EXHIBIT
2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER
by and
among
ALYST ACQUISITION
CORP.,
CHINA NETWORKS MEDIA
LIMITED,
MEDIAINV
LTD.,
KERRY
PROPPER
AND THE OTHER PERSONS
SIGNATORY HERETO
Dated as of August 13,
2008
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I
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THE
REDOMESTICATION MERGER
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2
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The
Redomestication Merger
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2
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2
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Effect of the
Redomestication Merger
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2
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Memorandum and
Articles of Association
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2
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Directors and
Officers of the China Networks Surviving Corporation
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2
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3
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Surrender of
Certificates
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4
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Lost, Stolen or
Destroyed Certificates
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4
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Status of
Redomestication Merger for Tax Purposes
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5
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Taking of
Necessary Action; Further Action
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5
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ARTICLE
II
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THE BUSINESS
COMBINATION
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5
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5
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5
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Effect of the
Business Combination
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6
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6
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Memorandum and
Articles of Association
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6
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Directors of
China Networks II Surviving Corporation
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6
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6
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Surrender of
Certificates
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10
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Lost, Stolen or
Destroyed Certificates
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10
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Status of
Business Combination for Tax Purposes
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11
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Taking of
Necessary Action; Further Action
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11
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11
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Shares Subject
to Appraisal Rights
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11
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Restriction on
Disposal of Shares
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12
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12
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ARTICLE
III
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
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13
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Organization,
Standing and Power; Framework Agreements
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14
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15
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15
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16
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16
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16
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17
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Absence of
Certain Changes
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17
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Absence of
Undisclosed Liabilities
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17
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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17
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Restrictions on
Business Activities
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17
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Governmental
Authorization
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18
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18
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18
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18
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20
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20
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Interested
Party Transactions
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20
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20
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Material
Company Contracts
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20
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22
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Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act
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22
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22
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23
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23
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23
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Brokers’
and Finders’ Fees
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23
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23
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23
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23
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ARTICLE
IV
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT, MERGER SUB I AND MERGER
SUB II
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23
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Organization,
Standing and Power
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24
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25
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26
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26
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27
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SEC Documents; Financial
Statements
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27
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Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002
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28
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Absence of
Certain Changes
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29
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Absence of
Undisclosed Liabilities
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29
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29
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Restrictions on
Business Activities
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29
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30
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30
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30
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Interested
Party Transactions
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30
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30
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30
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Brokers’
and Finders’ Fees
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30
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30
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31
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31
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31
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31
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31
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ARTICLE
V
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CONDUCT PRIOR
TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION EFFECTIVE TIME
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31
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31
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Restrictions on
Conduct of Business
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32
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Joint Ventures
and Framework Agreements
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34
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ARTICLE
VI
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COVENANTS
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34
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Merger
Proxy/Prospectus; Special Meeting
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34
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35
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Action of
Company’s Shareholders
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36
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36
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Registration
Rights Agreement
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36
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36
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ARTICLE
VII
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ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
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36
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No Claim
Against Trust Account
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36
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37
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Confidential
Information; Non-Solicitation or Negotiation
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37
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39
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40
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40
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40
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41
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Best Efforts
and Further Assurances
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42
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ARTICLE
VIII
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CONDITIONS TO
THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
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42
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Conditions
Precedent to the Obligation of the Parent to Consummate the
Business Combination
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42
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Conditions
Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Consummate the
Business Combination
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45
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ARTICLE
IX
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POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS
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49
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MANDATORY
REGISTRATION OF CLOSING SHARES
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49
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Registration of
Performance Shares
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49
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49
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ARTICLE
X
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INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES
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49
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49
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Indemnification
by the Principal Shareholders
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50
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52
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52
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ARTICLE
XI
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TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
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52
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52
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53
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Expenses and
Termination Fees
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54
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54
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55
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ARTICLE
XII
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GENERAL
PROVISIONS
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55
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55
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Interpretation/Definitions
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56
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56
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Entire
Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest
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56
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57
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Remedies
Cumulative; Specific Performance
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57
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57
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58
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the “
Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of August 13,
2008, by and among Alyst Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
(including its successors and assigns, the “ Parent
”), China Networks Media Limited, a British Virgin Islands
corporation (including its successors and assigns, the “
Company ”), MediaInv Ltd., a British Virgin Islands
corporation and Kerry Propper (each a “ Principal
Shareholder ,” and together with their successors and
assigns from the date hereof until the Business Combination
Effective time (as defined below), collectively the “
Principal Shareholders ”) and each of the other
persons signatories hereto.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Parent has formed a wholly-owned
subsidiary in the British Virgin Islands (“ Merger Sub
I ”), solely for the purpose of a merger of Parent with
and into Merger Sub I, in which Merger Sub I will be the surviving
corporation (the “ Redomestication Merger ”).
The name of Merger Sub I is or is in the process of being changed
to China Networks International Holdings, Ltd.;
WHEREAS, immediately after the formation of
Merger Sub I, Merger Sub I formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in the
British Virgin Islands (“ Merger Sub II ”),
solely for the purpose of a merger of Merger Sub II with and into
the Company in which the Company will be the surviving corporation
(the “ Business Combination ”). The name of
Merger Sub II is China Network Merger Co., Ltd.;
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in connection with the
Business Combination, and as part of the same integrated
transaction (such that neither the Business Combination nor the
Redomestication Merger shall occur without the other), Parent and
Merger Sub I shall consummate the Redomestication Merger, pursuant
to which, among other things, (i) the outstanding shares of
common stock of the Parent, U.S. $0.0001 par value (the “
Parent Common Stock ”) shall be converted into shares
in Merger Sub I, U.S. $0.0001 par value (the “
Surviving Corporation Shares ”) and (ii) all warrants
and other rights to purchase Parent Common Stock then outstanding
(the “ Parent Stock Rights ”) shall be exchanged
for substantially equivalent securities of Merger Sub I at the rate
set forth herein (“ Surviving Corporation Stock Rights
”); and
WHEREAS, as part of the same integrated
transaction (such that neither the Business Combination nor the
Redomestication Merger shall occur without the other) Merger Sub II
and the Company shall consummate the Business Combination, pursuant
to which, among other things, (i) the outstanding common shares of
the Company, U.S. $.0005 par value (“ Company Shares
”), shall be converted into Surviving Corporation Shares and
the right to receive the other consideration referred to herein and
(ii) the Class A Preferred Shares of the Company, U.S.
$.0005 par value issued in the Financing referred to herein
(“ Preferred Shares ”, and together with the
Company Shares, the “ Company Securities ”)
shall be converted into Surviving Corporation Shares, in each case
at the rate set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
THE REDOMESTICATION
MERGER
1.1
The Redomestication
Merger . At the
Effective Time (as defined below) and subject to and upon the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Redomestication Plan of
Merger and Articles and Plan of Merger to be prepared by the
Parent, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law (“ Delaware Law
”) and the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (“ BVI
Law ”), respectively, Parent shall be merged with and
into Merger Sub I, the separate corporate existence of Parent shall
cease and Merger Sub I shall continue as the surviving corporation.
Merger Sub I as the surviving corporation after the Redomestication
Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ China
Networks Surviving Corporation .”
1.2
Effective
Time . The
parties hereto shall cause the Redomestication Merger to be
consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant
provisions of Delaware Law, and the Articles and Plan of Merger
with the British Virgin Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of BVI Law (the time of
such filings, or such later time as specified in the Certificate of
Merger and the Articles and Plan of Merger, being the “
Effective Time ”).
1.3
Effect of the
Redomestication Merger . At the Effective Time, the effect of the
Redomestication Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger, the Articles and Plan of Merger and the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law and BVI Law. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the
Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements,
powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations
of the Parent and Merger Sub I shall become the property, rights,
privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities,
duties and obligations of the China Networks Surviving Corporation,
which shall include the assumption by China Networks Surviving
Corporation of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and
obligations of the Parent set forth in this Agreement to be
performed after the Closing, and all Surviving Corporation Shares
issued and outstanding as a result of the conversion under
Section 1.6(a) hereof shall be listed on the American
Stock Exchange (“ ASE ”), or such other public
trading market on which the Surviving Corporation Shares may be
trading at such time.
1.4
Memorandum and Articles
of Association .
At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
of the Parent, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall cease and the Memorandum and Articles of Association
(“ MOA ”) of Merger Sub I, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the MOA of the
China Networks Surviving Corporation.
1.5
Directors and Officers of
the China Networks Surviving Corporation
. Immediately after the Effective
Time, the board of directors of the China Networks
Surviving
Corporation,
shall, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parent and the
Company, consist of three designees of the Parent (the “
Parent Designees ”) and four designees of the Company
(the “ Company Designees ”) and the officers of
the China Networks Surviving Corporation shall be Li Shuangqing as
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman, Sean Hinton as Co-Chairman
and Zhou Chuansheng as Vice President of Sales and
Marketing.
1.6
Effect on Capital
Stock . By
virtue of the Redomestication Merger and without any action on the
part of Merger Sub I, the Parent or the holders of any of the
following securities:
(a)
Conversion of Parent
Common Stock .
At the Effective Time, each share of the Parent Common Stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
those described in Section 1.6(c) below) shall be converted
automatically into one Surviving Corporation Share (the “
Conversion Ratio ”), subject to any adjustments made
pursuant to Section 1.6(d) . At the Effective Time, all
shares of Parent Common Stock shall cease to be outstanding and
shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to
exist. The holders of certificates previously evidencing shares of
Parent Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of
Parent Common Stock, except as provided herein or by law. Each
certificate previously evidencing Parent Common Stock shall be
exchanged for a certificate representing such number of Surviving
Corporation Shares calculated by multiplying the Conversion Ratio
then in effect by the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
previously evidenced by the canceled certificates upon the
surrender of such certificate in accordance with
Section 1.7 .
(b)
Parent Stock
Rights . At the
Effective Time, each Parent Stock Right shall be converted into one
substantially equivalent option, warrant or other Surviving
Corporation Stock Right. At the Effective Time, the Parent Stock
Rights shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. Each of the
Surviving Corporation Stock Rights shall have, and be subject to,
the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable
agreements governing the Parent Stock Rights (the “
Parent Stock Rights Agreements ”) which are
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that in
the event of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 1.6(d) ,
(i) each of the Surviving Corporation Stock Rights will be
exercisable for that number of whole Surviving Corporation Shares
equal to the product of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
that were issuable upon exercise of such option or warrant
immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the
Conversion Ratio then in effect and rounded down to the nearest
whole number of Surviving Corporation Shares, and (ii) the per
share exercise price for the Surviving Corporation Shares issuable
upon exercise of such Surviving Corporation Stock Rights will be
equal to the quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per
share of Parent Common Stock at which each such option or warrant
was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time by the
Conversion Ratio then in effect, rounded down to the nearest whole
cent. At or prior to the Effective Time, Merger Sub I shall take
all corporate action necessary to reserve for future issuance, and
shall maintain such reservation for so long as any of the Surviving
Corporation Stock Rights remain outstanding, a sufficient number of
Surviving Corporation Shares for delivery upon the exercise of such
Surviving Corporation Stock Rights.
(c)
Cancellation of Parent
Common Stock Owned by Parent . At the Effective Time, if there are any shares
of Parent Common Stock that are owned by the Parent as treasury
stock or any shares of Parent Common Stock owned by any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent immediately prior to
the Effective Time, such shares shall be canceled and extinguished
without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.
(d)
Adjustments to Conversion
Ratio . The
Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of
any share sub-division or combination, stock dividend (including
any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Merger
Sub I Common Stock or Parent Common Stock), reorganization,
recapitalization or other like change with respect to Merger Sub I
Common Stock or Parent Common Stock occurring after the date hereof
and prior to the Effective Time, so as to provide holders of Parent
Common Stock and Merger Sub I Common Stock the same economic effect
as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such share sub-division
or combination, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or
like change.
(e)
Transfers of
Ownership . If
any certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares is to be issued in
a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in
exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered will be
properly endorsed and accompanied by a duly executed instrument of
transfer and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
person requesting such exchange will have paid to China Networks
Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for
Surviving Corporation Shares in any name other than that of the
registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or established to
the satisfaction of China Networks Surviving Corporation or any
agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not
payable.
(f)
No
Liability .
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.6
, none of the China Networks Surviving Corporation, or any party
hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid
to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law.
1.7
Surrender of
Certificates .
All Surviving Corporation Shares issued upon the surrender of
shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof,
and all Surviving Corporation Stock Rights issued upon surrender of
Parent Stock Rights in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be
deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such securities, provided that any restrictions on
the sale and transfer of Parent Common Stock shall also apply to
the Surviving Corporation Shares so issued in exchange.
1.8
Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Certificates .
In the event any certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, China Networks Surviving
Corporation shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements, as the
case may be, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
holder thereof, such Surviving Corporation Shares or Surviving
Corporation Stock Rights, as may be required pursuant to Section
1.7 ; provided, however, that China Networks Surviving
Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to
the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreement to deliver
a bond in
such sum as it
may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against China Networks Surviving Corporation with respect to
the certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed.
1.9
Status of Redomestication
Merger for Tax Purposes . For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the
Redomestication Merger is intended to constitute a
“reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “
Code ”) and the parties thereto do hereby (i) adopt
this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the
meaning of Section 1.368-2(g) of the United States Treasury
Regulations and (ii) agree to take all such actions incident
thereto as shall be necessary or appropriate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that no party is
making any representation or warranty as to the qualification of
the Redomestication Merger as a reorganization under Section 368 of
the Code, as to the effect, if any, that any transaction
consummated on, after or prior to the Effective Time has or may
have on any such reorganization status or the Tax (as defined
below) implications of qualification of the Redomestication Merger
as a reorganization. Each of the parties acknowledge and agree that
each (i) has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal and
tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and (ii) is responsible for paying its own
Taxes.
1.10
Taking of Necessary
Action; Further Action . If, at any time after the Effective Time, any
further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes
of this Agreement and to vest the China Networks Surviving
Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets,
property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Parent
and Merger Sub I, the officers and directors of Parent and Merger
Sub I are fully authorized in the name of their respective
corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful
and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent
with this Agreement.
ARTICLE
II
THE BUSINESS
COMBINATION
2.1
Business
Combination .
Immediately after the consummation of the Redomestication Merger,
and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Business
Combination Plan of Merger and Articles and Plan of Merger to be
prepared by the Company (the “ Business Combination
Articles and Plan of Merger ”), and in accordance with
BVI Law, Merger Sub II shall be merged with and into the Company,
the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub II shall cease and
the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation. The
Company as the surviving corporation after the Business Combination
is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ China
Networks II Surviving Corporation .”
2.2
Closing; Effective
Time . The
closing of the Business Combination (the “ Closing
”) shall take place immediately after the consummation of the
Redomestication Merger, which shall take place as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of each of the
conditions set forth in Article VIII hereof or at such other
time as the parties hereto agree (the “ Closing Date
”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Loeb &
Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, or at such
other location as the parties hereto agree. On the Closing
Date:
(a) Merger Sub I and Parent shall cause the
Redomestication Merger to be immediately consummated by filing the
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware
Law, and the Articles and Plan of Merger with the British Virgin
Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in accordance with the
relevant provisions of BVI Law; and
(b) Upon the completion of the Redomestication
Merger, Merger Sub II and the Company shall cause the Business
Combination to be immediately consummated by filing the Business
Combination Articles and Plan of Merger with the British Virgin
Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in accordance with the
relevant provisions of BVI Law (the “ Business Combination
Effective Time ”).
2.3
Effect of the Business
Combination . At
the Business Combination Effective Time, the effect of the Business
Combination shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Business
Combination Articles and Plan of Merger and the applicable
provisions of BVI Law. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Business Combination
Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements,
powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub II shall vest
in the China Networks II Surviving Corporation, and all debts,
liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub II shall
become the debts, liabilities and duties of the China Networks II
Surviving Corporation, and all Surviving Corporation Shares issued
in exchange for Company Securities upon conversion in accordance
with Section 2.7(a) shall, subject to the restrictions
contained in Section 2.14 and applicable securities laws, be
eligible for quotation on the ASE, or such other public trading
market on which the Surviving Corporation Shares may be trading at
such time.
2.4
[Intentionally
Omitted]
2.5
Memorandum and Articles
of Association .
At the Business Combination Effective Time, the MOA of Merger Sub
II, as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, shall cease
and the MOA of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the
Business Combination Effective Time, shall be the MOA of China
Networks II Surviving Corporation.
2.6
Directors of China
Networks II Surviving Corporation . Immediately after the Business Combination
Effective Time, the board of directors of China Networks II
Surviving Corporation, shall consist of the same individuals
designated as directors of China Networks Surviving Corporation
pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof.
2.7
Effect on Capital
Stock . By
virtue of the Business Combination and without any action on the
part of Merger Sub II, the Company or the holders of any of the
following securities:
(a)
Conversion of Company
Securities . At
the Business Combination Effective Time, (i) each Company Share
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business
Combination Effective Time (other than those described in
Section 2.123 below) shall be converted automatically into
(A) a number of Surviving Corporation Shares determined as follows:
(x) 1,900,000 divided by (y) the total number of Company
Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business
Combination Effective Time, plus (B) the right to
receive a cash
amount determined as follows: (x) U.S. $10,000,000 divided
by (y) the total number of Company Shares issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective
Time, plus (C) the additional consideration described in
Sections 2.7(f), (g) and (h), (the “ CS Per Share
Amount ”), and (ii) each Preferred Share issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective
Time shall be converted automatically into (A) a number of
Surviving Corporation Shares determined as follows: (x) the number
of Preferred Shares issued in the Financing to the bridge investors
divided by (y) the total number of Preferred Shares issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination
Effective Time (collectively, the “ Business Combination
Conversion Ratio ”), subject to any adjustments made
pursuant to Section 2.7(c) , plus (B) the right to
receive a cash amount equal to $7.143, plus (C) the
additional consideration described in Section 2.7(f) and (h), (the
“ PS Per Share Amount ”). At the Business
Combination Effective Time, all Company Securities shall cease to
be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and
shall cease to exist. The holders of certificates previously
evidencing the Company Securities outstanding immediately prior to
the Business Combination Effective Time shall cease to have any
rights with respect to such Company Securities, except as provided
herein or by law. Each certificate previously evidencing Company
Securities shall be exchanged for such number of Surviving
Corporation Shares calculated by multiplying the applicable
Business Combination Conversion Ratio by the number of Company
Securities previously evidenced by the canceled certificates and
cash in an amount equal to the CS Per Share Amount or the PS Per
Share Amount, as the case may be, upon the surrender of such
certificate in accordance with the terms hereof.
(b)
Cancellation of Merger
Sub II Common Stock Owned by Merger Sub II
. At the Business Combination
Effective Time, if any shares of Merger Sub II Common Stock are
held by Merger Sub II as treasury shares or any shares of Merger
Sub II Common Stock are owned by any direct or indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Merger Sub II immediately prior to the Business
Combination Effective Time, such shares shall be canceled and
extinguished without any conversion thereof or payment
therefor.
(c)
Adjustments to Business
Combination Conversion Ratio . Each Business Combination Conversion Ratio
shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any share
sub-division or combination, stock dividend (including any dividend
or distribution of securities convertible into Surviving
Corporation Shares or Company Securities), reorganization,
recapitalization or other like change with respect to Surviving
Corporation Shares and Company Securities occurring after the date
hereof and prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, so as
to provide holders of Company Securities the same economic effect
as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such share sub-division
or combination, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or
like change.
(d)
Transfers of
Ownership . If
any certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares is to be issued in
a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in
exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered will be
properly endorsed and accompanied by a duly executed instrument of
transfer and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
person requesting such exchange will have paid to China Networks II
Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for
Surviving Corporation Shares in any name other than that of the
registered holder of the Certificate
surrendered, or
established to the satisfaction of China Networks II Surviving
Corporation or any agent designated by it that such tax has been
paid or is not payable.
(e)
No
Liability .
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.7
, none of China Networks II Surviving Corporation or any party
hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid
to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law.
(f)
Deferred Cash
Payments .
(i) In accordance with Section 2.7(a) , each
holder of Company Shares as of the Business Combination Effective
Time (each, a “ Closing Holder ”) shall be
entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation
deferred cash payments contingent upon the achievement by China
Networks Surviving Corporation of the amounts of Net Income (as
defined below) set forth below in this Section 2.7(f) (the
“ Deferred Cash Payments ”).
(ii) China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby
agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from
China Networks Surviving Corporation cash payments on or prior to
December 31, 2009 equal to an aggregate amount of U.S. $3,000,000,
solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation
earning Net Income of at least U.S. $15,000,000 during the four
fiscal quarters immediately preceding such payment, to be allocated
among such holders based on their percentage ownership of the
Company Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination
Effective Time (the “ Percentage Allocations
”).
(iii) China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby
agrees that Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China
Networks Surviving Corporation additional cash payments on or prior
to December 31, 2010 equal to an aggregate amount of U.S.
$3,000,000, solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving
Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $25,000,000 during
the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding such payments, to be
allocated among the holders of Company Shares in accordance with
their respective Percentage Allocations.
(iv) As used herein, “ Net Income
” means the net income of China Networks Surviving
Corporation and its subsidiaries as determined in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP
”) excluding equity-based compensation charges, extraordinary
one-time charges and charges related to the Business Combination or
impairment of goodwill; provided that , with
respect to any acquisitions of businesses or persons after the
Business Combination Effective Time, in order for the net income
generated by such acquired businesses or persons to be included in
the foregoing definition of Net Income, such acquisitions must be
accretive on a Net Income per share basis. In calculating Net
Income per share, China Networks Surviving Corporation shall use
China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited or reviewed
financial statements for the fiscal period in question. For the
acquisition to be accretive, the pro forma Net Income per share on
a post-acquisition basis must be greater than the pro forma Net
Income per share immediately prior to the acquisition.
(v) Any Deferred Cash Payments due and payable
pursuant to the foregoing shall be paid to Closing Holders on the
later of (i) the date 30 days after preparation
and completion
of China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited or reviewed
financial statements for the fiscal period in question and (ii) the
tenth business day after the determination of Net Income for
purposes of this Agreement with respect to the fiscal period in
question.
(g)
Deferred Stock
Payment .
(i) In accordance with Section 2.7(a) , each
Closing Holder shall be entitled to receive deferred stock payments
contingent upon the achievement by China Networks Surviving
Corporation of the amounts of Net Income set forth below in this
Section 2.7(g) (the “ Deferred Stock Payments
”).
(ii) China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby
agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from
China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 2,850,000 newly
issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon
China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least
U.S. $20,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009,
to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Allocations.
(iii) China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby
agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from
China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 3,075,000 newly
issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon
China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least
U.S. $30,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010,
to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Allocations.
(iv) China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby
agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from
China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 3,075,000 newly
issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon
China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least
U.S. $40,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011,
to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Allocations.
(v) Any Deferred Stock Payments due and payable
pursuant to the foregoing shall be issued to the Closing Holders on
the later of the (i) 30 days after preparation and completion of
China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited year-end
financial statements for the fiscal period in question and (ii)
tenth business day after the determination of Net Income for
purposes of this Agreement with respect to the fiscal period in
question.
(vi) In the event that the Net Income target for any
fiscal year is achieved during a fiscal year that is prior to the
year corresponding to such Net Income target, the Closing Holders
shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Deferred Stock
Payment for the then current fiscal year, the Deferred Stock
Payment for any additional future fiscal year with respect to which
the Net Income target has also been achieved.
(vii) All Surviving Corporation Shares issued
hereunder shall be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable
and issued in compliance with all applicable foreign, federal and
state securities laws.
(viii) All Surviving Corporation Shares issued
hereunder shall be subject to any lock-up, voting or similar
agreement, including the Lock-Up Agreement, including the
restrictions on transfer therein set forth, that each Closing
Holder may be a party to at the time of its receipt of any
Surviving Corporation Shares hereunder.
(ix) The number of Surviving Corporation Shares set
forth in this Section 2.7(g) shall be adjusted for any stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reclassification,
recapitalization, merger or consolidation or like capital
adjustment affecting the Surviving Corporation Shares
(h)
Warrant Exercise
Proceeds . In
accordance with Section 2.7(a) , China Networks Surviving
Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders and holders of
Preferred Shares as of the Closing (“ Preferred Share
Closing Holders ”) shall be entitled to receive from the
Company, cash payments (the “ Warrant Payments
”) equal to a maximum aggregate amount of U.S. $22,110,000
plus 10% of the aggregate gross proceeds received in the Financing
from the bridge investors, solely and exclusively upon China
Networks Surviving Corporation’s receipt of cash proceeds
from the exercise of the Parent Warrants and the Insider Warrants
(collectively, the “ Warrants ”), payable in
accordance with this Section 2.7(h) . The Warrant Payments
shall be allocated among such holders of Closing Holders and
Preferred Share Closing Holders based on their percentage ownership
of the sum of (a) the Company Shares, and (b) the Preferred Shares
immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time (the
“WEP Percentage Allocations ”). Upon exercise of
any Warrants, as soon as practicable after receipt of the actual
cash proceeds received therefrom by China Networks Surviving
Corporation (but in any event within 10 days) (the “ Cash
Proceeds ”), China Networks Surviving Corporation shall
make a cash payment to each Closing Holder and Preferred Share
Closing Holder equal to 66% of the Cash Proceeds then available for
distribution pursuant to the foregoing sentence multiplied by the
WEP Percentage Allocation of such holder. The Company shall retain
and apply to its general corporate purposes 34% of the Cash
Proceeds. In no event shall the maximum aggregate amount payable
pursuant to this Section 2.7(h) to any such holder exceed
(x) U.S. $22,110,000 plus 10% of the aggregate gross proceeds
received in the Financing from the bridge investors multiplied by
(y) the WEP Percentage Allocation of such holder.
(i)
Stock Option
Plan . Subject
to the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal (as defined below),
Parent shall implement an incentive stock option plan (the
“Incentive Stock Option Plan”) pursuant to which
directors, officers and employees of China Networks Surviving
Corporation or its subsidiaries may be granted options to purchase
up to 2,500,000 Surviving Corporation Shares.
2.8
Surrender of
Certificates . All Surviving Corporation Shares issued upon the
surrender of shares of Company Securities in accordance with the
terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such securities, other
than any additional rights pursuant to this Agreement, provided
that any restrictions on the sale and transfer of Company
Securities shall also apply to the Surviving Corporation Shares so
issued in exchange.
2.9
Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Certificates .
In the event any certificates shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, China Networks II Surviving Corporation shall cause to
be issued
in exchange for
such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such Surviving
Corporation Shares as may be required pursuant to Section
2.7(a) ; provided, however, that China Networks II Surviving
Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to
the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may
reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against China Networks II Surviving Corporation with respect to the
certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
2.10
Status of Business
Combination for Tax Purposes
.
For U.S. federal income tax
purposes, the Business Combination is intended to constitute a
taxable transaction and the parties to this Agreement shall act
accordingly in respect of their Tax return filings and otherwise.
Each of the parties acknowledge and agree that each (i) has had the
opportunity to obtain independent legal and tax advice with respect
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) is
responsible for paying its own Taxes.
2.11
Taking of Necessary
Action; Further Action . If, at any time after the Business Combination
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest China Networks
II Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to
all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
the Company and Merger Sub II, the officers and directors of
Company and Merger Sub II are fully authorized in the name of their
respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all
such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not
inconsistent with this Agreement.
2.12
Withholding
Rights . China
Networks Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the cash and Surviving Corporation Shares otherwise
deliverable under any and all provisions of this Agreement, such
amounts as China Networks Surviving Corporation reasonably
determines it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
such delivery and payment under the Code or any provision of state,
local, provincial or foreign tax law. To the extent that any
amounts are so withheld all appropriate evidence of such deduction
and withholding, including any receipts or forms required in order
for the person with respect to whom such deduction and withholding
occurred to establish the deduction and withholding and payment to
the appropriate authority as being for its account with the
appropriate authorities shall be delivered to the person with
respect to whom such deduction and withholding has occurred, and
such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having
been delivered and paid to the person otherwise entitled to the
cash and/or Surviving Corporation Shares in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by China Networks Surviving
Corporation.
2.13
Shares Subject to
Appraisal Rights .
(a) Notwithstanding Section 2.7(a) , BVI
Dissenting Shares (as defined below) shall not be converted into a
right to receive Surviving Corporation Shares and the holders
thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by BVI
Law. Each holder of BVI Dissenting Shares who becomes entitled to
payment for such shares pursuant to BVI Law shall receive payment
therefor from China Networks II Surviving Corporation in accordance
with the BVI Law, provided, however, that, subject to BVI Law, (i)
if any shareholder who asserts appraisal rights in connection with
the Business Combination (a “ BVI Dissenter ”)
has failed to
establish his
entitlement to such rights as provided in BVI Law, or (ii) if any
such BVI Dissenter has effectively withdrawn his demand for payment
for such shares or waived or lost his right to payment for his
shares under the appraisal rights process under BVI Law the shares
of Company Securities held by such BVI Dissenter shall be treated
as if they had been converted, as of the Business Combination
Effective Time, into a right to receive Surviving Corporation
Shares and as provided in Section 2.7 . The Company shall
give Parent and Chardan Capital Markets LLC prompt notice of any
demands for payment received by the Company from a person asserting
appraisal rights, and Parent shall have the right to participate in
all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The
Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent,
make any payment with respect to, or settlement or offer to settle,
any such demands.
(b) As used herein, “ BVI Dissenting
Shares ” means any shares of Company Securities held by
shareholders who are entitled to appraisal rights under BVI Law,
and who have properly exercised, perfected and not subsequently
withdrawn or lost or waived their rights to demand payment with
respect to their shares in accordance with BVI Law.
2.14
Restriction on Disposal
of Shares . As a
condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, each Principal Shareholder shall execute a lock-up
agreement (the “ Lock-Up Agreement ”), in a form
reasonably agreed to by the Parent and the Principal Shareholders,
whereby each shall agree that until the six month anniversary of
the Business Combination Effective Time (the “ Trade
Commencement Date ”), each Principal Shareholder shall
not directly or indirectly offer, sell, contract to sell, gift,
exchange, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any
Surviving Corporation Shares received by such Principal Shareholder
in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date (or enter
into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be
expected to, result in the disposition, (whether by actual
disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash
settlement or otherwise) by the Principal Shareholders or any
affiliate of Principal Shareholders, or any person in privity with
Principal Shareholders or any affiliate of Principal Shareholders,
directly or indirectly, including the establishment or increase in
a put equivalent position or liquidation or decrease in a call
equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder (each of the foregoing referred to as a “
Disposition ”). Thereafter, until the six month
anniversary of the Trade Commencement Date, each Principal
Shareholder shall not engage in a Disposition of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Surviving Corporation Shares received by such
Principal Shareholder in connection with this Agreement on the
Closing Date. Thereafter, until the twelve month anniversary of the
Trade Commencement Date, each Principal Shareholder shall not
engage in a Disposition of more than twenty five percent (25%) of
the Surviving Corporation Shares received by such Principal
Shareholder in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date.
Additional terms and conditions relating to the Disposition of the
Surviving Corporation Shares received by the Principal Shareholders
pursuant to this Agreement are set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement.
The foregoing restriction is intended to preclude the Principal
Shareholders from engaging in any hedging transaction, which is
designed to or is reasonably expected to lead to or result in such
a Disposition during such periods even if the relevant Surviving
Corporation Shares would be disposed of by someone other than the
Principal Shareholders.
(a) Merger Stock Consideration
. Upon surrender of a certificate
that, immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time,
evidenced the outstanding Company Shares, for cancellation to China
Networks Surviving Corporation, together with such other customary
documents as may be required by China Networks Surviving
Corporation, the holder of such certificate of Company Shares shall
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Per Share Amount
and a certificate evidencing their respective Surviving Corporation
Shares, in accordance with Section 2.7 (the “
Merger Stock Consideration ”), and the certificate
evidencing the Company Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be
cancelled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section
2.15 , each certificate of Company Shares shall be deemed at
anytime after the Business Combination Effective Time to evidence
only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Stock
Consideration.
(b) Paying Agent . As of the Business Combination Effective Time,
the Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with a
bank theretofore designated by the Company and the Parent (the
“ Paying Agent ”), for the benefit of the
holders of shares of Company Securities, for payment in accordance
with this Article II, through the Paying Agent, cash and Surviving
Corporation Shares in amounts equal to the consideration payable to
the holders of Company Securities pursuant to Section 2.7(a)
(such cash being hereinafter referred to as the “ Payment
Fund ”). The Paying Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable
instructions, deliver the cash and Surviving Corporation Shares
contemplated to be paid and transferred to the holder of Company
Securities pursuant to this Article II out of the Payment Fund. The
Payment Fund shall not be used for any other purpose.
(c) Payment Procedures . Upon surrender of a certificate that,
immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time,
evidenced outstanding Company Securities (other than shares
described in Section 2.7(b) and BVI Dissenting Shares) (a
“ Certificat e”) for cancellation to the Paying
Agent, together with such other customary documents as may be
required by the Paying Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the applicable Business
Combination Conversion Ratio multiplied by the number of Company
Securities represented by such Certificate, and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.8 , each Certificate shall be
deemed at any time after the Effective Time to evidence only the
right to receive upon such surrender the consideration described in
Section 2.7(a) .
(d) Termination of Payment Fund
. Any portion of the Payment Fund
that remains undistributed to the holders of Company Securities for
30 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to China
Networks Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any holders of
Company Securities that have not theretofore complied with this
Article II shall thereafter look only to China Networks Surviving
Corporation for the consideration described in Section
2.7(a) to which they are entitled.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
In this Agreement, any reference to a “
Material Adverse Effect ” with respect to any person
means any event, change or effect that is materially adverse to the
condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,
liabilities, business, operations or results of operations of such
person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the definition of Material Adverse Effect shall not
include events caused by general economic conditions
(and solely with respect to this Article III, shall include
economic conditions solely or principally applicable to the
television and advertising industries, or to locations in which the
Company and its Subsidiaries operate.)
In this Agreement, any reference to the
Company’s “ knowledge ” means the actual
knowledge after reasonable inquiry of Li Shuangqing, the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, (the “ Knowledge
Person ”) .
Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule
delivered by the Company to Parent concurrently with the execution
of this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Schedule
”), which shall identify exceptions by specific section
references, the Knowledge Person and the Company, hereby, jointly
and severally, represent and warrant to the Parent, as
follows:
3.1
Organization, Standing
and Power; Framework Agreements .
(a) The Company and each of the entities listed on
Schedule 3.1(a) (the “ Subsidiaries ”), is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing,
and no certificates of dissolution have been filed under the laws
of their respective jurisdictions of organization. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has all requisite authority and power
(corporate and other), governmental licenses, authorizations,
consents and approvals to carry on their respective businesses as
presently conducted and to own, hold and operate their respective
properties and assets as now owned, held and operated, except where
the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing or to
have such authority and power, governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents or approvals would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. The Company has delivered or made available to
Parent a true and correct copy of the MOA of the Company and the
organizational documents of each of the Subsidiaries, each as
amended to date. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is
in violation of any of the provisions of its respective MOA, bylaws
or equivalent organizational documents.
(b) Attached hereto on Schedule 3.1 are true and
correct copies of each of the framework agreements to which
Advertising Network Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, is a
party with each of Kunming Television Station, a People’s
Republic of China (“ PRC ”) television station
(“ Kunming ”) and China Yellow River Television
Station, a PRC television station (“ Yellow River
”) setting forth the terms and conditions for the formation
of two joint ventures (each a “ Framework Agreement
”). Each Framework Agreement is a legal, valid and binding
agreement, enforceable against each of the parties thereto in
accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect. None of
the parties to any Framework Agreement is in breach or default
thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred
or circumstance exists
that (with or
without notice or lapse of time), would (i) contravene, conflict
with or result in a violation or breach of, or become a default or
event of default under, any provision of any Framework Agreement or
(ii) permit the Company, Advertising Network Ltd. or any other
party to any Framework Agreement the right to declare a default or
exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or
performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any Framework
Agreement. Neither the Company nor Advertising Network Ltd. has
received notice of the pending or threatened cancellation,
revocation or termination of any Framework Agreement; and (d) there
are no renegotiations of, or attempts to renegotiate, or
outstanding rights to renegotiate any material terms of any
Framework Agreement.
3.2
Subsidiaries . Except for the Subsidiaries, and those
entities set forth on Schedule 3.2 , the Company does
not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in,
or any interest convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for, any
equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other business association or entity. The Company is the
direct or indirect owner of all outstanding shares of capital stock
of each of its subsidiaries and all such shares are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of
the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary are
owned by the Company free and clear of all liens, charges, claims
or encumbrances or rights of others. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.2 , there are no outstanding subscriptions,
options, warrants, puts, calls, rights, exchangeable or convertible
securities or other commitments or agreements of any character
relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other
securities of any such subsidiary, or otherwise obligating the
Company or any such subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of (i) 2,950,000 shares, $.0005 par value, of which
there are issued and outstanding, 1,900,000 ordinary shares and an
amount of Preferred Shares equal to (x) the aggregate gross
proceeds received in the Financing from the bridge investors
multiplied by .035. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no other outstanding
shares or voting securities and no outstanding commitments to issue
any shares or voting securities after the date hereof. All
outstanding Company Securities are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and are free of any liens or
encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances created by or
imposed upon the holders thereof, and are not subject to preemptive
rights or rights of first refusal created by statute, the MOA of
the Company or any agreement to which the Company is a party or by
which it is bound. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a)
and in connection with the Financing (as defined below), there are
no options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of
any character to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound obligating the Company to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or
redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or
redeemed, any shares of the Company or obligating the Company to
grant, extend, change the price of, or otherwise amend or enter
into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or
agreement. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) and
in connection with the Financing, there are no contracts,
commitments or agreements relating to voting, purchase or sale of
the Company’s shares (x) between or among the Company and any
of its shareholders, and (y) to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, between or among any of the Company’s
shareholders.
(b) Set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) is the
following: (i) the name and address of each person owning any
capital stock or other equity interest in the Company; (ii) the
certificate number of each certificate evidencing shares of capital
stock or any other equity interest issued by the Company, (iii) the
number of shares of capital stock or any other equity interest
evidenced by each such certificate, (iv) the date of issuance
thereof and, in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation.
Each Principal Shareholder represents and warrants that such person
has good, valid and marketable title to, all the equity interests
of the Company designated on Schedule 3.3(b) as owned by
such Principal Shareholder.
3.4
Authority . i) The Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, subject only to the adoption
of this Agreement by the Company’s shareholders holding a
majority of the outstanding shares of Company Shares, as
contemplated by Section 8.1(d) . The execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company, subject only to the
adoption of this Agreement by the Company’s shareholders
holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Shares, as
contemplated by Section 8.1(d) . This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
general principles of equity.
(b) Each Principal Shareholder and Li Shuangqing
has all legal capacity and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by each such person and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each such
person, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
general principles of equity.
3.5
No
Conflict . The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company does not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not, conflict with, or result
in any violation of, or default under (with or without notice or
lapse of time, or both), or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any
benefit under (a) any provision of the MOA or bylaws of the Company
or any of the organizational documents of its Subsidiaries, as
amended, (b) any Law or Governmental Order applicable to the
Company, its Subsidiaries or any Principal Shareholder or (c) any
mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement or
instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Principal
Shareholder or any of their properties or assets, except where such
conflict, violation, default, termination, cancellation or
acceleration with respect to the foregoing provisions of (c) would
not have had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
3.6
Consents and
Approvals . No
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality
(“ Governmental Entity ”) is required by or with
respect to any Principal Shareholder, the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and
delivery of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, except for (a) such consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
filings as may be required under applicable state securities laws
and the securities laws of any country other than the United States
set forth on Schedule 3.6 ; and (c) such other consents,
authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which, if not
obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company and would not prevent, or materially alter or delay any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.7
Financial
Statements .
Attached hereto at Schedule 3.7 are the copies of the
financial statements received by the Company from each of Kunming
and Yellow River in connection with the Framework
Agreements.
3.8
Absence of Certain
Changes . Except
for the Framework Agreements, and the transactions and arrangements
contemplated thereby, since December 31, 2007 (the “
Company Balance Sheet Date ”), the Company and each of
its Subsidiaries, has conducted its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and there has not occurred: (i) any
change, event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance)
that has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, a
Material Adverse Effect to the Company; (ii) any acquisition, sale
or transfer of any material asset of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice; (iii) any change in accounting
methods or practices (including any change in depreciation or
amortization policies or rates) by the Company or any revaluation
by the Company of any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’
assets; (iv) any declaration, setting aside, or payment of a
dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares of the
Company, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other
acquisition by the Company of any of its shares of capital stock;
(v) any material contract entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business and as
provided or made available to Parent, or any amendment or
termination of, or default under, any material contract to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is
bound; (vi) any amendment or change to the MOA or bylaws of the
Company or any Subsidiary; or (vii) any increase in or modification
of the compensation or benefits payable, or to become payable, by
the Company or its Subsidiaries to any of its directors or
employees, other than pursuant to scheduled annual performance
reviews, provided that any resulting modifications are in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with the Company’s
and its Subsidiaries past practices. Neither the Company nor its
Subsidiaries has agreed since December 31, 2007 to take any of the
actions described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii) and
are not currently involved in any negotiations to do any of the
things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii)
(other than the Framework Agreements, the Financing and
negotiations with Parent and its representatives regarding the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement).
3.9
Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities .
The Company and the Subsidiaries have no material obligations or
liabilities of any nature (matured or unmatured, known or unknown,
fixed or contingent) other than (i) obligations or liabilities not
in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate; (ii) those incurred
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) those incurred in
connection with the Financing, and (iv) those incurred pursuant to
the terms of any Framework Agreement.
3.10
Litigation . There is no private or governmental action,
suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration, audit or investigation
(“ Proceeding ”) pending before any agency,
court, arbitrator or
tribunal,
foreign or domestic by or against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or any of their
respective shareholders, officers or directors (in their
capacities as such) nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any
such Proceeding threatened against any Principal Shareholder, the
Company or its Subsidiaries.
3.11
Restrictions on Business
Activities .
There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree
binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has or
reasonably would be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or
materially impairing any business practices of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.12
Governmental
Authorization .
The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained as of the
date hereof each governmental consent, license, permit, grant, or
other authorization of a Governmental Entity (i) pursuant to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently operates or holds any
interest in any of its properties or (ii) that is required for the
operation of Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’
business or the holding of any such interest, ((i) and (ii) herein
collectively called “ Company Authorizations ”),
and all of such Company Authorizations are in full force and
effect, except where the failure to obtain or have any of such
Company Authorizations or where failure of such Company
Authorizations to be in full force and effect would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
3.13
Title to
Property . The
Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of
their respective properties, interests in properties and assets,
real and personal, reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or
acquired after the Company Balance Sheet Date (except properties,
interests in properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of
since the Company Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of
business), or in the case of leased properties and assets, valid
leasehold interests in, free and clear of all mortgages, liens,
pledges, charges or encumbrances of any kind or character, except
(i) the lien of current taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) such
imperfections of title, liens and easements as do not and will not
materially detract from or interfere with the use of the properties
subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair
business operations involving such properties, (iii) liens securing
debt which is reflected on the Company Balance Sheet, and (iv)
liens that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. The property and equipment of Company and
its Subsidiaries that are used in the operations of their
businesses are in good operating condition and repair, except where
the failure to be in good operating condition or repair would not
have a Material Adverse Effect. All properties used in the
operations of Company and its Subsidiaries are reflected in the
Company Balance Sheet to the extent generally accepted accounting
principles require the same to be reflected. Schedule 3.13
of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each parcel of real
property owned or leased by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
3.14
Intellectual
Property .
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company and its Subsidiaries own, or have
a license to use or otherwise possess legally enforceable and
unencumbered rights to use, any patents, trademarks, trade names,
service marks, domain names, copyrights, and any applications
therefor, trade secrets, computer software programs, and tangible
or intangible proprietary information or
material that
are used in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(“ Company Intellectual Property ”).
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms have the following meanings: “ Tax ” (and,
with correlative meaning, “ Taxes ” and “
Taxable ”) means (i) any levy, impost, net income,
alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts,
sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, property, environmental or windfall profit
tax, custom, duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like
assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount
imposed by any Governmental Entity (a “ Tax authority
”) responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic
or foreign); (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts
of the type described in (i) as a result of being a member of an
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable
period; and (iii) any liability for the payment of any amounts
of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of being a
transferee of or successor to any person, as a result of any
express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person,
including pursuant to any Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement,
as a result of being a responsible person, or otherwise. “
Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, election,
statement, report or form (including, without limitation, claims
for refunds or credits, estimated Tax returns and reports,
withholding Tax returns and reports and information reports and
returns) filed or required to be filed with respect to
Taxes.
(b) (i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or
on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries have been timely filed
and all Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company or its
Subsidiaries were (at the time they were filed) and are true,
correct and complete in all material respects; (ii) all Taxes of
Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not reflected on any Tax
Return) have been fully and timely paid, (iii) no waivers or
extensions of statutes of limitation have been given or requested
with respect to Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with any
Tax Returns or with respect to any Taxes payable by it;
(iv) no Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where Company or
its Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns has made a claim,
assertion or threat to Company or its Subsidiaries that it is or
may be subject to taxation by such jurisdiction; (v) each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely collected or
withheld, and paid over and reported to the appropriate
Governmental Entity all amounts required to be so collected or
withheld and paid over for all periods under all applicable laws;
(vi) there are no liens with respect to Taxes on the Company or its
Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets; (vii) there are no
Tax rulings, requests for rulings, or closing agreements relating
to the Company or its Subsidiaries for any period (or portion
of a period) that would affect any period after the date hereof;
and (viii) any adjustment of Taxes of the Company or its
Subsidiaries made by a Governmental Entity in any examination that
the Company or its Subsidiaries is required to report to the
appropriate Tax Authority has been reported, and any additional
Taxes due with respect thereto have been paid.
(c) There is no pending Proceeding with respect to
any Taxes of the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge
of the Company, is any such Proceeding threatened. The Company has
made available to the Parent prior to the date of this Agreement,
true, correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns, examination
reports and statements of deficiencies
assessed or
asserted against or agreed to by the Company or its Subsidiaries
since their inception and any and all correspondence with respect
to the foregoing.
(d) Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.15(e)
, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax
allocation or sharing agreement.
(e) The Company is treated as a foreign corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
3.16
Employee Benefit
Plans . The
Company does not maintain and has not maintained any employee
compensation, incentive, fringe or benefit plans, programs,
policies, commitments or other arrangements (whether or not set
forth in a written document) covering any active or former
employee, director or consultant of Company, or any trade or
business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common
control with Company, with respect to which the Company has or
would reasonably be expected to have liability. Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any payment
(including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute,
bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any shareholder, director or
employee of the Company.
3.17
Labor
Matters . Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.17 , (a) neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or
other labor union contract applicable to persons employed by the
Company or any Subsidiary; (b) the Company and each Subsidiary are
currently in compliance in all material respects will all
applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including
those related to wages, hours, collective bargaining and the
payment and withholding of Taxes and other sums as required by the
appropriate governmental authority; (c) there is no claim with
respect to payment of wages, salary or overtime pay that has been
asserted or is now pending or threatened before any Governmental
Authority with respect to any Person currently or formerly employed
by the Company or any Subsidiary; and (d) neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise bound by, any consent
decree with, or citation by, and Governmental Authority relating to
employees or employment practices.
3.18
Interested Party
Transactions .
Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.18 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is indebted to any director or officer of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries (except for amounts due as normal
salaries and bonuses and in reimbursement of ordinary expenses),
and no such person is indebted to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and there are no other transactions of the type
required to be disclosed pursuant to Items 402 or 404 of Regulation
S-K under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act
”).
3.19
Insurance . Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries
maintain any insurance policies on their respective properties or
assets.
3.20
Material Company
Contracts .
(a) The Company has made available to the Parent,
prior to the date of this Agreement, true, correct and complete
copies of each written agreement, contract, arrangement, lease,
commitment or otherwise of the type set forth below (each, a
“ Material Company
Contract ”), including each amendment, supplement
and modification relating thereto to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party.
(i) each contract, agreement, invoice, and other
arrangement, for the furnishing of services to, or the sale of
property to, the Company or any Subsidiary under the terms of which
the Company or any Subsidiary: (A) is likely to pay or otherwise
give consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate during
the calendar year ended December 31, 2008, (B) is likely to pay or
otherwise give consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate
over the remaining term of such contract, or (C) cannot be
cancelled by the Company or any Subsidiary without penalty or
further payment and without more than 30 days’
notice;
(ii) each contract, agreement, invoice, and other
arrangement for the furnishing of services by the Company or any
Subsidiary that: (A) is likely to involve consideration of more
than $750,000 in the aggregate during the calendar year ending
December 31, 2008, (B) is likely to involve consideration of more
than $750,000 in the aggregate over the remaining term of the
contract, or (C) cannot be cancelled by the Company or any
Subsidiary without penalty or further payment and without more than
30 days’ notice;
(iii) all agreements or letters of intent relating to
the acquisition of any business enterprise whether by acquisition
of stock, acquisition of assets, joint venture or merger or other
form of business combination;
(iv) all broker, distributor, dealer,
manufacturer’s representative, franchise, agency, sales
promotion, market research, marketing, consulting and advertising
contracts and agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary is
a party;
(v) all management contracts and contracts with
independent contractors or consultants (or similar arrangements) to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party and which cannot be
cancelled by the Company or any Subsidiary without penalty or
further payment and without more than 30 days’
notice;
(vi) all contracts and agreements relating to
indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in an amount in
excess of $150,000 individually or $500,000 in the
aggregate;
(vii) all contracts and agreements with any
Governmental Authority to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a
party;
(viii) all contracts and agreements that limit or
purport to limit the ability of any Principal Shareholder, the
Company or any Subsidiary to compete in any line of business or
with any Person or in any geographic area or during any period of
time;
(ix) all contracts and agreements between or among
the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Principal
Shareholders or any affiliate thereof, on the other
hand;
(x) any material lease pursuant to which the
Company or any Subsidiary leases any material real
property;
(xi) any shareholder agreement, registration rights
agreement, voting agreement or other agreement governing the rights
of the holders of any equity security issued by the Company or any
Subsidiary; and
(xii) all other contracts and agreements, whether or
not made in the ordinary course of business, which are material to
the Company or any Subsidiary or the conduct of their business, or
the absence of which would have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Each Material Company Contract is a legal,
valid and binding agreement, and is in full force and effect, and
(a) none of the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in breach or
defa
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