SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
016903 10 6
(CUSIP Number)
Neil M. Kaufman
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
(516)822-4820
(Name , Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notice
and Communications)
August 12, 1996
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement. [ ] A fee
is not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on
file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are
to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 016903 10 6 Page 2 of 74 Pages
1 Name of Reporting Person
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person Barry A. Cinnamon
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2 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group* (a)
(b) [X]
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3 SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Source of Funds Not Applicable
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5 Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant
to Items 2(d) or 2(e)
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6 Citizenship or Place of Organization U.S.A.
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Number of
Shares 7 Sole Voting Power 869,820
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beneficially 8 Shared Voting Power 1,869,820
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Owned by Each
Reporting 9 Sole Dispositive Power 869,820
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Person
With 10 Shared Dispositive Power 123,138
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11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
869,820
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12 Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) excludes Certain Shares*
[X]
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13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
19.5%
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14 Type of Reporting Person*
IN
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<PAGE>
Item 1: Security and Issuer.
The securities to which this Schedule 13D relate are the shares of Common Stock,
par value $.001 per share (the "Shares") of Allegro New Media, Inc. (the
"Issuer"), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
address of the Issuer's principal executive office is 3 Oak Road, Fairfield,
NJ 07004.
Item 2: Identity and Background.
The person filing this statement is Barry A. Cinnamon, a United States citizen.
As a result of a Stockholders' Agreement among Mr. Cinnamon, Gwyn Jones, Norman
Alexander, James Bryce, Peter Beedham, Ralf Mellor, Esprit Automations, Mark
Gee, Robert O'Mara, Darren Darvill, Mark Ramsey, Mark Daintree, David
Brailsford, David Harris, Ingrid Regen, Michael LaRocque, Joseph Ossai, Leo
Belodeau, Michael Clough, Jay Jackson,David Garreth Howe, Robin Bryce, Wallace
Bryce, and Mr. Cinnamon and Mark Leininger, as Trustees of the Serif (Europe)
Limited Employee Stock Option Scheme (the "Stockholders' Agreement," attached
hereto as Exhibit 1), Mr. Cinnamon and such persons may be deemed, pursuant to
Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be a
"Group." Mr. Cinnamon disclaims the existence of a group and disclaims
beneficial ownership of Shares beneficially owned by any person who may be
deemed part of such group.
Mr. Cinnamon's business address is 3 Oak Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004. Mr.
Cinnamon has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer since
the inception of its business in December 1993 and has been Chairman of the
Board of the Issuer since August 1995. From 1988 through September 1992, Mr.
Cinnamon was President, Treasurer, Director and co-founder of the Bureau of
Electronic Publishing, Inc., a CD-ROM company.
During the last five years, Mr. Cinnamon has not been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction the
result of which he was or is subject to a judgement, decree or final order
enjoining future violation of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject
to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to
such laws.
Item 3: Source or Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
Not applicable.
Item 4: Purpose of the Transaction.
Mr. Cinnamon acquired the 869,820 Shares he beneficially owns directly in
connection with his formation and funding of, and employment with, the Issuer,
which acquisitions were prior to the Issuer's initial public offering. Mr.
Cinnamon has previously filed a Schedule 13G reporting the ownership of such
Shares.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement, Mr. Cinnamon may be deemed
to have acquired the right, under certain circumstances, to direct the vote of
the 1,000,000 Shares owned by the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement
since, pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, Mr. Cinnamon and each of the
other parties thereto has agreed to vote the Shares owned by him, and upon the
conversion or exchange of any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Shares, the Shares received upon such conversion or exchange, for the election
to the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the "Board") of the individuals
nominated by the Board and for the election to the Board of Gwyn Jones or
another person designated by Gwyn Jones.
On October 1, 1996, the Issuer entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization with Software Publishing Corporation ("SPC") and SPC Acquisition
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer, pursuant to which, among
other things, the Issuer agreed to (i) merge SPC Acquisition Corporation with
and into SPC and to issue Shares to the former stockholders of SPC and (ii) to
increase the number of directors comprising the Board of Directors of the Issuer
to eleven (11), two (2) of whom will be designated by SPC. This agreement and
the trasactions contemplated thereby have been unanimously approved by the Board
of Directors of the Issuer.
<PAGE>
Except for the actions described in the preceding paragraphs, Mr. Cinnamon has
no present plans or proposals which would result in a change in the present
Board or management of the Issuer. Mr. Cinnamon has no other present plans which
would result in a material change in the Issuer's business or corporate
structure.
Item 5: Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) As of the close of business on August 12, 1996:
(i) Mr. Cinnamon beneficially owns 869,820 Shares directly, which includes
an aggregate of 52,778 held by Barry A. Cinnamon as custodian for his children
under the New Jersey Uniform Gift to Minors Act. The number of Shares owned
directly by Mr. Cinnamon does not include (a) 60,520 shares of the Issuer's
Class B Voting Preferred Stock, each share of which has ten (10) votes on all
matters subject to a vote of stockholders, (b) options to purchase 39,744 Shares
granted to Mr. Cinnamon's wife, Lori Kramer Cinnamon, under the Issuer's 1994
Long Term Incentive Plan, which are not exercisable within the next sixty (60)
days as to which Mr. Cinnamon disclaims beneficial ownership, (c) options to
purchase 60,500 Shares granted to Mr. Cinnamon under the Issuer's 1994 Long Term
Incentive Plan which are not exercisable within the next 60 days or (d) the
1,000,000 Shares owned by the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement,
which 1,000,000 Shares include 184,708 Shares held by Mr. Cinnamon and Mark E.
Leininger as Trustees of the Serif (Europe) Limited Employee Share Ownership
Trust.
(ii) Mr. Jones beneficially owns 469,804 Shares, which includes 156,600
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to two escrow agreements among Mr.
Jones, the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Jones has
the right to vote.
(iii) Mr. Alexander beneficially owns 67,913 Shares, which includes 22,637
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to two escrow agreements among Mr.
Alexander, the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Alexander
has the right to vote.
(iv) Mr. James Bryce beneficially owns 26,250 Shares, which includes 8,750
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Bryce,
certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Bryce has the right
to vote.
(v) Mr. Beedham beneficially owns 51,276 Shares, which includes 17,092
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Beedham, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Beedham
has the right to vote.
(vi) Mr. Mellor beneficially owns 34,942 Shares, which includes 11,647
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Mellor, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Mellor has
the right to vote.
(vii) Espirit Automations beneficially owns 26,250 Shares, which includes
8,750 Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among
Espirit Automations, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares
Espirit Automations has the right to vote.
(viii) Mr. Gee beneficially owns 12,383 Shares, which includes 4,128 Shares
which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Gee, certain
other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Gee has the right to
vote.
<PAGE>
(ix) Mr. O'Mara beneficially owns 10,319 Shares, which includes 3,440
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
O'Mara, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. O'Mara has
the right to vote.
(x) Mr. Darvill beneficially owns 4,128 Shares, which includes 1,376 Shares
which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Darvill,
certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Darvill has the
right to vote.
(xi) Mr. Ramsey beneficially owns 4,128 Shares, which includes 1,376 Shares
which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Ramsey,
certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Ramsey has the right
to vote.
(xii) Mr. Daintree beneficially owns 4,128 Shares, which includes 1,376
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Daintree, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Daintree
has the right to vote.
(xiii) Mr. Brailsford beneficially owns 2,683 Shares, which includes 894
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Brailsford, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau,
Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr.
Brailsford has the right to vote.
(xiv) Mr. Harris beneficially owns 17,542 Shares, which includes 5,847
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Harris, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Harris has
the right to vote.
(xv) Ms. Regen beneficially owns 12,270 Shares, which includes 4,090 Shares
which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Ms. Regen,
certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Ms. Regen has the right
to vote.
(xvi) Mr. LaRocque beneficially owns 6,000 Shares, which includes 2,000
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
LaRocque, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. LaRocque
has the right to vote.
(xvii) Mr. Ossai beneficially owns 6,000 Shares, which includes 2,000
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Ossai,
certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Ossai has the right
to vote.
(xviii) Mr. Belodeau beneficially owns 3,000 Shares, which includes 1,000
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Belodeau, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Belodeau
has the right to vote.
(xix) Mr. Clough beneficially owns 3,000 Shares, which includes 1,000
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Clough, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Clough has
the right to vote.
<PAGE>
(xx) Mr. Jackson beneficially owns 3,000 Shares, which includes 1,000
Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Jackson, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Jackson
has the right to vote.
(xxi) Mr. Howe beneficially owns 4,000 Shares, which includes 1,334 Shares
which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr. Howe, certain
other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Howe has the right
to vote.
(xxii) Mr. Robin Bryce beneficially owns 23,138 Shares, which includes
7,712 Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Bryce, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Bryce has
the right to vote.
(xxiii) Mr. Wallace Bryce beneficially owns 23,138 Shares, which includes
7,712 Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement among Mr.
Bryce, certain other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Blau, Kramer,
Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which escrowed shares Mr. Bryce has
the right to vote.
(xxiv) Mr. Cinnamon and Mark E. Leininger, as Trustees of the Serif
(Europe) Limited Employee Share Ownership Trust beneficially own 184,708 Shares,
which includes 61,570 Shares which are held in escrow pursuant to an escrow
agreement among Mr. Cinnamon and Mark E. Leininger, as Trustees of the Serif
(Europe) Limited Stock Option Scheme, the other parties to the Stockholders'
Agreement and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as escrow agent, which
escrowed shares Mr. Cinnamon and Mark E. Leininger, as Trustees of the Serif
(Europe) Employee Share Ownership Trust, have the right to vote.
(b) (i) Mr. Cinnamon has sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of
the Shares beneficially owned by him.
(ii) Mr. Cinnamon and Mr. Leininger have shared power to dispose or direct
the disposition of the 123,138 Shares beneficially owned by them as Trustees of
the Serif (Europe) Employee Share Ownership Trust.
(c) On August 23, 1996, Mr. Cinnamon sold 42,946 of the Shares then owned
directly by him at a price of $6.00 per share in a transaction on NASDAQ.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, until July 31, 1998, (i) Mr. Cinnamon
has agreed to vote the Shares owned by him, and upon the conversion or
exchange of any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, the
Shares received upon such conversion or exchange, for the election to the Board
of Directors of the Issuer of Gwyn Jones or another person designated by Gwyn
Jones and (ii) each of the other persons who are parties to the Stockholders
Agreement have agreed to vote the Shares owned by him or her and, upon the
conversion or exchange of any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Shares, the Shares received upon such conversion or exchange, for the election
to the Board of the Issuer of the individuals nominated by the Board and for the
election to the Board of Gwyn Jones or another person designated by Gwyn Jones.
<PAGE>
Item 6: Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationship with Respect
to Securities of the Issuer.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, until July 31, 1998, Mr. Cinnamon and
each of the other parties thereto has agreed to vote the Shares owned by him
and, upon the conversion or exchange of any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for Shares, the Shares received upon such conversion or exchange,
for the election to the Board of the Issuer of the individuals nominated by the
Board and for the election to the Board of Gwyn Jones or another person
designated by Gwyn Jones.
Item 7: Exhibits.
1. Stockholders' Agreement among Barry A. Cinnamon, Gwyn Jones and the
Persons signatory thereto.
2. Escrow Agreement among Allegro New Media, Inc., Serif Inc., the Persons
signatory thereto and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., as Escrow
Agent.
3. Escrow Agreement among Allegro New Media, Inc., Serif (Europe) Limited,
the Persons signatory thereto and Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.,
as Escrow Agent.
4. Trust Deed establishing "The Serif (Europe) Employee Share Ownership
Trust."
5. Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Allegro New Media, Inc.,
SPC Acquisition Corporation and Software Publishing Corporation.
<PAGE>
Signature.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true complete and correct.
October 31, 1996
- ------------------------
Date
/s/ Barry A. Cinnamon
- ------------------------
Signature
- ------------------------
Name/Title
Attention: Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal
criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
relating to stock of
ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC.
DATED AS OF JULY 31, 1996
<PAGE>
1. PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. CERTAIN CORPORATE DOCUMENTS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. CURRENT OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5. RATIFICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
6. VALIDITY OF AGREEMENT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7. NOTICES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
9. MODIFICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
10. WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
11. GOVERNING LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
13. COUNTERPARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of July, 1996, by and among Barry A.
Cinnamon, Gwyn Jones and the persons whose signatures appear on the signature
pages hereto (all of the foregoing being hereinafter referred to collectively as
the "Stockholders" and each individually, a "Stockholder").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Stockholders own an aggregate 1,938,266 shares of the common
stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Stock") of Allegro New Media, Inc. (the
"Corporation"); and
WHEREAS, the Stockholders desire to provide for the orderly management of
the business and affairs of the Corporation, all upon the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK.
Effective July 31, 1996, each of the Stockholders owns, beneficially or of
record, the number of shares of Stock set forth next to his or her signature on
the signature page hereof.
2. CERTAIN CORPORATE DOCUMENTS.
The Stockholders acknowledge that they have reviewed and are familiar with
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Corporation, copies of which
are attached hereto as Exhibits "A" and "B", respectively.
3. CURRENT OPERATIONS.
Each party hereto hereby agrees that, as long as such party remains a
Stockholder of the Corporation, such party will vote and continue to vote the
Stock owned by such party in the Corporation as follows:
(a) Each of the Stockholders will vote the shares of Stock owned by him,
and upon the conversion or exchange of any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Stock, the shares of Stock received upon such
conversion or exchange, for the election to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation (the "Board") of the individuals nominated by the Board and for the
election to the Board of Gwyn Jones or another person designated by Gwyn Jones.
<PAGE>
(b) Barry A. Cinnamon will vote the shares of Stock owned by him, and upon
the conversion or exchange of any securities convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of Stock, the shares of Stock received upon such conversion or
exchange, for the election to the Board of Gwyn Jones or another person
designated by Gwyn Jones.
(c) The Stockholders agree and acknowledge that the affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by the Board as provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation and the By-laws of the Corporation.
4. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement shall terminate on the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(a) July 31, 1998;
(b) Cessation of the Corporation's business; or
(c) Bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of the Corporation.
5. CORPORATE ACTION.
By executing this Agreement, the Corporation and the Stockholders agree
that this Agreement shall be incorporated into the corporate minutes and bylaws,
and if amendment of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and/or bylaws
is necessary for any provisions of this Agreement to be legally enforceable, in
favor of such amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation and/or bylaws.
6. VALIDITY OF AGREEMENT.
In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be void
or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect.
7. NOTICES.
All notices required or agreed to be given hereunder by any party shall be
in writing and shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to the party intended to be notified at the addresses of
the respective parties as set forth on the signature page hereto. The date of
registration or certification shall be deemed the date of giving of the notice.
Notice given as aforesaid shall be sufficient service thereof. Any party may
change his or its address by giving notice thereof to the other parties by
registered or certified mail.
<PAGE>
8. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties, and their respective executors, administrators, personal
representatives, transferees, successors and assigns. If any person, firm or
corporation shall acquire any Stock of any Stockholder in any manner, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, such Stock shall be held subject to all of the
terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Stock, such person, firm
or corporation shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to
perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, that the
foregoing shall not be construed to apply to any purchaser of Stock in brokerage
transactions permitted by the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement of even date
between each Stockholder and the Corporation.
9. MODIFICATION.
This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by a
subsequent writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.
10. WAIVER.
A waiver of any breach or violation of any term, provision, agreement,
covenant or condition herein contained shall not be deemed to be a continuing
waiver or a waiver of any further or past breach or violation.
11. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
Any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be resolved in a state court of
the State of New York located within the counties of Nassau or Suffolk, or in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Each of
the parties hereto by executing this Agreement and accepting the benefits
hereof, hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding among the parties with
respect to the matters described herein and supersedes any prior understandings
and agreements between and among them respecting the subject matter of this
Agreement and any prior agreements among the Stockholders of the Corporation.
13. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
STOCKHOLDERS:
Number of
Shares of Stock Name
938,266 /s/Barry A. Cinnamon
Barry A. Cinnamon
Allegro New Media, Inc.
16 Passaic Avenue, Unit 6
Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
469,804 /s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones
Serif Inc.
One Chestnut Street
Nashua, New Hampshire 03601
67,913 /s/Norman Alexander-Attorney in Fact
Norman Alexander
Address:
26,250 /s/James Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
James Bryce
Address:
51,276 /s/Peter Beedham-Attorney-in-Fact
Peter Beedham
Address:
<PAGE>
34,942 /s/Ralf Mellor-Attorney-in-Fact
Ralf Mellor
Address:
26,250 /s/Esprit Automations-Attorney-in-Fact
Esprit Automations
Address:
12,383 /s/Mark Gee-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Gee
Address:
10,319 /s/Robert O'Mara-Attorney-in-Fact
Robert O'Mara
Address:
4,128 /s/Darren Darvill-Attorney-in-Fact
Darren Darvill
Address:
<PAGE>
4,128 /s/Mark Ramsey-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Ramsey
Address:
4,128 /s/Mark Daintree-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Daintree
Address:
2,683 /s/David Brailsford-Attorney-in-Fact
David Brailsford
Address:
17,542 /s/David Harris-Attorney-in-Fact
David Harris
Address:
12,270 /s/Ingrid Regen-Attorney-in-Fact
Ingrid Regen
Address:
6,000 /s/Michael LaRocque-Attorney-in-Fact
Michael LaRocque
Address:
<PAGE>
6,000 /s/Joseph Ossai-Attorney-in-Fact
Joseph Ossai
Address:
3,000 /s/Leo Belodeau-Attorney-in-Fact
Leo Belodeau
Address:
3,000 /s/Michael Clough-Attorney-in-Fact
Michael Clough
Address:
3,000 /s/Jay Jackson-Attorney-in-Fact
Jay Jackson
Address:
4,000 /s/David Garreth Howe-Attorney-in-Fact
David Garreth Howe
Address:
<PAGE>
23, 138 /s/Robin Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
Robin Bryce
Address:
23, 138 /s/Wallace Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
Wallace Bryce
Address:
184,708
Serif (Europe) Trustees Ltd.
Address:
EXHIBIT 2
ESCROW AGREEMENT
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of July 31, 1996 (the "Escrow Agreement"), by
and among ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Allegro"), SERIF
INC., a Delaware corporation ("Serif"), THE PERSONS WHOSE SIGNATURES APPEAR ON
THE SIGNATURE PAGE HEREOF (individually, a "Stockholder" and collectively, the
"Stockholders"), being the owners of all the issued and outstanding capital
stock of Serif, GWYN JONES (the "Stockholders' Representative), and BLAU,
KRAMER, WACTLAR & LIEBERMAN, P.C., as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Allegro, Serif and the Stockholders have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization (the "Reorganization Agreement") dated as of July 31,
1996, providing for, among other things, the exchange by the Stockholders and
Allegro of all the outstanding capital stock of Serif for 245,403 shares of the
common stock, par value $.001 per share, of Allegro (the "Exchange Stock"); and
WHEREAS, Section 3.3 of the Reorganization Agreement requires that Allegro,
Serif and the Stockholders agree to enter into this Escrow Agreement with the
Escrow Agent for the purpose of securing the indemnity obligations of the
Stockholders under Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein, Allegro, Serif, the Stockholders and the Escrow Agent agree that
all capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Reorganization Agreement and further agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. ESCROWED PROPERTY
1.01 Each of the Stockholders has this day delivered to the Escrow Agent
that number of Exchange Shares set forth next to his signature on the signature
page hereof, which Exchange Shares aggregate 80,467 shares (hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "Escrowed Property").
1.02 The Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt of negotiable certificates for
the Escrowed Property issued in the names of each of the Stockholders with blank
stock powers attached properly executed by the Stockholders, and the Escrow
Agent agrees to hold or dispose of the Escrowed Property and any other
collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement.
<PAGE>
1.03 All dividends and other distributions (whether of cash, securities or
other property) upon or in respect of any of the Escrowed Property and all
property receivable in substitution or exchange therefor shall be included with
and constitute part of the Escrowed Property.
ARTICLE II. APPLICATION OF ESCROWED PROPERTY
2.01 The Escrow Agent will hold the Escrowed Property in its possession
under the provisions of this Escrow Agreement until authorized hereunder to
deliver the Escrowed Property or any specified portion thereof as set forth in
Section 2.02 or Section 2.03.
2.02 The Escrow Agent shall distribute the amounts deposited as Escrowed
Property promptly upon delivery of and in accordance with (i) a joint written
notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative providing instructions
therein or (ii) written notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative
providing instructions therein and certifying that the dispute with respect to
any amount or amounts deposited in the escrow provided for herein has been
determined and resolved by entry of a final order, decree or judgment by a court
of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York (the time for appeal
therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected), or consent to
entry of any judgment concerning a claim, which notice shall be accompanied by a
copy of any such order, decree or judgment certified by the clerk of such court.
2.03 In the event that prior to May 1, 1998 (the "Termination Date"), the
Escrow Agent has not received notice of a claim for indemnification under
Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement which remains unresolved on the
Termination Date, the Escrow Agent shall distribute the Escrowed Property to the
Stockholders in proportion to the Escrowed Property which such Stockholder has
delivered to the Escrow Agent. In the event that on the Termination Date there
exists an unresolved claim, then in such event the Escrow Agent shall reserve
from the Escrowed Property an amount equal to the amount of the claim, as
determined in accordance with the provisions of Article IV hereof, and shall
distribute any remaining balance.
ARTICLE III. RELATED PROVISIONS
3.01 Upon the release and delivery of any amount of the Escrowed Property
to any party pursuant to this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall also
release and deliver to such party the pro rata portion of the interest, other
income or property so released, up to the date of such release and delivery,
attributable to such amount of the Escrowed Property being so released and
delivered.
3.02 In connection with the delivery of written notices to the Escrow Agent
by Allegro, the Stockholders' Representative, or both such parties, each such
written notice shall be signed by an officer of Allegro or the Stockholders'
Representative, or both, as appropriate, and shall accurately set forth in each
case:
<PAGE>
(a) the total amount that the Escrow Agent is thereby directed to
distribute out of the Escrowed Property;
(b) the party to whom, or the fund to which, the Escrow Agent is
thereby directed to distribute such amount; and
(c) the date upon which the Escrow Agent is directed to distribute
such amount; and such officer of Allegro or the Stockholders'
Representative, or both, as the case may be, shall certify as to the
compliance with such notice and the contents thereof.
The Escrow Agent may rely fully on the provisions set forth in any such written
notice which on its face complies with the provisions of Article II and this
Section 3.02.
ARTICLE IV. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
4.01 Any dispute which may arise between Allegro and the Stockholders'
Representative under this Escrow Agreement with respect to (a) the delivery,
ownership and/or right to possession of the Escrowed Property or any portion
thereof, (b) the facts upon which the Escrow Agent's determinations hereunder
are based, (c) the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder and (d) any other
questions arising under this Escrow Agreement, shall be settled either by (i) a
joint written notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative providing
instructions to the Escrow Agent therein or (ii) by entry of a final order,
decree or judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York
(the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been
perfected).
4.02 The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to institute or defend any
such proceedings and none of the costs and expenses of any such proceeding shall
be borne by the Escrow Agent. In the event the terms of a settlement of a
dispute hereunder increase the duties or liabilities of the Escrow Agent
hereunder and the Escrow Agent has not participated in such settlement so as to
be bound thereby, then such settlement shall be effective as to the Escrow Agent
in respect of such increase in its duties or liabilities only upon the Escrow
Agent's written assent thereto. Prior to the settlement of any disputes as
provided in this Article IV, the Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to
retain in its possession, without liability to anyone, such portion of the
Escrowed Property which is the subject of or involved in the dispute.
ARTICLE V. CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT.
5.01 The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services hereunder and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
<PAGE>
incurred or made by it in performance of its duties hereunder. Such reasonable
compensation, disbursement, expenses and advances shall be borne equally by
Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative and shall be paid promptly upon
request by the Escrow Agent.
5.02 The Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties
hereunder at any time by giving notice of such resignation to Allegro and
Stockholders' Representative specifying a date (not less than 30 days after the
giving of such notice) when such resignation shall take effect. Promptly after
such notice, Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative shall appoint a
mutually agreeable successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent to become
Escrow Agent hereunder upon the resignation date specified in such notice. If
Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative are unable to agree upon a
successor Escrow Agent with 30 days after such notice, the Escrow Agent shall
have the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a
successor, and the Escrow Agent shall continue to serve until its successor
accepts the escrow and receives the Escrowed Property.
5.03 The Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth herein. The Escrow Agent acting or refraining from acting
in good faith shall not be liable for any mistake of fact or error of judgment
by it or for any acts or omissions by it of any kind unless caused by negligence
or willful misconduct, and shall be entitled to rely, and shall be protected in
doing so, upon (a) any written notice, instrument or signature believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties
duly authorized to do so, and (b) the advice of counsel (which may be of the
Escrow Agent's own choosing, so long as such counsel is not counsel to Allegro
or the Stockholders' Representative). The Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility for the contents of any writing submitted to it hereunder and
shall be entitled in good faith to rely without any liability upon the contents
thereof. The Escrow Agent has no responsibilities under, and shall be deemed to
have no knowledge of, the provisions of the Reorganization Agreement.
5.04 Allegro and the Stockholders agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and
hold it harmless against any and all liabilities incurred by it hereunder as a
consequence of such indemnifying party's action and the Allegro and the
Stockholders further agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and hold it harmless
against any and all losses, costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Escrow
Agent which are not a consequence of its actions or failure to act, except, in
either case for liabilities incurred by the Escrow Agent resulting from its own
gross negligence or willful misconduct. One-half of the amount of any such
payment or indemnification shall be paid to the Escrow Agent by Allegro and the
other half of the amount of any such payment or indemnification shall be paid by
the Stockholders. The indemnification provided pursuant to this section shall
survive the resignation of the Escrow Agent or the termination of this Escrow
Agreement.
5.05 In the event the Escrow Agent becomes involved in any litigation or
dispute by reason hereof, it is hereby authorized to deposit with the clerk of a
court of competent jurisdiction the Escrowed Property held by it pursuant hereto
<PAGE>
and, thereupon, shall stand fully relieved and discharged of any further duties
hereunder. Also, in the event the Escrow Agent is threatened with litigation by
reason hereof, it is hereby authorized to interplead all interested parties in
any court of competent jurisdiction and to deposit with the clerk of such court
the Escrowed Property held by it pursuant hereto and, thereupon, shall stand
fully relieved and discharged of any further duties hereunder.
5.06 In the event of any claim, dispute or litigation concerning the
Reorganization Agreement or this Escrow Agreement, Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C. shall nevertheless have the unqualified right to represent
Allegro, its officers and directors in respect of any such claim, dispute or
litigation, notwithstanding that it is acting as Escrow Agent hereunder.
ARTICLE VI. STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE
6.01 The Stockholders, and each of them, hereby appoint Gwyn Jones (the
"Stockholders' Representative") as their agent to (i) execute and deliver this
Escrow Agreement on behalf of the Stockholders and to represent, act for and on
behalf of, and bind each of the Stockholders in the performance of all of their
obligations arising from or relating to this Escrow Agreement, including,
without limitation (a) the execution and delivery of any document, certificate
or agreement required under this Escrow Agreement to be delivered by the
Stockholders; (b) the negotiation and settlement of claims of Allegro in respect
of the Escrowed Property and for indemnification pursuant to Section 11 of the
Reorganization Agreement and the making of any objection to such claims; and (c)
the representation of the Stockholders at any arbitration or litigation in
respect of the foregoing; (ii) give and receive notices and receive service of
process under or pursuant to this Escrow Agreement; and (iii) to represent, act
for, and bind each of the Stockholders in the performance of all of their
obligations arising from or related to this Escrow Agreement and the
indemnification provisions of Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement. The
Stockholders' Representative hereby accepts such appointment.
6.02 In the event that the Stockholders' Representative shall die, become
incapacitated, resign or otherwise by unable to fulfill his duties hereunder, a
successor Stockholders' Representative shall be selected by the Stockholders
receiving a majority of the Escrowed Property as soon as reasonably practicable
thereafter. If the Stockholders desire to remove or replace the Stockholders'
Representative for any reason, any such Stockholders' Representative may be so
removed or replaced by the Stockholders entitled to receive a majority of the
Escrowed Property. Any decision, act, consent or instruction of the
Stockholders' Representative shall constitute a decision of the Stockholders and
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Stockholders, and Allegro and the
Escrow Agent may rely upon any such decision, act, consent or instruction of the
Stockholders' Representative as being the decision, act, consent or instruction
of the Stockholders.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS
7.01 This Escrow Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of,
and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties
hereto, but neither this Escrow Agreement, nor any of the rights, interest or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other parties, except with respect to the Escrow
Agent as provided in Article V hereof.
7.02 This Escrow Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to this subject matter, and may be amended only by a written
instrument duly executed by Allegro, Serif and the Stockholders' Representative.
7.03 All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other
communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall
be validly given, made or served, if in writing and delivered personally or sent
by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid,
recognized national or international air courier or by facsimile transmission
electronically confirmed:
if to Allegro:
Allegro New Media, Inc.
16 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, New Jersey 07006
Fax: (201) 808-2645
Attn.: Barry A. Cinnamon
Chairman of the Board
with a copy to:
Neil M. Kaufman, Esq.
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York ll753
Fax: (516) 822-4824
if to Serif, the Stockholders, or the Stockholders'
Representative, to the Stockholder's Representative:
Gwyn Jones
Serif Inc.
One Chestnut Street
Suite 305
Nashu, New Hampshire 03060
with a copy to:
Neil Schauer, Esq.
Deutsch Williams Brooks DeRensis Holland
& Drachman, P.C.
99 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110-1235
Fax: (617) 951-2323
<PAGE>
if to the Escrow Agent:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York ll753
Fax: (516) 822-4824
Attn.: Neil M. Kaufman, Esq.
or, in each case, at such other address as may be specified in writing to the
other parties.
7.04 This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its
conflicts of law rules.
7.05 This Escrow Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
7.06 This Escrow Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the
later of the Termination Date or the date the Escrow Agent shall have delivered
all of the Escrowed Property in its possession in accordance with the terms
hereof.
7.07 Article headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and
shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Escrow
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Escrow Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Allegro, Serif, the Stockholders and the Escrow Agent on the date
first above written.
ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/Barry A. Cinnamon
Barry A. Cinnamon
Chairman of the Board
SERIF INC.
By: /s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones, President
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDERS:
Number of
Exchanged Shares Name
67,377 /s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones
4,090 /s/Ingrid L. Regen
Ingrid Regen
2,000 /s/Norman Alexander-Attorney-in-Fact
Norman Alexander
2,000 /s/Michael LaRocque
Michael LaRocque
2,000 /s/Joseph Ossai
Joseph Ossai
1,000 /s/Leo Belodeau
Leo Belodeau
1,000 /s/Michael A. Clough
Michael Clough
1,334 /s/David Garreth Howe-Attorney-in-Fact
David Garreth Howe
1,000 /s/John L. Jackson, Jr.
John L. Jackson, Jr.
STOCKHOLDERS'
REPRESENTATIVE:
/s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones
ESCROW AGENT:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
By:/s/Neil M. Kaufman
ESCROW AGREEMENT
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of July 31, 1996 (the "Escrow Agreement"), by
and among ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Allegro"), SERIF
(EUROPE) LIMITED, an English Company with registered number 02117968 ("Serif"),
THE PERSONS WHOSE SIGNATURES APPEAR ON THE SIGNATURE PAGE HEREOF (individually,
a "Stockholder" and collectively, the "Stockholders"), being the owners of all
the issued and outstanding capital stock of Serif, GWYN JONES (the
"Stockholders' Representative"), and BLAU, KRAMER, WACTLAR & LIEBERMAN, P.C., as
escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Allegro, Serif and the Stockholders have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization (the "Reorganization Agreement") dated as of July 31,
1996, providing for, among other things, the exchange by the Stockholders and
Allegro of all the outstanding capital stock of Serif (other than the shares
held by Serif Inc.) for 754,597 shares of the common stock, par value $.001 per
share, of Allegro (the "Exchange Stock"); and
WHEREAS, Section 3.3 of the Reorganization Agreement requires that Allegro,
Serif and the Stockholders agree to enter into this Escrow Agreement with the
Escrow Agent for the purpose of securing the indemnity obligations of the
Stockholders under Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein, Allegro, Serif, the Stockholders and the Escrow Agent agree that
all capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Reorganization Agreement and further agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. ESCROWED PROPERTY
1.01 Each of the Stockholders has this day delivered to the Escrow Agent
that number of Exchange Shares set forth next to his signature on the signature
page hereof, which Exchange Shares aggregate 252,864 shares (hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "Escrowed Property").
1.02 The Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt of negotiable certificates for
the Escrowed Property issued in the names of each of the Stockholders with blank
stock powers attached properly executed by the Stockholders, and the Escrow
Agent agrees to hold or dispose of the Escrowed Property and any other
collateral in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement.
1.03 All dividends and other distributions (whether of cash, securities or
other property) upon or in respect of any of the Escrowed Property and all
property receivable in substitution or exchange therefor shall be included with
and constitute part of the Escrowed Property.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II. APPLICATION OF ESCROWED PROPERTY
2.01 The Escrow Agent will hold the Escrowed Property in its possession
under the provisions of this Escrow Agreement until authorized hereunder to
deliver the Escrowed Property or any specified portion thereof as set forth in
Section 2.02 or Section 2.03.
2.02 The Escrow Agent shall distribute the amounts deposited as Escrowed
Property promptly upon delivery of and in accordance with (i) a joint written
notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative providing instructions
therein or (ii) written notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative
providing instructions therein and certifying that the dispute with respect to
any amount or amounts deposited in the escrow provided for herein has been
determined and resolved by entry of a final order, decree or judgment by a court
of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York (the time for appeal
therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected), or consent to
entry of any judgment concerning a claim, which notice shall be accompanied by a
copy of any such order, decree or judgment certified by the clerk of such court.
2.03 In the event that prior to May 1, 1998 (the "Termination Date"), the
Escrow Agent has not received notice of a claim for indemnification under
Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement which remains unresolved on the
Termination Date, the Escrow Agent shall distribute the Escrowed Property to the
Stockholders' Representative or as he otherwise directs. In the event that on
the Termination Date there exists an unresolved claim, then in such event the
Escrow Agent shall reserve from the Escrowed Property an amount equal to the
amount of the claim, as determined in accordance with the provisions of Article
IV hereof, and shall distribute any remaining balance.
ARTICLE III. RELATED PROVISIONS
3.01 Upon the release and delivery of any amount of the Escrowed Property
to any party pursuant to this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall also
release and deliver to such party the pro rata portion of the interest, other
income or property so released, up to the date of such release and delivery,
attributable to such amount of the Escrowed Property being so released and
delivered.
3.02 In connection with the delivery of written notices to the Escrow Agent
by Allegro, the Stockholders' Representative, or both such parties, each such
written notice shall be signed by an officer of Allegro or the Stockholders'
Representative, or both, as appropriate, and shall accurately set forth in each
case:
(a) the total amount that the Escrow Agent is thereby directed to
distribute out of the Escrowed Property;
(b) the party to whom, or the fund to which, the Escrow Agent is
thereby directed to distribute such amount; and
<PAGE>
(c) the date upon which the Escrow Agent is directed to distribute
such amount; and such officer of Allegro or the Stockholders'
Representative, or both, as the case may be, shall certify as to the
compliance with such notice and the contents thereof.
The Escrow Agent may rely fully on the provisions set forth in any such written
notice which on its face complies with the provisions of Article II and this
Section 3.02.
ARTICLE IV. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
4.01 Any dispute which may arise between Allegro and the Stockholders'
Representative under this Escrow Agreement with respect to (a) the delivery,
ownership and/or right to possession of the Escrowed Property or any portion
thereof, (b) the facts upon which the Escrow Agent's determinations hereunder
are based, (c) the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder and (d) any other
questions arising under this Escrow Agreement, shall be settled either by (i) a
joint written notice of Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative providing
instructions to the Escrow Agent therein or (ii) by entry of a final order,
decree or judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York
(the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been
perfected).
4.02 The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to institute or defend any
such proceedings and none of the costs and expenses of any such proceeding shall
be borne by the Escrow Agent. In the event the terms of a settlement of a
dispute hereunder increase the duties or liabilities of the Escrow Agent
hereunder and the Escrow Agent has not participated in such settlement so as to
be bound thereby, then such settlement shall be effective as to the Escrow Agent
in respect of such increase in its duties or liabilities only upon the Escrow
Agent's written assent thereto. Prior to the settlement of any disputes as
provided in this Article IV, the Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to
retain in its possession, without liability to anyone, such portion of the
Escrowed Property which is the subject of or involved in the dispute.
ARTICLE V. CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT.
5.01 The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services hereunder and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred or made by it in performance of its duties hereunder. Such reasonable
compensation, disbursement, expenses and advances shall be borne equally by
Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative and shall be paid promptly upon
request by the Escrow Agent.
5.02 The Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties
hereunder at any time by giving notice of such resignation to Allegro and
Stockholders' Representative specifying a date (not less than 30 days after the
giving of such notice) when such resignation shall take effect. Promptly after
such notice, Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative shall appoint a
mutually agreeable successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent to become
Escrow Agent hereunder upon the resignation date specified in such notice. If
Allegro and the Stockholders' Representative are unable to agree upon a
successor Escrow Agent with 30 days after such notice, the Escrow Agent shall
have the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a
successor, and the Escrow Agent shall continue to serve until its successor
accepts the escrow and receives the Escrowed Property.
<PAGE>
5.03 The Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth herein. The Escrow Agent acting or refraining from acting
in good faith shall not be liable for any mistake of fact or error of judgment
by it or for any acts or omissions by it of any kind unless caused by gross
negligence or willful misconduct, and shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
protected in doing so, upon (a) any written notice, instrument or signature
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties duly authorized to do so, and (b) the advice of counsel (which
may be of the Escrow Agent's own choosing, so long as such counsel is not
counsel to Allegro or the Stockholders' Representative). The Escrow Agent shall
have no responsibility for the contents of any writing submitted to it hereunder
and shall be entitled in good faith to rely without any liability upon the
contents thereof. The Escrow Agent has no responsibilities under, and shall be
deemed to have no knowledge of, the provisions of the Reorganization Agreement.
5.04 Allegro and the Stockholders agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and
hold it harmless against any and all liabilities incurred by it hereunder as a
consequence of such indemnifying party's action and the Allegro and the
Stockholders further agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and hold it harmless
against any and all losses, costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Escrow
Agent which are not a consequence of its actions or failure to act, except, in
either case for liabilities incurred by the Escrow Agent resulting from its own
gross negligence or willful misconduct. One-half of the amount of any such
payment or indemnification shall be paid to the Escrow Agent by Allegro and the
other half of the amount of any such payment or indemnification shall be paid by
the Stockholders. The indemnification provided pursuant to this section shall
survive the resignation of the Escrow Agent or the termination of this Escrow
Agreement.
5.05 In the event the Escrow Agent becomes involved in any litigation or
dispute by reason hereof, it is hereby authorized to deposit with the clerk of a
court of competent jurisdiction the Escrowed Property held by it pursuant hereto
and, thereupon, shall stand fully relieved and discharged of any further duties
hereunder. Also, in the event the Escrow Agent is threatened with litigation by
reason hereof, it is hereby authorized to interplead all interested parties in
any court of competent jurisdiction and to deposit with the clerk of such court
the Escrowed Property held by it pursuant hereto and, thereupon, shall stand
fully relieved and discharged of any further duties hereunder.
5.06 In the event of any claim, dispute or litigation concerning the
Reorganization Agreement or this Escrow Agreement, Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C. shall nevertheless have the unqualified right to represent
Allegro, its officers and directors in respect of any such claim, dispute or
litigation, notwithstanding that it is acting as Escrow Agent hereunder.
ARTICLE VI. STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE
6.01 The Stockholders, and each of them, hereby appoint Gwyn Jones (the
"Stockholders' Representative") as their agent to (i) execute and deliver this
Escrow Agreement on behalf of the Stockholders and to represent, act for and on
behalf of, and bind each of the Stockholders in the performance of all of their
obligations arising from or relating to this Escrow Agreement, including,
without limitation (a) the execution and delivery of any document, certificate
or agreement required under this Escrow Agreement to be delivered by the
Stockholders; (b) the negotiation and settlement of claims of Allegro in respect
of the Escrowed Property and for indemnification pursuant to Section 11 of the
<PAGE>
Reorganization Agreement and the making of any objection to such claims; and (c)
the representation of the Stockholders at any arbitration or litigation in
respect of the foregoing; (ii) give and receive notices and receive service of
process under or pursuant to this Escrow Agreement; and (iii) to represent, act
for, and bind each of the Stockholders in the performance of all of their
obligations arising from or related to this Escrow Agreement and the
indemnification provisions of Section 11 of the Reorganization Agreement. The
Stockholders' Representative hereby accepts such appointment.
6.02 In the event that the Stockholders' Representative shall die, become
incapacitated, resign or otherwise by unable to fulfill his duties hereunder, a
successor Stockholders' Representative shall be selected by the Stockholders
receiving a majority of the Escrowed Property as soon as reasonably practicable
thereafter. If the Stockholders desire to remove or replace the Stockholders'
Representative for any reason, any such Stockholders' Representative may be so
removed or replaced by the Stockholders entitled to receive a majority of the
Escrowed Property. Any decision, act, consent or instruction of the
Stockholders' Representative shall constitute a decision of the Stockholders and
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Stockholders, and Allegro and the
Escrow Agent may rely upon any such decision, act, consent or instruction of the
Stockholders' Representative as being the decision, act, consent or instruction
of the Stockholders.
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS
7.01 This Escrow Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of,
and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties
hereto, but neither this Escrow Agreement, nor any of the rights, interest or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other parties, except with respect to the Escrow
Agent as provided in Article V hereof.
7.02 This Escrow Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to this subject matter, and may be amended only by a written
instrument duly executed by Allegro, Serif and the Stockholders' Representative.
7.03 All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other
communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall
be validly given, made or served, if in writing and delivered personally or sent
by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid,
recognized national or international air courier or by facsimile transmission
electronically confirmed:
if to Allegro:
Allegro New Media, Inc.
16 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, New Jersey 07006
Fax: (201) 808-2645
Attn.: Barry A. Cinnamon
Chairman of the Board
<PAGE>
with a copy to:
Neil M. Kaufman, Esq.
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York ll753
Fax: (516) 822-4824
if to Serif, the Stockholders, or the Stockholders'
Representative, to the Stockholder's Representative:
Gwyn Jones
Serif Inc.
One Chestnut Street
Suite 305
Nashu, New Hampshire 03060
with a copy to:
Austin J. Moore, Esq.
Eking Manning
44 The Ropewalk
Nottingham NG1 5EL
Fax: (011) 44-115-953-2533
if to the Escrow Agent:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York ll753
Fax: (516) 822-4824
Attn.: Neil M. Kaufman, Esq.
or, in each case, at such other address as may be specified in writing to the
other parties.
7.04 This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its
conflicts of law rules.
7.05 This Escrow Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
7.06 This Escrow Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the
later of May 1, 1998 or the date the Escrow Agent shall have delivered all of
the Escrowed Property in its possession in accordance with the terms hereof.
7.07 Article headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and
shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Escrow
Agreement.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Escrow Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Allegro, Serif, the Stockholders and the Escrow Agent on the date
first above written.
ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/Barry A. Cinnamon
Barry A. Cinnamon
Chairman of the Board
SERIF INC.
By:/s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones, President
STOCKHOLDERS'
REPRESENTATIVE:
/s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones
ESCROW AGENT:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
By:/s/Neil M. Kaufman
Number of
Exchanged Shares STOCKHOLDER
89,223 /s/Gwyn Jones
Gwyn Jones
20,637 /s/Norman Alexander-Attorney-in-Fact
Norman Alexander
8,750 /s/Jim Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
Jim Bryce
17,092 /s/Peter Beedham
Peter Beedham
11,647 /s/Ralf Mellor-Attorney-in-Fact
Ralf Mellor
8,750 /s/Espirit Automations-Attorney-in-Fact
Esprit Automations
<PAGE>
4,128 /s/Mark Gee-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Gee
3,440 /s/Robert O'Mara-Attorney-in-Fact
Robert O'Mara
1,376 /s/Darren Darvill-Attorney-in-Fact
Darren Darvill
1,376 /s/Mark Ramsey-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Ramsey
1,376 /s/Mark Daintree-Attorney-in-Fact
Mark Daintree
894 /s/David Brailsford-Attorney-in-Fact
David Brailsford
5,847 /s/David Harrris-Attorney-in-Fact
David Harris
7,712 /s/Robin Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
Robin Bryce
7,712 /s/Wallace Bryce-Attorney-in-Fact
Wallace Bryce
61,570
Serif (Europe) Trustees Limited
/s/Barry A. Cinnamon
Barry A. Cinnamon
Co-Trustee of the Serif (Europe) Limited
Employee Share Option Scheme
Dated as of July 31, 1996
(1) SERIF (EUROPE) LIMITED
- and -
(2) BARRY CINNAMON and MARK LEININGER
TRUST DEED establishing
"The Serif (Europe) Employee
Share Ownership Trust"
Travers Smith Braithwaite
10 Snow Hill
London EC1A 2AL
Tel: 0171-248 9133
<PAGE>
THIS DEED is made on 1996
BETWEEN:-
(1) SERIF (EUROPE) LIMITED ("Serif") whose registered office is at 1
Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7LJ
(2) MARK LEININGER of 27 Liberty Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey and BARRY
CINNAMON of 25 Oldchester Road, Essex Falls, New Jersey (together "the
Original Trustees")
WHEREAS:-
(A) Serif wishes to establish this Trust as an employees' share scheme within
the meaning of section 743 of the Companies Act 1985 for encouraging the holding
of shares in Serif by employees of Serif and its subsidiaries with a view to
facilitating the recruitment retention and motivation of employees of Serif and
its subsidiaries
(B) Serif has transferred the sum of $5.00 into the name of the Original
Trustees for the like purposes and Serif and other persons may for the like
purposes from time to time pay transfer or place further property into the name
or under the control of the Trustees
(C) It is contemplated that the Original Trustees will acquire shares in Serif
(D) It is contemplated that Serif will provide financial assistance to the
Trustees for the purposes of the Trust as permitted by section 153(4) of the
Companies Act 1985
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSES as follows:-
<PAGE>
1. Name of Trust
This Trust shall be known as "The Serif (Europe) Employee Share Ownership Trust"
or by such other name as the Trustees shall from time to time consider to be
appropriate
2. Definitions and interpretation
In this Deed:-
(1) "the Beneficiaries" means the Employees and former Employees from time to
time and the wives husbands widows widowers and children and step-children
under the age of eighteen of such Employees or former Employees and for
the purposes of establishing whether or not any individual is a
Beneficiary the Trustee may rely on any information provided to them by
the Company
(2) "the Committee" means the member or members for the time being of the
committee (if any) constituted in accordance with clause 17
(3) "the Company" means Serif or any successor corporation of that company in
circumstances in which substantially the whole of the undertaking assets
and liabilities of Serif pass to the successor corporation and it is
specified as such in a deed executed by Serif the Trustee and the
successor corporation
(4) "the Companies Act 1985" means the Companies Act 1985
(5) "deed" means any instrument in writing
(6) "Employee" means a bona fide employee of any member of the Company and
any Subsidiary or the holding company of the Company
(7) "Shares" means fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company
(or such other shares as may represent the same as a result of any
reorganisation reconstruction or other variation of the Company) and shall
be deemed to include any shares issued by way of capitalisation of
reserves (including any share premium account and any capital redemption
reserve fund) directly or indirectly in right of such Shares
(8) "Subsidiary" means a company which is both subject to the control of the
Company within the meaning of section 840 of the Taxes Act and a
subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of section 736 of the
Companies Act 1985.
(9) "the Taxes Act" means the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988
(10) "trust" means any trust created by any settlement declaration of trust
will or codicil or other instrument under the law in force in any part of
the world
(11) "the Trustee" means the Original Trustees or the trustees or trustee duly
appointed from time to time under this Deed
<PAGE>
(12) "the Trust Fund" means the property specified in Schedule 1 all property
at any time added to this Deed by way of further settlement accumulation
of income capital accretion or by any other means and all property from
time to time representing the same
(13) "the Trust Period" means the period ending on the earlier of:-
(a) the last day of the period of twenty years from the date of this Deed
which period (and no other) shall be the perpetuity period applicable
to this Deed
(b) such date as the Trustee shall by deed specify (not being earlier
than the date of such deed) and so that the Trustee may specify a
date in respect of part only of the Trust Fund and may at any
subsequent time or times specify another date or dates in respect of
other parts or the whole of the residue of the Trust Fund
(14) "employees" "bona fide employees" "wives" "husbands" "widows" "widowers"
"children" and "step-children" have the same meanings as those used in
section 743 of the Companies Act 1985
(15) "associated company" means a company which is associated with the Company
within the meaning of section 416(1) of the Taxes Act
(16) "person" includes a corporation
(17) "persons beneficially interested in this Deed" includes the Beneficiaries
(18) a person shall be deemed to be interested in a trust if any capital or
income comprised in the trust is or may become liable to be paid
transferred applied or appointed to him or for his benefit either pursuant
to the terms of the trust or in consequence of an exercise of any power or
discretion conferred thereby on any person
(19) words importing one gender shall (where appropriate) include any other
gender and words importing the singular shall (where appropriate) include
the plural and vice versa
(20) references to any statute or statutory instrument or to any part or parts
thereof include any modification amendment or re-enactment thereof for the
time being in force
(21) references to any deed agreement document or instrument (including this
Deed) shall be construed as references to that deed agreement document or
instrument as from time to time amended supplemented or varied
3. Employees' share scheme
The Trust shall be an employees' share scheme of the Company within the meaning
of section 743 of the Companies Act 1985
<PAGE>
4. Trust for sale
The Trustee shall hold the Trust Fund upon trust as to investments or
property other than money to sell call in or convert into money all or any of
such investments or property but with power to postpone such sale calling in or
conversion and to permit the same to remain as invested and upon trust as to
money at their discretion to invest the same in their names or under their
control in any of the investments authorised by this Deed or by law with power
at their discretion from time to time to vary or transpose any such investments
for others so authorised
5. Power of appointment
(1) The Trustee shall hold the Trust Fund and any income thereof upon such
trusts and with and subject to such charges powers and provisions in
favour or for the benefit of all or any one or more exclusively of the
others or other of the Beneficiaries as the Trustee shall in its
discretion at any time or times during the Trust Period by any deed or
deeds revocable or irrevocable appoint (regard being had to the law
relating to remoteness and perpetuities) and in any such deed or deeds the
Trustee may:-
(a) direct that the Trust Fund or any part or parts thereof shall be
transferred to or paid to or held by any two or more persons in any
part of the world as trustees thereof (whose receipt shall be a good
discharge to any other trustee)
(b) rovide for the appointment or remuneration of trustees on any terms
and conditions
(c) direct or authorise the investment in any manner of the Trust Fund
or any part or parts thereof by or at the discretion of any person
(d) create protective or discretionary trusts or powers operative or
exercisable at the discretion of any person
(e) confer upon the Trustee or any other person or persons powers
exercisable over capital or income (including powers of an
administrative character or concerning the appointment or
remuneration of trustees and whether or not the Trustee on the same
occasion appoints any new or varied beneficial trusts in relation to
the Trust Fund or any part thereof)
(f) direct or authorise accumulation of income during such period or
periods as the law may allow
(g) delegate in any manner and to any extent to any person the exercise
at any time or times within the Trust Period of this power of
appointment
(h) generally make or confer in favour or for the benefit of all or any
of the objects of this power of appointment all such dispositions
charges or powers of or in relation to the Trust Fund and the income
thereof or any part or parts thereof respectively as an absolute
owner could lawfully make of or confer in relation to any property
belonging to him beneficially (regard being had to the law relating
to remoteness and perpetuities)
<PAGE>
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by
sub-clause (1) the Trustee may in exercise of those powers direct
that the whole or any part or parts of the capital of the Trust Fund
shall be paid or transferred to the trustee for the time being of any
trust established or existing in any part of the world under which
any one or more of the Beneficiaries are interested and under which
no person who is not a Beneficiary is would or might become
beneficiaries or able to benefit under or by virtue of such other
trust in any circumstances if the Trustee considers such payment or
transfer to be for the benefit of such one or more of the
Beneficiaries
(3) No exercise of the powers conferred by this clause shall invalidate
any prior payment or application of the Trust Fund or the income
thereof or any parts or part thereof respectively made under any
other power conferred by this Deed or by law
6. Discretionary trusts of capital and income in default of appointment
In default of and until and subject to any and every appointment made in
exercise of the powers conferred by clause 5 the Trustee shall during the Trust
Period pay or apply the income of the Trust Fund and may pay or apply the
capital of the Trust Fund to or for the benefit of all or any one or more
exclusively of the others or other of the Beneficiaries for the time being in
existence in such shares in such manner and on such terms and conditions (if
any) as the Trustee shall from time to time think fit PROVIDED that:-
(1) no such payment or application shall give the Beneficiary to whom or for
whose benefit it is made any right to enjoy any future income of the Trust
Fund or to the capital of the Trust Fund
(2) the Trustee may pay any capital or income to any person to be applied
for any purposes hereby authorised without itself being bound to see to
the actual application thereof and may delegate to any person and to any
extent the exercise of the discretionary trust contained in this clause
(3) the Trustee may (notwithstanding the discretionary trust contained in
this clause) during the Trust Period if it thinks fit from time to time
accumulate the whole or any part of the income of the Trust Fund by
investing the same and the resulting income thereof in any manner
authorised by this Deed and adding the accumulations to the capital of
the Trust Fund
7. Default trust
In default of and subject to any and every exercise of the powers conferred
by the preceding clauses the Trust Fund and the income thereof shall at the end
of the Trust Period be held UPON TRUST for such of the Employees as shall be
living at the end of the Trust Period and if more than one in equal shares
8. Ultimate default trust
(1) Subject to all the trusts powers and provisions of this Deed and if and
so far as (for any reason) not wholly disposed of thereby the Trust Fund and the
income thereof shall be held UPON TRUST for Save the Children Fund (registered
charity No. 213890)
<PAGE>
(2) The receipt of the person who purports to be the treasurer or other
duly authorised officer of Save the Children Fund for any payment or application
of the Trust Fund or the income thereof made by the Trustee in accordance with
this clause shall be a complete discharge to the Trustee who shall not be
concerned as to the further application of such capital or income
9. Acquisition and Disposal of Shares
(1) The Trustee may apply such part of the Trust Fund as it thinks fit in
the purchase or acquisition of Shares but in the event that the Committee is in
existence at the time it shall only do so after consultation with the Committee
2) The Trustee may sell any Share for the time being comprised in the
Trust Fund to any Beneficiary at such price as it thinks fit
(3) If the Committee is in existence at the time the Trustee shall not sell
mortgage charge pledge grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares for the
time being comprised in the Trust Fund without previously consulting the
Committee provided that if the Committee were consulted on the grant of an
option or other award relating to Shares to a Beneficiary the Trustee need not
consult the Committee prior to transferring the Shares in satisfaction of the
option or other award
10. Awards and Options
(1) The Trustee may acquire Shares from or transfer Shares to any of the
Beneficiaries or hold Shares on behalf of any Beneficiary after consideration of
the recommendations of the Committee with regard to Beneficiaries
(2) The Trustee may grant options to any of the Beneficiaries to purchase
any property comprised in the Trust Fund on such terms and conditions as the
Trustee thinks fit
(3) The Trustee may agree with the Company that if the Company shall at any
time by notice in writing direct the Trustee to transfer to any Beneficiary any
number of shares in respect of which such Beneficiary shall have exercised an
option granted under a share option scheme adopted by such member of the Company
in consideration of the payment to the Trustee of the price at which such shares
may be acquired by the exercise of such option the Trustee will (to the extent
that such shares shall be comprised in the Trust Fund) transfer to such
Beneficiary such shares in consideration of the payment to the Trustee of such
price
11. Waiver of dividends
The Trustee shall waive or otherwise forgo any dividends to be paid at any
time on any Shares for the time being comprised in the Trust Fund (and any
shares replacing them following an exchange of shares on the acquisition of the
Company) if the rate at which such dividend is to be paid is more than 0.001p
per share unless and to the extent that the Trustee is otherwise directed by the
Company
12. Recommendations of the Committee
The Trustee may consider but shall be under no obligation to comply with
any recommendation made to it by the Committee about the way in which it should
<PAGE>
exercise any power authority or discretion conferred on it by this Deed or by
law if the Trustee is not required by any provision of this Deed to obtain the
written consent of the Committee before exercising it
13. Administrative provisions
The Trustee shall in addition and without prejudice to all statutory powers
authorities discretions and immunities have the powers authorities discretions
and immunities set out in Schedule 2
14. Indemnity from the Company
The Company hereby covenants that it will at all times keep the Trustee and
each of them and their respective personal representatives and estates and the
members of the Committee and each of them and their respective personal
representatives and estates saved harmless and indemnified against any costs
expenses or liabilities whatever for which they shall as trustees hereof or as
members of the Committee be or become liable by virtue of any act omission event
or thing whatever unless such costs expenses or liabilities shall be
attributable to the fraud, wilful misconduct or gross negligence of the Trustee
or of the member of the Committee whom it is sought to make liable save in each
such case to the extent that the Trustee is authorised by this Deed or by law to
discharge such costs expenses or liability from the capital or income of the
Trust Fund
15. Number of Trustees and appointment and removal of Trustee
(1) The minimum number of Trustees of this Deed (or of any part of the
Trust Fund in respect of which a separate set of trustees has been appointed)
shall be:-
(a) a corporate trustee resident in any part of the world; or
(b) two individuals
(2) If the number of Trustees is reduced below the minimum number the
surviving or continuing Trustee may exercise the powers authorities and
discretions conferred hereby or by law on the Trustee with the consent in
writing of the Committee (if it be in existence at the time) until the
appointment of an additional trustee or additional trustees to act jointly with
such surviving or continuing Trustee
(3) The statutory power of appointing new or additional trustees as
modified by this clause shall apply to this Deed and shall be exercisable by the
Company but if the Committee is in existence at the time may only be exercised
with the consent in writing of the Committee
(4) The statutory power of appointing new or additional trustees shall be
modified as follows:-
(a) where new or additional trustees are appointed for the whole or any
part of the Trust Fund the new or additional trustees may include any
person notwithstanding that such person may be resident domiciled
carrying on business or (if a body corporate) incorporated outside
the United Kingdom
<PAGE>
(b) the statutory power of appointing new trustees shall not be
exercisable by reason only that a trustee remains out of the United
Kingdom for more than twelve months
(c) the statutory power of appointing additional trustees shall be
exercisable notwithstanding that one of the trustees for the time
being is a trust corporation
(5) The Company may by deed remove any person from the office of Trustee
but in the event that the Committee is in existence at the time it shall only do
so with the consent in writing of the Committee provided that if after such
removal there would be less than the minimum number of Trustees the Company
shall at the same time appoint an additional trustee or additional trustees in
accordance with sub-clauses (3) and (4)
16. Trustees' proceedings
The Trustees (if more than one) may meet together and may make such
regulations for the conduct of their business as they think fit
17. The Committee
(1) The first member or members of the Committee shall be the person or
persons nominated by notice in writing given by the Company to the Trustee
(2) Other persons may become members of the Committee on nomination by
notice in writing to the Trustee and the Company of:-
(a) the member or if there shall be more than one member the majority
of the members for the time being of the Committee; or
(b) the Company if there shall be no such member or members
(3) A person shall cease to be a member of the Committee:-
(a) if he gives not less than fourteen days' notice in writing to the
Company the other members of the Committee and the Trustee that he
wishes to retire therefrom;
(b) immediately if he is asked in writing to resign by all the other
members of the Committee;
(c) immediately if he becomes prohibited by law from being a director
of any company;
(d) immediately if he becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or
composition withhis creditors;
(e) immediately if he is or may be suffering from any mental disorder and
an order is made by a court having jurisdiction (whether in the
Island of Guernsey or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental
disorder for his detention or the appointment of a receiver or a
curator bonis or other person to exercise powers in respect of his
property or his affairs
<PAGE>
(4) The Company and the members of the Committee shall promptly notify each
other and the Trustee in writing of any change in the membership of the
Committee and the Trustee may rely on such notification without further enquiry
(5) Any notice required to be given hereunder by the Trustee to the
Committee shall be given to any member for the time being thereof at the
registered office of the Company or at such other address as may from time to
time be notified in writing to the Trustee by the Committee
(6) Any notice given by the Committee to the Trustee shall be given to the
Trustee at the address specified at the beginning of this Deed or at such other
address as may from time to time be notified in writing to the Committee by the
Trustee
(7) The members of the Committee shall be entitled to be remunerated by the
Trustee from the capital or income of the Trust Fund for the services provided
by them hereunder at such rate as shall be determined by the Trustee from time
to time
(8) One person may constitute the Committee
(9) The Committee may make such regulations for the conduct of their
business as they shall think fit
(10) The Trustee may rely without further enquiry on any certificate signed
by a member of the Committee as to the decision of the Committee and any
decision so certified shall be deemed to be validly made
(11) All acts done by the Committee or by any person acting as a member of
the Committee shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered there was a
defect in the appointment of any member of the Committee or if any of them were
disqualified from holding office or had vacated office or were not entitled to
participate in making any decision of the Committee be as valid as if every such
person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a
member of the Committee and had been entitled to participate in making such
decision
18. Proper law and administrative forum
(1) The proper law of this Deed shall be that of the England and Wales and
all rights under this Deed and its construction and effect shall be subject to
the jurisdiction of and construed according to the law of the England and Wales
(2) The courts of the England and Wales shall be the forum for the
administration of these trusts
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) but subject to
the provisions of sub-clause (4):-
(b) the Trustees may (regard being had to the law relating to remoteness)
carry on the general administration of these trusts in any
jurisdiction in the world whether or not such jurisdiction is for the
<PAGE>
time being the proper law of this Deed or the courts of such
jurisdiction are for the time being the forum for the administration
of these trusts and whether or not the Trustees or any of them are
for the time being resident or domiciled in or otherwise connected
with such jurisdiction
(b) the Trustees may at any time declare in writing that from the date of
such declaration the proper law of this Deed shall be that of any
specified jurisdiction (not being a jurisdiction under the law of
which this Deed would be capable of revocation) and that all rights
under this Deed and its construction and effect shall be subject to
and construed according to the law of that jurisdiction
(c) the Trustees may at any time declare in writing from the date of such
declaration the forum for the administration of these trusts shall be
the courts of any specified jurisdiction
(4) The powers conferred on the Trustees by sub-clause (3) shall not be
exercisable if and in so far as such exercise would:-
(a) result in any change in the persons who are beneficially interested
hereunder or make it possible for any person thereafter to become
beneficially interested hereunder who could not have done so but for
the declaration or make it impossible for any person hereafter to
become beneficially interested hereunder who could have done so but
for the declaration or
(b) render any of the trusts powers or provisions of this Deed void for
remoteness or any other reason
but otherwise shall have effect according to the exercise hereof
19. Restrictions on powers
Notwithstanding anything contained or implied in this Deed none of the
powers authorities or discretions conferred by this Deed or by law on the
Trustee or on any other person shall at any time or in any circumstances be
exercisable in any manner so as directly or indirectly:-
(1) to cause any part of the capital or income of the Trust Fund to become
payable or applicable for the benefit of any member of the Group or of any
associated company or any of its subsidiaries or
(2) to prevent this Trust from qualifying as an employees' share scheme within
the meaning of section 743 of the Companies Act 1985 or section 86 of the
Inheritance Tax Act 1984 from applying to the trusts declared in this Deed
from the date hereof
(3) to authorise the Trustee to carry on any activity which is prohibited by
the Financial Services Act 1986 or any rules or regulations made
thereunder
<PAGE>
20. Amendment
The Company and the Trustee may at any time from time to time by a deed
supplemental hereto modify or amend the provisions of this Deed provided that no
such purported amendment shall be effective if as a result:-
(1) this Trust would cease to be an employees' share scheme within the
definition contained in Section 743 of the Companies Act 1985; or
(2) this Trust would cease to be a trust which satisfies the conditions
set out in Section 86 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (trusts for
benefit of employees); or
(3) the trust period would extend beyond the perpetuity period specified
in this Deed.
21. Headings
The headings are included for reference only and do not affect the
interpretation of this Deed
22. Execution
This Deed may be executed in two or more parts or copies and execution by
each of the parties by one or more such parts or copies will constitute due
execution of this Deed
IN WITNESS whereof this document has been executed as a deed and delivered
on the day and year first above written
SCHEDULE 1
The original Trust Fund
44,750 (forty-four thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds)
SCHEDULE 2
Administrative Provisions
1. Power of investment
(1) Any moneys to be invested may be applied in the purchase or acquisition
of such shares stock funds securities land buildings chattels or other property
of whatever nature and wherever situate and whether involving liabilities or
producing income or not or in making such loans with or without such security as
the Trustee thinks fit so that the Trustee shall have the same powers in all
respects as if it were the absolute owner beneficially entitled
(2) The acquisition of any reversionary interest any policy of insurance of
whatever nature any annuity security or other investments not producing income
or of a wasting nature (or for any other reason not within the meaning of the
word "investment" strictly construed) shall be deemed to be an authorised
investment of trust moneys if the Trustee considers the same to be for the
benefit of any one or more of the persons beneficially interested in this Deed
<PAGE>
(3) When any such reversionary interest policy annuity security or
investment as is described in sub-paragraph (2) or when any other security or
investment is sold with the right to receive the dividend or interest accrued or
accruing no part of any accretion to the value or of any premium bonus or other
sum which accrues or is payable when the same falls into possession or is
redeemed or matures or on repayment of the capital moneys so secured or when any
sale or disposal is made shall be apportionable to or be treated as income
(4) The Trustee may exchange property for other property of a like or
different nature and for such consideration and on such conditions as they think
fit
2. Power to enter into agreements
The Trustees may enter into any agreement with the Company or any
Subsidiary or any associated company or any third party not connected herewith
and may enter into any agreement with any Beneficiary as it shall in its
discretion determine.
3. No requirement to diversify investments
The Trustee may invest the Trust Fund and keep it invested at any time in
the Shares whether or not the Shares would then be regarded as a proper
investment of the Trust Fund and shall not be required to diversify the
investment of the Trust Fund or be liable for the consequences of investing or
keeping the Trust Fund invested in or in the shares or obligations of a single
business company or firm or in one asset or in one type of asset
4. No requirement to invest in income producing investments
No person beneficially interested in this Deed shall be entitled:-
(1) to compel the sale or other realisation of any property which does not
produce income
(2) to require the distribution of any dividend by any company in which the
Trust Fund or any part of it is invested
(3) to require the Trustee to exercise any powers it may have of compelling
such distribution
(4) to insist on the investment of any part of the Trust Fund in property
which produces income
5. Power to lend
The Trustee may lend money or property forming part of the Trust Fund to
any one or more of the persons beneficially interested in this Deed either free
of interest or on such terms as to payment of interest and generally as the
Trustee thinks fit
6. Power to borrow
The Trustee may borrow and raise money either without security or on the
security of the Trust Fund or any part of it for any purpose (including the
investment of the moneys so raised as part of the Trust Fund) and may mortgage
<PAGE>
charge or pledge the Trust Fund or any part of it as security for any moneys so
raised and may decide whether any interest which may be payable as a result of
the exercise of this power shall be paid out of the capital or income of the
Trust Fund or such part of the Trust Fund and may guarantee the payment of money
and the performance of obligations in respect of borrowings by any company fully
or partly owned by the Trustee and in connection with such guarantees may enter
into such indemnities and such mortgages charges or pledges of the Trust Fund or
any part of the Trust Fund as the Trustee thinks fit
7. Power to give guarantees
The Trustee may guarantee the payment of money and the performance of
obligations in respect of any existing or future borrowings by any person
beneficially interested in this Deed from third parties or guarantees
indemnities or other commitments of like nature given to third parties by any
such person and (without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph) the
Trustee may mortgage charge or pledge the Trust Fund or any part of it in
support of any such guarantee given by the Trustee and may enter into such
indemnities as the Trustee thinks fit in connection with any such guarantee
8. Power to enter into put and call options
The Trustee may enter into put and call option arrangements and invest the
Trust Fund in the acquisition of property pursuant to such put and call option
arrangements even if the price payable under any such arrangements differs from
the market price for the time being of the property acquired thereunder and
notwithstanding that the same may result in a loss to the Trust Fund and may
make any ancillary agreement with any person in connection with such put call
option arrangements
9. Powers in relation to real property
When the Trust Fund includes any real or immovable property (in this
paragraph referred to as "the land"):-
(1) The Trustee may lease all or any part of the land for any purpose (whether
involving waste or not) and for any term and either wholly or partly in
consideration of a rent (whether fixed or variable) fine or premium or the
erection improvement or repair or any agreement to erect improve or repair
buildings or other structures on the land and may accept (with or without
consideration) the surrender of any lease of all or any part of the land
(2) The Trustee may in executing any trust for sale or power of sale sell all
or any part of the land either wholly or partly in consideration of an
annual sum payable either in perpetuity or for any term and being either
reserved out of the land sold or secured in such manner as the Trustee
thinks fit
(3) The Trustee may in executing any trust for sale power of sale or power
of leasing:-
(a) sell or lease all or any part of the land and divide the land
horizontally vertically or in any other way
(b) sell lease except or reserve any easement right or privilege over
all or any part of the land
<PAGE>
(c) sell lease except or reserve any timber or mines or minerals on or in
or under all or any part of the land together with any easement right
or privilege of cutting or working and carrying away the same or
otherwise incidental to or connected with forestry or mining purposes
(d) impose and make binding for the benefit of all or any part of the
land sold or leased any restriction or stipulation as to user or
otherwise affecting all or any part of the land retained
(e) accept in exchange for all or any part of the land to be sold or
leased (either with or without any money paid or received for
equality of exchange) any other real or immovable property or any
lease
(f) enter into any contract or grant any option for the sale or leasing
of all or any part of the land or for the exercise by the Trustee of
any of the powers conferred by this paragraph
(4) The Trustee shall not be bound to see to nor be liable or accountable for
omitting or neglecting to see to the maintenance or repair of the land or
of any building or other structure on the land or to the payment of any
outgoings relating to the land or such building or other structure but may
maintain or repair the same in such manner and to such extent as the
Trustee thinks fit
(5) The Trustee may expend moneys altering improving or developing the land or
any building or other structure on the land (including erecting enlarging
demolishing or rebuilding the same) in such manner and to such extent as
it thinks fit
10. Powers in relation to chattels
When the Trust Fund includes any chattels (in this paragraph referred to as
"the chattels"):-
(1) The Trustee may sell lease hire deposit store or otherwise deal with the
chattels on such terms as it thinks fit
(2) The Trustee shall not be bound to see to nor be liable or accountable for
omitting or neglecting to see to the safe custody maintenance or repair
of the chattels but may see to the safe custody maintenance or repair of
the chattels in such manner and to such extent as it thinks fit
11. Power to permit occupation of property and enjoyment of chattels
The Trustee may permit any person beneficially interested in this Deed to
occupy or reside in any real or immovable property or to have the enjoyment and
use of any chattels or other movable property which or the proceeds of sale of
which are comprised in the Trust Fund on such terms as to payment of rent rates
taxes and other expenses and outgoings and as to insurance repair and decoration
and generally on such terms as the Trustee thinks fit
12. Power to insure property
The Trustee may insure any property comprised in the Trust Fund against any
loss or damage from any risk for any amount and may pay the premiums in respect
<PAGE>
of such insurance out of the capital or income of the Trust Fund as the Trustee
thinks fit provided that the Trustee shall not be bound to see to nor be liable
or accountable for omitting or neglecting to see to such insurance or for the
adequacy of such insurance
13. Powers in relation to life insurance policies
The Trustee may apply any part of the capital of the Trust Fund in
effecting acquiring or maintaining any policy of insurance (in this paragraph
referred to as "the policy") on the life of any person (whether term endowment
whole life or accident) and the Trustee may:-
(1) borrow on the security of the policy for any purpose
(2) convert the policy into a fully paid-up policy for a reduced sum insured
free from payment of future premiums
(3) surrender wholly or partially the policy or any bonus attaching to the
policy for its cash surrender value
(4) sell the policy on such terms as the Trustee thinks fit
(5) exercise the powers conferred by the policy or with the consent of the
insurer alter the amount or occasion of the payment of the sum insured or
increase or decrease the amount of the premiums (if any) payable under
the policy or alter the period during which the premiums are payable and
do any of these things notwithstanding that the sum insured may be
reduced
14. Power to trade
(1) The Trustee may trade or take part in any venture in the nature of
trade either alone or with any other person and whether or not by way of
partnership (limited or general) and for these purposes may make such
arrangements as it thinks fit
(2) Any power vested in the Trustee under this Deed shall (where
applicable) extend to any arrangements in connection with any such trade or
venture and (without prejudice to the generality of such powers) the powers of
the Trustee of borrowing and charging shall extend to any borrowing arrangements
made in connection with such trade or venture and whether made severally or
jointly with others or with unequal liability and the Trustee shall be entitled
to be fully indemnified out of the Trust Fund against all personal liability to
which it may become in any manner subject in connection with any such trade or
venture
15. Power to promote companies
The Trustee may (without prejudice to the generality of its powers of
investment) promote or incorporate or join with any other person in promoting or
incorporating any company or subscribe for or acquire any of the shares stock
debentures debenture stock or loan capital of any company with a view to or in
consideration of:-
(1) the establishment and carrying on by the company of a business of any kind
which the Trustee is authorised to carry on itself and the acquisition of
any assets comprised in the Trust Fund which may be required for the
purposes of such business
<PAGE>
(2) the acquisition by the company of any assets and the undertaking of any
business being carried on by the Trustee under the power conferred by
paragraph 14
(3) the acquisition by the company of any of the assets comprised in the
Trust Fund to be held as investments of the company
16. Power to enter into any compromise or arrangement relating to companies
The Trustee may enter into any compromise or arrangement (whether in
connection with a scheme of reconstruction amalgamation or otherwise) with
respect to all or any of the rights of the Trustee as holder of shares or other
securities or as creditor of any company (whether in connection with a scheme of
reconstruction or amalgamation or otherwise) and may accept in or towards
satisfaction of all or any of such rights such consideration as it thinks fit
whether in the form of cash or options or shares or other securities of the same
or of any other company or companies or in any other form
17. Power to concur in winding up or liquidating companies
The Trustee may concur in the winding up or liquidation of any company in
which it is interested as a holder of shares or other securities and may accept
in satisfaction of all or any of its rights in any such winding up or
liquidation a distribution in specie of the assets of any such company and may
thereafter hold or carry on business with such assets either alone or with any
other person
18. No requirement to interfere in the business of companies
The Trustee shall not be bound or required to interfere in the management
or conduct of the business of any company in which the Trust Fund or any part of
it is invested even if shares carrying the control of the company are comprised
in the Trust Fund and so long as the Trustee shall have no actual notice of any
act of dishonesty or misappropriation of moneys by any of the directors of the
company the Trustee may leave the conduct of its business (including the payment
or non-payment of dividends) wholly to the directors
19. Acceptance of receipts from parent or guardian of minor beneficiaries
If any part of the capital or income of the Trust Fund shall be payable to
or applicable for the benefit of a minor the Trustee may pay such capital or
income to such minor or to a parent or guardian of that minor without being
obliged to enquire whether such guardian has any right to the care and control
of such minor and the receipt of the parent or guardian for such payment shall
be a complete discharge to the Trustee who shall not be concerned as to the
further application of such capital or income
20. Exclusion of apportionment
The statutory and equitable rules of apportionment shall not apply to this
Deed and the Trustee shall treat all dividends and other income payments
received by it (and which would otherwise be apportionable) as income at the
date of receipt irrespective of the period for which the dividend or other
income is payable
<PAGE>
21. Power to appropriate
The Trustee may allot appropriate partition or apportion (either expressly
or by implication) any property which is for the time being subject to the
trusts of this Deed in or towards the satisfaction of any share or interest
(including any share or interest of the Trustee) in the capital or income of the
Trust Fund in such manner as the Trustee (without the necessity of obtaining any
consent) considers just according to the respective rights of the persons
interested
22. Power to employ agents
The Trustee may instead of acting personally employ and pay at the expense
of the capital or income of the Trust Fund any accountants attorneys banks
brokers solicitors trust companies or other agents without being responsible for
the default of any agent if employed in good faith to transact any business or
act as nominee or do any act in the execution of the trusts of this Deed
including (without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph) the receipt
and payment of moneys and the execution of documents
23. Power to employ nominees
The Trustee may invest or hold or allow to remain in the name or under the
control (if more than one) of one or more of the Trustees or of any other person
or corporation or partnership as nominee of the Trustee the whole or any part of
the Trust Fund on such terms and conditions as the Trustee thinks fit
24. Power to give proxies and powers of attorney
The Trustee may appoint as its proxies and give powers of attorney to any
one or more of the Trustees or any other person (with or without power of
substitution) for voting or acting on behalf of the Trustee in relation to any
property forming part of the Trust Fund
25. Power to keep deeds in any part of the world
The Trustee may keep the deeds and other documents relating to this Deed
and the deeds and documents of title to the whole or any part of the Trust Fund
in any part of the world as the Trustee thinks fit
26. Power to delegate management of investments
(1) The Trustee may engage the services of any person or partnership (in
this paragraph referred to as "the investment adviser") to advise the Trustee on
the investment of the whole or any part of the Trust Fund and the Trustee may
without being liable for any consequent loss delegate to the investment adviser
discretion to manage the investments in the whole or any part of the Trust Fund
within the limits and for the period stipulated by the Trustee and the Trustee
may settle the terms and conditions for the remuneration of the investment
adviser and the reimbursement of the expenses of the investment adviser
(2) The Trustee shall not be bound to enquire into nor be in any manner
responsible for any changes in the legal status of the investment adviser
<PAGE>
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken pursuant to or for
following the advice of the investment adviser however communicated
27. Power to delegate operation of bank accounts
The Trustee may delegate to any person the operation of any bank building
society or other account
28. Power to delegate generally
Any Trustee may (notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary and
without prejudice to the generality of the other powers conferred by this Deed)
by deed revocable or irrevocable delegate to any person (including in cases
where there is more than one trustee to any other or others of the Trustee) the
exercise of all or any trusts powers and discretions conferred on such Trustee
(other than the power of delegation conferred by this paragraph) notwithstanding
the fiduciary nature of such trusts powers and discretions
29. Power to give indemnities
(1) The Trustee may enter into any indemnity in favour of any former
trustee or any other person in respect of any fiscal imposition or other
liability of any nature relating to this Deed or to the Trust Fund or the income
thereof and may charge or deposit the whole or any part of the Trust Fund as
security for any such indemnity in such manner as the Trustee thinks fit
(2) The Trustee may give any indemnity warranty guarantee undertaking or
covenant or enter into any agreement as it thinks fit relating to the transfer
or sale of a business or shares in a company owned or held by the Trustee in
favour of any transferee purchaser or other relevant party and including any
limitation or restriction on value or otherwise as the Trustee thinks fit
30. Power to audit accounts
The Trustee may cause the accounts of this Deed to be examined or audited
from time to time and at such intervals as it thinks fit by such persons as it
shall decide and may pay the cost of such examination or audit out of the
capital or income of the Trust Fund
31. Power to audit company accounts
The Trustee may cause the accounts of any company which is wholly owned by
the Trustee to be audited from time to time and at such intervals as it thinks
fit by such persons as it shall decide (whether or not such audit is required by
the law of such company's residence) and may pay the cost of such audit out of
the capital or income of the Trust Fund
32. Power to pay duties and taxes
In the event of any duties fees taxes or other fiscal impositions becoming
payable in any part of the world in respect of the Trust Fund or any part of it
on the death of any person who has at any time transferred property to the
Trustee to be held by it as part of the Trust Fund or of any person beneficially
interested in this Deed or in any other circumstances the Trustee may pay all
such duties fees taxes or other fiscal impositions out of the capital or income
<PAGE>
of the Trust Fund and may decide the time and manner in which such duties fees
taxes or other fiscal impositions shall be paid and so that the Trustee may pay
such duties fees taxes or other fiscal impositions notwithstanding that the same
shall not be recoverable from the Trustee or any person beneficially interested
in this Deed or that the payment shall not be to the advantage of any person
beneficially interested in this Deed
33. Trustee's powers authorities and discretions exercisable without liability
Every power authority or discretion conferred on the Trustee by this Deed
or by law shall be an absolute and uncontrolled power authority or discretion
and no Trustee shall be liable for any loss or damage occurring as a result of
its agreement or refusal or failure to agree to any exercise of such power
authority or discretion
34. Protection of the Trustee in respect of distributions
The Trustee may distribute the capital and income of the Trust Fund without
having ascertained that there is not any person whose parents were not married
to each other at the time of his birth or who claims through such a person who
is or may be beneficially interested in this Deed and the Trustee shall not be
liable to any such person of whose existence it had no notice at the time of
such distribution or who claims through such a person
35. Protection of the Trustee generally
No Trustee shall be liable for any loss to the Trust Fund arising by reason
of:-
(1) any unauthorised investment made in good faith
(2) the negligence or fraud of any agent employed by such Trustee or by any
of the Trustees even if the employment of such agent was not strictly
necessary or expedient
(3) any mistake or omission made in good faith by such Trustee or by any of
the Trustees or
(4) any other matter or thing except fraud, wilful misconduct or gross
negligence of such Trustee
and in particular (without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph)
no Trustee shall be bound to take any proceedings against a co-trustee or former
trustee or his personal representatives for any breach or alleged breach of
trust committed or suffered by such co-trustee or former trustee
36. Power to vary administrative provisions
When in the management or administration of the Trust Fund any sale lease
mortgage surrender release or other disposition or any purchase investment
acquisition expenditure or other transaction is in the opinion of the Trustee
expedient but the same cannot be effected by reason of the absence of any power
for that purpose conferred on the Trustee by this Deed or by law the Trustee may
by deed confer on itself either generally or in any particular instance the
necessary power for the purpose provided that if the Committee is in existence
<PAGE>
at the time the Trustee shall only do so with the consent in writing of the
Committee and on the execution of any such deed the Trustee shall have such
power as if it had been expressly conferred on it by this Deed
37. Release of powers
The Trustee may by deed or deeds (and so as to bind successive trustees of
this Deed) release or restrict the future exercise of all or any of the powers
conferred on it by this Deed or by law either wholly or to the extent specified
in any such deed notwithstanding the fiduciary nature of such powers provided
that if the Committee is in existence at the time the Trustee shall only do so
with the consent in writing of the Committee
38. Duration of powers
Every power authority or discretion conferred on the Trustee or on any
other person by this Deed shall (notwithstanding anything to the contrary
expressed or implied in this Deed) only be exercisable during such period
(whether definite or indefinite) as in the case of the particular power
authority or discretion the law may allow
39. Power to receive remuneration
Any Trustee and any director or other officer of any company which is a
Trustee may be employed and remunerated as a director or other officer or
employee or as agent or adviser of any business company or firm in any way
connected with the Trust Fund and may retain (without being liable to account
therefor) any remuneration fees or profits received by him in any such capacity
notwithstanding that his employment may have been obtained or may be held or
retained by means or by reason of his position as one of the Trustees or as the
director or other officer of any company which is a Trustee or of any shares
stock property rights or powers whatever belonging to or connected with the
Trust Fund
40. Power to retain commission
Any Trustee may retain (without being liable to account therefor) any
commission received by him or his firm for any transaction carried out for the
Trustee for which he or his firm is in the normal course of business allowed
commission notwithstanding that the receipt of such commission was procured by
an exercise by him or the Trustee of the powers conferred by this Deed or by law
41. Power to exercise powers notwithstanding personal interest
Any Trustee may exercise or concur in exercising all powers and discretions
conferred on him by this Deed or by law notwithstanding that he has a personal
interest in the mode or result of any such exercise but any Trustee may
nevertheless abstain from acting except as a merely formal party in any matter
in which he may be so personally interested and may allow his co-trustees (being
at least two in number or a trust corporation) to act alone in relation to such
matter
42. Power to permit self-dealing
Any Trustee may purchase or acquire from or sell or let to the Trustee any
property liable to be sold let disposed of or acquired or purchased under the
<PAGE>
powers conferred by this Deed or by law at such price or rent and upon such
terms as the Trustee thinks fit without being liable to account for any profit
provided that:-
(1) no purchase by a Trustee under this power shall be made at a price less
than the market value of the property purchased at the date of such
purchase
(2) no sale by a Trustee under this power shall be made at a price greater
than the market value of the property sold at the date of such sale
(3) no lease to a Trustee under this power shall be granted at a rent less
than the market rent of the property let at the date of such lease
(4) no lease by a Trustee under this power shall be granted at a rent greater
than the market rent of the property let at the date of such lease
but so that the Trustees other than the Trustee so purchasing selling or
leasing shall be entitled to determine the market value or the market rent of
any property for the purposes of this paragraph
43. Professional trustee charging power
Any Trustee who is an individual engaged in any profession or business
shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual professional or other proper
charges for business transacted time expended and acts done by him or his firm
or any partner of his in connection with this Deed including acts which a
trustee not being in any profession or business could have done personally
44. Corporate trustee charging power
Any corporate trustee shall be entitled in addition to reimbursement from
the capital or income of the Trust Fund of its proper expenses to remuneration
from the capital or income of the Trust Fund for its services in accordance with
such corporation's terms and conditions for trust business in force from time to
time and may act by its proper officers in the discharge of its duties as such
trustee and in the exercise of the powers and discretions conferred by this Deed
or by law
<PAGE>
SIGNED as a DEED by SERIF )
(EUROPE) LIMITED )
acting by )
and )
/s/Peter Beedham
-----------------------------------
Director
/s/Gwyn Jones
-----------------------------------
Director
SIGNED as a DEED and DELIVERED )
by BARRY CINNAMON ) /s/Barry A. Cinnamon
before ) -----------------------------------
/s/Neil M. Kaufman
- ------------------------------
Witness
Address
2556 Elderbery Road
North Bellmore, New York U.S.A. 11710
Attorney
- ------------------------------
Occupation
SIGNED as a DEED and DELIVERED )
by MARK LEININGER ) /s/Mark E. Leininger
before ) -----------------------------------
/s/Neil M. Kaufman
- ------------------------------
Witness
Address
2556 Elderbery Road
North Bellmore, New York U.S.A. 11710
Attorney
- ------------------------------
Occupation
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
Clauses
1 Name of Trust
2 Definitions and interpretation
3 Employees' share scheme
4 Trust for sale
5 Power of appointment
6 Discretionary trusts of capital and income in default of appointment
7 Default trust
8 Ultimate default trust
9 Acquisition and disposal of Shares
10 Awards and Options
11 Waiver of dividends
12 Recommendations of the Committee
13 Administrative provisions
14 Indemnity from the Company
15 Appointment and removal of Trustee
16 Trustee' proceedings
17 The Committee
18 Proper law and administrative forum
19 Restrictions on powers
20 Termination
21 Amendment
22 Headings
23 Execution
SCHEDULE 1
The original Trust Fund
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 2
Administrative provisions
1 Power of investment
2 Power to enter into agreements
3 No requirement to diversify investment
4 No requirement to invest in income producing investments
5 Power to lend
6 Power to borrow
7 Power to give guarantees
8 Power to enter into put and call options
9 Powers in relation to real property
10 Powers in relation to chattels
11 Power to permit occupation of property and enjoyment of chattels
12 Power to insure property
13 Powers in relation to life insurance policies
14 Power to trade
15 Power to promote companies
16 Power to enter into any compromise or arrangement relating to companies
17 Power to concur in winding up or liquidating companies
18 No requirement to interfere in the business of companies
19 Acceptance of receipts from parent or guardian of minor beneficiaries
20 Exclusion of apportionment
21 Power to appropriate
22 Power to employ agents
23 Power to employ nominees
24 Power to give proxies and powers of attorney
25 Power to keep deeds in any part of the world
26 Power to delegate management of investments
27 Power to delegate operation of bank accounts
28 Power to delegate generally
29 Power to give indemnities
30 Power to audit accounts
31 Power to audit company accounts
32 Power to pay duties and taxes
33 Trustee' powers authorities and discretions exercisable without liability
34 Protection of the Trustee in respect of distributions
35 Protection of the Trustee generally
36 Power to vary administrative provisions
37 Release of powers
38 Duration of powers
39 Power to receive remuneration
40 Power to retain commission
41 Power to exercise powers notwithstanding personal interest
42 Power to permit self-dealing
43 Professional trustee charging power
44 Corporate trustee charging power
45 Power to Amend
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 1st, 1996 among Allegro New Media, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Allegro"), SPC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allegro ("Merger Sub"), and Software Publishing
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("SPC").
RECITALS
A. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law"), Allegro
and SPC will enter into a business combination transaction pursuant to which
Merger Sub will merge with and into SPC (the "Merger").
B. The Board of Directors of Allegro (i) has determined that the Merger is
consistent with and in furtherance of the long-term business strategy of Allegro
and fair to, and in the best interests of, Allegro and its stockholders, (ii)
has approved this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and (iii) has recommended that the stockholders of Allegro
vote to approve this Agreement.
C. The Board of Directors of SPC (i) has determined that the Merger is
consistent with and in furtherance of the long-term business strategy of SPC and
fair to, and in the best interests of, SPC and its stockholders, (ii) has
approved this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and (iii) has recommended the approval of this Agreement by the
stockholders of SPC.
D. Allegro and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and SPC on the other hand,
desire to make certain representations and warranties and other agreements in
connection with the Merger.
E. The parties intend, by executing this Agreement, to adopt a plan of
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and
representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
1.1 The Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2) and
subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
SPC, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and SPC shall
continue as the surviving corporation. SPC as the surviving corporation after
the Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Surviving Corporation."
1.2 Effective Time; Closing. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a
Certificate of Merger (the "Certificate of Merger") with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware
Law (the time of such filing (or such later time as may be agreed in writing by
the parties and specified in the Certificate of Merger) being the "Effective
Time") as soon as practicable on or after the Closing Date (as herein defined).
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "Agreement" as used herein
refers collectively to this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger. The closing
of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation at a time and date to be specified
by the parties, which shall be no later than the second business day after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI, or at such
other time, date and location as the parties hereto agree in writing (the
"Closing Date").
<PAGE>
1.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger
shall be as provided in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of Delaware
Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at
the Effective Time all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises
of SPC and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts,
liabilities and duties of SPC and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities
and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
1.4 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.
(a) At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub,
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as
provided by law and such Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that
at the Effective Time the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation shall be amended so that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall
be "Software Publishing Corporation."
(b) The Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be, at the Effective Time, the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended.
1.5 Directors and Officers. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving
Corporation, until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified. The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, until their
successors are duly elected or appointed or qualified.
1.6 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Merger Sub, SPC or the holders of any of
the following securities:
(a) Conversion of SPC Capital Stock. Each share of Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share, of SPC (the "SPC Capital Stock") issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares
of SPC Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(b) and any
Dissenting Shares (as defined in and to the extent provided in Section
1.7(a)) will be canceled and extinguished and automatically converted
(subject to Sections 1.6(e) and (f)) into the right to receive 0.26805
the "Exchange Ratio") shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share,
of Allegro (the "Allegro Common Stock") upon surrender of the certificate
representing such share of SPC Capital Stock in the manner provided in
Section 1.8 (or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate,
upon delivery of an affidavit (and bond, if required) in the manner
provided in Section 1.10).
(b) Cancellation of Allegro-Owned Stock. Each share of SPC Capital
Stock held in the treasury of SPC or owned by Merger Sub, Allegro or any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SPC or of Allegro immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished without any
conversion thereof.
(c) Stock Options. At the Effective Time all options to purchase SPC
Capital Stock then outstanding under SPC's 1987 Stock Option Plan, 1989
Stock Option Plan, and 1991 Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "SPC Stock
Option Plans") shall be assumed by Allegro in accordance with Section 5.11
hereof.
(d) Employee Stock Purchase Plan. With respect to the Company's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "SPC Employee Stock Purchase Plan"), the
offering period currently in progress shall be shortened by setting a new
exercise date which shall be the date immediately preceding the Effective
Time (the "New Exercise Date"). The SPC Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall
terminate immediately following the purchase of SPC Capital Stock on the
New Exercise Date.
<PAGE>
(e) Capital Stock of Merger Sub. Each share of Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation. Each stock certificate
of Merger Sub evidencing ownership of any such shares shall continue to
evidence ownership of such shares of capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation.
(f) Adjustments to Exchange Ratio. The Exchange Ratio shall be
adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse stock
split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of
securities convertible into Allegro Common Stock or SPC Capital Stock),
reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to
Allegro Common Stock or SPC Capital Stock occurring on or after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time.
(g) Fractional Shares. No fraction of a share of Allegro Common Stock
will be issued by virtue of the Merger, but in lieu thereof each holder of
shares of SPC Capital Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction
of a share of Allegro Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares
of Allegro Common Stock to be received by such holder) shall receive from
Allegro an amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent) equal to the
product of (i) such fraction, multiplied by (ii) the average closing price
of a share of Allegro Common Stock for the ten most recent days that
Allegro Common Stock has traded ending on the trading day immediately
prior to the Effective Time, as reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
1.7 Dissenting Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
shares of any holder of SPC Capital Stock who has demanded and perfected
appraisal rights for such shares in accordance with Delaware Law and who, as of
the Effective Time, has not effectively withdrawn or lost such appraisal rights
("Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted into or represent a right to
receive Allegro Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.6, but the holder thereof
shall only be entitled to such rights as are granted by Delaware Law.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any holder of shares of SPC Capital
Stock who demands appraisal of such shares under Delaware Law shall effectively
withdraw the right to appraisal, then, as of the later of the Effective Time and
the occurrence of such event, such holder's shares shall automatically be
converted into and represent only the right to receive Allegro Common Stock,
without interest thereon, upon surrender of the certificate representing such
shares.
(c) SPC shall give Allegro (i) prompt notice of any written demands for
appraisal of any shares of SPC Capital Stock, withdrawals of such demands, and
any other instruments served pursuant to Delaware Law and received by SPC which
relate to any such demand for appraisal and (ii) the opportunity to participate
in all negotiations and proceedings which take place prior to the Effective Time
with respect to demands for appraisal under Delaware Law. SPC shall not, except
with the prior written consent of Allegro or as may be required by applicable
law, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal of
SPC Capital Stock or offer to settle or settle any such demands.
1.8 Surrender of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. Allegro shall select American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company or another institution reasonably satisfactory to SPC to act as the
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger.
(b) Allegro to Provide Common Stock. Promptly after the Effective Time,
Allegro shall make available to the Exchange Agent for exchange in accordance
with this Article I, the shares of Allegro Common Stock issuable pursuant to
Section 1.6 in exchange for outstanding shares of SPC Capital Stock, and cash in
an amount sufficient for payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or distributions and holders of shares of SPC
Capital Stock may be entitled pursuant to Section 1.8(d).
<PAGE>
(c) Exchange Procedures. Promptly after the Effective Time, Allegro shall
cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record (as of the Effective
Time) of a certificate or certificates (the "Certificates") which immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of SPC Capital Stock
whose shares were converted into the right to receive shares of Allegro Common
Stock pursuant to Section 1.6, cash in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to
Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or other distributions pursuant to Section
1.8(d), (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 Allegro may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange
for certificates representing shares of Allegro Common Stock, cash in lieu of
any fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or other
distributions pursuant to Section 1.8(d). Upon surrender of a Certificate for
cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be
appointed by Allegro, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed
and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder of
such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate
representing the number of whole shares of Allegro Common Stock, payment in lieu
of fractional shares which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to
Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section
1.8(d), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until so
surrendered, each outstanding Certificate will be deemed from and after the
Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, subject to Section 1.8(d) as to the
payment of dividends, to evidence the ownership of the number of full shares of
Allegro Common Stock into which such shares of SPC Capital Stock shall have been
so converted and the right to receive an amount in cash in lieu of the issuance
of any fractional shares in accordance with Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or
distributions payable pursuant to Section 1.8(d).
(d) Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other
distributions declared or made after the date of this Agreement with respect to
Allegro Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time will be paid to
the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of
Allegro Common Stock represented thereby until the holder of record of such
Certificate shall surrender such Certificate. Subject to applicable law,
following surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the record
holder thereof certificates representing whole shares of Allegro Common Stock
issued in exchange therefor, without interest, along with the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
payable with respect to such whole shares of Allegro Common Stock.
(e) Transfers of Ownership. If any certificate for shares of Allegro Common
Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Certificate
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered will be properly endorsed
and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
exchange will have paid to Allegro or any agent designated by it any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for shares of
Allegro Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of the
Certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of Allegro or any
agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(f) No Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
1.8, neither the Exchange Agent, Allegro, the Surviving Corporation nor any
party hereto shall be liable to a holder of shares of Allegro Common Stock or
SPC Capital Stock for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to
any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
<PAGE>
1.9 No Further Ownership Rights in SPC Capital Stock. All shares of Allegro
Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates in
accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash paid in respect thereof
pursuant to Section 1.6(f) and 1.8(d)) shall be deemed to have been issued in
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of SPC Capital Stock,
and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the
Surviving Corporation of shares of SPC Capital Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they
shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article I.
1.10 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any Certificates
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such whole number of shares of
Allegro Common Stock into which the shares of SPC Capital Stock evidenced
thereby shall have been converted, cash for fractional shares, if any, as may be
required pursuant to Section 1.6(f) and any dividends or distributions payable
pursuant to Section 1.8(d); provided, however, that Allegro may, in its
discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the
owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such
sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against Allegro or the Exchange Agent with respect to the Certificates alleged
to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
1.11 Tax and Accounting Consequences. It is intended by the parties hereto
that the Merger shall constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368 of the Code. The parties hereto adopt this Agreement as a "plan of
reorganization" within the meaning of Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the
United States Income Tax Regulations.
1.12 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full
right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers
and franchises of SPC and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of SPC and
Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or
otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long
as such action is consistent with this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPC
SPC represents and warrants to Allegro and Merger Sub, subject to the
exceptions specifically disclosed in writing in the disclosure letter supplied
by SPC to Allegro (the "SPC Schedules"), as follows:
2.1 Organization of SPC. SPC and each of its material subsidiaries is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power to own, lease
and operate its property and to carry on its business as now being conducted and
as proposed to be conducted, and is duly qualified to do business and in good
standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the failure to
be so qualified would have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below) on SPC.
SPC has delivered to Allegro a true and complete list of all of SPC's
subsidiaries, together with the jurisdiction of incorporation of each subsidiary
and SPC's equity interest therein. SPC has delivered or made available a true
and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of SPC and
similar governing instruments of its subsidiaries, each as amended to date, to
counsel for Allegro. When used in connection with SPC, the term "Material
Adverse Effect" means, for purposes of this Agreement, any change, event or
effect that is materially adverse to the business, assets (including intangible
assets), financial condition or results of operations of SPC and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that the continuation of
current trends in such business, assets (including intangible assets), financial
condition or results of operations (including without limitation declining
revenues and further losses) shall not be deemed to constitute a Material
Adverse Effect, but material deviations therefrom shall constitute a Material
Adverse Effect.
<PAGE>
2.2 SPC Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of SPC consists of
30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which there
were 12,553,596 shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 1996, and
2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, none of which
are issued and outstanding as of October 1, 1996. All outstanding shares of SPC
Capital Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
and are not subject to preemptive rights created by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of SPC or any agreement or document to which SPC is a
party or by which it is bound. As of October 1, 1996, SPC had reserved an
aggregate of 3,187,760 shares of Common Stock, net of exercises, for issuance to
employees, consultants and non-employee directors pursuant to the SPC Stock
Option Plans, under which options are outstanding for an aggregate of 3,018,725
shares. All shares of SPC Capital Stock subject to issuance as aforesaid, upon
issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the instruments pursuant to
which they are issuable, would be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable. The SPC Schedules list each outstanding option to acquire
shares of the Common Stock of SPC at October 1, 1996, the name of the holder of
such option, the number of shares subject to such option, the exercise price of
such option, the number of shares as to which such option will have vested at
such date and whether the exercisability of such option will be accelerated in
any way by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or for any other
reason, and indicate the extent of acceleration, if any. As of September 15,
1996, there were 10 participants in the SPC Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
2.3 Obligations With Respect to Capital Stock. Except as set forth in
Section 2.2, there are no equity securities of any class of SPC, or any
securities exchangeable or convertible into or exercisable for such equity
securities, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Except for securities
SPC owns, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, there are no
equity securities of any class of any subsidiary of SPC, or any security
exchangeable or convertible into or exercisable for such equity securities,
issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Except as set forth in Section
2.2, there are no options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights (including
preemptive rights), commitments or agreements of any character to which SPC or
any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound obligating SPC or any
of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered
or sold, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause the repurchase,
redemption or acquisition, of any shares of capital stock of SPC, or any of its
subsidiaries or obligating SPC or any of its subsidiaries to grant, extend,
accelerate the vesting of or enter into any such option, warrant, equity
security, call, right, commitment or agreement. There are no registration rights
and, to the knowledge of SPC, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other
agreements or understandings with respect to any equity security of any class of
SPC or with respect to any equity security of any class of any of its
subsidiaries.
2.4 Authority.
(a) SPC has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into 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 authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of SPC, subject only to the approval of this Agreement by SPC's
stockholders and the filing and recordation of the Certificate of Merger
pursuant to Delaware Law. A vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of the SPC Capital Stock is required for SPC's stockholders
to approve this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by SPC and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Allegro
and, if applicable, Merger Sub, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of
SPC, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws and general principles of equity.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by SPC does not, and the
performance of this Agreement by SPC will not, (i) conflict with or violate the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of SPC or the equivalent organizational
documents of any of its subsidiaries, (ii) subject to obtaining the approval of
<PAGE>
SPC's stockholders of the Merger as contemplated in Section 5.2 and compliance
with the requirements set forth in Section 2.4(b) below, conflict with or
violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to SPC
or any of its subsidiaries or by which its or any of their respective properties
is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default
(or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or impair SPC's rights or alter the rights or obligations of any third
party under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or
encumbrance on any of the properties or assets of SPC or any of its subsidiaries
pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease,
license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which SPC or any
of its subsidiaries is a party or by which SPC or any of its subsidiaries or its
or any of their respective properties are bound or affected, except, with
respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), for any such conflicts, violations, defaults
or other occurrences that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC. The
SPC Schedules list all material consents, waivers and approvals under any of
SPC's or any of its subsidiaries' agreements, contracts, licenses or leases
required to be obtained in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with any court, administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality ("Governmental Entity") is
required by or with respect to SPC in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, except for (i) the filing of a Form S-4 Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in
accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
(ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware, (iii) the filing of the Proxy Statement (as defined in
Section 2.20) with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), (iv) the filing of a Current Report on
Form 8-K with the SEC, (v) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
federal and state securities laws and the laws of any foreign country and (vi)
such other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which,
if not obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC or
Allegro or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the parties to
consummate the Merger.
2.5 Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law Not Applicable. The
Board of Directors of SPC has taken all actions so that the restrictions
contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable to a
"business combination" (as defined in Section 203) will not apply to the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or to the consummation of
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.6 SEC Filings; SPC Financial Statements.
(a) SPC has filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed
with the SEC since October 1, 1994, and has made available to Allegro such
forms, reports and documents in the form filed with the SEC. All such required
forms, reports and documents (including those that SPC may file subsequent to
the date hereof) are referred to herein as the "SPC SEC Reports." As of their
respective dates, the SPC SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable to such SPC SEC
Reports, and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if amended or
superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of
such filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. None of SPC's subsidiaries is required to file any forms,
reports or other documents with the SEC.
<PAGE>
(b) Each of the consolidated financial statements (including, in each case,
any related notes thereto) contained in SPC SEC Reports (the "SPC Financials"),
including any SPC SEC Reports filed after the date hereof until the Closing, (x)
complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (y) was prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto
or, in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, as may be permitted
by the SEC on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) and (z) fairly presented the
consolidated financial position of SPC and its subsidiaries as at the respective
dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for
the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial statements
were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not,
or are not expected to be, material in amount. The balance sheet of SPC
contained in SPC SEC Reports as of June 30, 1996 is hereinafter referred to as
the "SPC Balance Sheet." Except as disclosed in the SPC Financials, neither SPC
nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities (absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise) of a nature required to be disclosed on a balance sheet or in the
related notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with GAAP which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business,
results of operations or financial condition of SPC and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole, except liabilities (i) provided for in the SPC Balance Sheet, or
(ii) incurred since the date of the SPC Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices.
(c) SPC has heretofore furnished to Allegro a complete and correct copy of
any amendments or modifications, which have not yet been filed with the SEC but
which are required to be filed, to agreements, documents or other instruments
which previously had been filed by SPC with the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act.
2.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the date of the SPC Balance
Sheet through the date of this Agreement, there has not been: (i) any Material
Adverse Effect on SPC, (ii) any material change by SPC in its accounting
methods, principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes in
GAAP, or (iii) any revaluation by SPC of any of its assets having a Material
Adverse Effect on SPC, including, without limitation, writing down the value of
capitalized software or inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivable
other than in the ordinary course of business.
2.8 Taxes. SPC and each of its subsidiaries has filed all tax returns
required to be filed by any of them and has paid (or SPC has paid on its
behalf), or has set up an adequate reserve for the payment of, all material
taxes required to be paid as shown on such returns, and the most recent
financial statements contained in the SPC SEC Reports reflect an adequate
reserve for all material taxes payable by SPC and its subsidiaries accrued
through the date of such financial statements. Except as reasonably would not be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC, no deficiencies for any taxes
have been proposed, asserted or assessed against SPC or any of its subsidiaries.
For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "tax" shall include all Federal,
state, local and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, payroll,
sales, employment, use, property, withholding, excise and other taxes, duties or
assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts.
2.9 Intellectual Property.
(a) To the knowledge of SPC and its subsidiaries, SPC and its subsidiaries
own, or have the right to use, sell or license all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, copyrights and other intellectual property necessary or
required for the conduct of their respective businesses as presently conducted
(such intellectual property and the rights thereto are collectively referred to
herein as the "SPC IP Rights"), except for any failure to own or have the right
to use, sell or license that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC;
provided, that the foregoing exception shall not apply to the SPC IP Rights with
respect to "Intelligent Formatting".
<PAGE>
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not constitute a
breach of any instrument or agreement governing any SPC IP Rights (the "SPC IP
Rights Agreements"), will not cause the forfeiture or termination or give rise
to a right of forfeiture or termination of any SPC IP Rights or impair the right
of SPC and its subsidiaries, the Surviving Corporation or Allegro to use, sell
or license any SPC IP Rights or portion thereof, except for the occurrence of
any such breach, forfeiture, termination or impairment that would not
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
(c) To the knowledge of SPC and its subsidiaries, (i) neither the
manufacture, marketing, license, sale or intended use of any product or
technology currently licensed or sold or under development by SPC or any of its
subsidiaries violates any license or agreement between SPC or any of its
subsidiaries and any third party or infringes any intellectual property right of
any other party; and (ii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of SPC,
threatened claim, arbitration or litigation contesting the validity, ownership
or right to use, sell, license or dispose of any SPC IP Rights, nor has SPC
received any written notice asserting that any SPC IP Rights or the proposed
use, sale, license or disposition thereof conflicts or will conflict with the
rights of any other party, except, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), for any
violations, infringements, claims or litigation that would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on SPC.
(d) SPC has taken reasonable and practicable steps designed to safeguard
and maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of, and its proprietary rights in,
all SPC IP Rights.
2.10 Compliance; Permits; Restrictions.
(a) Neither SPC nor any of its subsidiaries is in conflict with, or in
default or violation of, (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to SPC or any of its subsidiaries or by which its or any of
their respective properties is bound or affected, or (ii) any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or
other instrument or obligation to which SPC or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or by which SPC or any of its subsidiaries or its or any of their
respective properties is bound or affected, except for any conflicts, defaults
or violations which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC. No
investigation or review by any governmental or regulatory body or authority is
pending or, to the knowledge of SPC, threatened against SPC or its subsidiaries,
nor has any governmental or regulatory body or authority indicated an intention
to conduct the same, other than, in each such case, those the outcome of which
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
(b) SPC and its subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, variances,
exemptions, orders and approvals from governmental authorities which are
material to the operation of the business of SPC and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole (collectively, the "SPC Permits"). SPC and its subsidiaries are in
compliance with the terms of SPC Permits, except where the failure to hold the
same or to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
2.11 Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration
or investigation pending, or as to which SPC or any of its subsidiaries has
received any notice of assertion nor, to SPC's knowledge, is there a written
threat of an action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation
against SPC or any of its subsidiaries which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on SPC, or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin,
alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.12 Brokers' and Finders' Fees. Except for fees payable to Unterberg
Harris disclosed to Allegro, SPC has not incurred, nor will it incur, directly
or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby.
<PAGE>
2.13 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) With respect to each material employee benefit plan, program,
arrangement and contract (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")) maintained or contributed to by SPC or any trade
or business (an "ERISA Affiliate") which is under common control with SPC within
the meaning of Section 414 of the Code (the "SPC Employee Plans"), SPC has made
available to Allegro a true and complete copy of, to the extent applicable, (i)
such SPC Employee Plan, (ii) the most recent annual report (Form 5500), (iii)
each trust agreement related to such SPC Employee Plan, (iv) the most recent
summary plan description for each SPC Employee Plan for which such a description
is required, (v) the most recent actuarial report relating to any SPC Employee
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and (vi) the most recent United States
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") determination letter issued with respect to any
SPC Employee Plan.
(b) Each SPC Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination from the IRS covering
the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 stating that such SPC Employee Plan
is so qualified and nothing has occurred since the date of such letter that
could reasonably be expected to affect the qualified status of such plan. Each
SPC Employee Plan has been operated in all material respects in accordance with
its terms and the requirements of applicable law. Neither SPC nor any ERISA
Affiliate of SPC has incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any material
liability under Title IV of ERISA in connection with any SPC Employee Plan.
(c) Neither SPC nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof has withdrawn in a complete
or partial withdrawal from any multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA prior to the Effective Time. Neither SPC nor any ERISA
Affiliate thereof has contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any
multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
2.14 Absence of Liens and Encumbrances. SPC and each of its subsidiaries
has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties and assets,
valid leasehold interests in, all of its material tangible properties and
assets, real, personal and mixed, used in its business, free and clear of any
liens or encumbrances except as reflected in the SPC Financials and except for
liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such imperfections of title and
encumbrances, if any, which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
2.15 Environmental Matters.
(a) Hazardous Material. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on SPC, no underground storage tanks and no amount of any substance that has
been designated by any Governmental Entity or by applicable federal, state or
local law to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous or otherwise a danger to health or
the environment, including, without limitation, PCBs, asbestos, petroleum,
urea-formaldehyde and all substances listed as hazardous substances pursuant to
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980, as amended, or defined as a hazardous waste pursuant to the United States
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the regulations
promulgated pursuant to said laws, (a "Hazardous Material"), but excluding
office and janitorial supplies, are present in the soil, groundwater, building
materials or ambient air of any real property currently occupied by SPC as a
result of the deliberate actions of SPC or any of its subsidiaries, and SPC has
not received any notice that it is allegedly liable for the presence of
Hazardous Materials in, on or under any other property, including the land and
the improvements, ground water and surface water thereof, that SPC or any of its
subsidiaries has at any time owned, operated, occupied or leased.
(b) Hazardous Materials Activities. Except as would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on SPC, neither SPC nor any of its subsidiaries has transported,
stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released or exposed its employees or
others to Hazardous Materials in violation of any law in effect on or before the
Closing Date, nor has SPC or any of its subsidiaries disposed of, transported,
sold, or manufactured any product containing a Hazardous Material (collectively
"Hazardous Materials Activities") in violation of any rule, regulation, treaty
or statute promulgated by any Governmental Entity in effect prior to or as of
the date hereof to prohibit, regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any
Hazardous Material Activity.
<PAGE>
(c) Permits. SPC and its subsidiaries currently hold all environmental
approvals, permits, licenses, clearances and consents (the "SPC Environmental
Permits") necessary for the conduct of SPC's and its subsidiaries' Hazardous
Material Activities as currently conducted and other businesses of SPC and its
subsidiaries as such activities and businesses are currently being conducted,
except where the failure to so hold would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
SPC.
(d) Environmental Liabilities. No material action, proceeding, revocation
proceeding, amendment procedure, writ, injunction or claim is pending, or to
SPC's knowledge, threatened concerning any SPC Environmental Permit or any
Hazardous Materials Activity of SPC or any of its subsidiaries. SPC is not aware
of any fact or circumstance which could involve SPC or any of its subsidiaries
in any environmental litigation or impose upon SPC or any of its subsidiaries
any environmental liability that would have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
2.16 Labor Matters. To SPC's knowledge, there are no activities or
proceedings of any labor union to organize any employees of SPC or any of its
subsidiaries and there are no strikes, or material slowdowns, work stoppages or
lockouts, or threats thereof by or with respect to any employees of SPC or any
of its subsidiaries. SPC and its subsidiaries are and have been in compliance
with all applicable laws regarding employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment, and wages and hours (including, without limitation, ERISA (as
defined below), WARN or any similar state or local law), except for any
noncompliance that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
2.17 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments. Except as set forth in the SPC
Schedules, neither SPC nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by:
(a) any collective bargaining agreements;
(b) any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, pension,
profit-sharing or retirement plans, or any other employee benefit plans or
arrangements;
(c) any employment or consulting agreement, contract or commitment
with any officer or director level employee, not terminable by SPC or any
of its subsidiaries on thirty days notice without liability, except to the
extent general principles of wrongful termination law may limit SPC's or
any of its subsidiaries, ability to terminate employees at will;
(d) any agreement or plan, including, without limitation, any stock
option plan, stock appreciation right plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of benefits of
which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which
will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;
(e) any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in
the ordinary course of business other than indemnification agreements
between SPC or any of its subsidiaries and any of its officers or
directors;
(f) any agreement, contract or commitment containing any covenant
limiting the freedom of SPC or any of its subsidiaries to engage in any
line of business or compete with any person;
(g) any agreement, contract or commitment relating to capital
expenditures and involving future obligations in excess of $50,000 and not
cancelable without penalty;
<PAGE>
(h) any agreement, contract or commitment currently in force relating
to the disposition or acquisition of assets not in the ordinary course of
business or any ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other business enterprise;
(i) any mortgages, indentures, loans or credit agreements, security
agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of
money or extension of credit;
(j) any joint marketing or development agreement (excluding agreements
with resellers, value added resellers or independent software vendors
entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not permit such
resellers or vendors to modify SPC's or any of its subsidiaries' software
products);
(k) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain
exclusivity provisions); or
(l) any other agreement, contract or commitment (excluding real and
personal property leases) which involve payment by SPC or any of its
subsidiaries under any such agreement, contract or commitment of $50,000 or
more in the aggregate and is not cancelable without penalty within thirty
(30) days.
Neither SPC nor any of its subsidiaries, nor to SPC's knowledge any other
party to an SPC Contract (as defined below), has breached, violated or defaulted
under, or received notice that it has breached violated or defaulted under, any
of the material terms or conditions of any of the agreements, contracts or
commitments to which SPC is a party or by which it is bound of the type
described in clauses (a) through (l) above (any such agreement, contract or
commitment, an "SPC Contract") in such a manner as would permit any other party
to cancel or terminate any such SPC Contract, or would permit any other party to
seek damages, which would have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC.
2.18 Change of Control Payments. There are no plans or agreements pursuant
to which any amounts may become payable (whether currently or in the future) to
current or former officers or directors of SPC as a result of or in connection
with the Merger.
2.19 Statements; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The information supplied by
SPC for inclusion in the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.4(b))
shall not, at the time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC and at
the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading. The information supplied by SPC for inclusion in the proxy
statement/prospectus to be sent to the stockholders of SPC and stockholders of
Allegro in connection with the meeting of SPC's stockholders to consider the
approval of this Agreement (the "SPC Stockholders' Meeting") and in connection
with the meeting of Allegro's stockholders to consider the approval of this
Agreement (the "Allegro Stockholders' Meeting") (such proxy statement/prospectus
as amended or supplemented is referred to herein as the "Proxy Statement") shall
not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to SPC's stockholders and
Allegro's stockholders, at the time of the SPC Stockholders' Meeting or the
Allegro Stockholders' Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not false or misleading; or omit to
state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier
communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the SPC
Stockholders' Meeting or the Allegro Stockholders' Meeting which has become
false or misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder. If at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event relating to
SPC or any of its affiliates, officers or directors should be discovered by SPC
which should be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the Proxy Statement, SPC shall promptly inform Allegro.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, SPC makes no representation or warranty with
respect to any information supplied by Allegro or Merger Sub which is contained
in any of the foregoing documents.
<PAGE>
2.20 Board Approval. The Board of Directors of SPC has, as of the date of
this Agreement, determined (i) that the Merger is fair to and in the best
interests of SPC and its stockholders, and (ii) to recommend that the
stockholders of SPC approve this Agreement.
2.21 Minute Books. The minute books of SPC made available to counsel for
Allegro are the only minute books of SPC and contain a reasonably accurate
summary, in all material respects, of all meetings of directors (or committees
thereof) and stockholders or actions by written consent since the time of
incorporation of SPC.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ALLEGRO AND MERGER SUB
Allegro and Merger Sub represent and warrant to SPC, subject to the
exceptions specifically disclosed in the disclosure letter supplied by Allegro
to SPC (the "Allegro Schedules"), as follows:
3.1 Organization of Allegro. Allegro and each of its material subsidiaries
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power to own,
lease and operate its property and to carry on its business as now being
conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and is duly qualified to do business
and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the
failure to be so qualified would have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
below) on Allegro. Allegro has delivered to SPC a true and complete list of all
of Allegro's subsidiaries, together with the jurisdiction of incorporation of
each subsidiary and Allegro's equity interest therein. Allegro has delivered or
made available a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Allegro and similar governing instruments of its subsidiaries, each as
amended to date, to counsel for SPC. When used in connection with Allegro, the
term "Material Adverse Effect" means, for purposes of this Agreement, any
change, event or effect that is materially adverse to the business, assets
(including intangible assets), financial condition or results of operations of
Allegro and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that the
continuation of current trends in such business, assets (including intangible
assets), financial condition or results of operations (including without
limitation further losses) shall not be deemed to constitute a Material Adverse
Effect, but material deviations therefrom shall constitute a Material Adverse
Effect.
3.2 Allegro Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Allegro
consists of 18,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of
which there were 4,444,477 shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 1996,
2,000,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which
there were no shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 1996, 60,520 shares
of Class B Voting Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which there
were 60,520 shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 1996 and 1,939,480
shares of Serial Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which no shares
were issued or outstanding as of October 1, 1996. The authorized capital stock
of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share, 100 shares of which, as of the date hereof, are issued and outstanding
and are held by Allegro. All outstanding shares of the Common Stock of Allegro
are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are not
subject to preemptive rights created by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Allegro or any agreement or document to which Allegro
is a party or by which it is bound. As of October 1, 1996, Allegro had reserved
an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, net of exercises, for issuance
to employees, consultants and non-employee directors pursuant to Allegro's 1994
Long-Term Incentive Plan and Allegro's Outside Directors and Advisors Stock
Option Plan (collectively, the "Allegro Stock Option Plans"), under which
options are outstanding for an aggregate 1,106,115 shares. All shares of the
<PAGE>
Common Stock of Allegro subject to issuance as aforesaid, upon issuance on
the terms and conditions specified in the instruments pursuant to which they are
issuable, would be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. The Allegro Schedules list each outstanding option to acquire
shares of the Common Stock Allegro at June 30, 1996, the name of the holder of
such option, the number of shares subject to such option, the exercise price of
such option, the number of shares as to which such option will have vested at
such date and whether the exercisability of such option will be accelerated in
any way by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or for any other
reason, and indicate the extent of acceleration, if any.
3.3 Obligations With Respect to Capital Stock. Except as set forth in
Section 3.2, there are no equity securities of any class of Allegro, or any
securities exchangeable or convertible into or exercisable for such equity
securities, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Except for securities
Allegro owns, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, there are
no equity securities of any class of any subsidiary of Allegro, or any security
exchangeable or convertible into or exercisable for such equity securities,
issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Except as set forth in Section
3.2, there are no options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights (including
preemptive rights), commitments or agreements of any character to which Allegro
or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound obligating Allegro
or any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause the
repurchase, redemption or acquisition, of any shares of capital stock of Allegro
or any of its subsidiaries or obligating Allegro or any of its subsidiaries to
grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter into any such option, warrant,
equity security, call, right, commitment or agreement. There are no registration
rights and, to the knowledge of Allegro there are no voting trusts, proxies or
other agreements or understandings with respect to any equity security of any
class of Allegro or with respect to any equity security of any class of any of
its subsidiaries.
3.4 Authority.
(a) Each of Allegro and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into 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 authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of Allegro and, in the case of
this Agreement, Merger Sub, subject only to the approval of the merger by
Allegro's stockholders as contemplated in Section 5.2 and the filing and
recordation of the Certificate of Merger pursuant to Delaware Law. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Allegro and Merger Sub
and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by
SPC, this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligations of each of
Allegro and Merger Sub, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws and general
principles of equity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of
Allegro and Merger Sub do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of
Allegro and Merger Sub will not, (i) conflict with or violate the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Allegro or the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Merger Sub or the equivalent organizational documents of any of its other
subsidiaries, (ii) subject to obtaining the approval of the Merger by Allegro's
stockholders as contemplated in Section 5.2 and compliance with the requirements
set forth in Section 3.4(b) below, conflict with or violate any law, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Allegro or any of its
subsidiaries (including Merger Sub) or by which its or any of their respective
properties is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute
a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
<PAGE>
default) under, or impair Allegro's rights or alter the rights or obligations of
any third party under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or
encumbrance on any of the properties or assets of Allegro or any of its
subsidiaries (including Merger Sub) pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which Allegro or any of its subsidiaries (including
Merger Sub) is a party or by which Allegro or any of its sub sidiaries
(including Merger Sub) or its or any of their respective properties are bound or
affected, except, with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii), for any such
conflicts, violations, defaults or other occurrences that would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Allegro. The Allegro Schedules list all material
consents, waivers and approvals under any of Allegro's or any of its
subsidiaries' agreements, contracts, licenses or leases required to be obtained
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with any Governmental Entity is required by or with
respect to Allegro or Merger Sub in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
except for (i) the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC in
accordance with the Securities Act, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (iii) the filing of the
Proxy Statement with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act, (iv) the
filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, (v) the listing of the
Allegro Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, (vi) such consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as
may be required under applicable federal and state securities laws and the laws
of any foreign country and (vii) such other consents, authorizations, filings,
approvals and registrations which, if not obtained or made, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on SPC or Allegro or have a material adverse effect on
the ability of the parties to consummate the Merger.
3.5 Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law Not Applicable. The
Board of Directors of Allegro has taken all actions so that the restrictions
contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable to a
"business combination" (as defined in Section 203) will not apply to the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or to the consummation of
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.6 SEC Filings; Allegro Financial Statements.
(a) Allegro has filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed
with the SEC since and including December 1995, and has made available to SPC
such forms, reports and documents in the form filed with the SEC. All such
required forms, reports and documents (including those that Allegro may file
subsequent to the date hereof) are referred to herein as the "Allegro SEC
Reports." As of their respective dates, the Allegro SEC Reports (i) were
prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
thereunder applicable to such Allegro SEC Reports, and (ii) did not at the time
they were filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of
this Agreement, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of Allegro's
subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports or other documents with the
SEC.
(b) Each of the consolidated financial statements (including, in each case,
any related notes thereto) contained in Allegro SEC Reports (the "Allegro
Financials"), including any Allegro SEC Reports filed after the date hereof
until the Closing, (x) complied as to form in all material respects with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (y) was
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited interim financial
statements, as may be permitted by the SEC on Form 10-QSB under the Exchange
Act) and (z) fairly presented the consolidated financial position of Allegro and
its subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results
of its operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the
unaudited interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and
<PAGE>
recurring year-end adjustments which were not, or are not expected to be,
material in amount. The balance sheet of Allegro contained in Allegro SEC
Reports as of June 30, 1996 is hereinafter referred to as the "Allegro Balance
Sheet." Except as disclosed in the Allegro Financials, neither Allegro nor any
of its subsidiaries has any liabilities (absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise) of a nature required to be disclosed on a balance sheet or in the
related notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with GAAP which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business,
results of operations or financial condition of Allegro and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole, except liabilities (i) provided for in the Allegro Balance
Sheet, or (ii) incurred since the date of the Allegro Balance Sheet in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.
(c) Allegro has heretofore furnished to SPC a complete and correct copy of
any amendments or modifications, which have not yet been filed with the SEC but
which are required to be filed, to agreements, documents or other instruments
which previously had been filed by Allegro with the SEC pursuant to the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
3.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the date of the Allegro
Balance Sheet through the date of this Agreement, there has not been: (i) any
Material Adverse Effect on Allegro, (ii) any material change by Allegro in its
accounting methods, principles or practices, except as required by concurrent
changes in GAAP, or (iii) any revaluation by Allegro of any of its assets having
a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro, including, without limitation, writing
down the value of capitalized software or inventory or writing off notes or
accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course of business.
3.8 Taxes. Allegro and each of its subsidiaries has filed all tax returns
required to be filed by any of them and has paid (or Allegro has paid on its
behalf), or has set up an adequate reserve for the payment of, all material
taxes required to be paid as shown on such returns and the most recent financial
statements contained in the Allegro SEC Reports reflect an adequate reserve for
all material taxes payable by Allegro and its subsidiaries accrued through the
date of such financial statements. Except as reasonably would not be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro, no deficiencies for any taxes have
been proposed, asserted or assessed against Allegro or any of its subsidiaries.
3.9 Intellectual Property.
(a) To the knowledge of Allegro and its subsidiaries, Allegro and its
subsidiaries own, or have the right to use, sell or license all patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights and other intellectual
property necessary or required for the conduct of their respective businesses as
presently conducted (such intellectual property and the rights thereto are
collectively referred to herein as the "Allegro IP Rights"), except for any
failure to own or have the right to use, sell or license that would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not constitute a
breach of any instrument or agreement governing any Allegro IP Rights (the
"Allegro IP Rights Agreements"), will not cause the forfeiture or termination or
give rise to a right of forfeiture or termination of any Allegro IP Rights or
impair the right of Allegro and its subsidiaries to use, sell or license any
Allegro IP Rights or portion thereof, except for the occurrence of any such
breach, forfeiture, termination or impairment that would not individually or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
(c) To the knowledge of Allegro and its subsidiaries, (i) neither the
manufacture, marketing, license, sale or intended use of any product or
technology currently licensed or sold or under development by Allegro or any of
its subsidiaries violates any license or agreement between Allegro or any of its
subsidiaries and any third party or infringes any intellectual property right of
any other party; and (ii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of Allegro,
threatened claim, arbitration or litigation contesting the validity, ownership
or right to use, sell, license or dispose of any Allegro IP Rights, nor has
Allegro received any written notice asserting that any Allegro IP Rights or the
proposed use, sale, license or disposition thereof conflicts or will conflict
with the rights of any other party, except, with respect to clauses (i) and
(ii), for any violations, infringements, claims or litigation that would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
<PAGE>
(d) Allegro has taken reasonable and practicable steps designed to
safeguard and maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of, and its proprietary
rights in, all Allegro IP Rights.
3.10 Compliance; Permits; Restrictions.
(a) Neither Allegro nor any of its subsidiaries is in conflict with, or in
default or violation of, (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to Allegro or any of its subsidiaries or by which its or any
of their respective properties is bound or affected, or (ii) any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or
other instrument or obligation to which Allegro or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or by which Allegro or any of its subsidiaries or its or any of their
respective properties is bound or affected, except for any conflicts, defaults
or violations which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro. No
investigation or review by any governmental or, to the knowledge of Allegro,
regulatory body or authority is pending or threatened against Allegro or its
subsidiaries, nor has any governmental or regulatory body or authority indicated
an intention to conduct the same, other than, in each such case, those the
outcome of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
(b) Allegro and its subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, variances,
exemptions, orders and approvals from governmental authorities which are
material to the operation of the business of Allegro and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole (collectively, the "Allegro Permits"). Allegro and its subsidiaries
are in compliance with the terms of Allegro Permits, except where the failure to
hold the same or to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Allegro.
3.11 Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration
or investigation pending, or as to which Allegro or any of its subsidiaries has
received any notice of assertion nor, to Allegro's knowledge, is there a written
threat of an action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation
against Allegro or any of its subsidiaries which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on Allegro, or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent,
enjoin, alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.12 Brokers' and Finders' Fees. Except for fees payable to Frost Capital
Partners, Inc. and Joseph Abrams disclosed to SPC, Allegro has not incurred, nor
will it incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders'
fees or agents' commissions or any similar charges in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.
3.13 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) With respect to each material employee benefit plan, program,
arrangement and contract (including, without limitation, any "employee benefit
plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) maintained or contributed to by
Allegro or any ERISA Affiliate thereof which is under common control with
Allegro within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code (the "Allegro Employee
Plans"), Allegro has made available to SPC a true and complete copy of, to the
extent applicable, (i) such Allegro Employee Plan, (ii) the most recent annual
report (Form 5500), (iii) each trust agreement related to such Allegro Employee
Plan, (iv) the most recent summary plan description for each Allegro Employee
Plan for which such a description is required, (v) the most recent actuarial
report relating to any Allegro Employee Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and
(vi) the most recent IRS determination letter issued with respect to any Allegro
Employee Plan.
(b) Each Allegro Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination from the IRS
covering the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 stating that such Allegro
Employee Plan is so qualified and nothing has occurred since the date of such
letter that could reasonably be expected to affect the qualified status of such
plan. Each Allegro Employee Plan has been operated in all material respects in
accordance with its terms and the requirements of applicable law. Neither
Allegro nor any ERISA Affiliate of Allegro has incurred or is reasonably
expected to incur any material liability under Title IV of ERISA in connection
with any Allegro Employee Plan.
<PAGE>
(c) Neither Allegro nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof has withdrawn in a
complete or partial withdrawal from any multi-employer plan within the meaning
of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA prior to the Effective Time. Neither Allegro nor
any ERISA Affiliate thereof has contributed to or been obligated to contribute
to any multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
3.14 Absence of Liens and Encumbrances. Allegro and each of its
subsidiaries has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties
and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all of its material tangible
properties and assets, real, personal and mixed, used in its business, free and
clear of any liens or encumbrances except as reflected in the Allegro Financials
and except for liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such imperfections of
title and encumbrances, if any, which would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on Allegro.
3.15 Environmental Matters.
(a) Hazardous Material. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on Allegro, no underground storage tanks and no Hazardous Materials (but
excluding office and janitorial supplies) are present in the soil, ground water,
building materials or ambient air of any real property currently occupied by
SPC, as a result of the deliberate actions of Allegro or any of its
subsidiaries, and Allegro has not received any notice that it is allegedly
liable for the presence of Hazardous Materials in, on or under any other
property, including the land and the improvements, ground water and surface
water thereof, that Allegro has at any time owned, operated, occupied or leased.
(b) Hazardous Materials Activities. Except as would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Allegro, neither Allegro nor any of its subsidiaries has
transported, stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released or exposed its
employees or others to Hazardous Materials in violation of any law in effect on
or before the Closing Date, nor has Allegro or any of its subsidiaries engaged
in any Hazardous Materials Activities in violation of any rule, regulation,
treaty or statute promulgated by any Governmental Entity in effect prior to or
as of the date hereof to prohibit, regulate or control Hazardous Materials or
any Hazardous Material Activity.
(c) Permits. Allegro and its subsidiaries currently hold all environmental
approvals, permits, licenses, clearances and consents (the "Allegro
Environmental Permits") necessary for the conduct of Allegro's and its
subsidiaries' Hazardous Material Activities as currently conducted and other
businesses of Allegro and its subsidiaries as such activities and businesses are
currently being conducted, except where the failure to so hold would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
(d) Environmental Liabilities. No material action, proceeding, revocation
proceeding, amendment procedure, writ, injunction or claim is pending, or to
Allegro's knowledge, threatened concerning any Allegro Environmental Permit or
any Hazardous Materials Activity of Allegro or any of its subsidiaries. Allegro
is not aware of any fact or circumstance which could involve Allegro or any of
its subsidiaries in any environmental litigation or impose upon Allegro or any
of its subsidiaries any environmental liability that would have a Material
Adverse Effect on Allegro.
3.16 Labor Matters. To Allegro's knowledge, there are no activities or
proceedings of any labor union to organize any employees of Allegro or any of
its subsidiaries and there are no strikes, or material slowdowns, work stoppages
or lockouts, or threats thereof by or with respect to any employees of Allegro
or any of its subsidiaries. Allegro and its subsidiaries are and have been in
compliance with all applicable laws regarding employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment, and wages and hours (including, without limitation,
ERISA, WARN or any similar state or local law), except for any noncompliance
that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Allegro.
3.17 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments. Except as set forth in the
Allegro Schedules, neither Allegro nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or
is bound by:
(a) any collective bargaining agreements;
(b) any bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, pension,
profit-sharing or retirement plans, or any other employee benefit plans or
arrangements;
<PAGE>
(c) any employment or consulting agreement, contract or commitment
with any officer or director level employee, not terminable by Allegro or
any of its subsidiaries on thirty days notice without liability, except to
the extent general principles of wrongful termination law may limit
Allegro's or any of its subsidiaries' ability to terminate employees at
will;
(d) any agreement or plan, including, without limitation, any stock
option plan, stock appreciation right plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of benefits of
which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which
will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;
(e) any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in
the ordinary course of business other than indemnification agreements
between Allegro or any of its subsidiaries and any of its officers or
directors;
(f) any agreement, contract or commitment containing any covenant
limiting the freedom of Allegro or any of its subsidiaries to engage in any
line of business or compete with any person;
(g) any agreement, contract or commitment relating to capital
expenditures and involving future obligations in excess of $50,000 and not
cancelable without penalty;
(h) any agreement, contract or commitment currently in force relating
to the disposition or acquisition of assets not in the ordinary course of
business or any ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other business enterprise;
(i) any mortgages, indentures, loans or credit agreements, security
agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of
money or extension of credit;
(j) any joint marketing or development agreement (excluding agreements
with resellers, value added resellers or independent software vendors
entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not permit such
resellers or vendors to modify Allegro's or any of its subsidiaries'
software products);
(k) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain
exclusivity provisions); or
(l) any other agreement, contract or commitment (excluding real and
personal property leases) which involves payment by Allegro or any of its
subsidiaries under any such agreement, contract or commitment of $50,000 or
more in the aggregate and is not cancelable without penalty within thirty
(30) days.
Neither Allegro nor any of its subsidiaries, nor to Allegro's knowledge any
other party to an Allegro Contract (as defined below), has breached, violated or
defaulted under, or received notice that it has breached violated or defaulted
under, any of the material terms or conditions of any of the agreements,
contracts or commitments to which Allegro is a party or by which it is bound of
the type described in clauses (a) through (l) above (any such agreement,
contract or commitment, an "Allegro Contract") in such a manner as would permit
any other party to cancel or terminate any such Allegro Contract, or would
permit any other party to seek damages, which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on Allegro.
3.18 Change of Control Payments. There are no plans or agreements pursuant
to which any material amounts may become payable (whether currently or in the
future) to current or former officers or directors of Allegro as a result of or
in connection with the Merger.
3.19 Statements; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The information supplied by
Allegro for inclusion in the Registration Statement (as defined in Section
2.4(b)) shall not at the time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC
and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
<PAGE>
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading. The information supplied by Allegro for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement to be sent to the stockholders of Allegro and the stockholders of SPC
in connection with the Allegro Stockholders' Meeting and SPC Stockholders'
Meeting shall not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to Allegro's
stockholders and SPC's stockholders, at the time of the SPC Stockholders'
Meeting or the Allegro Stockholders' Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not false or
misleading; or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any
statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of
proxies for the Allegro Stockholders' Meeting or the SPC Stockholders' Meeting
which has become false or misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form
in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder. If at any time prior to the Effective Time, any
event relating to Allegro or any of its affiliates, officers or directors should
be discovered by Allegro which should be set forth in an amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the Proxy Statement, Allegro shall
promptly inform SPC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Allegro makes no
representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by SPC which
is contained in any of the foregoing documents.
3.20 Board Approval. The Board of Directors of Allegro has, as of the date
of this Agreement, determined (i) that the Merger is fair to and in the best
interests of Allegro and its stockholders, and (ii) to recommend that the
stockholders of Allegro approve this Agreement.
3.21 Minute Books. The minute books of Allegro made available to counsel
for SPC are the only minute books of Allegro and contain a reasonably accurate
summary, in all material respects, of all meetings of directors (or committees
thereof) and stockholders or actions by written consent since the time of
incorporation of Allegro.
ARTICLE IV
CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME
4.1 Conduct of Business. During the period from the date of this Agreement
and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to its terms or the Effective Time, SPC (which for the purposes of this Article
4 shall include SPC and each of its subsidiaries) and Allegro (which for the
purposes of this Article 4 shall include Allegro and each of its subsidiaries)
agree, except (i) in the case of SPC as provided in Article 4 of the SPC
Schedules and in the case of Allegro as provided in Article 4 of the Allegro
Schedules, or (ii) to the extent that the other party shall otherwise consent in
writing, to carry on its business diligently and in accordance with good
commercial practice and to carry on its business in the usual, regular and
ordinary course, in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted, to
pay its debts and taxes when due subject to good faith disputes over such debts
or taxes, to pay or perform other material obligations when due, and use its
commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and policies to
preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services
of its present officers and employees and preserve its relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, and others with which
it has business dealings. In furtherance of the foregoing and subject to
applicable law, SPC and Allegro agree to confer, as promptly as practicable,
prior to taking any material actions or making any material management decisions
with respect to the conduct of business. In addition, except in the case of SPC
as provided in Article 4 of the SPC Schedules and in the case of Allegro as
provided in Article 4 of the Allegro Schedules, without the prior written
consent of the other, not to be unreasonably withheld, neither SPC nor Allegro
shall do any of the following, and neither SPC nor Allegro shall permit its
subsidiaries to do any of the following:
(a) Waive any stock repurchase rights, accelerate, amend or change the
period of exercisability of options or restricted stock, or reprice options
granted under any employee, consultant or director stock plans or authorize
cash payments in exchange for any options granted under any of such plans;
<PAGE>
(b) Enter into any material partnership arrangements, joint
development agreements or strategic alliances;
(c) Grant any severance or termination pay to any officer or employee
except payments in amounts consistent with policies and past practices or
pursuant to written agreements outstanding, or policies existing, on the
date hereof and as previously disclosed in writing to the other, or adopt
any new severance plan;
(d) Transfer or license to any person or entity or otherwise extend,
amend or modify in any material respect any rights to the SPC IP Rights or
the Allegro IP Rights, as the case may be, or enter into grants to future
patent rights, other than in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Declare or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions
(whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any capital stock or
split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for any capital stock;
(f) Repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any
shares of capital stock except pursuant to rights of repurchase of any such
shares under any employee, consultant or director stock plan;
(g) Issue, deliver, sell, authorize or propose the issuance, delivery
or sale of, any shares of capital stock or any securities convertible into
shares of capital stock, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to
acquire and shares of capital stock or any securities convertible into
shares of capital stock, or enter into other agreements or commitments of
any character obligating it to issue any such shares or convertible
securities, other than (i) the issuance of shares of SPC Capital Stock or
Allegro Common Stock, as the case may be, pursuant to the exercise of stock
options therefor outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) options
to purchase shares of SPC Capital Stock or Allegro Common Stock, as the
case may be, to be granted at fair market value in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice and in accordance with existing
stock option plans, (iii) shares of SPC Capital Stock or Allegro Common
Stock, as the case may be, issuable upon the exercise of the options
referred to in clause (ii), (iv) shares of SPC Capital Stock issuable to
participants the SPC Employee Stock Purchase Plan consistent with the terms
thereof, and (v) shares of Allegro Common Stock pursuant to the terms
hereof;
(h) Cause, permit or propose any amendments to any charter document or
Bylaw (or similar governing instruments of any subsidiaries), except to
increase the size of the Board of Directors of Allegro to eleven directors;
(i) Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or
by purchasing any equity interest in or a material portion of the assets
of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership
interest, association or other business organization or division thereof,
or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets which are material,
individually or in the aggregate, to the business of SPC or Allegro, as the
case may be, or enter into any joint ventures, strategic partnerships or
alliances, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;
(j) Sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
properties or assets which are material, individually or in the aggregate,
to the business of SPC or Allegro, as the case may be, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(k) Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than ordinary
course trade payables or pursuant to existing credit facilities in the
ordinary course of business) or guarantee any such indebtedness or issue or
sell any debt securities or warrants or rights to acquire debt securities
of SPC or Allegro, as the case may be, or guarantee any debt securities of
others;
(l) Adopt or amend any employee benefit or stock purchase or option
plan, or enter into any employment contract, pay any special bonus or
special remuneration to any director or employee, or increase the salaries
or wage rates of its officers or employees other than in the ordinary
course of business, consistent with past practice;
<PAGE>
(m) Pay, discharge or satisfy any claim, liability or obligation
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of
business;
(n) Make any grant of exclusive rights to any third party;
(o) Make any expenditure equal to or exceeding $15,000; or
(p) Agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the actions described
in Article 4 (a) through (o) above.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement; Other Filings. As
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, SPC and Allegro
will prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement and Allegro will prepare
and file with the SEC the Registration Statement in which the Proxy Statement
will be included as a prospectus. Each of SPC and Allegro will respond to any
comments of the SEC, will use its best efforts to have the Registration
Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable
after such filing and will cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its
stockholders at the earliest practicable time. As promptly as practicable after
the date of this Agreement, SPC and Allegro will prepare and file any other
filings required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or any other
Federal, foreign or state securities or Blue Sky laws relating to the Merger and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the "Other Filings"). Each
party will notify the other party promptly upon the receipt of any comments from
the SEC or its staff and of any request by the SEC or its staff or any other
government officials for amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement, the Proxy Statement or any Other Filing or for additional information
and will supply the other party with copies of all correspondence between such
party or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC, or its staff
or any other government officials, on the other hand, with respect to the
Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, the Merger or any Other Filing. The
Proxy Statement, the Registration Statement and the Other Filings will comply in
all material respects with all applicable requirements of law and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Whenever any event occurs which is required
to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, the
Registration Statement or any Other Filing, SPC or Allegro, as the case may be,
will promptly inform the other party of such occurrence and cooperate in filing
with the SEC or its staff or any other government officials, and/or mailing to
stockholders of SPC and Allegro, such amendment or supplement. The Proxy
Statement will also include the recommendations of (i) the Board of Directors of
SPC in favor of approval of this Agreement (except to the extent permitted by
Section 5.4) and (ii) the Board of Directors of Allegro in favor of the approval
of this Agreement (except that the Board of Directors of Allegro may withdraw,
modify or refrain from making such recommendations to the extent that the Board
determines, in good faith, after discussion with outside legal counsel, that the
Board's fiduciary duties under applicable law require it to do so).
5.2 Meetings of Stockholders. Promptly after the date hereof, SPC will take
all action necessary in accordance with Delaware Law and its Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws to convene the SPC Stockholders' Meeting to be held as
promptly as practicable, and in any event within 45 days after the declaration
of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, for the purpose of voting upon
this Agreement. SPC will consult with Allegro and use its commercially
reasonable efforts to hold the SPC Stockholders' Meeting on the same day as the
Allegro Stockholders' Meeting. Promptly after the date hereof, Allegro will take
all action necessary in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and
its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to convene the Allegro Stockholders'
Meeting to be held as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 45 days
after the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, for the
purpose of voting upon this Agreement. Allegro will consult with SPC and will
use its commercially reasonable efforts to hold the Allegro Stockholders'
Meeting on the same day as the SPC Stockholders' Meeting. Allegro and SPC will
each use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its stockholders
proxies in favor of the approval of this Agreement and will take all other
action necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of their respective
stockholders required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to obtain such
approval (except to the extent permitted by Section 5.4).
<PAGE>
5.3 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Each party will afford the other party and its accountants, counsel and
other representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the
properties, books, records and personnel of the other party during the period
prior to the Effective Time to obtain all information concerning the business,
including the status of product development efforts, properties, results of
operations and personnel of such party, as the other party may reasonably
request. No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation pursuant to
this Section 5.3 will affect or be deemed to modify any representation or
warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations of the parties to
consummate the Merger.
(b) The parties acknowledge that Allegro and SPC have previously executed a
Confidentiality Agreement (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), which
Confidentiality Agreement will continue in full force and effect in accordance
with its terms, except as is necessary to comply with the terms of this
Agreement.
5.4 No Solicitation by SPC.
(a) From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms, SPC and
its subsidiaries will not, and will instruct their respective directors,
officers, employees, representatives, investment bankers, agents and affiliates
not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or knowingly encourage submission
of, any proposals or offers by any person, entity or group (other than Allegro
and its affiliates, agents and representatives), or (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations with, or disclose any non-public information
concerning SPC or any of its subsidiaries to, or afford any access to the
properties, books or records of SPC or any of its subsidiaries to, or otherwise
assist or facilitate, or enter into any agreement or understanding with, any
person, entity or group (other than Allegro and its affiliates, agents and
representatives), in connection with any Acquisition Proposal with respect to
SPC. For the purposes of this Agreement, an "Acquisition Proposal" with respect
to an entity means any proposal or offer relating to (i) any merger,
consolidation, sale of substantial assets or similar transactions involving the
entity or any subsidiaries of the entity (other than sales of assets or
inventory in the ordinary course of business or permitted under the terms of
this Agreement), (ii) sale of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the entity (including without limitation by way of a tender offer or an
exchange offer), (iii) the acquisition by any person of beneficial ownership or
a right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or the formation of any "group" (as
defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder) which beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of, 5% or more of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the
entity (except for acquisitions for passive investment purposes only in
circumstances where the person or group qualifies for and files a Schedule 13G
with respect thereto); or (iv) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or
intention to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the
foregoing. SPC will immediately cease any and all existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect
to any of the foregoing. SPC will (i) notify Allegro as promptly as practicable
if any inquiry or proposal is made or any information or access is requested in
writing in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or potential Acquisition
Proposal and (ii) as promptly as practicable notify Allegro of the significant
terms and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal. In addition, subject to
the other provisions of this Section 5.4, from and after the date of this
Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and termination of this
Agreement pursuant to its terms, SPC and its subsidiaries will not, and will
instruct their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives,
investment bankers, agents and affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, make
or authorize any public statement, recommendation or solicitation in support of
any Acquisition Proposal made by any person, entity or group (other than
Allegro); provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit SPC's Board of
Directors from taking and disclosing to SPC's stockholders a position with
respect to a tender offer pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under
the Exchange Act.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, prior to the
approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of SPC at the SPC Stockholders'
Meeting, SPC may, to the extent the Board of Directors of SPC determines, in
good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the Board's
<PAGE>
fiduciary duties under applicable law require it to do so, participate in
discussions or negotiations with, and, subject to the requirements of paragraph
(c), below, furnish information to any person, entity or group after such
person, entity or group has delivered to SPC in writing, an unsolicited bona
fide Acquisition Proposal which the Board of Directors of SPC in its good faith
reasonable judgment determines, after consultation with its independent
financial advisors, would result in a transaction more favorable to the
stockholders of SPC from a financial point of view than the Merger and for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which, in the good faith
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of SPC (based upon the advice of
independent financial advisors), is reasonably capable of being financed by such
person, entity or group and which is likely to be consummated (an "SPC Superior
Proposal"). In addition, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above,
in connection with a possible Acquisition Proposal, SPC may refer any third
party to this Section 5.4 or make a copy of this Section 5.4 available to a
third party. In the event SPC receives an SPC Superior Proposal, nothing
contained in this Agreement (but subject to the terms hereof) will prevent the
Board of Directors of SPC from approving such SPC Superior Proposal or
recommending such SPC Superior Proposal to SPC's stockholders, if the Board
determines that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under applicable
law; in such case, the Board of Directors of SPC may withdraw, modify or refrain
from making its recommendation concerning the approval of this Agreement;
provided, however, that SPC shall not accept or recommend to its stockholders,
or enter into any agreement concerning, an SPC Superior Proposal for a period of
not less than 48 hours after Allegro's receipt of a copy of such SPC Superior
Proposal (or a description of the significant terms and conditions thereof, if
not in writing).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in paragraph (a), SPC will not
provide any non-public information to a third party unless: (x) SPC provides
such non-public information pursuant to a nondisclosure agreement with terms
regarding the protection of confidential information at least as restrictive as
such terms in the Confidentiality Agreement; and (y) such non-public information
is the same information previously delivered to Allegro.
5.5 Public Disclosure. Allegro and SPC will consult with each other before
issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement with respect
to the Merger, this Agreement or an Alternative Proposal and will not issue any
such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation,
except as may be required by law or any listing agreement with a national
securities exchange or Nasdaq.
5.6 Legal Requirements. Each of Allegro, Merger Sub and SPC will take all
reasonable actions necessary or desirable to comply promptly with all legal
requirements which may be imposed on them with respect to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including furnishing all
information required in connection with approvals of or filings with any
Governmental Entity, and prompt resolution of any litigation prompted hereby)
and will promptly cooperate with and furnish information to any party hereto
necessary in connection with any such requirements imposed upon any of them or
their respective subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Allegro will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to take such steps as may be necessary to comply with the
securities and blue sky laws of all jurisdictions which are applicable to the
issuance of Allegro Common Stock pursuant hereto. SPC will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to assist Allegro as may be necessary to comply with the
securities and blue sky laws of all jurisdictions which are applicable in
connection with the issuance of Allegro Common Stock pursuant hereto.
5.7 Third Party Consents. As soon as practicable following the date hereof,
Allegro and SPC will each use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all
material consents, waivers and approvals under any of its or its subsidiaries'
agreements, contracts, licenses or leases required to be obtained in connection
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
5.8 FIRPTA. At or prior to the Closing, SPC, if requested by Allegro, shall
deliver to the IRS a notice that the SPC Capital Stock is not a "U.S. Real
Property Interest" as defined and in accordance with the requirements of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2(h)(2).
5.9 Notification of Certain Matters. Allegro and Merger Sub will give
prompt notice to SPC, and SPC will give prompt notice to Allegro, of the
occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event, which occurrence or failure to
<PAGE>
occur would be reasonably likely to cause (a) any representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect
at any time from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, or (b) any
material failure of Allegro and Merger Sub or SPC, as the case may be, or of any
officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, the delivery of any notice pursuant
to this section will not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available
hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
5.10 Best Efforts and Further Assurances. Subject to the respective rights
and obligations of Allegro and SPC under this Agreement, each of the parties to
this Agreement will use its best efforts to effectuate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill and cause to be fulfilled the
conditions to closing under this Agreement. Each party hereto, at the reasonable
request of another party hereto, will execute and deliver such other instruments
and do and perform such other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable
for effecting completely the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
5.11 Stock Options; Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of
SPC Capital Stock (each an "SPC Stock Option") under the SPC Stock Option Plans,
whether or not exercisable, will be assumed by Allegro. Each SPC Stock Option so
assumed by Allegro under this Agreement will continue to have, and be subject
to, the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable SPC Stock Option
Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, any
repurchase rights), except that (i) each SPC Stock Option will be exercisable
(or will become exercisable in accordance with its terms) for that number of
whole shares of Allegro Common Stock equal to the product of the number of
shares of SPC Capital Stock that were issuable upon exercise of such SPC Stock
Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio,
rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Allegro Common Stock, and
(ii) the per share exercise price for the shares of Allegro Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of such assumed SPC Stock Option will be equal to the
quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per share of SPC Capital
Stock at which such SPC Stock Option was exercisable immediately prior to the
Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent.
After the Effective Time, Allegro will issue to each holder of an outstanding
SPC Stock Option a notice describing the foregoing assumption of such SPC Stock
Option by Allegro.
(b) It is the intention of the parties that SPC Stock Options assumed by
Allegro qualify following the Effective Time as incentive stock options as
defined in Section 422 of the Code to the extent SPC Stock Options qualified as
incentive stock options immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(c) Allegro will reserve sufficient shares of Allegro Common Stock for
issuance under Section 5.11(a) and under Section 1.6(c) hereof.
5.12 Form S-8. Allegro agrees to file a registration statement on Form S-8
for the shares of Allegro Common Stock issuable with respect to assumed SPC
Stock Options no later than ten (10) business days after the Closing Date.
5.13 Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will
fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of SPC pursuant to any
indemnification agreements between SPC and its directors and officers existing
prior to the date hereof. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation will contain provisions with respect to indemnification
and elimination of liability for monetary damages not less favorable to officers
and directors to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
of SPC, which provisions will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in
a manner adverse to officers and directors for a period of six years from the
Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder
of individuals who, at the Effective Time, were directors, officers, employees
or agents of SPC, unless such modification is required by law.
<PAGE>
(b) After the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation will, to the fullest
extent permitted under applicable law or under the Surviving Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, indemnify and hold harmless, each
present and former director or officer of SPC or any of its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against any costs or expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, to the extent arising out of or pertaining to any action or
omission in his or her capacity as a director or officer of SPC arising out of
or pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for a period of
six years after the date hereof. In the event of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective
Time), (i) any counsel retained by the Indemnified Parties for any period after
the Effective Time will be reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation
and Allegro, (ii) after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will pay
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, promptly after statements
therefor are received and (iii) the Surviving Corporation will cooperate in the
defense of any such matter; provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation
will not be liable for any settlement effected without its written consent
(which consent will not be unreasonably withheld); and provided, further, that,
in the event that any claim or claims for indemnification are asserted or made
within such six-year period, all rights to indemnification in respect of any
such claim or claims will continue until the disposition of any and all such
claims. The Indemnified Parties as a group may retain only one law firm (in
addition to local counsel) to represent them with respect to any single action
unless there is, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict
on any significant issue between the positions of any two or more Indemnified
Parties.
(c) Allegro shall maintain through September 3, 1997 the current policies
of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by SPC. The Surviving
Corporation shall pay all retentions and deductibles payable by any Indemnified
Party with respect to such policies; provided, that if and to the extent the
Surviving Corporation has insufficient cash to pay such retentions and
deductibles in full, the remaining amounts payable shall be paid by Allegro.
(d) Promptly after the Effective Time, Allegro shall enter into
indemnification agreements with directors and officers of SPC who become
directors or officers of Allegro or of the Surviving Corporation, which
agreements shall be substantially identical to those which Allegro has entered
with its current officers and directors.
(e) This Section 5.13 will survive any termination of this Agreement and
the consummation of the Merger at the Effective Time, is intended to benefit
SPC, the Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Parties, and will be binding
on all successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation. If Allegro or the
Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person or entity and shall not be the
continuing or surviving person of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers
all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person or entity,
then and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that such
successors or assigns of Allegro or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may
be, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.13.
5.14 Tax-Free Reorganization. Allegro and SPC will each use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Merger to be treated as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. Allegro and SPC
will each make available to the other party and their respective legal counsel
copies of all returns requested by the other party.
5.15 NASDAQ Listing. Allegro agrees to apply for authorization for listing
on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market the shares of Allegro Common Stock issuable, and
those required to be reserved for issuance, in connection with the Merger, upon
official notice of issuance, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to
have its Common Stock authorized for listing on the Nasdaq National Market
System as soon as reasonably practicable.
<PAGE>
5.16 SPC Affiliate Agreement. Set forth on the SPC Schedules is a list of
those persons who may be deemed to be, in SPC's reasonable judgment, affiliates
of SPC within the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act (an
"SPC Affiliate"). SPC will provide Allegro with such information and documents
as Allegro reasonably requests for purposes of reviewing such list. SPC will use
its best efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to Allegro prior to the
Closing Date from each SPC Affiliate an executed affiliate agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "SPC Affiliate
Agreement"), each of which will be in full force and effect as of the Effective
Time. Allegro will be entitled to place appropriate legends on the certificates
evidencing any Allegro Common Stock to be received by an SPC Affiliate pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue appropriate stop transfer
instructions to the transfer agent for the Allegro Common Stock, consistent with
the terms of the SPC Affiliate Agreement.
5.17 Board of Directors of Allegro. The Board of Directors of Allegro will
take all actions necessary to cause the Board of Directors of Allegro,
immediately after the Effective Time, to consist of eleven persons, nine of whom
shall have served on the Board of Directors of Allegro immediately prior to the
Effective Time and two of whom shall have served on the Board of Directors of
SPC immediately prior to the Effective Time (one of whom shall be Fred Gibbons,
in Class III, and one of whom shall be designated by the SPC Board of Directors,
and is currently expected to be Miriam Frazer, in Class II). If, prior to the
Effective Time, any of the SPC or Allegro designees shall decline or be unable
to serve as an SPC or Allegro director, SPC (if such person was designated by
SPC) or Allegro (if such person was designated by Allegro) shall designate
another person to serve in such person's stead, which person shall be reasonably
acceptable to the other party.
5.18 Loan Facility. From the date hereof through the Effective Date or
earlier termination of the Agreement, SPC shall, upon request by Allegro, loan
up to $1,000,000 to Allegro. SPC shall not be required to loan more than
one-third of the maximum loan amount in any 30-day period, and the proceeds of
all loans shall be used only for working capital purposes; provided, however,
that no such loan shall be required to be made unless and until the fairness
opinions referred to in Sections 6.2(e) and 6.3(f) have been received or the
condition relating thereto waived. Any such loan shall be evidenced by a
promissory note with the following terms:
(a) maturity on the tenth anniversary of the date of any loan;
(b) in the event that this Agreement is terminated by Allegro, the
note shall be converted into shares of Common Stock of Allegro at the Loan
Conversion Price (as defined below);
(c) in the event this Agreement is terminated by SPC, the note (less
any amount payable by SPC to Allegro pursuant to Section 7.3(b) of this
Agreement) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock of Allegro at the
Loan Conversion Price; provided, however, that in the event that such
termination shall result in a fee payable by Allegro to SPC pursuant to
Section 7.3(c) of this Agreement, only one-half of the note shall be so
converted and the remaining one-half shall be repayable at the same time
and in the same manner as the fee payable pursuant to Section 7;
(d) the note shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
prime rate plus 2%.
As used herein, the term "Loan Conversion Price" shall mean 90% of the
average of the last reported sale prices of the Allegro Common Stock for the ten
trading days ending on the day immediately prior to the date of termination
leading to conversion of the loan(s).
5.19 Fairness Opinions. Each of SPC and Allegro shall use their best
efforts to obtain the fairness opinions referred to in Sections 6.2(e) and
6.3(e), respectively.
5.20 SPC Employee Benefits. Subject to being able to do so consistently
with applicable laws, after the Effective Date, Allegro will use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Surviving Corporation to provide to
the employees of SPC employee benefits comparable to those under the existing
SPC plans generally available to SPC employees.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement shall have been approved
and adopted, and the Merger shall have been duly approved, by the
requisite vote under applicable law by the stockholders of SPC and by the
stockholders of Allegro.
(b) Registration Statement Effective. The SEC shall have declared the
Registration Statement effective. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have
been issued and no proceeding for that purpose, and no similar proceeding
in respect of the Proxy Statement, shall have been initiated or threatened
in writing by the SEC.
(c) No Order. No Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or
permanent) which is in effect and which has the effect of making the Merger
illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger.
(d) Nasdaq Listing. The shares of Allegro Common Stock issuable to
stockholders of SPC pursuant to this Agreement and such other shares
required to be reserved for issuance in connection with the Merger shall
have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap upon official
notice of issuance.
6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of SPC. The obligations of SPC to
consummate and effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or
prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions, any of which
may be waived, in writing, exclusively by SPC:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of Allegro and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement shall be
true and correct on and as of the Effective Time, except for changes
contemplated by this Agreement and except for those representations and
warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which shall
remain true and correct as of such particular date), with the same force
and effect as if made on and as of the Effective time, except, in all
such cases where the failure to be so true and correct, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Allegro; and SPC shall have received a
certificate to such effect signed on behalf of Allegro by the Chief
Financial Officer of Allegro;
(b) Agreements and Covenants. Allegro and Merger Sub shall have
performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
them on or prior to the Effective Time, and SPC shall have received a
certificate to such effect signed on behalf of Allegro by the Chief
Financial Officer of Allegro;
(c) Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect with respect
to Allegro shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement; and
(d) Legal Opinion. SPC shall have received a legal opinion from Blau,
Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C., counsel to Allegro, in a form reasonably
acceptable to SPC.
(e) Fairness Opinion. SPC shall have received a written opinion from
Unterberg Harris or another investment banking firm by not later than
October 11, 1996, to the effect that as of the date hereof, the Exchange
Ratio is fair to SPC's stockholders from a financial point of view, and
shall have delivered to Allegro by not later than such date a copy of such
opinion.
<PAGE>
6.3 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Allegro and Merger Sub. The
obligations of Allegro and Merger Sub to consummate and effect the Merger shall
be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the
following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by
Allegro:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of SPC contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct on
and as of the Effective Time, except for changes contemplated by this
Agreement and except for those representations and warranties which address
matters only as of a particular date (which shall remain true and correct
as of such particular date), with the same force and effect as if made on
and as of the Effective Time, except, in all such cases where the failure
to be so true and correct, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on SPC;
and Allegro and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate to such effect
signed on behalf of SPC by the Chief Financial Officer of SPC;
(b) Agreements and Covenants. SPC shall have performed or complied in
all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the
Effective Time, and the Allegro shall have received a certificate to such
effect signed on behalf of SPC by the Chief Financial Officer of SPC;
(c) Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect with respect
to SPC shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement;
(d) Legal Opinion. Allegro shall have received a legal opinion from
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, counsel to SPC, in a form reasonably
acceptable to Allegro.
(e) Fairness Opinion. Allegro has received a written opinion from
Frost Capital Partners, Inc. or another investment banking firm by not
later than October 11, 1996 to the effect that as of the date hereof, the
Merger is fair to Allegro's stockholders from a financial point of view,
and shall have delivered to SPC a copy of such opinion by not later than
such date.
(f) Termination of SPC Shareholder Rights Plan. SPC's Shareholder
Rights Plan shall either have been terminated or its operation waived with
regard to the transaction contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger, whether before or after approval of the Merger by
the stockholders of Allegro and SPC:
(a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the Boards of
Directors of Allegro and SPC;
(b) by either SPC or Allegro if the Merger shall not have been
consummated by February 15, 1997; provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available
to any party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of
or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before such date
and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
(c) by either SPC or Allegro if a court of competent jurisdiction or
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action (an "Order"),
in any case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the Merger, which order, decree or ruling is final
and nonappealable;
(d) by either SPC or Allegro if the required approvals of the
stockholders of SPC and Allegro contemplated by this Agreement shall not
have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote
upon a vote taken at a meeting of stockholders duly convened therefor or
at any adjournment thereof (provided that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 7.1(d) shall not be available to any party
where the failure to obtain stockholder approval of such party shall have
been caused by the action or failure to act of such party in breach of this
Agreement);
<PAGE>
(e) by either SPC or Allegro, if SPC shall have accepted an SPC
Superior Proposal or by Allegro if the SPC Board of Directors recommends
an SPC Superior Proposal to the stockholders of SPC;
(f) by Allegro, if the Board of Directors of SPC shall have withheld,
withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Allegro its recommendation in
favor of approving the issuance of the shares of Allegro Common Stock by
virtue of the Merger;
(g) by SPC, if the Board of Directors of Allegro shall have withheld,
withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to SPC its recommendation in
favor of the Merger;
(h) by SPC, upon a material breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement on the part of Allegro set forth in this Agreement,
or if any representation or warranty of Allegro shall have become untrue in
any material respect, in either case such that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied as of the time of
such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have
become untrue, provided that if such inaccuracy in Allegro's
representations and warranties or breach by Allegro is curable by Allegro
through the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts within fifteen
(15) days of the time such representation or warranty shall have become
untrue or such breach, then SPC may not terminate this Agreement under this
Section 7.1(h) during such fifteen-day period provided Allegro continues to
exercise such commercially reasonable efforts;
(i) by Allegro, upon a material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of SPC set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of SPC shall have become
untrue in any material respect, in either case such that the conditions set
forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) would not be satisfied as of the
time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall
have become untrue, provided, that if such inaccuracy in the Company's
representations and warranties or breach by SPC is curable by SPC through
the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts within fifteen (15)
days of the time such representation or warranty shall have become untrue
or such breach, then Allegro may not terminate this Agreement under this
Section 7.1(i) during such fifteen-day period provided SPC continues to
exercise such commercially reasonable efforts;
(j) by SPC, if there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Effect
with respect to Allegro since the date of this Agreement;
(k) by Allegro, if there shall have occurred any Material Adverse
Effect with respect to SPC since the date of this Agreement;
(l) by SPC, if the condition specified in Section 6.2(e) has not been
satisfied by October 11, 1996; or
(m) by Allegro, if the condition specified in Section 6.3(e) has not
been satisfied by October 11, 1996.
7.2 Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination.
(a) Subject to Sections 7.2(b) and (c), any termination of this Agreement
under Section 7.1 above will be effective immediately upon the delivery of
written notice of the terminating party to the other parties hereto. In the
event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, this
Agreement shall be of no further force or effect, except (i) as set forth in
this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 and Article 8 (miscellaneous), each of which shall
survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve
any party from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement. No
termination of this Agreement shall affect the obligations of the parties
contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, all of which obligations shall
survive termination of this Agreement in accordance with their terms.
(b) Any termination of this Agreement by SPC pursuant to Sections 7.1(d) or
7.1(e) hereof shall be of no force or effect unless prior to such termination
SPC shall have paid to Allegro any amounts payable pursuant to Section 7.3(b).
<PAGE>
(c) Any termination of this Agreement by Allegro pursuant to Sections
7.1(d) or 7.1(g) hereof shall be of no force or effect unless prior to such
termination Allegro shall have paid to SPC any amounts payable pursuant to
Section 7.3(c).
7.3 Fees and Expenses.
(a) Except as set forth in this Section 7.3, all fees and expenses incurred
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is
consummated; provided, however, that Allegro and SPC shall share equally all
fees and expenses, other than reasonable attorneys' and accountants fees and
expenses, incurred in relation to the printing and filing of the Proxy Statement
(including any preliminary materials related thereto) and the Registration
Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) and any amendments or
supplements thereto.
(b) SPC shall immediately make payment to Allegro (by wire transfer or
certified or cashiers check) of (x) $1,000,000 (i) in the event SPC shall have
accepted an SPC Superior Proposal or if the SPC Board of Directors recommends an
SPC Superior Proposal to the stockholders of SPC, or (ii) in the event the vote
of the stockholders of SPC contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been
obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote upon a vote taken
at a meeting of stockholders duly convened therefor or at any adjournment
thereof (an "SPC Negative Vote") if prior to such SPC Negative Vote there shall
have occurred an Acquisition Proposal with respect to SPC which shall have been
publicly disclosed and not withdrawn; or (iii) in the event of an SPC Negative
Vote if prior to such SPC Negative Vote the Board of Directors of SPC shall have
withheld, withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Allegro its
recommendation in favor of the Merger or (y) $750,000 in the event of (i) an SPC
Negative Vote if SPC shall not be required to make payment of the $1,000,000
required by clause (x) above or (ii) a failure to perform or observe any
covenant of SPC contained herein.
(c) Allegro shall immediately make payment to SPC (by wire transfer or
certified or cashiers check) of $750,000 in the event of (i) an Allegro Negative
Vote or (ii) a failure to perform or observe any covenant of Allegro contained
herein.
(d) Payment of the fees described in Section 7.3(b) and (c) above shall not
be in lieu of damages incurred in the event of breach of this Agreement.
7.4 Amendment. Subject to applicable law, this Agreement may be amended by
the parties hereto at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed
on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
7.5 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time any party
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 made to such
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of
such party 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 an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of SPC, Allegro and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement shall
terminate at the Effective Time, and only the covenants that by their terms
survive the Effective Time shall survive the Effective Time.
8.2 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial
delivery service, or sent via telecopy (receipt confirmed) to the parties at the
following addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such other address or telecopy
numbers for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
<PAGE>
(a) if to Allegro or Merger Sub, to:
Allegro New Media, Inc.
3 Oak Road
Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
Attention: Barry A. Cinnamon
President
Telephone No.: (201) 808-1992
Telecopy No.: (201) 808-2645
with a copy to:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
Attention: Neil M. Kaufman, Esq.
Telephone No.: (516) 822-4820
Telecopy No.: (516) 822-4824
(b) if to SPC, to:
Software Publishing Corporation
111 North Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Attention: Miriam Frazer
Telephone No.: (408) 537-3000
Telecopy No.: (408) 537-3506
with a copy to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
Attention: Herbert Fockler, Esq.
Telephone No.: (415) 493-9300
Telecopy No.: (415) 493-6811
8.3 Interpretation; Knowledge.
(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to Exhibits, such
reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The words "include," "includes" and "including" when used herein
shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words "without
limitation." The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement. When reference is made herein to "the
business of" an entity, such reference shall be deemed to include the
business of all direct and indirect subsidiaries of such entity. Reference
to the subsidiaries of an entity shall be deemed to include all direct and
indirect subsidiaries of such entity.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "knowledge" means, with
respect to any matter in question, that the executive officers of SPC or
Allegro, as the case may be, have actual knowledge of such matter.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.
8.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents and instruments and
other agreements among the parties hereto as contemplated by or referred to
herein, including SPC Schedules and the Allegro Schedules (a) constitute the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, it being understood that
the Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
Closing and shall survive any termination of this Agreement; and (b) are not
intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder,
except as set forth herein.
<PAGE>
8.6 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will
continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other
persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the
intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace such void or
unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision
that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other
purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.
8.7 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided
herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be
deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby,
or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one
remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The parties hereto
agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in
any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
8.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof.
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of
any state or federal court within the State of Delaware, in connection with any
matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated
herein, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner authorized by
the laws of the State of Delaware for such persons and waives and covenants not
to assert or plead any objection which they might otherwise have to such
jurisdiction and such process.
8.9 Rules of Construction. The parties hereto agree that they have been
represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement
and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of
construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will
be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.
8.10 Assignment. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval
of the other parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Allegro, Merger Sub, and SPC have caused this Agreement
to be signed by themselves or their duly authorized respective officers, all as
of the date first written above.
ALLEGRO NEW MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/ BARRY CINNAMON
------------------------------------
Name: Barry Cinnamon
Title: Chairman
SOFTWARE PUBLISHING CORPORATION
By: /s/ FRED GIBBONS
------------------------------------
Name: Fred Gibbons
Title: Chairman
By: /s/ MIRIAM FRAZER
------------------------------------
Name: Miriam Frazer
Title: V.P. Finance and Chief Financial
Officer
SPC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By: /s/ BARRY CINNAMON
------------------------------------
Name: Barry Cinnamon
Title: President
