Offer and not
withdrawn in accordance therewith will be subject to, and only to, those
conditions set forth in ANNEX A hereto (the "OFFER CONDITIONS"), the terms of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Without the prior written consent of Company, Purchaser
will not, and Parent will cause Purchaser not to, (i) decrease or change the
form of the Per Share Amount, (ii) decrease the number of Shares sought in the
Offer, (iii) amend or waive the Minimum Condition (as defined in ANNEX A
hereto), or impose conditions other than the Offer Conditions on the Offer, (iv)
extend the expiration date of the Offer (the date that the Offer, as it may be
extended pursuant to this Section 1.1(b), expires, being hereinafter referred to
as the "EXPIRATION DATE") (which will initially be 20 business days following
the commencement of the Offer) except (A) as required by law, and (B) that, in
the event that any conditions to the Offer are not satisfied or waived at the
time that the Expiration Date would otherwise occur, (1) Purchaser must extend
the Expiration Date for an aggregate of ten additional business days to the
extent necessary to permit such conditions to be satisfied and (2) Purchaser
may, in its sole discretion, extend the Expiration Date for such additional
periods as it may determine to be appropriate (but not beyond August 4, 2000) to
permit such conditions to be satisfied, or (v) amend any term of the Offer in
any manner adverse to Shareholders (including, without limitation, to result in
any extension which would be inconsistent with the preceding provisions of this
sentence); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) subject to applicable legal requirements,
Parent may cause Purchaser to waive any Offer Condition, other than the Minimum
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Condition, in Parent's sole discretion and (2) the Offer may be extended (but
not beyond August 4, 2000) in connection with an increase in the consideration
to be paid pursuant to the Offer so as to comply with applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Assuming the
prior satisfaction or waiver of the Offer Conditions, Purchaser will, and Parent
will cause Purchaser to, accept for payment and pay for, in accordance with the
terms of the Offer, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to
the Offer as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date.
Section 1.2 OFFER DOCUMENTS.
(a) As promptly as practicable on the date of commencement
of the Offer, Parent and Purchaser will file or cause to be filed with the SEC a
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (together with all amendments and
supplements thereto, the "SCHEDULE TO") which will contain an offer to purchase
and related letter of transmittal and other ancillary Offer documents and
instruments pursuant to which the Offer will be made (collectively, with any
supplements or amendments thereto, the "OFFER DOCUMENTS"). Parent and Purchaser
represent, warrant and covenant that the Offer Documents will comply in all
material respects with the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and will
contain (or will be amended in a timely manner so as to contain) all information
which is required to be included therein in accordance with the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable laws; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no representation, warranty or covenant hereby is made or will be
made by Parent or Purchaser with respect to information supplied by Company in
writing expressly for inclusion in the Offer Documents ("COMPANY SUPPLIED
INFORMATION"). No representation, warranty or covenant is made or will be made
herein by Company with respect to information contained in, or incorporated by
reference into, the Offer Documents other than Company Supplied Information.
(b) Parent, Purchaser and Company will each promptly correct
any information provided by them for use in the Offer Documents if and to the
extent that it becomes false or misleading in any material respect and Parent
and Purchaser will jointly and severally take all lawful action necessary to
cause the Offer Documents as so corrected to be filed promptly with the SEC and
to be disseminated to the Shareholders, in each case as and to the extent
required by applicable law. In conducting the Offer, Parent and Purchaser will
comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and
other applicable laws. Parent and Purchaser will afford Company and its counsel
a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Offer Documents, including
any amendments thereto, prior to the filing thereof with the SEC.
(c) Parent and Purchaser will file with the Commissioner of
Commerce of the State of Minnesota any registration statement relating to the
Offer required to be filed pursuant to Chapter 80B of the Minnesota Statutes.
(d) Parent and Purchaser will disseminate to the
Shareholders the Offer Documents and information contained in the registration
statement relating to the Offer required to be filed pursuant to Chapter 80B of
the Minnesota Statutes to the extent and within the time period
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required by Regulation 14D promulgated under the Exchange Act and Chapter 80B of
the Minnesota Statutes.
Section 1.3 COMPANY ACTIONS.
(a) Company hereby consents to the Offer and represents that
(i) the Company Board and a special committee of the Company Board formed in
accordance with Section 302A.673 of the MBCA (the "SPECIAL COMMITTEE") (each at
a meeting duly called and held) have (A) determined that this Agreement, the
Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of Company and the
Shareholders, (B) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Offer and the Merger, and, assuming the accuracy of
Parent's and Purchaser's representation in Section 5.6, Sections 302A.671 and
302A.673 of the MBCA do not and will not prohibit Company's authorization,
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Offer and the Merger, and (C) resolved to
recommend acceptance of the Offer and approval of this Agreement by the
Shareholders and (ii) William Blair & Company, L.L.C. ("BLAIR") has delivered to
the Company Board or the Special Committee the opinion described in Section
4.21. Company hereby consents to the inclusion in the Offer Documents of the
recommendation referred to in this Section 1.3(a), unless the Company Board or
the Special Committee shall determine, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties,
to withdraw, modify or change such recommendation in accordance with Section
6.3(c).
(b) As promptly as practicable on the date of commencement
of the Offer, Company will file with the SEC a Tender Offer
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "SCHEDULE 14D-9") containing the
recommendation of the Company Board and the Special Committee in favor of the
Offer and the Merger, subject to the rights of the Company Board or the Special
Committee set forth in Section 6.3(c). Company will disseminate to the
Shareholders the Schedule 14D-9 to the extent and within the timetable required
by Rule 14D-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Company represents, warrants
and covenants that the Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all material respects with
the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and will contain (or will be
amended in a timely manner so as to contain) all information which is required
to be included therein in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder and other applicable laws; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
representation, warranty or covenant hereby is made or will be made by Company
with respect to information supplied by Parent or Purchaser in writing expressly
for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9 (the "PARENT SUPPLIED INFORMATION"). No
representation, warranty or covenant is made or will be made herein by Parent or
Purchaser with respect to information contained in, or incorporated by reference
into, the Schedule 14D-9 other than the Parent Supplied Information (which
Parent Supplied Information will include the information furnished by Parent as
contemplated by the next sentence). Company will include in the Schedule 14D-9
information furnished by Parent in writing concerning Parent's designees for
directors of Company as required by Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule
14f-1 thereunder and will use its reasonable efforts to have the Schedule 14D-9
available for inclusion in the initial mailing of the Offer Documents to the
Shareholders.
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(c) Company, Parent and Purchaser will each promptly correct
any information provided by them for use in the Schedule 14D-9 if and to the
extent that it becomes false or misleading in any material respect and Company
will take all lawful action necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so
corrected to be filed promptly with the SEC and disseminated to the
Shareholders, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable law.
Company will afford Parent and its counsel a reasonable opportunity to review
and comment on the Schedule 14D-9, including any amendments thereto, prior to
the filing thereof with the SEC.
(d) In connection with the Offer, Company will promptly
furnish Parent with mailing labels containing the names and addresses of the
record Shareholders and with security position listings of Shares held in stock
depositories, each as of the latest practicable date, together with all other
available listings and computer files containing names, addresses and security
position listings of recordholders and beneficial owners of Shares, and will
furnish Parent such information and assistance (including updated lists of the
Shareholders, mailing labels and listings of security positions) as Parent or
its agents may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the record and
beneficial Shareholders. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, and
except for such actions as are necessary to disseminate the Offer Documents and
any other documents necessary to consummate the Offer and the Merger, Parent and
Purchaser will, and will instruct each of their respective affiliates,
associates, partners, employees, agents and advisors to, hold in confidence the
information contained in such labels, listings and files, will use such
information only in connection with the Offer and the Merger, and, if this
Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 8.1 or if the Offer is
otherwise terminated, will deliver promptly to Company all copies (whether in
human or machine readable form) of such information (and any copies,
compilations or extracts thereof or based thereon) then in their possession or
under their control.
Section 1.4 DIRECTORS.
(a) Promptly upon the purchase of the Shares by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer (provided that the Minimum Condition has been satisfied),
and from time to time thereafter, (i) Parent will be entitled, subject to
compliance with Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act, to designate such number of
directors ("PARENT'S DESIGNEES"), rounded up to the next whole number, on the
Company Board, as will give Parent representation on the Company Board (and on
each committee of the Company Board) equal to the product of (A) the total
number of directors on the Company Board (and on each committee of the Company
Board) (giving effect to any increase in the number of directors pursuant to
this Section 1.4) multiplied by (B) the percentage that such number of Shares so
purchased bears to the aggregate number of Shares outstanding at the time of
Parent's designation (such product being the "BOARD PERCENTAGE"), and (ii)
Company will, upon request by Parent, promptly satisfy the Board Percentage by
(A) increasing the size of the Company Board (and each committee of the Company
Board) or (B) using its reasonable best efforts to secure the resignations of
such number of directors as is necessary to enable Parent's Designees to be
elected to the Company Board (and each committee of the Company Board), or both,
and will use its best efforts to cause Parent's Designees promptly to be so
elected, subject in all instances to compliance with Section 14(f) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder. At the
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request of Parent, Company will take all lawful action necessary to effect any
such election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and Purchaser shall use
best efforts to assure that at all times prior to the Effective Time, the
Company Board will include two directors who are members of the Company Board on
the date hereof and are not employees of Company.
(b) Parent will supply to Company in writing and be solely
responsible for any information with respect to itself, Parent's Designees and
Parent's officers, directors and affiliates required by Section 14(f) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder to be included in the
Schedule 14D-9.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, of the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company or of applicable law to the
contrary, following the election or appointment of Parent's Designees pursuant
to this Section 1.4 and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, any amendment or termination of this Agreement or
amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company, any extension
by Company of time for the performance of any obligations or other acts of
Parent or Purchaser hereunder, any waiver by Company of any of Company's rights,
or any obligations of Parent or Purchaser hereunder, or any consent or agreement
by Company hereunder will require the affirmative vote of a majority of members
of a committee comprised solely of directors of Company then in office who are
members of the Company Board on the date hereof and are not employees of
Company.
ARTICLE II. THE MERGER
Section 2.1 MERGER. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 2.2
hereof), and in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and the terms of the MBCA, Purchaser will be merged with and into
Company, the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will thereupon cease, and
Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter
referred to as the "SURVIVING CORPORATION"). At the Effective Time, the Merger
will have the other effects provided in the applicable provisions of the MBCA.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, at the
Effective Time all the property, rights, privileges, powers, immunities and
franchises of Company and Purchaser will vest in the Surviving Corporation, and
all debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of Company and Purchaser will
become the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.
Section 2.2 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER. On the same business day as
(unless Company and Parent shall otherwise mutually agree), and promptly
following, the receipt of the vote of the Shareholders approving this Agreement
and the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to the consummation of
the Merger set forth in Article VII of this Agreement, Company and Purchaser
will execute in the manner required by the MBCA and deliver for filing to the
Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota articles of merger with respect to
the Merger ("ARTICLES OF MERGER"). The Merger will become effective upon the
filing of the Articles of Merger with the Minnesota Secretary of State in
accordance with the MBCA. The term "EFFECTIVE TIME" shall mean the date and time
when the Merger becomes effective.
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Section 2.3 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING
CORPORATION. The Articles of Incorporation of Company in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be the Articles of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation, until amended in accordance with the laws of the State of
Minnesota and such Articles of Incorporation. The Bylaws of Purchaser in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time will be deemed, by virtue of the Merger
and this Agreement and without further action by the shareholders or directors
of the Surviving Corporation or Purchaser, to be the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation, until further amended in accordance with the laws of the State of
Minnesota, the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such
Bylaws.
Section 2.4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING
CORPORATION. The directors of Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time
will be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each of such directors to
hold office, subject to the applicable provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until the expiration of
the term for which such director was elected and until his or her successor is
elected and has qualified or as otherwise provided in the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of Purchaser
immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation until their respective successors are chosen and have qualified or
as otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 2.5 CONVERSION OF SHARES. The manner and basis of converting
the shares of stock of each of the Constituent Corporations will be as follows:
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Company ("COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), which is issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (i) Dissenting
Shares (as defined in Section 2.6(a)), and (ii) shares of Company Common Stock
held of record by Parent or Purchaser or any other direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or Company immediately prior to the Effective
Time) will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be converted into and represent the right to receive (as
provided in Section 2.8) the Per Share Amount in cash (the "MERGER
CONSIDERATION"), without interest, prorated for fractional shares, if any. Any
payment made pursuant to this Section 2.5(a) and Section 2.8 will be made net of
applicable withholding taxes to the extent such withholding is required by law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if between the date of this Agreement and the
Effective Time, the outstanding Shares shall have been changed into a different
number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend,
subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange
of Shares, the Merger Consideration will be correspondingly adjusted on a per
share basis to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification,
recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares.
(b) At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock, par
value $.0001 per share, of Purchaser ("PURCHASER COMMON STOCK"), which is issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted
into and exchanged for one fully paid and nonassessable
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share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation ("SURVIVING CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK"), which will constitute the only issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time.
From and after the Effective Time, each outstanding certificate theretofore
representing shares of Purchaser Common Stock will be deemed for all purposes to
evidence ownership and to represent the same number of shares of Surviving
Corporation Common Stock.
(c) At the Effective Time, each share of Company Common
Stock held of record by Parent or Purchaser or any other direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or Company immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be canceled and cease to exist, and no payment shall be made
with respect thereto.
Section 2.6 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 2.5 hereof, shares of Company
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, if
any, which are held of record or beneficially owned by a Person who has properly
exercised and preserved and perfected dissenters' rights with respect to such
shares pursuant to Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA and has not
withdrawn or lost such rights ("DISSENTING SHARE(S)") will not be converted into
or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration for such shares, but
instead will be treated in accordance with Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the
MBCA unless and until such Person effectively withdraws or loses such Person's
right to payment under Section 302A.473 of the MBCA (through failure to preserve
or protect such right or otherwise). If, after the Effective Time, any such
Person shall effectively withdraw or lose such right (through failure to
preserve or protect such right or otherwise), then each such Dissenting Share
held of record or beneficially owned by such Person will thereupon be treated as
if it had been converted into, at the Effective Time, the right to receive the
Merger Consideration, without interest.
(b) Each Person holding of record or beneficially owning
Dissenting Shares who becomes entitled, pursuant to the provisions of Sections
302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA, to payment of the fair value of such
Dissenting Shares shall receive payment therefor (plus interest determined in
accordance with Section 302A.473 of the MBCA) from the Surviving Corporation
and/or from the Disbursing Agent referred to in Section 2.8 on behalf of the
Surviving Corporation pursuant to such provisions.
(c) Company shall give Parent prompt notice upon receipt by
Company at any time prior to the Effective Time of any notice of intent to
demand the fair value of any shares of Company Common Stock under Section
302A.473 of the MBCA and any withdrawal of any such notice of intent to demand
such fair value. Company agrees that it will not, except with the prior written
consent of Parent, negotiate, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or
settle or offer to settle, any such demand at any time prior to the Effective
Time.
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Section 2.7 STOCK OPTIONS. Company will, promptly on or after the date
of this Agreement, take all such actions as it is permitted or required to take
under the terms of its stock option plans to cancel, after the Offer Completion
(as defined in Section 6.5(a)) and prior to the Effective Time, all outstanding
options (collectively, the "STOCK OPTIONS" and individually, a "STOCK OPTION")
to purchase shares of Company Common Stock heretofore granted under any such
employee or nonemployee director stock option plan with Company and to pay,
promptly, and in any event within five days, after the Offer Completion, in
cancellation of each such Stock Option (whether or not such Stock Option is then
exercisable) a cash amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the Merger
Consideration exceeds the per share exercise price of such Stock Option,
multiplied by the number of shares of Company Common Stock then subject to such
Stock Option (the "STOCK OPTION SETTLEMENT AMOUNT"), but subject to all required
tax withholdings by Company. Each holder of a then outstanding Stock Option that
Company does not have a right to cancel pursuant to the terms of the applicable
stock option plan, upon execution of a cancellation agreement (a "STOCK OPTION
CANCELLATION AGREEMENT") with Company, which Company shall use reasonable
efforts to obtain from each such holder prior to or promptly after the Offer
Completion, shall have the right to receive in cancellation of such Stock Option
(whether or not such Stock Option is then exercisable) a cash payment from
Company promptly and in any event within five days after the later of the Offer
Completion or the execution of a Stock Option Cancellation Agreement, in an
amount equal to the Stock Option Settlement Amount, without interest, but
subject to all required tax withholdings by Company. Each Stock Option that is
subject to a Stock Option Cancellation Agreement shall be canceled upon payment
of the Stock Option Settlement Amount for such Option. The Company Board or the
Committee appointed pursuant to Section 2 of the Funco, Inc. 1993 Stock Option
Plan Amended and Restated Through July 31, 1998 has determined that a Potential
Change in Control (as defined in said Stock Option Plan) has occurred for
purposes of determining the Change in Control Price (as defined in said Stock
Option Plan).
Section 2.8 PAYMENT FOR SHARES.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent or Purchaser will
designate The Bank of New York or any other bank or trust company located in the
United States having capital, surplus and undivided profits exceeding
$500,000,000 that is reasonably satisfactory to Company (the "DISBURSING AGENT")
to receive cash in an amount equal to the product (rounded up or down to the
nearest whole $.01, for which purpose $.005 shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole $.01) of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares then held
of record by Parent or Purchaser or any other direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent or Company), prorated for fractional shares, and (ii) the
Merger Consideration (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the "EXCHANGE
FUND").
(b) (i) At or before the Effective Time, Parent will deliver
irrevocable written instructions to the Disbursing Agent in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Company to make, out of the Exchange Fund, the
payments referred to in Section 2.5(a) hereof in accordance with Section 2.8(c)
hereof. Such irrevocable instructions may authorize the Disbursing Agent to
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invest amounts in the Exchange Fund as Parent directs, provided that all such
investments shall be in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of
America, in commercial paper obligations receiving the highest rating from
either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, or in
certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or bankers' acceptances of
commercial banks with capital, surplus and undivided profits exceeding
$500,000,000 (collectively, "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the maturities of Permitted Investments will be such as to permit the Disbursing
Agent to make prompt payments to Persons entitled thereto pursuant to this
Section 2.8. The Exchange Fund will not be used for any other purpose except as
provided in this Agreement. Any net profit resulting from, or interest or income
produced by, such investments will remain in the Exchange Fund. Parent and the
Surviving Corporation jointly and severally agree to cause the Exchange Fund to
be promptly replenished to the extent of any net losses incurred as a result of
the Permitted Investments.
(ii) In addition, if after the Effective Time any
Person holding of record or beneficially owning Dissenting Shares shall become
entitled to receive payment for such Dissenting Shares pursuant to Sections
302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA, Parent will deliver irrevocable written
instructions to the Disbursing Agent to pay either to such Person or to the
Surviving Corporation the amount to which such Person is entitled, provided that
the payment from the Exchange Fund with respect to any Dissenting Share will not
exceed the Merger Consideration, and provided further that such instructions
will, if sums are to be paid to the Surviving Corporation, be accompanied by a
certificate of the Surviving Corporation that any sums so paid will be remitted
by the Surviving Corporation to the shareholder or beneficial owner entitled
thereto in accordance with Section 302A.473 of the MBCA.
(iii) Any amount remaining in the Exchange Fund one
year after the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) may be refunded to the
Surviving Corporation, at its option; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Parent and the
Surviving Corporation (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and
similar laws) will jointly and severally continue to be liable for any payments
required to be made thereafter pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof or Section
302A.473 of the MBCA.
(c) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the
Disbursing Agent will mail to each holder of record (other than Parent or
Purchaser or any other direct or indirect wholly- owned subsidiary of Parent or
Purchaser) of a certificate or certificates which, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, represented issued and outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock (other than Dissenting Shares) a letter of transmittal in form reasonably
acceptable to Company (a "LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL") for return to the Disbursing
Agent, and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such certificate
or certificates and the receipt of cash for each of such holder's shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof. The Disbursing Agent, as
soon as practicable following receipt of any such certificate or certificates
together with a duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other items
specified in the Letter of Transmittal, will pay by cashier's check of the
Disbursing Agent to the Persons entitled thereto (subject to any required
withholding of taxes by the Surviving Corporation) the amount (rounded up or
down to the nearest
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whole $.01, for which purpose $.005 shall be rounded up to the nearest whole
$.01) determined by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock
represented by the certificate or certificates so surrendered (prorated for
fractional shares) by (B) the Merger Consideration. No interest will be paid or
accrued on the cash payable upon the surrender of any such certificate or
certificates.
(d) In the event any such certificate or certificates shall
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the Person claiming such certificate or certificates to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, the amount to which such Person would have been entitled
under Section 2.8(c) hereof but for failure to deliver such certificate or
certificates to the Disbursing Agent will nevertheless be paid to such Person;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Surviving Corporation may, in its sole discretion
and as a condition precedent to such payment, require such Person to give the
Surviving Corporation a written indemnity agreement in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation and, if reasonably deemed
advisable by the Surviving Corporation, a bond in such sum as it may reasonably
direct as indemnity against any claim that may be had against the Surviving
Corporation or Parent with respect to the certificate or certificates alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 2.9 NO FURTHER RIGHTS OR TRANSFERS. At the Effective Time, all
shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be canceled and cease to exist, and each holder of a
certificate or certificates that represented shares of Company Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will cease to
have any rights as a shareholder of Company with respect to the shares of
Company Common Stock represented by such certificate or certificates, except for
the right to surrender such certificate or certificates in exchange for the
payment provided pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof or to preserve and perfect
such holder's right to receive payment for such holder's shares pursuant to
Section 302A.473 of the MBCA and Section 2.6 hereof if such holder has validly
exercised and not withdrawn or lost such right, and no transfer of shares of
Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time will be made on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE III. CLOSING
Section 3.1 GENERALLY. Subject to the provisions of Articles VII and
VIII hereof, the closing (the "CLOSING") of the transactions contemplated hereby
will occur on the same business day as, and promptly following, the special
meeting of the Shareholders to be called pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof, or at
such other time as Company and Parent may mutually agree (the "CLOSING DATE").
The Closing will be held at the offices of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn &
Berman LLP, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, or at such other
place as Company and Parent may mutually agree.
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Section 3.2 DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING. Subject to the provisions of
Articles VII and VIII hereof, at the Closing:
(a) Company and Purchaser will cause the Articles of Merger
to be filed as provided in Section 2.2 hereof and will take any and all other
lawful actions and do any and all other lawful things necessary to cause the
Merger to become effective; and
(b) Subject to the right of the Surviving Corporation to
receive a refund of amounts remaining in the Exchange Fund one year after the
Closing Date under Section 2.8 hereof, Parent or Purchaser will irrevocably
deposit with the Disbursing Agent the amount designated in Section 2.8(a)
hereof.
ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
Company represents and warrants to Parent, as of April 26, 2000, unless
otherwise expressly stated, that the statements contained in this Article IV are
true and correct except as set forth herein and in the disclosure schedules
delivered by Company to Parent's counsel on or before the date hereof (the
"COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"). Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) the number of
issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock at the opening of business
on April 26, 2000 are 6,099,135 and the total number of options granted and
outstanding at the opening of business on April 26, 2000 are 810,023, (ii) in
connection with the declaration by the Board on March 31, 2000 of a Potential
Change of Control under the 1993 Stock Option Plan Amended and Restated through
July 31, 1998, all of the previously unvested options outstanding under the
Stock Option Plan have become vested, (iii) Company may have entered into
operating leases as lessee of real property since March 31, 2000 in the ordinary
course of business that are not disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule,
(iv) Company was served on April 11, 2000 with a lawsuit in the District Court,
Fourth Judicial District, Hennepin County, Minnesota, filed by Zimmerman Reed,
P.L.L.P., Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP and Carley & Geller, LLP, a
copy of which has been provided to counsel for Parent, which was dismissed
following the filing by plaintiff of a notice of dismissal on April 25, 2000,
(v) Company was served on April 28, 2000 with a lawsuit in the District Court,
Fourth Judicial District, Hennepin County, Minnesota, filed by Zimmerman Reed,
P.L.L.P., Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP and Carley & Geller, LLP, a
copy of which has been provided to counsel for Parent, and (vi) the key
employment agreements referred to in Section 6.15 have been amended and restated
to accelerate payments thereunder in the event of the completion by Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. of its tender offer. The Company Disclosure Schedule
shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered
sections contained in this Article IV and the disclosure in any section shall
qualify other sections in this Article IV only to the extent that it is
reasonably apparent from a reading of such disclosure that it also qualifies or
applies to such other sections. Matters reflected in the Company Disclosure
Schedule are not necessarily limited to matters required by this Agreement to be
reflected in the Company Disclosure Schedule. Such additional matters are set
forth for informational purposes only.
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Section 4.1 ORGANIZATION. Each of Company and Company's Subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, Sunrise Publications, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation) is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and has all
requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its property and to carry on
its business as now being conducted. Each of Company and Company's Subsidiaries
is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified would
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, a "COMPANY
MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean a material adverse effect on the business,
properties, financial condition or results of operation of Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than any such effect resulting from any
change, event or condition generally applicable to the industries in which
Company and its Subsidiaries operate or any change in general economic
conditions). Except as set forth in the SEC Reports (as defined in Section 4.4)
filed prior to the date hereof or on the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly owns (other than
ownership interests in Company or in one or more of its Subsidiaries) any equity
or similar interest in, or any interest convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for any equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership,
joint venture or other business association or entity, excluding securities in
any publicly traded company held for investment by Company and comprising less
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding capital stock of such company. A true,
correct and complete copy of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Company
and each of the Material Subsidiaries has been delivered to Parent or Parent's
counsel. As used in this Agreement, the term "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to
any party, any corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or
unincorporated, of which (i) such party or any other Subsidiary of such party is
a general partner (excluding partnerships the general partnership interests of
which held by such party or any Subsidiary of such party do not have a majority
of the voting interest in such partnership) or (ii) at least a majority of the
securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation or other
organization, or others performing similar functions with respect to such
corporation or other organization, is directly or indirectly owned or controlled
by such party or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries. "MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES"
shall mean those Subsidiaries of Company set forth on the Company Disclosure
Schedule, which Subsidiaries constitute all of Company's "significant
subsidiaries" as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").
Section 4.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of Company
consists of (i) 14,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which, as of April
26, 2000, 6,099,135 shares are issued and outstanding, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares
of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, none of which, as of the date of
this Agreement, are issued and outstanding. No other capital stock of Company is
authorized or issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock of Company and its Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and
validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and were not granted in
violation of any statutory or contractual preemptive rights. The Company
Disclosure Schedule shows the number of shares of Company Common Stock reserved
for future issuance pursuant to stock options granted and outstanding as of
March 31, 2000, the plans under which such options were granted and award
agreements pursuant
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to which "non-plan" options were granted (collectively, the "STOCK PLANS"), and
the Persons to whom such options were granted. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, calls or other agreements or commitments pursuant to which Company or
its Subsidiaries is or may become obligated to issue, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of
capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Company or its Subsidiaries or
obligating Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant, extend, or enter into
any such subscription, option , warrant, call or other agreement or commitment,
and there are no outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for any
such capital stock or other equity interests. Company owns, directly or
indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of every
class of its Subsidiaries, free and clear of all liens, security interests,
pledges, charges and other encumbrances. Except for its ownership of 100% of the
capital stock of Sunrise Publications, Inc., Company has no direct or indirect
equity ownership interest in any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture or other business association. Neither Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any voting trust, proxy or other voting
agreement or understanding with respect to any shares of the capital stock of
Company.
Section 4.3 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND
CONSENTS.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, Company has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to completion of the
actions set forth in the next sentence. As of the date of this Agreement, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby by Company have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Company, subject
only to the approval of this Agreement by the Shareholders under the MBCA and
the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of Minnesota.
As of the date of this Agreement, this Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Company and, assuming the accuracy of the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.2(a), constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of Company, enforceable against Company in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles
(the "BANKRUPTCY AND EQUITY EXCEPTION").
(b) Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule,
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Company does not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, (i)
conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, any provision of the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
result in any violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
lapse of time, or both) a default (or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any material benefit)
under, or require a consent or waiver under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other
agreement, document, instrument or obligation to which Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their properties or
assets may be bound, or (iii) conflict with or violate any permit, concession,
franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation
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applicable to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their
properties or assets, except in the case of (ii) and (iii) for any such
conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, terminations, cancellations,
accelerations, losses, consents or waivers which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect,
except that no representation is made in this Agreement as to whether any lease
of real property by Company or its Subsidiaries as lessee contains any provision
prohibiting or limiting, or providing that a breach, violation, conflict,
default, termination, cancellation, acceleration of any obligation, loss of any
material benefit or any right to terminate, cancel or receive payment thereunder
shall occur in the event of, a change in control or merger of the nature of the
Acquisition without the waiver or consent of the other parties to the lease.
(c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality ("GOVERNMENTAL
ENTITY") is required by or with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of the
pre-merger notification report under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR ACT") and the expiration or
termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of Articles
of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota, and compliance
with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and Chapter 80B of the
Minnesota Statutes, (iii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
state or foreign securities laws, and (iv) such other consents, orders,
declarations, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which, if not
obtained or made, do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.4 SEC FILINGS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
(a) Company has made available to Parent, in the form filed
with the SEC, its (A) Annual Report on Form 10-K for each of the fiscal years
ended March 30, 1997, March 29, 1998 and March 28, 1999, inclusive, (B)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the fiscal quarters ended July 4,
1999, October 3, 1999 and January 2, 2000, (C) all proxy statements relating to
Company's meetings of Shareholders (whether annual or special) held since
January 1, 1997, and (D) all other reports, registration statements and other
filings (including amendments to previously filed documents) filed by Company
with the SEC since January 1, 1997 (all such reports, proxy statements,
registration statements and filings, other than the Proxy Statement (as defined
in Section 6.5(b)), being herein collectively called the "SEC REPORTS" and
individually called an "SEC REPORT"). At the time filed, each SEC Report
complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be. No SEC Report, as of
its filing date, or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of
this Agreement, then on the date of such filing, contained any untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and each SEC
Report at the time of its filing complied as to form in all material respects
with all applicable requirements
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of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the
SEC. The representation in the immediately preceding sentence does not apply to
any misstatement or omission in any SEC Report filed prior to the date of this
Agreement which was superseded by a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the
date of this Agreement. Since January 1, 1997, Company has filed all reports
that it was required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC.
(b) Each of the consolidated financial statements
(including, in each case, any related notes) contained in the SEC Reports
complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable published rules
and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such
financial statements or, in the case of unaudited statements, in conformity with
the requirements of Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) and fairly presented in
all material respects the consolidated financial position of Company and its
Subsidiaries as of the dates and the consolidated results of its operations and
consolidated cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited
interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in
amount, with respect to such adjustments taken as a whole. The unaudited balance
sheet of Company, included in the Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January
2, 2000 is referred to herein as the "BALANCE SHEET."
(c) The Proxy Statement, at the time the Proxy Statement is
mailed, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, and will not, at the time of the Shareholders' Meeting (as
defined in Section 6.5(a)) or at the Effective Time, as then amended or
supplemented, omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement
which has become false or misleading in any earlier communication with respect
to the solicitation of any proxy for such meeting (except that no
representation, warranty or covenant is made by Company with respect to
statements made in, or incorporated by reference into, the Proxy Statement based
on information supplied to Company by Parent or Purchaser expressly for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement). Neither the Schedule 14D-9 nor any
information relating to Company or any of its Subsidiaries supplied by Company
expressly for inclusion in the Schedule TO or the other Offer Documents will, at
the respective times the Schedule 14D-9, the Schedule TO and the other Offer
Documents (including any amendments or supplements thereto) are filed with the
SEC and are first published, sent or given to the Shareholders, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 4.5 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth on the
Company Disclosure Schedule, and except as disclosed in the SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any material
liabilities, either accrued, contingent or otherwise (whether or not required to
be reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance
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with generally accepted accounting principles), and whether due or to become
due, which, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Balance Sheet, neither
Company nor its Subsidiaries have incurred any obligations or liabilities of any
nature that are currently outstanding that would be required to be reflected on,
or reserved against in, a consolidated balance sheet of Company dated as of the
date of this Agreement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect on the date of this Agreement other than those arising
in the ordinary course of business (including trade indebtedness) since the date
of the Balance Sheet, which obligations or liabilities do not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed
in the SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or on the Company Disclosure
Schedule, since the date of the Balance Sheet, Company and its Subsidiaries have
conducted their businesses only in the ordinary course and in a manner
consistent with past practice and, since such date, there has not been (i) any
occurrence or any development or combination of occurrences or developments of
which Company has knowledge that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or
is reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any
damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) with respect
to Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has had, or is reasonably likely to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect after giving effect to insurance
coverage; (iii) any material change by Company or its Subsidiaries in their
respective accounting methods, principles or practices to which Parent has not
previously consented in writing; (iv) any revaluation by Company or its
Subsidiaries of any of their respective assets having a Company Material Adverse
Effect; or (v) any other action or event that would have required the consent of
Parent pursuant to Section 6.1 of this Agreement had such action or event
occurred after the date of this Agreement and that, individually or in the
aggregate, has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.7 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. The accounts receivable of Company and
its Subsidiaries have been accounted for in a manner consistent with accounts
receivable for prior years, including the establishment of reserves for bad
debt, and the bad debt reserves in prior years have been sufficient. The current
bad debt reserves are reasonably expected to be sufficient and, to the extent
insufficient, such insufficiency is not reasonably likely to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.8 INVENTORIES. Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the inventories of Company and its Subsidiaries as reflected on the
Balance Sheet consist only of items in good condition and salable or usable in
the ordinary course of business, except where the failure to be in such
condition or so salable or usable does not have, and is not reasonably likely to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect. All inventories not written off have
been priced at the lower of cost or market on a first in first out basis.
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Section 4.9 TAXES.
(a) For the purposes of this Agreement, a "TAX" or,
collectively, "TAXES," means any and all federal, state, local and foreign
taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, duties, impositions and
liabilities, including taxes based upon or measured by gross receipts, income,
profits, sales, use and occupation, and value added, ad valorem, transfer,
gains, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture, employment, excise,
unemployment insurance, social security, business license, occupation, business
organization, stamp, environmental and property taxes, together with all
interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Taxes" also includes any obligations under any
agreements or arrangements with any other Person with respect to Taxes of such
other Person (including pursuant to Treas. Reg. ss. 1.1502-6 or comparable
provisions of state, local or foreign Tax law) and including any liability for
Taxes of any predecessor entity.
(b) Company and each of its Subsidiaries have (i) filed all
federal, state, local and foreign Tax returns and reports required to be filed
by them prior to the date of this Agreement (taking into account all applicable
extensions), (ii) paid or accrued all Taxes due and payable, and (iii) paid or
accrued all Taxes for which a notice of assessment or collection has been
received (other than amounts being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings), except in the case of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) for any such
filings, payments or accruals that do not have, and are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. There
are no audits pending or known by Company to be contemplated with respect to
Company's Tax returns as of the date of this Agreement. Neither the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") nor any other taxing authority has asserted any
claim for Taxes, or to the knowledge of Company, is threatening to assert any
claims for Taxes, which claims, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably
likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Company and each of its
Subsidiaries have withheld or collected and paid over to the appropriate
governmental authorities (or are properly holding for such payment) all Taxes
required by law to be withheld or collected, except for amounts that do not
have, or are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
made an election under Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "CODE"), except for any such elections that are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect. There are no liens for Taxes upon the assets of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than liens for Taxes that are not yet due or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings), except for liens that do
not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. No extension of a statute of
limitations relating to any Taxes is in effect with respect to Company and its
Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement.
(c) Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a
member of an affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated federal
income Tax return (or a group of corporations filing a consolidated, combined or
unitary income Tax return under comparable provisions of state, local or foreign
Tax law) for any taxable period beginning since the tax year
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ended March 29, 1992, other than a group the common parent of which was Company
or any Subsidiary of Company.
(d) Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
obligation except with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries under any
agreement or arrangement with any other Person with respect to Taxes of such
other Person (including pursuant to Treas. Reg.ss. 1.1502-6 or comparable
provisions of state, local or foreign tax law) and including any liability for
Taxes of any predecessor entity, except for obligations that do not have, and
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a
United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section
897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
Section 4.10 PROPERTIES. Neither Company nor its Subsidiaries owns any
real property, other than leases of real property pursuant to which Company or
such Subsidiary is lessee. Company and its Subsidiaries have sufficient title
to, or the right to use, all of their tangible properties and assets necessary
to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, with such
exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, would not interfere with the
current use of such properties or assets in such a manner as to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.11 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Each of Company and its Subsidiaries owns, free and
clear of all liens, mortgages, security interests, charges and encumbrances, and
has good and merchantable title to, or holds adequate licenses or otherwise
possesses all rights necessary to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights (including any applications for any of the foregoing),
inventions, discoveries, processes, know-how, trade secrets, scientific,
technical engineering and marketing data and object and source codes, used in,
or necessary for, the conduct of their respective business as now conducted
(collectively, the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY"), except where the failure to own,
license or otherwise have the right to use such Intellectual Property or the
existence of liens, mortgages, security interests, charges or encumbrances
thereon do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) Company Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and
complete list of (i) all such patents and all registered trademarks, trade
names, service marks and copyrights, and all applications therefor and contains
a list of all jurisdictions in which such items are registered and all
registration numbers; (ii) all licenses, permits and other agreements relating
thereto which are material to Company and its Subsidiaries (other than licenses
of the Intellectual Property granted by Company or its Subsidiaries to end users
in the ordinary course of business); and (iii) all material agreements relating
to any of the Intellectual Property that Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
licensed or authorized to use by others (other than licenses of commercially
available computer software). The patents, trademarks and copyrights
constituting a part of the Intellectual Property are
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valid, subsisting and enforceable, and are duly recorded in the name of Company
or such Subsidiary, except where the failure to be valid, subsisting,
enforceable or duly recorded does not have, and is not reasonably likely to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Each of Company and its Subsidiaries has the right to
use all of the Intellectual Property in all jurisdictions in which it conducts
or proposes to conduct business, except where the failure to have such right
does not have, and is not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) No claims have been asserted in writing challenging or
questioning the ownership, validity, enforceability or use by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries of the Intellectual Property owned by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which, if adversely determined, is reasonably likely to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, and, to the knowledge of Company, there is no
valid basis for any such claim, and the use or other exploitation by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries of the Intellectual Property owned by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or of the Intellectual Property licensed to Company or any of
its Subsidiaries does not infringe on or otherwise impair the rights of any
Person, except where such infringement or impairment is not reasonably likely to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Company, no other
Person is infringing on the rights of Company or any of its Subsidiaries with
respect to any of the Intellectual Property, except for those infringements
which, individually or in the aggregate, do not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.12 AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS. Company has
made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all of the
following written contracts and agreements, and summaries of all of the
following oral contracts and agreements, presently in effect to which Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which it is bound as of the date of
this Agreement, each of which (other than operating leases as lessee with
respect to real property) is listed in the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(a) each employment agreement (other than those that are
terminable by Company or any of its Subsidiaries without cost or penalty upon
sixty (60) days' or less notice);
(b) each operating lease, whether as lessor or lessee, with
respect to any real property;
(c) each contract, whether as licensor or licensee, for the
license of any patent, know-how, trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright
or other intangible asset (other than licenses of commercially available
computer software);
(d) each loan or guaranty agreement, indenture or other
instrument, contract or agreement under which any money has been borrowed or
loaned within twenty-four months preceding the date of this Agreement, under
which Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any
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continuing obligation or under which any note, bond or other evidence of
indebtedness has been issued and remains outstanding;
(e) each mortgage, security agreement, conditional sales
contract, capital lease or similar agreement which effectively creates a lien on
any assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any purchase money
security interests granted in the ordinary course of business and any
conditional sales contract, capital lease or similar agreement, in either case,
which creates a lien only on tangible personal property);
(f) each contract restricting Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in any material respect from engaging in business or from competing
with any other parties (except those contained in operating leases of the nature
referred to in clause (b) of this Section 4.12 under which Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a lessee);
(g) each plan of reorganization;
(h) each partnership or joint venture agreement;
(i) each collective bargaining agreement; and
(j) each other contract not made in the ordinary course of
business which involves payments of $100,000 or more per year and is not
terminable by Company or any of its Subsidiaries without cost or penalty upon
sixty days' or less notice.
All of the foregoing are hereinafter collectively called "MATERIAL CONTRACTS."
Each Material Contract is in full force and effect, unless the failure of any
Material Contracts to be in full force and effect has not had and would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Company,
any other party is in breach of or in default under any Material Contract,
except for breaches or defaults which have not had, and are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Notwithstanding anything herein stated, no representation is made in
this Agreement as to whether any lease of real property by Company or its
Subsidiaries contains any provision prohibiting or limiting, or providing that a
breach or default thereunder shall occur in the event of, a change of control or
merger of the nature of the Acquisition.
Section 4.13 LITIGATION. Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there is no action, suit or proceeding, claim, arbitration or
investigation against Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the
knowledge of Company, threatened, which, individually or in the aggregate, is
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a material
adverse effect on the ability of Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, nor does Company have knowledge of any facts or
circumstances which are reasonably likely to serve as the basis for the
assertion of any of the foregoing. Further, there are no judgments, orders,
writs, injunctions, decrees, indictments or information, grand jury subpoenas or
civil investigative
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demands or rewards against Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the
business or assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or is reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the ability of Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.14 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) To the knowledge of Company, except as disclosed in the
SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or on the Company Disclosure Schedule
and except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, are not
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) Company and its
Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(ii) the properties currently owned or operated by Company and its Subsidiaries
(including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings or other structures) are
not contaminated with any Hazardous Substances; (iii) the properties formerly
owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries were not contaminated
with Hazardous Substances during the period of ownership or operation by Company
or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) neither Company nor its Subsidiaries are
subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on
any third party property; (v) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
released any Hazardous Substance; (vi) neither Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any written notice, demand, letter, claim or request
for information alleging that Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; (vii) neither Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any orders, decrees, injunctions or other
arrangements with any Governmental Entity or is subject to any indemnity or
other agreement with any third party relating to liability under any
Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances; and (viii) there are no
circumstances or conditions involving Company or any of its Subsidiaries that
are reasonably likely to result in any claims, liability, investigations, costs
or restrictions on the ownership, use or transfer of any property of Company
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
(b) As used in this Agreement, the term "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW"
means any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation, order, decree,
permit, authorization, common law or agency requirement relating to: (i) the
protection, investigation or restoration of the environment, health and safety,
or natural resources, (ii) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (iii) noise, odor, wetlands,
pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to Persons or
property.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the term "HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE" means any substance that is: (i) listed, classified or regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law; (ii) any petroleum product or by-product,
asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated
biphenyls, radioactive materials or radon; or (iii) any other substance which is
the subject of regulatory action by any Governmental Entity pursuant to any
Environmental Law.
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Section 4.15 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(a) Company has listed on the Company Disclosure Schedule
all employee benefit plans ("EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS"), as defined in Section
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), and all other material benefit arrangements that are not Employee
Benefit Plans, including, but not limited to any arrangement providing insurance
benefits, any incentive bonus or deferred bonus arrangement, any arrangement
providing termination allowance, severance or similar benefits, any equity
compensation plan, any deferred compensation plan, and any compensation policy
or practice ("BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS") (i) which are maintained, contributed to or
required to be contributed to by Company or any entity that, together with
Company as of the relevant measuring date under ERISA, is or was required to be
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code ("ERISA AFFILIATE")
or under which Company or any ERISA Affiliate may incur any liability, and (ii)
which cover the employees, former employees, directors or former directors of
Company or any ERISA Affiliate ("EMPLOYEE PLANS").
(b) A true and complete copy of each written Employee
Benefit Plan that covers employees or former employees of Company or any ERISA
Affiliate, including, if applicable, each amendment thereto and any trust
agreement, insurance contract, collective bargaining agreement, or other funding
or investment arrangements for the benefits under such Employee Benefit Plan,
has been made available to Parent. In addition, with respect to each such
Employee Benefit Plan to the extent applicable, Company has delivered to Parent
the most recently filed Federal Forms 5500, the most recent summary plan
description (including any summaries of material modifications), the most recent
IRS determination letter, if applicable, and the most recent actuarial report or
valuation, if applicable.
(c) Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(i) Neither Company nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors
or has previously sponsored, maintained, contributed to or incurred an
obligation to contribute to any Employee Benefit Plan regulated under Title IV
of ERISA, including any "multi-employer plan," as defined in Sections 3(37) and
4001(a)(3) of ERISA;
(ii) neither Company nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors
or has previously sponsored, maintained, contributed to or incurred an
obligation to contribute to any Employee Benefit Plan that provides or will
provide benefits described in Section 3(1) of ERISA to any former employee or
retiree of Company or any ERISA Affiliate, except as required under Part 6 of
Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code;
(iii) (A) all Employee Plans that cover or have
covered employees or former employees of Company have been maintained and
operated, and currently are, in compliance with their terms, the requirements
prescribed by any and all applicable laws (including ERISA and the Code),
orders, or governmental rules and regulations in effect with respect thereto,
and (B)
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Company and the ERISA Affiliates have performed all obligations required to be
performed by them under and are not in any material respect in default under or
in violation of, and have no knowledge of any default or violation by any other
party to, any of the Employee Plans, except with respect to both clauses (A) and
(B), where non-compliance, non-performance, default or violation are not
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) Each Employee Plan that covers or has covered
employees or former employees of Company and is intended to qualify under
Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust established pursuant to each such
Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code is
the subject of a favorable determination letter from the IRS, a copy of which
has been delivered to Parent, and to Company's knowledge, nothing has occurred
which is reasonably likely to impair such determination or otherwise adversely
affect the tax-qualified status of such Employee Plan;
(v) Company and the ERISA Affiliates have made or
will make when due full and timely payment of all amounts required to be
contributed under the terms of each Employee Plan and applicable law or required
to be paid as expenses under such Employee Plan, unless such contributions or
payments that have not been made are immaterial in amount and the failure to
make such payments or contributions will not materially and adversely affect the
Employee Plans. No Pension Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code has incurred
any "ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY" (as defined in said Section), whether or
not material, as of the last day of the most recent plan year of such plan; and
(vi) other than claims for benefits in the ordinary
course, there is no claim, suit, action, dispute, arbitration or legal,
administrative or other proceeding or governmental investigation or audit
pending, or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened, alleging any breach of the
terms of any Employee Plan or of any fiduciary duty thereunder or violation of
any applicable law with respect to any such Employee Plan other than those that
do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) With respect to the Employee Plans, individually and in
the aggregate, no event has occurred, and to the knowledge of Company, there
exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which Company
could be subject to any liability that is reasonably likely to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law.
(e) Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule
and except as disclosed in the SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this
Agreement, and except as provided for in this Agreement, neither Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries is a party to any oral or written (i) agreement with any
officer or other key employee of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the
benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered,
upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Company of the nature
contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) agreement or plan, including any stock
option plan, stock appreciation right plan, restricted stock plan or stock
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purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of
the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits
of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, none
of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder will trigger any "change of control" or
similar provisions resulting in the acceleration of benefits or compensation
with respect to any agreements with any officer or other key employee of Company
or any of its Subsidiaries except for such applicable agreements as set forth on
the Company Disclosure Schedule.
Section 4.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each of Company and its Subsidiaries
has complied with, is not in violation of, and has not received any notices of
violation with respect to, any federal, state or local statute, law or
regulation (including, without limitation, the Occupational Safety and Health
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to the conduct of its
business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except for failures to
comply, violations or notices of violations which, individually or in the
aggregate, do not have and are not reasonably likely to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
written notice of any actual, alleged or potential obligation on the part of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to undertake, or to bear all or any portion
of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature relating to the business of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets in connection with
any violation or alleged violation of applicable law (including, without
limitation, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act), except any violation or alleged violation that does not have,
and is not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.17 GOVERNMENTAL PERMITS. Company and its Subsidiaries have in
full force and effect all valid franchises, approvals, permits, licenses,
waivers, orders, registrations, certificates or similar rights granted by local,
state, federal or foreign governments or agencies or commissions, or departments
thereof, or otherwise obtained pursuant to any law or regulation applicable to
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, necessary to permit Company and its
Subsidiaries to lawfully conduct and operate their respective business and own
and use their respective assets in the manner in which each of them currently
owns and uses such assets ("GOVERNMENTAL PERMITS"), except where the failure to
have any such Governmental Permits does not have, and is not reasonably likely
to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of Company and its Subsidiaries
is in compliance with all terms and requirements of each Governmental Permit,
except where non-compliance does not have, and is not reasonably likely to have,
a Company Material Adverse Effect. There is no action pending or, to the
knowledge of Company, threatened against Company or its Subsidiaries, seeking
the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification or amendment of
any of the Governmental Permits, except where such action does not have, and is
not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.18 YEAR 2000. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, all
computer hardware and software products used by Company and its Subsidiaries in
their respective operations are able
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to accurately process time and date data (including calculating, comparing and
sequencing) from, into and between the twentieth century (through 1999), the
year 2000 and the twenty-first century, including leap year calculations, when
used in accordance with the product documentation accompanying such computer
hardware and software products, except where such inability does not have, and
is not reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.19 LABOR MATTERS. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports
filed prior to the date hereof, neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or
other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor,
as of the date of this Agreement, is Company or any of its Subsidiaries the
subject of any material proceeding asserting that Company or any of its
Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to
bargain with any labor union or labor organization nor, as of the date of this
Agreement, is there pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened, any
material labor strike, walkout, work stoppage, slow-down or lockout involving
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.20 INSURANCE. The Company Disclosure Schedule lists all
material fire and casualty, general liability, business interruption, product
liability, and sprinkler and water damage insurance policies maintained by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries together with a brief description of the
coverages afforded thereby. All such policies are in full force and effect in
accordance with their terms; all premiums required to have been paid with
respect thereto have been paid; no notice of cancellation has been received; to
knowledge of Company, there is no existing default or event, which, with the
giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default
thereunder; and the coverage provided thereby, with respect to any act or event
occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, will not in any way be affected by or
terminate or lapse by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
No risks with respect to the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries have
been designed as being self-insured.
Section 4.21 OPINION OF BLAIR. The Company Board or the Special
Committee has received the opinion of Blair to the effect that, as of the date
of execution of this Agreement, the cash consideration to be received by the
Shareholders (other than Parent or Purchaser) in the Offer and the Merger is
fair to such Shareholders from a financial point of view.
Section 4.22 NO EXISTING DISCUSSIONS. As of the date of this Agreement,
neither Company nor any of its affiliates is engaged, directly or indirectly, in
any discussions or negotiations with any other party with respect to an
Acquisition Proposal (as defined in Section 6.3(a)).
Section 4.23 VOTING REQUIREMENTS. The affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares of Company Common Stock,
voting as a single class at the Shareholders' Meeting (as defined in Section
6.5(a)), is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital
stock of Company necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
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Section 4.24 PROXIES. David R. Pomije has tendered an irrevocable proxy
to Parent pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement between Parent and
Mr. Pomije, dated as of this date (the "SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT"), which
irrevocable proxy grants to Parent, in the aggregate, the right to vote up to
19.9% of the Company Common Stock in favor of the Merger.
Section 4.25 TENDER OF SHARES. David R. Pomije has provided to Company
his written commitment to tender all Shares owned of record or beneficially
owned by him pursuant to the Offer with respect to up to 19.9% of the Company
Common Stock.
Section 4.26 TERMINATION OF EB MERGER AGREEMENT AND POMIJE SHAREHOLDER
AGREEMENT. On or prior to the date of this Agreement, Company has terminated
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 31, 2000, as
amended on April 20, 2000, by and among Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
("EB"), EB Acquisition Corporation and Company (the "EB MERGER AGREEMENT") in
accordance with its terms and that certain Shareholder Agreement, dated as of
March 31, 2000, by and between EB and David R. Pomije has terminated in
accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
Parent and Purchaser, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Company that the statements contained in this Article V are true and correct.
Section 5.1 ORGANIZATION OF PARENT. Each of Parent and Purchaser is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and has all requisite corporate
power to own, lease and operate its property and to carry on its business as now
being conducted and as proposed to be conducted. Each of Parent and Purchaser is
duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation
in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified would have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, a "PARENT MATERIAL ADVERSE
EFFECT" shall mean an effect that materially impairs the ability of Parent or
Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Purchaser was formed solely for the purpose of completing the Offer and
effecting the Merger and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted
any operations other than in connection with the Offer and the Merger.
Section 5.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND
CONSENTS.
(a) Each of Parent and Purchaser has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to completion of the
actions set forth in the next sentence. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement by Parent and Purchaser have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and Purchaser, subject only to
the filing of the Articles of Merger with
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the Secretary of State of Minnesota. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Parent and Purchaser and, assuming the accuracy of the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.3(a), constitutes the
legally valid and binding obligation of Parent and Purchaser, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent
and Purchaser does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with, or result in any violation or breach
of, any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of
Incorporation (as the case may be) or Bylaws of Parent or Purchaser, (ii) result
in any violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of
time, or both) a default, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation
or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any material benefit under, or
require a consent or waiver under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement,
instrument or obligation to which Parent or Purchaser is a party or by which
either of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound, or (iii)
conflict with or violate any permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Parent
or Purchaser, except in case of (ii) and (iii) for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations,
losses, consents or waivers which are not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably likely to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
(c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by
or with respect to Parent or Purchaser in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, except for (i) the filing of the pre-merger notification report under
the HSR Act and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the
HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State
of the State of Minnesota, and compliance with the applicable requirements of
the Exchange Act and Chapter 80B of the Minnesota Statutes (iii) such consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as
may be required under applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (iv) such
other consents, orders, declarations, authorizations, filings, approvals and
registrations which, if not obtained or made, do not have, and are not
reasonably likely to have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.3 OFFER DOCUMENTS AND PROXY STATEMENT. None of the
information furnished or to be furnished by Parent or Purchaser expressly for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the time the Proxy Statement is
mailed, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or will, at the time of the Shareholders' Meeting or at the
Effective Time, as then amended or supplemented, omit to state any material fact
necessary to correct any statement which has become false or misleading in any
earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for such
meeting. Neither the Offer Documents, nor any information supplied by Parent or
Purchaser expressly for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9, will, at any time the
Offer Documents or the Schedule 14D-9 (including any amendments or supplements
thereto) are filed with the SEC or are first
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published, sent or given to the Shareholders, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 5.4 LITIGATION. No action, suit or proceeding, arbitration or
investigation against Parent or Purchaser is pending or, to the knowledge of
Parent or Purchaser, threatened against Parent or Purchaser as of the date of
this Agreement which, individually or in the aggregate is reasonably likely to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Further, there are no judgments, orders,
writs, injunctions, decrees, indictments or information, grand jury subpoenas or
civil investigative demands or rewards against Parent or Purchaser that are
reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.5 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Parent has available cash and/or
unused availability under existing borrowing facilities which are sufficient to
enable it and Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 5.6 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Neither Parent nor any of its
affiliates or associates (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly or (ii)
is party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of capital
stock of Company.
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS
Section 6.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Except as expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or as set forth on Section 6.1 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, during the period from April 26, 2000 and continuing until the earlier
of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 or the
Effective Time, Company agrees as to itself and its Subsidiaries (except to the
extent that Parent shall otherwise consent in writing) to carry on its business
in the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as
previously conducted, to pay its debts and Taxes when due subject to good faith
disputes over such debts or Taxes, to pay or perform its other obligations when
due, and, to the extent consistent with such business, use all reasonable
efforts consistent with past practices and policies to (i) preserve intact its
present business organization, (ii) keep available the services of its present
officers and key employees and (iii) preserve its relationships with customers,
suppliers, distributors, and others having business dealings with it.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as set forth on Section 6.1 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, during the period from the date of this Agreement and
continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the
Effective Time, Company shall not (and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to), without the written consent of Parent, do any of the following:
(a) accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability
of options or restricted stock granted under any Stock Plan or authorize cash
payments in exchange for any options granted under any such Stock Plan, except
as required by the terms of such Stock Plan or any related agreements in effect
as of the date of this Agreement;
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(b) declare or pay any dividends on or make any other
distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its
capital stock, or split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue
or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
in substitution for shares of its capital stock, or purchase or otherwise
acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock, except from
former employees, directors and consultants in accordance with agreements
providing for the repurchase of shares in connection with any termination of
service to such party;
(c) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the
issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of its capital stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock, or
subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or
commitments of any character obligating it to issue, any such shares or other
convertible securities, other than the issuance of shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants outstanding on the date of
this Agreement;
(d) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating
with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in, or substantial portion
of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation,
partnership or other business organization or division, or otherwise acquire or
agree to acquire any assets (other than inventory and other items in the
ordinary course of business), except for any such acquisitions involving
aggregate consideration of not more than $50,000;
(e) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of its
material properties or assets, except for transactions in the ordinary course of
business; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall Company enter into any
agreement, option or other arrangement (including, without limitation, any joint
venture) involving the licensing of its name in any foreign country, except for
transactions in the ordinary course of business;
(f) enter into any material agreement or other arrangement
which would constitute a Material Contract if Company or any of its Subsidiaries
were a party thereto as of the date of this Agreement, which agreements or other
arrangements obligate the Company to pay more than $50,000 thereunder,
individually, or more than $100,000 in the aggregate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, Company
shall not (and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to) enter into any
retail store leases without the prior written consent of Parent, such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld;
(g) incur inventory other than in the ordinary course of
business;
(h) (i) increase or agree to increase the compensation
payable or to become payable to its directors, officers, employees or
consultants, except for increases in salary or wages of employees in accordance
with past practices, (ii) grant any additional severance or termination pay to,
or enter into any employment or severance agreements with, any consultants,
employees, officers or directors, (iii) enter into any collective bargaining
agreement (other than as required by
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law or extensions to existing agreements in the ordinary course of business), or
(iv) establish, adopt, enter into or amend, in any manner materially adverse to
the Company or its Subsidiaries, any bonus, profit sharing, thrift,
compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan, trust, fund,
policy or arrangement for the benefit of any directors, officers, employees or
consultants;
(i) amend or propose to amend its Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws;
(j) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money other than
intercompany indebtedness and indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of
business; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall Company or any of its
Subsidiaries incur any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $50,000 in
the aggregate without the written consent of Parent;
(k) take any action that would or is reasonably likely to
result in a breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty set
forth in this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality; or take any action
that would or is reasonably likely to result in a breach of any covenant,
agreement, representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement that is not so
qualified, which breach is reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect;
(l) make or rescind any material express or deemed election
relating to Taxes, settle or compromise any material claim, action, suit,
litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy
relating to Taxes, or change any of its methods of reporting income or
deductions for federal income Tax purposes from those employed in the
preparation of its federal income tax return for the taxable year ended March
28, 1999, except as may be required by applicable law;
(m) settle any material litigation, such consent of Parent
not to be unreasonably withheld;
(n) take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of
the actions described in Sections 6.1(a) through (m) above.
Section 6.2 COOPERATION; NOTICE; CURE. Subject to compliance with
applicable law, from the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or
the termination of this Agreement, Company shall confer on a regular and
frequent basis with one or more representatives of Parent to report on the
general status of ongoing operations and litigation, and shall promptly provide
Parent or its counsel with copies of all filings made by Company with the SEC or
with any Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each party shall notify the
other party of, and will use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure before
the Closing Date, any event, transaction or circumstance, as soon as practical
after it becomes known to the notifying party, that causes or will cause any
covenant or agreement of the notifying party under this Agreement to be breached
in any material respect or that renders or will render untrue in any material
respect any representation or warranty of the notifying party contained
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in this Agreement. No notice given pursuant to this Section shall have any
effect on the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in
this Agreement for purposes of determining satisfaction of any condition
contained herein.
Section 6.3 NO SOLICITATION.
(a) From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, Company shall not and will
not authorize or permit any of its officers, directors, employees, financial
advisors, representatives or agents to (i) solicit, seek, initiate, or encourage
any inquiries or proposals that constitute, or would be reasonably likely to
lead to, a proposal or offer for a merger, consolidation, business combination,
sale of substantial assets of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as whole
(other than the sale of inventory or obsolete property in the ordinary course of
business), sale of shares of its capital stock (including without limitation by
way of a tender offer) or similar transaction involving such party or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (any of
the foregoing inquiries or proposals being referred to in this Agreement as an
"ACQUISITION PROPOSAL"), (ii) engage in negotiations or discussions with any
Person other than Parent or its affiliates (a "THIRD PARTY") concerning, or
provide any non-public information to any Person relating to, any Acquisition
Proposal, or (iii) agree to or recommend any Acquisition Proposal; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent Company or the
Company Board or the Special Committee from (A) furnishing nonpublic information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any Person in connection
with an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal by such Person or
modifying or withdrawing its recommendation with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby or recommending an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal to the Shareholders, if and only to the extent that (1) the Company
Board or the Special Committee believes in good faith (after consultation with
its financial and legal advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably
capable of being completed on the terms proposed and would, if consummated,
result in a transaction more favorable to the Shareholders than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company Board or the Special Committee
determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel that such
action is required for the Company Board or the Special Committee to comply with
its fiduciary duties to the Shareholders under applicable law and (2) prior to
furnishing such non-public information to, or entering into discussions or
negotiations with, such Person, the Company Board or the Special Committee
receives from such Person an executed confidentiality and standstill agreement
with terms no less favorable to Company than those contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 21, 1999 between Babbage's Etc., LLC and
Company, as supplemented by letter agreement, dated April 7, 2000, by and among
Parent, Babbage's Etc., LLC and Company (as supplemented, the "CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT"); or (B) complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act
with regard to an Acquisition Proposal. Company agrees not to release any Third
Party from, or waive any provision of, any standstill agreement to which it is a
party or any confidentiality agreement between it and another Person who has
made, or who may reasonably be considered likely to make, an Acquisition
Proposal, unless the Company Board or the Special Committee determines in good
faith after consultation with outside legal counsel that such action is
necessary for the Company Board or the Special Committee to
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comply with its fiduciary duties to its Shareholders under applicable law.
Notwithstanding anything stated in this Section 6.3, the Company need not refuse
a request from any Person who has signed a standstill agreement with the Company
to make an Acquisition Proposal to the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of
Directors of the Company if the Company Board or the Special Committee
determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel that such
action is necessary for the Company Board or the Special Committee to comply
with its fiduciary duties to Shareholders under applicable law.
(b) Company shall notify Parent immediately after receipt by
Company (or its advisors) of any Acquisition Proposal or any request for
nonpublic information in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or for access
to its properties, books or records by any Person that informs Company that it
is considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall
be made orally and in writing and shall indicate in reasonable detail the terms
and conditions of such proposal, inquiry or contact (including, without
limitation, the identity of the Person making the Acquisition Proposal). Company
shall continue to keep Parent informed, on a current basis, of the status of any
such discussions or negotiations and the terms being discussed or negotiated.
(c) Neither the Company Board nor the Special Committee
shall withdraw, modify or change, or propose to withdraw, modify or change, in a
manner adverse to Parent, the approval or recommendation by the Company Board or
the Special Committee, as the case may be, of the Offer, this Agreement or the
Merger unless the Company Board or the Special Committee, as the case may be,
determines, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, that it is necessary to do
so. Nothing contained in this Section 6.3(c) will prohibit Company from taking
and disclosing to the Shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Section 6.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMPANY EMPLOYEES. Upon
reasonable notice, Company shall (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to) afford to
the officers, employees, accountants, counsel and other representatives of
Parent access, during normal business hours during the period from the date
hereof to the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this
Agreement, to all its personnel, properties, books, contracts, commitments and
records and, during such period, Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to Parent all information concerning its
business, properties and personnel as Parent may reasonably request. Parent will
hold any such information which is nonpublic in confidence in accordance with
the Confidentiality Agreement. In connection with such access, Parent and each
such representative will act in a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with
the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries. No information or knowledge
obtained in any investigation pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall affect or be
deemed to modify any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or
the conditions to the obligations of the parties to complete the Offer or the
Merger. In addition, Company shall (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to) offer
to the representatives of Parent access, during normal business hours during the
period from the date hereof to the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, to all of Company's and its Subsidiaries' current
employees for purposes of conducting any analysis reasonably related to such
employees' employment by Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the prospect of
such employees' continued
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employment by Parent, the Surviving Corporation, its Subsidiaries or any other
affiliate of Parent after the Effective Time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
access shall be subject to the prior consent of Company, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld, and FURTHER PROVIDED, that a representative of Company
shall be entitled to participate in any meetings with employees. In connection
with such access, Parent and each such representative will act in a manner as
not to unreasonably interfere with the operations of Company and its
Subsidiaries.
Section 6.5 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING.
(a) Company shall call a meeting of its Shareholders to be
held as promptly as practicable upon the purchase of Shares by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer (provided the Minimum Condition has been satisfied) (the
"OFFER COMPLETION") for the purpose of voting upon the approval of this
Agreement and the Merger (the "SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING").
(b) Except as provided in Section 6.5(c), Company (i) as
promptly as reasonably practicable following the Offer Completion, will prepare
and file with the SEC a proxy statement, together with a form of proxy, with
respect to the Shareholders' Meeting (such proxy statement, together with any
amendments thereof or supplements thereto, being herein called the "PROXY
STATEMENT"), (ii) will use its reasonable best efforts to have the Proxy
Statement cleared by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable, if such
clearance is required, and (iii) as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter,
will cause copies of such Proxy Statement and form of proxy to be mailed to the
Shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the MBCA. Prior to the filing
of the Proxy Statement and form of proxy with the SEC, Company will provide
reasonable opportunity for Parent to review and comment upon the contents of the
Proxy Statement and form of proxy. The Proxy Statement and form of proxy will
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Proxy Statement
will include the recommendation of the Company Board that the Shareholders
approve this Agreement, unless the Company Board, in the exercise of its
fiduciary duties, shall determine that such recommendation should not be made.
After the delivery to the Shareholders of copies of the Proxy Statement and form
of proxy, Company will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit proxies in
connection with such Shareholders' Meeting in favor of approval of this
Agreement, unless the Company Board shall determine, in the exercise of its
fiduciary duties, that such solicitation should not be made. Parent and
Purchaser will vote all shares of Company Common Stock owned or controlled by
them in favor of the approval of this Agreement. Each of Parent, Purchaser and
Company will use its reasonable best efforts, after consultation with the other
parties hereto, to respond promptly to all comments and requests of the SEC with
respect to the Proxy Statement and to file all required supplements and
amendments to the Proxy Statement with the SEC and cause them to be mailed to
the Shareholders at the earliest practicable time.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 6.5(a) or (b) hereof, in the
event that Parent, Purchaser or any other Subsidiary of Parent acquires,
directly or indirectly, at least 90% of the outstanding Shares pursuant to the
Offer or otherwise, the parties hereto will take all necessary and appropriate
action to cause the Merger to become effective in accordance with Section
302A.621 of
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the MBCA without a meeting of the Shareholders as soon as practicable after the
acceptance for payment and purchase of the Shares by Parent pursuant to the
Offer.
Section 6.6 LEGAL CONDITIONS TO MERGER.
(a) Company, Parent and Purchaser shall each use its
reasonable best efforts to (i) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary and proper under
applicable law to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
hereby as promptly as practicable, (ii) obtain from any Governmental Entity or
any other third party any material consents, licenses, permits, waivers,
approvals, authorizations, or orders required to be obtained or made by Company
or Parent or any of their Subsidiaries in connection with the authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation, the completion
of the Offer and the Merger, and (iii) as promptly as practicable and, with
respect to the Offer, in any event within the time periods specified in Article
I, make all necessary filings, and thereafter make any other required
submissions, with respect to this Agreement, the Offer and the Merger required
under (A) the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any other applicable
federal or state securities laws, (B) the HSR Act and any related governmental
request thereunder, and (C) any other applicable law (provided that nothing
herein stated shall require Company to take or cause to be taken any action, or
to do or cause to be done any things, which the Company Board, in the exercise
of its fiduciary duties, determines, in good faith after consultation with its
legal advisors, should not be taken or done). Company, Parent and Purchaser
shall cooperate with each other in connection with the making of all such
filings, including providing copies of all such documents to the non-filing
party and its advisors prior to filing and, if requested, consult with the
non-filing party regarding additions, deletions or changes suggested by the
non-filing party in connection therewith.
(b) Company and Parent agree, and shall cause each of their
respective Subsidiaries, to cooperate and to use their respective reasonable
best efforts to obtain any government clearances required for completion of the
Offer and the Closing (including compliance with the HSR Act and any applicable
foreign government reporting requirements), to respond to any government
requests for information, and, to the extent not inconsistent with the fiduciary
duties of their respective Board of Directors, to contest and resist any action,
including any legislative, administrative or judicial action, and to have
vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or
other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that restricts,
prevents or prohibits the completion of the Offer, the consummation of the
Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Company
and Parent shall use reasonable efforts to make their initial filing under the
HSR Act with the appropriate Governmental Entities within ten business days
after the date of this Agreement. The parties hereto will consult and cooperate
with one another, and consider in good faith the views of one another, in
connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs,
arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party
hereto in connection with proceedings under or relating to the HSR Act, or any
other federal, state or foreign antitrust or fair trade law. Company,
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Parent and Purchaser shall cooperate and work together in any proceedings or
negotiations with any Governmental Entity relating to any of the foregoing.
(c) Each of Company and Parent shall give (or shall cause
their respective Subsidiaries to give) any notices to third parties related to
or required in connection with the completion of the Offer and Merger, other
than those notices, the failure of which to give is not reasonably likely to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Material Adverse Effect, as
applicable.
Section 6.7 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Company and Parent shall agree on the
form and content of the initial press release regarding the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereafter shall consult with each other before issuing,
and use reasonable efforts to agree upon, any press release or other public
statement with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall
not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, subject to the obligation to consult with
respect to the content of such notice, as provided above, nothing contained in
this Section is intended to prevent any party from making any public disclosure
it believes in good faith after consultation with its legal advisors is required
by applicable law or any listing or trading agreement concerning its
publicly-traded securities.
Section 6.8 BROKERS OR FINDERS. Each of Parent and Company represents,
as to itself, its Subsidiaries and its affiliates, that no agent, broker,
investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is or will be entitled to
any broker's or finder's fee or any other commission or similar fee in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except
Blair, whose fees and expenses will be paid by Company in accordance with
Company's agreement with such firm (a copy of which has been delivered by
Company to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement).
Section 6.9 AMENDMENT OF COMPANY'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Company
will, effective at or immediately prior to the Effective Time, cause any
Employee Benefit Plans which it may have to be amended, to the extent, if any,
reasonably requested by Parent, for the purpose of permitting such Employee
Benefit Plan to continue to operate in conformity with ERISA and the Code
following the Merger.
Section 6.10 STOCK OPTIONS. Company will use its reasonable efforts to
cause each Stock Option outstanding after the Offer Completion (whether or not
such Stock Option is then exercisable) to be canceled promptly after the Offer
Completion and prior to the Effective Time pursuant to action of the Company
Board or a Stock Option Cancellation Agreement in consideration for a cash
payment by Company equal to the Stock Option Settlement Amount for such Stock
Option or such higher amount as may be required by the terms of the applicable
stock option plans, subject to all applicable tax withholding. Company shall
comply with all applicable requirements regarding income tax withholding in
connection with the foregoing.
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Section 6.11 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. The Confidentiality Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect until the Effective Time, without
modification, except that the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed to be
dated and restated as of the date of this Agreement, and all obligations
contained in the Confidentiality Agreement that extend two years from and after
the date of the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to
extend for two years from and after the date of this Agreement. Until the
Effective Time, Company and Parent agree to comply with the terms of the
Confidentiality Agreement.
Section 6.12 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.
(a) For a period of at least one year after the Offer
Completion, Parent will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation, its
Subsidiaries or any other affiliate of Parent to, maintain welfare and pension
benefit plans, programs and arrangements for the benefit of those Persons who
were employees of Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Offer
Completion for so long as such Persons continue to be employees of Parent, the
Surviving Corporation, its Subsidiaries or any other affiliate of Parent after
the Offer Completion, which plans, programs and arrangements are, in the
aggregate, no less favorable than those provided by Company and its Subsidiaries
to such Persons immediately prior to the Offer Completion(provided that nothing
herein shall obligate Parent, the Surviving Corporation, its Subsidiaries or any
other affiliate of Parent to provide such Persons with any stock of the
Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or stock based compensation
related to stock of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries).
(b) From and after the Effective Time, for purposes of
determining eligibility, vesting and entitlement to vacation and severance
benefits for Persons employed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately
prior to the Effective Time under any compensation, severance, welfare, pension,
benefit or savings plan of Parent or any of its affiliates in which such Persons
become eligible to participate (whether pursuant to Section 6.12(a) or
otherwise), employment by Company or its Subsidiaries (whether before or after
the Effective Time) will be credited as if such Person had been employed by
Parent or any such affiliate.
(c) If the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries,
or any of their respective successors or assigns, transfers all or substantially
all of its properties and assets to any Person or Persons (other than Parent or
an affiliate of Parent), then, and in each such case, proper provision will be
made so that the transferee assumes (and if more than one, the transferees
assume, jointly and severally) the obligations set forth in this Section 6.12.
Section 6.13 INDEMNIFICATION. All rights to indemnification, expense
advancement and exculpation existing in favor of any present or former director
or officer of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws or similar organizational documents of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or by law as in effect on the date hereof, will survive the
Merger for a period of six years after the Effective Time (or, in the event any
relevant claim is asserted or made within such six-year period, until final
disposition of such claim) with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time (including consummation of the
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transactions contemplated by this Agreement), and no action taken during such
period will be deemed to diminish the obligations set forth in this Section
6.13. Parent hereby guarantees, effective upon the Effective Time, all
obligations of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries in respect of such
indemnification and expense advancement.
Section 6.14 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE. For a period
from the Offer Completion until at least six years after the Effective Time,
Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation to maintain in effect either (i) the
current policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by
Company (provided that Parent or the Surviving Corporation may substitute
therefor policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and
conditions that are no less advantageous in any material respect to the insured
parties thereunder) with respect to claims arising from facts or events which
occurred at or before the Effective Time (including consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement), or (ii) a runoff (i.e., "tail")
policy or endorsement with respect to the current policy of directors' and
officers' liability insurance covering claims asserted within six years after
the Effective Time arising from facts or events which occurred at or before the
Effective Time (including consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement); and such policies or endorsements will name as insureds thereunder
all present and former directors and officers of Company or its Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the amount of the coverage required
pursuant to this Section exceeds 200% of the amount of the annual premiums paid
as of the date hereof by Parent for such coverage or equivalent coverage, Parent
shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain the most advantageous policies of
directors' and officers' insurance obtainable for an annual premium equal to no
more than 200% of the amount of the annual premiums paid as of the date hereof
by Company for such coverage.
Section 6.15 KEY EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS. Immediately after the Offer
Completion, Parent and the Surviving Corporation will be deemed, by virtue of
the execution by Parent and Purchaser of this Agreement, to have jointly and
severally assumed and agreed to perform, the obligations of Company under each
of the Company's Employee Agreements, dated as of May 19, 1999, as amended,
between the Company and each of the employees listed on Section 6.15 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule.
Section 6.16 EB TERMINATION FEE. Immediately after the execution of
this Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement, Parent will wire transfer
immediately available funds to a bank account designated by Company in an amount
equal to the Termination Fee required to be paid by Company pursuant to the EB
Merger Agreement, which funds shall be used by Company solely for such purpose.
ARTICLE VII. CONDITIONS TO MERGER
Section 7.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.
The respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions:
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(a) COMMENCEMENT OF OFFER; PURCHASE OF SHARES. Parent shall
have caused Purchaser to make the Offer, and Purchaser shall have purchased the
Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, provided that
this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied with respect to the
obligation of Parent and Purchaser to effect the Merger if Purchaser fails to
accept tender of or pay for Shares pursuant to the Offer in violation of the
terms of the Offer or of this Agreement.
(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. If so required by the MBCA, this
Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved in the manner required by the
MBCA by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares.
(c) HSR ACT. Any waiting period applicable to the
Acquisition under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.
(d) NO INJUNCTIONS. No Governmental Entity shall have
enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any order, executive order,
stay, decree, judgment or injunction or statute, rule or regulation which is in
effect and which has the effect of making the Merger illegal or otherwise
prohibiting consummation of the Merger.
ARTICLE VIII. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
Section 8.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Effective Time (with respect to Sections 8.1(b) through 8.1(e), by
written notice by the terminating party to the other party), whether before or
after approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the Shareholders:
(a) by mutual written consent of Company and Parent; or
(b) by either Company or Parent if the Offer Completion
shall not have occurred by August 4, 2000 (the "OUTSIDE DATE"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b)
shall not be available to a party if such party's failure to fulfill any
obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure
of the Offer Completion to occur on or before such date, and provided further
that Parent may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b)
unless the failure of the Offer Completion to occur prior to the Outside Date
resulted from the failure of an Offer Condition to be satisfied; or
(c) by either Company or Parent if a court of competent
jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued a nonappealable
final order, decree or ruling or taken any other nonappealable final action, in
each case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the consummation of the Offer or the Merger; or
(d) by Company or Parent, if (i) the Company Board or the
Special Committee, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, in good faith after
consultation with its legal advisors, shall
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have withdrawn or modified, in any manner adverse to Parent as reasonably
determined by Parent, its recommendation of this Agreement, the Offer or the
Merger prior to the Offer Completion; (ii) the Company Board or the Special
Committee, in the good faith exercise of its fiduciary duties, after
consultation with its legal advisors, shall have recommended to the Shareholders
an Alternative Transaction (as defined in Section 8.3(d)) prior to the Offer
Completion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, Company shall not terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 8.1(d)(ii) and enter into a definitive agreement for
such Alternative Transaction until the expiration of five business days
following Parent's receipt of written notice advising Parent that Company has
received a proposal for an Alternative Transaction, which notice shall specify
the material terms and conditions of such proposal (including a copy thereof),
identify the Person making such proposal and state whether Company intends to
enter into a definitive agreement for such Alternative Transaction; AND FURTHER
PROVIDED Company shall have afforded a reasonable opportunity within such five
business day period to Parent after delivering such notice to make such
adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable the
Company Board or the Special Committee to maintain its recommendation of this
Agreement, the Offer and the Merger to the Shareholders and enable Company to
proceed with the Merger on such adjusted terms; (iii) a tender offer or exchange
offer for 35% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock is
commenced (other than by Parent or an affiliate of Parent) and the Company Board
or the Special Committee recommends, prior to the Offer Completion, that the
Shareholders tender their shares in such tender or exchange offer; or (iv) the
Offer expires or is terminated or withdrawn pursuant to its terms as a result of
the failure of any of the Offer Conditions to be satisfied or waived prior to
the Expiration Date (provided that neither Parent nor Purchaser may terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(d)(iv) if such Offer Conditions are
not satisfied as a result of a breach by Parent or Purchaser of obligations of
Parent or Purchaser under this Agreement);
(e) by Company or Parent at any time prior to the Offer
Completion, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement on the part of the other party set forth in this Agreement, which
breach would impair the ability of the breaching party to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or, if the breach is by Company,
would have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and which shall not have been
cured within fifteen days following receipt by the breaching party of written
notice of such breach from the other party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, to the extent
that any such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Company is
qualified as to materiality, such representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement by Company shall not be deemed to be so qualified for purposes of this
subsection.
Section 8.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall immediately become
void and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of Company,
Parent or their respective officers, directors, shareholders or affiliates,
except as set forth in Sections 8.3 and 9.12; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
termination shall not limit liability for a willful and material breach of this
Agreement; AND FURTHER PROVIDED that the provisions of Sections 8.3 and 9.12 of
this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.
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Section 8.3 FEES AND EXPENSES.
(a) Except as set forth in this Section 8.3, all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, if the
Merger is not consummated.
(b) Company shall pay Parent a termination fee equal to
$3,000,000.00, plus up to $500,000.00 for fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"TERMINATION FEE") if this Agreement is terminated:
(i) pursuant to Sections 8.1(b) or 8.1(d)(iv) if a
proposal for an Alternative Transaction involving Company shall have been made
on or after April 26, 2000 and prior to the Offer Completion; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
such termination occurs upon the failure to satisfy the Minimum Condition; or
(ii) pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), (ii) or (iii); or
(iii) pursuant to Section 8.1(e), but only if a
proposal for an Alternative Transaction involving Company shall have been made
on or after April 26, 2000 and prior to the Offer Completion and either a
definitive agreement for an Alternative Transaction is entered into, or an
Alternative Transaction is consummated, within 12 months after such termination.
(c) The Termination Fee shall be paid within five business
days after the conditions requiring the payment thereof first occur.
(d) In no event shall more than one Termination Fee be
payable under this Section 8.3, and in no event shall a Termination Fee be
payable under this Section 8.3 if, at the time of termination of this Agreement,
Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
8.1(e).
(e) As used in this Agreement, "ALTERNATIVE TRANSACTION"
means either (i) a transaction pursuant to which any Third Party acquires more
than 35% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to a tender
offer or exchange offer or otherwise, (ii) a merger or other business
combination involving Company pursuant to which any Third Party acquires more
than 35% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or of the entity
surviving such merger or business combination, or (iii) any other transaction
pursuant to which any Third Party acquires assets (including for this purpose
the outstanding equity securities of Subsidiaries of Company) of Company having
a fair market value (as determined by the Company Board in good faith) equal to
more than 35% of the fair market value of all the assets of Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such transaction.
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ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented by the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their
respective Board of Directors, at any time before or after approval of the
matters presented in connection with the Merger by the Shareholders, but, after
any such approval, no amendment, modification or supplement shall be made which
decreases the amount, or changes the form of Merger Consideration, or by law
requires further approval by the Shareholders, in each case without further
approval by the Shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or
supplemented except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the
parties hereto.
Section 9.2 EXTENSION; WAIVER; CONSENT. At any time prior to the
Effective Time, the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their
respective Board of Directors, may, to the extent legally allowed and not
otherwise limited by this Agreement, (a) extend the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other parties hereto
contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive
compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other parties hereto
contained herein, other than the conditions set forth in Section 7.1. Any
agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such party.
Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent by or on behalf of any party
hereto, such consent shall be given in a manner consistent with the requirements
for a waiver of compliance as set forth in this Section 9.2.
Section 9.3 TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.
The representations and warranties of Company set forth in this Agreement
(including those set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule) or in any
certificate furnished under this Agreement shall not survive the Effective Time.
Section 9.4 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, effective
when delivered, telecopied (which is confirmed and shall be effective when
confirmed), delivered by express delivery service (effective when delivered), or
mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), effective
three business days after mailing, to the parties at the following addresses (or
at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to Company, to
Funco, Inc.
10120 West 76th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55334
Attention: President and Chief Operating Officer
Telecopy: (612) 946-8122
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with a copy to:
Faegre & Benson LLP
2200 Norwest Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901
Attention: Philip S. Garon, Esquire
Telecopy: (612) 336-3026
(b) if to Parent or Purchaser, to
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
122 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
Attention: Michael Archbold
Telecopy: (212) 633-3344
with a copy to:
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
Attention: Stuart A. Gordon, Esquire
Telecopy: (212) 541-1360
Section 9.5 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement
to Sections, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation." The phrase "made available" in this
Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available if
requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available. The
phrases "the date of this Agreement", "the date hereof," and terms of similar
import, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be deemed to refer to the
date set forth in the Preamble. The phrase "to the knowledge of the Company" or
any similar phrase shall mean the actual knowledge, after due inquiry, of one or
more of the individuals identified in Section 9.5 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule. All dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement are expressed in
United States funds. The phrase "business day" shall mean any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or any day which is a legal holiday or a day on which banking
institutions in New York are authorized or required by law or other action of a
Governmental Entity to close. The terms "affiliate" and "associate" shall have
the meanings set forth in the Exchange Act.
Section 9.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall be considered
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one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other
parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
Section 9.7 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement is
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or in equity.
Section 9.8 SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant, agreement
or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants, agreements and restrictions of this Agreement will continue in full
force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
Section 9.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This
Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Confidentiality
Agreement and all documents and instruments referred to herein (a) constitute
the entire agreement and understanding and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof, and (b) except as set forth in Sections 6.13,
6.14 and 6.15 and Articles I and II are not intended to confer upon any Person
other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder; provided that
the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the
Effective Time. Each party hereto agrees that, except for the representations
and warranties contained in this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement,
neither Company nor Parent makes any other representations or warranties, and
each hereby disclaims any other representations and warranties made by itself or
any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, financial and legal advisors
or other representatives notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the other
or the other's representatives of any documentation or other information with
respect to any one or more of the foregoing. Without limiting the generality of
the preceding sentence, no estimates, projections or predictions regarding
Company or its Subsidiaries that have been provided to Parent, Purchaser or any
of their representatives shall be deemed to be representations or warranties of
Company.
Section 9.10 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (except to the
extent such matter is the proper subject of the MBCA in which event the laws of
the State of Minnesota shall control) without regard to any applicable conflicts
of law.
Section 9.11 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties
hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties
and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the direct parent of Purchaser may at any time prior
to the Effective Time transfer all of the capital
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stock of Purchaser to Parent or to another wholly owned subsidiary of Parent,
and Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that such transfer may be consummated
at or before such time.
Section 9.12 REIMBURSEMENT TO PARENT. Company shall pay Parent an
amount (the "Reimbursement Fee") equal to the aggregate sum paid by Parent to
Company pursuant to Section 6.16 in the event (a) a Termination Fee is paid or
payable by Company to Parent pursuant to the terms of Section 8.3 or (b) this
Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(e). In no event shall
more than one Reimbursement Fee be payable under this Section 9.12. The
Reimbursement Fee shall be paid concurrently with the payment of the Termination
Fee or, in the event the Reimbursement Fee is payable pursuant to clause (b)
above, within five business days after such termination pursuant to Section
8.1(e).
Section 9.13 INDEX TO DEFINED TERMS. The definition of each of the
following defined terms is contained in the sections of this Agreement set forth
below:
Cross Reference
DEFINED TERM IN AGREEMENT
------------ ------------
Acquisition Recitals
Acquisition Proposal Section 6.3(a)
Agreement Preamble
Alternative Transaction Section 8.3(e)
Articles of Merger Section 2.2
Balance Sheet Section 4.4(b)
Bankruptcy and Equity Exception Section 4.3(a)
Benefit Arrangements Section 4.15(a)
Blair Section 1.3(a)
Board Percentage Section 1.4(a)
Closing Section 3.1
Closing Date Section 3.1
Code Section 4.9(b)
Company Preamble
Company Board Recitals
Company Common Stock Section 2.5(a)
Company Disclosure Schedule Article IV
Company Material Adverse Effect Section 4.1
Company Supplied Information Section 1.2(a)
Confidentiality Agreement Section 6.3(a)
Disbursing Agent Section 2.8(a)
Dissenting Shares Section 2.6(a)
EB Merger Agreement Section 4.26
Effective Time Section 2.2
Employee Benefit Plans Section 4.15(a)
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Employee Plans Section 4.15(a)
Environmental Law Section 4.14(b)
ERISA Section 4.15(a)
ERISA Affiliate Section 4.15(a)
Exchange Act Section 1.1(a)
Exchange Fund Section 2.8(a)
Expiration Date Section 1.1(b)
Governmental Entity Section 4.3(c)
Governmental Permits Section 4.17
Hazardous Substance Section 4.14(c)
HSR Act Section 4.3(c)
Intellectual Property Section 4.11(a)
IRS Section 4.9(b)
Letter of Transmittal Section 2.8(c)
Material Contracts Section 4.12
Material Subsidiaries Section 4.1
MBCA Recitals
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration Section 2.5(a)
Minimum Condition Annex A
Offer Recitals
Offer Completion Section 6.5(a)
Offer Conditions Section 1.1(a)
Offer Documents Section 1.2(a)
Outside Date Section 8.1(b)
Parent Preamble
Parent's Designees Section 1.4(a)
Parent Material Adverse Effect Section 5.1
Parent Supplied Information Section 1.3(b)
Permitted Investments Section 2.8(b)
Per Share Amount Recitals
Person Section 1.1(a)
Proxy Statement Section 6.5(b)
Purchaser Preamble
Purchaser Common Stock Section 2.5(b)
Schedule 14D-9 Section 1.3(b)
Schedule TO Section 1.2(a)
SEC Section 1.1(b)
SEC Reports Section 4.4(a)
Securities Act Section 4.1
Shareholder Agreement Section 4.24
Shareholders Recitals
Shareholders' Meeting Section 6.5
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Shares Recitals
Special Committee Section 1.3(a)
Stock Option Section 2.7
Stock Option Cancellation Agreement Section 2.7
Stock Option Settlement Amount Section 2.7
Stock Plans Section 4.2
Subsidiary Section 4.1
Surviving Corporation Section 2.1
Surviving Corporation Common Stock Section 2.5(b)
Tax Section 4.9(a)
Taxes Section 4.9 (a)
Termination Fee Section 8.3(b)
Third Party Section 6.3(a)
Voting Securities Annex A
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned caused this Agreement and Plan of
Merger to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date
first written above.
FUNCO, INC.
By: /s/ Stanley A. Bodine
-------------------------------
Name: Stanley A. Bodine
Title: President
BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
By: /s/ Maureen O'Connell
-------------------------------
Name: Maureen O'Connell
Title: Chief Financial Officer
B&N ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By: /s/ R. Richard Fontaine
-------------------------------
Name: R. Richard Fontaine
Title: Chief Executive Officer
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ANNEX A
CONDITIONS TO COMPLETION OF THE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Purchaser will not be
required to accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-l(c) under the Exchange Act (relating
to Purchaser's obligation to pay for or return tendered Shares promptly after
expiration or termination of the Offer), to pay for any Shares, and (subject to
any such rules or regulations) may postpone the acceptance for payment or
payment for any Shares tendered, and may amend or terminate (if, when and as
permitted by this Agreement) the Offer, (a) unless the following conditions have
been satisfied: (1) there have been validly tendered and not withdrawn before
the Expiration Date a number of Shares which, together with all Shares already
owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent or Purchaser, represents at least 51%
of the total voting power of the outstanding securities of Company entitled to
vote in the election of directors or in a merger ("VOTING SECURITIES"),
calculated on a fully diluted basis, on the date of purchase (the "MINIMUM
CONDITION") ("on a fully diluted basis" having the following meaning, as of any
date: the number of Shares outstanding, together with the number of Shares
Company is then required to issue pursuant to obligations outstanding at that
date under employee or nonemployee director stock option or other benefit plans
or otherwise) and (2) any applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act shall
have expired or been terminated before the Expiration Date, or (b) if at any
time on or after the date of this Agreement and before the Expiration Date, any
of the following shall have occurred:
(i) any Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree or temporary or preliminary injunction that shall not have been lifted
prior to the Expiration Date or permanent injunction or other order (other than
the application of the waiting period provisions of the HSR Act to the Offer or
the Merger) which is in effect and which (A) restricts, prevents or prohibits
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the
Offer or the Merger, (B) prohibits or limits materially the ownership or
operation by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of all or any portion of the
business or assets of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or compels
Company, Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent to dispose of or hold separate all
or any material portion of the business or assets of Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result of the completion of the Offer or
the Merger, or (C) imposes limitations on the ability of Parent, Purchaser, or
any Subsidiary of Parent to exercise effectively full rights of ownership of any
Shares, including without limitation the right to vote any Shares acquired by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer or otherwise on all matters properly presented
to the Shareholders, including without limitation the approval of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby;
(ii) there shall be instituted by any Governmental Entity
and pending any action or proceeding before any United States or foreign court
or governmental entity or authority of competent jurisdiction seeking any order,
decree or injunction having any effect set forth in paragraph (i) above;
(iii) the representations and warranties of Company
contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to Company Material Adverse
Effect shall not be true and correct in any respect, and the representations and
warranties of Company contained in this Agreement that are not so
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qualified shall not be true and correct in any respect and which untruth or
incorrectness, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as of the Expiration
Date as though made on and as of such date (except for representations and
warranties made as of a specified date, unless they shall not be true and
correct as of the specified date);
(iv) Company shall not have complied in all material
respects with its covenants under this Agreement and such failure continues
until 15 calendar days after actual receipt by it of written notice from Parent
setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such failure;
(v) there shall have occurred any Company Material Adverse
Effect, or any development that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect,
since the date of this Agreement;
(vi) this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance
with its terms;
(vii) the Company Board or the Special Committee shall have
(A) withdrawn or modified or changed, in any manner adverse to Parent or
Purchaser, its approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger or this
Agreement, (B) accepted, approved or recommended any Alternative Transaction, or
(C) resolved or publicly disclosed any intention to do any of the foregoing; or
(viii) the U.S. Federal Reserve Board or any other federal
governmental authority shall have declared a general banking moratorium or
general suspension or material limitation for five consecutive business days on
the extension of credit or in respect of payments in respect of credit by banks
or other lending institutions in the United States.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and its
affiliates and may be asserted by Purchaser, or Parent on behalf of Purchaser,
regardless of the circumstances (including, without limitation, any action or
inaction by Purchaser or any of its affiliates other than a breach by Parent or
Purchaser of this Agreement) giving rise to any such condition or may be waived
by Parent, or Parent on behalf of Purchaser, in whole or in part, from time to
time in its sole discretion, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The
failure by Purchaser, or Parent on behalf of Purchaser, at any time to exercise
any of the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any such right and
each such right will be deemed an ongoing right and may be asserted at any time
and from time to time.
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SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of May 4, 2000, by
and between Barnes & Noble, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PARENT"), and David
R. Pomije (the "SHAREHOLDER").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Parent, B&N Acquisition Corporation, a Minnesota corporation and
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Parent ("PURCHASER"), and Funco, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (the "COMPANY"), are entering into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger (as the same may be amended from time to time, the "MERGER
AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which (i) Purchaser will commence a cash tender offer
to purchase all of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock (as
hereinafter defined), and (ii) subject to certain conditions, the Purchaser will
be merged with and into the Company (the "MERGER"), with Company being the
surviving corporation in the Merger; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to entering into the Merger
Agreement, Parent has required that the Shareholder agree, and the Shareholder
has agreed, to enter into this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
Section 1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "BENEFICIAL OWNER" or "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" with respect
to any securities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 302A.011,
Subdivision 41 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (the "MBCA").
(b) "COMPANY COMMON STOCK" shall mean at any time the common
stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company.
(c) "PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity.
(d) Capitalized terms used and not defined herein and which
are defined in the Merger Agreement have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in the Merger Agreement.
<PAGE>
Section 2. DISCLOSURE. The Shareholder hereby permits Parent and
Purchaser to publish and disclose in the Offer Documents and the Proxy Statement
(including all documents and schedules filed with the SEC) and other filings and
communications his identity and ownership of Company Common Stock and Stock
Options and the nature of his commitments, arrangements and understandings under
this Agreement.
Section 3. AGREEMENT TO TENDER; VOTING AGREEMENT.
(a) The Shareholder shall tender, pursuant to the Offer, all
shares of Company Common Stock then held of record by the Shareholder, or with
respect to which the Shareholder is the Beneficial Owner, as of the date of the
commencement of the Offer, and any shares of Company Common Stock thereafter
acquired by the Shareholder prior to the expiration of the Offer; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, such shares of Company Common Stock shall be limited to those shares
representing, in the aggregate, from time to time, no more than 19.9% of the
issued and outstanding Company Common Stock.
(b) If, as of the record date for determination of
shareholders entitled to vote at the Shareholders Meeting (or, if no record date
is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of
shareholders is first solicited) (the "RECORD DATE"), the shares of Company
Common Stock tendered pursuant to Section 3(a) above represent less than 19.9%
of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock, then the Shareholder shall,
at the Shareholders Meeting, vote (or cause to be voted) the shares of Company
Common Stock held of record by Shareholder or with respect to which the
Shareholder is the Beneficial Owner as of the Record Date: (i) in favor of the
Merger, the execution and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement and
the approval of the terms thereof, the performance by the Company of each of the
actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and this Agreement and all actions
required in furtherance thereof and hereof; (ii) against any Acquisition
Proposal or Alternative Transaction; and (iii) against any action or agreement
that would impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify this Agreement, or result in a
breach in any respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other
obligation or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement or which would
result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VII of the Merger Agreement
not being fulfilled (the matters referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
being referred to collectively, as the "Voting Objectives"). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the shares of Company Common Stock
referred to in Section 3(a) above, together with such additional shares of
Company Common Stock required to be voted in favor of the Voting Objectives
pursuant to this Section 3(b) (collectively, the "SUBJECT SHARES"), shall be
limited to those shares representing, in the aggregate, from time to time, no
more than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock. This Section
3(b) shall in no event affect the obligation of Shareholder to comply with
Section 3(a) above.
Section 4. NO INCONSISTENT ARRANGEMENTS. The Shareholder hereby
covenants and agrees that, except as contemplated by this Agreement and the
Merger Agreement, he shall not (i) transfer (which term shall include, without
limitation, any sale, gift, pledge or other disposition), or consent to any
transfer of, any or all of the Subject Shares, Stock Options or any
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interest therein, (ii) enter into any contract, option or other agreement or
understanding with respect to any transfer of any or all of the Subject Shares,
Stock Options or any interest therein, (iii) grant any proxy, power-of-attorney
or other authorization in or with respect to the Subject Shares or Stock
Options, (iv) deposit the Subject Shares or Stock Options into a voting trust or
enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to the Subject Shares
or Stock Options, or (v) take any other action that would in any way restrict,
limit or interfere with the performance of his obligations hereunder or the
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Merger Agreement.
Section 5. GRANT OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY; APPOINTMENT OF PROXY.
(a) Subject to the termination provision in Section 10 hereof,
the Shareholder hereby irrevocably grants to, and appoints, Leonard Riggio and
Michael Archbold, and each or any of them, in his capacity as an officer of
Parent, and any individual who shall hereafter succeed to such office of Parent,
the Shareholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution),
for and in the name, place and stead of the Shareholder, to vote the Subject
Shares, or grant a consent or approval in respect of the Subject Shares in
accordance with the Voting Objectives, including, without limitation, the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
(b) The Shareholder represents that any outstanding proxies
heretofore given in respect of the Subject Shares are not irrevocable, and that
any such proxies are hereby revoked.
(c) The Shareholder understands and acknowledges that Parent
is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Shareholder's
execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Shareholder hereby affirms that
the irrevocable proxy set forth in this Section 5 is given in connection with
the execution of the Merger Agreement, and that such irrevocable proxy is given
to secure the performance of the duties of the Shareholder under this Agreement.
The Shareholder hereby further affirms that the irrevocable proxy is coupled
with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked except as provided in
Section 10 hereof. The Shareholder hereby ratifies and confirms all that such
irrevocable proxy may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Such
irrevocable proxy is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with
the provisions of Section 302A.449 of the MBCA.
Section 6. WAIVER OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS. The Shareholder hereby
waives any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger that he may
have.
Section 7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SHAREHOLDER.
The Shareholder hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:
(a) OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. The Shareholder is the record and
Beneficial Owner of shares of Company Common Stock (the "EXISTING SHARES") which
represent more than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock.
The Shareholder has sole voting power and sole power to issue instructions with
respect to any and all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, sole power of
disposition, sole power of conversion, sole power to demand appraisal
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rights and sole power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this
Agreement, in each case with respect to any and all of the Existing Shares with
no limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such rights, subject to
applicable securities laws and the terms of this Agreement.
(b) POWER; BINDING AGREEMENT. The Shareholder has the legal
capacity, power and authority to enter into and perform all of the Shareholder's
obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by the Shareholder will not violate any other agreement,
arrangement or understanding (in each case, oral or written) to which the
Shareholder is a party including, without limitation, any voting agreement,
proxy arrangement, pledge agreement, shareholders agreement or voting trust.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Shareholder and, assuming that this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Parent, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the
Shareholder, enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with its terms.
There is no beneficiary or holder of a voting trust certificate or other
interest of any trust of which the Shareholder is a trustee whose consent is
required for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by
the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) NO CONFLICTS. Except for filings under the HSR Act, the
Exchange Act and Chapter 80B of the MBCA, (i) no filing with, and no permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity for the execution
of this Agreement by the Shareholder and the consummation by the Shareholder of
the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) none of the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Shareholder, the consummation by the Shareholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby or compliance by the Shareholder with any of
the provisions hereof shall (A) result in a violation or breach of, or
constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give
rise to any third party right of termination, cancellation, material
modification or acceleration) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of any note, loan agreement, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, contract,
commitment, arrangement, understanding, agreement or other instrument or
obligation of any kind to which the Shareholder is a party or by which the
Shareholder or any of his properties or assets may be bound, or (B) violate any
order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, order, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to the Shareholder or any of his properties or assets.
(d) NO ENCUMBRANCES. Except (i) as permitted by this Agreement
and (ii) for any proxies arising under this Agreement, the Existing Shares and
the certificates representing such Existing Shares are now, and the Subject
Shares at all times during the term hereof will be, held by the Shareholder, or
by a nominee or custodian for the benefit of the Shareholder, free and clear of
all encumbrances, liens, restrictions, proxies, voting trusts or agreements,
understandings or arrangements or any other rights whatsoever.
(e) NO FINDER'S FEES. Except as disclosed in the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial adviser's or other
similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Shareholder.
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<PAGE>
(f) RELIANCE BY PARENT. The Shareholder understands and
acknowledges that Parent is entering into, and causing Purchaser to enter into,
the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Shareholder's execution and delivery
of this Agreement.
Section 8. FURTHER ASSURANCES. From time to time, at the other party's
request and without further consideration, each party hereto shall execute and
deliver such additional documents and take all such further lawful action as may
be necessary or desirable to consummate and make effective, in a reasonably
prompt manner, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 9. STOP TRANSFER. The Shareholder shall not request
that the Company register the transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any
certificate or uncertificated interest representing any of the Existing Shares
if such transfer will reduce the percentage ownership represented by the Subject
Shares to less than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock,
unless such transfer is made in compliance with this Agreement. In the event of
a stock dividend or distribution, or any change in the Company Common Stock by
reason of any stock dividend, stock- split, recapitalization, combination,
exchange of shares or the like, the term "Subject Shares" shall refer to and
include the Subject Shares as well as all such stock dividends and distributions
and any shares into which or for which any or all of the Subject Shares may be
changed or exchanged, so long as including such shares in the Subject Shares
does not result in the Subject Shares representing more than 19.9% of the issued
and outstanding Company Common Stock.
Section 10. TERMINATION. The covenants, agreements and proxy
contained in this Agreement shall terminate upon (i) the consummation of the
Merger, or (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its
terms.
Section 11. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the obligations
hereunder shall attach to the Existing Shares and shall be binding upon any
person or entity to which legal or beneficial ownership of the Existing Shares
shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise, including, without
limitation, the Shareholder's heirs, guardians, administrators or
representatives; provided that in no event shall more than 19.9% of the issued
and outstanding Company Common Stock in the aggregate be deemed to be Subject
Shares under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any transfer of the Existing
Shares, the Shareholder shall remain liable for the performance of all
obligations of the Shareholder under this Agreement.
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(c) ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned by
operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent of the other
party, provided that Parent may assign, in its sole discretion, its rights and
obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Parent, but no such assignment shall relieve Parent of its obligations hereunder
if such assignee does not perform such obligations.
(d) AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC. This Agreement may not be
amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, except upon the
execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.
(e) NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly received if given) by hand delivery or telecopy (with a
confirmation copy sent for next day delivery via courier service, such as
Federal Express), or by any courier service, such as Federal Express, providing
proof of delivery. All communications hereunder shall be delivered to the
respective parties at the following addresses:
If to the Shareholder:
David R. Pomije
10120 West 76th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55334
Telecopy No.: (612) 946-8122
Copy to:
Faegre & Benson LLP
2200 Norwest Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Attention: Philip S. Garon, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (612) 336-3026
If to Parent:
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
122 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
Attention: Michael Archbold
Telecopy No.: (212) 633-3344
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Copy to:
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
Attention: Stuart A. Gordon, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (212) 541-1360
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
(f) SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision or portion
of any provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be
effective and valid under applicable law but if any provision or portion of any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision
or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein.
(g) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of the parties hereto
recognizes and acknowledges that a breach by such party of any covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement will cause the other party to sustain
damages for which it would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages,
and therefore in the event of any such breach the aggrieved party shall be
entitled to the remedy of specific performance of such covenants and agreements
and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other remedy to
which it may be entitled, at law or in equity.
(h) REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. 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 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.
(i) NO WAIVER. The failure of any party hereto to exercise any
right, power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in
respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any other
party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the
parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such
party of its right to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to
demand such compliance.
(j) NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is not
intended to be for the benefit of, and shall not be enforceable by, any person
or entity who or which is not a party hereto.
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(k) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (except to the
extent such matter is the proper subject of the MBCA in which event the laws of
the State of Minnesota shall control) without regard to any applicable conflicts
of law.
(l) DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings used herein
are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part
of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(m) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and
delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not
sign the same counterpart.
(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Shareholder Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above
written.
BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
By: /s/ Maureen O'Connell
------------------------------------
Name: Maureen O'Connell
Title: Chief Executive Officer
/s/ David R. Pomije
------------------------------------
David R. Pomije
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