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
April 6, 1999
(Date of earliest event reported)
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 000-21287 95-3732595
(State of (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
incorporation or Identification No.)
organization)
2381 Rosecrans Avenue
El Segundo, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)
90245
(zip code)
(310) 536-0908
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Item 5. Other Events.
On April 6, 1999, Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Registrant"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger, dated as of April 6, 1999 (the "Merger
Agreement"), by and among the Registrant, Auco Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant ("Sub"), and
Auco, Inc., a California corporation ("Auco"), pursuant to which Sub will
merge with and into Auco (the "Merger"), with Auco remaining as the
surviving corporation in the Merger.
Upon the consummation of the Merger, (a) each outstanding share
of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Auco (the "Auco Common
Stock") will be converted into the right to receive .2585 of a share fully
paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
of the Registrant (the "Peerless Common Stock"), and (b) each outstanding
option to purchase Auco Common Stock under Auco's employee stock option
plans will be assumed by the Registrant.
Consummation of the Merger remains subject to certain
conditions, including the approval of the issuance of the Peerless Common
Stock by the stockholders of the Registrant and the approval of the Merger
by the shareholders of Auco. The Merger is expected to be accounted for as
a pooling of interests. A copy of the Merger Agreement and exhibits thereto
is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated by reference herein. The
description of the Merger Agreement set forth herein does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Merger
Agreement.
Item 7. Exhibits.
- ------ ---------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, dated as of
April 6, 1999, by and among the Registrant, Auco Merger Sub,
Inc., and Auco, Inc., together with exhibits thereto.
99.1 Press Release of the Registrant, dated April 6, 1999.
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, thereto duly authorized.
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ed Gavaldon
____________________________
Name: Ed Gavaldon
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 20, 1999
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
- ------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, dated as of
April 6, 1999, by and among the Registrant, Auco Merger Sub,
Inc., and Auco, Inc. together with exhibits thereto.
99.1 Press Release Peerless Systems Corporation, dated April 6,
1999.
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
REORGANIZATION AND MERGER
BY AND AMONG
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
AUCO MERGER SUB, AND
AUCO, INC.
Dated as of April 6, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Section 1.1 The Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Section 1.2 Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Section 1.3 Effective Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1.5 Charter and By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1.6 Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1.7 Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Section 2.1 Stockholders' Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Section 2.2 Consent Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Section 2.3 Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation; Registration Statement . . . . . 5
ARTICLE III
CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES . . . . . . . . . . 6
Section 3.1 Effect on Company Common Stock . . . . . . . . 6
Section 3.2 Exchange of Shares and Certificates . . . . . . 9
Section 3.3 Escrow Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section 4.1 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section 4.2 Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Section 4.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement . . . . 15
Section 4.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations . . . . 16
Section 4.5 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes . . . . . . . . . 17
Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 4.8 No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 4.9 Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Section 4.10 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Section 4.11 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Section 4.12 ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Section 4.13 Change in Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Section 4.15 Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Section 4.16 Contracts and Commitments . . . . . . . . . 29
Section 4.17 Labor Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Section 4.18 Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Section 4.19 Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Section 4.20 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section 4.21 Customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section 4.22 Title to Properties; Encumbrances . . . . . 34
Section 4.23 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 4.24 Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 4.25 Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 4.26 Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 4.27 Absence of Certain Payments . . . . . . . . 35
Section 4.28 Brokers or Finders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 4.29 Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 4.30 Accounting Matters; Reorganization . . . . . 36
Section 4.31 Pooling Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 4.32 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Consent Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 4.33 Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 5.1 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 5.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement . . . . 37
Section 5.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations . . . . 38
Section 5.4 Pooling Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Section 5.5 Accounting Matters; Reorganization . . . . . 39
Section 5.6 Brokers or Finders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Section 5.7 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Consent Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Section 5.8 SEC Documents; Parent Financial Statements . . 40
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business Pending Merger . . . . . 40
Section 6.2 No Solicitation of Competing Transaction . . 43
Section 6.3 Shareholder Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Section 6.4 Further Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Section 6.5 Access; Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ARTICLE VII
OTHER COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 7.1 Reasonable Best Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 7.2 Publicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Section 7.3 Directors' and Officers' Insurance and
Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Section 7.4 Notification of Certain Matters . . . . . . . 47
Section 7.5 Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Section 7.6 Affiliate Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Section 7.7 Tax-free Reorganization Treatment;
Accounting Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Section 7.8 Nasdaq Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Section 7.9 Consents of Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Section 7.10 Convertible Promissory Note . . . . . . . . 49
Section 7.11 Shareholder Representative . . . . . . . . . 49
Section 7.12 Parent SEC Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To
Effect the Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Section 8.2 Conditions of Obligations of the Company . . 51
Section 8.3 Conditions of Obligations of Parent and Sub . 53
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Section 9.1 Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION AND ESCROW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Section 10.1 Indemnification by the Company and the
Shareholder Indemnitors . . . . . . . . . . 56
Section 10.2 Procedure for Third Party Claims . . . . . . 57
Section 10.3 Indemnity Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Section 10.4 Satisfaction of Indemnification Claim . . . 58
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Section 11.1 Survival of Representations and
Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Section 11.2 Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Section 11.3 Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Section 11.4 Extension; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Section 11.5 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Section 11.6 Descriptive Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.7 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.8 Entire Agreement; Assignment . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.9 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.10 Specific Performance . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.11 Parties in Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Shareholder Agreement
Exhibit B Form of California Agreement of Merger
Exhibit C Form of Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
Exhibit D Form of Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
Exhibit E From of Escrow Fund Agreement
Exhibit F-1 Form of Company Affiliate Letter
Exhibit F-2 Form of Parent Affiliate Letter
Exhibit G Form of Non-Competition Agreement
Exhibit H Form of Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Exhibit I Form of Employment Agreement
Exhibit J Form of Opinion of Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, LLP
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
SECTION
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Acquisition Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2(a)
Affected Employee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5
Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2(a)
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
APB 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.30
Audits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11(e)
Balance Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5
Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2(b)
CGCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals
Closing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2
Closing Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2(c)(ii)
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
Company Disclosure Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Article IV
Company Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.12(a)
Company Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6
Company Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(b)
Company Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5
Company Indemnified Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3(a)
Company Material Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1
Company Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(d)(i)
Company Stock Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(d)(i)
Competing Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2(a)(x)
Consent Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2
Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2
Damages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1
DGCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3
Dissenting Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(c)
Effective Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3
Environmental Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.19(e)(i)
Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.19 (e)(ii)
ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.12(a)
Escrow Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3
Escrow Fund Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3
Exchange Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2(a)
Exchange Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2(a)
Exchange Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(b)
Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1
Governmental Entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.4
Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(f)
Indemnified Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1
Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14
License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14(a)
Licensed Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14(j)
Lien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4
Materials of Environmental Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.19(e)(iii)
Merger Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3
Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals
Millennial Date Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14(j)
Parent Financial Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8
Parent Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1(b)
Parent Material Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1
Parent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
Registration Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
SEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
SEC Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8
Securities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3
Shareholder Approval Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2(a)
Shareholder Indemnitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
Shareholder Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals
Shareholder Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14(i)
Special Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1
Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preamble
Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1
Superior Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2(b)
Surviving Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14(k)
Tax Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11(q)
Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11(q)
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11(q)
Termination Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2
Third Party Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.2
Trade Secrets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14
US GAAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5
Voting Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(c)
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER (this
"Agreement"), dated as of April 6, 1999, by and among Peerless Systems
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), Auco Merger Sub, Inc.
("Sub"), Auco, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), and, for
purposes of Article X and Article XI only, Mannan Latif (the "Shareholder
Representative").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent has approved, and deems
it advisable and in the best interests of its shareholders to consummate,
the merger (the "Merger") of a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent with and
into the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, having carefully
considered the long-term prospects and interests of the Company and its
shareholders, has approved the transactions contemplated hereby and has
resolved to recommend to the shareholders of the Company the approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Parent to enter into
this Agreement and incur the obligations set forth herein, concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, a holder of outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company has concurrently herewith entered
into a Shareholder Agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the
"Shareholder Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, such
shareholder has agreed (i) to vote shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred
Stock of the Company held by him in favor of approval and adoption of this
Agreement, and (ii) to convert any shares of Preferred Stock held by such
shareholder into shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately prior to
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of Parent and the Company
has approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby in
accordance with the provisions of the California General Corporation Law
(the "CGCL");
WHEREAS, for United States federal income tax purposes, it is
intended that the Merger (as defined herein) qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the
"Code"); and
WHEREAS, for accounting purposes, it is intended that the Merger
be accounted for as a pooling of interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set
forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with sections
1110 et seq. of the CGCL, Sub shall be merged with and into the Company at
the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in Section 1.3 hereof).
Following the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Sub shall cease
and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving
Corporation") and shall succeed to and assume all the rights, properties,
liabilities and obligations of Sub in accordance with the CGCL.
Section 1.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing")
shall take place at 10:00 a.m., San Francisco time, on a date to be
specified by the parties, which shall be no later than the second business
day after satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in
Article VIII (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, 525 University Avenue, Suite 220, Palo Alto, California
94301, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the
parties hereto.
Section 1.3 Effective Time. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement and the Agreement of
Merger between Sub and the Company together with the related officers'
certificates required by section 1103 of the CGCL, in the form attached to
this Agreement as Exhibit B (the "Merger Agreement"), the parties hereto
shall file the Merger Agreement with the Secretary of State of the State of
California, whereupon Sub shall be merged with and into the Company
pursuant to sections 1100 et seq. of the CGCL. Concurrently with the
filing of the Merger Agreement with the Secretary of State of the State of
California and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
Article VIII of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall file a Certificate
of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL").
The parties hereto shall make all other filings, recordings or publications
required by the CGCL and the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The
Merger shall become effective at the time specified in the Merger Agreement
or Certificate of Merger, as the case may be, which specified time shall be
the same in each of the Merger Agreement and Certificate of Merger (the
time at which the Merger becomes effective being the "Effective Time" of
the Merger).
Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the
effects set forth in section 1107 of the CGCL and section 259 of the DGCL.
Section 1.5 Charter and By-Laws. (a) Immediately after the
Effective Time of the Merger, the articles of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation shall be as set forth in Exhibit C to this Agreement,
and such articles of incorporation shall be the articles of incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law
and such articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Immediately after the Effective Time of the Merger, the
by-laws of Surviving Corporation shall be as set forth in Exhibit D to this
Agreement, and such by-laws shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law and such by-laws of
the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.6 Directors. The directors of Sub at the Effective
Time of the Merger shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be. In
furtherance thereof, the Company shall secure, at the Effective Time of the
Merger, such resignations of its incumbent directors as is necessary to
enable the designees of Parent to be elected or appointed to the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Company Board"), and the Company shall take
all actions available to the Company to cause such designees of Parent to
be so elected or appointed at the Effective Time. Concurrently, the
Company, if requested by Parent, shall also take all action necessary to
cause persons designated by Parent to be appointed to specified committees
of the Company Board.
Section 1.7 Officers. Except as provided in this Section 1.7,
the officers of the Company at the Effective Time of the Merger shall be
the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly
elected and qualified, as the case may be.
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
Section 2.1 Stockholders' Meeting. In order to consummate the
Merger, Parent, acting through its board of directors, shall, in accordance
with applicable law, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special
meeting of its stockholders (the "Special Meeting"), as soon as practicable
after the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.3 hereof) is
declared effective, for the purpose of considering and taking action upon
this Agreement. Parent shall include in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation (as defined in Section 2.3
hereof) the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Parent that
stockholders of Parent vote in favor of the issuance of shares of Parent
Common Stock (as defined in Section 3.1) pursuant to this Agreement.
Nothing contained in the preceding sentence shall prohibit Parent from
taking and disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated by Rule
14e-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"). Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
ensure that the solicitation of the approval of its shareholders, by means
of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus/Consent Solicitation, of the issuance of
shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall comply as to
form in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act, the DGCL and any other applicable laws.
Section 2.2 Consent Solicitation. As soon as practicable after
the Registration Statement is declared effective, in order to consummate
the Merger, the Company shall commence a solicitation of consents (the
"Consents") from the holders of all outstanding shares of the capital stock
of the Company (the "Consent Solicitation") to approve the Merger and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Consent
Solicitation shall be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation (as hereinafter defined). The effectiveness of such approval
will be conditioned upon obtaining valid affirmative consents from holders
of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common
Stock and the Company Preferred Stock. Subject to the fiduciary duties of
the Company's board of directors under applicable law, the Company shall
include in the Consent Solicitation, the recommendation of its board of
directors that the shareholders vote in favor of the Merger and the related
transactions. Except as may be required by the Company's Board of
Directors acting in compliance with their fiduciary duties, the Company
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts in the making of the Consent
Solicitation and in causing the approval of the Merger and the related
transactions to become effective as soon as practicable after the
Registration Statement is declared effective. The Company shall deliver to
Parent, promptly after receipt, but in no case, more than two (2) business
days after receipt, notice of receipt of all consents received pursuant to
the Consent Solicitation and filing of such consents with the Secretary of
the Company. The Company shall promptly file with the Secretary of the
Company after receipt, but in no case, more than one (1) business day after
receipt, all consents received pursuant to the Consent Solicitation. The
Company shall ensure that the Consent Solicitation shall comply as to form
in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, the CGCL and any other applicable laws.
Section 2.3 Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation;
Registration Statement. In connection with the solicitation of approval of
this Agreement, the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this
Agreement and the Merger by Parent's shareholders, Parent shall prepare and
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a preliminary
proxy statement relating to the Merger and this Agreement and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and furnish the information
required to be included by the SEC in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation and, after consultation with the
Company, to respond promptly to any comments made by the SEC with respect
to the preliminary proxy statement and cause a definitive proxy statement
to be mailed to its shareholders. Parent shall include in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation the recommendation of the board
of directors of Parent that the shareholders of Parent vote in favor of the
issuance of Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger. Such
definitive proxy statement shall also constitute (i) a prospectus of Parent
with respect to the Parent Common Stock (as defined in Section 3.1) to be
issued in the Merger and to be filed by Parent with the SEC as part of a
registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed by
Parent with the SEC for the purpose of registering such shares of Parent
Common Stock (as defined in Section 3.1) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), (ii) the Consent Solicitation of the
Company (such proxy statement, prospectus and Consent Solicitation being
hereinafter referred to as the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation"), and (iii) the definitive proxy statement to be distributed
to Parent's shareholders relating to the approval of the Merger, the
issuance of Parent Common Stock (as defined in Section 3.1) in the Merger,
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company and
Parent shall cooperate to promptly file the Registration Statement and
shall use their reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement
declared effective by the SEC.
ARTICLE III
CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Section 3.1 Effect on Company Common Stock. In accordance with
the Merger Agreement, as of the Effective Time of the Merger, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders of any shares
of Company Common Stock or any shares of common stock of Sub:
(a) Capital Stock of Sub. Each issued and outstanding
share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Sub shall be converted
into one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to Section
3.1(c) and Section 3.2(e) hereof, each issued and outstanding share of
common stock, par value $0.001 per share ("Company Common Stock"), of the
Company shall be converted into the right to receive 0.2585 of a fully paid
and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
Parent (the "Parent Common Stock") (the "Exchange Ratio"). As of the
Effective Time of the Merger, all such shares shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall
cease to exist. As of the Effective Time of the Merger, each certificate
theretofore representing shares of Company Common Stock, without any action
on the part of the Company or the holder thereof, shall be deemed to
represent that number of shares of Parent Common Stock determined by
multiplying the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby by the
Exchange Ratio. Each holder of a certificate representing any shares of
Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
except the right to receive, upon the surrender of any such certificates,
certificates representing the shares of Parent Common Stock and any cash in
lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued or paid in
consideration therefor upon surrender of such certificate in accordance
with Section 3.3 hereof, without interest.
(c) Appraisal Rights. Holders of all shares of the
outstanding capital stock of the Company for which dissenters' rights, if
any, shall have been perfected under section 1300 et seq. of the CGCL (the
"Dissenting Shares") shall have those rights, but only those rights, of
holders of "dissenting shares" under section 1300 et seq. of the CGCL. The
Company shall give Parent prompt notice of any demand, purported demand or
other communication received by the Company with respect to any Dissenting
Shares or shares claimed to be Dissenting Shares, and Parent shall have the
right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to
such shares.
(d) Assumption and Conversion of Company Options. (i) As
of the Effective Time of the Merger, each outstanding option or warrant to
purchase Company Common Stock (a "Company Option") issued under each stock
option or warrant plan, program, agreement or arrangement of the Company
(each a "Company Stock Plan") shall be assumed by Parent, and shall
thereafter entitle the holder thereof to receive, upon the exercise
thereof, that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product
of: (x) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such
Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, and
(y) the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per share of Parent Common
Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the exercise price per
share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option by the
Exchange Ratio, which exercise price per share shall be rounded up to the
nearest two-place decimal. The number of shares of Parent Common Stock
that may be purchased by a holder upon the exercise of any Company Option
shall not include any fractional share of Parent Common Stock but shall be
rounded, in the case of any Company Option other than an "incentive stock
option" (within the meaning of section 422 of the Code), up and, in the
case of any incentive stock option, down, to the nearest whole share, if
necessary.
(ii) As of the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent
shall assume in full each Company Option and all of the other rights and
obligations of the Company under the Company Stock Plans as provided
herein. Section 4.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list
summarizing all Company Options under all Company Stock Plans, including
the term and the exercise price of each Company Option, and specifying
which, if any, of the outstanding Company Options will accelerate or vest
as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
assumption of a Company Option by Parent shall not terminate or modify
(except as required hereunder or as set forth in Section 4.2 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule) any right of first refusal, right of repurchase,
vesting schedule or other restriction on transferability relating to a
Company Option. After such assumption, Parent shall issue, upon any
partial or total exercise of any Company Option, in lieu of shares of
Company Common Stock, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock to which
the holder of the Company Option is entitled pursuant to this Agreement.
The assumption by Parent of Company Options shall not give holders of such
Company Options any additional benefits which they did not have immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. Nothing contained in this
Section 3.1(d) shall require Parent to offer or sell shares of Parent
Common Stock upon the exercise of Company Options assumed by Parent if, in
the reasonable judgment of Parent or its counsel, such offer or sale would
not be in accordance with the applicable federal or state securities laws
or would require registration thereunder other than as contemplated in the
following sentence. Parent shall file with the SEC within two (2) days
following the Effective Time of the Merger a registration statement on Form
S-8 under the Securities Act covering, to the extent applicable, the shares
of Parent Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of Company Options
assumed by Parent. Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
qualify as soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger under
the applicable state securities laws the issuance of the shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of such Company Options. Prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger, the Company shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to make such amendments, if any, to the Company Stock
Plans as shall be necessary to permit such assumption in accordance with
this Section 3.1(d).
(iii) Parent and the Company shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any Company Option that
constitutes an incentive stock option immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger, shall continue to qualify as an incentive stock option
pursuant to section 422 of the Code, and that the assumption of Company
Options provided by this Section 3.1(d) shall satisfy the conditions of
section 424(a) of the Code.
(iv) Except as may be otherwise agreed to by Parent and
the Company or as otherwise contemplated or required to effectuate this
Section 3.1(d), the Company Stock Plans shall terminate as of the Effective
Time to the extent permitted thereunder.
(v) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to take all necessary actions to provide that as of the Effective
Time no holder of Company Options under the Option Plans will have any
right to receive shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation upon
exercise of any such Company Option.
Section 3.2 Exchange of Shares and Certificates. (a) Exchange
Agent. As of the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent shall deposit with
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company or such other bank or trust company
as may be designated by Parent (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of
the holders of shares of Company Common Stock, for exchange in accordance
with this Article III, through the Exchange Agent, certificates
representing the shares of Parent Common Stock (such shares of Parent
Common Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with respect
thereto with a record date after the Effective Time of the Merger, being
hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund") issuable pursuant to
Sections 3.1 hereof in exchange for outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective Time of the Merger but in no event more than five (5)
business days following the later of (x) the Closing Date or (y) the day
that the Company provides to the Exchange Agent all information necessary
to allow the Exchange Agent to make the exchange described in this Section,
the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or
certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger
represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the "Certificates")
whose shares were converted into the right to receive shares of Parent
Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, (i) a letter of transmittal
(which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and
title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such
other provisions as Parent may reasonably specify), and (ii) instructions
for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for
certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock. Upon surrender of
a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent
or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together with such letter of
transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be
required by the Exchange Agent, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the
holder of such Certificate in exchange therefor a certificate representing
that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock which such holder has
the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article III, and
the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event
of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock which is not registered
in the transfer records of the Company, as applicable, a certificate
representing the proper number of shares of Parent Common Stock may be
issued to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so
surrendered is registered, if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed
or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such
payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock to a person other than the
registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of
Parent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered
as contemplated by this Section 3.2, each Certificate shall be deemed at
any time after the Effective Time of the Merger to represent only the right
to receive upon such surrender the certificate representing shares of
Parent Common Stock and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock as contemplated by this Section 3.2. No interest shall be
paid or accrue on any cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares of
Parent Common Stock.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No
dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock with a
record date after the Effective Time of the Merger shall be paid to the
holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of
Parent Common Stock represented thereby, and no cash payment in lieu of
fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section
3.2(e) hereof, until the surrender of such Certificate in accordance with
this Article III. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, following
surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of the
certificate representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in
exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the
amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Parent Common
Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(e) and the
amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time of the Merger theretofore paid with respect to such whole
shares of Parent Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date,
the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time of the Merger but prior to such surrender and a payment date
subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of
Parent Common Stock.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock.
All shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be
deemed to have been issued and paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock theretofore represented by
such Certificates, subject, however, to the obligation of the Surviving
Corporation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a
record date prior to the Effective Time of the Merger which may have been
declared or made by the Company on such shares of Company Common Stock in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the
Effective Time of the Merger, and there shall be no further registration of
transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the
shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger. If, after the Effective Time of the
Merger, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the
Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
provided in this Article III, except as otherwise provided by law.
(e) Fractional Shares. (i) No certificates representing
fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender
for exchange of Certificates, and such fractional share interests shall not
entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder
of Parent.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, each holder of shares of Company Common Stock converted pursuant
to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction
of a share of Parent Common Stock (after taking into account all
Certificates delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash
(without interest) in an amount equal to: (i) such fraction multiplied by
(ii) the ten (10) day average closing sale price of the Parent Common Stock
as reported on the NASDAQ National Market System for the period ending
three (3) days prior to the Closing Date (such closing price being referred
to herein as the "Closing Price").
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the
Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of the
Certificates for six months after the Effective Time of the Merger shall be
delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who
have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look
only to Parent for payment of their claim for Parent Common Stock, any cash
in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and any dividends or
distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock.
(g) No Liability. None of Parent, Sub, the Company or the
Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of
Parent Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or
cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. If any Certificates
shall not have been surrendered prior to seven years after the Effective
Time of the Merger, or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any
shares of Parent Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Parent Common Stock or any dividends or distributions with respect to
Parent Common Stock in respect of such Certificate would otherwise escheat
to or become the property of any Governmental Entity, any such shares,
cash, dividends or distributions in respect of such Certificate shall, to
the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the
Surviving Corporation free and clear of all claims or interest of any
person previously entitled thereto.
(h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall
invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent, on a
daily basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments
shall be paid to Parent.
Section 3.3 Escrow Fund. At the Effective Time of the Merger or
from time to time thereafter, Parent will deliver to the Escrow Agent (as
defined in the Escrow Fund Agreement (as defined below)) certificates
representing ten percent (10%) of the Parent Common Stock (as defined
below) that is to be issued in the Merger to the shareholders of the
Company and to option holders of the Company upon exercise of their
options. Such shares, together with any other securities of the Company
issued by means of dividend, distribution, split-up, recapitalization,
combination, exchange of shares or the like upon or with respect to such
shares, being collectively referred to herein as the "Escrow Shares",
shall be held as collateral for the indemnification obligations under
Article X hereof and pursuant to the provisions of an escrow agreement in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the "Escrow Fund Agreement"). The
disposition of the Escrow Shares by the Escrow Agent shall be governed by
the terms of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Escrow Fund
Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
Except as set forth in the schedule delivered to Parent prior to
the execution of this Agreement setting forth specific exceptions to the
Company's representations and warranties set forth herein (the "Company
Disclosure Schedule"), the Company represents and warrants to Parent as set
forth below:
Section 4.1 Organization. The Company 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 and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The
Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business
in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it
or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would not have a Company
Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no Subsidiaries. For purposes of
this Agreement, (i) "Company Material Adverse Effect" means, individually
or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition, prospects or results of operations of the Company taken as a
whole, but shall not include any of the following in and of themselves,
either alone or in combination: (A) any effect or change occurring as a
result of: (1) general economic or financial conditions, or (2) other
developments which are not unique to the Company but which also affect
other companies that participate or are engaged in the lines of business in
which the Company participates or is engaged, (B) any change or effect on
the business or financial condition or performance of the Company following
the date of this Agreement resulting from a reduction in or cancellation or
adverse change in the terms of any agreement or other transaction with the
Company (other than a reduction in or cancellation or adverse change in the
terms of: (i) the Business Development Agreement No. N-A-1 dated
September 6, 1996 and the Statement of Work 1 to BDA No. N-A-1 dated
September 6, 1986 between the Company and Novell, (ii) Addendum C and
Attachment B to the Software Development Agreement, dated February 15,
1999, between the Company and Seiko Epson Corporation, (iii) the Memorandum
of Understanding, dated August 17, 1998, entered into between the Company
and International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") entered into
pursuant to the Base Agreement, dated August 14, 1998, between the Company
and IBM, and (iv) the Addendum C, dated March 25, 1999, to the the Auco
Professional Services Agreement, dated September 20, 1996, as amended,
between the Company and Toshiba America Information Services, attributable
to: (1) the announcement of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (2) Parent's or any affiliate of Parent's announcement or other
communication of its plans or intentions with respect to the conduct of any
business of the Company, and (C) the termination or resignation of any
employee or consultant other than Adam Au, Paul Kwan, Mannan Latif or
Howard Sidorsky, and (ii) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to the
Company or Parent, any corporation or other organization, whether
incorporated or unincorporated, of which (a) 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 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, or by such party and one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or (b) such party or any other Subsidiary of such party is a
general partner (excluding any such partnership where such party or any
Subsidiary of such party does not have a majority of the voting interest in
such partnership).
Section 4.2 Capitalization. (a) As of the date hereof, the
authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (i) 35,000,000 shares
of Company Common Stock, of which 3,389,403 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, of which (x) 3,250,000 have been designated Series A Preferred
Stock, 3,228,000 shares of which are issued and outstanding as of the date
hereof, and (y) 3,000,000 have been designated Series B Preferred Stock,
1,413,000 shares of which are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.
Not more than $50,000 in aggregate principal amount and accrued and unpaid
interest of Voting Debt (as defined below) is outstanding on the date
hereof or will be outstanding on the Closing Date. As of the date hereof,
(i) no shares of the Company Common Stock are issued and held in the
treasury of the Company, and (ii) 3,144,000 shares of Company Common Stock
are reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding Company Options. All of
the outstanding shares of the Company Capital Stock are, and all such
shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of outstanding Company
Options will be, when issued in accordance with the respective terms
thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
have been issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal
securities laws. The rights, preferences and privileges of each series of
Company Preferred Stock are as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation
of the Company. Since the date of the filing of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Company, there have not occurred any events that would
cause any adjustment or readjustment in the applicable conversion prices of
any of such series of Company Preferred Stock. Each share of each series
of Company Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Company Common
Stock. The Voting Debt (as defined below) will convert into not more than
20,000 shares of Company Common Stock at the Effective Time.
(b) The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any
capital stock or other equity securities of any corporation or has any
direct or indirect equity or ownership interest (financial or otherwise) in
any business, excluding the ownership, as a passive investor, of less than
one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any publicly-traded
entity.
(c) Except as set forth above, as of the date hereof, (i)
there are no shares of capital stock of the Company authorized, issued or
outstanding, (ii) there are no existing options, warrants, calls,
preemptive rights, indebtedness having general voting rights or debt
convertible into securities having such rights ("Voting Debt") or
subscriptions or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of
any character, relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of the
Company, obligating the Company to issue, transfer or sell or cause to be
issued, transferred or sold any shares of capital stock or Voting Debt of,
or other equity interest in, the Company or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for such shares or equity interests, or obligating the Company
to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, subscription
or other right, agreement, arrangement or commitment, and (iii) there are
no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock, or to provide funds
to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or
otherwise) in any other entity.
(d) There are no voting trusts or other agreements or
understandings to which the Company is a party with respect to the voting
of the capital stock of the Company.
(e) Following the Effective Time, no holder of Company
Options will have any right to receive shares of common stock of the
Surviving Corporation upon exercise of Company Options.
(f) No Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company
contains any restriction upon: (i) the prepayment of any of such
Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company, or
(iii) the ability of the Company to grant any lien on its properties or
assets. For purposes of this Agreement, "Indebtedness" shall mean: (i) all
indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of
property or services (other than current trade liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary
practices), (ii) any other indebtedness that is evidenced by a note, bond,
debenture or similar instrument, (iii) all obligations under financing
leases, (iv) all obligations in respect of acceptances issued or created,
(v) all liabilities secured by any lien on any property and (vi) all
guarantee obligations.
Section 4.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company
has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized and
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated, other than,
with respect to the Merger, the approval and adoption of this Agreement by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Common Stock and
Company Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class. This Agreement
has been duly executed by the Company, and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws, now or hereafter
in effect, affecting creditors' rights generally, and (ii) the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may
be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before
which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
Section 4.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for
the filing and recordation of an Agreement of Merger and Certificate of
Merger in accordance with the requirements of the CGCL and the DGCL,
respectively, and the approval of the Merger by the shareholders of the
Company pursuant to the Consent Solicitation, no notice to, filing with,
and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any arbitrator,
court, nation, government, any state or other political subdivision thereof
and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial regulatory or
administrative functions of, or pertaining to, government (a "Governmental
Entity"), or any private third party is necessary for the consummation by
the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby nor
compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof will: (i)
conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Company or Bylaws or comparable charter documents of
the Company, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with
or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to
any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or result in the
creation of any mortgage, pledge, charge, security interest, claim or
encumbrance of any kind (collectively, a "Lien")) under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which any of the
Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be
bound, or (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule
or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets,
except with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), where such violation,
breach, default or creation of a Lien would not result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.5 Financial Statements. The Company has previously
provided Parent with its unaudited balance sheets as of December 31, 1998,
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, its unaudited balance sheet as of
January 31, 1999 (the "Balance Sheet"), and the related statements of
results of operations for the fiscal year and the period then ended, annual
(the "Company Financial Statements"). The Company Financial Statements for
the years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996
have not been audited. The Company's Financial Statements are complete and
correct in all material respects and fairly present, in accordance with
United States generally accepted accounting principles ("US GAAP")
consistently applied, the financial position of the Company as of such
dates and its results of operations for such fiscal periods, except, for
normal recurring year end adjustments, which adjustments will not be
material, in the aggregate.
Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes.
Except as and to the extent set forth in the Company's Financial
Statements, since December 31, 1998, the Company has not:
(a) suffered any Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) incurred any liabilities or obligations (absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise) except non-material items incurred in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, none of
which exceeds $20,000 (counting obligations or liabilities arising from one
transaction or a series of similar transactions, and all periodic
installments or payments under any lease or other agreement providing for
periodic installments or payments, as a single obligation or liability), or
increased, or experienced any change in any assumptions underlying or
methods of calculating, any bad debt, contingency or other reserves;
(c) paid, discharged or satisfied any claim, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) other than the
payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice of liabilities and obligations reflected or
reserved against in the Balance Sheet or incurred in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice since December 31, 1998;
(d) permitted or allowed any of its property or assets
(real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) to be subjected to any
Liens, except for Liens for current taxes not yet due or Liens the
incurrence of which would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(e) written down the value of any of its material inventory
(including write-downs by reason of shrinkage or mark-down) or written off
as uncollectible any notes or accounts receivable, except for immaterial
write-downs and write-offs in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice;
(f) cancelled any debts or waived any claims or rights of
substantial value;
(g) sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of any of its
properties or assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible),
except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice;
(h) granted any increase in the compensation or benefits of
any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company, (including
any such increase pursuant to any bonus, pension, profit sharing or other
plan or commitment) or any increase in the compensation or benefits payable
or to become payable to any director, officer, employee or consultant of
the Company, and no such increase is customary on a periodic basis or
required by agreement or understanding;
(i) made any change in severance policy or practices;
(j) made any capital expenditure or acquired any property
or assets (other than new materials and supplies) for a cost in excess of
$20,000, in the aggregate;
(k) declared, paid or set aside for payment any dividend or
other distribution in respect of its capital stock or redeemed, purchased
or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock
or other securities of the Company;
(l) made any change in any method of tax or financial
accounting or accounting practice or made or changed any material election
for Federal, state, local or foreign income tax purposes;
(m) made any material tax election, settled or compromised
any Federal, state, local or foreign income tax liability, or waived or
extended the statute of limitations in respect of any such taxes;
(n) paid, loaned or advanced any amount to, or sold,
transferred or leased any properties or assets (real, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible) to, or entered into any agreement or arrangement
with, any of its officers, directors or shareholders or any affiliate or
associate of any of its officers, directors or shareholders except for
directors' fees, and compensation to officers at rates not exceeding the
rates of compensation paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998;
(o) issued any shares of its capital stock, or issued any
options or warrants to purchase any shares of its capital stock; or
(p) agreed, whether in writing or otherwise, to take any
action described in this Section 4.6.
Section 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as and to the
extent provided in the Balance Sheet, the Company had at December 31, 1998
no material liabilities (whether contingent or absolute, direct or
indirect, known or unknown to the Company or matured or unmatured) not
fully reflected or fully reserved against in the Balance Sheet or incurred
other than in the ordinary course.
Section 4.8 No Default. The Company is not in default or
violation (and no event has occurred which with notice or the lapse of time
or both would constitute a default or violation) of any term, condition or
provision of: (i) its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or comparable
charter documents, (ii) any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, contract, agreement or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company is a party or by which it or
any of its properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company
or any of its properties or assets, except with respect to clauses (ii) and
(iii), where such violation, breach, default or creation of a Lien would
not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.9 Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding,
arbitration, investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened which involves the Company. The foregoing includes, without
limitation, actions pending or threatened (or any basis therefor known to
the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Company's
employees, their use in connection with the Company's business of any
information, techniques, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trade
secrets, inventions, technology, know-how, computer software, including
object and source code, enhancements, updates, derivative versions and all
related programmer and user documentation or other intellectual property
rights allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers, or their
obligations under any agreements with prior employers. The Company is not
a party or subject to the provisions of any order or decree of any
Governmental Entity. There is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration or
investigation by the Company currently pending or which the Company
presently intends to initiate.
Section 4.10 Compliance with Laws. The Company is in compliance
with, and has not violated any applicable law, rule or regulation of any
United States federal, state, local, or foreign government or agency
thereof which materially affects the business, properties or assets of the
Company, and no notice, charge, claim, action or assertion has been
received by the Company or has been filed, commenced or, to the Company's
knowledge, threatened against the Company alleging any such violation,
except for any matter otherwise covered by this sentence which does not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
All licenses, permits and approvals required under such laws, rules and
regulations are in full force and effect except where the failure to be in
full force and effect would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.11 Taxes.
(a) Giving effect to all extensions validly obtained, the
Company has: (x) duly and timely filed (or there has been filed on its
behalf) with the appropriate taxing authorities all Tax Returns (as defined
below) required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true,
correct and complete and (y) timely paid or there has been paid on its
behalf, or where payment is not yet due, have established or have had
established on its behalf, or will establish or cause to be established on
or before the Closing Date on its books and records an adequate accrual for
the payment of, all Taxes (as defined below) due or claimed to be due from
it by any taxing authority;
(b) The Company has complied in all respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment and
withholding of Taxes (including, without limitation, withholding of Taxes
pursuant to Section 1441 and 1442 of the Code or similar provisions under
any state, local or foreign law) and has, within the time and manner
prescribed by law, withheld and paid over to the proper taxing authorities
all amounts required to be withheld and paid over under all applicable
laws;
(c) There are no liens for Taxes upon the assets or
properties of the Company except for statutory liens for current Taxes not
yet due;
(d) The Company has not requested any extension of time
within which to file any Tax Return in respect of any taxable year which
has not since been filed and no outstanding waivers or comparable consents
that are still in effect regarding the application of the statute of
limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns has been given by or
on behalf of the Company;
(e) No federal, state, local or foreign audits,
examinations or other administrative proceedings or court proceedings
("Audits") exist or have been initiated or completed with regard to any
Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company, and the Company has not received any
notice that such an Audit is pending or threatened with respect to any
Taxes due from or with respect to the Company or any Tax Return filed by or
with respect to the Company;
(f) The Company has not requested nor received an adverse
ruling from any taxing authority or signed a closing or other agreement
with any taxing authority;
(g) None of the Tax Returns of the Company has ever been
Audited by the applicable taxing authority, and the applicable statute of
limitations for the assessment of Taxes for taxable periods ending before
December 31, 1995 has expired;
(h) Except for any adjustment which may be required by the
change in filing Tax returns described in Section 4.11 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or by the transactions contemplated by the terms of
this Agreement, the Company is not required to include in income any
adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, by reason of any
voluntary or involuntary change in accounting method (nor has any taxing
authority proposed in writing any such adjustment or change of accounting
method);
(i) The Company is not a party to, or bound by, and does
not have any obligation under, any Tax sharing agreement, Tax
indemnification agreement or similar contract or arrangement;
(j) No power of attorney has been granted by or with
respect to the Company with respect to any matter relating to Taxes;
(k) The reserves for Taxes (determined in accordance with
US GAAP) reflected in the most recent financial statements of the Company
are adequate in accordance with US GAAP for the payment of all Taxes
incurred or which may be incurred by the Company through the date thereof.
Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company, the
Company has not incurred any liability for Taxes other than in the ordinary
course of business;
(l) The Company is not and has not been a member of an
affiliated group (or similar state or local filing group for Tax purposes);
(m) The Company is not and has never been a United States
real property holding company as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code;
(n) The Company is not a party to any agreement, plan,
contract or arrangement that could result, separately or in the aggregate,
in the payment of any "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Code;
(o) The Company has not received notice of any claim made
by a governmental authority in a jurisdiction where the Company, as
applicable, does not file a Tax Return, that the Company is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction;
(p) The Company has previously delivered or made available
to Parent complete and accurate copies of each of: (i) all audit reports,
letter rulings, technical advice memoranda and similar documents issued by
a taxing authority relating to the United States federal, state, local or
foreign Taxes due from or with respect to the Company (ii) the United
States federal income Tax Returns, and those state, local and foreign
income Tax Returns filed by the Company, and (iii) any closing agreements
entered into by the Company with any taxing authority in each case existing
on the date hereof. The Company will deliver to Parent all materials with
respect to the foregoing for all matters arising after the date hereof.
(q) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Taxes" (including,
with correlative meaning, the term "Tax") shall mean all taxes, charges,
fees, levies, penalties or other assessments imposed by any federal, state,
local or foreign taxing authority, including, but not limited to, income,
gross receipts, excise, property, sales, transfer, franchise, payroll,
withholding, social security or other taxes, including any interest,
penalties or additions attributable thereto, and (ii) "Tax Return" shall
mean any return, report, information return or other document (including
any related or supporting information) with respect to Taxes or the
refiling of any such Tax Return previously filed.
Section 4.12 ERISA.
(a) Section 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
contains a true, complete and correct list of each employee benefit plan
(including, without limitation, any "employee benefit plan," as defined in
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA")), and each employment, change in control, bonus, pension,
profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, incentive compensation,
stock ownership, stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement,
vacation, severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, life or
other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits or other plan, program,
agreement, arrangement or material understanding (whether formal or
informal or whether or not legally binding) (all the foregoing being herein
called the "Company Benefit Plans"), sponsored, maintained or contributed
to or required to be contributed to by the Company for the benefit of any
current or former employee or consultant of the Company. The Company has
provided to Parent a true and correct copy of, where applicable, all
material documents related to the Company Benefit Plans, including: (i) the
three most recent annual reports (Form 5500) filed with the IRS, (ii) a
copy of each Company Benefit Plan and any summary plan description or
Summary of Material Modification, (iii) each trust agreement and group
annuity contract, if any, relating to such Company Benefit Plan, (iv) the
most recent actuarial report or valuation relating to a Company Benefit
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, and (v) the most recent determination
letter received from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan
intended to qualify under section 401(a) of the Code. No amendments or
promises have been made with respect to any Company Benefit Plans which
would increase the expense of maintaining such Company Benefit Plan.
(b) No Company Benefit Plans nor benefit plans of any
entity which would be treated as a "single employer" with the Company under
Section 4001(b) of ERISA are subject to Title IV of ERISA. Except as set
forth in Section 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, with respect to
the Company Benefit Plans, in the aggregate, no event has occurred and to
the Company's knowledge, there exists no condition or set of circumstances
which are reasonably likely to occur in connection with which the Company
would be subject to any liability that would have a Company Material
Adverse Effect (except liability for benefits claims and funding
obligations payable in the ordinary course), under ERISA, the Code or any
other applicable law.
(c) With respect to Company Benefit Plans, in the
aggregate, there are no funded benefit obligations for which contributions
have not been made or properly accrued and there are no unfunded benefit
obligations which have not been accounted for by reserves, or otherwise
properly footnoted in accordance with US GAAP in the Financial Statements,
except for obligations that would not, in the aggregate, have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Each of the Company Benefit Plans has been administered
in compliance with its terms in all material respects and is in compliance
with applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, ERISA,
the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Code, except
for failures to comply that, in the aggregate, would not have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Each of the Company Benefit Plans which is intended to
be a qualified plan within the meaning of section 401(a) of the Code has
been determined by the IRS to be so qualified and nothing has occurred to
cause the loss of such qualified or tax-exempt status, or the Company has
applied to the IRS for such a determination prior to the expiration of the
requisite period under applicable Treasury Regulations or IRS
pronouncements in which to apply for such a determination and to make any
amendments necessary to obtain a favorable determination, or has been
established under a standardized prototype plan for which an IRS opinion
letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the
adopting employer. Each fund established under a Company Benefit Plan that
is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code
has so satisfied such requirements.
(f) The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining
agreement.
(g) The Company has no obligation for retiree health,
medical or life insurance benefits under any plan referred to in Section
4.12(a) other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable laws, (ii) deferred
compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the Balance Sheet, or (iii)
benefits, the full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee
(or a beneficiary thereof).
(h) No Company Benefit Plan is a "multiemployer pension
plan," as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or a "multiple
employer plan" as such term is defined in Section 413(c) of the Code.
(i) Each Company Benefit Plan can be terminated within a
period of 30 days, without payment of any additional compensation or amount
or the additional vesting or acceleration of any benefits.
(j) No Company Benefit Plan is under actual or, to the
Company's knowledge, threatened investigation, audit or review by any
governmental agency, or the subject of any claim, lawsuit, arbitration or
other proceeding.
(k) No amounts paid by the Company to any ERISA Plan would
fail to be deductible under Section 404 of the Code.
Section 4.13 Change in Control. Except as set forth in Section
4.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not a party to any
option, warrant, contract, agreement or understanding which contains a
"change in control," "potential change in control" or similar provision.
Except as so disclosed, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not (i) (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional
acts or events) result in any payment (whether of severance pay or
otherwise) becoming due from the Company to any person, or (ii) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of or otherwise
enhance any benefit due from the Company to any person.
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. The Company owns or has a
valid right to use all trademarks, service marks, trade names, Internet
domain names, designs, slogans, and general intangibles of like nature,
together with all goodwill related to the foregoing (collectively,
"Trademarks"); patents; copyrights (including any registrations, renewals
and applications for any of the foregoing); Software; technology, trade
secrets and other confidential information, know-how, proprietary
processes, formulae, algorithms, models, and methodologies (collectively,
"Trade Secrets," and together with the foregoing, the "Intellectual
Property") used in or necessary for the conduct of the business of Company
as currently conducted or, to the Company's knowledge, as contemplated to
be conducted, the absence of which would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(a) Section 4.14(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth, for the Intellectual Property owned by the Company, a complete
and accurate list of all U.S. and foreign: (i) patents and patent
applications; (ii) Trademark registrations (including Internet domain
registrations) and applications and material unregistered Trademarks;
(iii) copyright registrations and applications, and material unregistered
copyrights, indicating for each, the applicable jurisdiction, registration
number (or application number), and date issued (or date filed).
Section 4.14(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
complete and accurate list of all license agreements (except for end-user
license and support/maintenance agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business ("User Agreements")) granting any right to use or
practice any rights under any Intellectual Property, whether the Company is
the licensee or licensor thereunder, and any written settlements relating
to any Intellectual Property to which the Company is a party or otherwise
bound (collectively, the "License Agreements"), indicating for each the
title, the parties, and the date executed.
(b) Except for User Agreements and License Agreements, to
the Company's knowledge, the Intellectual Property is owned by the Company
free and clear of all Liens, and the Company, to the extent noted on
Section 4.14(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, is listed in the
records of the appropriate United States, state, or foreign agency as the
sole owner of record for each application and registration listed on
Section 4.14(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(c) The Intellectual Property owned by the Company and, to
the Company's knowledge, any Intellectual Property used by the Company, is
valid and subsisting, and has not been cancelled, expired, or abandoned.
There is no pending, or to the Company's knowledge, threatened opposition,
interference or cancellation proceeding before any court or registration
authority in any jurisdiction against the registrations listed on Section
4.14(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or, to the Company's
knowledge, against any Intellectual Property licensed to the Company.
(d) To the Company's knowledge (but without conducting any
patent search), the conduct of the Company's business as currently
conducted does not infringe upon any Intellectual Property rights owned or
controlled by any third party (either directly or indirectly such as
through contributory infringement or inducement to infringe). There are no
claims or suits pending or to the Company's knowledge threatened, and the
Company has not received any notice of a third party claim or suit: (i)
alleging that its activities or the conduct of its businesses infringes
upon, violates, or constitutes the unauthorized use of the Intellectual
Property rights of any third party, or (ii) challenging the ownership, use,
validity or enforceability of any Intellectual Property.
(e) There are no settlements, forebearances to sue,
consents, judgments, or orders to which the Company is a party which (i)
restrict the Company's rights to use any Intellectual Property, (ii)
restrict the Company's businesses in order to accommodate a third party's
Intellectual Property rights, or (iii) permit third parties to use any
Intellectual Property owned or controlled by the Company. The Company has
not licensed or sublicensed its rights in any material Intellectual
Property other than pursuant to the User Agreements and/or License
Agreements, and no royalties, honoraria or other fees are payable by the
Company for the use of or right to use any Intellectual Property, except
pursuant to the License Agreements. To the Company's knowledge, the
License Agreements are valid and binding obligations of all parties
thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms, and to the Company's
knowledge, there exists no event or condition which will result in a
violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default by any party under any such License Agreement.
(f) The Company takes reasonable measures to protect the
confidentiality of Trade Secrets, including requiring its employees and
independent contractors having access thereto to execute written non-
disclosure agreements. No Trade Secret has been disclosed or authorized to
be disclosed to any third party other than pursuant to a non-disclosure
agreement that adequately protects the Company's proprietary interests in
and to such Trade Secrets other than disclosures that, individually or in
the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. To the Company's knowledge, no party to any non-disclosure
agreement relating to its Trade Secrets is in breach or default thereof.
(g) To the knowledge of the Company, no third party is
misappropriating, infringing, diluting, or violating any Intellectual
Property owned by the Company, and no such claims have been brought against
any third party by the Company.
(h) The consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not result in the loss or impairment of the Company's right to
own or use any of the Intellectual Property, which loss or impairment is
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, nor will
require the consent of any governmental authority or third party in respect
of any such Intellectual Property, the failure of which to obtain is
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Section 4.14(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
lists all Software (as defined below) (other than software applications
programs that are readily available) which is owned, licensed, leased, or
otherwise used by the Company, and identifies which Software is owned,
licensed, leased, or otherwise used, and lists all Software sold, licensed,
leased or otherwise distributed by the Company to any third party. With
respect to the Software set forth in Section 4.14(a)(ii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule which the Company purports to own, such Software was
either developed: (i) by employees of the Company within the scope of their
employment; or (ii) by independent contractors who have assigned their
rights to the Company pursuant to written agreements. For purposes of this
Section 4.14, "Software" means any and all of the following to the extent
they are readily identifiable: (x) computer programs, including any and all
software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether
in source code or object code, (y) databases and compilations, including
any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or
otherwise, (iii) descriptions, flow-charts and other work product used to
design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, (iv) the
technology supporting any Internet site(s) operated by or on behalf of the
Company, and (v) all documentation, including user manuals and training
materials, relating to any of the foregoing.
(j) To the Company's knowledge, the Company has implemented
and/or is currently implementing revisions and related testing of its
material Software that it licenses and maintains pursuant to contracts with
third parties ("Licensed Software") in order to enable such Software to
process accurately (including calculating, comparing and sequencing) in all
material respects properly formatted date data from, into and between the
twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including leap year calculations
("Millennial Date Data").
(k) The Company is in the process of obtaining written
representations or assurances from each third party that: (i) provides
Millennial Date Data to the Company, (ii) processes Millennial Date Data
for the Company, or (iii) otherwise provides any material product or
service to the Company that is dependent upon any Software, microcode, chip
or hardware system or component, including any electronic or electronically
controlled system or component (a "System") that processes any Millennial
Date Data, stating that all of such Systems that are used for, or on behalf
of, the Company will process Millennial Date Data without materially
affecting the supply of such product or service to the Company after
December 31, 1999.
Section 4.15 Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreements.
Each current and former employee and officer of the Company has executed an
Agreement Regarding Confidential Information and Inventions, or an Employee
Proprietary Information Agreement or similar such agreement, in
substantially the form previously provided or made available to Parent.
The Company is not aware that any of the current or former employees of the
Company is in violation thereof.
Section 4.16 Contracts and Commitments.
Except as set forth in Section 4.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
or in the Company Financial Statements:
(a) There are no purchase contracts or commitments (i)
under which the Company is required to pay in excess of $20,000 annually;
(b) There are no outstanding sales contracts, commitments,
or written memoranda of understanding of the Company that call for the
payment or receipt of more than $25,000, which the Company believes will
result in any loss in excess of $10,000 to the Company upon completion or
performance thereof;
(c) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule,
the Company has no outstanding contracts with officers, employees, agents,
consultants, advisors, salesmen, sales representatives, distributors, or
dealers that are not cancellable by it on notice of not longer than 30 days
and without liability, penalty, or premium or any agreement or arrangement
providing for the payment of any bonus or commission based on sales or
earnings;
(d) The Company is not in default, nor is there any basis
for any valid claim of default, under any material contract made or
obligation owed by it;
(e) The Company is not restricted by agreement from
carrying on its business anywhere in the world;
(f) The Company is not under any material liability or
obligation with respect to the return of inventory or merchandise in the
possession of wholesalers, distributors, retailers, or other customers;
(g) The Company has no obligation for borrowed money,
including guarantees of or agreements to acquire any such obligation of
others;
(h) The Company has no outstanding loan to any person other
than to the Company;
(i) The Company has no power of attorney outstanding or any
obligations or liabilities (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or
otherwise), as guarantor, surety, co-signer, endorser, co-maker,
indemnitor, or otherwise in respect of the obligation of any person,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, organization, or
other entity;
(j) None of the officers, directors or shareholders of the
Company has any interest in any property, real or personal, tangible or
intangible, including without limitation the Intellectual Property Rights,
that is material to the conduct of the business of the Company; and
(k) Other than as listed on Section 4.16(a) through 4.16(k)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no agreements,
contracts, commitments, or restrictions that are material to its business,
financial condition, working capital, assets, liabilities (absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise), reserves or operations or which require
the making of any charitable contribution.
Section 4.17 Labor Matters. The Company is in compliance in all
material respects with all currently applicable laws and regulations
respecting employment, discrimination in employment, terms and conditions
of employment and wages and hours and occupational safety and health and
employment practices, and is not engaged in any unfair labor practice,
except where non-compliance would not result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. The Company has not received any notice from any Governmental
Entity, and to the knowledge of the Company, there has not been asserted
before any Governmental Entity, any claim, action or proceeding to which
the Company is a party or involving the Company and there is neither
pending nor, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened any investigation
or hearing concerning the Company arising out of or based upon any such
laws, regulations or practices. There are no pending claims against the
Company under any workers compensation plan or policy or for long term
disability. Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all
current officers, directors, and employees of the Company.
Section 4.18 Personnel. Section 4.18 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list of the names and current
salaries of each employee of the Company as of the date of this Agreement,
and of all employment, compensation, severance, consulting or
indemnification contracts between the Company and its present or former
employees, officers, directors and consultants to the extent the Company
has any continuing obligations thereunder. The Company has made available
to Parent true and correct copies of all such agreements.
Section 4.19 Environmental Matters.
(a) The Company is in compliance with all Environmental
Laws (as hereinafter defined), which compliance includes, but is not
limited to, the possession by the Company of all material permits and other
governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws,
and compliance in all respects with the terms and conditions thereof. The
Company has not received any communication, whether from a governmental
authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the
Company is not in such compliance, and, to the knowledge of the Company,
there are no material circumstances that may prevent or interfere with such
compliance in the future. There are no permits or other governmental
authorizations currently held by the Company pursuant to the Environmental
Laws.
(b) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no
Environmental Claims (as hereinafter defined) pending, alleged or
threatened against the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, against
any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the
Company has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of
law.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no past or
present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or
incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge,
presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern (as
hereinafter defined) by or attributable to the Company that could form the
basis of any Environmental Claim against the Company or, to the knowledge
of the Company, against any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim the Company has retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law.
(d) Without in any way limiting the generality of the
foregoing and to the Company's knowledge (which limitation applies to
clauses (i)-(iv) below), (i) all on-site and off-site locations where the
Company has stored Materials of Environmental Concern are identified in
Section 4.19(d)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (ii) any underground
storage tanks, and the capacity and contents of such tanks, if known to the
Company located on property owned or leased by the Company are identified
in Section 4.19(d)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (iii) except as
set forth in Section 4.19(d)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there
is no asbestos contained in or forming part of any building, building
component, structure or office space owned or leased by the Company, and
(iv) no polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) or PCB-containing items are used
or stored at any property owned or leased by the Company.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) "Environmental Claim" means any material claim,
action, cause of action, investigation or notice (written or oral) by any
person or entity alleging potential liability (including, without
limitation, potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries, or penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from
(a) the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of
Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned or operated by
the Company or (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or
alleged violation, of any Environmental Law.
(ii) "Environmental Laws" means all Federal, state,
local and foreign laws and regulations relating to pollution or protection
of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient
air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata),
including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of Environmental
Concern, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
Materials of Environmental Concern.
(iii) "Materials of Environmental Concern" means
chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous
substances, petroleum and petroleum products, but excluding materials
commonly employed or wastes commonly generated in office operations and/or
janitorial operations.
Section 4.20 Insurance.
(a) Section 4.20(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
contains an accurate and complete description of all material policies of
fire, liability, workmen's compensation and other forms of insurance owned
or held by the Company. All such policies are in full force and effect,
all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including
the Effective Time will have been paid, and no notice of cancellation or
termination has been received with respect to any such policy. Such
policies will remain in full force and effect through the respective dates
set forth in Section 4.20(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule without the
payment of additional premiums and will not in any way be affected by, or
terminate or lapse by reason of, the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) All pending claims, if any, made against the Company
that are covered by insurance have been disclosed to and accepted by the
appropriate insurance companies and are being defended by such appropriate
insurance companies and are described in Section 4.20(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule; no such claims have been denied coverage during the
last three years. During the last six months, no policy of the Company has
been cancelled by the issuer thereof. During the last six months, the
Company has not been refused any insurance with respect to its assets or
operations, nor has its coverage been limited, by any insurance carrier to
which it has applied for any such insurance or with which it has carried
insurance during the last three years.
Section 4.21 Customers. Section 4.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a list of the Company's ten (10) largest customers in
terms of gross sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. Since
December 31, 1998, there has not been any material adverse change in the
business relationships of the Company with any of the customers listed in
Section 4.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
Section 4.22 Title to Properties; Encumbrances. The Company
owns no real property. The Company has good, valid and marketable title to
all the tangible properties and assets which it purports to own, including,
without limitation, all the properties and assets reflected in the Balance
Sheet, and all the properties and assets purchased by the Company since the
date of the Balance Sheet, which subsequently acquired properties and
assets (other than inventory) are listed in Section 4.22 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule. All such properties and assets are free and clear of
all mortgages, title defects or objections, Liens, claims, charges,
security interests or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever
including, without limitation, leases, chattel mortgages, conditional sales
contracts, collateral security arrangements and other title or interest
retention arrangements, and are not, in the case of real property, subject
to any rights of way, building use restrictions, exceptions, variances,
reservations or limitations of any nature whatsoever except, with respect
to all such properties and assets, (a) liens shown on the Balance Sheet as
securing specified liabilities or obligations and liens incurred in
connection with the purchase of property and/or assets, if such purchase
was effected after the date of the Balance Sheet, with respect to which no
default exists, (b) minor imperfections of title, if any, none of which are
substantial in amount, materially detract from the value or impair the use
of the property subject thereto, or impair the operations of the Company
and which have arisen only in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice since the date of the Balance Sheet, and (c)
liens for current taxes not yet due.
Section 4.23 Equipment. The equipment of the Company is in good
operating condition and repair and is adequate for the uses to which it is
being put. None of such equipment is in need of maintenance or repairs
except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs which are not material
in nature or cost.
Section 4.24 Leases. Section 4.24 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule contains a list of all leases, all of which have been previously
delivered to Parent. All such leases are valid, binding and enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms, and are in full force
and effect; there are no existing defaults by the Company thereunder; and
no event of default has occurred which (whether with or without notice,
lapse of time or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would
constitute a default by the Company thereunder.
Section 4.25 Receivables. All accounts and notes due and
uncollected as reflected on the Balance Sheet, and all accounts and notes
due and uncollected arising subsequent to December 31, 1998: (i) have
arisen in the ordinary course of business of the Company, (ii) represent
valid obligations due to the Company enforceable in accordance with their
terms, and (iii) subject only to the reserve for doubtful accounts,
computed in a manner consistent with past practice, have been collected or,
if the Company were to apply all payments received from customers with past
due accounts to the oldest receivable from such customer, would be
collectible in accordance with past practice within 120 days from the date
of invoice in the aggregate recorded amounts thereof, without being subject
to any recoupments, set-offs or counterclaims.
Section 4.26 Related Party Transactions. No contracts or
agreements are in effect as of the date hereof between the Company on the
one hand, and employees or affiliates of the Company, on the other hand.
For purposes of this Section 4.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, an
"affiliate" of any Person shall mean any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control",
when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and
the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings that correspond to
the foregoing.
Section 4.27 Absence of Certain Payments. Neither the Company,
nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its affiliates or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents or other people acting
on behalf of any of them have: (i) engaged in any activity prohibited by
the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other
similar law, regulation, decree, directive or order of any Governmental
Entity, and (ii) without limiting the generality of the preceding clause
(i), used any corporate or other funds for unlawful contributions,
payments, gifts or entertainment, or made any unlawful expenditures
relating to political activity to government officials or others. Neither
the Company, nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its affiliates or any
of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents of other
persons acting on behalf of any of them, has accepted or received any
unlawful contributions, payments, gifts or expenditures.
Section 4.28 Brokers or Finders. The Company represents, as to
itself and its affiliates, that no agent, broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other firm or person retained by it is or will be
entitled to any brokers' or finder's fee or any other commission or similar
fee in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 4.29 Books and Records. The books of account and other
financial and corporate records of the Company are complete and correct in
all material respects, and are maintained in accordance with good business
practices. The minute books and stock record books of the Company contain
all: (i) minutes of meetings of the stockholders, boards of directors and
any committees of the boards of directors, (ii) written statements of
actions taken by the shareholders, boards of directors and any committees
of the boards of directors without a meeting, and (iii) records of the
issuance, transfer, transfer and cancellation of all shares of capital
stock and other securities, in each case since the date of incorporation of
the Company. Such minute books and stock record books are true and
complete in all material respects.
Section 4.30 Accounting Matters; Reorganization. To the
knowledge of the Company, neither the Company, nor any of its directors,
officers or shareholders, has taken any action which would prevent (a) the
accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and
the interpretative releases pursuant thereto (collectively, "APB 16") and
the pronouncements of the SEC, or (b) the Merger from constituting a
reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Code.
Section 4.31 Pooling Letter. The Company has received from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter, dated not earlier than five (5) days
prior to the date hereof, to the effect that, subject to the qualifications
contained therein, the Merger qualifies for pooling of interests treatment
for financial reporting purposes in accordance with APB 16 and the
pronouncements of the SEC.
Section 4.32 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation. No information provided by the Company in writing for
inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation (or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto) will, at the date mailed to the shareholders of the
Company and at the time of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement,
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 not misleading. No representation is made by
the Company with respect to statements made therein based on any other
information, including information supplied by Parent or Sub in writing
expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement. The Company agrees
to correct promptly any such information provided by it that shall have
become false or misleading in any material respect and to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to take all steps necessary to cooperate
with Parent in filing with the SEC and having declared effective or cleared
by the SEC any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation so as to correct the same
and to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation as so
corrected to be disseminated to the Company's shareholders and Parent's
stockholders to the extent required by applicable law. The Consent
Solicitation shall comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the CGCL and all other
applicable laws.
Section 4.33 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty by
the Company in this Agreement and no statement contained in any schedule or
certificate furnished or to be furnished by the Company to Parent, or any
of its representatives pursuant to the provisions hereof taken as a whole,
contains as of the date hereof any untrue statement of material fact or
omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB
Parent and Sub represent and warrant to the Company as set forth
below:
Section 5.1 Organization. Each of Parent and Sub 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 and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
to carry on its business as now being conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. Each of Parent and Sub is duly qualified or licensed and in
good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the property
owned, leased, or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by
it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in
good standing or to have such power, authority and governmental approvals
would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Parent Material Adverse Effect" means, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition,
prospects or results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries (as
defined below), taken as a whole, but shall not include any of the
following in and of themselves, either alone or in combination: (A) any
effect or change occurring as a result of (1) general economic or
financial conditions, or (2) other developments which are not unique to
Parent but which also affect other persons who participate or are engaged
in the lines of business in which Parent participates or is engaged; or (B)
any change or effect on the business or financial condition or performance
of Parent following the date of this Agreement, resulting from a delay of,
reduction in or cancellation or change in the terms of any agreement or
other transaction with Parent attributable to (1) the announcement of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or (2) Parent's or any
of its affiliates' announcement or other communication of its plans or
other intentions with respect to the conduct of the business of the
Company.
Section 5.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement. Each of
Parent and Sub has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board of Directors of Parent and Sub, and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of Parent or Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the Merger other than, with respect to the Parent Common Stock
to be issued in the Merger, the approval of a majority of the outstanding
Parent Common Stock. This Agreement has been duly executed by Parent and
Sub, and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Parent and Sub,
enforceable against Parent and Sub in accordance with its terms, except
that (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting
creditors' rights generally, and (ii) the remedy of specific performance
and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.
Section 5.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for
the filing and recordation of an Agreement of Merger, in accordance with
the requirements of the CGCL, the filing of a Certificate of Merger, in
accordance with the requirements of the DGCL, and the approval of the
stockholders of Parent of the Merger and the issuance of the Parent Common
Stock in the Merger, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement by Parent and Sub, the consummation by Parent and Sub of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Parent and Sub with any
of the provisions hereof will: (i) require any notice to, filing with, or
permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity or
any private third party, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of any
provision of the charter or bylaws of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
(including Sub), (iii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute
(with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give
rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or result in
the creation of any Lien) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, contract, agreement or
other instrument or obligation to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
(including Sub) is a party or by which any of them or any of their
properties or assets may be bound, or (iv) violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, treaty, rule or regulation applicable to
Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (including Sub) or any of their properties
or assets except, in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv), where the
failure to obtain such permits, authorizations, consents or approvals or to
make such filings, or where such violations, breaches or defaults would
not, individually or in the aggregate, (A) materially impair the ability of
Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
(B) result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4 Pooling Letter. Parent has received from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Parent's independent auditor, a letter, dated
not earlier than five (5) days prior to the date hereof, to the effect
that, subject to customary qualifications, the Merger qualifies for pooling
of interests treatment for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
APB 16 and the pronouncements of the SEC.
Section 5.5 Accounting Matters; Reorganization. To the
knowledge of Parent, neither Parent nor any of its directors, officers or
stockholders, has taken any action which would prevent: (a) the accounting
for the Merger as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes
in accordance with APB 16 and the pronouncements of the SEC, or (b) the
Merger from constituting a reorganization qualifying under the provisions
of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Section 5.6 Brokers or Finders. Neither Parent nor any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliates has entered into any agreement or arrangement
entitling any agent, broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
firm or person to any brokers' or finders' fee or any other commission or
similar fee in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except Dain Rauscher Wessels whose fees and expenses will be
paid by Parent in accordance with Parent's agreement with such firm.
Section 5.7 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation. The Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/ Consent Solicitation (or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto) will not, at the date it becomes effective, the date it
is mailed to the shareholders of the Company, and at the time of the
Special Meeting, 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 are made, not misleading, except that no representation is made
by Parent or Sub with respect to statements made therein based on
information supplied by the Company in writing expressly for inclusion in
the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation. Each of Parent and Sub agrees to correct promptly any such
information provided by it that shall have become false or misleading in
any material respect and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take
all steps necessary to file with the SEC and have declared effective or
cleared by the SEC any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation so as to
correct the same and to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation as so corrected to be disseminated to Parent's stockholders
and the Company's shareholders to the extent required by applicable law.
The Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation shall comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and all other applicable
laws.
Section 5.8 SEC Documents; Parent Financial Statements. Parent
has furnished or made available to the Company a true and complete copy of
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998,
its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 30, 1998,
July 31, 1998 and October 31, 1998 any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed
since January 1, 1998 and a copy of its proxy Statement dated June 18, 1998
(collectively, the "SEC Documents"), which Parent filed under the Exchange
Act with SEC. As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange
Act, and none of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein not
misleading, except to the extent corrected by a document subsequently filed
by or on behalf of Parent with the SEC. The consolidated financial
statements of Parent, including the notes thereto, included in the SEC
Documents (the "Parent Financial Statements") are complete and accurate,
comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods involved, and fairly present the
consolidated financial position of Parent and the results of its operations
and its cash flows as of the respective dates and for the periods indicated
thereon (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal
recurring accounting adjustments). Since October 31, 1998, no event has
occurred which could reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 5.9 Employee Benefit Matters. As of the date hereof,
Parent has no intention of: (i) terminating the employment of any of the
employees of the Company, (ii) adversely modifying or affecting the
employee compensation afforded to such employees as of the Effective Time,
or (iii) not providing the employees of the Company with comparable types
and levels of employee benefits maintained by Parent for similarly situated
employees of Parent, as determined from time to time by Parent.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business Pending Merger. Except as
otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, from the date of this
Agreement to the earlier of Effective Time or termination, the Company
will: (i) conduct its operations only in the ordinary and usual course of
business and consistent with past practices, and (ii) use its reasonable
efforts to preserve intact its present business organization, keep
available the services of its present officers, employees and consultants
and preserve its present relationships with licensors, licensees,
customers, suppliers, employees, labor organizations and others having
business relationships with it. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
the Company will not, directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Time,
without the prior written consent of Parent:
(a) propose or adopt any amendment to or otherwise change
its charter or bylaws or other organizational documents;
(b) authorize for issuance, sale, pledge, disposition or
encumbrance, or issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber (whether
through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments,
subscriptions, rights to purchase, convertible securities or otherwise),
any capital stock of any class or any other securities of, or any other
ownership interest in, the Company (except for the issuance of Company
Common Stock upon conversion of Company Preferred Stock, or upon exercise
of Company Options which are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement)
or amend any of the terms of any such securities or agreements outstanding
on the date hereof; provided, that prior to the Effective Time, the Company
may grant Company Options to newly hired employees and consultants of the
Company in numbers (measured in terms of shares of Company Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of such Company Options) not to exceed 10,000
to any individual nor 50,000 in the aggregate.
(c) reclassify, combine, split or subdivide any shares of
its capital stock, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution (whether in cash, securities or property or any combination
thereof) in respect of any class or series of its capital stock, other than
any dividend declared prior to the date hereof;
(d) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or propose or
offer to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any outstanding shares or
other securities of the Company, except pursuant to the Company Stock
Plans;
(e) organize any new subsidiary, acquire any capital stock
or equity securities of any corporation or acquire any equity or ownership
interest (financial or otherwise) in any business;
(f) (i) incur, assume or prepay any material liability, or
incur any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in accordance with the
Company's current financing arrangements, (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse
or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently
or otherwise) for the obligations of any third party, (iii) make any loans,
advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any third party,
(iv) mortgage or pledge any of its material properties or assets, tangible
or intangible, or create or suffer to exist any Lien thereupon, or (v)
authorize any new capital expenditures which, individually or in the
aggregate, are in excess of $25,000;
(g) license (except in the ordinary course of business) or
otherwise transfer, dispose of, permit to lapse or otherwise fail to
preserve any of the Company's Intellectual Property Rights, or dispose of
or disclose to any person any trade secret, formula, process or know-how
not theretofore a matter of public knowledge;
(h) enter into any agreement, contract, commitment or
transaction other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent with
past practices;
(i) make any change in the compensation or benefits payable
or to become payable to any of its officers, directors, employees, agents
or consultants (other than general increases in wages to employees who are
not officers or directors or affiliates in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice) or to persons providing management services;
(j) make any loans to any of its officers, directors,
employees, affiliates, agents or consultants or make any change in its
existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of any of such
persons, whether pursuant to a Company Benefit Plan or otherwise;
(k) cancel any debts or waive, release or relinquish any
contract rights or other rights of substantial value other than in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;
(l) authorize, recommend, propose or enter into or announce
an intention to authorize, recommend, propose or enter into a term sheet,
letter of intent, agreement in principle or a definitive agreement with
respect to any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or business
combination, any acquisition of a material amount of property or assets or
securities, or any disposition of a material amount of property or assets
or securities;
(m) make any change with respect to accounting policies or
procedures in effect as of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31,
1998;
(n) pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), including any Indebtedness, other than the
payment, discharge or satisfaction of any such claims, liabilities or
obligations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Company's
Financial Statements or incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices since the date thereof;
(o) (i) change any of the accounting principles used by it
unless required by GAAP, (ii) take or allow to be taken any action which
would jeopardize the treatment of Parent's business combination with the
Company as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes in
accordance with APB 16 and the pronouncements of the SEC, or (iii) take or
allow to be taken any action which would jeopardize qualification of the
Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code;
(p) make any material election relating to Taxes, change
any material election relating to Taxes already made, adopt any accounting
method relating to Taxes, enter into any closing agreement relating to
Taxes, settle any claim or assessment relating to Taxes or consent to any
claim or assessment relating to Taxes or any waiver of the statute of
limitations for any such claim or assessment; or
(q) commit or agree (in writing or otherwise) to take any
of the foregoing actions or any action which would cause the failure of the
conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) or Section 8.3(b).
Section 6.2 No Solicitation of Competing Transaction. (a)
Neither the Company nor any affiliate, as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under the 1934 Act (an "Affiliate") of the Company shall (and the Company
shall cause the officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents
of the Company and each Affiliate of the Company, including, but not
limited to, investment bankers, attorneys and accountants, not to),
directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, participate in or initiate
discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any Person
or group (other than Parent, any of its Affiliates or representatives)
concerning any proposal or offer to acquire all or a substantial part of
the business or properties of the Company or any capital stock of the
Company, whether by merger, tender offer, exchange offer, sale of assets or
similar transactions involving the Company, division or operating or
principal business unit of the Company (an "Acquisition Proposal"). Upon
execution of this Agreement, the Company will immediately cease any
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, prior to the date of the approval of this Agreement and the
Merger by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Consent
Solicitation (the "Shareholder Approval Date"), the Company may furnish
information concerning its business, properties or assets to any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group pursuant to
appropriate confidentiality agreements, and may negotiate and participate
in discussions and negotiations with such entity or group concerning an
Acquisition Proposal if:
(x) such entity or group has on an unsolicited basis
submitted a bona fide written proposal to the Company Board relating
to any such transaction which the Company Board determines in good
faith, represents a superior transaction to the Merger (a "Competing
Proposal") and in the good faith judgment of the Company Board the
person or entity making such Competing Proposal appears to have the
financial means, or the ability to obtain the necessary financing to
conclude such Competing Proposal; and
(y) in the opinion of the Company Board such action is
required to discharge the Company Board's fiduciary duties to the
Company's shareholders under applicable law following receipt of
advice from independent legal counsel to the Company that the failure
to provide such information or access or to engage in such discussions
or negotiations would result in a reasonable possibility that the
Company Board would violate its fiduciary duties to the Company's
shareholders under applicable law.
The Company will immediately notify Parent of the existence of any
proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry received by the Company, and
the Company will immediately communicate to Parent the terms of any
proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry which it may receive (and will
immediately provide to Parent copies of any written materials received by
the Company in connection with such proposal, discussion, negotiation or
inquiry) and the identity of the party making such proposal or inquiry or
engaging in such discussion or negotiation. The Company will promptly
provide to Parent any non-public information concerning the Company
provided to any other party which was not previously provided to Parent.
(b) Except as set forth below in this subsection (b),
neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof shall: (i) fail to
include, withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner
adverse to Parent, the approval or recommendation by such Board of
Directors or any such committee of this Agreement or the Merger, (ii)
approve or recommend or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition
Proposal, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the Shareholder Approval
Date, the Company Board may not include or may withdraw or modify its
approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, approve or
recommend any Acquisition Proposal which satisfies the requirements of each
of subsection (x) and subsection (y) of Section 6.2(a) hereof (any such
Acquisition Proposal, a "Superior Proposal"), or enter into an agreement
with respect to a Superior Proposal, in each case at any time after the
fifth business day following Parent's receipt of written notice from the
Company advising Parent that the Company Board has received a Superior
Proposal which it intends to accept, specifying the material terms and
conditions of such Superior Proposal, identifying the person making such
Superior Proposal.
Section 6.3 Shareholder Approval. Subject to the provisions of
Section 6.2 hereof, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
take all action necessary, in accordance with the CGCL and its Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws, to cause its shareholders to consider and act
upon this Agreement and the Merger as soon as practicable.
Section 6.4 Further Information. As soon as such information
becomes available, and in any event not later than thirty days after the
end of each fiscal month, the Company shall provide to Parent an unaudited
consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such month and the related
consolidated statements of results of operations for such period together
with a list of the ages and amounts of all accounts and notes due and
uncollected as of the end of such month.
Section 6.5 Access; Confidentiality. Subject to: (i) the
Company's confidentiality obligations to third parties, and (ii) the terms
of the Confidentiality Agreement, dated January 25, 1999, between Parent
and the Company, the Company shall afford to the officers, employees,
accountants, counsel, financing sources and other representatives of
Parent, full access during normal business hours from the date hereof until
the Effective Time, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments
and records, and, during such period, the Company shall furnish promptly to
the Parent all other information concerning its business, properties and
personnel as Parent may reasonably request.
ARTICLE VII
OTHER COVENANTS
Section 7.1 Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
(a) Subject to Section 6.2 hereof, prior to the Closing,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Parent and
the Company agree to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable (subject to any applicable laws)
to consummate and make effective the Merger as promptly as practicable
including, but not limited to: (i) the preparation and filing of all forms,
registrations and notices required to be filed to consummate the Merger and
the taking of such actions as are necessary to obtain any requisite
approvals, consents, orders, exemptions or waivers by any third party or
Governmental Entity, and (ii) the satisfaction of the other parties'
conditions to Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Parent nor
the Company shall be required to divest or hold separate or otherwise take
or commit to take any action that limits Parent's or Company's freedom of
action with respect to, or their ability to retain, the Company or any
material portions thereof or any of the businesses, product lines,
properties or assets of the Company.
(b) Prior to the Closing, each party shall promptly consult
with the other parties hereto with respect to all filings made by such
party with any Governmental Entity or any other information supplied by
such party to a Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement and
the Merger. Each party hereto shall promptly inform the other of any
communication from any Governmental Entity regarding the Merger. If any
party hereto or Affiliate thereof receives a request for additional
information or documentary material from any such Governmental Entity with
respect to the Merger, then such party shall endeavor in good faith to
make, or cause to be made, as soon as reasonably practicable and after
consultation with the other parties, an appropriate response in compliance
with such request. To the extent that transfers, amendments or
modifications of permits (including environmental permits) are required as
a result of the execution of this Agreement or consummation of the Merger,
the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such transfers, amendments
or modifications.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to require either the Company or Parent to
commence any litigation against any entity in order to facilitate the
consummation of any of the Merger or to defend against any litigation
brought by any third party or Governmental Entity seeking to prevent the
consummation of any of the Merger.
Section 7.2 Publicity. The initial press release with respect
to the execution of this Agreement shall be a joint press release
acceptable to Parent and the Company. Thereafter, until the Effective
Time, or the date this Agreement is terminated or abandoned pursuant to
Article IX hereof, neither the Company, Parent nor any of their respective
Affiliates shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or
other announcement with respect to the Merger or this Agreement without
prior consultation with the other party, except as may be required by law
or by any listing agreement with a national securities exchange or trading
market.
Section 7.3 Directors' and Officers' Insurance and Indemnification.
(a) For six years after the Effective Time, Parent and the
Surviving Corporation (or any successor to the Surviving Corporation) shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each present and former officer and
director of the Company, and each person who become any of the foregoing
prior to the Effective Time (each, a "Company Indemnified Party") against
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, fees and expenses,
including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and judgments,
fines, losses, claims, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement (provided
that any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Parent
or the Surviving Corporation) arising out of actions or omissions occurring
at or prior to the Effective Time to the full extent required or permitted
under applicable California law, the terms of the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of the Company or indemnification agreements, if any, as in
effect at the date hereof; provided, that, in the event any claim or claims
are asserted or made within such six-year period, all rights to
indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue until
disposition of any and all such claims.
Section 7.4 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the
Company, of the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of any event of which the
Company or Parent, respectively, has knowledge, the occurrence (or non-
occurrence) of which would be likely to cause any representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect and of the occurrence of any material failure of either
party to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that (x)
delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall not limit or
otherwise affect the remedies available to either party hereunder, and (y)
shall not constitute an admission by the party delivering such notice that
any such representation or warranty has been breached.
Section 7.5 Employees. As of the Effective Time, Parent will,
or will cause the Company to, give individuals who are employed by the
Company as of the Effective Time and who remain employees of the Company
following the Effective Time (each such employee, an "Affected Employee")
full credit for purposes of eligibility and vesting under any employee
benefit plans or arrangements maintained by Parent, the Company for such
Affected Employees' service with the Company or any affiliate thereof to
the same extent recognized immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Section 7.6 Affiliate Agreements. (a) Attached as Schedule 7.6
is a list (reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Parent) setting forth the
names of all persons who are expected to be, at the time of the Special
Meetings, in the Company's reasonable judgment, "affiliates" of the Company
for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act or under APB 16 or
applicable SEC accounting releases with respect to pooling of interests
accounting treatment. The Company shall furnish such information and
documents as Parent may reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing
such list. Each such person shall execute a written agreement in
substantially the form of Exhibit F-1 hereto within five (5) days of the
date hereof. Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all
persons who are "affiliates" of Parent for purposes of qualifying the
Merger for pooling of interests accounting treatment under APB 16 and
applicable SEC rules and regulations to deliver to the Company on or before
the date immediately preceding the date of filing of the Registration
Statement, a written agreement substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit F-2, and in the event any other person becomes an affiliate of
Parent thereafter to cause such person to deliver such an agreement to the
Company as soon as practicable but in any event no later than the Closing
Date.
(b) Within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first
fiscal quarter of Parent ending at least thirty (30) days after the
Effective Time, Parent shall publish results including at least thirty (30)
days of combined operations of Parent and the Company as referred to in the
Company Affiliates Letter as contemplated by and in accordance with SEC
Accounting Release No. 135.
Section 7.7 Tax-free Reorganization Treatment; Accounting
Treatment. (a) Neither Parent nor the Company shall intentionally take,
or cause or allow to be taken, any action, whether before or after the
Effective Time, which would disqualify the Merger as a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(b) Neither Parent nor the Company shall intentionally
take, or cause or allow to be taken, any action, whether before or after
the Effective Time, which would prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
APB 16 and the pronouncements of the SEC.
Section 7.8 Nasdaq Qualification. Parent shall use all
reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be
issued in connection with the Merger to be qualified for inclusion in the
Nasdaq Stock Market, subject to official notice of issuance, as of or prior
to the Effective Time.
Section 7.9 Consents of Accountants. Parent and the Company
will each use reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to each other
consents from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated the date on which the
Registration Statement shall become effective, in form reasonably
satisfactory to the recipient and customary in scope and substance for
consents delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements on Form S-4 under the Securities Act.
Section 7.10 Convertible Promissory Note. The Company shall,
prior to the Effective Time, cause any outstanding amounts owing under the
Voting Debt to be converted to Company Common Stock.
Section 7.11 Shareholder Representative. (a) For purposes of
this Agreement, Mannan Latif shall act as the Shareholder Representative,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.11(b) below. In the event that the
Shareholder Representative shall die or resign or otherwise terminate or
decline to accept his authority hereunder, his successor shall be any
holder of the Company Capital Stock and shall be elected by the vote or
written consent of a majority in interest of the holders of record of the
Company Capital Stock as of the Closing Date. The Shareholder
Representative shall keep the holders of the Company Capital Stock
reasonably informed of any of his decisions which are material in nature.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.11(b) below, (i) the Shareholder
Representative is authorized to take any action deemed by the Shareholder
Representative appropriate or necessary to carry out the provisions of, and
to determine the rights of the holders of the Company Capital Stock under
the terms of this Agreement, and is designated as the agent of, and
authorized to act on behalf of, the holders of the Company Capital Stock
for all purposes, including without limitation, to accept a service of
process upon the holders of Company Capital Stock, and (ii) all decisions
of the Shareholder Representative shall be binding upon the holders of
Company Capital Stock.
(b) Any shareholder of the Company may, upon written
notice to both Parent and the Shareholder Representative, which notice
shall provide an address for receipt of notices for such shareholder,
terminate the authority and agency of the Shareholder Representative as
provided herein with respect to such shareholder. Thereafter, such Company
shareholder shall have the right to act independently.
(c) The Shareholder Representative shall not be liable to
any of the holders of Company Capital Stock for any error of judgment, act
taken or omitted to have been taken in good faith, or mistake of fact or
law, unless caused by [his] own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 7.12 Parent SEC Documents. Parent agrees to furnish or
make available to the Company true and complete copies of any documents it
files under the Exchange Act with the SEC between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date.
Section 7.13 Non-Competition Agreements. Each of the
individuals identified on Schedule 7.12 has executed and delivered to
Parent a Non-Competition Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G
hereto, which Non-Competition Agreement is to take effect as of the
Effective Time of the Merger.
Section 7.14 Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall
enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") with Adam Au and Tit Wing Poon providing for one demand
registration right on Form S-3 commencing not earlier than 180 days from
the Effective Time. The fees and expenses of such registration shall be
borne by such shareholders of the Company.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS
Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the
Merger. The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of
the following conditions, any and all of which may be waived in whole or in
part by the Company or Parent, as the case may be, to the extent permitted
by applicable law:
(a) This Agreement shall have been adopted and the Merger
and the transactions related thereto shall have been approved pursuant to
the Consent Solicitation by the shareholders of the Company in accordance
with the CGCL and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
(b) The issuance of the Parent Common Stock in the Merger
shall have been approved by the shareholders of Parent in accordance with
the rules of the Nasdaq National Market and the DGCL.
(c) No statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted
or promulgated by any Governmental Entity which prohibits the consummation
of the Merger, and there shall be no order, decree or injunction of a court
of competent jurisdiction in effect precluding consummation of the Merger.
(d) The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger shall have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq National
Market, upon official notice of issuance.
(e) (i) The Registration Statement shall have been declared
effective under the Securities Act, (ii) no stop order suspending
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued, and
(iii) no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or
threatened by the SEC.
(f) Parent shall have received a letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reaffirming the statements made in the letter
referenced in Section 5.4.
(g) The Company shall have received a letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reaffirming the statements made in the letter
referenced in Section 4.31.
Section 8.2 Conditions of Obligations of the Company. The
obligation of the Company to effect the Merger are further subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions,
unless waived by the Company:
(a) The representations and warranties of Parent and Sub
set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the date of this Agreement, except for representations and
warranties qualified by materiality which shall be correct in all respects,
and except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific
date other than the Effective Time (which need only be true and correct in
all respects as of such date) and as of the Effective Time, with the same
force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made on and as of the Effective Time, except, in each case, where the
failure to be true and correct could not reasonably be expected to have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Parent shall have performed and complied, in all
material respects, with all obligations and covenants required to be
performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the
Effective Time.
(c) The Company shall have received from Parent an
officer's certificate certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions
specified in Section 8.2(a), 8.2(b), and 8.2(d).
(d) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have
occurred any event, change or effect having, or which would be reasonably
likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(e) The Company shall have received an opinion of Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LP, special counsel to Parent, substantially in
the form attached as Exhibit H hereto and otherwise reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Company, addressed to the Company and dated as
of the Closing Date.
(f) The Company shall have received an opinion of Gunderson
Detmer Stough Villenueve Franklin & Hachigian LLP, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated the Effective Time,
substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations
and assumptions set forth in such opinion, for United States federal income
tax purposes, the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion,
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP may request,
receive and rely upon representations contained in certificates of Parent,
Sub, the Company and others, and Parent, Sub and the Company agree to
provide such certifications as Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin
& Hachigian, LLP may reasonably request.
Section 8.3 Conditions of Obligations of Parent and Sub. The
obligation of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger are further subject to
the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions, unless waived by Parent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the date of this Agreement, except for representations and warranties
qualified by materiality which shall be correct in all respects, and except
for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date other
than the Effective Time (which need only be true and correct in all
respects as of such date) and as of the Effective Time, with the same force
and effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on
and as of the Effective Time, except, in each case, where the failure to be
true and correct could not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company shall have performed and complied with, in
all material respects, with all obligations and covenants required to be
performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the
Effective Time.
(c) Parent shall have received from the Company an
officer's certificate certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions
specified in Sections 8.3(a), 8.3(b), 8.3(d), 8.3(e), and 8.3(i).
(d) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have
occurred any event, change or effect having, or which would be reasonably
likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(e) All consents, permits and approvals of Governmental
Entities and other private third parties listed in Section 4.4 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained.
(f) The Escrow Fund Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement
shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and
shall be in full force and effect, and the Escrow Fund Agreement and the
Shareholder Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Each Non-Competition Agreement executed and delivered
to Parent by a person listed on a Schedule 7.13 shall be effective as of
the Effective Time of the Merger in accordance with its terms.
(h) The Company shall have entered into the Registration
Rights Agreement with Adam Au and Tit Wing Poon in accordance with the
terms of Section 7.14.
(i) Adam Au shall have executed and delivered to Parent an
Employment Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I
in form and substance satisfactory to Parent, which Employment Agreement is
to take effect as of the Effective Time of the Merger.
(j) Each share of Company Preferred Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall have been
converted into Company Common Stock.
(k) Parent shall have received an opinion of Coblentz,
Patch, Duffy & Bass, counsel to the Company, substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit J hereto and otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to Parent, addressed to Parent and dated as of the Closing
Date.
(l) Parent shall have received an opinion of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Parent, dated the Effective Time, substantially to the effect that, on the
basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion,
for United States federal income tax purposes, the Merger will constitute a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In
rendering such opinion, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may
request, receive and rely upon representations contained in certificates of
Parent, Sub, the Company and others, and Parent, Sub and the Company agree
to provide such certifications as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
may reasonably request.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
Section 9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at
any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of
the matters presented in connection with the Merger by the stockholders of
Parent or the shareholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent;
(b) by either the Company or Parent, if:
(i) any Governmental Entity shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action (which order, decree,
ruling or other action the parties hereto shall use their reasonable
efforts to lift), which permanently restrains, enjoins or otherwise
prohibits the consummation of the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or
other action shall have become final and non-appealable;
(ii) (A) if the Merger is not approved and adopted by
the affirmative vote of the shareholders of the Company as required by the
CGCL and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, or (B) if the
issuance of the Parent Common Stock in the Merger is not approved and
adopted by the stockholders of Parent in accordance with the rules of the
Nasdaq National Market and the DGCL;
(iii) if the Merger shall not have been consummated
before September 30, 1999 (unless the failure to consummate the Merger by
such date shall be due to the action or failure to act of the party seeking
to terminate);
(c) by the Company:
(i) in connection with entering into a definitive
agreement as permitted by Section 6.2(b), provided the Company has complied
with all provisions thereof, including the notice provisions therein, and
that the Company makes simultaneous payment to Parent of funds as required
by Section 11.2(b);
(ii) if Parent shall have breached in any material
respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, which would cause a failure of the
conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b), and which breach
cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written
notice by the Company to Parent.
(d) by Parent:
(i) if, prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board
shall have: (A) withdrawn, modified or changed in a manner adverse to
Parent its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, (B)
recommended an Acquisition Proposal, (C) executed a letter of intent, an
agreement in principle or definitive agreement relating to an Acquisition
Proposal or similar business combination with a person or entity other than
Parent or their Affiliates, or (D) exercised its rights pursuant to Section
6.2 with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, and, directly or through its
representatives, continued discussions with any third party concerning an
Acquisition Proposal for more than ten business days after the date of
receipt of such Acquisition Proposal; or
(ii) if prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall
have breached in any material respect any representation, warranty,
covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement, which would cause
a failure of the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) and Section 8.2(b),
and which breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the
giving of written notice to the Company.
Section 9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the
termination of this Agreement by any party hereto pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the
other party or parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which
such termination is made, and there shall be no liability on the part of
Parent or the Company except: (A) for fraud or for breach of this Agreement
prior to such termination, and (B) as set forth in Section 11.2.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION AND ESCROW
Section 10.1 Indemnification by the Company and the Shareholder
Indemnitors. Each of the Company and the shareholders and option holders
of the Company (the "Shareholder Indemnitors") shall indemnify Parent and
the Surviving Corporation and any employee, director, officer or agent (the
"Indemnified Parties") of each of them against, hold each of them harmless
from, and reimburse each of them for any claim, costs, loss, liability or
expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) or other damage
(including, without limitation, expectation, actual, punitive and
consequential damages) (collectively, "Damages") arising, directly or
indirectly, from or in connection with: (a) any inaccuracy in any of the
warranties or representations of the Company in this Agreement, (b) any
failure by the Company to perform or comply with any covenant or obligation
in this Agreement, or (c) any Third Party Claim (as defined below) relating
to an inaccuracy or failure referred to in clause (a) or (b) above.
Section 10.2 Procedure for Third Party Claims. Promptly after
receipt by an Indemnified Party under Section 10.1 of notice of the
commencement of any action or demand or claim by a third party (a "Third
Party Claim") which gives rise to Damages, such Indemnified Party shall, if
a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party
under such Section, give notice to the Shareholder Representative of its
assertion of such claim for indemnification and of the commencement of the
action of its assertion of such claim for indemnification and of the
commencement of the action or assertion of the Third Party Claim with
respect to which the claim for indemnification pertains. Failure to so
notify the Shareholder Representative shall not relieve the Shareholder
Indemnitors of any liability that they may have to any Indemnified Party
except to the extent that the defense of such action or Third Party Claim
is materially prejudiced thereby. If any such action shall be brought or a
Third Party Claim shall be asserted against an Indemnified Party and it
shall give notice to the Shareholder Representative of the commencement or
assertion thereof, the Shareholder Representative shall be entitled, at the
sole expense of the Shareholder Indemnitors, to participate therein and, to
the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party and, after notice from
the Shareholder Representative to such Indemnified Party of the election to
assume the defense thereof, the Shareholder Indemnitors shall not be liable
to such Indemnified Party under this Article X for any fees of other
counsel or any other expense (unless such fees or expenses are incurred at
the request of the Shareholder Indemnitors or the Shareholder
Representative), in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified
Party in connection with the defense thereof. If the Shareholder
Representative receives notice of any action or Third Party Claim, it shall
promptly notify the Indemnified Party as to whether, at its expense, it
intends to control the defense thereof on behalf of the Shareholder
Indemnitors. If the Shareholder Representative defends an action, it shall
have full control over the litigation, including settlement and compromise
thereof, subject only to the following: no compromise or settlement thereof
may be effected by the Shareholder Representative without the Indemnified
Party's consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless: (i)
there is no finding or admission of any violation of law and no effect on
any other claims that may be made against the Indemnified Party, and (ii)
the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the
Shareholder Indemnitors or, in the case of a final disposition or
settlement of such action or Third Party Claim, out of the Escrow Fund. If
notice is given to the Shareholder Representative of the commencement of
any action, and it does not, within 20 days after the Indemnified Party's
notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified Party of its election to
assume the defense thereof, the Shareholder Indemnitors shall not be bound
by any compromise or settlement thereof effected by the Indemnified Party
without the consent of the Shareholder Indemnitors (or the Shareholder
Representative on behalf of the Shareholder Indemnitors), which shall not
be unreasonably withheld.
Section 10.3 Indemnity Period. No claim for indemnification
under Section 10.1(a) of this Agreement may be made unless notice is given
by the party seeking such indemnification to the party from whom
indemnification is sought on or prior to the expiration of the applicable
representation or warranty as set forth in Section 11.1 hereof; provided,
that notice of any claim based on intentional fraud must be delivered by an
Indemnified Party on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Time.
Section 10.4 Satisfaction of Indemnification Claim. Following
the Effective Time, in the event the Shareholder Indemnitors shall have any
liability for indemnification or otherwise under this Agreement, the sole
source for the satisfaction of such liability shall be the Escrow Shares
held in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Fund Agreement; provided,
however, that, with respect to any Shareholder Indemnitor, the foregoing
limitation shall not apply with respect to any Damages arising, directly or
indirectly, from or in connection with any fraud on the part of such
Shareholder Indemnitor. In all such cases, the value of the Parent Common
Stock to be so delivered shall be determined pursuant to the terms of the
Escrow Fund Agreement. In no event shall the indemnification liability of
the Company pursuant to this Article X exceed the value of the Escrow
Shares. No indemnification shall be payable pursuant to Section 10.1
unless and until the amount of all claims for indemnification exceeds
$250,000 (the "Basket") in the aggregate; provided, however, that in the
event the Damages for which the Shareholder Indemnitors are liable exceed
the Basket, the Shareholder Indemnitors shall be responsible only for the
amount of such Damages exceed the Basket, consistent with Section 10.1
hereof, except as provided in Section 11.2 hereof. For purposes of
determining whether the Basket has been satisfied with respect to any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV hereof
that are qualified by the phrase "Company Material Adverse Effect," any
such representation or warranty so qualified shall be deemed breached if it
is untrue or incorrect, regardless of whether such breach would or could
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of the Company made herein shall survive
beyond the Effective Time and shall continue in full force and effect until
the earlier to occur of: (1) the date of issuance of the first independent
audit report of the Company or of the Company consolidated with Parent
following the Effective Time, and (2) the date which is one year following
the Effective Time.
Section 11.2 Fees and Expenses. (a) Except as specifically
provided to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 11.2(b), all
costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses; provided, however, that (i) any fees and expenses of the Company
in excess of $250,000 incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger shall be borne by the Shareholder Indemnitors,
without regard to the Basket, and (ii) if any legal action is instituted to
enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party in
such action shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief to which the
party is entitled, to reimbursement of its actual attorneys fees.
(b) If :
(i) the Company shall terminate this Agreement
pursuant to (x) Section 9.1(b)(ii) and the shareholder who executes the
Shareholder Agreement is in breach of its obligations under such
Shareholder Agreement, or (y) Section 9.1(c)(i);
(ii) Parent shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 9.1(d)(i);
(iii) Parent shall terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (ii), and prior thereto there shall have been
publicly announced another Acquisition Proposal or the Company or its
directors or officers or investment bankers shall have received an
Acquisition Proposal; or
(iv) Parent shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 9.1(b)(iii) and (x) prior thereto there shall have been publicly
announced another Acquisition Proposal or the Company or its directors or
officers or investment bankers shall have received an Acquisition Proposal,
and (y) within nine months after such termination the Company shall have
entered into an agreement with respect to or consummated another
Acquisition Proposal,
then the Company shall pay to Parent an amount equal to $1,000,000 (the
"Termination Fee"), plus an amount equal to Parent's actual and reasonably
documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Parent in connection
with the Merger, this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger in an
amount not to exceed $500,000. The Termination Fee and Parent's good faith
estimate of its expenses shall be paid in same day funds (x) concurrently
with the termination of this Agreement pursuant to subsection (i), (ii) or
(iii) above, and (y) within one business day following the occurrence of
the event described in clause (y) of subsection (iv) above, in the case of
termination pursuant to subsection (iv).
Section 11.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto at any time before or after approval of the matters
presented in connection with the Merger by the shareholders of the Company
and the stockholders of Parent, but, after any such approval, no amendment
shall be made that by law requires further approval by such shareholders or
stockholders, as applicable, without such further approval. This Agreement
may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto.
Section 11.4 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the
Effective Time, the parties hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained herein. 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.
Section 11.5 Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing (and shall be deemed given upon receipt) if
delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission (receipt of which is
confirmed) or by mail 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 the Company, to
Auco, Inc.
386 Main Street
Redwood City, California 94063
Attention: Adam Au
Facsimile: 650-568-6101
with a copy to:
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin &
Hachigian, LLP
155 Constitution Drive
Menlo Park, California 94025
Attention: Brooks Stough, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 650-321-2800
and to:
Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, LLP
222 Kearny Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94108
Attention: Paul Escobosa, Esq.
Facsimile: 415-989-1663
and
(b) if to Parent, to
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
Attention: Edward Gavaldon
Facsimile: 310-536-0058
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue, Suite 220
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Attention: Gregory C. Smith, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (650) 470-4570
and
(c) if to the Shareholder Representative, to:
Mannan Latif
c/o Auco, Inc.
386 Main Street
Redwood City, California 94063
Facsimile: 650-568-6101
Section 11.6 Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings
herein are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to be part of
or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 11.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when two 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 11.8 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement
(including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto): (a) constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, any provisions of such latter agreement which are inconsistent with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement being waived hereby), and
(b) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise except that
Parent and Sub may assign, in their sole discretion, any or all of their
rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect
wholly or majority owned Subsidiary or Affiliate of Parent; provided,
however, that such assignment shall not relieve Parent of its obligations
hereunder.
Section 11.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California
without regard to any applicable principles of conflicts of law.
Section 11.10 Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree
that if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached,
irreparable damage would occur, no adequate remedy at law would exist and
damages would be difficult to determine, and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any
other remedy at law or equity.
Section 11.11 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and
nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall
confer upon any other person or persons any rights, benefits or remedies of
any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ed Gavaldon
_______________________________
Name: Ed Gavaldon
Title: President and CEO
AUCO MERGER SUB, INC.
By: /s/ Ed Gavaldon
______________________________
Name: Ed Gavaldon
Title: President
AUCO, INC.
By: /s/ Adam Au
_____________________________
Name: Adam Au
Title: President
For purposes of Article VII,
Article X and Article XI only:
SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE
/s/ Mannan Latif
_______________________________
Mannan Latif
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
This SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
April 6, 1999, by and between Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), and Adam Au ("Shareholder").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Parent,
Auco Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Parent ("Sub"), and Auco, Inc., a California corporation (the
"Company"), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and
Merger, dated of even date herewith (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to
which Sub will merge with and into the Company upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth therein (the "Merger");
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Shareholder is the record and/or
Beneficial Owner (as hereinafter defined) of (i) 3,000,000 shares of the
common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), (ii)
763,000 shares of the preferred stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company
(the "Preferred Stock", and (iii) options to acquire 12,963 shares of
Common Stock (collectively, the "Company Capital Stock");
WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to Parent to enter into the
Merger Agreement, Parent has required Shareholder to agree, and Shareholder
has agreed, to enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, Shareholder desires to: (i) vote all such Shareholder's shares of
Company Capital Stock in favor of the Merger and the approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement and to execute a written consent in furtherance
thereof, and (ii) prior to the consummation of the Merger, convert any
shares of Preferred Stock held by such Shareholder into shares of Common
Stock.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Beneficially Own" or "Beneficial Ownership" with respect
to any securities means having or sharing, directly or indirectly, through
any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, voting
power, including the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such
securities, and/or investment power, including the power to dispose, or to
direct the disposition, of such securities. Without duplicative counting
of the same securities by the same holder, securities Beneficially Owned by
a person include securities Beneficially Owned by all other persons with
whom such person acts in a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or
other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of
securities of the same issuer.
(b) "Existing Shares" means shares of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned by Shareholder as of the date hereof.
(c) "Securities" means the Existing Shares together with any
shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company
acquired by Shareholder in any capacity after the date hereof and prior to
the termination of this Agreement, whether upon the exercise of options,
warrants or other rights to acquire securities of the Company, the
conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities, or by
means of purchase, dividend, distribution, split-up, recapitalization,
combination, exchange of shares or the like, gift, bequest, inheritance or
as a successor in interest in any capacity or otherwise.
Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SHAREHOLDER.
Shareholder represents and warrants to Parent as follows:
(a) Ownership of Shares. Shareholder (together with
Shareholder's spouse, if Shareholder is an individual) is the sole record
owner and Shareholder is the sole Beneficial Owner of the number of shares
of Common Stock and Preferred Stock and options set forth opposite such
Shareholder's name on Exhibit A hereto. Shareholder has, subject to the
terms of this Agreement, sole voting power and sole power to issue
instructions with respect to the matters set forth in this Agreement, sole
power of disposition, sole power of conversion, sole power to demand
appraisal rights and sole power to agree to all of the matters set forth in
this Agreement, in each case with respect to all of the Existing Shares
with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such rights.
Shareholder is not the record or Beneficial Owner of any securities of the
Company on the date hereof other than the shares of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock set forth on Exhibit A and the options to purchase shares
of Common Stock, if any, specified on Exhibit A.
(b) Power; Binding Agreement. Shareholder has the legal
capacity, power and authority to enter into and perform all of
Shareholder's obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by Shareholder and constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder
in accordance with its terms except that: (i) such enforcement may be
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws, now or
hereafter in effect, affecting creditors' rights generally, and (ii) the
remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the
court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
(c) No Conflicts. Except as disclosed in the Merger
Agreement, no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or
approval of, any state or federal public body or authority (a "Governmental
Entity") is necessary for the execution of this Agreement by Shareholder
and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated
hereby. None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Shareholder, the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions
contemplated hereby or compliance by Shareholder with any of the provisions
hereof shall: (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any
organizational documents applicable to Shareholder, (ii) 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 Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder or any of its
properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, judgment, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable
to Shareholder or any of Shareholder's properties or assets.
(d) No Encumbrance. Except as permitted by this Agreement,
the Existing Shares are now and, at all times during the term hereof, and
the Securities will be, held by Shareholder or by a nominee or custodian
for the benefit of Shareholder, free and clear of all mortgages, claims,
charges, liens, security interests, pledges or options, proxies, voting
trusts or agreements, understandings or arrangements or any other rights
whatsoever other than restrictions arising under applicable law.
(e) No Finder's Fees. 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 Shareholder.
(f) Reliance by Parent. Shareholder understands and
acknowledges that Parent is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance
upon Shareholder's execution and delivery of this Agreement.
Section 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT. Parent
hereby represents and warrants to Shareholder as follows:
(a) Power; Binding Agreement. Parent has the corporate power
and authority to enter into and perform all of its obligations under this
Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by Parent and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Parent,
enforceable against Parent in accordance with its terms, except that: (i)
such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting creditors' rights
generally, and (ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
(b) No Conflicts. Except as disclosed in the Merger
Agreement, no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Entity is necessary for the execution of this
Agreement by Parent and the consummation by Parent of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and none of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by each of Parent, the consummation by each of Parent of the
transactions contemplated hereby or compliance by each of Parent with any
of the provisions hereof shall: (i) conflict with or result in any breach
of any organizational documents applicable to Parent, (ii) 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 Parent is a party or by which Parent or any of its properties or
assets may be bound, or (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree,
judgment, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent or any of
its properties or assets.
Section 4. CERTAIN PROHIBITED TRANSFERS. Prior to the termination
of this Agreement, Shareholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly:
(a) except distributions to the partners, members, or other
equity holders, as applicable, of Shareholder, offer for sale, sell,
transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign or otherwise dispose of, or
enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with
respect to or consent to the offer for sale, sale, transfer, tender,
pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition of any or all of the
Securities or any interest therein, unless the transferee agrees to be
bound by the provisions contained in this Agreement;
(b) grant any proxy, power of attorney, deposit any of the
Securities into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or
arrangement with respect to the Securities except as provided in or to
facilitate this Agreement; or
(c) take any other action that would make any representation
or warranty of Shareholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the
effect of preventing or disabling Shareholder from performing its
obligations under this Agreement.
Section 5. VOTING OF SECURITIES. Shareholder hereby agrees that,
during the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the
first to occur of: (a) the Effective Time, or (b) termination of this
Agreement in accordance with its terms, in connection with the Consent
Solicitation, or any other meeting of shareholders of the Company or
consent solicitation with respect to the Company Capital Stock, Shareholder
will vote or consent (or cause to be voted or consented) the Securities:
(A) in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement and the approval of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and this Agreement and any
actions required in furtherance thereof and hereof; and
(B) against any action or agreement that
would result in a breach in any respect of any covenant,
representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of
the Company contained in the Merger Agreement; and
Section 6. STOP TRANSFER.
(a) Shareholder hereby agrees and covenants that it will not
request that the Company register the transfer of any certificate or
uncertificated interest representing any of the Securities, unless such
transfer is made in compliance with this Agreement.
(b) In the event of a stock dividend or distribution, or any
change in the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by reason of any stock
dividend, split, recapitalization, combination, exchange of share or the
like other than pursuant to the Merger, the term "Existing Shares" will be
deemed to refer to and include the shares of Common Stock and Preferred
Stock as well as all such stock dividends and distributions and any shares
into which or for which any or all of the Securities may be changed or
exchanged and appropriate adjustments shall be made to the terms and
provisions of this Agreement.
Section 7. CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK. On or prior to the
Effective Time, Shareholder shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Company all shares of Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned by such
Shareholder, together with written instructions directing the Company to
cause such shares to be converted into shares of Common Stock in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation
and in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of
Preferred Stock, such conversion to be effective no later than the business
day immediately preceding the Effective Time of the Merger.
Section 8. CONSENT SOLICITATION; FILING WITH SECRETARY. Promptly
following receipt thereof, Shareholder shall promptly execute and file such
Shareholder's written consent to the Merger with the Secretary of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Consent Solicitation.
Section 9. COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS. Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, Shareholder agrees to use its or his
commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions,
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable
under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.
Shareholder shall promptly consult with Parent and provide any necessary
information and material with respect to all filings made by such party
with any Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement and the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 10. NO SOLICITATION. Shareholder will notify Parent
immediately if any proposals are received by, any information is requested
from, or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or
continued with such Shareholder or Shareholder's investment bankers,
attorneys, accountants or other agents, in each case in connection with any
Acquisition Proposal, indicating, in connection with such notice, the name
of the person or entity making such Acquisition Proposal and the terms and
conditions of any proposals or offers. Shareholder agrees to immediately
cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal and to keep Parent informed, on a current basis, of
the status and terms of any Acquisition Proposal. Shareholder will not,
and will use its best efforts to ensure that Shareholder's investment
bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents do not, directly or
indirectly: (i) initiate, solicit or encourage, or take any action to
facilitate the making of, any offer or proposal that constitutes or is
reasonably likely to lead to any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into any
agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) in the event
of an unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal engage in negotiations or
discussions with, or provide any information or data to, any person (other
than Parent, any of its affiliates or representatives and except for
information which has been previously publicly disseminated by the Company)
relating to any Acquisition Proposal. The obligations provided for in this
section shall become effective immediately following the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto.
Section 11. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate upon the
earliest to occur of: (a) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant
to its terms, or (b) the written agreement of the parties hereto to
terminate this Agreement, or (c) the consummation of the Merger in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.
Section 12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the
documents and instruments referred to herein): (a) constitutes the entire
agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to
the subject matter hereof.
(b) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall not be
assigned by operation of law or otherwise, except that Parent may assign,
in its sole discretion, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations
hereunder to any direct or indirect wholly or majority owned subsidiary or
affiliate of Parent. This Agreement and the obligations set forth herein
shall be binding upon each party's respective heirs, beneficiaries,
executors, representatives and permitted assigns.
(c) Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may not be
amended, altered, supplemented or otherwise modified or terminated except
upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon: (i) transmitter's
confirmation of a receipt of a facsimile transmission, (ii) confirmed
delivery by a standard overnight carrier or when delivered by hand or (iii)
the expiration of five business days after the day when mailed by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed at the following addresses
(or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):
If to Parent, to:
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
Attention: Edward Gavaldon
Facsimile: 310-536-0058
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue, Suite 220
Palo Alto, California 94301
Attention: Gregory Smith, Esq.
Facsimile: 650-470-4570
If to Shareholder, to:
Adam Au
c/o Auco, Inc.
386 Main Street
Redwood City, California 94063
Facsimile: 650-568-6101
with a copy to:
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
155 Constitution Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Attention: Brooks Stough, Esq.
Facsimile: 650-321-2800
and to:
Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass
222 Kearny Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94108
Attention: Paul Escobosa, Esq.
Facsimile: 415-989-1663
(e) Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement
which is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or
unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or
affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions
of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
(f) Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereto
recognizes and acknowledges a breach by it 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 specified 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.
(g) 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,
will 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.
(h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not
intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights
or remedies hereunder.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without
giving effect to the principles of conflict of law thereof.
(j) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings used
herein are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(k) Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid
by the party incurring such expenses.
(l) Further Assurances. From time to time, at any 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 the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions
contemplated by 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 together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent and Shareholder has caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: ____________________________
Name:
Title:
SHAREHOLDER:
____________________________
Adam Au
SPOUSAL CONSENT
I am the spouse of Adam Au, the Shareholder in the above Agreement.
I understand that I may consult independent legal counsel as to the effect
of this Agreement and the consequences of my execution of this Agreement
and, to the extent I felt it necessary, I have consulted with legal
counsel. I hereby confirm the Agreement and agree that is shall bind my
interest in the Existing Shares.
By:___________________________
Name: ________________________
AGREEMENT OF MERGER
This Agreement of Merger (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
April __, 1999 by and between Auco, Inc., a California corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation") and Auco Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), and a Delaware corporation (the "Merging Corporation").
This Agreement is being entered into pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization and Merger, dated as of April 6, 1999, by and among
Parent, the Merging Corporation and the Surviving Corporation, and for
purposes of Article X and Article XI only, Mannan Latif, as Shareholder
Representative (the "Reorganization Agreement").
The board of directors of each of the Surviving Corporation and
the Merging corporation have determined that the merger of the Merging
Corporation with and into the Surviving Corporation (the "Merger") is in
the best interests of each such corporation, respectively. The holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Parent, par value
$0.001 per share (the "Parent Common Stock"), have approved the Merger, the
Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The
holders of a majority of (i) the outstanding shares of common stock of the
Surviving Corporation, par value $0.001 per share (the "Surviving
Corporation Common Stock"), voting together as a class and (ii) the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock
of the Surviving Corporation (the "Surviving Corporation Preferred Stock")
voting together as a separate class, have approved the Merger as provided
herein. Parent, as sole stockholder of the Merging Corporation, also has
approved the Merger as provided herein.
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Merger. The Merging Corporation shall be merged with and
into the Surviving Corporation and the Surviving Corporation shall survive
the Merger.
2. Effective Time. The Merger contemplated herein shall become
effective when a copy of this Agreement, with the required officers'
certificates attached, is filed in accordance with Section 1103 of the
California General Corporation Law (the "CGCL"). The date and time upon
which the Merger becomes effective in accordance with the foregoing
sentence is sometimes referred to herein as the "Effective Time." The
Merger shall have the effects set forth in the CGCL.
3. Succession. At the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall succeed to and assume all of the rights, properties,
liabilities and obligations of the Merging Corporation in the manner of and
as more fully set forth in Section 1107 of the CGCL.
4. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Immediately after the
Effective Time, the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
shall be amended and restated as set forth in Annex I to this Agreement
until thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and as
provided by applicable law. The Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, as
amended and in effect at the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with the
provisions thereof and as provided by applicable law.
5. Directors and Officers. At the Effective Time, the
directors of the Merging Corporation shall be the directors of the
Surviving Corporation and the officers of the Surviving Corporation shall
be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly
elected and qualified, as the case may be.
6. Further Assurances. At any time after the Effective Time,
the last acting officers of the Merging Corporation or the corresponding
officers of the Surviving Corporation may, in the name of such
corporations, execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and
other instruments and take or cause to be taken all such further or other
actions as the Surviving Corporation may deem necessary or desirable in
order to vest, perfect or confirm in the Surviving Corporation title to and
possession of all of the property, rights, privileges powers, franchises,
immunities and interests of the Merging Corporation and otherwise to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement.
7. Capital Stock of the Merging Corporation. Upon the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of the holder thereof, each share of common stock of the Merging
Corporation, par value $0.01 per share (the "Merging Corporation Common
Stock"), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, at the
Effective Time, be converted into and become one fully paid and non-
assessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation, par value
$0.01 per share.
8. Capital Stock of the Surviving Corporation. Upon the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of the holder thereof, each share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into
the right to receive 0.2585 of a fully paid and nonassessable share of
Parent Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"); provided, however, that each
holder of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock converted pursuant
to the Merger who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fraction
of a share of Parent Common Stock (after taking into account all
certificates of the Surviving Corporation delivered by such holder) shall
receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without interest) in an amount equal to:
(i) such fraction multiplied by (ii) the ten (10) day average closing sale
price of the Parent Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market
System for the period ending three (3) days prior to the closing date of
the Merger. As of the Effective Time of the Merger, all shares of capital
stock of the Surviving Corporation outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and cease to exist.
9. Stock Certificates of the Surviving Corporation. On and
after the Effective Time, certificates which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Surviving Corporation
Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the right to
receive that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock determined by
multiplying the number of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
formerly represented by the certificate by the Exchange Ratio, with cash to
be paid in lieu of fractional shares as set forth in article 8 hereof.
10. Stock Certificates of the Merging Corporation. On and after
the Effective Time, all of the outstanding certificates which prior to that
time represented shares of Merging Corporation Common Stock shall be deemed
for all purposes to evidence ownership of and to represent the shares of
the Surviving Corporation into which the shares of Merging Corporation
Common Stock represented by such certificates have been changed as herein
provided. The registered holder of Merging Corporation Common Stock shall,
until such certificates shall have been surrendered for transfer or
exchange or otherwise accounted for to the Surviving Corporation, have and
be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect to, and to
receive any dividend and other distributions upon, the shares of the
Surviving Corporation evidenced by such outstanding certificates as above
provided.
11. Abandonment. This Agreement may be abandoned at any time
before the Effective Time by the mutual consent of the parties hereto.
12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
regard to any applicable principles of conflicts of law.
Each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on
its behalf by its respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of
the date first above written.
AUCO, INC.
By:__________________________________
Name:
Title: President
By:__________________________________
Name:
Title: Secretary
AUCO MERGER SUB, INC.
By:_________________________________
Edward Gavaldon
President
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title: Secretary
ANNEX I
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
AUCO, INC.
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Auco, Inc.
(hereinafter, the "Corporation").
SECOND: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of California other than the
banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a
profession permitted to be incorporated by the California
Corporations Code.
THIRD: The total number of shares of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is one thousand (1,000)
shares of Common Stock, having a par value of one thousandth of a
dollar ($0.01).
FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to provide
indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the
General Corporation Law of California (the "CGCL")) through Bylaw
provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the
indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the CGCL,
subject only to the applicable limitations set forth in Section
204 of the CGCL with respect to actions for breach of duty to the
Corporation and its shareholders.
FIFTH: The liability of the directors of the Corporation for
monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible
under California law.
EXHIBIT C
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
GOLD, INC.
FIRST: The name of the corporation is Gold, Inc.
(hereinafter, the "Corporation").
SECOND: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of California other than the
banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a
profession permitted to be incorporated by the California
Corporations Code.
THIRD: The total number of shares of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is one thousand (1,000)
shares of Common Stock, having a par value of one thousandth of a
dollar ($0.01).
FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to provide
indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the
General Corporation Law of California (the "CGCL")) through Bylaw
provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the
indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the CGCL,
subject only to the applicable limitations set forth in Section
204 of the CGCL with respect to actions for breach of duty to the
Corporation and its shareholders.
EXHIBIT D
BYLAWS
OF
GOLD, INC.
a California corporation
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
1.1. PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The board of directors shall fix the
location of the principal and executive offices of the corporation at any
place within or outside the State of California. The board of directors is
hereby granted full power and authority to change the location of the
principal executive office of the corporation from one location to another.
If the principal executive office is located outside the State of
California, and the corporation has one (1) or more business offices in the
State of California, the board of directors shall likewise fix and
designate a principal business office in the State of California.
1.2. OTHER OFFICES. The board of directors may at any time
establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
2.1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of shareholders shall be held
at any place within or outside the State of California designated by the
board of directors. In the absence of any such designation, shareholders'
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation
or at any place consented to in writing by all persons entitled to vote at
such meeting, given before or after the meeting and filed with the
secretary of the corporation.
2.2. ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS. The annual meeting of
shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by
the board of directors. At each annual meeting, directors shall be elected
and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3. SPECIAL MEETINGS. A special meeting of the shareholders
may be called at any time, subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Article II, by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the
president or the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten
percent (10%) of the votes at the meeting or such additional persons as
provided in the articles of incorporation or in these Bylaws.
If a special meeting is called by anyone other than the board of
directors or the president or the chairman of the board, then the request
shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general
nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered
personally or sent by registered mail or by other written communication to
the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president or the
secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request forthwith
shall cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article II, that
a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons
calling the meeting so long as that time is not less than thirty-five (35)
nor more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the
notice is not given within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the
request, then the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the
notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 3 shall be
construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of
shareholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS. All notices of
meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance
with Section 2.5 of these Bylaws not less than ten (10) (or, if sent by
third-class mail pursuant to Section 2.5 of these Bylaws, not less than
thirty (30)) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting
to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. Such notice shall state the
place, day and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special
meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no other
business may be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting,
those matters which the board of directors, at the time of the mailing of
the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders, but subject
to the provisions of the next paragraph of this Section 2.4, any proper
matter may be presented at the meeting for such action. The notice of any
meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the names of
nominees intended at the time of the notice to be presented by the board of
directors for election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any shareholders' meeting for
approval of (i) a contract or transaction between the corporation and one
or more of its directors, or between the corporation and any corporation,
firm or association in which one or more of its directors has a material
financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the California Corporations
Code (the "CCC"), (ii) an amendment to the articles of incorporation,
pursuant to Section 902 of the CCC, (iii) a reorganization of the
corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of the CCC, (iv) a voluntary
dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1900 of the CCC or (v)
a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of
outstanding preferred shares pursuant to Section 2007 of the CCC, such
approval, other than unanimous approval by those entitled to vote, shall be
valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in
the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
2.5. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE. Notice of any meeting of
shareholders shall be given in writing either personally or by first-class
mail, or, if the corporation has outstanding shares held of record by five
hundred (500) or more persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of the
CCC) on the record date for the shareholders' meeting, notice may be sent
by third-class mail, or other means of written communication, addressed to
the shareholder at the address of such shareholder appearing on the books
of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the
purpose of notice; or, if no such address appears or is given, at the place
where the principal executive office of the corporation is located or by
publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the
county in which the principal executive office is located. Such notice
shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or
deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
If any notice (or any report referenced in Article VI of these
Bylaws) addressed to a shareholder at the address of such shareholder
appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by
the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States
Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the shareholder
at such address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been
duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available for the
shareholder upon written demand of the shareholder at the principal
executive office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from the
date of the giving of such notice or report to all other shareholders.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice
in accordance of the provisions of this Section 2.5, executed by the
secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the corporation
giving such notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the
notice or report.
2.6. QUORUM. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a
meeting of the shareholders. Except as provided in the immediately
succeeding sentence, if a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at
which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also
constitute at least a majority of the required quorum) shall be the act of
the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes
is required by the CCC or the articles of incorporation. The shareholders
present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may
continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal
of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken
(other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares
required to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting
of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a
majority of the shares represented either in person or by proxy, but no
other business may be transacted, except as provided in the immediately
preceding sentence.
2.7. ADJOURNED MEETING AND NOTICE THEREOF. Any shareholders'
meeting, whether annual or special, and whether or not a quorum is present,
may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the
shares represented at such meeting, either in person or by proxy. When any
shareholders' meeting, whether annual or special, is adjourned to another
time or place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the
time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken, unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is
fixed, or unless the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from
the date set for the original meeting. At the adjourned meeting the
corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at
the original meeting. Notice of any such adjourned meeting, if required,
shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the
adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and
2.5.
2.8. VOTING. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting
of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
Section 2.11, subject to the provisions of Chapter 7 of the CCC. Elections
for directors and voting on any other matter at a shareholders' meeting
need not be by ballot unless a shareholder demands election by ballot at
the meeting and before the voting begins. Except as provided in the last
paragraph of this Section 2.8, or as may be otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class,
shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the
shareholders.
Any shareholder entitled to vote on any matter may vote part of
the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining
shares or vote them against the proposal, other than elections to office,
but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares such
shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that
the shareholder's approving vote is with respect to all shares such
shareholder is entitled to vote.
At a shareholders' meeting involving the election of directors,
no shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any
candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected
multiplied by the number of votes to which such shareholder's shares are
entitled, or distribute the shareholder's votes on the same principle among
any or all of the candidates as the shareholder thinks fit) for any
candidate or candidates unless such candidate or candidates names have been
placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given
notice at such meeting prior to the voting of the shareholder's intention
to cumulate the shareholder's votes. If any one shareholder has given such
notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for candidates in
nomination. The candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative
votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them, up to the number of
directors to be elected, shall be elected; votes against a candidate and
votes withheld shall have no legal effect.
2.9. WAIVER OF NOTICE OR CONSENT BY ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The
transactions of any meeting of the shareholders, whether annual or special,
however called and noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though they
had been taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a
quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or
after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote, not present in
person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the
holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. Neither the
business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting of the
shareholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice, consent to
the holding of the meeting or approval of the minutes thereof, unless
otherwise provided for in the articles of incorporation or these Bylaws,
except as provided in the second paragraph of Section 2.4 of these Bylaws.
All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate
records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance of a person at a meeting constitutes a waiver of
notice of and presence at such meeting, except when the person objects, at
the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because
the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; provided, that attendance
at a meeting shall not constitute a waiver of any right to object to the
consideration of matters required by the CCC to be included in the notice
of such meeting but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at
the meeting.
2.10. SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.
Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of
shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a
consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by
the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number
of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a
meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and
voted. Directors may not be elected by written consent except by unanimous
written consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of
directors; provided, however, that the shareholders may elect a director at
any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the directors and not created by
the removal of such director, by written consent of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of
directors.
All such consents shall be filed with the secretary of the
corporation and shall be maintained in the corporate records. Any
shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder's proxy holders,
or a transferee of the shares, or a personal representative of the
shareholder, or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a
writing received by the secretary of the corporation before written
consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action
have been filed with the secretary.
If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not
been solicited in writing, the secretary shall give prompt notice to those
shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing of the
taking of any corporate action approved by shareholders without a meeting
by less than unanimous written consent. Such notice shall be given in
accordance with Section 5 of this Article II. In the case of approval of
(i) contracts or transactions between the corporation and one or more of
its directors, or between the corporation and any corporation, firm or
association in which one or more of its directors has a material financial
interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the CCC, (ii) indemnification of
agents of the corporation, pursuant to Section 317 of the CCC, (iii) a
reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of the CCC or
(iv) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights
of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of the CCC, such
notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of the
action authorized by such approval, unless the consents of all shareholders
entitled to vote have been solicited in writing.
2.11. RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING AND GIVING
CONSENTS. In order that the corporation may determine the shareholders
entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote, the board of directors may
fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60)
days nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting nor more
than sixty (60) days before any other action. Shareholders at the close of
business on the record date are entitled to notice and to vote,
notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation
after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the CCC, the
articles of incorporation or by agreement.
A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of
the meeting unless the board of directors fixes a new record date for the
adjourned meeting, but the board of directors shall fix a new record date
if the meeting is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days from the
date set for the original meeting.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close
of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is
given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day
next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled
to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no
prior action by the board of directors has been taken, shall be the day on
which the first written consent is given.
(c) The record date for determining shareholders entitled
to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when
prior action by the board of directors has been taken, shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the board adopts the resolution
relating thereto, or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of such
other action, whichever is later.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in
Section 7.1 of these Bylaws.
2.12. PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote shares shall have
the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by
a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the
corporation. A proxy shall be deemed to be signed if the shareholder's
name or other authorization is placed on the proxy (whether by manual
signature, typewriting, telegraphic or electronic transmission or
otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder's attorney in fact. A
validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall
continue in full force and effect until revoked by the person executing it
prior to the vote pursuant thereto, except as otherwise provided in this
Section 2.12. Such revocation may be effected by a writing delivered to
the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy
executed by the person executing the prior proxy and presented to the
meeting, or as to any meeting by attendance at such meeting and voting in
person by the person executing the proxy. The dates contained on the forms
of proxy presumptively determine the order of execution, regardless of the
postmark dates on the envelopes in which they are mailed. A proxy is not
revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless before the vote is
counted, written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the
corporation. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11)
months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The
revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable
shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the
CCC.
2.13. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. In advance of any meeting of
shareholders the board of directors may appoint inspectors of election to
act at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. If such inspectors are not
so appointed, or if any persons so appointed fail to appear or refuse to
act, the chairman of the meeting of shareholders may, and on the request of
any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall, appoint inspectors of
election (or persons to replace those who fail to appear or refuse to act)
at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three
(3). If appointed at a meeting on the request of one (1) or more
shareholders or proxies, the majority of shares represented in person or by
proxy shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be
appointed. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision,
act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the
decision, act or certificate of all.
The inspectors of election shall determine the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the
meeting, the existence of a quorum and the authenticity, validity and
effect of proxies, receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine
all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the
right to vote, count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine when the
polls shall close, determine the result and do such acts as may be proper
to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1. POWERS. Subject to the provisions of the CCC and any
limitations in the articles of incorporation and these Bylaws relating to
action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding
shares, or by a less than majority vote of a class or series of preferred
shares (if so provided in accordance with Section 402.5 of the CCC), the
business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of
directors. The board may delegate the management of the day-to-day
operation of the business of the corporation to a management company or
other person provided that the business and affairs of the corporation
shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the
ultimate direction of the board of directors.
3.2. NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. The authorized
number of directors of the corporation shall be not less than four (4) nor
more than seven (7), with the exact number of directors to be fixed, within
the limits specified, by a resolution amending such exact number, duly
adopted by the board or by the shareholders. Such maximum or minimum
number of directors, or a fixed board to a variable board or vice-versa,
may be changed only by a duly adopted amendment to the articles of
incorporation or to these Bylaws by the affirmative vote or written consent
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote
(including separate class votes, if so required by the CCC or the articles
of incorporation); provided, however, that a Bylaw or amendment to the
articles of incorporation reducing the fixed number or the minimum number
of directors to a number less than five cannot be adopted if the votes cast
against its adoption at a meeting or the shares not consenting in the case
of action by written consent are equal to more than 16-2/3% of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the
effect of removing any director before that director's term of office
expires.
3.3. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS. Directors shall
be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to hold office until the
next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected to fill a
vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which
elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified, except in the
case of the death, resignation or removal of such director.
3.4. VACANCIES AND RESIGNATION. A vacancy or vacancies in the
board of directors shall be deemed to exist in the case of the death,
resignation, or removal of any director, or if the authorized number of
directors is increased (by the board of directors or shareholders), or if
the board of directors by resolution declares vacant the office of a
director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or
convicted of a felony, or if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of
shareholders at which any director or directors are elected, to elect the
full authorized number of directors to be elected at that meeting.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation,
vacancies on the board of directors, except for a vacancy created by the
removal of a director, may be filled by approval of the board or, if the
number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, by (i) the
unanimous written consent of the directors then in office, (ii) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting
held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice complying with Section 307 of
the CCC or (iii) a sole remaining director. Unless the articles of
incorporation or a Bylaw adopted by the shareholders provide that the board
of directors may fill vacancies occurring in the board of directors by
reason of the removal of directors, such vacancies may be filled only by
approval of the shareholders.
The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill any
vacancy not filled by the directors. Any such election by written consent
other than to fill a vacancy created by removal requires the consent of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. A director
may not be elected by written consent to fill a vacancy created by removal
except by unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote for the
election of directors.
Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to
the chairman of the board, the president, the secretary or the board of
directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness
of such resignation. If the resignation of a director is effective at a
future time, a successor may be elected to take office when the resignation
becomes effective.
3.5. REMOVAL. Any or all of the directors may be removed from
office without cause if the removal is approved by the outstanding shares,
subject to the following: (i) no director may be removed (unless the
entire board is removed) when the votes cast against removal, or not
consenting in writing to the removal, would be sufficient to elect the
director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total
number of votes were cast (or, if the action is taken by written consent,
all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors
authorized at the time of the director's most recent election were then
being elected; (ii) when by the provisions of the articles of incorporation
the holders of the shares of any class or series, voting as a class or
series, are entitled to elect one or more directors, any director so
elected may be removed only by the applicable vote of the holders of the
shares of that class or series; and (iii) any reduction of the authorized
number of directors or amendment reducing the number of classes of
directors does not remove any director prior to the expiration of the
director's term of office.
3.6. PLACE OF MEETINGS AND TELEPHONIC, ETC. MEETING. Regular
meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place within or
outside the State of California that has been designated from time to time
by resolution of the board of directors. In the absence of such
designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive
office of the corporation. Special meetings of the board of directors
shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California that
has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the
notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
Members of the board of directors may participate in a meeting
through the use of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment, so long as all members participating in such meeting can hear
one another. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this paragraph of
Section 3.6 constitutes presence in person at such meeting.
3.7. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the board of
directors may be held without notice if the time and place of the meetings
are fixed by the board of directors or these Bylaws.
3.8. SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE. Special meetings of the board
of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the
chairman of the board or the president or any vice president or the
secretary or any two directors. Special meetings of the board of directors
shall be held upon four (4) days' notice by mail or forty-eight (48) hours'
notice delivered personally or by telephone, including a voice messaging
system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate
messages, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means.
3.9. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of a meeting need not be given
to a director who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the
meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the
meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at
its commencement, the lack of notice to that director. These waivers,
consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a
part of the minutes of the meeting. A notice, or waiver of notice, need
not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the board of
directors.
3.10. QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of directors
constitutes a quorum of the board of directors for the transaction of
business, except to adjourn as provided by Section 3.11 of these Bylaws.
An act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a
meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the board of
directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the CCC (approval of
contracts in which a director has a direct or indirect material financial
interest) and Section 317(e) of the CCC (indemnification of agents of the
corporation). A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may
continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors,
if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required
quorum for that meeting.
3.11. ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the directors present,
whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time
and place. If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24)
hours, notice of an adjournment to another time or place shall be given
prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not
present at the time of adjournment.
3.12. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. An action required or
permitted to be taken by the board may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the board shall individually or collectively consent in writing
to that action. The written consent or consents shall be filed with the
minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors. The action by
written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of
the directors.
3.13. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors and
members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their
services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined
by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 3.13 shall not be
construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any
other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving
compensation for those services.
3.14. COMMITTEES. The board of directors may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one
or more committees, each consisting of two or more directors, to serve at
the pleasure of the board of directors. The board of directors may
designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who
may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The
appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the
vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any such
committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of
directors, shall have the authority of the board of directors, except with
respect to:
(i) the approval of any action which, under the CCC, also
requires shareholders' approval or the approval of the
outstanding shares;
(ii) the filling of vacancies on the board of directors or on any
committee;
(iii) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving
on the board or on any committee;
(iv) the amendment or repeal of these Bylaws or the adoption of
new Bylaws;
(v) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board of
directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or
repealable;
(vi) a distribution, except at a rate, in a periodic amount or
within a price range set forth in the articles of
incorporation or determined by the board of directors; and
(vii) the appointment of other committees of the board of
directors or the members thereof.
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held
and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these
Bylaws, with such changes in the context of these Bylaws as is necessary to
substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its
members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees
may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by
resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also
be called by resolution of the board of directors, and that notice of
special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate
members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee.
The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee
not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
3.15. APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS. If these Bylaws have been
approved by the corporation's shareholders in accordance with the CCC, the
corporation may, upon the approval of the Board of Directors alone, make
loans of money or property to, or guarantee the obligations of, any officer
of the corporation or of its parent, if any, whether or not a director, or
adopt an employee benefit plan or plans authorizing such loans or
guarantees; provided, that (i) the Board of Directors determines that such
a loan or guaranty or plan may reasonably be expected to benefit the
corporation, (ii) the corporation has outstanding shares held of record by
100 or more persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of the CCC) on
the date of the approval by the Board of Directors and (iii) the approval
of the Board of Directors is by a vote sufficient without counting the vote
of any interested director or directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the corporation shall have the power to make loans permitted by the CCC.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
4.1. OFFICERS. The corporation shall have a chairman of the
board or a president or both, a secretary, a chief financial officer and
such other officers with such titles and duties as shall be determined by
the board of directors and as may be necessary to enable it to sign
instruments and share certificates. The president, or if there is no
president the chairman of the board, is the general manager and chief
executive officer of the corporation, unless otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation or these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be
held by the same person unless the articles of incorporation or these
Bylaws provide otherwise. The board of directors may appoint, or may
empower the chairman of the board or the president to appoint, such other
officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall
hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as
are provided in these Bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to
time determine.
4.2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Except as otherwise provided by the
articles of incorporation or these Bylaws, officers shall be chosen by the
board of directors and serve at the pleasure of the board of directors,
subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under contract of employment.
4.3. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the
rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, all
officers serve at the pleasure of the board of directors and any officer
may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors at
any regular or special meeting of the board of directors or, except in case
of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom
such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors. Any
officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation
without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any
contract to which the officer is a party. Any such resignation shall take
effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time
specified in that notice, and, unless otherwise specified in that notice,
the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective.
4.4. VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of
death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be
filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to
such offices.
4.5. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the board of
directors, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at
meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other
powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned by the board of
directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no president, the
chairman of the board of directors shall in addition be the chief executive
officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed
in Section 4.6 of these Bylaws.
4.6. PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as
may be given by the board of directors to the chairman of the board, if
there be such an officer, the president shall be the chief executive
officer of the corporation, and shall, subject to the control of the board
of directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the
business and the officers of the corporation. The president shall preside
at all meetings of shareholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of the
chairman of the board, at all meetings of the board of directors. He shall
have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the
office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these Bylaws.
4.7. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the
president (or chairman of the board, if there is no office of president),
the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board
of directors or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of
directors, shall perform all the duties of the president, and when so
acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions
upon, the president. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and
perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them
respectively by the board of directors or these Bylaws, the president or
the chairman of the board, if there is no president.
4.8. SECRETARY. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept,
at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as
the board of directors may order, a book of minutes of all meetings and
actions of directors, committees of directors and shareholders, with the
time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special, and, if
special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those
present at directors' and committee meetings, the number of shares present
or represented at shareholders' meetings and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's
transfer agent or registrar, if either be appointed and as determined by
resolution of the board of directors, a share register, or a duplicate
share register, showing the names of all shareholders and their addresses,
the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of
certificates issued for the same, and the number and date of cancellation
of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the shareholders and of the board of directors required by
these Bylaws or by the CCC to be given, and shall keep the seal of the
corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody, and shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of
directors or by these Bylaws.
4.9. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The chief financial officer
shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and
correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business
transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets,
liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained
earnings and shares. The books of account shall be open at all reasonable
time to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all moneys and other
valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such
depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors. The chief
financial officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be
ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the president (or
chairman of the board, if there is no president) and directors, whenever
they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as chief
financial officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and
shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the board of directors or these Bylaws.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES
AND OTHER AGENTS
5.1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. The corporation shall, to
the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the CCC, indemnify each
of its directors against expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the
CCC), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in
Section 317(a) of the CCC), arising by reason of the fact that such person
is or was a director of the corporation. For purposes of this Article V, a
"director" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a
director of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director of another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a
director of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the
corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation.
5.2. INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS. The corporation shall have the
power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the CCC, to indemnify
each of its employees, officers and agents (other than directors) against
expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the CCC), judgments, fines,
settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the CCC),
arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee,
officer or agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Article V, an
"employee" or "officer" or "agent" of the corporation (other than a
director) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee, officer or
agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as an employee, officer or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or (iii)
who was an employee, officer, or agent of a corporation which was a
predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the
request of such predecessor corporation.
5.3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE. Expenses and attorneys'
fees incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for
which indemnification is required pursuant to Section 5.1, or if otherwise
approved by the board of directors, shall be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is
not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article V.
5.4. INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification provided by
this Article V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement,
vote of shareholders or directors or otherwise, both as to action in an
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office. The rights to indemnity hereunder shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
5.5. INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall have the
power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any
liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or
arising out of that person's status as such, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify that person against such liability under
the provisions of this Article V.
5.6. CONFLICTS. No indemnification or advance shall be made
under this Article V, except where such indemnification or advance is
mandated by law or the order, judgment or decree of any court of competent
jurisdiction, in any circumstances where it appears:
(i) that it would be inconsistent with a provision of the
articles of incorporation, these Bylaws, a resolution of the
shareholders or an agreement in effect at the time of the
accrual of the alleged cause of action asserted in the
proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other
amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits
indemnification; or
(ii) that it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly
imposed by a court in approving a settlement.
5.7. RIGHT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under this Article V is
not paid in full by the corporation within 90 days after a written claim
has been received by the corporation (either because the claim is denied or
because no determination is made), the claimant may at any time thereafter
bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the
claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be
entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The
corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that
the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible
under the CCC for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the claim.
Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of directors,
independent legal counsel or its shareholders) to have made a determination
prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the
claimant is permissible in the circumstances because he or she has met the
applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the
corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel or
its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct, shall be a defense to such action or create a presumption for the
purposes of such action that the claimant has not met the applicable
standard of conduct.
5.8. INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS. The board of directors is
authorized to enter into a contract with any director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or any person who is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including employee benefit plans, or any person who was a director,
officer, employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor
corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of
such predecessor corporation, providing for indemnification rights
equivalent to or, if the board of directors so determines and to the extent
permitted by applicable law, greater than, those provided for in this
Article V.
5.9. AMENDMENT, REPEAL OR MODIFICATION. Any amendment, repeal
or modification of any provision of this Article V shall not adversely
affect any right or protection of a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or
modification.
ARTICLE VI
RECORDS AND REPORTS
6.1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The
corporation shall keep either at its principal executive office or at the
office of its transfer agent or registrar (if either be appointed) a record
of its shareholders listing the names and addresses of all shareholders and
the number and class of shares held by each shareholder.
A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least
five percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation or who hold at least one percent (1%) of such voting shares and
have filed a Schedule 14A with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, shall have an absolute right to do either or both of the
following: (i) inspect and copy the record of shareholders' names,
addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours upon five (5) days'
prior written demand upon the corporation or (ii) obtain from the transfer
agent of the corporation, upon written demand and upon the tender of such
transfer agent's usual charges for such list (the amount of which charges
shall be stated to the shareholder by the transfer agent upon request), a
list of the shareholders' names and addresses, who are entitled to vote for
the election of directors, and their shareholdings, as of the most recent
record date for which it has been compiled or as of a date specified by the
shareholder subsequent to the date of demand. The list shall be made
available on or before the later of five (5) business days after the demand
is received or the date specified therein as the date as of which the list
is to be compiled.
The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection and
copying by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any
time during usual business hours upon written demand on the corporation,
for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a shareholder
or holder of a voting trust certificate.
Any inspection and copying under this Section 6.1 may be made in
person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting
trust certificate making the demand.
6.2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS. The corporation
shall keep at its principal executive office or, if its principal executive
office is not in the State of California, at its principal business office
in California, the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date,
which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable
times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the
corporation is outside the State of California and the corporation has no
principal business office in such state, then it shall, upon the written
request of any shareholder, furnish to such shareholder a copy of these
Bylaws as amended to date.
6.3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS.
The accounting books and records and minutes of proceedings of the
shareholders and the board of directors, and committees of the board of
directors, shall be kept at such place or places as are designated by the
board of directors or, in absence of such designation, at the principal
executive office of the corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written
form, and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written
form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form.
The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to
inspection upon the written demand on the corporation of any shareholder or
holder of a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during usual
business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to such holder's interests
as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. Such
inspection by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate may be
made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection
includes the right to copy and make extracts. Such rights of inspection
shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation of the
corporation.
6. 4. INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS. Every director shall have the
absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books,
records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties
of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations, domestic or
foreign. Such inspection by a director may be made in person or by an
agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy
and make extracts.
6.5. ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER. The board of
directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not
later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the fiscal year
adopted by the corporation. Such report shall be sent to the shareholders
at least fifteen (15) (or, if sent by third-class mail, thirty-five (35))
days prior to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next
fiscal year and in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these Bylaws for
giving notice to shareholders of the corporation.
The annual report shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of
the fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in
financial position for the fiscal year, accompanied by any report thereon
of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate
of an authorized officer of the corporation that the statements were
prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
The foregoing requirement of an annual report shall be waived so
long as the shares of the corporation are held by fewer than one hundred
(100) holders of record.
6.6. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. If no annual report for the fiscal
year has been sent to shareholders, then the corporation shall, upon the
written request of any shareholder made more than one hundred twenty (120)
days after the close of such fiscal year, deliver or mail to the person
making the request, within thirty (30) days thereafter, a copy of the
balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and
statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year.
A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%)
of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation may make
a written request to the corporation for an income statement of the
corporation for the three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the
current fiscal year ended more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of
the request and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that
period. The statements shall be delivered or mailed to the person making
the request within thirty (30) days thereafter. A copy of the statements
shall be kept on file in the principal office of the corporation for twelve
(12) months and it shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any
shareholder demanding an examination of the statements or a copy shall be
mailed to the shareholder. If the corporation has not sent to the
shareholders its annual report for the last fiscal year, the statements
referred to in the second paragraph of Section 6.5 shall likewise be
delivered or mailed to the shareholder or shareholders within thirty (30)
days after the request.
The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in
this Section 6.6 shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of any
independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an
authorized officer of the corporation that the financial statements were
prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
6.7. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS. The
chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the chief
financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this
corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or
the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and
exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all
shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of
this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by
such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or
power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL MATTERS
7.1. RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING.
For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled
to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than
with respect to notice or voting at a shareholders meeting or action by
shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the board of directors
may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60)
days prior to any such action. Only shareholders of record at the close of
business on the record date are entitled to receive the dividend,
distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the
case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the
corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation, the CCC or by agreement.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, then the
record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at
the close of business on the date on which the board of directors adopts
the resolution relating thereto or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the
date of that action, whichever is later.
7.2. CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS. From time to
time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution which person or
persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of
money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name
of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall
sign or endorse those instruments.
7.3. CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED. The
board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may
authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or
within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall
have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or
arrangement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose
or for any amount.
7.4. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates
for shares of the corporation shall be issued to each shareholder when any
of such shares are fully paid. The board of directors may authorize the
issuance of certificates for shares partly paid provided that these
certificates shall state the total amount of the consideration to be paid
for them and the amount actually paid. All certificates shall be signed in
the name of the corporation by the chairman of the board or the president
or a vice president and by the chief financial officer or an assistant
treasurer or the secretary or an assistance secretary, certifying the
number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the
shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be by
facsimile.
In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed
or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate has ceased to
be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that
person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
7.5. LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in this Section
7.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously
issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation or
its transfer agent or registrar and cancelled at the same time. The board
of directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any
other security is lost, stolen or destroyed (as evidenced by a written
affidavit or affirmation of such fact), authorize the issuance of
replacement certificates on such terms and conditions as the board of
directors may require; the board of directors may require indemnification
of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient
to protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it,
including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft
or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement
certificate.
7. 6. CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS. Unless the context requires
otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions
in the CCC shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting
the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural,
the plural number includes the singular, and the term "person" includes
both a corporation and a natural person.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
8.1. AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS. New Bylaws may be adopted, or
these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided,
however, that if the articles of incorporation set forth the number of
authorized directors, then the authorized number of directors may be
changed only by an amendment of the articles of incorporation.
8.2 AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of the
shareholders as provided in Section 8.1 of these Bylaws, Bylaws, other than
a Bylaw or an amendment of a Bylaw changing the authorized number of
directors (except to fix the authorized number of directors pursuant to a
Bylaws providing for a variable number of directors), may be adopted,
amended or repealed by the board of directors.
8.3. RECORD OF AMENDMENTS. Whenever an amendment or new Bylaw
is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of minutes with the original
Bylaws. If any Bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal, with the date of the
meeting at which the repeal was enacted or written consent was filed, shall
be stated in said book.
ARTICLE IX
INTERPRETATION
Reference in these Bylaws to any provision of the CCC shall be
deemed to include all amendments thereof.
ESCROW FUND AGREEMENT
ESCROW FUND AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of April 6,
1999, by and among Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), Mannan Latif, as representative of the shareholders and option
holders (collectively, "Holders") of Auco, Inc., a California corporation
(the "Company") (the "Shareholder Representative"), and [_____________], as
escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").
A. The Company, Parent, Auco Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Sub"), and the
Shareholder Representative have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger, dated of even date herewith (the "Merger
Agreement"), pursuant to which Sub will be merged with and into the Company
(the "Merger"), with the Company remaining as the surviving corporation in
the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"). Capitalized terms used in this
Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned
to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
B. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common
stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Company Common Stock"), of the
Company shall be converted into the right to receive 0.2585 (the "Exchange
Ratio") of a share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Parent
Common Stock"), of Parent, and each outstanding option (the "Company
Options") to acquire Company Common Stock shall be assumed by Parent and
shall represent the right to acquire that number of shares of Parent Common
Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Company Common
Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger, and (y) the Exchange Ratio.
C. The Merger Agreement provides that, at the Effective Time of
the Merger or from time to time thereafter, Parent will deliver to the
Escrow Agent certificates representing ten percent (10%) of the Parent
Common Stock that is to be issued in the Merger to the shareholders of the
Company and to option holders of the Company upon exercise of their
options. Such shares, together with any other securities of the Company
issued by means of dividend, distribution, split-up, recapitalization,
combination, exchange of shares or the like upon or with respect to such
shares, being collectively referred to herein as the "Escrow Shares",
shall be held as collateral for the indemnification obligations under
Article X of the Merger Agreement and pursuant to the provisions hereof, on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
D. The parties hereto desire to establish the terms and
conditions pursuant to which the Escrow Shares will be deposited, held in,
and disbursed from the Escrow Account.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Escrow.
(a) Escrow of Shares. Promptly after the Effective Time,
the Exchange Agent will deposit the Escrow Shares deducted from the shares
of Parent Common Stock to be issued to the Company's shareholders in the
Merger with the Escrow Agent, who will hold such Escrow Shares in escrow as
collateral for the indemnification obligations set forth pursuant to
Article X of the Merger Agreement until the Escrow Agent is required to
release such Escrow Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. In
addition, promptly following the exercise of any Company Option by the
holder of any Company Option after the Effective Time and prior to the
Termination Date, Parent will deduct from the shares of the Parent Common
Stock issuable upon such exercise a number of shares of such Parent Common
Stock equal to 10% of such shares, and will deliver such Escrow Shares to
the Escrow Agent, who will hold them in escrow as collateral for the
indemnification obligations set forth pursuant to Article X of the Merger
Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Escrow Shares" will be
deemed to include "Additional Escrow Shares" as that term is defined in
Section 2(b) of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent agrees to accept delivery
of the Escrow Shares and to hold such Escrow Shares in escrow subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification. The provisions set forth in Article X
of the Merger Agreement are incorporated by reference herein. For purposes
of this Agreement, references to Parent will include all other Indemnified
Parties, as applicable. It is hereby agreed that the Escrow Shares will
serve as security for such indemnity obligations, subject to the
limitations prescribed in Article X of the Merger Agreement and this
Agreement. Subject to the terms contained in Section 10.2 of the Merger
Agreement, promptly after the receipt by Parent of notice or discovery of
any claim, damage or legal action or proceeding giving rise to
indemnification rights under the Merger Agreement, (i) Parent will give the
Shareholder Representative and the Escrow Agent written notice of such
claim, damage, legal action or proceeding (a "Claim") in accordance with
Section 3 hereof, and will notify the Shareholder Representative of the
progress of any such Claim, (ii) Parent will permit the Shareholder
Representative, at the sole cost of the Holders, to participate in such
defense, and (iii) Parent will not compromise or settle any such Claim
without the written consent of the Shareholder Representative, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) Limitation on Liability. Except as otherwise set
forth in this Agreement and without limiting any other remedy that may be
available, the maximum liability under this Agreemen will be the number of
Escrow Shares set forth next to such Holder's name on Schedule A plus any
Additional Escrow Shares, and any cash proceeds deposited into the Escrow
Account pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof. Payments for finally determined
Claims will be deducted from the Escrow Shares of each Holder in proportion
to such Holder's Indemnification Pro Rata Percentage.
2. Deposit of Escrow Shares; Release from Escrow.
(a) Delivery of Escrow Shares. Promptly following the
Effective Time, (i) the Escrow Shares allocable to the Company's
shareholders (the "Initial Escrow Shares") will be delivered by the
Exchange Agent to the Escrow Agent in the form of duly authorized stock
certificates issued in the respective names of the holders thereof, and
(ii) each holder of Initial Escrow Shares and each holder of a Company
Option will deliver to the Escrow Agent an executed stock power in form
satisfactory to Parent (with the date and number of shares left blank),
which will apply to the Initial Escrow Shares or Option Shares, as the case
may be. In addition, promptly following the exercise of any Company Option
by the holder of any Company Option after the Effective Time and prior to
the Termination Date, Parent will deduct from the shares of the Parent
Common Stock issuable upon such exercise a number of shares of such Parent
Common Stock equal to 10% of such shares, and will deliver such Escrow
Shares to the Escrow Agent, who will hold them in escrow as collateral for
the indemnification obligations set forth pursuant to Article X of the
Merger Agreement. In the event Parent issues any Additional Escrow Shares
(as defined below), such shares will be issued and delivered to the Escrow
Agent in the same manner as the Escrow Shares delivered promptly following
the Effective Time.
(b) Dividends, Voting and Rights of Ownership. Except for
dividends paid in stock declared with respect to the Escrow Shares (other
than the Option Shares) that are not subject to tax pursuant to section
305(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
("Additional Escrow Shares"), any cash dividends, dividends payable in
securities or other distributions of any kind made in respect of the Escrow
Shares will be distributed concurrently by Parent to the Holders. Each
such Holder will have the right to vote the Escrow Shares deposited in the
Escrow Account for the account of such Holder so long as such Escrow Shares
are held in escrow, and Parent will take reasonable steps necessary to
allow the exercise of such rights. Each Holder shall include in taxable
income: (i) any taxable dividends distributed in respect of the Escrow
Shares, and (ii) any gain or loss arising from the sale of such Escrow
Shares by the Escrow Agent. Within 30 days after the earlier of the close
of the calendar year or the Termination Date (as defined below), the Escrow
Agent shall furnish to each Holder an information statement indicating the
amount of such dividends, sale proceeds, and interest income attributable
to the Escrow Shares or proceeds held on such Holder's behalf. For
purposes of this Agreement, subject to Section 4(b) hereof, "Termination
Date" shall mean the earlier to occur of: (i) the date of issuance of the
first independent audit report of the Company or of the Company
consolidated with Parent following the Effective Time, and (ii) the date
which is one year following the Effective Time.
(c) Distribution to Holders. Within five business days
after the Termination Date, the Escrow Agent will release from escrow to
the Holders their respective Escrow Shares, plus all Additional Escrow
Shares, and invested cash, if any, less (A) any Escrow Shares delivered to
Parent in accordance with Section 4 hereof in satisfaction of Claims, and
(B) any Escrow Shares subject to delivery to Parent in accordance with
Section 4 hereof with respect to any then pending but unresolved Claims.
Any Escrow Shares held as a result of clause (B) above will be released to
the Holders or released to Parent for cancellation (as appropriate)
promptly upon resolution of each specific Claim involved.
(d) Release of Shares. The Escrow Shares will be held by
the Escrow Agent until required to be released pursuant to Section 2(c)
above. Within five business days after the release condition is met, the
Escrow Agent will deliver to each Holder the requisite number of Escrow
Shares, Additional Escrow Shares and invested cash, if any, to be released
on such date as identified by Parent and the Shareholder Representative to
the Escrow Agent in writing. Such delivery will be in the form of stock
certificate(s) issued in the name of such Holder or invested cash. Parent
and the Shareholder Representative undertake to deliver a timely notice to
Escrow Agent identifying the number of Escrow Shares to be released within
such five business day period. The Escrow Shares will be released to each
Holder in accordance with the proportion that the number of Escrow Shares
held by each such Holder bears to the aggregate number of Escrow Shares
held in the Escrow Account as of the Termination Date (each such Holder's
"Indemnification Pro Rata Percentage"). Parent will take such action as
may be necessary to cause stock certificates to be issued in the names of
the appropriate Holders. Certificates representing Escrow Shares held for
the accounts of Holders who were affiliates of the Company on the date of
the Merger Agreement or thereafter will bear a legend indicating that they
are subject to resale restrictions under Rule 145 promulgated under the
Securities Act.
(e) No Encumbrance. The Shareholder Representative agrees
to cause no Escrow Shares or any interest (beneficial or otherwise) thereon
to be pledged, sold, assigned or transferred, including by operation of
law, by a Holder, or be taken or reached by any legal or equitable process
in satisfaction of any debt or other liability of a Holder (other than such
Holder's obligations under Articles X), prior to the delivery to such
Holder of the Escrow Shares by the Escrow Agent.
(f) Power to Transfer Escrow Shares. The Escrow Agent is
hereby granted the power to effect any transfer of Escrow Shares
contemplated by this Agreement. Parent will cooperate with the Escrow
Agent in promptly issuing stock certificates to effect such transfers.
3. Notice of Claim.
(a) Each notice of a Claim by Parent (the "Notice of
Claim") will be in writing and will contain the following information to
the extent it is known to Parent:
(i) Parent's good faith estimate of the reasonably
foreseeable maximum amount of the alleged Damages (which amount may or may
not be the amount of damages claimed by a third party plaintiff in an
action brought against Parent or the Company based on alleged facts, which
if true, would constitute a breach of the representations and warranties or
the Company contained in the Merger Agreement); and
(ii) A brief description of the facts, circumstances or
events giving rise to the alleged Damages based on Parent's good faith
belief thereof, including, without limitation, the identity and address of
any third-party claimant (to the extent known to Parent) and copies of any
formal demand or complaint.
(b) The Escrow Agent will not transfer any of the Escrow
Shares held in the Escrow Account to Parent pursuant to a Notice of Claim
until such Notice of Claim has been resolved in accordance with Section 4
below.
4. Resolution of Notice of Claim and Transfer of Escrow Shares.
Any Notice of Claim received by the Shareholder Representative and the
Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3 above will be resolved as follows:
(a) Uncontested Claims. In the event that the Shareholder
Representative does not contest a Notice of Claim in writing to the Escrow
Agent within 20 calendar days after a Notice of Claim containing a
statement of the claimed Damages is delivered pursuant to Section 7 below,
the Escrow Agent will immediately transfer to Parent for cancellation that
number of Escrow Shares having a value (determined pursuant to Section 4(c)
hereof) equal to the amount of Damages specified in the Notice of Claim,
and will notify the Shareholder Representative of such transfer.
(b) Contested Claims. In the event that the Shareholder
Representative gives written notice contesting all, or any portion of, a
Notice of Claim to Parent and the Escrow Agent (a "Contested Claim") within
the 20-day period provided above, matters that are subject to Third Party
Claims (as defined in the Merger Agreement) brought against Parent or the
Company in a litigation or arbitration will await the final decision, award
or settlement of such litigation or arbitration, while matters that arise
between Parent on the one hand and the Holders (or the Shareholder
Representative) on the other hand ("Arbitrable Claims"), will be settled by
binding arbitration. Any portion of the Notice of Claim that is not
contested will be resolved as set forth in Section 4(a) above. The final
decision of the arbitrator will be furnished to the Escrow Agent, the
Shareholder Representative, and Parent in writing and will constitute a
final, conclusive and non-appealable determination of the issue in
question, binding upon the Holders, the Shareholder Representative and
Parent, and an order with respect thereto may be entered in any court of
competent jurisdiction. After delivery of written notice by the
Shareholder Representative that the Notice of Claim is contested by the
Shareholder Representative, the Escrow Agent will continue to hold in the
Escrow Account Escrow Shares having a value (determined pursuant to Section
4(c) hereof) sufficient to cover such Claim (notwithstanding the occurrence
of the Termination Date) until: (i) execution of a settlement or joint
escrow instructions agreement by Parent and the Shareholder Representative
setting forth a resolution of the Notice of Claim, or (ii) receipt of a
copy of the final award of the arbitrator.
(i) Arbitration. Any Arbitrable Claim and any other
dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved by
arbitration in San Francisco, California and, except as herein specifically
stated, in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American
Arbitration Association (the "AAA Rules") then in effect. However, in all
events, the provisions contained herein shall govern over any conflicting
rules which may now or hereafter be contained in the AAA Rules. Any
judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof. The arbitrator
shall have the authority to grant any equitable and legal remedies that
would be available if any judicial proceeding was instituted to resolve an
Arbitrable Claim or such dispute.
(ii) Compensation of Arbitrator. Any such arbitration
will be conducted before a single arbitrator who will be compensated for
his or her services at a rate to be determined by the parties or by the
American Arbitration Association, but based upon reasonable hourly or daily
consulting rates for the arbitrator in the event the parties are not able
to agree upon his or her rate of compensation.
(iii) Selection of Arbitrator. The arbitrator shall
be mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Shareholder Representative. In
the event Parent and the Shareholder Representative are unable to agree
within 20 days following submission of the dispute to the American
Arbitration Association by one of the parties, the American Arbitration
Association will have the authority to select an arbitrator from a list of
arbitrators who satisfy the criteria set forth in clause (iv) hereof.
(iv) Qualifications of Arbitrator. No arbitrator shall
have any past or present family, business or other relationship with
Parent, the Company or any "affiliate" (as such term is defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
director or officer thereof, or any "associate" (as such term is defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Act) of Parent, the Company or any affiliate,
director or officer thereof, unless, following full disclosure of all such
relationships, Parent and the Shareholder Representative agree in writing
to waive such requirement with respect to an individual in connection with
any dispute.
(v) Hearing. The arbitrator shall be instructed to
hold an up to eight (8) hour, one (1) day hearing regarding the disputed
matter within 60 days of his designation and to render an award (without
written opinion) no later than ten (10) days after the conclusion of such
hearing, in each case unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by Parent
and the Shareholder Representative.
(vi) Payment of Costs. Parent and the Shareholder
Representative on behalf of the Holders as a group will each pay 50% of the
initial compensation to be paid to the arbitrator in any such arbitration
and 50% of the costs of transcripts and other normal and regular expenses
of the arbitration proceedings; provided, however, that (i) the prevailing
party in any arbitration will be entitled to an award of attorneys' fees
and costs, and (ii) all costs of arbitration, other than those provided for
above, will be paid by the losing party, and the arbitrator will be
authorized to make such determinations. The Holders' liability for such
fees and expenses of arbitration shall be paid by Parent and shall be
recovered as a Claim hereunder out of the Escrow Shares.
(vii) Terms of Arbitration. The arbitrator chosen in
accordance with these provisions will not have the power to alter, amend or
otherwise affect the terms of these arbitration provisions or any other
provisions contained in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement.
(viii) Exclusive Remedy. Except as specifically
otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, arbitration
will be the sole and exclusive remedy of the parties for any Arbitrable
Claim or any other dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
(c) Determination of Amount of Claims. Any amount owed to
Parent hereunder, as determined pursuant to Section 4(a) or 4(b) above,
will be immediately payable to Parent out of the Escrow Shares then held by
the Escrow Agent at a per share value for all Escrow Shares equal to the
fair market value of the Parent Common Stock, determined at the time of the
payment of such amount to Parent.
(d) No Exhaustion of Remedies. Parent need not pursue or
exhaust any other remedies that may be available to it before proceeding in
accordance with the provisions contained in this Agreement. Parent may
institute Claims against the Escrow Account and in satisfaction thereof may
recover Escrow Shares, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
without making any other Claims directly against any Holders or the
Shareholder Representative, and without rescinding or attempting to rescind
the transactions effected by the Merger Agreement. The assertion of any
single Claim for indemnification hereunder will not bar Parent from
asserting any other Claims hereunder.
5. Limitation of Escrow Agent's Duties and Liability.
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Escrow Agent
hereunder shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Escrow Agreement, and no other or further duties or responsibilities shall
be implied. The Escrow Agent shall not have any liability under, nor duty
to inquire into the terms and provisions of any agreement or instructions,
other than as outlined in the Agreement.
(b) The Escrow Agent may rely and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction or
request furnished to it hereunder and believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow
Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity,
accuracy or content of any such document. The Escrow Agent shall have no
duty to solicit any items which may be due it hereunder.
(c) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith unless a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that the Escrow Agent's willful misconduct or gross
negligence was the primary cause of any loss to Parent or any Holder. The
Escrow Agent may consult with counsel of its own choice and shall have full
and complete authorization and protection for any action taken or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such
counsel.
(d) Parent and the Shareholder Representative hereby agree
to jointly and severally indemnify the Escrow Agent for, and to hold it
harmless against any loss, liability or expense arising out of or in
connection with this Escrow Agreement and carrying out its duties
hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any
claim of liability, except in those cases where the Escrow Agent has acted
in bad faith or has been guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Anything in this Escrow Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no
event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for special, indirect or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not
limited to lost profits), even if the Escrow Agent has been advised of the
likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(e) Each party hereto, except the Escrow Agent, shall
provide the Escrow Agent with their Tax Identification Number (TIN) as
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. All interest or other income
earned under the Escrow Agreement shall be allocated and paid as provided
herein and reported by the recipient to the Internal Revenue Service as
having been so allocated and paid.
(f) The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability for
following the instructions herein contained or expressly provided for, or
written instructions given jointly by Parent and the Shareholder
Representative.
(g) In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain
as to its duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims
or demands from any party hereto which, in its opinion, conflict with any
of the provisions of this Agreement, it shall be entitled to refrain from
taking any action and its sole obligation shall be to keep safely all
property held in escrow until it shall be directed otherwise in writing by
all of the other parties hereto or by a final order or judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.
6. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing (and shall be deemed given upon receipt) if delivered
personally, sent by facsimile transmission (receipt of which is confirmed)
by mail or by an internationally recognized private overnight or overseas
courier 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 Parent, to:
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
Attention: Edward Gavaldon
Facsimile No.: 310-536-0058
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue, Suite 220
Palo Alto, California 94301
Attention: Gregory C. Smith, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (650) 470-4570
(b) if to the Shareholder Representative, to:
Mannan Latif
c/o Auco, Inc.
386 Main Street
Redwood City, California 94063
Facsimile No.: 650-569-4403
with a copy to:
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin &
Hachigian, LLP
155 Constitution Drive
Menlo Park, California 94025
Attention: Brooks Stough, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 650-321-2800
and to:
Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass
222 Kearny Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94108
Attention: Paul Escobosa, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 415-989-1663
(c) if to the Escrow Agent, to:
[To be supplied]
7. General.
(a) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of California without regard to conflict of law principles and
will be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of
which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the
Merger Agreement, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes
all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(d) Waivers. No waiver by any party hereto of any
condition or of any breach of any provision of this Agreement will be
effective unless in writing. No waiver by any party of any such condition
or breach, in any one instance, will be deemed to be a further or
continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other
condition or breach of any other provision contained herein.
8. Expenses.
(a) Escrow Agent. All reasonable fees and expenses of the
Escrow Agent incurred in the ordinary course of performing its
responsibilities hereunder will be paid out of the Escrow Account;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall only be applicable to the
extent such fees and expenses do not exceed $10,000. Any fees and expenses
of the Escrow Agent in excess of $10,000 shall be paid by Parent.
9. Successor Escrow Agent. In the event the Escrow Agent
becomes unavailable or unwilling to continue in its capacity herewith, the
Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations
hereunder by giving resignation to the parties to this Agreement,
specifying a date not less than thirty (30) days following such notice date
of when such resignation will take effect. Parent will designate a
successor Escrow Agent prior to the expiration of such period by giving
written notice to the Escrow Agent and the Shareholder Representative.
Parent may appoint a successor Escrow Agent without the consent of the
Holders or the Shareholder Representative so long as such successor is a
bank with assets of at least $500 million, and may appoint any other
successor Escrow Agent with the consent of the Shareholder Representative,
which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. The Escrow Agent will
promptly transfer the Escrow Shares to such designated successor.
10. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the written
agreement of Parent, the Escrow Agent and the Shareholder Representative,
provided that, if the Escrow Agent does not agree to an amendment agreed
upon by Parent and the Shareholder Representative, the Escrow Agent will
resign and Parent will appoint a successor Escrow Agent in accordance with
Section 10 above. No such amendment may treat any one Holder differently
from the other Holders unless consented to in writing by Holders having
beneficial ownership in a majority of the outstanding Escrow Shares,
including the consent of any such Holder who is to be treated differently.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
SHAREHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE
________________________________
[ESCROW AGENT]
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT F-1
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
April 6, 1999
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am a holder of shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per
share, shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and/or options
to purchase such shares of common stock or preferred stock (the "Company
Stock"), of Auco, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"). I am
aware that pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger, dated as of April 6, 1999 (the "Merger
Agreement") by and among Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), Auco Merger Sub, Inc. ("Sub") and the Company, Sub
will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the
surviving corporation (the "Merger"), and each of the shares of Company
Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) of the Merger shall be converted into shares of common stock of
Parent ("Parent Common Stock").
I have been advised that as of the date hereof, I may be deemed
an "affiliate" of the Company as the term "affiliate" is used in and for
purposes of Accounting Series, Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the
Securities Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), although nothing
contained herein should be construed as an admission of such fact.
I understand that it is a condition precedent to the obligations
of each of Parent and the Company to consummate the Merger that it has
received a letter from Parent's independent accountants to the effect that
the Merger may be accounted for as a pooling of interests. I further
understand that in order for the Merger to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests, affiliates of Parent and the Company must not reduce their
interests in or risk relative to their ownership of the shares of capital
stock of either Parent or the Company owned by them for a certain time
period prior to and following the Merger.
As an inducement to Parent to consummate the Merger, I represent to
and covenant with Parent that, during the period starting 35 days prior to
the Effective Time and ending after such time as combined financial results
(including combined sales and net income) covering at least 30 days of
combined operations of the Company and Parent have been published by
Parent, in the form of a quarterly earnings report, an effective
registration statement filed with the Commission, a report to the
Commission on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K, or any other public filing or
announcement which includes such combined results of operations (such
period is referred to herein as the "Pooling Period"), sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of or reduce my risk (as contemplated by the SEC
Accounting Series Release No. 135) with respect to any shares of the
capital stock of either the Company or Parent that I may hold, and (ii) I
will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or reduce my risk (as
contemplated by SEC Accounting Series Release No. 135) with respect to any
shares of the capital stock of Parent that I may hold.
In addition to the resale restrictions set forth above that relate to
pooling, I understand further that I may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of
the Company for purposes of Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), although nothing
contained herein should be construed as an admission of such fact. I
understand that (i) if, in fact, I am deemed an "affiliate" under the
Securities Act, and (ii) if I receive shares of Parent Common Stock in
exchange for any shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, my
ability to sell, assign or transfer such Parent Common Stock received by me
in the Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is registered under
the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. I
understand that such exemptions are limited, including limitations with
respect to the applicability to the sale of such securities under Rule
145(d) promulgated under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.
I have been informed and understand that the accuracy of my
representations and warranties and my compliance with the covenants set
forth herein will be relied upon by Parent and the Company, their
respective counsel, and shareholders of Parent and the Company.
With respect to Securities Act, and only to the extent that I
receive shares of Parent Common Stock in exchange for any shares of Company
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, I represent and warrant to Parent and
agree that:
A. I have full power and authority to execute this Agreement, to
make the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained and to
perform my obligations hereunder.
B. I have been advised that the issuance of Parent Common Stock
to me in the Merger will be registered with the SEC under the Securities
Act on a Registration Statement on Form S-4. I have also been advised,
however, that because I may be deemed to have been an "affiliate" of Parent
at the time the Merger was submitted for a vote of the shareholders of
Parent, and because any distribution by me of Parent Common Stock has not
been registered under the Securities Act, I may not sell, transfer,
exchange, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, or make any offer or agreement
relating to any of the foregoing with respect to, any Restricted Securities
(as defined below), or any option, right or other interest with respect to
any Restricted Securities, unless (i) such transaction is permitted
pursuant to Rules 145(c) and 145(d) under the Securities Act, (ii) no
registration under the Securities Act would be required in connection with
the proposed sale, transfer or other disposition, (iii) a registration
statement under the Securities Act covering the Restricted Securities
proposed to be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, describing the
manner and terms of the proposed sale, transfer or other disposition, and
containing a current prospectus, shall have been file with the SEC and made
effective under the Securities Act, or (iv) an authorized representative of
the SEC shall have rendered written advice to me (sought by me or counsel
representing me, with a copy thereof and all other related communications
delivered to Parent) to the effect that the SEC would take no action, or
that the Staff of the SEC would not recommend that the SEC take action,
with respect to the proposed disposition if consummated.
C. I have no present plan or intent to dispose of the Parent
Common Stock acquired by me pursuant to the Merger, or any securities that
may be paid as a dividend or otherwise distributed thereon or with respect
thereto or issued or delivered in exchange or substitution therefor (all
such shares and other securities of Parent being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as "Restricted Securities") and I shall not
formulate prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
of the Merger any such plan or intent to dispose of such Restricted
Securities.
D. I will not make any sale, transfer or other disposition of
Restricted Securities in violation of the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
E. I understand that Parent is under no obligation to register
the sale, transfer or other disposition of Restricted Securities by me or
on my behalf under the Securities Act or to take any other action necessary
in order to make compliance with an exemption from such registration
available.
F. From and after the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) of the Merger and for so long as is necessary in order to permit
me to sell the Restricted Securities held by and pursuant to Rule 145 and,
to the extent applicable, Rule 144 under the Securities Act, Parent will
use its best efforts to file on a timely basis all reports required to be
filed by it pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act. Parent is under no obligation to register the sale,
transfer or other disposition of any Restricted Securities by me or on my
behalf.
G. I understand that, in addition to the restrictions imposed
under this Agreement, the provisions of Rule 145 limit any public resale by
me of Restricted Securities and that the restrictive legends described
below will be placed upon the Restricted Securities.
H. I understand that stop transfer instructions will be given to
the registrar of the certificates for the shares of Parent Common Stock and
that there will be placed on the certificates for the shares of Parent
Common Stock, or any substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION (THE ACQUISITION OF AUCO, INC. PURSUANT TO WHICH RULE 145
PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"),
APPLIES AND MAY BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE LIMITATIONS OF SUCH RULE 145, OR UPON RECEIPT BY PEERLESS CORPORATION
OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO IT THAT SOME OTHER EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT IS AVAILABLE, OR PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT.
Parent agrees to remove such legend to the extent that such
shares evidenced by such certificates may properly be sold by me pursuant
to this Agreement.
I also understand that unless a sale or transfer is made in
conformity with the provisions of Rule 145, or pursuant to a registration
statement, Parent reserves the right to put the following legend on the
certificates issued to my transferee:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ACQUIRED FROM A
PERSON WHO RECEIVED SUCH SHARES IN A TRANSACTION TO WHICH RULE 145
PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, APPLIES. THE SHARES HAVE
BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE HOLDER NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR RESALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
I. I hereby agree that, for a period of one (1) year following
the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger, I
will obtain an agreement similar to this Agreement from each transferee of
the shares of Parent Common Stock sold or otherwise transferred by me, but
only if such sale or transfer is effected other than in a transaction
involving a registered public offering or as a sale pursuant to Rule 145.
It is understood and agreed that this Agreement will terminate
and be of no further force and effect and the legends set forth above will
be removed by delivery of substitute certificates without such legends, and
the related transfer restrictions shall be lifted forthwith, when: (i) my
shares of Parent Common Stock shall have been registered under the
Securities Act for sale, transfer, or other disposition by me or on my
behalf, (ii) I am not at the time an "affiliate" of Parent and have held
the shares of Parent Common Stock for at least one (1) year (or such other
period as may be prescribed by the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) and Parent has filed with the SEC all
of the reports it is required to file under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, during the period from the Effective Time (as defined in
the Merger Agreement) of the Merger to the date of termination of this
Agreement, or (iii) Parent shall have received a letter from the staff of
the SEC, or an opinion of counsel acceptable to Parent, to the effect that
the stock transfer restrictions and the legend are not required.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute one in the same instrument.
This Agreement shall be binding on my heirs, legal
representatives, and successors.
Very truly yours,
________________________
Name***:
Title:
Accepted this 6th day of April, 1999
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
______________
*** In the event this undertaking covers shares held jointly or held
individually by related parties who will sign this together, each
joint or related party shall sign.
EXHIBIT F-2
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
April 6, 1999
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am a holder of shares of common stock ("Parent Common Stock")
of Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Parent"). I am
aware that pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger, dated as of April 6, 1999 (the "Merger
Agreement") by and among Parent, Auco Merger Sub, Inc. ("Sub") and Auco,
Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), Sub will merge with and
into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation
(the "Merger"), and each of the shares of common stock of the Company
outstanding as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
of the Merger shall be converted into shares of Parent Common Stock.
I have been advised that as of the date hereof, I may be deemed
an "affiliate" of the Company or of Parent as the term "affiliate" is used
in and for purposes of Accounting Series, Releases 130 and 135, as amended,
of the Commission, although nothing contained herein should be construed as
an admission of such fact.
I understand that it is a condition precedent to the obligations
of each of Parent and the Company to consummate the Merger that it has
received a letter from Parent's independent accountants to the effect that
the Merger may be accounted for as a pooling of interests. I further
understand that in order for the Merger to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests, affiliates of Parent and the Company must not reduce their
interests in or risk relative to their ownership of the shares of capital
stock of either Parent or the Company owned by them for a certain time
period prior to and following the Merger.
As an inducement to Parent to consummate the Merger, I represent to
and covenant with Parent that, during the period starting 35 days prior to
the Effective Time and ending after such time as combined financial results
(including combined sales and net income) covering at least 30 days of
combined operations of the Company and Parent have been published by
Parent, in the form of a quarterly earnings report, an effective
registration statement filed with the Commission, a report to the
Commission on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K, or any other public filing or
announcement which includes such combined results of operations (such
period is referred to herein as the "Pooling Period"), sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of or reduce my risk (as contemplated by the SEC
Accounting Series Release No. 135) with respect to any shares of the
capital stock of either the Company or Parent that I may hold, and (ii) I
will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or reduce my risk (as
contemplated by SEC Accounting Series Release No. 135) with respect to any
shares of the capital stock of Parent that I may hold.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute one in the same instrument.
This Agreement shall be binding on my heirs, legal
representatives, and successors.
Very truly yours,
________________________
Name:
Accepted this 6th day of April, 1999
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
This Non-Competition Agreement (this "Agreement") is and entered
into as of April 6, 1999 between Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Parent") and [___________] (the "Principal").
WHEREAS, Auco, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"),
has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, dated
of even date herewith (the "Merger Agreement"), with Parent and Auco Merger
Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Auco Merger Sub"), whereby Auco Merger
Sub will merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"), and the Company
will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent;
WHEREAS, the Company engages in the development and sale of
computer software for the primary purpose of allowing printers to connect
to and operate through computer networks, either through servers or by a
direct connection between the printer and the network (the "Business"), and
Principal currently is a key employee of the Company;
WHEREAS, Principal has specialized knowledge of the business of the
Company, including, without limitation, knowledge of business
relationships, lines of business, markets, key personnel, profitability and
other confidential information, as well as substantial technical, business
and financial expertise and extensive experience in a wide range of
activities that will affect and constitute the Business;
WHEREAS, Parent and the Company would be irreparably harmed and
impaired if Principal were to engage, directly or indirectly, in any
activity competing with the Business or disclose in violation of this
Agreement, or make unauthorized use of, any confidential information
concerning the Business;
WHEREAS, Principal recognizes that Parent and the Company are
entitled to protection from such use of the specialized knowledge of
Principal; and
WHEREAS, in partial consideration for Parent entering into the
Merger Agreement which provides for, among other things, issuance of common
stock of Parent to Principal in exchange for all of Principal's stock in
the Company, Principal is entering into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, subject to the successful closing of the Merger
(which closing is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this
Agreement), and in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:
1. Covenant Not to Compete. For and in consideration of the
benefits derived directly and indirectly from this Agreement, the Principal
covenants and agrees with Parent that for the period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Time (such
period being referred to herein as the "Covenant Period"), the Principal
and any Principal Affiliate (as defined below) shall not in North America
or Asia (the "Non-Compete Region"), directly or indirectly, (i) engage in
the Business which is currently engaged in by the Company as of the date of
this Agreement; (ii) enter the employ of, or render any services to or for
any entity that is engaged in the Business (provided that the Principal may
provide services as an employee, consultant or otherwise to any part of
such entity that is not engaged in the Business, including engagement in
the Business by virtue of the Principals provision of services to such
entity), and (iii) become interested in any such entity in any capacity,
including as an individual, partner, officer, director, principal, agent,
trustee or consultant; provided, however, that Principal may own, directly
or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any entity traded on
any national securities exchange or automated quotation system if
Principal, individually or in the aggregate, is not a controlling Person
of, or a member of a group which controls, such entity and does not,
directly or indirectly, "beneficially own" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, without regard to the 60 day
period referred to in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)) 5% or more of any class of
securities of such entity. In addition, and without limiting the
foregoing, for the Covenant Period, neither Principal nor any Principal
Affiliate shall, within the Non-Compete Region engage or participate in any
effort or act to induce or solicit any of the customers, suppliers,
associates, employees or independent contractors of the Company or the
Business to cease doing business, or to discontinue such person's
association or employment, with the Company or the Business for any reason.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant not to compete shall terminate
in the event that Parent terminates the employment of Principal without
cause, as conclusively determined by Parent or if Principal terminates his
employment for Good Reason (as defined below). Nothing herein contained
shall establish an employment agreement, right or entitlement on the part
of Principal.
For purposes of this Agreement, Principal shall have "Good Reason"
to terminate his employment with the Company following the occurrence of
any of the following events, without the Company's written consent thereto;
provided, that Principal shall have given Company written notice specifying
the conduct alleged to have constituted such Good Reason and the Company
shall have failed to cure such conduct, if curable, within fifteen (15)
days following receipt of such notice:
(A) Any failure to elect or reelect or otherwise to
maintain Principal in his current office or position, or a substantially
equivalent office or position, of or with the Company;
(B) A significant adverse change in the nature or scope
of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties of
Principal at or with the Company;
(C) A reduction in Principal's base salary with the
Company;
(D) If the Company requires Principal to have his
primary location of work changed to any location that is outside the
Redwood City, California area; or
(E) Without limiting the generality or effect of the
foregoing, if there any material breach of this Agreement by the Company
or any successor to the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement: (i) control or participation in
any competing business shall be deemed to include (but shall not be limited
to) ownership in excess of five percent (5%) of the aggregate capital stock
of such competing business, and (ii) the term "Principal Affiliate" shall
include any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity that as of the date of the
Merger Agreement or during the term of this Agreement, directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the
Principal or any relative or spouse of the Principal who has the same home
as the Principal.
2. Confidential Information. The Principal hereby agrees not to
disclose to any person, other than: (i) to an employee of Parent (or
customers, vendors or others in furtherance of Parent's business
interests), (ii) with the consent of Parent, or (iii) as required by law,
any trade secrets or confidential information of Parent or the Business
with respect to any of Parent's or the Business' trademarks, service marks,
licenses, lines of business, markets, key personnel, profitability,
services, systems, business development techniques or plans, customers and
business relationships, methods of operation, and training and policy
materials (collectively, the "Confidential Information"); provided,
however, that the Confidential Information shall not include any
information known generally to the public or in the software industry
(other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Principal).
3. Other Matters.
a. In the event that any regulatory, administrative, or
judicial proceedings are commenced regarding this Agreement, the parties
hereto agree to give each other notice thereof and to cooperate fully in
any such proceedings, provided, however, that such cooperation shall not
preclude either party from taking an adverse position to the other party in
such proceeding.
b. Each of the Principal and the Company acknowledges and
agrees that this Agreement is reasonable and valid in geographical and
temporal scope and in all other respects.
4. Remedies. The Principal acknowledges that it would be
difficult to measure damage to Parent from any breach by the Principal of
the covenants set forth in Sections 1 and 2 hereof, that injury to Parent
from any such breach would be impossible to calculate, and that money
damages would therefore be an inadequate remedy for any such breach.
Accordingly, the Principal agrees that if the Principal breaches any
provision of Sections 1 and 2 hereof, Parent shall be entitled, in addition
to all other remedies it may have, to injunctions or other appropriate
orders to restrain any such breach by the Principal, without showing or
proving any actual damage sustained by Parent, and the Principal agrees to
waive any requirement for the securing or the posting of any bond in
connection with such relief.
5. Successors; Binding Agreement.
This Agreement and all rights of Parent hereunder shall inure to
the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Parent and its successors and
assigns.
6. Notice. All notices and other communications provided for
in this Agreement shall be sufficient if given in writing and delivered
personally, by overnight delivery service, by confirmed telecopy
transmission, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, as follows (or to such other addressee or address as may
be set forth in a notice given in such manner):
If to Parent:
Peerless Systems Corporation
2381 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 400
El Segundo, California 90245
Telephone: 310-536-0908
Telecopier: 310-536-0058
Attention: Edward Gavaldon
With a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue, Suite 220
Palo Alto, California 94301
Telephone: 650-470-4500
Telecopier: 650-470-4570
Attention: Gregory Smith, Esq.
If to the Principal:
[__________]
[__________]
[__________]
Telephone: [_________]
Telecopier: [_________]
Attention: [_________]
With a copy to:
Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, LLP
222 Kearny Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94108
Telephone: 415-391-4800
Telecopier: 415-989-1663
Attention: Paul Escobosa, Esq.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given on the date
delivered or telecopied in the manner provided for above.
7. Modification; Entire Agreement.
a. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing signed by Parent and the Principal. No waiver by any
party hereto at the time of any breach by another party hereto of, or of
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or at any prior or
subsequent time.
b. No agreements or representations, oral or
otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof
have been made by any party hereto which are not set forth expressly in
this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire
understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject
hereof.
8. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction
and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws
thereof.
9. Severability; Waiver.
a. The restrictions against competition and disclosure of
information set forth in Sections 1 and 2 hereof are considered by the
parties hereto to be reasonable for the purposes of protecting the
Business. However, if any such restriction is found by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long
a period of time or over too great a range of activities or in too broad a
geographic area, it shall be interpreted (but only with respect to such
jurisdiction) to extend only over the maximum period of time, range of
activities or geographic area as to which it may be enforceable in such
jurisdiction.
b. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
c. No delay or omission by Parent in exercising any right
under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right.
A waiver or consent given by Parent on any one occasion shall be effective
only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of
any right on any other occasion.
10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which,
when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
PRINCIPAL
_______________________________
Paul Kwan
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which,
when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
PRINCIPAL
_______________________________
Adam Au
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By:____________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE
MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
1. Each of Parent and Sub is validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Delaware. Parent has all requisite corporate
power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted.
2. Each of Parent and Sub has all requisite corporate power and corporate
authority to execute and deliver the Merger Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and
delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the Board of Directors of each of Parent and Sub, and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of each of Parent or Sub is
necessary for the execution and delivery by each of Parent and Sub of
the Merger Agreement, and the performance by each of Parent and Sub of
its obligations thereunder. The Merger Agreement has been been duly
executed and delivered by each of Parent and Sub, and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Sub, enforceable
against each of Parent and Sub in accordance with its terms, except
that: (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect,
affecting creditors' rights generally, (ii) the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be
subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court
before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and (iii) no view
is expressed with respect to the Registration Rights Agreement.
3. To the best of our knowledge, and except as set forth in the schedules
and exhibits to the Merger Agreement, all consents, approvals and
authorizations of and filings with any Governmental Entity with
respect to any Applicable Laws required on the part of Parent or Sub
in connection with the valid execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby, have been obtained or made. "Applicable Laws" shall mean the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and those laws, rules
and regulations of the State of California and the United States of
America, which, in our experience, are normally applicable to
transactions of the type contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
4. Except as disclosed in the schedules and exhibits to the Merger
Agreement, neither the performance, execution and delivery of the
Merger Agreement by Parent and Sub, nor the consummation by Parent and
Sub of the transactions contemplated thereby, nor compliance by Parent
and Sub with any of the provisions thereof, will result in any of the
following: (i) a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or
bylaws of Parent or Sub, (ii) to our knowledge, a default or event
that, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
default, breach or violation of any Applicable Contract, (iii) to our
knowledge, an event that would permit any person or entity to
terminate any Applicable Contract or to accelerate the maturity of any
obligation of Parent or Sub, (iv) to our knowledge, a violation or
breach of any Applicable Laws, or (v) to our knowledge, a violation of
any Applicable Orders. For purposes of this opinion, (A) "Applicable
Contracts" shall mean those agreements or instruments set forth on
Schedule I to this opinion; such agreements and instruments have been
identified to us as all the Merger Agreements and instruments which
are material to the business, properties or financial condition or
results of operations of Parent and Sub, and (B) "Applicable Orders"
shall mean any writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental
instrumentality to which Parent or Sub is a party or by which any of
its properties or assets is bound, and which is identified on Schedule
II to this opinion.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT by and between AUCO (the "Company"), a California
corporation, and Adam Au (the "Executive") will become effective upon the
later date by which both parties sign this agreement ("Agreement").
R E C I T A L S
A. The Executive is currently employed as the President of the
Company and has made and is expected to continue to make major
contributions to the short- and long-term profitability, growth and
financial strength of the Company;
B. The Company is currently contemplating a merger with Peerless
Systems Corporation ("Merger");
C. The Company desires to assure itself of both present and future
continuity of management in light of the Merger and subsequent to the
Merger; and
D. The Company desires to provide additional inducement for the
Executive to continue to remain in the ongoing employ of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Company agrees to continue to employ Executive on an
at-will basis and Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Company
on an at-will basis. With respect to periods following the Merger,
references to the "Company" shall include the surviving corporate parent in
the Merger.
2. Position. During his employment with the Company, Executive
agrees to serve the Company, and the Company shall employ Executive as Vice
President and General Manager, Networking Division or in such other
comparable or superior executive capacity or capacities as may be specified
from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
3. Operation Dates of Agreement; and Duties.
(a) Operative Dates of Agreement. This Agreement shall be
effective and binding immediately upon its execution, but, anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be
operative unless and until the Merger is consummated. Upon the closing of
the Merger, without further action, this Agreement shall become immediately
operative. After the operative date, this Agreement shall continue in
effect during Executive's employment with the Company up until the second
(2nd) anniversary of the closing date of the Merger, at which time this
Agreement shall automatically terminate without further action.
(b) Duties. During his employment under this Agreement,
and except for illness, reasonable vacation periods and reasonable leaves
of absence, Executive shall devote his best efforts and substantially all
his business time, attention, skill and efforts to the business and affairs
of the Company and its affiliated companies, as such business and affairs
exist immediately following consummation of the Merger and as they may be
hereafter changed or added to, under and pursuant to the general direction
of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that, with the
approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld), Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the
boards of directors of, or hold any other offices or positions in,
companies or organizations which, in such officer's judgment, will not
present any conflict of interest with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates or divisions, or materially affect the
performance of Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement. The Company
shall retain full direction and control of the means and methods by which
Executive performs the services for which he is employed hereunder. The
services which are to be performed by Executive hereunder are to be
substantially rendered in the State of California.
4. Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses;
Other Benefits;
(a) Compensation. During his employment under this
Agreement, Executive shall be paid a salary at the rate of one hundred
seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000.00) per year, or such higher salary
as may be from time to time approved by the Board of Directors (or any duly
authorized committee thereof) of the Company ("Base Salary"), plus such
additional incentive compensation, if any, as may be voted to him yearly by
the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof).
(b) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall pay or
reimburse Executive, in accordance with its normal policies and practices,
for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by Executive in
performing his obligations under this Agreement.
(c) Other Benefits. During the period of employment under
this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to receive all other benefits
of employment generally available to other members of the Company's
management and those benefits for which executives are or shall become
eligible, when and as he becomes eligible therefor, such as three weeks of
paid vacation.
(d) Stock Options. Executive shall be granted an option
with respect to 100,000 shares of Peerless Systems Corporation ("Peerless")
common stock (the "Base Amount") which is to vest over a four year period
as follows: one quarter (1/4) or twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares shall
vest one year from the closing date of the Merger, and the remaining three
quarters (3/4) or seventy-five thousand (75,000) shares will vest on a pro
rata basis monthly over the ensuing thirty-six (36) months. The grant will
be effective upon the closing of the Merger, and the exercise price shall
be equal to the closing price of the common stock of Peerless on the Nasdaq
National Market on the business day immediately following consummation of
the Merger. Executive shall also be eligible for an annual "refresher"
grant of stock options equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Base
Amount in accordance with Peerless' policies and procedures.
(e) Bonus. Executive shall also be eligible to receive an
annual bonus, up to a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000),
based upon earnings per share goals for the entire company, as may be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
5. Termination.
(a) For Cause. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, and specifically reiterating the at-will nature of Executive's
employment, which can be terminated by either Executive or Company for any
reason or no reason without advance notice, the Company may, without
liability, also terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Cause (as
defined herein) at any time upon written notice from the Board of Directors
(or any duly authorized committee thereof). As used herein, Cause shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Executive's
conviction of or guilty plea to the commission of an act or acts
constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof; (ii) action by Executive toward the Company involving personal
dishonesty, theft or fraud in connection with Executive's duties as an
officer of the Company; or (iii) Executive's willful failure to abide by or
follow lawful directions of the Board of Directors that is not cured after
notice to the Executive. If the Company terminates Executive's employment
for Cause, Executive's right to compensation under this Agreement will
terminate as of the date of such termination and all of the Company's
obligations hereunder shall immediately cease and terminate, except that
Executive shall be entitled to receive all compensation to which he is due
under federal and state law or pursuant to Company policy up through and
including the date of termination.
(b) Death. If Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated by reason of Executive's death, Executive's (or Executive's
estate's) right to compensation under this Agreement will terminate as of
the date of such termination and all of the Company's obligations hereunder
shall immediately cease and terminate, except that Executive's estate will
be entitled to received all compensation to which Executive is due under
federal and state law or pursuant to Company policy up through and
including the date of termination.
(c) Disability. If the Company terminates Executive's
employment by reason of Executive's Disability (as defined herein),
Executive's right to benefits under this Agreement will terminate as of the
date of such termination and all of the Company's obligations hereunder
shall immediately cease and terminate, except that Executive shall be
entitled to receive all compensation to which Executive is due under
federal and state law or pursuant to Company policy up through and
including the date of termination. As used herein, Executive's Disability
shall mean that, due to physical or mental illness, Executive shall have
been absent from his duties hereunder on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive days, and within 30 days after written notice of termination is
given (which may occur before or after the end of such 180-day period)
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties
hereunder on a full-time basis.
(d) Termination by the Company other than for Cause,
Death, or Disability, or Termination by Executive for Good Reason.
If the Company terminates Executive's employment for any reason other
than for cause, death or disability, pursuant to Sections 5(a)-(c) above,
or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined herein)
then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary and in complete
satisfaction and discharge of all of its obligations to Executive hereunder,
Executive shall be entitled to receive all compensation to which Executive
is due under the terms of this Agreement as if the Executive had remained
in the employment of the Company during the term of this Agreement as set
forth in Section 3(a) hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, Executive
shall have "Good Reason" to terminate his employment with the Company
following the occurrence of any of the following events, without Executive's
written consent thereto, provided, that Executive shall have given Company
written notice specifying the conduct alleged to have constituted such Good
Reason and Company has failed to cure such conduct, if curable, within
fifteen (15) days following receipt of such notice:
(A) Any failure to elect or reelect or otherwise to
maintain Executive in the office or the position, or a substantially
equivalent office or position, of or with the Company, as described in
Paragraph 2;
(B) A significant adverse change in the nature or
scope of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or
duties described in Paragraph 3(b);
(C) A reduction in Executive's Base Salary described
in Paragraph 4(a);
(D) The Company requires the Executive to have his
principal location of work changed to any location that is outside the
Redwood City, California area; or
(E) Without limiting the generality or effect of the
foregoing, any material breach of this Agreement by the Company or any
successor.
(e) Termination by Executive other than for Good Reason.
If Executive terminates his employment hereunder for any reason other than
for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive all compensation to
which Executive is due under federal and state law or pursuant to Company
policy up through and including the date of termination.
6. Obligations of Executive During and After Employment.
(a) Executive agrees that during his employment under this
Agreement, he will engage in no other business activities, directly or
indirectly, which are or may be competitive with or which might place him
in a competing position to that of the Company, or any affiliated company,
without the prior written consent of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
(b) Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) during the
course of his employment Executive will have produced and/or have access to
confidential information, records, notebooks, data, formulae,
specifications, trade secrets, customer lists and secret inventions and
processes of Company and its affiliated companies, and (ii) the
unauthorized use or sale of any of such confidential or proprietary
information at any time would constitute unfair competition with Company.
Executive promises and agrees not to engage in any unfair competition with
Company either during or after the term of this Agreement. Therefore,
during and subsequent to his employment by Company, or by an affiliated
company, Executive agrees to hold in confidence and not, directly or
indirectly, disclose, use, copy or make lists of any such information,
except to the extent expressly authorized by Company in writing. All
records, files, drawings, documents, equipment, and the like, or copies
thereof, relating to Company's business, or the business of an affiliated
company, which Executive shall prepare, or use, or come into contact with,
shall be and remain the sole property of Company, or of an affiliated
company, and shall not be removed (except to allow Executive to perform his
responsibilities hereunder while traveling for business purposes or
otherwise working away from his office) from the Company's or the
affiliated company's premises without its prior written consent, and shall
be promptly returned to Company upon termination of employment with Company
and its affiliated companies. This paragraph 6(b) shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.
7. General Provisions.
(a) Executive's rights and obligations under this Agreement
shall not be transferable by assignment or otherwise, nor shall Executive's
rights be subject to encumbrance or subject to the claims of Company's
creditors. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the consolidation of
Company with, or its merger into, any other corporation, or the sale by
Company of all or substantially all of its properties or assets; and this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon and be enforceable
by, any successor surviving or resulting corporation, or other entity to
which such assets shall be transferred. This Agreement shall not be
terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Company.
(b) This Agreement and the rights of Executive with respect
to the benefits of employment referred to in Paragraph 4 constitute the
entire agreement between the parties hereto in respect of the employment of
Executive by Company. This Agreement supersedes and replaces all other
prior oral and written agreements, understandings, commitments, and
practices between the parties.
(c) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising under or in
connection with this Agreement, or the breach hereof, shall be settled
exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment upon the award rendered
by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Any arbitration held pursuant to this paragraph in connection with any
termination of Executive's employment shall take place in Northern
California at the earliest possible date. If any proceeding is necessary
to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, or to recover damages
for breach thereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable
attorneys fees and necessary costs and disbursements.
(d) The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any of said provisions or any part thereof are declared
invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity
and enforceability of the remainder of such provisions or parts thereof and
the applicability thereof shall not be affected thereby.
(e) This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by
a written instrument executed by Company and Executive.
(f) This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of California.
(g) If, but for one or more provisions of this Agreement,
the Merger would qualify for "pooling of interests" accounting treatment,
then (A) this Agreement shall, to the extent practicable, be interpreted
and/or reduced in scope or effect to the extent necessary to permit such
accounting treatment, and (B) to the extent that the application of clause
(A) of this Section 8(g) does not preserve the availability of such
accounting treatment, then, to the extent that any provision of this
Agreement would disqualify the Merger as a "pooling" transaction
(including, if applicable, the entire Agreement), such provision shall be
null and void as of the effective date hereof. All determinations under
this Section 8(g) shall be made by the accounting firm whose opinion with
respect to "pooling of interests" treatment is required as a condition to
the consummation of the Merger.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first above written.
AUCO, INC.
By_____________________________
Name:
Title:
PEERLESS SYSTEMS, INC.
By____________________________
Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE
_____________________________
Adam Au
EXHIBIT J
FORM OF OPINION OF COBLENTZ, PATCH, DUFFY & BASS, LLP
1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of California. The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted.
2. The Company has all requisite corporate power and corporate authority
to execute and deliver the Merger Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery of the
Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of
Directors and the shareholders of the Company, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary for the execution
and delivery by the Company of the Merger Agreement, and the
performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder. The Merger
Agreement has been been duly executed and delivered by the Company,
and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except
that: (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect,
affecting creditors' rights generally, (ii) the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be
subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court
before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and (iii) no view
is expressed with respec to the Registration Rights Agreement.
3. To the best of our knowledge, and except as set forth in the schedules
and exhibits to the Merger Agreement, all consents, approvals and
authorizations of and filings with any Governmental Entity with
respect to any applicable laws required on the part of the Company in
connection with the valid execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby, have been obtained or made.
4. Except as disclosed in the schedules and exhibits to the Merger
Agreement, neither the performance, execution and delivery of the
Merger Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation by it of the
transactions contemplated thereby, nor compliance by the Company with
any of the provisions thereof, will result in any of the following:
(i) a violation of the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws of the
Company, (ii) to our knowledge, a default or event that, with notice
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default, breach or
violation of any Material Contract, (iii) to our knowledge, an event
that would permit any person or entity to terminate any Material
Contract or to accelerate the maturity of any obligation of the
Company, (iv) to our knowledge, a violation or breach of any
applicable laws, or (v) to our knowledge, a violation of any
applicable orders. For purposes of this opinion, "Material Contracts"
shall mean those agreements designated as "Material Contracts" in the
Company Disclosure Schedule.
5. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (i)
35,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which 3,389,403 shares
are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and (ii) 10,000,000
shares of Company Preferred Stock, of which (A) 3,250,000 have been
designated Series A Preferred Stock, no shares of which are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, and (B) 3,000,000 have been
designated Series B Preferred Stock, no shares of which are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof. As of the date hereof, (i) no
Shares are issued and held in the treasury of the Company,
(ii) 3,144,000 shares of Company Common Stock are reserved for
issuance pursuant to outstanding Company Options, and (iii) all
shares of the Company Preferred Stock have been converted to Company
Common Stock. Except as set forth in the Company Discosure Schedule,
all of the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock are, and any
such shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of
outstanding Company Options will be, when issued in accordance with
the respective terms thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in the Merger Agreement
and in the exhibits and schedules thereto, (i) there are no shares of
capital stock of the Company authorized, issued or outstanding, (ii)
to the best of our knowledge, there are no existing options, warrants,
calls, preemptive rights, Voting Debt or subscriptions or other
rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character,
relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of the Company,
obligating the Company to issue, transfer or sell or cause to be
issued, transferred or sold any shares of capital stock or Voting Debt
of, or other equity interest in, the Company, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests,
or obligating the Company to grant, extend or enter into any such
option, warrant, call, subscription or other right, agreement,
arrangement or commitment, and (iii) to the best of our knowledge,
there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock, or
to provide funds to make any investment (in the form of a loan,
capital contribution or otherwise) in any other entity. Except as set
forth in the Merger Agreement or in the exhibits and schedules
thereto, there are no voting trusts or other agreements or
understandings to which the Company is a party with respect to the
voting of the capital stock of the Company. The Company has no
Subsidiaries.
6. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation, as of the date it
was mailed to stockholders of Parent and the shareholders of the
Company, and as of the date hereof, appeared on its face to be
appropriately responsive in all material respects to the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, except that, in each case, we express no
opinion or belief as to the financial statements, schedules and other
financial data included or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated,
by reference therein or excluded therefrom or any information to the
extent it was furnished by or relates to Parent or Sub, and we do not
assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness
of the statements contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation.
In addition, we have participated in conferences with officers
and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the
independent public accountants of the Company, officers and other
representatives of Parent, counsel for Parent and representatives of the
independent public accountants of Parent, at which the contents of the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation and related matters were
discussed and, although we are not passing upon, and do not assume any
responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation
and have made no independent check or verification thereof, on the basis of
the foregoing, no facts have come to our attention that have led us to
believe that, insofar as it relates to the Company, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Consent Solicitation as of its date and the date
hereof contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except that we express no
opinion or belief with respect to the financial statements, schedules and
other financial data included or incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation or the information included or incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation to the extent such information was furnished by or relates to
Parent or Sub.
Tuesday April 6, 4:01 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Peerless Systems to Acquire Embedded Networking Software Developer
Move Extends Peerless' Embedded Imaging Solution to Encompass
Networking Technologies
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 1999--Peerless Systems
Corporation (Nasdaq:PRLS - news) announced today a definitive agreement to
acquire Auco, Inc., a privately-held developer of embedded networking
technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, all outstanding shares of Auco
stock will be exchanged for 2.5 million shares of Peerless' common stock.
Upon closing, Auco will form the core of Peerless' embedded networking
technology efforts. Adam Au, presently Chief Executive Officer of Auco,
will become a Vice President of Peerless and General Manager of the
Peerless Networking Division located in Redwood City, California. Based on
the closing price of Peerless stock yesterday, the transaction is currently
valued at approximately $21 million.
"In recent years, the proliferation of networking in the office has
created a major shift in end-user demand from standalone to networked
printers and digital copiers," said Ed Gavaldon, President, Chairman and
CEO of Peerless. "Today, printer and digital copier OEMs typically satisfy
embedded networking and imaging technology requirements through different
embedded technology suppliers. Auco's embedded networking solutions will
enable Peerless to offer our OEM customers an integrated embedded solution
that we believe will be far more cost-effective than the separate imaging
and networking solutions of today. Ultimately, we believe this combination
of best-of-breed embedded imaging and networking technologies will pave the
way for integrated networking functionality to become a standard, rather
than optional, feature in office printers. In addition, Auco's expertise
across a broad array of networking technologies, including NetWare, Windows
NT, UNIX, and Appletalk, also offers an exciting opportunity to expand our
addressable embedded markets," noted Gavaldon. "In particular, Auco's
expertise in Internet printing will allow Peerless-enabled printers and
multifunction products to become accessible to users worldwide."
The transaction is expected to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests and to be completed during Peerless' second or third fiscal
quarter. Peerless expects to record a one-time charge of approximately $2.3
million for acquisition-related costs in the July 1999 quarter. This
transaction also is subject to various conditions and approval by the
stockholders of Peerless. The Board of Directors of each company
unanimously approved the transaction and recommended its approval by the
stockholders.
About Peerless
Peerless Systems is a leading provider of software-based embedded
imaging systems to original equipment manufacturers of digital document
products. Digital document products include printers, copiers, fax
machines, scanners and color products, as well as multifunction products
that perform a combination of these imaging functions. In order to process
digital text and graphics, digital document products rely on a core set of
imaging software and supporting electronics, collectively known as an
embedded imaging system. The Peerless family of products and engineering
services provides advanced embedded imaging technologies that enable the
company's OEM customers to develop digital printers, copiers and
multifunction products quickly and cost-effectively. Peerless Systems
Corporation is located at 2381 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, California
90245. Main telephone: 310/536-0908; facsimile: 310/536-0058;
www.Peerless.com.
About Auco
Auco, Inc. is a leading software provider of embedded networking
systems to OEMs of office peripherals. Office peripherals include printers,
scanners, copiers, and storage devices. In order to allow full connectivity
on Internet, Windows, NetWare, UNIX, and Apple networks, office peripherals
rely on a full set of networking software, collectively known as an
embedded networking system. Auco provides the best products and engineering
services available to help office peripheral OEMs include customized
networking support in their products. Auco was founded in 1994 and is a
privately held company based in Silicon Valley. Auco is located at 386 Main
Street, Redwood City, California 94063. Main telephone: 650/569-4400;
facsimile: 650/568-6101.
Memory Reduction Technology, Peerless, PeerlessPage, PeerlessPrint
and QuickPrint are trademarks of Peerless Systems Corp. Auco is a
registered trademark of Auco, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries. All other
company, brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995:
With the exception of historical information, the statements set
forth above include forward-looking statements, including, among other
things, the Company's accounting treatment and anticipated changes, the
completion of the merger, and integration of the companies following the
merger, that involve risk and uncertainties. These statements may be
identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes,"
"expects," "may," "should," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" and similar
words. Actual results, including the level of earnings of both Peerless and
Auco, and the success of the proposed merger may differ from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such
a difference include, but are not limited to, risks associated with
acquisitions, such as difficulties in the speed of integration and
assimilation of operations, technologies and products of the acquired
companies, geographic issues, adverse effects on, and possible loss of,
existing OEM customers, diversion of management's attention from other
business concerns, risks of entering new markets, competitive response, and
a downturn in the embedded imaging industry. For a more detailed
description of the risk factors associated with Peerless and Auco, please
refer to Peerless' SEC filings including the registration statement on Form
S-4 to be filed relating to the merger. The two companies assume no
obligation to update information contained in this press release.
Contact:
Peerless Systems Corporation
Ed Gavaldon, 310/536-0908
[email protected]
or
Auco, Inc.
Adam Au, 650/569-4403
[email protected]
