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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 12, 1999.
EBONLINEINC.COM
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada 0-25022 72-1148906
(State or Other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employee
Jurisdiction of Incorporation) Identification Number)
15825 Shady Grove Road, #50 Rockville, MD 20850
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(301) 947-0100
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
CERX Venture Corporation
90 Madison Street, Suite 707, Denver, Colorado 80206
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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ITEM 1. CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.
In connection with the Merger (as defined in Item 2 below) of
EBonlineinc.com, Inc. with and into CERX Venture Corporation
(the "Surviving Corporation" or the "Registrant"), effective
as of July 12, 1999, Eastbrokers International Incorporated
("Eastbrokers") and A1 Internet.com, Inc. ("A1 Internet")
became owners of approximately 48.94% and 21.36%,
respectively, of the Registrant's issued and outstanding
shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share ("Registrant
Common Stock"). To effect such change in control, each share
of common stock of EBonlineinc.com, Inc., par value $.01 per
share ("EBonline Common Stock), owned by Eastbrokers and A1
Internet prior to the Merger was converted into 3,845.39 and
3,916.67 shares of Registrant Common Stock, respectively, upon
consummation of the Merger. Prior to the Merger, John D.
Brasher, Jr., owned 57.9% of the Registrant Common Stock.
As contemplated by the Plan of Merger (as defined in Item 2
below), following the Merger, Martin A. Sumichrast, David
Lavigne and Bruce Bertman became directors of the Registrant,
and John D. Brasher, Jr., and Johnny D. Brasher resigned their
positions as directors of the Registrant. Also as contemplated
by the Plan of Merger, John D. Brasher, Jr., entered into
certain Stock Purchase Agreements whereby John D. Brasher,
Jr., sold to Martin A. Sumichrast, Bruce Bertman and EBI
Securities Corporation 250,000, 150,000 and 250,000 shares of
Registrant Common Stock, respectively, at the time of the
Merger.
ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
On June 28, 1999, the Registrant, EBonlineinc.com, Inc. and
John D. Brasher, Jr., entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Plan of Merger"), providing for the merger of
EBonlineinc.com, Inc. with and into the Registrant (the
"Merger"). On July 12, 1999, the Registrant filed the Articles
of Merger and the Certificate of Merger with the Secretaries
of State of the states of Nevada and Delaware, respectively,
consummating the Merger. Immediately prior to the Merger, the
Registrant changed its name from CERX Venture Corporation to
EBonlineinc.com and effected a reverse stock split of its
issued and outstanding shares of common stock on a on a
three-and-one-half-for-ten (3.5:10) basis. The Registrant also
cancelled 117,765 shares of Registrant Common Stock
immediately prior to the Merger. The Registrant is continuing
as the sole surviving corporation and the separate existence
of EBonlineinc.com, Inc. ceased effective as of July 12, 1999.
The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Plan of Merger is
intended to qualify as a "plan of reorganization" for purposes
of Section 368 of the Code. The Registrant intends to continue
at least one significant historic business of EBonlineinc.com,
Inc. or to use at least a significant portion of EBonline's
historic business assets in a business, in each case within
the meaning of Section 1.368-1(d) of the Treasury Regulations
promulgated under the Code.
Martin A. Sumichrast, a director and the President and
Treasurer of the Surviving Corporation, is a director and the
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Eastbrokers. Bruce Bertman, a director of the Surviving
Corporation, is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President of A1 Internet.
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Certain additional information regarding the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by the Plan of Merger is included in
the Plan of Merger which is filed as an exhibit hereto. The
foregoing summary of the Plan of Merger is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the complete text thereof, attached
hereto as Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired
The Financial Statements of Business Acquired
required to be disclosed hereunder shall be filed by amendment
to this initial report on Form 8-K not later than 60 days
after the date by which this initial report must be filed.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
The Pro Forma Financial Information required to be
disclosed hereunder shall be filed by amendment to this
initial report on form 8-K not later than 60 days after the
date by which this initial report must be filed.
(c) Exhibits
The following exhibits are included as part of this
report:
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 28,
1999, by and among the Registrant, EBonlineinc.com,
Inc., and John D. Brasher, Jr.
2.2 Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of June 28, 1999, by and among the
Registrant, EBonlineinc.com, Inc., and John D.
Brasher, Jr.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
EBONLINEINC.COM
(Registrant)
Date: July 15, 1999 By: /s/ Martin A. Sumichrast
--------------------------------
Name: Martin A. Sumichrast
Title: President
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 28,1999, by and among
the Registrant, EBonlineinc.com, Inc., and John D. Brasher, Jr.
2.2 Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
June 28, 1999, by and among the Registrant, EBonlineinc.com, Inc.,
and John D. Brasher, Jr.
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED JUNE 28, 1999
BY AND AMONG
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC.,
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
AND
JOHN D. BRASHER, JR.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Article I DEFINITIONS........................................................2
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.............................................2
SECTION 1.2 Knowledge...............................................6
Article II THE MERGER 6
SECTION 2.1 Merger..................................................6
SECTION 2.2 Filing and Effective Time...............................6
SECTION 2.3 Effects of the Merger...................................6
SECTION 2.4 Conversion of EBonline Common Stock.....................7
SECTION 2.5 Exchange of Certificates; Escrow of Acquiror Common
Stock...................................................7
SECTION 2.6 No Fractional Shares....................................7
SECTION 2.7 Tax-Free Reorganization.................................7
Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND THE MAJORITY
STOCKHOLDER.......................................................8
SECTION 3.1 Organization, Qualification and Authority of Acquiror...8
SECTION 3.2 Capitalization..........................................8
SECTION 3.3 Corporate Organizational Documents......................9
SECTION 3.4 No Conflict.............................................9
SECTION 3.5 Consents................................................9
SECTION 3.6 Financial Statements....................................9
SECTION 3.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................10
SECTION 3.8 Absence of Certain Changes.............................10
SECTION 3.9 Reports................................................11
SECTION 3.10 Owned Real Property....................................11
SECTION 3.11 Real Property Leases...................................11
SECTION 3.12 Title and Condition of Certain Personal Property.......11
SECTION 3.13 Contracts..............................................11
SECTION 3.14 Litigation.............................................12
SECTION 3.15 Tax Matters............................................12
SECTION 3.16 Compliance with Law; Permits...........................14
SECTION 3.17 Intellectual Property..................................14
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SECTION 3.18 Benefit Plans of Acquiror..............................15
SECTION 3.19 Environmental and Health/Safety Matters................17
SECTION 3.20 Corporate Records......................................18
SECTION 3.21 Depositories...........................................18
SECTION 3.22 Insurance..............................................18
SECTION 3.23 True and Complete Copies...............................18
SECTION 3.24 Brokerage..............................................18
SECTION 3.25 Transactions with Affiliates...........................19
SECTION 3.26 Employees..............................................19
SECTION 3.27 Intercompany Liabilities...............................19
SECTION 3.28 SEC Filings............................................19
SECTION 3.29 Recapitalizations......................................19
SECTION 3.30 Acquiror Common Stock..................................19
SECTION 3.31 Full Disclosure........................................20
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER........20
SECTION 4.1 Record and Beneficial Ownership of Acquiror
Common Stock...........................................20
SECTION 4.2 Due Execution..........................................20
SECTION 4.3 No Conflict............................................20
SECTION 4.4 Consents...............................................21
SECTION 4.5 Brokerage..............................................21
SECTION 4.6 Full Disclosure........................................21
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EBONLINE..............21
SECTION 5.1 Organization, Qualification and Authority of EBonline..21
SECTION 5.2 No Conflict............................................22
SECTION 5.3 Consents...............................................22
SECTION 5.4 Brokerage..............................................22
SECTION 5.5 Capitalization.........................................22
SECTION 5.6 Corporate Organizational Documents.....................23
SECTION 5.7 Financial Statements...................................23
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SECTION 5.8 No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................23
SECTION 5.9 Contracts..............................................23
SECTION 5.10 Litigation.............................................24
SECTION 5.11 Intellectual Property..................................24
SECTION 5.12 Corporate Records......................................25
SECTION 5.13 Website................................................25
Article VI COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES PENDING CLOSING..........................25
SECTION 6.1 Conduct of Business....................................25
SECTION 6.2 Approvals..............................................26
SECTION 6.3 Actions with Respect to the Merger.....................27
SECTION 6.4 Access to Information..................................27
SECTION 6.5 Notification of Certain Matters........................27
SECTION 6.6 Tax-Free Reorganization................................27
SECTION 6.7 Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation..............27
Article VII CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLICITY....................................28
SECTION 7.1 Confidentiality........................................28
SECTION 7.2 Publicity..............................................29
SECTION 7.3 Return of Confidential Information.....................29
SECTION 7.4 Injunctive Relief......................................29
Article VIII CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF EBONLINE.......................30
SECTION 8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance............30
SECTION 8.2 Approvals..............................................30
SECTION 8.3 No Proceeding or Litigation............................30
SECTION 8.4 Other Documents........................................30
SECTION 8.5 Corporate Action.......................................30
Article IX CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR AND THE MAJORITY
STOCKHOLDER............................................31
SECTION 9.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance............31
SECTION 9.2 Approvals..............................................31
SECTION 9.3 No Proceeding or Litigation............................31
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SECTION 9.4 Other Documents........................................31
SECTION 9.5 Corporate Action.......................................31
Article X CLOSING 32
SECTION 10.1 Closing................................................32
SECTION 10.2 Delivery of Documents by Acquiror......................32
SECTION 10.3 Delivery of Documents by EBonline......................33
SECTION 10.4 Filing of Articles of Merger and Certificate of Merger.33
Article XI TERMINATION AND REMEDIES...........................................33
SECTION 11.1 Methods of Termination.................................33
SECTION 11.2 Opportunity to Cure....................................34
SECTION 11.3 Procedure Upon Termination.............................34
Article XII COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING................34
SECTION 12.1 Access and Cooperation.................................34
SECTION 12.2 Further Assurances.....................................35
SECTION 12.3 Expenses...............................................35
SECTION 12.4 Certain Sales..........................................35
Article XIII SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
COVENANTS; INDEMNIFICATION.......................................35
SECTION 13.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants..35
SECTION 13.2 Indemnification by EBonline............................35
SECTION 13.3 Indemnification by the Majority Stockholder............36
SECTION 13.4 Indemnification Procedure..............................36
Article XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS..........................................37
SECTION 14.1 Amendment..............................................37
SECTION 14.2 Waiver.................................................37
SECTION 14.3 Investigations.........................................38
SECTION 14.4 Headings...............................................38
SECTION 14.5 Notices................................................38
SECTION 14.6 Binding Effect; Assignment.............................39
SECTION 14.7 GOVERNING LAW..........................................39
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SECTION 14.8 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..........39
SECTION 14.9 Counterparts...........................................40
SECTION 14.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries...........................40
SECTION 14.11 Severability...........................................40
SECTION 14.12 Entire Agreement.......................................40
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CT01/HEDIR/114529.5
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, is being entered into this 28th day
of June, 1999, by and between EBonlineinc.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("EBonline") and CERX Venture Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Acquiror"),
and John D. Brasher, Jr., the owner of a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Acquiror (the "Majority Stockholder").
R E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS, Acquiror is a development stage company whose recent principal
focus has been to acquire a business;
WHEREAS, EBonline is a Web-based business consisting of a Web site
globally accessible via the Internet, designed to facilitate merger, acquisition
and corporate finance activity;
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of each of EBonline and Acquiror have
determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and
their respective stockholders to consummate the business combination transaction
provided for herein, in which EBonline will, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, merge (the "Merger") with and into Acquiror, so that Acquiror
is the surviving corporation in the Merger;
WHEREAS, it is intended that the Merger qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended; and
WHEREAS, following the Merger, Acquiror intends to complete a private
placement of 1,500,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock (as defined herein).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants, representations, warranties and agreements hereinafter set forth, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere
herein, the following terms have the meaning specified or referred to in this
SECTION 1.1 and shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural
forms. Any agreement referred to in this Agreement (as hereinafter defined)
shall mean such agreement as amended, supplemented and modified from time to
time to the extent permitted by the applicable provisions thereof and by this
Agreement.
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"ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of Acquiror, par value
$.001 per share.
"ACQUIROR TRANSFER AGENT" means CERX Venture Corporation in its
capacity as the transfer agent for Acquiror Common Stock.
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with such Person.
"AGREEMENT" means this Agreement and Plan of Merger, including any
exhibits, schedules and attachments hereto.
"APPROVAL" means any approval, authorization, consent, qualification or
registration, or any waiver of any of the foregoing, required to be obtained
from, or any notice, statement, declaration or other communication required to
be filed with or delivered to, any Governmental Authority, Regulatory Authority
or other Person.
"CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 ET SEq., as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"CLOSING DATE" shall be the date upon which the Closing occurs.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"CONTRACT" means any contract, agreement, commitment, undertaking,
arrangement, purchase order or stipulation (whether oral or written).
"EBONLINE COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of EBonline, $.01 par
value per share.
"ENCUMBRANCE" means any lien, claim, charge, security interest,
mortgage, pledge, easement, conditional sale or other title, retention
agreement, defect in title, covenant or other restriction of any kind, including
any restriction on use, voting transfer or other attributes of ownership.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means any environmental or health and/or
safety-related law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree or judgment at
the Federal, state, or local level, whether existing as of the date hereof,
previously enforced or subsequently enacted, including, but not limited to: (i)
CERCLA; (ii) RCRA (as hereinafter defined); (iii) Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251
ET SEq.; (iv) Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 2601 ET seq., as
amended; (v) Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42
U.S.C. ss. 11001 ET SEq., as amended; (vi) Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 7401 ET
SEq., as amended; (vii) Rivers and Harbors Act, 33 U.S.C. ss. 401 ET seq., as
amended; (viii) OSHA (as hereinafter defined); (ix) Safe Drinking Water Act, 42
U.S.C. ss. 300(f) ET Seq., as amended, and (x) any other federal, state or local
law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree or judgment currently or
hereafter in existence which governs:
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a. the existence, cleanup and/or remediation of toxic or Hazardous
Substances (as hereinafter defined);
b. the release or threatened release, emission, discharge or presence
of Hazardous Substances into or in the environment;
c. the control of Hazardous Substances; or
d. the use, generation, transport, treatment, handling, management,
storage, disposal, removal or recovery of Hazardous Substances.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
and as such may be hereafter further amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any foreign, federal or national, state
or provincial, municipal or local or other governmental authority, regulatory or
administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, political subdivision, court, tribunal, official
arbitrator or arbitral board.
"HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means any substance, chemical or waste that is
listed, or contains material amounts of one or more components that are defined,
designated, classified, considered or listed, as hazardous, toxic, radioactive
or dangerous under any applicable state or federal law; as well as any asbestos
or asbestos-containing material, petroleum, petroleum product or by-product,
crude oil or any fraction thereof, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied
natural gas, synthetic gas usable as fuel or polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBS").
"INDEBTEDNESS" means all obligations for borrowed money and accounts
payable, however evidenced, including but not limited to principal and interest.
"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS" means all (i) patents, patent
applications, patent disclosures and inventions, (ii) trademarks, service marks,
trade dress, trade names, logos and corporate names and registrations and
applications for registration thereof together with all of the goodwill
associated therewith, (iii) copyrights (registered or unregistered) and
copyrightable works and registrations and applications for registration thereof,
(iv) mask works and registrations and applications for registration thereof, (v)
computer software, data bases and documentation thereof, (vi) trade secrets,
(vii) other intellectual property rights and (viii) copies and tangible
embodiments of any of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium).
"LAWS" means all foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes,
ordinances and all rules, regulations, requirements (that have the force of law
or regulation) and administrative codes of any Governmental Authority or
Regulatory Agency.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on the
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, prospects, assets,
liabilities or business of a Person.
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"NASD" means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
"NASDAQ" means the NASD's Automated Quotation System.
"ORDERS" means any consent or other type of decree, injunction,
stipulation, decision, determination, judgment, order, ruling, arbitration or
other award, assessment or writ of any Governmental Authority or Regulatory
Agency (as hereinafter defined).
"OSHA" means the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29
U.S.C.ss. 651 ET SEQ., as amended, and the rules and ---- regulations
promulgated thereunder.
"PERMITS" means permits, certificates, Orders, licenses, approvals,
tariffs, registrations and other authorizations.
"PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means (a) liens for taxes and other
governmental charges and assessments which are not yet due and payable and (b)
liens of landlords and liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and
materialmen and other like liens arising in the ordinary course of business for
sums not yet due and payable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "Permitted Encumbrances"
shall not include (i) liens of the types referred to in clauses (a) or (b) above
which exceed $5,000 individually or $25,000 in the aggregate or (ii) liens or
imperfections which materially detract from the value of or materially impair
the existing use of the property affected by such lien or imperfection.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency.
"PRIME RATE" means the prime rate of interest as announced in THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL from time to time or, if THE WALL STREET JOURNAL no longer
publishes a prime rate, the prime rate quoted by Citibank, N.A. (or its
successor) in New York City, New York from time to time.
"RCRA" means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
U.S.C.ss.6901 ET SEQ., as amended, and the rules and regulations ----
promulgated thereunder.
"REGULATIONS" means the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the
Code.
"REGULATORY AGENCY" means any self-regulatory organization, agency or
instrumentality.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and as
such may be hereafter further amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
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INDEX OF TERMS DEFINED IN OTHER SECTIONS
Acquiror First Paragraph
Acquiror Certificates 2.5
Closing 10.1
Confidential Information 7.1(a)
Delivering Party 7.1(a)
Effective Time 2.2
Effective Date 2.2
Exchange Agent 2.5
Financial Statements 3.6
GCL 2.1
Interim Financial Statements 3.6
Merger Recitals
NCL 2.1
Non-consenting Party 7.2
Pension Plan 3.18(c)
Plan(s) 3.18(a)
Receiving Party 7.1(a)
Reportable Event 3.18(e)
Majority Stockholder First Paragraph
SEC 3.28
Surviving Corporation 2.1
Tax Return 3.15
Taxes 3.15
Transmittal Letter 2.5
SECTION 1.2 KNOWLEDGE. The phrase "to the knowledge of Acquiror" as
used herein refers to (i) the actual personal knowledge, after reasonable
inquiry, of any of the officers of Acquiror and (ii) the actual personal
knowledge of the Majority Stockholder, after reasonable inquiry, with respect to
matters related to Acquiror's operation of its business and the Acquiror Common
Stock.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.1 MERGER. Upon and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Nevada Corporation Law, as
amended (the "NCL") and the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the
"GCL"), at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined) EBonline shall be merged
with and into Acquiror. Following the Merger, Acquiror shall continue to exist
as the surviving corporation (sometimes referred herein to as the "Surviving
Corporation"), and the separate corporate existence of EBonline shall cease.
SECTION 2.2 FILING AND EFFECTIVE TIME. At the Closing, Acquiror and
EBonline shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada the
Articles of Merger, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, appropriately
completed and executed in accordance with Section 92A.200 of the NCL and shall
file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Certificate of
Merger, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, appropriately completed and
executed in accordance with Section 252 of the GCL. The Merger shall become
effective upon the close of business on the date of filing (the "Effective
Time," and the date thereof is hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Date")
of the Articles of Merger and Certificate of Merger.
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SECTION 2.3 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects
set forth in Section 259 of the GCL. In addition: ---------------------
(a) The certificate of incorporation of Acquiror as in effect at the
Effective Time shall be and constitute the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended or
changed in accordance with applicable law;
(b) The by-laws of Acquiror as in effect at the Effective Time shall
be and constitute the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
amended or changed in accordance with applicable law; and
(c) Upon the Closing, the directors of Acquiror shall become the
following: Martin A. Sumichrast, David Lavigne and Bruce Bertman.
(d) Upon the Closing, the officers of Acquiror shall become the
following: Martin A. Sumichrast, President and Treasurer; Kevin
D. McNeil, Secretary; Jerome R. Schifferli, Assistant Secretary;
and Susan E. McAvoy, Assistant Secretary.
SECTION 2.4 CONVERSION OF EBONLINE COMMON STOCK. At and as of the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, each share of EBonline Common Stock
owned by Eastbrokers International Incorporated and A1 Internet.com, Inc. shall
be converted into 3,845.39 and 3,916.67 shares of Acquiror Common Stock,
respectively.
SECTION 2.5 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES; ESCROW OF ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK.
At the Closing, EBonline shall deliver a transmittal letter in substantially the
form attached hereto as EXHIBIT C (the "Transmittal Letter") and surrender to
the Acquiror Transfer Agent (in such capacity, the "Exchange Agent") the stock
certificates (the "EBonline Certificates") representing the shares of EBonline
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of the EBonline Certificates, together with
a duly executed Transmittal Letter, the Exchange Agent, on behalf of the
Surviving Corporation, shall cancel such stock certificates and Acquiror shall
issue, in accordance with the directions set forth in the Transmittal Letter,
certificates (the "Acquiror Certificates") representing the number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock into which the shares of EBonline Common Stock, previously
represented by the surrendered EBonline Certificates, shall have been converted
at the Effective Time. Schedule 2.5 sets forth the name of each stockholder of
EBonline and the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to which such
stockholder will become entitled as a result of the Merger, assuming compliance
with applicable provisions hereof. The Transmittal Letter shall instruct the
Exchange Agent to deliver the Acquiror Certificates to the stockholders at the
addresses identified therein.
SECTION 2.6 NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Acquiror
Common Stock shall be issued in the Merger. The total number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock that any person shall have a right to receive under this
Agreement will be rounded up to the nearest whole share of Acquiror Common
Stock.
SECTION 2.7 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION. Each of the parties hereto agrees
that he or it intends the Merger to constitute a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code and that this Agreement shall
constitute a "plan of reorganization" for purposes of Section 368 of the Code.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR
AND THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER
As an inducement to EBonline to enter into this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to EBonline as
follows:
SECTION 3.1 ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATION AND AUTHORITY OF ACQUIROR. (a)
Acquiror is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Nevada. Acquiror has full corporate power and
authority and all material licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to
own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on the business as presently
conducted by it and presently proposed to be conducted by it. Acquiror has been
duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation for the transaction of
business in, and Acquiror is in good standing under the laws of, each
jurisdiction in which it owns, leases or uses property or conducts any business
so as to require such qualification or licensing, a list of which jurisdictions
is set forth as SCHEDULE 3.1(A). Acquiror does not have any subsidiaries, and,
except as shown on SCHEDULE 3.1(A) and except for securities acquired and held
as inventory in the ordinary course of business not exceeding 5% of the class
thereof, Acquiror does not have any direct or indirect ownership or hold any
rights to acquire any capital stock or equity securities of any corporation or
any other direct or indirect equity ownership interest in any other Person.
Except for receivables and indebtedness arising in the ordinary course of
business and except for debt acquired and held as inventory in the ordinary
course of business not exceeding 5% of the class thereof, Acquiror does not have
any direct or indirect ownership of any debt securities or indebtedness interest
in any other Person.
(b) Acquiror has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by Acquiror and the performance of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by each of the Board of Directors
of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder and no further corporate action on the
part of Acquiror is necessary to authorize this Agreement and the performance of
the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Acquiror and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
Acquiror enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 3.2 CAPITALIZATION. (a) The authorized capital stock of
Acquiror consists of (i) 50,000,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock, of which
5,002,838 shares are issued and outstanding and 15,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $.001 per share, of which no shares are issued or outstanding.
All of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock were validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and a majority of such shares of
Acquiror Common Stock are owned beneficially and of record by the Majority
Stockholder, free and clear of any Encumbrances, options, contracts, preemptive
rights, rights of conversion or exchange, or equities. Except as contemplated by
this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or
understandings relating to the voting of the issued and outstanding shares of
Acquiror Common Stock.
(b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.2(B), Acquiror has no (i)
outstanding subscriptions, options, puts, calls, warrants, agreements or other
rights (including, without limitation, preemptive rights or rights of first
refusal) or commitments to issue, nor any obligation or commitment to redeem or
purchase, any of its authorized capital stock or (ii) securities convertible
into or exchangeable for any of its authorized capital stock. There are no
shares of capital stock held in the treasury of Acquiror and no shares of
capital stock of Acquiror have been issued in violation of, or are subject to,
any preemptive rights, puts, demands, subscription agreements or commitments of
any character. Acquiror is not subject to any obligation (contingent or
otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its
capital stock.
SECTION 3.3 CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. Copies of (i) the
charter of Acquiror, certified by the Secretary of the State of Nevada, and (ii)
the by-laws of Acquiror, certified by the secretary of Acquiror, each of which
have been delivered to counsel for EBonline, are true and complete copies of
such documents, as amended to date, and are in full force and effect on the date
hereof.
SECTION 3.4 NO CONFLICT. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.4, neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror, nor the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby by Acquiror, will (i) conflict with or
result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) violate or
constitute a default, an event of default (or an event which, with notice or
lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or an event of default) or an
event creating rights of modification, acceleration, termination, cancellation
or other additional rights, or loss of rights under, or (iii) result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the capital stock, assets or property of
Acquiror pursuant to, the charter or by-laws of Acquiror, or any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, lease, Contract, Permit, agreement, or other
instrument or any Order of any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency to
which Acquiror is a party or subject, or by which any of its capital stock,
assets or property is bound or (iv) contravene any applicable provision of any
Laws.
SECTION 3.5 CONSENTS. Except for (i) the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and the Certificate of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (ii) consents
and approvals set forth on SCHEDULE 3.13, and except as otherwise set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.5, no consent, approval or authorization of, exemption of other
action by notice or declaration, filing or registration with, any Person is
required to be obtained, made or given by Acquiror in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by
Acquiror of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Acquiror has previously delivered to
EBonline correct and complete copies of the audited financial statements of
Acquiror for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 (the "Financial
Statements") and the unaudited financial statements of Acquiror for the three
month period ended March 31, 1999 (collectively, the "Interim Financial
Statements") and has made available for inspection all auditors' work papers
related to the foregoing financial information. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
3.6, the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis. The Financial Statements and the Interim Financial
Statements are based on the books and records of Acquiror at the time of their
preparation, and fairly present the financial condition of Acquiror as of the
dates they were prepared and the results of the operations of Acquiror for the
periods indicated, subject, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to
normal recurring year-end adjustments which, except as set forth on SCHEDULE
3.6, will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material.
SECTION 3.7 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Acquiror does not have any
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) which,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
Acquiror except for (a) liabilities and obligations reflected in either the
Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) or Interim Financial
Statements and (b) liabilities and obligations disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.7.
SECTION 3.8 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as contemplated by this
Agreement or except as otherwise set forth in SCHEDULE 3.8, since the date of
the Interim Financial Statements, Acquiror has operated its business only in the
ordinary course and there has not been:
(a) any change in the business or in the financial condition or in the
operations of Acquiror which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Acquiror;
(b) any damage, destruction or loss, not covered by insurance, with
respect to any material asset of Acquiror;
(c) except in the ordinary course of business, any sale, assignment,
disposition, transfer, lease, mortgage, pledge or Encumbrance of any material
assets of Acquiror;
(d) any loss of any customer which has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror;
(e) any increase or decrease by Acquiror, except as consistent with
past practices, in the wages, salaries, compensation, pension or other benefits
payable to any employee;
(f) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
distribution to any stockholder of Acquiror or redemption, purchase or other
acquisition of any Acquiror capital stock or any right to acquire Acquiror
Common Stock;
(g) any material labor trouble, problem or grievance;
(h) notice from any customer of Acquiror that it will or may cease
doing business with Acquiror as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;
(i) any change in any method of accounting or working practice; or
(j) any agreement, whether or not in writing, to do any of the
foregoing.
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SECTION 3.9 REPORTS. Acquiror has timely filed all reports,
registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made
with respect thereto, that it was required to file since January 1, 1996 with
any Governmental Authority and any other Regulatory Agencies, and has paid all
fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith. No Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency has initiated any proceeding or, to the knowledge
of Acquiror, investigation into the business or operations of Acquiror. There
are no unresolved violations, criticisms or exceptions by any Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating
to any examinations of Acquiror.
SECTION 3.10 OWNED REAL PROPERTY. Acquiror has never owned and does not
currently own any real property.
SECTION 3.11 REAL PROPERTY LEASES. Acquiror has never leased and does
not currently lease any real property
SECTION 3.12 TITLE AND CONDITION OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY. Acquiror
does not currently own any tangible assets.
SECTION 3.13 CONTRACTS. (a) SCHEDULE 3.13 contains a complete and
correct list of all Contracts of the following types to which Acquiror is a
party or by which Acquiror is bound:
(i) any Contract relating to the future purchase of services,
products, materials or supplies which (A) has a remaining
obligation in excess of $5,000 or (B) otherwise materially
affects the business;
(ii) any Contract relating to any obligation for borrowed money or any
guarantee or indemnification of an obligation for borrowed money
or any other obligation or liability;
(iii)any Contract that limits the right of Acquiror to compete in any
line of business or to compete with any other Person;
(iv) any Contract (A) relating to any outstanding commitment for
capital expenditures in excess of $5,000 for any single project
(so long as all such contracts not disclosed do not exceed
$25,000 in the aggregate for all projects) or (B) otherwise
materially affecting Acquiror's business;
(v) any Contract relating to the employment of any Person;
(vi) any Contract relating to management services, consulting or any
other similar type contract;
(vii) any Contract relating to Permits to or from Acquiror; or
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(viii) excluding Contracts covered in subsections (i) through (viii)
above, any Contract which (A) involves the annual payment or
annual receipt by Acquiror of more than $5,000 or (B) otherwise
materially affects the business.
(b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13, all the Contracts referred to
in SCHEDULE 3.13 are legally binding, valid and in full force and effect, and
there exists no violation, default or breach thereunder on the part of Acquiror
or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any other party thereto.
(c) True and complete copies of all documents listed in SCHEDULE 3.13
have been delivered to EBonline. -------------
SECTION 3.14 LITIGATION. There is no claim, suit, action, arbitration
or other legal, administrative or governmental investigation or proceeding
pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror, nor is
there any Order of any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency to which the
business or the assets or capital stock of Acquiror is subject, or, insofar as
can be foreseen, may be subject in the future.
SECTION 3.15 TAX MATTERS. Except as otherwise set forth in SCHEDULE
3.15:
(a) All returns, declarations or claims for refund relating to Taxes
(as hereinafter defined), including any schedule or attachment thereto, and
including any amendment thereof, reports and forms, including information
returns and reports, required to be filed by or with respect to Acquiror (for
purposes of this SECTION 3.15, Acquiror shall include any predecessor and any
corporation or other entity previously included in a consolidated group with
Acquiror) (each, a "Tax Return") with respect to any federal, state, local and
foreign income, gross receipts, license, employment, environmental (including
taxes under Section 59A of the Code), customs, duties, capital stock, social
security, unemployment, disability, franchise, sales, use, occupation, property
(real or personal), property transfer, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated,
excise, payroll, withholding, assessments or governmental charges of any kind or
character, including any interest, additions to tax and penalties (whether
disputed or not) thereon, and including estimated taxes (the above being
hereinafter collectively called "Taxes") have been timely filed or valid
extensions with respect thereto have been obtained and were correct and complete
in all material respects and all Taxes owed by Acquiror (whether or not shown on
any Tax Return and whether or not imposed on Acquiror or imposed on a third
party for collection by Acquiror) with respect to such periods have been timely
paid and/or remitted. All Taxes for which a notice of assessment or demand for
payment has been received have been timely paid.
(b) Complete and correct copies of all federal, state, local and
foreign (as applicable) Tax Returns, examination reports and statements or
notices of deficiencies (assessed or proposed against or agreed to) of Acquiror
for each of the taxable years ended December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1998
have been delivered to EBonline.
(c) Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any other taxing authority
is now asserting or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatening to assert against
Acquiror any deficiency or claim for or relating to Taxes. The Tax Returns
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related to Taxes filed by or with respect to Acquiror are not being examined by,
and no notification of intention to examine has been received from, the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. No currently pending issues have
been raised in writing by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority in connection with any Tax Return related to Taxes filed by or with
respect to Acquiror. To the knowledge of Acquiror, no Tax Return has been
audited with respect to Acquiror.
(d) Acquiror has not (A) filed any consent under Section 341(f) of the
Code, (B) executed or been affected by a waiver or consent extending any statute
of limitations for federal income or other tax liability which remains
outstanding, (C) applied for a tax ruling that has continuing effect (or been
affected by a tax ruling directed to an affiliated corporation which has
continuing effect), (D) entered into or been affected by a closing agreement
with any taxing authority that has continuing effect, (E) filed an election
under Section 338(g) or Section 338(h)(10) of the Code or caused or been the
subject of a deemed election under Section 338(e) thereof, (F) made an election,
or been required, to treat any asset of Acquiror as owned by another Person
pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f) of the Code or as tax-exempt bond
financed property or tax-exempt use property within the meaning of Section 168
of the Code, (G) agreed to make, or been required to make, any adjustment under
Section 481(a) of the Code to have effect after the Closing, (H) participated in
an international boycott under Section 999 of the Code or (I) been a United
States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2)
of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 9897(c)(2)(A)(ii)
of the Code.
(e) Acquiror has not made or become obligated to make, and will not, as
a result of any event connected with compensation for certain of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, make or become obligated to make,
any payment that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.
(f) None of the assets of Acquiror directly or indirectly secures the
payment of debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under the Code.
(g) No written claim has ever been made to Acquiror by an authority in
a jurisdiction where Acquiror does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no Encumbrances on any of
the assets of Acquiror, or to the knowledge of Acquiror, the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Acquiror, that arose in connection with any failure
(or alleged failure) to pay any Taxes.
(h) Acquiror has withheld, paid and reported all Taxes required to have
been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or third party.
(i) There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of
Acquiror either (A) claimed or posed in writing or (B) as to which Acquiror has
knowledge based upon contact with any agent of any taxing authority.
(j) Acquiror has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of
Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency.
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(k) Acquiror is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement
and has never been a member of an affiliated group of corporations filing a
consolidated federal income Tax Return and has no liability for the Taxes of any
person under Section 1.1502-6 of the Regulations (or any similar provision of
state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or
otherwise.
SECTION 3.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW; PERMITS. Except as otherwise set
forth on SCHEDULE 3.16, the business has been conducted in compliance with all
Laws and Orders and does not violate, and Acquiror is not in conflict with, or
in default or violation of, any Laws and Orders, and Acquiror has not received
any notice from any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency alleging any
such lack of compliance, violation, conflict or default. Acquiror has made
and/or possesses all Permits necessary or desirable for it to own and use its
assets and properties and to conduct the business, is in compliance with the
terms of and has not violated such Permits and no proceedings are pending or, to
the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened to revoke or limit any such Permit.
SECTION 3.17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. (a) SCHEDULE 3.17 contains a
complete and accurate list of all (i) patented or registered Intellectual
Property Rights owned or used by Acquiror, (ii) pending patent applications and
applications for registrations of other Intellectual Property Rights filed by
Acquiror, (iii) material unregistered trade names and corporate names owned or
used by Acquiror and (iv) material unregistered trademarks, service marks,
copyrights, mask works and computer software owned or used by Acquiror. SCHEDULE
3.17 also contains a complete and accurate list of all licenses and other rights
granted by Acquiror to any third party with respect to any material Intellectual
Property Rights and all licenses and other rights granted by any third party to
Acquiror with respect to any material Intellectual Property Rights, in each case
identifying the subject Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.17, Acquiror owns all right, title and interest to, or has the right
to use pursuant to a valid license, all Intellectual Property Rights necessary
for the operation of the business as presently conducted, free and clear of all
Encumbrances (except for any such license). Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
3.17, the loss or expiration of any Intellectual Property Right or related group
of Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by Acquiror has not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror, and no
such loss or expiration is, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened or pending.
Acquiror has taken all necessary actions to maintain and protect the material
Intellectual Property Rights which it owns.
(b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17, (i) Acquiror owns all right,
title and interest in and to all of the Intellectual Property Rights listed on
such schedule, free and clear of all Encumbrances, (ii) there have been no
claims made against Acquiror asserting the invalidity, misuse or
unenforceability of any of such Intellectual Property Rights, (iii) Acquiror has
not received any notices of any infringement or misappropriation by, or conflict
with, any third party with respect to such Intellectual Property Rights
(including, without limitation, any demand or request that Acquiror license any
rights from a third party), (iv) to the knowledge of Acquiror, the conduct of
the business has not infringed, misappropriated or conflicted with and does not
infringe, misappropriate or conflict with any Intellectual Property Rights of
other Persons and (v) to the knowledge of Acquiror, the Intellectual Property
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Rights owned by or licensed to Acquiror have not been infringed, misappropriated
or conflicted by other Persons. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.17, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will have no
material adverse effect on the Company's right, title and interest in and to the
Intellectual Property Rights listed on SCHEDULE 3.17.
SECTION 3.18 BENEFIT PLANS OF ACQUIROR. (a) Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 3.18, Acquiror is not, and has never been, a party to (i) any "employee
benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, (ii) any profit
sharing, pension, defined compensation, bonus, stock option, stock purchase,
disability, severance, health, welfare or incentive plan or agreement or (iii)
any written or unwritten plan or policy providing for "fringe benefits" to its
employees, including but not limited to vacation, paid holidays, personal leave,
employee discount, educational benefit or similar programs (individually a
"Plan," and collectively the "Plans").
(b) Each Plan is, and has at all times been, operated in all aspects in
substantial compliance with its governing documents, ERISA, the Code, all
regulations, rulings and announcements promulgated or issued under ERISA and the
Code, and all other applicable law, including without limitation, all reporting,
disclosure and other requirements of ERISA applicable to each such Plan.
(c) Each Plan which is an employee pension benefit plan (a "Pension
Plan"), as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, and which is intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, is so qualified, and any trust
through which any such Plan is or has been funded, is exempt from federal income
tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, and no fact or circumstance exists which
would adversely affect the qualified status of any Plan or trust.
(d) Neither any Plan nor Acquiror nor any "party in interest" (as
defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) nor any "disqualified person" (as defined in
Section 4975 of the Code) nor any fiduciary with respect to any Plan nor any
other party, has ever been or is presently engaged in any prohibited
transactions as defined by Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for
which an exemption is not applicable which could subject Acquiror to the tax or
penalty imposed by Section 4975 of the Code or to any liability under Section
502 of ERISA.
(e) With respect to any Pension Plan, there is no event or condition
existing which could be deemed a "reportable event" (within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to which the thirty-day notice requirement
has not been waived; no condition exists which could subject Acquiror to a
penalty under Section 4071 of ERISA.
(f) Acquiror is not, and has never been, a party to any "multi-employer
plan," as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(g) EBonline has been provided with a true and correct copy of (i) all
plan documents relating to each Plan; (ii) all material contracts relating to
each Plan, including without limitation insurance contracts, investment
management contracts and record keeping arrangements; (iii) Form 5500 series and
any attached schedules with respect to the last three plan years for each Plan;
(iv) the most recent summary plan description of each Plan; (v) the most recent
determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service for each Pension
Plan; and (vi) with respect to each Pension Plan that is intended to qualify
under the Code, true and complete employee census information that will enable
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counsel for EBonline to determine whether each such Pension Plan satisfies
Section 410(b) of the Code and which identifies by name each employee of
Acquiror who is a highly compensated employee (as defined in Section 414(q) of
the Code) for the most recent year.
(h) With respect to each Plan, there are no actions, suits or claims
(other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) pending or
threatened against Acquiror, and there are no Orders of any Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency outstanding against any Plan or any fiduciary
thereof.
(i) With respect to each welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section
(3)(1) of ERISA) ("Welfare Benefit Plan") to which Acquiror is, or has ever
been, a party which constitutes a group health plan subject to Section 4980B of
the Code, each such Welfare Benefit Plan complies, and in each case has
materially complied, with all applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the
Code.
(j) Except as required by Section 4980B of the Code, no Plan that is a
Welfare Benefit Plan provides or at any time provided for non-terminable or
non-alterable medical, life or other benefits described in Section (3)(1) of
ERISA for employees or retirees, and no Welfare Benefit Plan irrevocably or
unalterably commits or at any time committed Acquiror to provide such benefits
or any other benefits for any party upon or following retirement or other
termination of employment.
(k) No Pension Plan has suffered an "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA or Section 412(a) of the Code).
(l) All material contributions, premiums or claim payments required to
be made to or on behalf of each Plan by law, contract or the terms of the Plan
have been made.
(m) No termination or partial termination of a Plan within the meaning
of Section 4042 of ERISA or Section 411(d)(3) of the Code has occurred, and no
condition exists that would constitute grounds for termination or partial
termination of any Plan.
(n) Acquiror is not, nor has it been, a party to and Acquiror does not
directly or indirectly maintain or contribute, nor has it directly or indirectly
maintained or contributed, to any Welfare Plan that is separately funded or is
intended, through any funding method, trust or arrangement, to be part of a
"voluntary employees beneficiary association" (as defined in Section 501(c)(9)
of the Code) or part of any other funding method, trust or arrangement described
in Section 501(c) of the Code which is intended to be exempt from taxation under
Section 501(a) of the Code.
(o) Acquiror does not intend, nor has it at any time, in any manner,
way or under any circumstance committed itself, to (i) create, adopt, establish,
participate in or maintain any benefit plan, fund, program, agreement, or other
benefits arrangement (including, without limitation, any severance or other
post-employment benefit, salary continuation, termination, disability, death,
retirement, health or medical benefit or any other similar benefit), whether
oral or written, other than the Plans, (ii) change, modify, limit or expand any
<PAGE>
16
of the existing Plans, (iii) provide or to cause to be provided to any person
any payments or benefits in addition to, or in lieu of, those payments or
benefits set forth under the Plans or (iv) continue the payment of, or
accelerate the payment of, benefits under any of the Plans, except as expressly
set forth thereunder.
(p) No Plan provides benefits, including without limitation, death,
health or medical benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to current or
former employees of Acquiror beyond their retirement or other termination of
service (other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii) deferred
compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the books of Acquiror or (iii)
benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee (or
his beneficiary)).
(q) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not (i) entitle any current or former employee or officer of Acquiror to
severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, or (ii)
accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of
compensation due, any such employee or officer.
SECTION 3.19 ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH/SAFETY MATTERS. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.19:
(a) The operation of the business is and has at all times been in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) Acquiror has obtained, maintained and complied with all Permits
required under Environmental Laws for the operation of the Business and such
Permits will continue to remain in effect without any change to their respective
terms and conditions after the Effective Time and, to the extent required under
any applicable Environmental Law, Acquiror will transfer, re-obtain or otherwise
modify such Permits in such manner as to allow the uninterrupted operation of
the Business. SCHEDULE 3.19 hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of all
Permits referenced in this SECTION 3.19(B), copies of which have been delivered
to EBonline.
(c) No Hazardous Substances have been generated, transported, stored,
treated, recycled, disposed of or otherwise handled in any way in the operation
of the Business, except in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
There are no locations now owned or operated by Acquiror where Hazardous
Substances have been generated, transported, stored, treated, recycled, disposed
of or otherwise handled, except in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws. There is no past or ongoing release or threat of release of Hazardous
Substances from any of the properties currently owned or operated by Acquiror or
any of its affiliates or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, from any properties
formerly owned or operated by Acquiror or any of its affiliates. Acquiror has
not treated, stored for more than 90 days, or disposed of any hazardous waste,
as such term is used within the meaning of RCRA or similar applicable state or
municipal Law, except in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(d) Acquiror has not received any written notice from any Governmental
Authority, Regulatory Agency or other Person advising that Acquiror is
potentially responsible for costs associated with any release or threatened
release of Hazardous Substances or potentially liable for any violation of any
Environmental Law. No pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened
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Order, litigation, settlement or citation with respect to Hazardous Substances
exists with respect to or in connection with the operation of the Business.
There has been no environmental investigation conducted by any Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency with respect to the operation of the Business.
(e) No underground storage tanks are or, to the knowledge of Acquiror,
ever were located on any properties currently or previously owned or leased by
Acquiror. To the knowledge of Acquiror, no PCBs or asbestos-containing materials
are located on, contained in or otherwise form a part of any of the assets or
properties of Acquiror.
(f) Acquiror has delivered to EBonline copies of all environmental
audits, reports and assessments concerning the assets or properties of Acquiror
which Acquiror possesses or which Acquiror has knowledge of and reasonably can
obtain.
SECTION 3.20 CORPORATE RECORDS. All stock certificate books, stock
certificates, transfer ledgers and minute books of Acquiror have been made
available to EBonline and are true and complete and constitute all of the stock
certificate books, stock certificates, transfer ledgers and minute books
thereof. The minute books of Acquiror reflect all material action taken and
authorizations given by the Board of Directors of Acquiror or any committee
thereof and all material action taken and authorizations given by the
stockholders of Acquiror.
SECTION 3.21 DEPOSITORIES. SCHEDULE 3.21 contains a complete list of
the name, location and account numbers of each bank, trust company, securities
broker or other financial institution in which Acquiror has an account,
deposits, safe deposit box, lock box or other assets on hand and the names of
all authorized Persons with respect thereto.
SECTION 3.22 INSURANCE. The assets and properties of Acquiror and the
conduct of the business are insured by insurers of recognized responsibility in
such amounts and against such risks and losses as are adequate therefor in
accordance with past practices and with customary industry practices. All
insurance policies or binders insuring the property, assets or business
liabilities of Acquiror are listed in SCHEDULE 3.22 and are in full force effect
and will be in full force and effect, or substantially comparable replacement
policies will be in full force and effect, on the Closing Date. SCHEDULE 3.22
identifies those pending or threatened claims listed therein as to which the
insurance carrier has denied coverage or has advised Acquiror that it is
defending such claim under reservation of right.
SECTION 3.23 TRUE AND COMPLETE COPIES. All copies of agreements,
written contracts and documents delivered and to be delivered hereunder by
Acquiror are and will be true and complete copies of such agreements, contracts
and documents as of the respective dates on which such agreements, contracts and
documents were delivered.
SECTION 3.24 BROKERAGE. Neither Acquiror nor any of its officers or
directors has retained, employed or incurred any obligation to any investment
banker, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
SECTION 3.25 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.25, neither the Majority Stockholder nor any officer, director or
employee of Acquiror or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any Person in which the
Majority Stockholder or any officer, director or employee of Acquiror owns any
beneficial interest (other than a publicly-held corporation whose stock is
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traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the counter market and
less than one percent of the stock of which is beneficially owned by all of such
Persons), has any material agreement, arrangement or understanding with Acquiror
or any interest in any assets or property of Acquiror.
SECTION 3.26 EMPLOYEES. SCHEDULE 3.26 sets forth the name, job
description and compensation of each employee of Acquiror (including bonuses and
other incentive compensation). To the knowledge of Acquiror, there are no
pending or threatened disputes between the Acquiror and any of its employees.
SECTION 3.27 INTERCOMPANY LIABILITIES. Except as reflected in the
Financial Statements or Interim Financial Statements or except as disclosed on
SCHEDULE 3.27 or SCHEDULE 3.25 attached hereto, there are no liabilities,
contracts or commitments between Acquiror, on the one hand, and the Majority
Stockholder or any affiliate of the Majority Stockholder, on the other. Except
as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.27 or SCHEDULE 3.25 attached hereto, during the
period from January 1, 1996 to the date hereof, no such liabilities, contracts
or commitments have been paid and no settlements thereof have been made except
those paid or settled on a basis consistent with the past practices of Acquiror.
SECTION 3.28 SEC FILINGS. Acquiror has filed all forms, reports and
documents required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") since January 1, 1996, and has heretofore delivered to EBonline, in the
form filed with the SEC (i) its Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, (ii) all proxy statements
relating to meetings of shareholders of Acquiror (where annual or special) held
since January 1, 1996, (iii) all Form 8-Ks filed by Acquiror with the SEC since
January 1, 1996, (iv) all other reports or registration statements filed by
Acquiror with the SEC since January 1, 1996, and (v) all amendments and
supplements to all such reports and registration statements filed by Acquiror
with the SEC since January 1, 1996 (collectively, the "Acquiror SEC Reports").
SCHEDULE 3.28 lists all Acquiror SEC Reports which have been provided to
EBonline prior to the date hereof. All Acquiror SEC Reports (1) were prepared in
Compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
the case may be, and with all the rules and regulations thereunder and (2) did
not at the time they were filed 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 light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.
SECTION 3.29 RECAPITALIZATIONS. Except for the transactions
contemplated hereby or as set forth on Schedule 3.29, there has not been any
stock split or consolidation or other recapitalization involving the Acquiror
Common Stock.
SECTION 3.30 ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK. All of the shares of Acquiror
Common Stock to be issued or delivered to the stockholders of EBonline in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, on the date of issuance or
delivery thereof, shall (i) be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, (ii) be free and clear of any Encumbrances and (iii) bear the
following legend:
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"THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE NOT
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED OR
SOLD UNLESS THEY ARE SUBSEQUENTLY REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE
ISSUER, AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS
AVAILABLE."
SECTION 3.31 CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE. It is the intention of
Acquiror to continue at least one significant historic business of EBonline, or
to use at least a significant portion of EBonline's historic business assets in
a business, in each case within the meaning of Section 1.368-1(d) of the
Regulations.
SECTION 3.32 FULL DISCLOSURE. No statement by Acquiror contained in
this ARTICLE III, the Schedules hereto or in any written certificate furnished
to EBonline pursuant to this Agreement as of the respective date thereof, taken
as a whole, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statement contained herein or
therein not materially and adversely misleading.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER
As an inducement to EBonline to enter into this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Majority Stockholder
represents and warrants to EBonline as follows:
SECTION 4.1 RECORD AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK.
Except as contemplated by this Agreement, a majority of the issued and
outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock are owned beneficially and of record
by the Majority Stockholder, free and clear of any Encumbrances, options, puts,
calls, contracts, preemptive rights, equities, rights of first refusal or rights
of conversion or exchange. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, there are
no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings relating to the
voting of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock.
SECTION 4.2 DUE EXECUTION. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Majority Stockholder and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Majority Stockholder enforceable against him in
accordance with its terms.
SECTION 4.3 NO CONFLICT. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 4.3, neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Majority Stockholder, nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Majority
Stockholder, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms of, (ii)
violate or constitute a default, an event of default (or an event which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or an event of
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default) or an event creating rights of modification, acceleration, termination,
cancellation or other additional rights, or loss of rights under, or (iii)
result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any assets or property of the
Majority Stockholder pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of
trust, lease, Contract, Permit, agreement, or other instrument or any Order of
any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency to which the Majority
Stockholder is a party or subject, or by which the assets or property of the
Majority Stockholder is bound or (iv) contravene any applicable provision of any
Laws.
SECTION 4.4 CONSENTS. Except as otherwise set forth on SCHEDULE 4.4, no
consent, approval or authorization of, exemption of other action by notice or
declaration, filing or registration with, any Person is required to be obtained,
made or given by the Majority Stockholder in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by the Majority
Stockholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.5 BROKERAGE. The Majority Stockholder has not retained,
employed or incurred any obligation to any investment banker, broker or finder
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.6 FULL DISCLOSURE. No statement by the Majority Stockholder
contained in this ARTICLE IV, the Schedules hereto or in any written certificate
furnished to EBonline or Acquiror pursuant to this Agreement as of the
respective date thereof, taken as a whole, contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statement contained herein or therein not materially and adversely misleading.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EBONLINE
As an inducement to Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder to enter into
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, EBonline
hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror as follows:
SECTION 5.1 ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATION AND AUTHORITY OF EBONLINE. (a)
EBonline is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. EBonline has full corporate power and
authority and all material licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to
own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently
conducted and presently proposed to be conducted. EBonline has been duly
qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business
in, and is in good standing under the laws of, each jurisdiction in which it
owns, leases or uses property or conducts any business so as to require such
qualification or licensing, except where the failure to so qualify would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on EBonline.
(b) EBonline has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by EBonline and the performance of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and
stockholders of EBonline and no further corporate action on the part of EBonline
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is necessary to authorize this Agreement and its performance of the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
EBonline and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of EBonline
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 5.2 NO CONFLICT. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.2, neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach
of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) violate or constitute a default,
an event of default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default or an event of default) or an event creating rights
of modification, acceleration, termination, cancellation or other additional
rights, or loss of rights under, or (iii) result in the creation of any
Encumbrance upon any of the capital stock, assets or property of EBonline
pursuant to, the charter or by-laws of EBonline, or any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, lease, Contract, Permit, agreement, or other
instrument or any Order of any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency to
which EBonline is a party or subject, or by which any of its capital stock,
assets or property is bound or (iv) contravene any applicable provision of any
Laws.
SECTION 5.3 CONSENTS. Except for: (i) the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and the Certificate of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and except as
otherwise set forth on SCHEDULE 5.3, no consent, approval or authorization of,
or filing or registration with, any Person is required to be obtained, made or
given by EBonline in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement or the consummation by EBonline of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.4 BROKERAGE. Neither EBonline nor any of its officers or
directors has retained, employed or incurred any obligation to any investment
banker (other than EBI Securities Corporation), broker or finder in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.5 CAPITALIZATION. (a) The authorized capital stock of
EBonline consists of 1000 shares of common stock, par value, $.01 per share. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of EBonline Common Stock were validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and such shares of EBonline Common
Stock are free and clear of any Encumbrances, options, contracts, preemptive
rights, rights of conversion or exchange, or equities. Except as contemplated by
this Agreement, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or
understandings relating to the voting of the issued and outstanding shares of
EBonline Common Stock.
(b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.5(B), EBonline has no outstanding
(i) subscriptions, options, puts, calls, warrants, agreements or other rights
(including, without limitation, preemptive rights or rights of first refusal) or
commitments to issue, nor any obligation or commitment to redeem or purchase,
any of its authorized capital stock or (ii) securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any of its authorized capital stock. There are no shares of
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capital stock held in the treasury of EBonline and no shares of capital stock of
EBonline have been issued in violation of, or are subject to, any preemptive
rights, puts, demands, subscription agreements or commitments of any character.
EBonline is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock.
SECTION 5.6 CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. Copies of (i) the
charter of EBonline, certified by the Secretary of the State of Delaware, and
(ii) the by-laws of EBonline, certified by the secretary of EBonline, each of
which have been delivered to counsel for Acquiror, are true and complete copies
of such documents, as amended to date, and are in full force and effect on the
date hereof.
SECTION 5.7 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. EBonline does not have any
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) which,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
EBonline except for (a) liabilities and obligations reflected in either the
Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) or Interim Financial
Statements and (b) liabilities and obligations disclosed on SCHEDULE 5.7.
SECTION 5.8 CONTRACTS. (a) SCHEDULE 5.8 contains a complete and correct
list of all Contracts of the following types to which EBonline is a party or by
which EBonline is bound:
(i) any Contract relating to the future purchase of services,
products, materials or supplies which has a remaining obligation in excess
of $5,000 or otherwise materially affects the business;
(ii) any Contract relating to any obligation for borrowed money or any
guarantee or indemnification of an obligation for borrowed money or any
other obligation or liability;
(iii) any Contract that limits the right of EBonline to compete in any
line of business or to compete with any other Person;
(iv) any Contract (A) relating to any outstanding commitment for
capital expenditures in excess of $5,000 for any single project (so long as
all such contracts not disclosed do not exceed $25,000 in the aggregate for
all projects) or (B) otherwise materially affecting EBonline's business;
(v) any Contract relating to the employment of any Person;
(vi) any Contract relating to management services, consulting or any
other similar type contract;
(vii) any Contract relating to Permits to or from EBonline; or
(viii) excluding Contracts covered in subsections (i) through (viii)
above, any Contract which (A) involves the annual payment or annual receipt
by EBonline of more than $5,000 or (B) otherwise materially affects the
business.
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(b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.8, all the Contracts referred to
in SCHEDULE 5.8 are legally binding, valid and in full force and effect, and
there exists no violation, default or breach thereunder on the part of EBonline
or, to the knowledge of EBonline, any other party thereto.
(c) True and complete copies of all documents listed in SCHEDULE 5.8
have been delivered to Acquiror.
SECTION 5.9 LITIGATION. There is no claim, suit, action, arbitration or
other legal, administrative or governmental investigation or proceeding pending
or, to the knowledge of EBonline, threatened against EBonline, nor is there any
Order of any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency to which the business
or the assets or capital stock of EBonline is subject, or, insofar as can be
foreseen, may be subject in the future.
SECTION 5.10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. (a) SCHEDULE 5.10 contains a
complete and accurate list of all (i) patented or registered Intellectual
Property Rights owned or used by EBonline, (ii) pending patent applications and
applications for registrations of other Intellectual Property Rights filed by
EBonline, (iii) material unregistered trade names and corporate names owned or
used by EBonline and (iv) material unregistered trademarks, service marks,
copyrights, mask works and computer software owned or used by EBonline. SCHEDULE
5.10 also contains a complete and accurate list of all licenses and other rights
granted by EBonline to any third party with respect to any material Intellectual
Property Rights and all licenses and other rights granted by any third party to
EBonline with respect to any material Intellectual Property Rights, in each case
identifying the subject Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 5.10, EBonline owns all right, title and interest to, or has the right
to use pursuant to a valid license, all Intellectual Property Rights necessary
for the operation of the business as presently conducted, free and clear of all
Encumbrances (except for any such license). Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
5.10, the loss or expiration of any Intellectual Property Right or related group
of Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by EBonline has not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on EBonline, and no
such loss or expiration is, to the knowledge of EBonline, threatened or pending.
EBonline has taken all necessary actions to maintain and protect the material
Intellectual Property Rights which it owns.
(b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.10, (i) EBonline owns all right,
title and interest in and to all of the Intellectual Property Rights listed on
such schedule, free and clear of all Encumbrances, (ii) there have been no
claims made against Acquiror asserting the invalidity, misuse or
unenforceability of any of such Intellectual Property Rights, (iii) EBonline has
not received any notices of any infringement or misappropriation by, or conflict
with, any third party with respect to such Intellectual Property Rights
(including, without limitation, any demand or request that Acquiror license any
rights from a third party), (iv) to the knowledge of EBonline, the conduct of
the business has not infringed, misappropriated or conflicted with and does not
infringe, misappropriate or conflict with any Intellectual Property Rights of
other Persons and (v) to the knowledge of EBonline, the Intellectual Property
Rights owned by or licensed to EBonline have not been infringed, misappropriated
or conflicted by other Persons. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.10, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will have no
material adverse effect on the Company's right, title and interest in and to the
Intellectual Property Rights listed on SCHEDULE 5.10.
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SECTION 5.11 CORPORATE RECORDS. All stock certificate books, stock
certificates, transfer ledgers and minute books of EBonline have been made
available to Acquiror and are true and complete and constitute all of the stock
certificate books, stock certificates, transfer ledgers and minute books
thereof. The minute books of EBonline reflect all material action taken and
authorizations given by the Board of Directors of EBonline or any committee
thereof and all material action taken and authorizations given by the
stockholders of EBonline.
SECTION 5.12 WEBSITE. The domain name (the "Primary Domain Name") of
EBonline's website (the "Site") on the World Wide Web,
HTTP://WWW.EBONLINEINC.COM, is the sole property of EBonline and EBonline
retains all rights, present and future, to the Site. Any and all other domain
names necessary to the development and operation of the Site (the "Secondary
Domain Names") and ultimately resolving into the Primary Domain Name shall be
the sole property of EBonline, and EBonline shall retain all rights to such
Secondary Domain Names.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES PENDING CLOSING
The respective parties hereto agree as follows with respect to the
period between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date:
SECTION 6.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Except as otherwise contemplated by
the transactions provided for herein, pending the Closing Acquiror shall, and
the Majority Stockholder shall cause Acquiror to, operate and carry on the
business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practices.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding
sentence, pending the Closing:
(a) Acquiror shall, and the Majority Stockholder shall cause Acquiror
to, take reasonable actions to maintain its assets in substantially their
present state of repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and to preserve the
goodwill of the business and Acquiror's relationships with its customers,
suppliers, distributors, employees and other Persons or entities having business
relations with it.
(b) Except as contemplated by this Agreement, Acquiror shall not, and
the Majority Stockholder shall not permit Acquiror to, take any of the following
actions without the prior written approval of EBonline:
(i) Sell, assign, transfer, lease, consume or otherwise dispose of
any properties or assets except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice or merge, consolidate or
engage in any other business combination with any Person;
(ii) Amend, modify, cancel or waive any rights under any Contract
listed on SCHEDULE 3.13(A) or enter into any Contract that would
be required to be disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.13(A), other than in
the ordinary course of business;
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(iii)Make any capital expenditure or commit to make any capital
expenditure in excess of $5,000;
(iv) Mortgage, pledge or subject to Encumbrances (other than purchase
money liens) any properties or assets of Acquiror;
(v) Assume, incur or guarantee any obligations or liability for
borrowed money;
(vi) Make any changes in its accounting methods, principles or
practices;
(vii)Knowingly act or omit to do any act within its reasonable
control which will cause it or the Majority Stockholder to breach
any representation, warranty or obligation of Acquiror or the
Majority Stockholder contained in this Agreement;
(viii) Except as provided herein, amend its Articles of Incorporation
or By-laws;
(ix) Issue any of its capital stock or issue any option, warrant or
other right exercisable for or any security convertible into or
exchangeable for its capital stock or redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or change the
rights, terms or preferences of any of its securities, options,
warrants or other instruments currently outstanding;
(x) Declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other payment
or distribution with respect to its capital stock;
(xi) Increase or decrease the wages, salaries, compensation, pension
or other benefits payable to any former employee or any current
employee; or
(xii)Agree to do any of the foregoing, except as contemplated by this
Agreement.
SECTION 6.2 APPROVALS. Each of EBonline, Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder will act diligently and reasonably to secure all Approvals required
to be obtained by each of them, respectively, to satisfy the conditions set
forth in SECTION 8.2 with respect to each of Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder and SECTION 9.2 with respect to EBonline.
SECTION 6.3 ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE MERGER. EBonline and Acquiror
shall take all necessary steps to pre-clear the Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in order that, on the Closing Date,
the Articles of Merger and Certificate of Merger may be filed with such
Secretary of States upon the exchange of documents required in SECTIONS 10.2 AND
10.3.
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SECTION 6.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Acquiror shall, and shall cause
its officers, directors, employees and agents to, permit the officers,
employees, representatives and agents of EBonline to (i) have full access at
reasonable times to all facilities, books, records and documents relating to the
business (including without limitations, documents relating to regulatory
inquiries, complaints, investigations and ratings), (ii) make copies of such
books, records and documents and (iii) confer with the employees, officers,
directors, attorneys, accountants and other representatives of Acquiror with
respect to all matters regarding Acquiror or its business.
(b) EBonline shall, and shall cause its officers, directors, employees
and agents to, permit the officers, employees, representatives and agents of
Acquiror to (i) have full access at reasonable times to all facilities, books,
records and documents relating to the business (including without limitations,
documents relating to regulatory inquiries, complaints, investigations and
ratings), (ii) make copies of such books, records and documents and (iii) confer
with the employees, officers, directors, attorneys, accountants and other
representatives of EBonline with respect to all matters regarding EBonline or
its business.
(c) No investigation pursuant to this SECTION 6.4 shall affect, add to
or subtract from any representations or warranties or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties hereto to consummate the Merger.
SECTION 6.5 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. Each of Acquiror and the
Majority Stockholder shall give prompt notice to EBonline, and EBonline shall
give prompt notice to each of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder, of (i) the
occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which such party believes would be
likely to cause any of its representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from
the date hereof to the Effective Time and (ii) any material failure of Acquiror,
the Majority Stockholder or EBonline, as the case may be, or of any officer,
director, employee or agent of Acquiror or EBonline, to comply with or satisfy
any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by such
party hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that failure to give such notice shall not
constitute a waiver of any defense which may be validly asserted.
SECTION 6.6 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION. None of EBonline, Acquiror or the
Majority Stockholder shall take or cause to be taken any action which would
disqualify the Merger as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Code, except for actions as may be contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 6.7 AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. Immediately
prior to the Effective Date, Acquiror shall file an amendment to its Certificate
of Incorporation in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT D.
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ARTICLE VII
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLICITY
SECTION 7.1 CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) All data, reports, records and other
written and oral information of any kind received by any party hereto or
affiliates, shareholders, directors, partners, officers, employees, agents,
representatives, consultants or lenders of such party (such party being
hereinafter referred to as the "Receiving Party") from any other party hereto or
affiliates, shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents,
representatives or consultants of such other party (such other party being
hereinafter referred to as the "Delivering Party") under this Agreement or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be treated as
confidential (collectively, "Confidential Information"). Except as otherwise
provided herein, the Receiving Party shall not disclose or use (and shall not
permit its affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, partners, employees,
agents, representatives or consultants to use) Confidential Information for its
own (or their own) benefit and shall use commercially reasonable efforts (and
shall cause its affiliates, shareholders, partners, directors, officers,
employees, agents, representatives or consultants to use commercially reasonable
efforts) to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information. If the
Receiving Party or any of its affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers,
partners, employees, agents, representatives or consultants is required to
disclose Confidential Information by or to any court, arbitrator, Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency of competent jurisdiction, the Receiving Party
shall, prior to such disclosure, promptly notify the Delivering Party of such
requirement and all particulars related to such requirement. The Delivering
Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to object to such
disclosure and to seek confidential treatment of any Confidential Information to
be so disclosed on such terms as it shall determine. (b) The restrictions set
forth in SECTION 7.1(A) hereof shall not apply to the use or disclosure of
Confidential Information to the extent, but only to the extent, (i) permitted or
required pursuant to any other agreement between or among the parties hereto,
(ii) necessary by a party hereto in connection with exercising its, his or their
rights or performing its, his or their duties or obligations under this
Agreement, or the other agreements described in clause (i) of this sentence,
(iii) contemplated by the last two sentences of SECTION 7.1(A) hereof or (iv)
that the Receiving Party can demonstrate such Confidential Information (A) is or
becomes generally available to the public through no fault or neglect of the
Receiving Party, (B) is received in good faith on a non-confidential basis from
a third party who discloses such Confidential Information without violating any
obligations of secrecy or confidentiality or (C) was already possessed at the
time of receipt as shown by prior dated written records.
(c) For the purposes of this SECTION 7.1, (i) information which is
specific shall not be deemed to be within an exception set forth in SECTION
7.1(B) hereof merely because it is embraced by general information which is
within such an exception and (ii) a combination of information shall not be
deemed to be within an exception set forth in SECTION 7.1(B) hereof merely
because individual aspects of such combination are within such an exception
unless the combination of information itself, its principle of operation and its
value or advantages are within such an exception.
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SECTION 7.2 PUBLICITY. No party hereto shall or shall permit its
affiliates principals, associates, directors, officers, representatives or
agents to issue any publicity, release or announcement concerning the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the provisions hereof or the transactions
contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the form and content
of such publicity, release or announcement by the other parties hereto;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such approval shall be required when such publicity,
release or announcement is required by (i) applicable Law, (ii) applicable rules
or regulations of, or any listing agreement with, a national or foreign stock
exchange or NASDAQ or (iii) any Order; and, PROVIDED FURTHER, that, prior to
issuing any publicity, release or announcement without such prior written
approval, the party issuing or whose principal, affiliate, associate, directors,
officer, representative or agent is issuing such publicity, release or
announcement shall have given reasonable prior notice to the parties hereto
which have withheld their consent (the "Non-consenting Party") of such intended
issuance and, if requested by the Non-consenting Party, shall have used
reasonable efforts at the Non-consenting Party's own cost and expense to obtain
a protective order or similar protection for the benefit of the Non-consenting
Party. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the communication of information
with any Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency.
SECTION 7.3 RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) At any time prior
to the Closing, at the request of Acquiror or its legal counsel, EBonline shall,
and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective
affiliates, shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents,
representatives and consultants to, promptly return to Acquiror all Confidential
Information and shall not retain any copies or other reproductions or extracts
thereof, and EBonline shall, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts
to cause their respective affiliates, shareholders, partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents, representatives and consultants to, destroy or have
destroyed all memoranda, notes, reports and documents, and all copies and other
reproductions and extracts thereof prepared by it in connection with a review of
the Confidential Information.
(b) At any time prior to the Closing, at the request of EBonline or its
legal counsel, Acquiror shall (and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts
to cause their respective affiliates, shareholders, partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents, representatives and consultants to) promptly return
to EBonline all Confidential Information and shall not retain any copies or
other reproductions or extracts thereof, and Acquiror shall, and shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective affiliates,
shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives
and consultants to, destroy or have destroyed all memoranda, notes, reports and
documents, and all copies and other reproductions and extracts thereof prepared
by it in connection with a review of the Confidential Information.
SECTION 7.4 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The parties recognize that any breach of
this ARTICLE VII would cause irreparable injury and that monetary damages alone
would not be sufficient with respect thereto. Accordingly, each party agrees
that if it breaches or threatens to breach the provisions of this ARTICLE VII
each other party shall have, in addition to and not in lieu of any other rights
and remedies available at law or in equity, the right to injunctive relief.
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ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF EBONLINE
The obligations of EBonline to consummate, on the Closing Date, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be subject to the satisfaction,
on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, unless
waived in writing by EBonline:
SECTION 8.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE. All
representations and warranties made by each of Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
on the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except for changes
contemplated by this Agreement. Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements, covenants
and conditions required to be performed and complied with by them, prior to the
Closing Date. Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder each shall have certified to
the effect of this SECTION 8.1 in writing to EBonline, in a form reasonably
satisfactory to EBonline, as of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, the Closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall not be deemed to be a waiver by EBonline or any Indemnitee of any
rights to indemnification pursuant to ARTICLE XIII, irrespective of whether
EBonline or any other Person had knowledge on or before the Closing Date of the
breach by either Acquiror or the Majority Stockholder of any representation,
warranty, agreement, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement.
SECTION 8.2 APPROVALS. All Approvals required to be obtained by
Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been validly obtained and shall be in
full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall
have expired or been terminated and copies of all such Approvals shall have been
delivered to EBonline.
SECTION 8.3 NO PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION. No action, suit or proceeding
before any court or any other Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency shall
have been commenced or threatened, and no investigation by any Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency shall have been threatened, against any of the
parties to this Agreement or any of the principals, officers, directors or
stockholders of any of them seeking to restrain, prevent or change the
transactions contemplated hereby or questioning the validity or legality of any
of such transactions or seeking damages in connection with any of such
transactions.
SECTION 8.4 OTHER DOCUMENTS. Each of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder shall
have furnished or caused to be furnished to EBonline the documents set forth in
SECTION 10.2 and such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably
requested by EBonline.
SECTION 8.5 CORPORATE ACTION. Acquiror shall have taken all corporate action
necessary to approve the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Acquiror
shall have furnished EBonline with copies of resolutions, adopted by the Board
of Directors of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder and certified by the
secretary of Acquiror as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for EBonline, in connection with such transactions.
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ARTICLE IX
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR
AND THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER
The obligations of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder to consummate,
on the Closing Date, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions, unless waived in writing by each of Acquiror and the
Majority Stockholder:
SECTION 9.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE. All
representations and warranties made by EBonline in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as though made on the
Closing Date, except for changes contemplated by this Agreement. EBonline shall
have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements,
covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied
with by them prior to the Closing Date. EBonline each shall have certified to
the effect of this SECTION 9.1 in writing to Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder, on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not
be deemed a waiver by the Majority Stockholder or any Indemnitee of any rights
to indemnification pursuant to ARTICLE XIII, irrespective of whether the
Majority Stockholder or any other Person had knowledge on or before the Closing
Date of the breach by either Acquiror or the Acquiror of any representation,
warranty, agreement, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement.
SECTION 9.2 APPROVALS. All Approvals required to be obtained by
EBonline to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been validly obtained and shall be in full force and effect and all
statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been
terminated and copies of such Approvals shall have been delivered to Acquiror
and the Majority Stockholder.
SECTION 9.3 NO PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION. No action, suit or proceeding
before any court or any other Governmental Authority or Regulatory Agency shall
have been commenced or threatened, and no investigation by any Governmental
Authority or Regulatory Agency shall have been threatened, against any of the
parties to this Agreement or any of the principals, officers or directors of any
of them seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated
hereby or questioning the validity or legality of any of such transactions or
seeking damages in connection with any of such transactions.
SECTION 9.4 OTHER DOCUMENTS. EBonline shall have furnished Acquiror
with the documents set forth in SECTION 10.3 and such other documents and
certificates as may be reasonably requested by Acquiror or the Majority
Stockholder, including correct and complete copies of the audited financial
statements of EBonline for the period from April 7, 1999, the date of inception
of EBonline, to June 30, 1999 (the "Financial Statements") and shall make
available for inspection all auditors' work papers related to the foregoing
financial information. Except as shall be set forth on SCHEDULE 9.4, which
Schedule shall be updated as of and furnished on the Closing Date, the Financial
Statements shall have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. The Financial Statements
shall be based on the books and records of EBonline at the time of their
preparation, and shall fairly present the financial condition of EBonline as of
the dates they were prepared and the results of the operations of EBonline for
the periods indicated, subject to such adjustments which, given the period
involved, are normal and not, individually or in the aggregate, material.
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SECTION 9.5 CORPORATE ACTION. EBonline shall have taken all corporate
action necessary to approve the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, and
EBonline shall have furnished Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder with copies
of resolutions, adopted by the Board of Directors of EBonline and certified by
the secretary of EBonline as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder, in
connection with such transactions.
ARTICLE X
CLOSING
SECTION 10.1 CLOSING. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated
pursuant to the provisions of ARTICLE X the closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall be held on the later of:
(i) July 9, 1999 and (ii) the last business day of the week following the week
in which the final Approval required to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained and all statutory waiting periods relating
thereto shall have expired or been terminated. The Closing shall occur at the
close of the New York Stock Exchange trading day at the offices of Kelley Drye &
Warren LLP, 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178.
SECTION 10.2 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS BY ACQUIROR. Acquiror agrees to
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to EBonline at the
Closing, the following:
(a) All of the instruments and documents required to be delivered
under ARTICLE VII.
(b) Written resignations of the directors and officers of Acquiror,
effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the date following the Closing
Date, and as of the Closing Date, respectively.
(c) All minute books, stock certificate books, stock ledgers and the
corporate seal of Acquiror.
(d) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation of Acquiror as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time certified as of a recent
date by the Secretary of the State of Nevada.
(e) Certificates, as of the most recent practicable dates as to the
corporate good standing of Acquiror issued by the Secretary of
State of the State of Nevada and any other state in which
Acquiror is required to be qualified or licensed to transact
business, confirming such good standing on or immediately prior
to the Closing Date.
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(f) A copy of the By-laws of Acquiror in effect on the Closing Date,
certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Acquiror as
of the Closing Date.
(g) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Acquiror and the
Majority Stockholder, authorizing and approving all matters in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
Acquiror as of the Closing Date.
(h) A Certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Acquiror
dated the Closing Date certifying (i) as to the matters in (f)
and (g), above, (ii) that the Certificate of Incorporation of
Acquiror has not been amended, and (iii) as to the incumbency and
specimen signature of each officer of Acquiror executing this
Agreement and the other agreements contemplated herein.
(i) Such other documents as EBonline may reasonably request.
SECTION 10.3 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS BY EBONLINE. EBonline agrees to
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to Acquiror and the
Majority Stockholder, as the case may be, at the Closing, the following:
(a) All of the instruments and documents required to be delivered
under ARTICLE IX.
(b) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of EBonline, authorizing
and approving all matters in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, certified by the Secretary
or Assistant Secretary of EBonline as of the Closing Date.
(c) Evidence of the consent of the stockholders of EBonline duly
adopted pursuant to the GCL, certified by the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of EBonline as of the Closing Date.
(d) A Certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of EBonline
dated as of the Closing Date certifying (i) that the copy of the
By-laws of EBonline attached to such Certificate are the By-laws
of EBonline in effect as of the Closing Date and (ii) as to the
incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of EBonline
executing this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated
herein.
(e) Such other documents as Acquiror or the Majority Stockholder may
reasonably request.
SECTION 10.4 FILING OF ARTICLES OF MERGER AND CERTIFICATE OF MERGER.
Concurrent with the exchange of documents referred to in this ARTICLE X, and
subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, EBonline and
Acquiror hereby authorize the filing, on the Closing Date, of the Articles of
Merger in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and the
Certificate of Merger in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
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ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION AND REMEDIES
SECTION 11.1 METHODS OF TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated
prior to the Closing Date under the following circumstances:
(a) by mutual written consent of EBonline, Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder;
(b) subject to the provisions of SECTION 11.2, by EBonline giving
written notice to each of Acquiror and the Majority Stockholder
if all of the conditions to the obligations of EBonline set forth
in ARTICLE VII have not been satisfied on or before the Closing
Date;
(c) subject to the provisions of SECTION 11.2, by the Majority
Stockholder and Acquiror giving written notice to EBonline if all
of the conditions to the obligations of Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder set forth in ARTICLE IX have not been satisfied on or
before the Closing Date;
(d) by any party if the Closing has not occurred for any reason by
July 31, 1999, provided that such terminating party is not then
in breach of this Agreement.
SECTION 11.2 OPPORTUNITY TO CURE. Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary and subject to the provisions of Section 11.1(b)
and 11.1(c) respectively, none of the Majority Stockholder, Acquiror or EBonline
shall terminate this Agreement under SECTION 11.1(B) or (C) unless such party
shall have first given the other parties notice of its intent to terminate this
Agreement, setting forth the nature of the condition to the terminating party's
obligation to close which remains unsatisfied and the other parties shall have
failed to satisfy such condition within 10 days after receipt of such notice;
PROVIDED that if such condition is of a nature that it cannot be reasonably
satisfied within such 10 day period, then, if the defaulting or breaching party
shall have commenced an attempt to satisfy such condition within such 10 day
period, the period to satisfy such condition shall be extended until the date
which is 30 days after receipt of such notice.
SECTION 11.3 PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION. In the event of termination
pursuant to SECTION 11.1:
(a) each party will return all documents and other materials of the
other parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby,
whether obtained before or after the execution hereof, to the
party furnishing the same; and
(b) such termination shall not relieve any party of any liability or
further obligation to any other party for breach of this
Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that termination of this Agreement
pursuant to SECTIONS 11.1(A) OR (D) shall not constitute a breach
of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE XII
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING
SECTION 12.1 ACCESS AND COOPERATION. Following the Closing Date,
Acquiror shall allow the Majority Stockholder and representatives and agents of
the Majority Stockholder, upon reasonable prior notice and during regular
business hours, to examine and make copies of any books and records of Acquiror,
to the extent such documents relate to the conduct of the business prior to the
Closing, for any reasonable business purpose, including, without limitation, the
preparation or examination of Tax Returns, regulatory filings, financial
statements and defense of any actual or threatened litigation. Access to such
books and records may not unreasonably interfere with the business operations of
Acquiror or any successor company and the Majority Stockholder shall reimburse
Acquiror for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Acquiror in
making available and copying such records. Acquiror shall retain the books and
records of Acquiror delivered at the Closing which are reasonably necessary for
the preparation of Tax Returns for a period of at least 10 years after the
Closing and Acquiror shall not dispose of such books and records if the Majority
Stockholder has delivered written notice to Acquiror prior to the expiration of
the 10 year period that the statute of limitations with respect to tax matters
for which such books and records are reasonably necessary has not expired.
Acquiror shall retain all other books and records of Acquiror delivered at the
Closing for a period of at least three years after the Closing.
SECTION 12.2 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions provided herein, each of EBonline, the Acquiror and the Majority
Stockholder shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be
taken all action, or do or cause to be done all things or execute or cause to be
executed any documents necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and the other agreements contemplated hereby.
SECTION 12.3 EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
the Majority Stockholder will pay all legal and other expenses incurred by or on
behalf of himself and Acquiror, and EBonline will pay all legal and other
expenses incurred by or on behalf of itself, in each case including, without
limitation, all expenses and legal fees of each party's counsel and advisors
incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated herein whether or not such transactions are
completed or this Agreement is terminated. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
completed, EBonline shall pay all legal and other expenses incurred in
connection with (i) the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission of the Acquiror's information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under
the Exchange Act and Acquiror's Report on Form 8-K with respect to the execution
of this Agreement and (ii) the preparation and filing of the notice required by
Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act as provided in such rule.
SECTION 12.4 CERTAIN SALES. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof,
the Majority Stockholder shall have the right to sell shares of Acquiror Common
Stock to EBonline or any affiliate or stockholder thereof and EBonline and any
affiliate or stockholder thereof shall have the right to purchase Acquiror
Common Stock in any other manner not prohibited by law.
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SECTION 12.5 CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE. Acquiror will continue
at least one significant historic business line of EBonline, or use at least one
significant portion of EBonline's historic business assets in a business, in
each case within the meaning of Section 1.368-1(d) of the Regulations.
ARTICLE XIII
SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES
AND COVENANTS; INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 13.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties contained
in Articles III, IV, V and VII shall continue in full force after the Closing
Date for a period of two years following the Closing, or if the Closing shall
not have taken place, for a period of two years following the date hereof.
SECTION 13.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY EBONLINE. Subject to SECTIONS 13.1 AND
13.4. EBonline shall indemnify Acquiror (after the Closing) and the directors
and officers of Acquiror (after the Closing) and the Majority Stockholder for,
and shall hold each of them harmless from, any and all damages, claims, suits,
actions, causes of action, proceedings, investigations, losses, liabilities,
assessments, judgments, deficiencies and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable legal, accounting and other professional expenses)
("Indemnified Liabilities") asserted against or incurred or sustained by any of
them relating to, associated with or arising out of any breach of any of the
warranties or representations of EBonline set forth in ARTICLE V of this
Agreement or the covenants and agreements of EBonline set forth in this
Agreement.
SECTION 13.3 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER. Subject to
SECTIONS 13.1 AND 13.4, the Majority Stockholder shall indemnify Acquiror (after
the Closing) and its directors and officers for, and shall hold each of them
harmless from, (i) any and all Indemnified Liabilities asserted against or
incurred or sustained by it or its Affiliates relating to, associated with or
arising out of any breach of any of the warranties or representations set forth
in ARTICLE III or ARTICLE IV of this Agreement or the covenants and agreements
of Acquiror or the Majority Stockholder set forth in this Agreement, and (ii)
any and all Taxes, damages, claims, suits, actions, causes of action,
proceedings, investigations, losses, liabilities, assessments, judgments,
deficiencies and expenses asserted against Acquiror (after the Closing) related
to, associated with or arising out of any facts or circumstances, including
without limitation any such facts or circumstances related to labor or
employment, existing prior to the Closing and attributable to the Acquiror
(prior to the Closing).
SECTION 13.4 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURE. (a) Reasonably promptly after
obtaining knowledge thereof, a Person who may be entitled to indemnification
hereunder (the "Indemnitee") shall promptly give the party who may be obligated
to provide such indemnification (the "Indemnitor") written notice of any
Indemnified Liability which the Indemnitee has determined has given or could
give rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder (a "Notice of Claim");
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no failure or delay in giving any such Notice of Claim
shall relieve the Indemnitor of its obligations except, and only to the extent,
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that it is prejudiced thereby. A Notice of Claim shall specify in reasonable
detail the nature and all known particulars related to an Indemnified Liability.
The Indemnitor shall perform its indemnification obligations in respect of an
Indemnified Liability described in a Notice of Claim under SECTIONS 13.2 or 13.3
hereof, as the case may be, within 30 days after the Indemnitor shall have
received such Notice of Claim; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, such obligation shall be
suspended so long as the Indemnitor is in good faith performing its obligations
under SECTION 13.4(B) hereof with respect to such Indemnified Liability.
(b) The Indemnitor shall (i) promptly inform the Indemnitee of all
material developments with respect to a matter which is the subject of a Notice
of Claim and (ii) inform the Indemnitee promptly after the Indemnitor has made a
good faith determination, based on the facts alleged in such Notice of Claim or
which have otherwise become known to the Indemnitor, either that the Indemnitor
acknowledges that it has an indemnification obligation hereunder in respect of
such Indemnified Liability or that the Indemnitor has made a good faith
determination that it has no indemnification obligation hereunder in respect of
such Indemnified Liability. Except as set forth in SECTION 13.4(C), the
Indemnitee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate, at its
own cost and expense, in the defense, contest or other opposition of any such
third-party claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding through legal counsel
selected by it and shall have the right, but not the obligation, to assert any
and all cross-claims or counterclaims which it may have. So long as the
Indemnitor is in good faith performing its obligations under this SECTION
13.4(B), the Indemnitee shall (i) at Indemnitor's cost and expense, cooperate in
all reasonable ways with, make its relevant files and records available for
inspection and copying by, make its employees reasonably available to and
otherwise render reasonable assistance to the Indemnitor upon request and (ii)
not compromise or settle any such claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding
without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Indemnitee shall (x) make its employees reasonably available to
the Indemnitor without cost and expense to the Indemnitor provided that the
Indemnitor is in good faith performing its obligations under SECTION 13.4(B) and
the availability of such employee to the Indemnitor does not materially impair
the performance of such employee's duties to the Indemnitee, and (y) bear all
costs and expenses which it would have incurred in connection with any
third-party action, demand, claim, suit or proceeding involving the Indemnitee
without regard for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If the
Indemnitor fails to perform its obligations under this SECTION 13.4(B), or if
the Indemnitor shall have informed the Indemnitee in writing in accordance
herewith that the Indemnitor does not have an indemnification obligation
hereunder in respect of such Liability, then the Indemnitee shall have the
right, but not the obligation, to take the actions which the Indemnitor would
have had the right to take in connection with the performance of such
obligations and, if the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder in
respect of the event or circumstance as to which the Indemnitee takes such
actions, then the Indemnitor shall, in addition to indemnifying Indemnitee for
the Liability, indemnify the Indemnitee for all of the legal, accounting and
other costs, fees and expenses reasonably and actually incurred in connection
therewith. If the Indemnitor proposes to settle or compromise any such
third-party action, demand, claim, suit or proceeding, the Indemnitor shall give
written notice to that effect (together with a statement in reasonable detail of
the terms and conditions of such settlement or compromise) to the Indemnitee a
reasonable time prior to effecting such settlement or compromise.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Indemnitee shall
have the right to object to the settlement or compromise of any such third-party
action, demand, claim, suit or proceeding whereupon (A) the Indemnitee will
assume the defense, contest or other opposition of any such third-party action,
demand, claim, suit or proceeding for its own account and as if it were the
Indemnitor and (B) the Indemnitor shall be released from any and all liability
with respect to any such third party action, demand, claim, suit or proceeding
to the extent that such liability exceeds the liability which the Indemnitor
would have had in respect of such a settlement or compromise.
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ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 14.1 AMENDMENT. No addition to, and no cancellation, renewal,
extension, modification or amendment of or approval under, this Agreement shall
be binding upon a party unless such addition, cancellation, renewal, extension,
modification, amendment or approval is set forth in a written instrument which
states that it adds to, amends, cancels, renews or extends this Agreement or
grants an approval hereunder and which is executed and delivered on behalf of
each party, and for each party which is an entity by an officer of, or
attorney-in-fact for, such party.
SECTION 14.2 WAIVER. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall
be binding upon a party unless such waiver is expressly set forth in a written
instrument which is executed and delivered on behalf of such party, and for each
party which is an entity by an officer of, or attorney-in-fact for such party.
Such waiver shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such
written instrument. Neither the exercise (from time to time or at any time) nor
the delay or failure (at any time or for any period of time) to exercise any
right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver of the right to exercise, or
impair, limit or restrict the exercise of, any such right, power or remedy at
any time and from time to time thereafter. No waiver of any right, power or
remedy of a party shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other right, power or
remedy of such party or shall, except to the extent so waived, impair, limit or
restrict the exercise of such right, power or remedy.
SECTION 14.3 INVESTIGATIONS. The respective representations and
warranties of the parties contained herein or in any certificates or other
documents delivered prior to or at the Closing shall not be deemed waived or
otherwise affected by any investigation made by any party hereto.
SECTION 14.4 HEADINGS. The article and section headings contained in
this Agreement are for references purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 14.5 NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been given as follows: on the day established by the
sender as having been delivered personally or by telecopier (with confirmation);
on the day delivered by a private courier as established by the sender by
evidence obtained from the courier; or on the third (3rd) day after the date
mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows:
38
<PAGE>
(a) IF TO ACQUIROR OR THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER:
Mr. John D. Brasher, Jr.
90 Madison Street
Suite 707
Denver, Colorado 80206
Telecopy No.: (303) 355-3063
(b) IF TO EBONLINE:
15245 Shady Grove Road
Suite 340
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Telecopy No.: (301) 527-1112
WITH A COPY TO:
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Two Stamford Plaza
281 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
Attention: Jay R. Schifferli
Telecopy No.: (203) 327-2669
or to such other address or to the attention of Person or Persons as the
recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party (or
in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as
such counsel may hereafter maintain). If more than one method for sending notice
as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth
above shall control.
SECTION 14.6 BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. No party shall assign any of its rights or
delegate any of its duties hereunder (in whole or in part and by operation of
law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto.
Any assignment of rights or delegation of duties under this Agreement by a party
without the prior written consent of the other parties shall be void.
SECTION 14.7 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW
OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO ALL MATTERS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MATTERS
OF VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, EFFECT AND PERFORMANCE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
SECTION 14.8 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
(a) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH PARTY MAY LAWFULLY DO
SO, HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
COLORADO AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO, AS
39
<PAGE>
WELL AS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ALL COURTS TO WHICH AN APPEAL MAY BE TAKEN FROM
SUCH COURTS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT
OF ANY OF ITS OR HIS OBLIGATIONS ARISING HEREUNDER OR WITH RESPECT TO THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS IT
OR HE MAY HAVE AS TO VENUE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE INCONVENIENCE OF
SUCH FORUM, IN ANY OF SUCH COURTS. IN ADDITION, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT OR HE MAY
LAWFULLY DO SO, EACH PARTY HERETO CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PERSONAL
SERVICE OR U.S. CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
ADDRESSED TO SUCH AT THE ADDRESS PROVIDED HEREIN. TO THE EXTENT ANY PARTY HAS OR
HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY
LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT,
ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF, HIMSELF OR
ITS OR HIS PROPERTY, IT OR HE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT
OF ITS OR HIS, OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
(b) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY VOLUNTARILY
AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO
THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS
EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH.
(c) The provisions of this SECTION 14.8 shall survive any termination
of this Agreement for any reason. ------------
SECTION 14.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the
parties in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall constitute an original instrument, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall
become effective and deemed to have been executed and delivered by all of the
parties at such time as counterparts shall have been executed and delivered by
each of the parties, regardless of whether each of the parties has executed the
same counterpart. It shall not be necessary when making proof of this Agreement
to account for any counterparts other than a sufficient number of counterparts
which, when taken together, contain signatures of each of the parties.
SECTION 14.10 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement shall not
confer any rights on any Persons other than parties to this Agreement as
provided herein.
SECTION 14.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall
hereafter be held to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal, in whole or in part,
in any jurisdiction under any circumstances for any reason, (i) such provision
shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to cause such provision to be
valid, enforceable and legal while preserving the intent of the parties as
expressed in, and the benefits to the parties provided by, this Agreement or
(ii) if such provision cannot be so reformed, such provision shall be severed
from this Agreement and an equitable adjustment shall be made to this Agreement
40
<PAGE>
(including, without limitation, addition of necessary further provisions to this
Agreement) so as to give effect to the intent as so expressed and the benefits
so provided. Such holding shall not affect or impair the validity,
enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction or under
any other circumstances. Neither such holding nor such reformation or severance
shall affect or impair the legality, validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 14.12 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the Schedules
and Exhibits attached hereto) and the agreements referred to herein contain the
entire agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof, and cancels and supersedes all previous or contemporaneous
written or verbal negotiations, representations, warranties, commitments,
offers, bids, bid solicitations and other understandings between or among
Acquiror, the Majority Stockholder and EBonline. There are no agreements,
covenants, representations or warranties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby other than those expressly set forth herein or in any
agreement or other instrument contemplated hereby.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
41
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above.
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC.
By:/s/ Martin A. Sumichrast
_________________________________________
Name: Martin A. Sumichrast
Title:Chief Executive Officer
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
By:/s/ John D. Brasher, Jr.
________________________________________
Name: John D. Brasher, Jr.
Title: President
/s/ John D. Brasher, Jr.
___________________________________________
John D. Brasher, Jr.
42
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
A Articles of Merger
B Certificate of Merger
C Letter of Transmittal
D Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
ARTICLES OF MERGER
OF
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC.
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
INTO
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
A NEVADA CORPORATION
FIRST: The name of the surviving entity is CERX Venture Corporation,
and the place of its organization is the jurisdiction of Nevada. The name and
place of organization of the entity being merged into the surviving entity is
EBonlineinc.com, Inc., organized in the jurisdiction of Delaware.
SECOND: A plan of merger was adopted by each entity that is a party to
this merger.
THIRD: The plan of merger was adopted by CERX Venture Corporation by
[_______________].
FOURTH: The plan of merger was submitted to the owners of
EBonlineinc.com, Inc. pursuant to Chapter 92A of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
FIFTH: The total number of undisputed votes or undisputed total
percentage of owner's interests cast for the plan by each class of owner's
interests of EBonlineinc.com, Inc. entitled to vote separately on the plan of
merger is as follows:
Undisputed Votes or Percentage
DESIGNATION OF OWNER'S INTEREST FOR
Common Stock 100%
Undisputed Votes or Percentage
OF OWNER'S INTEREST AGAINST
Common Stock 0%
SIXTH: The number of votes or percentage of owner's interests cast for
the plan of merger by the owners of each class of interests of EBonlineinc.com,
Inc. was sufficient for approval by the owners of that class.
SEVENTH: The complete executed plan of merger is on file at the place
of business of CERX Venture Corporation located at 90 Madison Street, Suite 707,
Denver, CO 80206 and a copy of the plan will be furnished by CERX Venture
Corporation on request and without cost to any owner of any entity which is a
party to this merger.
EIGHTH: All entities which are parties to this merger have complied
with the laws of their respective jurisdiction of organization concerning this
merger.
NINTH: CERX Venture Corporation designates the following address as the
address to which the Nevada Secretary of State is to mail any process served on
him or her against the entity: 90 Madison Street, Suite 707, Denver, CO 80206.
CERX Venture Corporation
A Nevada Corporation
By:______________________________
President
By:______________________________
Secretary
State of _______________ )
) ss:
County of ____________ )
On ________________, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public,
___________ and _______________ who acknowledged that they executed the above
instrument.
____________________________________
Notary Public
<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
INTO
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
(a Nevada corporation)
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 252 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW)
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 252 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the undersigned President of CERX Venture Corporation, a Nevada
corporation, hereby certifies:
FIRST: The names and states of incorporation of the constituent
corporations are EBonlineinc.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and CERX Venture
Corporation, a Nevada corporation.
SECOND: An Agreement and Plan of Merger has been approved, adopted,
certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in
accordance with Section 252 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
THIRD: The name the surviving corporation of the merger is CERX Venture
Corporation.
FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of CERX Venture Corporation,
the surviving corporation, shall be amended as set forth on Schedule A attached
hereto:
FIFTH: The executed Agreement and Plan of Merger as approved is on file
at the principal place of business of CERX Venture Corporation, the surviving
corporation, 90 Madison Street, Suite 707, Denver, CO 80206.
SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by
CERX Venture Corporation, the surviving corporation, on request and without
cost, to any stockholder of either constituent corporation.
SEVENTH: CERX Venture Corporation hereby agrees that it may be served
with process in Delaware in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of
any constituent corporation in Delaware, as well as for enforcement of any
obligation of the surviving corporation arising from the merger, including any
suit or other proceeding to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined
in appraisal proceedings pursuant to Section 262 of the Delaware General
<PAGE>
Corporation Law and hereby appoints the Delaware Secretary of State as its agent
to accept service of process in connection with any suit or other proceedings
and designates the following address as the address to which the Delaware
Secretary of State is to mail any process served on him or her against the
entity: 90 Madison Street, Suite 707, Denver, CO 80206.
EIGHTH: The Effective Date and Time of this Certificate of Merger shall
be July 9, 1999 at 4:59 p.m. if this Certificate shall be filed with the
Secretary of State of Delaware prior so such date and time or the date and time
this Certificate is filed with Secretary of State of Delaware if this
Certificate is filed after such date and time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of
Merger this ____ day of July, 1999, hereby declaring and certifying, under
penalties of false statement, that the facts stated herein are true.
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
By:_________________________________
President
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
"CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
(a Nevada Corporation)
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of Nevada (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY THAT:
A. The Board of Directors of the Corporation by the unanimous written
consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, duly adopted a
resolution setting forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation in order to (i) change the name of the
Corporation from CERX VENTURE CORPORATION to EBONLINEINC.COM, (ii) identify the
directors named in the Certificate of Incorporation as members of the first
Board of Directors of the Corporation and (iii) reflect a reverse stock split of
the Corporation's outstanding common stock, par value $.001 per share, on a
three-and-one-half-for-ten (3.5:10) basis, declaring such amendment to be
advisable and directing that the proposal be placed before the shareholders of
the Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the
proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that Article FIRST of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation be amended to provide as follows:
"FIRST. The name of this corporation is EBONLINEINC.COM."
RESOLVED, that Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation be amended to provide as follows:
"FOURTH. The names and addresses of the members of the first Board of
Directors effective upon the consummation of the merger (the "Merger") of
EBonlineinc.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with and into the Corporation
are:"
NAME MAILING ADDRESS
Martin A. Sumichrast 15245 Shady Grove Road,
Suite 340
Rockville, Maryland 20850
<PAGE>
David Lavigne 6300 South Syracuse Way,
Suite 645
Englewood, Colorado 80111
John D. Brasher, Jr. 90 Madison Street,
Suite 707,
Denver, CO 80206
Johnny D. Brasher 90 Madison Street,
Suite 707,
Denver, CO 80206
If the Merger does not occur for any reason, Martin A. Sumichrast and David
Lavigne will not become members of the Board of Directors.
RESOLVED, that the first full paragraph of Article FIFTH of the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended to provide as follows:
"FIFTH. The aggregate number of shares of capital stock of all classes
which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is SIXTY-FIVE MILLION
(65,000,000), of which FIFTY MILLION (50,000,000) shares having a par value of
$.001 per share shall be of a class designated "COMMON STOCK" (or "COMMON
SHARES") and FIFTEEN MILLION (15,000,000) shares having a par value of $.001 per
share shall be of a class designated "PREFERRED STOCK" (or "PREFERRED SHARES").
The Common Stock will be reverse split on a three-and-one-half-for-ten (3.5:10)
basis so that each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of July 9,
1999 (the "Declaration Date") shall automatically be converted into and
reconstituted as seven-twentieths (7/20ths) of one share of Common Stock (the
"Reverse Split"). No fractional shares will be issued by the Corporation as a
result of the Reverse Split. In lieu thereof each Stockholder whose shares of
Common Stock are not evenly divisible on such three-and-one-half-for-ten basis
will receive one additional share of Common Stock for the fractional share that
such Stockholder would otherwise be entitled to as a result of the Reverse
Split. All shares of the Corporation shall be issued for such consideration or
considerations as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The
designations, voting powers, preferences, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock shall
be as follows:"
B. Other than the changes described above, there are no amendments to the
Certificate of Incorporation.
C. Pursuant to resolution of the Corporation's Board of Directors, the
foregoing Certificate of Amendment was duly approved by affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Corporation's 5,002,838 shares of capital stock
outstanding and entitled to vote on the proposed amendment, and therefore
<PAGE>
sufficient for approval, all in accordance with the General Corporation Law of
Nevada and the existing Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws of the
Corporation.
D. This amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 78.390 of the General Corporation Law of Nevada."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CERX VENTURE CORPORATION has caused this Certificate of
Amendment to be signed by its President, and attested by its Assistant
Secretary, as of the date below.
DATED: July __, 1999
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
By:_________________________________________
John D. Brasher, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
By:_________________________________________
Elizabeth Crosse
Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
To accompany certificates evidencing former shares of Common Stock,
$0.01 par value ("Former Shares"), of EBonlineinc.com, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("EBonline"), surrendered in connection with the merger of EBonline
with and into CERX Venture Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Acquiror").
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June
28, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among EBonline, Acquiror and John D.
Brasher, Jr., the undersigned herewith delivers to you Certificate No. ___
representing _______ shares of EBonline Common Stock (the "Certificate") in
exchange for _______ shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
Acquiror (the "Acquiror Conversion Shares"). The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints ______________ attorney to transfer the Certificate on
the books of EBonline and Acquiror, with full substitution in the premises. The
surrender of the Certificate and receipt of the Conversion Shares are subject to
the terms and conditions of this Letter of Transmittal. By delivery of this
Letter of Transmittal to CERX Venture Corporation in its capacity as the
Exchange Agent pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the undersigned hereby waives
his right to demand appraisal of the fair value of the Former Shares pursuant to
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Please issue a certificate representing the aggregate Acquiror
Conversion Shares (the "Acquiror Certificate") in the name of
_______________________ and deliver the Acquiror Certificate to the undersigned
at ________________________________________________.
__________________________________________
Stockholder name
__________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification Number
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
(a Nevada Corporation)
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under
and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of Nevada (the "Corporation"), DOES
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:
A. The Board of Directors of the Corporation by the unanimous written
consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, duly adopted a
resolution setting forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation in order to (i) change the name of the
Corporation from CERX VENTURE CORPORATION to EBONLINEINC.COM, (ii) identify the
directors named in the Certificate of Incorporation as members of the first
Board of Directors of the Corporation and (iii) reflect a reverse stock split of
the Corporation's outstanding common stock, par value $.001 per share, on a
three-and-one-half-for-ten (3.5:10) basis, declaring such amendment to be
advisable and directing that the proposal be placed before the shareholders of
the Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the
proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that Article FIRST of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation be amended to provide as follows:
"FIRST. The name of this corporation is EBONLINEINC.COM."
RESOLVED, that Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation be amended to provide as follows:
"FOURTH. The names and addresses of the members of the first
Board of Directors, effective upon the consummation of the merger (the
"Merger") of Ebonlineinc.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with and
into the Corporation, are:
NAME MAILING ADDRESS
Martin A. Sumichrast 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340
Rockville, Maryland 20850
David Lavigne 6300 South Syracuse Way, Suite 645
Englewood, Colorado 80111
John D. Brasher, Jr. 90 Madison Street, Suite 707
Denver, Colorado 80206
<PAGE>
Johnny D. Brasher 90 Madison Street, Suite 707
Denver, Colorado 80206
If the Merger does not occur for any reason, Martin A. Sumichrast and
David Lavigne will not become members of the Board of Directors.
RESOLVED, that the first full paragraph of Article FIFTH of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended to provide as
follows:
"FIFTH. The aggregate number of shares of capital stock of all
classes which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is
SIXTY-FIVE MILLION (65,000,000), of which FIFTY MILLION (50,000,000)
shares having a par value of $.001 per share shall be of a class
designated "COMMON STOCK" (or "COMMON SHARES") and FIFTEEN MILLION
(15,000,000) shares having a par value of $.001 per share shall be of a
class designated "PREFERRED STOCK" (or "PREFERRED SHARES"). The Common
Stock will be reverse split on a three-and-one-half-for-ten (3.5:10)
basis so that each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
July 9, 1999 (the "Declaration Date") shall automatically be converted
into and reconstituted as seven-twentieths (7/20ths) of one share of
Common Stock (the "Reverse Split"). No fractional shares will be issued
by the Corporation as a result of the Reverse Split. In lieu thereof
each Stockholder whose shares of Common Stock are not evenly divisible
on such three-and-one-half-for-ten basis will receive one additional
share of Common Stock for the fractional share that such Stockholder
would otherwise be entitled to as a result of the Reverse Split. All
shares of the Corporation shall be issued for such consideration or
considerations as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine. The designations, voting powers, preferences, optional or
other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
the above classes of stock shall be as follows:"
B. Other than the changes described above, there are no amendments to
the Certificate of Incorporation.
C. Pursuant to resolution of the Corporation's Board of Directors, the
foregoing Certificate of Amendment was duly approved by affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Corporation's 5,002,838 shares of capital stock
outstanding and entitled to vote on the proposed amendment, and therefore
sufficient for approval, all in accordance with the General Corporation Law of
Nevada and the existing Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws of the
Corporation.
D. This amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 78.390 of the General Corporation Law of Nevada.
[signatures on following page]
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CERX VENTURE CORPORATION has caused this
Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its President, and attested by its
Assistant Secretary, as of the date below.
DATED: June ___, 1999 CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
By:_________________________________
JOHN D. BRASHER, JR.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
By:_________________________________
[__________________________]
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
<PAGE>
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
STATE OF COLORADO )
) SS.
COUNTY OF DENVER )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that before me, a Notary Public duly commissioned and
qualified in and for the above jurisdiction, personally came and appeared JOHN
D. BRASHER, JR., the President and Chief Executive Officer of CERX VENTURE
CORPORATION, who after being duly sworn declared that he executed the foregoing
Certificate of Amendment as his free act and deed and that the statements
therein set forth are true and correct.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on __________,
1999.
My
Commission
Expires___________________________________
STATE OF COLORADO )
) SS.
COUNTY OF DENVER )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that before me, a Notary Public duly commissioned and
qualified in and for the above jurisdiction, personally came and appeared
[_____________________], the Assistant Secretary CERX VENTURE CORPORATION, who
after being duly sworn declared that he executed the foregoing Certificate of
Amendment as his free act and deed and that the statements therein set forth are
true and correct.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on __________,
1999.
My
Commission
Expires___________________________________
<PAGE>
Schedule 2.5
Shares of Acquiror Common Stock Received by EBonline Stockholders
- -------------------------------------- ========================================
Stockholder Shares of Acquiror Common Stock
Received in Merger
- -------------------------------------- ========================================
Eastbrokers International Incorporated 2,691,773
A1 Internet.com, Inc. 1,175,000
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.1(a)
Foreign Qualifications; Subsidiaries; Ownership Rights and Interests
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.2(b)
Issuance, Redemption, Purchase and Conversion Obligations
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.4
Conflicts
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.5
Consents
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.6
Exceptions to Financial Statements
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.7
Undisclosed Liabilities
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.8
Material Changes
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.13
Promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $159,372 and carrying
interest in the aggregate amount of $18,741 at and as of June 25, 1999 made by
Acquiror in favor of the Majority Stockholder are currently outstanding
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.15
Tax Matters
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.16
Violations
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.17
Intellectual Property
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.18
Benefit Plans
Acquiror has two stock option compensation plans.
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.19
Environmental Matters
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.21
Depositories
Acquiror has a checking account at Firstate Bank, with respect to which only
John D. Brasher, Jr. is authorized to transact business. The account number of
such account is 300964255 and the address of the bank is 101 Garfield, Denver,
Colorado 80206.
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.22
Insurance
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.25
Transactions with Affiliates
See Schedule 3.13.
Acquiror owes no legal fees to the Majority Stockholder.
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.26
Employees
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999
Compensation
NAME TITLE TO DATE 1998 COMPENSATION
---- ----- ------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
John D. Brasher, Jr. President, Chief Executive Officer, $0.00 $0.00
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Johnny D. Brasher Senior Vice President $0.00 $0.00
Elizabeth Crosse Assistant Secretary $0.00 $0.00
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.27
Liabilities
See Schedule 3.25.
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.28
SEC Filings
10-KSB 1996
10-KSB 1997
10-KSB 1998
10-QSB 3 in 1997
10-QSB 3 in 1998
<PAGE>
Schedule 3.29
Acquiror completed a 1:10 reverse stock split in 1994 and a 5:1 forward stock
split in 1996, in each case involving the Acquiror Common Stock.
<PAGE>
Schedule 4.3
Conflicts
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 4.4
Consents
The Majority Stockholder is required to file the following documents with the
Securities and Exchange Commission:
1. A Report on Form 8-K with respect to this Agreement.
2 The Information Statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act.
In addition, the Majority Stockholder is required to provide the notice required
to be given by Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.2
Conflicts
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.3
Consents
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.5(b)
Issuance, Redemption, Purchase and Conversion Obligations
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.7
Liabilities and Obligations
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.8
Contracts
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 5.10
Intellectual Property
None
<PAGE>
Schedule 9.4
Financial Statement Information
None
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, DATED AS OF JUNE 28, 1999,
BY AND AMONG
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC., CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
AND JOHN D. BRASHER, JR.
----------------------
WHEREAS, the undersigned are parties to the Agreement and Plan
of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of June 28, 1999, by and among
EBonlineinc.com, Inc., CERX Venture Corporation and John D.
Brasher, Jr.;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as of June ___, 1999,
that the Merger Agreement is hereby amended as provided herein. Capitalized
terms used herein but not defined have the meanings ascribed to such terms in
the Merger Agreement.
Effective as of the date hereof, the Merger Agreement is
amended by deleting Section 2.3 (c) in its entirety and inserting the following
in its place:
"(c) Immediately upon consummation of the Merger on the Closing Date the
directors shall become Martin A. Sumichrast, David Lavigne, John D.
Brasher, Jr., and Johnny D. Brasher. Effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the date
following the Closing Date, the directors shall become Martin A. Sumichrast,
David Lavigne and Bruce Bertman, and John D. Brasher, Jr., and Johnny D.
Brasher shall cease to be directors."
[Signatures hereto are set forth on the following page.]
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed or
caused to be executed by their respective duly authorized representative this
Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement as of the date first written above.
EBONLINEINC.COM, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
CERX VENTURE CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
---------------------------------
John D. Brasher, Jr.
