Alternative Proposals Prior to the Effective Date, the Company agrees (a) that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, and it and they shall direct and use its and their best efforts to cause its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its Subsidiaries) not to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or implementation of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its stockholders) with respect to a merger, acquisition, consolidation or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of all or any significant portion of the assets or any equity securities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (any such proposal or offer made prior to the termination of this Agreement (and any subsequent amended proposal or offer made by the same or an affiliated party) being hereinafter referred to as an "Alternative Proposal") or engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an Alternative Proposal, or release any third party from any obligations under any existing standstill agreement or arrangement relating to any Alternative Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Alternative Proposal; (b) that it will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing, and it will take the necessary steps to inform the individuals or entities referred to above of the obligations undertaken in this Section 8.9; and (c) that it will notify Parent immediately if any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued with, it; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 8.9 shall prohibit the Board of Directors of the Company from (i) furnishing information to or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that makes or proposes to make an unsolicited bona fide proposal to acquire the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, purchase of a substantial portion of assets, business combination or other similar transaction, if, and only to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that such action is required for the Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders imposed by law, (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, the Company provides written 37 43 notice to Parent to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity and (C) the Company keeps Parent promptly informed of the status and all material terms and conditions of any such discussions or negotiations (including identities of parties); and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Alternative Proposal. Nothing in this Section 8.9 shall (x) permit the Company to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article X hereof), (y) permit the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal during the term of this Agreement (it being agreed that during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with any person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative Proposal), or (z) affect any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.