Exhibit
2.1
CONTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
DATED OCTOBER 26,
2006
AMONG
PLATINUM RESEARCH
ORGANIZATION L.P.
('PLATINUM'),
THE LIMITED PARTNERS
OF PLATINUM
AND
THE SOLE STOCKHOLDER
OF PLATINUM'S GENERAL PARTNER
(THE 'PRO
TRANSFERORS') ,
STEVE DRAYTON, ON
BEHALF OF CERTAIN OTHER INVESTORS IN NORTHTECH
(THE ' INVESTOR
REPRESENTATIVE')
AND
NORTHTECH
CORPORATION
('NORTHTECH')
CONTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this '
Agreement '), dated as of October ____, 2006, among
NorthTech Corporation, a company organized and existing under the
laws of Nevada (' NorthTech '), Platinum Research
Organization L.P., a limited partnership organized and existing
under the laws of Texas (' Platinum '), Lubrication
Partners, a joint venture (' GP Transferor ') and sole
shareholder of Platinum IP Management, Inc., a company organized
and existing under the laws of Texas and the general partner of
Platinum (' PRO GP '), each person holding a limited
partnership interest in Platinum (each, a ' Limited Partner
') (each Limited Partner and GP Transferor, a ' PRO
Transferor ' and collectively, the ' PRO Transferors '),
and John T. (Cork) Jaeger as the representative of all PRO
Transferors (the ' PRO Transferor Representative '), and
Steve Drayton as the representative (the ' Investor
Representative ') of all individuals who invest in NorthTech
(other than the PRO Transferors) (the ' Investors ') and who
have agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and have
appointed Steve Drayton as their representative for purposes of
this Agreement, in each case pursuant to a subscription
agreement.
WHEREAS, GP Transferor owns all of
the capital stock of PRO GP, and PRO GP is the sole general partner
in Platinum;
WHEREAS, the Limited Partners
collectively own all of the limited partnership interests in
Platinum;
WHEREAS, (i) GP Transferor desires
to contribute all of the capital stock of PRO GP (the ' PRO GP
Capital Stock ') to NorthTech, (ii) the Limited Partners desire
to contribute all of the outstanding limited partner partnership
interests of Platinum (collectively, the ' Partnership
Interests ' and together with the PRO GP Capital Stock, the '
Interests '), (iii) the Investors desire to contribute cash
to NorthTech, and (iv) certain warrant holders desire to exercise
warrants, and in each case NorthTech desires to issue shares of
capital stock in NorthTech to the PRO Transferors, the Investors
and the warrant holders in exchange for their respective
contributions, all in a transaction intended to qualify under
Section 351 of the Code, all on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the definitions of
certain defined terms used herein are set forth in Exhibit A
hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the premises and of the respective covenants and agreements
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CONTRIBUTION OF INTERESTS
1.1
Contribution and Issuance .
(a)
Contribution of Interests . Upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i) GP Transferor
shall contribute to NorthTech, and NorthTech shall accept from GP
Transferor, the PRO GP Capital Stock, free and clear of all Liens,
(ii) each Limited Partner shall contribute to NorthTech, and
NorthTech shall accept from such Limited Partner, the Partnership
Interests held by such Limited Partner, free and clear of all
Liens, and (iii) each Investor shall contribute to NorthTech, and
NorthTech shall accept from each Investor, cash in an amount as set
out in each individual subscription agreement (which in the
aggregate with all other Investors shall be no less than
$4,500,000) (the 'Cash'), in exchange for the issuance of the
Closing Shares (as defined below).
(b)
Issuance of Closing Shares in Exchange for Interests and
Cash . In consideration of (i) the Limited Partners
contribution of the Partnership Interests to NorthTech, (ii) the GP
Transferor's contribution of the PRO GP Capital Stock to NorthTech,
and (iii) the Investors contribution of the Cash to NorthTech
(collectively, the ' Consideration '), NorthTech agrees to
issue to (A) the PRO Transferors 55,000,000 unregistered
shares of common stock of NorthTech, and (B) the Investors shares
of the Preferred Stock (as herein so called) and the Investor
Warrants which will represent, when taken together with the issued
and outstanding shares of common stock held by existing
shareholders of NorthTech, 47,500,000 shares of common stock on an
as-converted and fully-diluted basis (collectively, the '
Closing
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Shares '). The number of shares to be issued by
NorthTech in each case is set forth opposite each PRO Transferor's
and Investor's name, respectively, on Exhibit D . This
arms-length price was negotiated by the parties.
(c)
Tax-Free Exchange under Section 351 of the Code . NorthTech,
PRO Transferors and the Investors agree that the transactions
described in this Agreement are intended to be characterized as a
tax-free transaction under Section 351 of the Code.
1.2
Closing . Unless the parties hereto shall agree in
writing upon a different location, time or date, the closing of the
contribution of the Interests and the Cash, and issuance of the
Closing Shares (the ' Closing ') shall take place at the
offices of Hallett & Perrin, P.C., 2001 Bryan Street, Suite
3900, Dallas, Texas 75201, at 11:00 a.m. (Central Standard
Time) on the 10th Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver
(by the applicable party) of the conditions required to be
satisfied or waived pursuant to Articles 6 and 7 hereof (other than
those requiring the delivery of a certificate or other document, or
the taking of other action, at the Closing), but in no event later
than the Outside Date. The term ' Closing Date ' means the
date and time at which the Closing occurs.
1.3
Deliveries at the Closing . Subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing:
(a)
GP Transferor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to NorthTech
(i) stock certificate(s) representing the PRO GP Capital Stock
accompanied with the appropriate endorsement(s) or stock power(s)
duly executed by GP Transferor in blank, (ii) the applicable
Closing Certificate described in Section 8.1(a)(iii),
(iii) the applicable secretary's certificate described in
Section 8.1(c), (iv) a Release Agreement duly executed by
GP Transferor, and (v) all certificates and other instruments,
agreements and documents which are expressly required or reasonably
requested by NorthTech pursuant to this Agreement to be delivered
by GP Transferor to NorthTech at the Closing.
(b) Each
Limited Partner shall deliver or cause to be delivered to NorthTech
(i) an Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to all
of the Partnership Interests duly executed by such Limited Partner,
(ii) the applicable Closing Certificate described in Section
8.1(a)(iii), (iii) a Release Agreement duly executed by such
Limited Partner, and (iv) all certificates and other
instruments, agreements and documents which are expressly required
or reasonably requested by NorthTech pursuant to this Agreement to
be delivered by such Limited Partner to NorthTech at the
Closing.
(c) Each
Investor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to NorthTech
(i) the Cash that is to be contributed by such Investor as set
out in each individual subscription agreement, and (ii) all
certificates and other instruments, agreements and documents which
are expressly required or reasonably requested by NorthTech
pursuant to this Agreement to be delivered by such Investor to
NorthTech at the Closing.
(d) Platinum
shall deliver or cause to be delivered to NorthTech (i) the
applicable Closing Certificate described in
Section 8.1(a)(iii), (ii) the applicable certificate of
existence described in Section 7.1(c), (iii) the releases
and satisfactions described in Section 7.1(e), and
(iv) all certificates and other instruments, agreements and
documents which are expressly required or reasonably requested by
NorthTech pursuant to this Agreement to be delivered by Platinum to
NorthTech at the Closing.
(e) The
PRO Transferor Representative shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to NorthTech all Ancillary Agreements, including but not
limited to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Voting Agreement
and the Lock-Up Agreement, to which any PRO Transferor or the PRO
Transferor Representative is contemplated by this Agreement to be a
party or signatory, duly executed by such Person, to the extent not
otherwise delivered as provided in this Section 1.3.
(f) NorthTech
shall (i) accept the Interests from the PRO Transferors and
the Cash from the Investors, (ii) deliver the Closing Shares
as provided in Section 1.1(b), (iii) deliver the
Assignment and Assumption Agreements duly executed by NorthTech,
(iv) deliver the applicable secretary's certificate described in
Section 7.1(c) and Section 9.1(c), and (v) deliver to the
PRO Transferor Representative and the Investors all certificates
and other instruments, agreements and documents which are expressly
required or reasonably requested by the PRO Transferor
Representative and/or the Investors pursuant to this
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Agreement to be delivered by NorthTech to such PRO Transferor
Representative and Investors at the Closing.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE PRO
TRANSFERORS
Each PRO Transferor, severally but
not jointly and with respect to such PRO Transferor only (and not
with respect to any other PRO Transferor), represents and warrants
to NorthTech as follows:
2.1
Organization and Good Standing of Certain PRO
Transferors . Each PRO Transferor (other than any
individual) is a partnership or a limited liability company duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Texas. Each PRO Transferor has previously made
available to NorthTech complete and correct copies of the
partnership agreements or limited liability company agreements and
certificates of limited partnership or articles of organization, as
the case may be, of such PRO Transferor, as presently in
effect.
2.2
Authority . Each PRO Transferor (other than any Limited
Partner that is an individual) has the requisite partnership or
limited liability company power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is
or at the Closing will be a party, to perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by each
PRO Transferor (other than any Limited Partner that is an
individual) of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which
it is or at the Closing will be a party, the performance by such
PRO Transferor of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the
consummation by such PRO Transferor of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by all requisite partnership or limited liability
company action (including, if necessary, partner or member
approval) on the part of such PRO Transferor. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by each PRO Transferor and, at the
Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which such PRO Transferor is a
party will be duly executed and delivered by such PRO Transferor.
This Agreement constitutes and, when executed and delivered at the
Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which each PRO Transferor is a
party will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of such
PRO Transferor, enforceable against such PRO Transferor in
accordance with their respective terms except that such enforcement
may be limited by any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other Laws (whether statutory,
regulatory or decisional), now or hereafter in effect, relating to
or affecting the rights of creditors generally or by equitable
principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law
or in equity).
2.3
Ownership of Interests .
(a) GP
Transferor is the sole record and beneficial owner of the PRO GP
Capital Stock, free and clear of all Liens.
(b) Each
Limited Partner is the sole record and beneficial owner of that
number of Partnership Interests as is set forth opposite such
Limited Partner's name in Section 2.3(b) of the Disclosure
Letter, free and clear of all Liens.
2.4
No
Conflict . Except as set forth in Section 2.4 of
the Disclosure Letter, the execution and delivery by each PRO
Transferor of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which
it is or at the Closing will be a party do not, and the performance
by such PRO Transferor of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements to which it is or at the Closing will be a party and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not,
(i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation
or by-laws or certificate of formation or limited liability company
agreement (or any similar organizational instrument) of such PRO
Transferor (other than any PRO Transferor who is an Individual),
(ii) to the Knowledge of each PRO Transferor, violate any Law,
Permit or Order applicable to such PRO Transferor, or any of its
assets, properties or businesses (including the Interests owned by
such PRO Transferor), except for such violations, if any, that when
taken together with all other such violations would not be
reasonably likely to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the ability of such PRO Transferor to perform its
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obligations under, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to
which it will be a party at the Closing, (iii) to the
Knowledge of each PRO Transferor, result in a breach of, constitute
a default (or an event which, with or without the giving of notice
or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, require
any consent or notice under, or give to others any right of
termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or
cancellation of, any oral or written contract, agreement,
commitment or understanding, to which such PRO Transferor is a
party or is bound, except for such breaches, defaults or failures
to obtain consent or give notice, if any, that when taken together
with all other such breaches, defaults or failures would not be
reasonably likely to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the ability of such PRO Transferor to perform its
obligations under, and to consummate the transactions contemplated
by, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it will be
a party at the Closing, or (iv) result in the creation of any
Lien on the Interests.
2.5
Consents and Approvals . To the Knowledge of each PRO
Transferor, the execution and delivery by such PRO Transferor of
this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or at
the Closing will be a party, do not, and the performance by such
PRO Transferor of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to
which it is or at the Closing will be a party and the consummation
by such PRO Transferor of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, do not and will not, require any Governmental
Authorization or order of, action by, filing with or notification
of, any Governmental Authority, or for the Governmental
Authorizations set forth in Section 2.5 of the Disclosure
Letter.
2.6
Brokers . Except as set forth in Section 2.6 of the
Disclosure Letter, no PRO Transferor nor any of its directors,
officers, employees or Affiliates has employed any broker,
investment bank or finder or has incurred or will incur any
broker's, investment banking, finder's or similar fees, commissions
or expenses, in each case in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
2.7 Acquisition of Closing Shares for Investment .
Each PRO Transferor is acquiring its Closing Shares for investment
and not with a view toward, or for sale in connection with, any
distribution thereof. Each PRO Transferor agrees that its Closing
Shares may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under
the Securities Act except (i) pursuant to an exemption from
such registration available under the Securities Act and
(ii) in accordance with any applicable provisions of state
securities laws.
2.8
Litigation . Except as set forth in Section 2.8 of
the Disclosure Letter, there is no suit, action, arbitration,
demand, claim, dispute, investigation or proceeding pending or, to
the Knowledge of each PRO Transferor, threatened, against the
Interests held by such PRO Transferor; nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority or
arbitrator outstanding against any PRO Transferor solely with
respect to its ownership of the Interests. No injunction, writ,
temporary restraining order, decree or order of any nature has been
issued by any court or other Governmental Authority against any PRO
Transferor with respect to its ownership of the Interests
purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or
any documents contemplated thereby.
2.9
Disclosure . To the Knowledge of each PRO Transferor,
no representation or warranty by such PRO Transferor in this
Agreement and no statement contained in this Agreement or in any
document delivered or to be delivered pursuant hereto by such PRO
Transferor contains or will contain an untrue statement of material
fact or omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements herein or therein contained, in light of the
circumstances under which made by such PRO Transferor, not
misleading.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING PLATINUM
Platinum represents and warrants
to NorthTech as follows:
3.1
Organization and Good Standing of Platinum; Authority of
Platinum .
(a) Platinum
is duly registered and validly existing as a limited partnership
under the laws of the State of Texas. Platinum has the requisite
partnership power and authority to own, operate and lease the
4
properties and assets now owned, operated or leased by it and to
carry on its business as now being conducted and as contemplated to
be conducted. Platinum is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where such
qualification is required, except for such failures to be qualified
and in good standing, if any, that when taken together with all
other such failures would not be reasonably likely to have, in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Platinum has previously made
available to NorthTech complete and correct copies of the
partnership agreements and certificates of limited partnership of
Platinum, as presently in effect.
(b)
Platinum has the requisite
partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or at the
Closing will be a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby. The execution and delivery by Platinum of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or at the
Closing will be a party, the performance by Platinum of its
obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by
Platinum of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have
been duly and validly authorized by all requisite partnership
action (including, if necessary, partner approval) on the part of
Platinum. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Platinum and, at the Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which
Platinum is a party will be duly executed and delivered by
Platinum. This Agreement constitutes and, when executed and
delivered at the Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which
Platinum is a party will constitute, the valid and binding
obligations of Platinum, enforceable against Platinum, in
accordance with its terms except that such enforcement may be
limited by any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or other Laws (whether statutory, regulatory or
decisional), now or hereafter in effect, relating to or affecting
the rights of creditors generally or by equitable principles
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity).
3.2
Subsidiaries . Set forth in Section 3.2 of the
Disclosure Letter is a true and complete list of all of the
Subsidiaries of Platinum stating, with respect to each such
Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, type
of entity and ownership percentage. Except for the Subsidiaries
listed in Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Letter, Platinum does
not own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, or has
any operational control over, any capital stock or other equity
securities of, or any investment or other interest in any
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture
or other entity. Platinum does not have any obligation to acquire
any capital stock or other equity securities of, or any obligation
to invest in or loan funds to, any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other Person.
3.3
Capitalization of Platinum . The Partnership Interests
constitute all of the issued and outstanding limited partnership
interests in Platinum. GP Transferor is the sole general partner of
Platinum. Other than as contemplated hereby, there is no security,
option, warrant, right, call, subscription, agreement, commitment
or understanding of any nature whatsoever, fixed or contingent,
that directly or indirectly (i) calls for the issuance, sale,
pledge, transfer or other disposition of any partnership interest
or other equity interest of Platinum or any securities convertible
into, or other rights to acquire, any partnership interest or other
equity interest of Platinum, (ii) relates to the dividend or
voting rights with respect to or control of such partnership
interest or other equity interest, (iii) obligates any PRO
Transferor or Platinum to grant, offer or enter into any of the
foregoing or (iv) except as disclosed in Section 3.3 of
the Disclosure Letter, provides for ' phantom ' equity,
profit participation or similar rights with respect to Platinum.
All Partnership Interests are validly issued and freely
transferable.
3.4
No Conflict; Consents and Approvals .
(a) The
execution, delivery and performance by Platinum of this Agreement
and the consummation by Platinum of the transactions contemplated
hereby do not (i) violate any provision of Platinum's
partnership agreement or certificate of limited partnership,
(ii) violate any Law, Permit or Order applicable to Platinum,
or any of their respective assets, properties or businesses which
violation would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, on the Partnership Interests, (iii) result in a breach
of, constitute a default (or an event which, with or without the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default)
under, require any consent or notice under (except as disclosed in
Section 3.4(a) of the Disclosure Letter), or give to others
any right of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension,
revocation or cancellation of, any Material Contract or any
material Permit held
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or used by Platinum or (iv) result in the creation of any
Lien on any of the assets of Platinum or the Partnership
Interests.
(b) The
execution and delivery by Platinum of this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements to which it is or at the Closing will be a
party do not, and the performance by Platinum of this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or at the Closing will be a
party and the consummation by Platinum of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, require any Governmental
Authorization or order of, action by, filing with or notification
of, any Governmental Authority, except (x) for the
requirements for the Governmental Authorizations set forth in
Section 3.4(b) of the Disclosure Letter.
3.5
Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities; Information
Provided .
(a) Platinum
has delivered or made available to NorthTech true and complete
copies of the audited financial statements of Platinum as of
December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003
(collectively, the ' Audited Financial Statements '), and
the unaudited financial statements for Platinum for the period
ending June 30, 2006 (the ' 2006 Statements '). The Audited
Financial Statements, the 2006 Statements and any audited or
unaudited quarterly or annual financial statements to be made
available to NorthTech by Platinum following the date of this
Agreement shall collectively be referred to herein as the '
Financial Statements '. The Financial Statements are or will
be, as the case may be, true and correct and fairly and accurately
represent in all material respects the financial matters stated
therein. All financial statements included as part of the Financial
Statements fairly present or will fairly present, as the case may
be, in all material respects, the financial condition of Platinum,
as of the dates specified therein and the results of Platinum's
operations for the periods specified therein.
(b) Platinum
does not have any Liabilities required to be disclosed under GAAP
except (i) as set forth on Section 3.5(b) of the
Disclosure Letter, (ii) Liabilities expressly disclosed or
reserved against in the Financial Statements and
(iii) Liabilities which arose after June 30, 2006, in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Platinum
does not have any Liabilities under any sale-leaseback arrangement,
synthetic lease or other off-balance sheet financing devices. None
of the employees of Platinum are now or will by the passage of time
hereinafter become entitled to receive any vacation time, vacation
pay or severance pay attributable to services rendered prior to
such date except as disclosed on the Financial Statements.
(c) Except
as set forth in Section 3.5(c) of the Disclosure Letter or
included in the Financial Statements, none of Platinum's
Subsidiaries have any Liabilities.
(d) The
information supplied, or to be supplied, by or on behalf of
Platinum for inclusion in the Form 14A or 14C information statement
to be filed with the SEC by NorthTech, such as: the information
incorporated in the Description of Platinum's business in the
summary section; Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations of Platinum; Platinum's
information included within the Business Section; and Platinum's
Financial Statements; shall not on the date that the information
statement is first mailed to the shareholders of NorthTech contain
any statement which, at such time and in light of the circumstances
under which it shall be made, is false or misleading with respect
to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact, necessary
in order to make the statements made in the information statement
not false or misleading.
3.6
Business Since June 30, 2006 . Since June 30, 2006 and
except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.6 of the Disclosure
Letter, (i) Platinum has operated its business in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice, and (ii) except in the
ordinary course of business there has not been any:
(a) change
in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,
liabilities, business operations or results of operations that
could reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse
Effect;
(b) redemption,
repurchase or other acquisition of the Partnership Interests other
than for cash or any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
non-cash dividend or other non-cash distribution with respect to
the Partnership Intere sts;
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(c) increase
in or modification of the compensation or benefits payable or to
become payable by Platinum to any of its directors, officers,
employees or consultants other than as would be permitted under
Section 6.7(g);
(d) modification
of any term of benefits payable under, any Employee Benefit
Plan;
(e) acquisition
or sale of a material amount of property or assets of Platinum, or
by Platinum of any property or assets of the PRO Transferors;
(f) (i) incurrence,
assumption or guarantee by Platinum of any debt for borrowed money;
or (ii) issuance by Platinum of any securities;
(g) creation
or assumption by Platinum of any mortgage, pledge, material
security interest or lien or other encumbrance on any asset;
(h) making
of any loan, advance or capital contribution to or investment in
any Person;
(i) entering
into, amendment of, relinquishment, termination or non-renewal by
Platinum of any contract, lease transaction, commitment or other
right or obligation;
(j) transfer
or grant of a right under Platinum's Intellectual Property or any
disclosure of any material proprietary information with respect to
Platinum's business to any Person which has had or may have a
Material Adverse Effect on Platinum;
(k) labor
dispute or charge of unfair or discriminatory employment or labor
practice, any activity or proceeding by a labor union or
representative thereof to organize any employees of Platinum or any
campaign being conducted to solicit authorization from employees to
be represented by such labor union;
(l) agreement
or arrangement made by Platinum to take any action which, if taken
prior to the date hereof, would have made any representation or
warranty set forth in this Agreement untrue or incorrect as of the
date when made unless otherwise disclosed;
(m) change
in accounting methods or practices, except as disclosed in the
Financial Statements;
(n) waiver
or release of any right or claim;
(o) prepayment
by Platinum of any material liabilities or obligations;
(p) acceleration,
termination, suspension, abrogation, renewal, modification or
cancellation of any Permit;
(q) termination,
renewal, modification or cancellation of any Material Contract
other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or any acceleration, suspension, or abrogation of any
Material Contract;
(r) acquisition
of all or substantially all of the assets or properties or of the
securities or business of any other Person by Platinum or any
merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving Platinum;
(s) making,
changing or revoking of any election concerning Taxes or Tax
Returns, change any annual accounting period, change any accounting
method, file any amended Tax Returns, enter into any closing
agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any Tax claim or assessment
or surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes or obtain or
apply for any Tax ruling; or
(t) agreement
by Platinum to do any of the foregoing.
3.7
Compliance with Law . Platinum and Platinum's
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable Laws, Permits or Orders. To Platinum's Knowledge, there
is currently no investigation or review by a Governmental Authority
with respect to Platinum or any of Platinum's
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Subsidiaries pending or threatened, nor has any Governmental
Authority notified Platinum, Platinum's Subsidiaries or any PRO
Transferor of its intention to conduct the same.
3.8
Litigation . Except as disclosed in Section 3.8 of
the Disclosure Letter, there is no suit, action, arbitration,
demand, claim, dispute, investigation or proceeding pending or, to
the Knowledge of Platinum, threatened, against either of Platinum
or any of Platinum's Subsidiaries; nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority or
arbitrator outstanding against Platinum or any of Platinum's
Subsidiaries. No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order,
decree or order of any nature has been issued by any court or other
Governmental Authority against Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or
any documents contemplated thereby.
3.9
Contracts and Agreements; Defaults .
(a) Section 3.9(a) of
the Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of any of the following
written or (except as otherwise specified below) oral contracts,
agreements and other instruments (the ' Material Contracts
') entered into by Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries or by which
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries are bound, true and correct
copies of each of which (or written summaries, in the case of oral
contracts) have been delivered to NorthTech and/or its counsel:
(i)
collective bargaining or similar
labor agreements;
(ii)
joint venture contract or agreement
which has involved or is reasonably expected to involve a sharing
of profits or losses in excess of $25,000 per annum with any other
party;
(iii)
(x) written contract relating to
the employment or engagement of any Person (whether as an employee,
consultant or independent contractor) or any bonus, deferred
compensation, pension, profit sharing, stock option, employee stock
purchase, retirement or other similar Employee Benefit Plan, other
than written contracts relating to the engagement of any person as
an actor, writer or translator copies of which have been previously
provided to NorthTech, and (y) oral contract relating to the
employment or engagement of any Person (whether as an employee,
consultant or independent contractor) or any bonus, deferred
compensation, pension, profit sharing, stock option, employee stock
purchase, retirement or other similar Employee Benefit Plan which
is not cancelable without penalty within 30 days;
(iv)
indenture, mortgage, promissory note,
loan agreement, guarantee or other agreement or commitment for the
borrowing of money, for a line of credit or for a leasing
transaction or imposing a Lien on any asset;
(v)
lease, conditional sales or other
agreement pursuant to which Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
leases, has purchased or sold or holds possession of, but not title
to, any real or personal property, whether as lessor, lessee,
purchaser, PRO Transferor, bailee, pledgee or the like;
(vi)
management, service, consulting or
any other similar arrangement, or any non-competition
agreement;
(vii)
power of attorney granted by or to
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries;
(viii)
contract not entered into in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice which is
not cancelable without penalty within 30 days;
(ix)
sales representative agreements to
which Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries is a party, regardless of
amounts involved;
(x)
any Contract relating to an
acquisition (closed or otherwise) by Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries of a business or the capital stock of any Person;
8
(xi) Contracts containing
covenants of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries not to compete in
any line of business or with any Person in any geographical area or
covenants of any other Person not to compete with Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries in any line of business or in any
geographical area;
(xii) any Contract that provides
for any party to have first refusal, first offer, '
tag-along ' or ' drag-along ' rights or obligations
with respect to any partnership interest, capital stock or other
security of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries ;
(xiii) any Contract to which
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any
Related Party of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, on the other
hand, are parties;
(xiv) any Contract relating to
rights, licenses, permissions or privileges with respect to the
use, distribution, performance or other exploitation of
Intellectual Property to which Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
is a party (a ' License Agreement '). Section 3.9(a) of
the Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and correct list of all
License Agreements; or
(xv) any agreement which by its
terms involves the payment after the Closing Date by or to Platinum
or Platinum's Subsidiaries of an amount of $100,000 or more which
has not been included within clauses (i) through
(xiv) above and any agreement which otherwise involves a
commitment by Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries which is material
to the business of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries.
(b) Except as set forth in
Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Letter or for such breaches,
defaults, events or failures to be in full force and effect or
validly binding and enforceable as have not had and are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither Platinum nor, to
Platinum's Knowledge, any other party to any Material Contract is
in breach of or default under any such Material Contract,
(ii) no event has occurred which (after notice or lapse of
time or both) would become a breach or default by Platinum under
any Material Contract, (iii) to Platinum's Knowledge, each
Material Contract is in full force and effect and is valid, binding
and enforceable against Platinum and each other party thereto, in
accordance with its terms, except that such enforcement may be
limited by any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or other Laws (whether statutory, regulatory or
decisional), now or hereafter in effect, relating to or affecting
the rights of creditors generally or by equitable principles
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity), and (iv) Platinum has received or given any written
notification asserting a breach or default under any Contract. PRO
Transferors have heretofore furnished NorthTech with the consent of
any such parties to the transactions contemplated hereby.
3.10 Employee Benefit Plans .
(a) Section 3.10(a)
of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete list of all Employee
Benefit Plans. The PRO Transferors have delivered to NorthTech
and/or its counsel prior to the date hereof true and complete
copies of (i) any employment agreements and any procedures and
policies relating to the employment of employees of Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries and the use of temporary employees and
independent contractors by Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
(including summaries of any procedures and policies that are
unwritten), (ii) all Employee Benefit Plans and related trust
agreements, insurance and other contracts, summary plan
descriptions and summaries of material modifications and
communications distributed to the participants of each Employee
Benefit Plan, (iii) the reports which have been filed (or are
in fully completed form for filing) for the last 3 years with
the IRS and the Department of Labor with respect to each Employee
Benefit Plan which is required to make such filing, (iv) the
latest determination letter issued for each Employee Benefit Plan
and related trust that are intended to satisfy the qualification
requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code, and
(v) the latest IRS Form 5300 or 5307 (whichever is
applicable) filed with the IRS for each Employee Benefit Plan and
related trust that are intended to satisfy the qualification
requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code.
(b) Neither
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries maintains nor has ever
maintained an Employee Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.
With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, no party in
interest
9
or disqualified person (as defined in Section 3(14) of
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, respectively) has at any
time engaged in a transaction which could subject Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries, or NorthTech, directly or indirectly, to a
material tax, penalty or liability for prohibited transactions
imposed by ERISA or the Code. No fiduciary (as defined in
Section 3(21) of ERISA) with respect to any Employee Benefit
Plan has breached any of the responsibilities or obligations
imposed upon fiduciaries under Title I of ERISA.
(c) Each
Employee Benefit Plan is and has been operated in material
compliance with its terms and all applicable laws including,
without limitation, the Code and ERISA, and by its terms can be
amended and/or terminated at any time. As of the Closing Date,
Platinum and Platinum's Subsidiaries shall have made all required
contributions under each Employee Benefit Plan for all periods
through and including the Closing Date or adequate accruals
therefor shall have been provided for and reflected on the
Financial Statements. Except as disclosed on Section 3.10(c)
of the Disclosure Letter, neither Platinum nor Platinum's
Subsidiaries has made a commitment to allocate or make a profit
sharing contribution under any Employee Benefit Plan with respect
to any plan year commencing or ending in 2004 or 2005.
(d) Neither
Platinum nor any Platinum Subsidiary has received or is aware of
any actions, claims (other than routine claims for benefits),
lawsuits or arbitrations pending or, to the Knowledge of Platinum,
threatened with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or against any
fiduciary of any Employee Benefit Plan, and Platinum does not have
Knowledge of any facts that could give rise to any such actions,
claims, lawsuits or arbitrations. There has not occurred any
circumstances by reason of which Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries may be liable for an act, or a failure to act, by a
fiduciary with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan.
(e) No
Employee Benefit Plan provides or provided for continuing benefits
or coverage for any participant or any dependent or beneficiary of
any participant after such participant's retirement or other
termination of employment (except as may be required by Part 6
of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the
Code (collectively, ' COBRA ')).
(f) Neither
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries has ever contributed to, or
withdrawn in a partial or complete withdrawal from, any
multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) or
incurred contingent liability under Section 4204 of ERISA.
(g) Neither
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries or any PRO Transferor proposed
nor agreed to any increase in benefits under any Employee Benefit
Plan (or the creation of new benefits) or change in employee
coverage which would increase the expense of maintaining any such
Employee Benefit Plan.
(h) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not result in (i) any payment (including, without limitation,
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or bonus
payments) becoming due to any director, officer, employee or
consultant of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, (ii) any
increase in the amount of compensation or benefits payable in
respect of any director, officer, employee or consultant of
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, or (iii) accelerate the
vesting or timing of payment of any benefits or compensation
payable in respect of any director, officer, employee or consultant
of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries. No Employee Benefit Plan
provides benefits or payments contingent upon, triggered by or
increased as a result of, a change in the ownership or effective
control of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries.
3.11 Employment-Related Matters
.
(a) No
employees of Platinum are covered by a collective bargaining
agreement or similar labor agreement and Platinum is not currently
negotiating such an agreement. There is no labor strike, organized
work stoppage, lockout or other labor controversy presently pending
or, to the Knowledge of Platinum, threatened against Platinum and
Platinum has not experienced any labor strike, lockout or organized
work stoppage during the last three years. To the Knowledge of
Platinum, there is no union organization campaign relating to any
employees of Platinum. There is no unfair labor practice charge or
complaint or any other similar action, suit, arbitration,
proceeding or investigation pending against Platinum or, to the
Knowledge of Platinum, threatened before the National Labor
Relations Board or any other Governmental
10
Authority. No charges with respect to or relating to the
employees of Platinum are pending or, to the Knowledge of Platinum,
threatened before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or
any other Governmental Authority responsible for the prevention of
unlawful employment practices.
(b) Section 3.11(b)
of the Disclosure Letter lists all employees of Platinum and
Platinum's Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement. Except as
provided in Section 3.11(b) of the Disclosure Letter,
(i) no person or entity has a written employment, severance or
independent contractor agreement with Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries, (ii) no person or entity has an oral employment,
severance or independent contractor agreement with Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries which is not cancelable without penalty
within 30 days, and (iii) no ' leased employee '
(within the meaning of Section 414(n) or (o) of the Code)
performs any material services for Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries. PRO Transferors have heretofore furnished NorthTech
with a true, correct and complete list of the salaries of all
employees of Platinum as of the date of this Agreement.
(c) Platinum
and Platinum's Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all
applicable laws, agreements and contracts relating to employment,
employment practices, wages, hours, and terms and conditions of
employment, including, but not limited to, employee compensation
matters.
(d) Platinum
and Platinum's Subsidiaries have good relations with its employees
and, to the Knowledge of Platinum, there are no facts indicating
that the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
have an adverse effect on such relations, and Platinum has no
Knowledge that any of key employees of Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries intends to leave their employ.
(e) Neither
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor
practice. There is (i) no grievance or arbitration proceeding
arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements pending or
threatened against either Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries;
(ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending
or, to the Knowledge of Platinum, threatened against either
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries; (iii) neither Platinum
nor Platinum's Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining
agreement or contract; (iv) no union representation question
existing with respect to the employees of Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries; and (v) no union organizing activities are
taking place.
3.12 Taxes .
(a) Platinum
and Platinum's Subsidiaries have timely filed all Tax Returns which
are required to be filed by them, which returns and reports are, to
the Knowledge of Platinum, true, correct and complete in all
material respects, and has paid timely all Taxes whether or not
shown as due on such Tax Returns that they are required to have
paid.
(b) There
are no actions, suits, proceedings, audits, investigations or
claims now pending, nor, to the Knowledge of Platinum, proposed
against Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries (including without
limitation, any partnership level administrative or judicial
proceedings under Section 6231 et seq. of the Code or any
similar provision of state or local law) relating to any Taxes.
(c) Platinum
has delivered, or made available, to NorthTech complete and correct
copies of all Tax Returns, examination reports, and statements of
deficiency that have been filed by, assessed against, or agreed to
by any of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, with respect to the
activities of any of Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries. To the
Knowledge of Platinum, no claim has ever been made or proposed by
an authority in a jurisdiction where Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
required to file Tax Returns in that jurisdiction.
(d) There
are no Liens on any of the assets of Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries, except for any Liens for current Taxes that are not
yet due and payable and Permitted Liens.
(e) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries (i) has waived any
statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any
extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency
which Taxes have not since been paid, (ii) except as set forth
in Section 3.12(e) of the Disclosure Letter, has requested or
been granted an extension of the time for filing any Tax Return to
a date later than the Closing
11
Date, which Tax Return has since not been filed and any Taxes
relating to such Tax Return (whether or not shown on as due on such
Tax Return) has not been paid, (iii) has granted to any Person
any power of attorney that is currently in force with respect to
any Tax matter relating to any of Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries, or (iv) has been a member of an affiliated group
(as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) or filed or been
included in a combined, consolidated or unitary income or similar
Tax Return.
(f) Section 3.12(f)
of the Disclosure Letter sets forth (i) all types of Taxes
paid, and all types of Tax Returns filed, by or on behalf of each
of Platinum and Platinum's Subsidiaries and (ii) all of the
jurisdictions that impose such Taxes or the duty to file such Tax
Returns.
(g) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has any liability for Taxes of
any other Person by reason of contract, agreement (including as a
party to a Tax allocation, sharing, or similar agreement),
assumption, transferee liability, operation of law, or
otherwise.
(h) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries or any other person on behalf
of any of them: (i) has executed or entered into a closing
agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any
predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of state,
local, foreign, or other law; or (ii) has agreed to, or is
required to make, any adjustments pursuant to Section 481 or
Section 263A of the Code or any similar provision of state,
local, foreign, or other law, nor has any Governmental Authority
proposed any such adjustments or change in accounting method.
(i) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has made any payment or
payments, is obligated to make any payment or payments, or is a
party to (or a participating employer in) any agreement or Employee
Benefit Plan that could obligate one of Platinum or Platinum's
Subsidiaries to make any payment or payments that would constitute
an ' excess parachute payment ,' as defined in
Section 280G of the Code (or any similar provision of state,
local, foreign, or other law) or that would otherwise not be fully
deductible under Section 162 or Section 404 of the Code
(or any similar provision of state, local, foreign, or other
law).
(j) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has been a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period
specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(k) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has distributed stock of
another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in
a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in
whole or in part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the
Code.
(l) All
Taxes attributable to periods ending on or prior to the Closing
Date, to the extent not required to have been paid previously, will
be fully and adequately reserved for or accrued as of the Closing
Date as a current liability on the respective balance sheets of
Platinum, Platinum's Subsidiaries, or both.
(m) Since
June 30, 2006, neither Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has
incurred any liability for any Tax other than in the ordinary
course of its business. Neither Platinum nor Platinum's
Subsidiaries has entered into a transaction that currently is being
accounted for under the installment method of Section 453 of
the Code or a similar provision of state, local, foreign, or other
law, and neither Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries has any
taxable income that will be reportable in a taxable period
beginning after the Closing Date that is attributable to a
transaction or event that occurred prior to the Closing.
3.13 Permits . Section 3.13
of the Disclosure Letter lists all material Permits that are
presently required for the operation of Platinum, as currently
conducted and as proposed to be conducted, which Permits have been
duly obtained by Platinum and are in full force and effect, except
where the failure to acquire such Permits or to keep such Permits
in full force and effect, if any, that when taken together with all
other such failures would not be reasonably likely to have Material
Adverse Effect. Platinum is in compliance with all Permits that are
presently required for the operation of Platinum, except where
failing to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. There is no action pending or, to the
Knowledge of Platinum, threatened against Platinum to modify,
suspend, terminate, limit, condition or declare invalid
12
the rights of Platinum under any of such Permits, and to the
Knowledge of Platinum, there are no facts or circumstances which
could form the basis for any such action. No written notice has
been received by Platinum or by any PRO Transferor or Limited
Partner with respect to any failure by Platinum to have any
Permit.
3.14 Real Property .
(a) Section 3.14(a)
of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and correct list of
all Owned Real Property setting forth the address and owner of each
parcel of Owned Real Property. Platinum has, or on the Closing Date
will have, good, valid and marketable fee simple title to the Owned
Real Property indicated on Section 3.14(a) of the Disclosure
Letter as being owned by it, free and clear of all Liens other than
Permitted Liens. There are no outstanding options or rights of
first refusal to purchase the Owned Real Property, or any portion
thereof or interest therein.
(b)
Section 3.14(b) of the
Disclosure Letter contains a complete and correct list of all Real
Property Leases. Platinum has delivered to NorthTech correct and
complete copies of the Real Property Leases. Each Real Property
Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and
effect, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other applicable laws affecting creditors
generally and by the availability of equitable remedies. Neither
Platinum nor, to the Knowledge of Platinum, any other party is in
default, violation or breach in any respect under any Real Property
Lease, and no event has occurred and is continuing that constitutes
or, with notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute a
default, violation or breach in any respect under any Real Property
Lease. Each Real Property Lease grants the tenant under the Real
Property Lease the exclusive right to use and occupy the demised
premises thereunder. Platinum has good and valid title to the
leasehold estate under each Real Property Lease free and clear of
all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Platinum enjoys peaceful and
undisturbed possession under its respective Real Property Leases
for the Leased Real Property.
(c) The
Real Property constitutes all the fee and leasehold interests in
real property held for use in connection with, necessary for the
conduct of, or otherwise material to, the Business.
(d) There
are no eminent domain or other similar proceedings pending or, to
Platinum's Knowledge, threatened affecting any portion of the Real
Property. There is no writ, injunction, decree, order or judgment
outstanding, nor any action, claim, suit or proceeding, pending or,
to Platinum's Knowledge, threatened, relating to the ownership,
lease, use, occupancy or operation by any Person of any Real
Property.
(e) The
use and operation of the Real Property in the conduct of the
Business does not violate in any material respect any instrument of
record or agreement affecting the Real Property. There is no
violation in any material respect of any covenant, condition,
restriction, easement or order of any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction over such property of any other Person entitled to
enforce the same affecting the Real Property or the use or
occupancy thereof.
(f) The
Real Property is in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable building, zoning, subdivision and other land use and
similar Laws affecting the Real Property (collectively, the '
Real Property Laws '), and no Company or any PRO Transferor
has received any notice of violation or claimed violation of any
Real Property Law. To the Knowledge of Platinum, there is no
pending or anticipated change in any Real Property Law that will
have a material adverse effect upon the ownership, alternation,
use, occupancy, or operation of the Real Property or any portion
thereof.
(g) Each
parcel included in the Real Property is assessed for real property
tax purposes as a wholly independent tax lot, separate from
adjoining land or improvements not constituting a part of that
parcel.
3.15 Title; Condition of Assets .
Platinum has title to or valid leasehold interests in all of the
assets that it purports to own or lease (or are reflected as owned
on the Financial Statements) free and clear of any and all Liens
other than Permitted Liens, and such assets and properties
constitute all of the assets and
13
properties which are owned, used or held, and necessary, for use
in the conduct by Platinum of its business as it is currently
conducted.
3.16 Intellectual Property .
(a) Platinum
possesses by ownership or by license all Intellectual Property
sufficient for it to conduct its business as currently conducted
and as currently contemplated to be conducted in the future. In
particular but not limited to, Platinum has entered into an
exclusive, royalty bearing license with The University of Texas at
Arlington (the ' University ') with respect to the
University's rights in certain Platinum patents and patent
applications. Such ownership or license rights will not be lost,
terminated, limited, restricted, modified or impaired in any
respect by reason of the consummation of any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement .
(b) Section 3.16(b) of the
Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of
(i) all Patent Rights owned by Platinum, (ii) all
Trademarks owned by Platinum which have been registered in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office (' PTO '), the
states of the United States or the corresponding offices of other
jurisdictions, (iii) all Copyrights owned by Platinum which
have been registered in the United States Copyright Office ('
Copyright Office ') or the corresponding offices of other
jurisdictions, (iv) all applications for the registrations of
Copyrights that have been filed by Platinum on its own behalf and
are pending in the Copyright Office or the corresponding offices of
other jurisdictions, and (v) all domain name registrations
owned by Platinum.
(c) Platinum
possesses by ownership or by license, beneficially and of record,
of each of the Copyright registrations and applications set forth
in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter and each of the
Copyrights covered thereby. All renewals, payments of fees and
other acts required to keep such registrations and Copyright
applications set forth in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure
Letter in force through the Closing Date, have been, or will be,
taken by that date.
(d) Platinum
possesses by ownership or by license, beneficially and of record,
of each of the Trademark registrations and applications set forth
in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter and each of the
Trademarks covered thereby. All renewals, payments of maintenance
fees and other acts required to keep such registrations and
Trademark applications set forth in Section 3.16(b) of the
Disclosure Letter in force through the Closing Date, have been, or
will be, taken by that date.
(e) With
the exception of any rights owned by the
University, Platinum possesses by ownership or by
license, beneficially and of record, of each of the Patent Rights
set forth in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter. All
renewals, payments of maintenance fees and other acts required to
keep any registrations and applications relating to the Patent
Rights set forth in Section 3.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter
in force through the Closing Date, have been, or will be, taken by
that date.
(f) Except
with respect to licenses for commercially available off-the-shelf
Software and pursuant to the License Agreements listed in
Section 3.9(a) of the Disclosure Letter and any royalty
arrangements Platinum has with individual inventors or the
University with respect to the Patents set forth in Section 3.16(e)
of the Disclosure Letter, Platinum is not required, obligated, or
under any liability whatsoever, to make any payments by way of
royalties, fees or otherwise to any owner, licensor of, or other
claimant to any Intellectual Property, or other third party, with
respect to the use thereof or in connection with the conduct of the
businesses of Platinum as currently conducted or as currently
contemplated to be conducted in the future.
(g) To
the Knowledge of Platinum, all of the Intellectual Property owned,
used, sold, licensed or exploited by Platinum is free and clear of
all Liens other than Permitted Liens, and is not the subject of any
cancellation or reexamination proceeding, declaratory judgment
action, or any other proceeding, pending or threatened, challenging
their extent, validity or enforceability.
(h) Section 3.16(h)
of the Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and accurate list of
(i) all Software that is owned exclusively by Platinum and is
material to the operation of its respective business, and
(ii) all Software that is used by Platinum in its respective
business that is not exclusively owned by
14
Platinum, excluding Software available on reasonable terms
through commercial distributors or in consumer retail stores.
(i) To
the Knowledge of Platinum, none of the employees of Platinum is
obligated under any Contract, license or commitment of any nature,
or subject to any Order of any Governmental Authority, that would
prevent such employee from promoting the interests of Platinum, or
that would materially conflict with the conduct of its respective
business as currently conducted. To the Knowledge of Platinum and
except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(i) of the Disclosure Letter,
none of the consultants who perform services for or on behalf of
Platinum is obligated under any contract, license or commitment of
any nature, or subject to any Order that would prevent such
consultant from performing its contractual obligations to Platinum.
To the Knowledge of Platinum, it is not and will not be necessary
for the continued conduct of the business of Platinum as currently
conducted to use any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by
any of Platinum's respective employees or consultants prior to such
employee's employment or consultant's engagement by Platinum.
(j) To
the Knowledge of Platinum, all domain names used by Platinum are
currently registered and in good standing, and Platinum or one of
Platinum's Subsidiaries is shown on the records of the registrar
thereof as the sole owner of such domain names and has physical or
contractual control over the servers that respond thereto (and any
contract with respect thereto has been disclosed on
Section 3.9(a) of the Disclosure Letter). Platinum has not
received any notice or communication stating that any Person is
challenging its right to use any such domain name.
(k) Except
as set forth on Section 3.16(k) of the Disclosure Letter, to
the Knowledge of Platinum, the business of Platinum does not
infringe any Intellectual Property of any other party, and there is
no pending or, to the Knowledge of Platinum, threatened claim or
litigation contesting the validity, ownership or right to use,
sell, license or dispose of any Intellectual Property owned, used,
sold, licensed or exploited by Platinum nor, to the Knowledge of
Platinum, is there any basis for any such claim, nor has Platinum
or any PRO Transferor received any notice asserting that any such
Intellectual Property or the proposed use, sale, license or
disposition thereof conflicts or will conflict with the rights of
any other party, nor, to the Knowledge of Platinum, is there any
basis for any such assertion.
3.17 Insurance . Set forth on
Section 3.17 of the Disclosure Letter is a list of all
policies of liability, casualty, indemnity and other forms of
insurance relating to Platinum and their assets (the ' Insurance
Policies '), whether currently in force or otherwise applicable
to any current or future liabilities, setting forth the type and
amount of coverage, policy number, policy periods and the status of
premiums paid thereon. There exists no dispute between Platinum and
any underwriters of the Insurance Policies, and all premiums due
and payable with respect thereto have been paid. To the Knowledge
of Platinum, there are no pending or threatened terminations or
premium increases for the current policy period of any of the
Insurance Policies that are materially in excess of those
implemented in the past. To the Knowledge of Platinum, no condition
or circumstances exist which could result in such termination or
increase. Platinum, the activities of Platinum as currently
conducted, and the tangible and personal property owned or leased
by Platinum are in compliance in all material respects with all
conditions of the Insurance Policies.
3.18 Environmental Laws . To the
Knowledge of Platinum, except as set forth on Section 3.18 of
the Disclosure Letter:
(a) The
operations of Platinum and Platinum's Subsidiaries are and have
been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which
compliance includes obtaining, maintaining in good standing and
complying with all Environmental Permits, and no action or
proceeding is pending or, threatened to revoke, modify or terminate
any such Environmental Permit, and, no facts, circumstances or
conditions currently exist that could adversely affect such
continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental
Permits or require currently unbudgeted capital expenditures to
achieve or maintain such continued compliance with Environmental
Laws and Environmental Permits.
(b) Neither
Platinum nor Platinum's Subsidiaries is the subject of any
outstanding written Order or Contract with any Governmental
Authority or Person respecting (i) Environmental Laws, (ii)
Remedial Action or (iii) any Release or threatened Release of
a Hazardous Material.
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(c) No claim has been made or is
pending, threatened against Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
alleging either or both that Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries
may be in violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental
Permit, or may have any Liability under any Environmental Law.
(d) The
transactions contemplated hereunder do not require the consent of
or filings with any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries and environmental matters, and
none of the Real Property is located in New Jersey, Indiana or
Connecticut.
3.19 Brokers . Other than
Newlight Capital, neither Platinum nor any of its directors,
officers, employees or Affiliates or any of Platinum's Subsidiaries
have employed any broker, investment bank, finder or other Person
or has incurred or will incur any broker's, investment banking,
finder's or similar fees, commissions or expenses, in each case in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
3.20 Bank Accounts .
Section 3.20 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of
each bank in which Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries has an
account or safe deposit box or standby letter of credit, the
identifying numbers or symbols thereof and the names of all persons
authorized to draw thereon or to have access thereto.
3.21 Outstanding Borrowings .
Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth (a) the
amount of all outstanding borrowings of each of Platinum and
Platinum's Subsidiaries as of the date hereof, (b) any Liens
that relate to such outstanding borrowings and that encumber the
assets of Platinum and Platinum's Subsidiaries and (c) the
name of each lender thereof.
3.22 Operation of the Business .
Except as set forth on Section 3.22 of the Disclosure Letter,
(a) Platinum has conducted the Business only through Platinum
and Platinum's Subsidiaries and not through any other divisions or
any direct or indirect Subsidiary or Affiliate and (b) no part
of the Business is operated through any entity other than Platinum
or Platinum's Subsidiaries.
3.23 Absence of Certain Business
Practices . Except as set forth on Section 3.23 of
the Disclosure Letter, neither Platinum, nor any officer, employee
or agent of Platinum, or any other Person acting on their behalf,
has, directly, or indirectly, within the past 5 years given or
agreed to give any gift or similar benefit to any customer,
supplier, governmental employee or other person who is or may be in
a position to help or hinder the Business (or assist Platinum in
connection with any actual proposed transaction relating to the
Business) (a) which subjected or might have subjected Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries to any damage or penalty in any civil,
criminal or governmental litigation proceeding, (b) which if
not given in the past, might have a Material Adverse Effect on
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries, (c) which if not
continued in the future, might have a Material Adverse Effect
Platinum or Platinum's Subsidiaries or subject Platinum or
Platinum's Subsidiaries to suit or penalty in any private or
governmental litigation or proceeding, (d) for any of the
purposes described in Section 162(c) of the Code or (e) for
the purpose of establishing or maintaining any concealed fund or
concealed bank account.
3.24 Books and Records . The
books of account and other financial records of Platinum and
Platinum's Subsidiaries have been made available to NorthTech, are
complete and correct in all material respects and represent actual,
bona fide transactions and have been maintained in accordance with
sound business practices. The minute books of Platinum and
Platinum's Subsidiaries have been made available to NorthTech and
are substantially complete and correct in all material respects.
The books of account of Platinum are sufficient to prepare the
Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NORTHTECH
NorthTech represents and warrants
to PRO Transferors and the Investor Representative on behalf of the
Investors as follows:
4.1
Organization . NorthTech is a corporation validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Nevada.
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4.2 Authority .
NorthTech has the requisite power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreement to which it is
or at the Closing will be a party, to perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by
NorthTech of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which
it is or at the Closing will be a party, the performance by
NorthTech of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the
consummation by NorthTech of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite company or
corporate action, as the case may be, on the part of NorthTech.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by NorthTech
and, at the Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which NorthTech is
a party will be duly executed and delivered by NorthTech. This
Agreement constitutes and, when executed and delivered at the
Closing, the Ancillary Agreements to which NorthTech is a party
will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of NorthTech
enforceable against NorthTech in accordance with its respective
terms except that such enforcement may be limited by any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
transfer or other Laws (whether statutory, regulatory or
decisional), now or hereafter in effect, relating to or affecting
the rights of creditors generally or by equitable principles
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity).
4.3
Capitalization of NorthTech .
(a) The
authorized capital stock of NorthTech as of the Closing Date will
consist of 400,000,000 shares of authorized Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of which at the time of closing 20,000,000 shares
will be issued and outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of
authorized Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which at
the time of closing 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock will be
issued and outstanding (the ' Preferred Shares '). The
Preferred Shares may be converted into 25,000,000 shares of Common
Stock of NorthTech for an aggregate total of 45,000,000 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding if all Preferred Shares were
converted into shares of Common Stock at the Closing Date. In
addition to the foregoing, 2,500,000 share purchase warrants will
be issued at Closing whereby each warrant may be exercised for one
share of Common Stock. All outstanding shares of NorthTech Common
Stock and Preferred Stock at the time of Closing will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not
subject to preemptive rights created by statute, the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of NorthTech or any agreement to which
NorthTech is a party or by which it is bound and have been issued
in compliance with federal and state securities laws. NorthTech, at
the time of Closing will have no other capital stock authorized,
issued or outstanding.
(b) The Preferred Shares
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Certificate of
Designation, which terms and conditions shall include, without
limitation, that the Preferred Shares shall have a 10% accrued
dividend which will be reduced to a 5% dividend on NorthTech's
entering into a commercial agreement(s) which will increase
NorthTech's aggregate revenues to $40 million per annum and to a 2%
dividend on NorthTech recording net revenues of $1 million per
quarter. The Preferred Shares may be converted into shares of
Common Stock of NorthTech on a five (5) shares of Common Stock for
every one share of Preferred Stock basis at anytime by the holder
or by NorthTech under certain conditions. The Preferred Shares have
a maturity date of five years from the date of Closing. An
aggregate total of 2,500,000 Investor Warrants (as herein so
called) will be issued to the Investors on the Closing Date. Each
Investor Warrant is exercisable for one share of Common Stock of
NorthTech at an exercise price of $0.26 per share for a three year
period from Closing.
(c) Other than as set out above,
there are no options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or
agreements of any character, written or oral, to which NorthTech or
any of its shareholders is a party or by which NorthTech or any of
its shareholders is bound obligating NorthTech or any of its
shareholders to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem, or
cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any
shares of the capital stock of NorthTech or obligating NorthTech to
grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of, change the price of,
otherwise amend or enter into any such option, warrant, call,
right, commitment or agreement. There are no outstanding or
authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation,
or other similar rights with respect to NorthTech. There are no
voting trusts, proxies, or other agreements or understandings with
respect to the voting stock of NorthTech.
4.4
No Conflict . Except as would not have or be reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the ability of NorthTech to perform its
obligations under, and to
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consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements to which they are or at the Closing will
be a party, the execution and delivery by NorthTech of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which they are or at the
Closing will be a party, do not, and the performance by NorthTech
of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which they are or
at the Closing will be a party and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby by NorthTech do not and will not,
(i) violate any provision of the articles of organization or
operating agreement of NorthTech, (ii) violate any provision
of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of NorthTech,
(iii) violate any Law, Permit or Order applicable to
NorthTech, or any of its assets, properties or businesses, or
(iv) result in a breach of, constitute a default (or an event
which, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or
both, would become a default) under, require any consent or notice
under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of, any oral
or written contract, agreement, commitment or understanding, to
which NorthTech is a party or is bound.
4.5
Governmental Consents and Approvals . The execution and
delivery by NorthTech of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements to which they are or at the Closing will be a party, do
not, and the performance by NorthTech of this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements to which they are or at the Closing will be a
party and the consummation by NorthTech of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not, require any
Governmental Authorization or order of, action by, filing with or
notification of any Governmental Authority.
4.6
Experience; Acquisition of Interests for Investment .
NorthTech is acquiring the Interests for investment and not with a
view toward, or for sale in connection with, any distribution
thereof, nor with any present intention of distributing or selling
the Interests. NorthTech agrees that the Interests may not be sold,
transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
disposed of without registration under the Securities Act except
(i) pursuant to an exemption from such registration available
under the Securities Act and (ii) in accordance with any
applicable provisions of state securities laws. NorthTech is able
to bear the economic risk of holding the Interests for an
indefinite period, and have knowledge and experience in financial
and business matters such that it is capable of evaluating the
risks of the investment in the Interests.
4.7
Brokers . Neither NorthTech nor any of its directors,
governors, officers, managers, employees or Affiliates have
employed any broker, investment bank or finder or has incurred or
will incur any broker's, investment banking, finder's or similar
fees, commissions or expenses, in each case in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.8
Closing Shares . The Closing Shares issuable pursuant
to this Agreement have been duly authorized, and when issued in
accordance with the terms hereof, will be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable and free of pre-emptive rights.
4.9
NorthTech SEC Documents .
(a) NorthTech
has furnished or made available to the Investors, Platinum and the
PRO Transferors a correct and complete copy of NorthTech's Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC with respect to the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005, and NorthTech's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC with respect to the fiscal
quarter ended June 30, 2006, (the ' Form 10-QSB '), and
registration statement filed on Form 8-A12G filed by NorthTech with
the SEC on or after the date of filing of the Form 10-QSB, which
are all the documents that NorthTech was required to file (or
otherwise did file) with the SEC in accordance with
Sections 13, 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act on or
after the date of filing with the SEC of the Form 10-QSB (as
amended, the ' NorthTech SEC Documents '). As of their
respective filing dates, or in the case of the Form 8-A12G
registration statement, their respective effective times, none of
the NorthTech SEC Documents (including all exhibits and schedules
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and the NorthTech SEC
Documents
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