EXHIBIT 1.01
NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES
FORM UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
DRAFT OF MARCH 31, 1998
___________ SHARES
ASYMETRIX LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company................ 2
(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements.................... 2
(b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters................. 3
(c) Distribution of Offering Material by the Company............. 3
(d) The Underwriting Agreement................................... 3
(e) Authorization of the Common Shares........................... 3
(f) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Right............ 3
(g) No Material Adverse Change................................... 3
(h) Independent Accountants...................................... 4
(i) Preparation of the Financial Statements...................... 4
(j) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and Its
Subsidiaries.................................................. 5
(k) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters............... 5
(l) Stock Exchange Listing....................................... 6
(m) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further
Authorizations or Approvals Required......................... 6
(n) No Material Actions or Proceedings........................... 6
(o) Intellectual Property Rights................................. 7
(p) All Necessary Permits, Etc................................... 7
(q) Title to Properties.......................................... 7
(r) Tax Law Compliance........................................... 7
(s) Company Not an ``Investment Company''........................ 7
(t) Insurance.................................................... 8
(u) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation....................... 8
(v) Related-Party Transactions................................... 8
(w) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments.................. 8
(x) Company's Accounting System.................................. 8
(y) Compliance with Environmental Laws........................... 9
(z) ERISA Compliance............................................. 9
Section 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Common Shares............. 10
The Firm Common Shares........................................ 10
The First Closing Date........................................ 10
The Optional Common Shares; the Second Closing Date........... 10
Public Offering of the Common Shares.......................... 11
Payment for the Common Shares................................. 11
i.
PAGE
Delivery of the Common Shares..................................... 11
Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters........................ 12
Section 3. Additional Covenants of the Company............................... 12
(a) Representatives' Review of Proposed Amendments and
Supplements................................................... 12
(b) Securities Act Compliance..................................... 12
(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other
Securities Act Matters........................................ 13
(d) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus.... 13
(f) Use of Proceeds............................................... 13
(g) Transfer Agent................................................ 13
(h) Earnings Statement............................................ 13
(i) Periodic Reporting Obligations................................ 14
(j) Company to Provide Copy of the Prospectus in Form That May be
Downloaded from the Internet.................................. 14
(k) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities.......... 14
(l) Future Reports to the Representatives......................... 15
Section 4. Payment of Expenses............................................... 15
Section 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters................. 16
(a) Accountants' Comfort Letter................................... 16
(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No
Objection from NASD........................................... 16
(c) No Material Adverse Change.................................... 17
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company............................ 17
(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters....................... 17
(f) Officers' Certificate......................................... 17
(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter..................................... 18
(h) Lock-Up Agreement from Certain Stockholders of the Company.... 18
(i) Additional Documents.......................................... 30
Section 6. Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses........................... 18
Section 7. Effectiveness of this Agreement................................... 19
Section 8. Indemnification................................................... 19
ii.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters........................... 19
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers.... 20
(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures............ 21
(d) Settlements................................................... 22
Section 9. Contribution..................................................... 22
Section 10. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters............... 23
Section 11. Termination of this Agreement.................................... 24
Section 12. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery.............. 25
Section 13. Notices.......................................................... 25
Section 14. Successors....................................................... 26
Section 15. Partial Unenforceability......................................... 26
Section 16. Governing Law Provisions ........................................ 26
(a) Consent to Jurisdiction....................................... 26
(b) Waiver of Immunity............................................ 26
Section 18. General Provisions............................................... 27
iii.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
, 1998
NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC
BANCAMERICA ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
INTRODUCTORY. Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the ``Company''), proposes to issue and sell to the several
underwriters named in Schedule A (the ``Underwriters'') an aggregate of [___]
----------
shares (the ``Firm Common Shares'') of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the ``Common Stock''). In addition, the Company has granted to the
Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional [___] shares (the
``Optional Common Shares'') of Common Stock, as provided in Section 2. The Firm
Common Shares and, if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional
Common Shares are collectively called the ``Common Shares.'' NationsBanc
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, BancAmerica ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
LLC have agreed to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such
capacity, the ``Representatives'') in connection with the offering and sale of
the Common Shares.
The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ``Commission'') a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-[___]), which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with
the public offering and sale of the Common Shares. Such registration statement,
as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto,
in the form in which it was declared effective by the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(collectively, the ``Securities Act''), including any information deemed to be a
part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 434
under the Securities Act, is called the ``Registration Statement.'' Any
registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act is called the ``Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,'' and from
and after the date and time of filing of the Rule 462(b) Registration
1.
Statement the term ``Registration Statement'' shall include the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement. Such prospectus, in the form first used by the
Underwriters to confirm sales of the Common Shares, is called the
``Prospectus''; provided, however, if the Company has, with the consent of
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, elected to rely upon Rule 434 under the
Securities Act, the term ``Prospectus'' shall mean the Company's prospectus
subject to completion (each, a ``preliminary prospectus'') dated [___] (such
preliminary prospectus is called the ``Rule 434 preliminary prospectus''),
together with the applicable term sheet (the ``Term Sheet'') prepared and filed
by the Company with the Commission under Rules 434 and 424(b) under the
Securities Act and all references in this Agreement to the date of the
Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. All references in this
Agreement to (i) the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the Term Sheet, or any
amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy
thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering,
Analysis and Retrieval System (``▇▇▇▇▇'') and (ii) the Prospectus shall be
deemed to include the ``electronic Prospectus'' provided for use in connection
with the offering of the Common Shares as contemplated by Section 3(k) of this
Agreement.
The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters as
follows:
SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Registration
Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared
effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied
to the Commission's satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for
additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted
or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or
threatened by the Commission.
Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus when filed complied in
all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic
transmission pursuant to ▇▇▇▇▇ (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T
under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the
Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Common Shares.
Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and
any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at all
subsequent times, complied and will comply in all material respects with the
Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, as of its date and at all subsequent times, did not and
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representations and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding
2.
sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration
Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto,
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any
Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Representatives expressly
for use therein. There are no contracts or other documents required to be
described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement which have not been described or filed as required.
(b) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has
delivered to the Representatives three (3) complete manually signed copy of the
Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts filed as a
part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without
exhibits) and preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as the Representatives has
reasonably requested for each of the Underwriters.
(c) Distribution of Offering Material by the Company. The Company has
not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Second
Closing Date (as defined below) and the completion of the Underwriters'
distribution of the Common Shares, any offering material in connection with the
offering and sale of the Common Shares other than a preliminary prospectus, the
Prospectus or the Registration Statement.
(d) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of,
the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to
indemnification hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the
enforcement hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.
(e) Authorization of the Common Shares. The Common Shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for
issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(f) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no
persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt
securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in
the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been
duly waived.
(g) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the
Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any
development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse
change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business,
operations or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the
3.
ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as
one entity (any such change is called a ``Material Adverse Change''); (ii) the
Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, have not incurred any
material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the
ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or
agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has been no
dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or,
except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, any of its
subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or repurchase or redemption by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.
(h) Independent Accountants. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, which has
expressed its opinion with respect to certain of the financial statements of the
Company and Communications Strategies, Inc. (``CSI'') (which term as used in
this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting schedules
filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included
in the Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants as
required by the Securities Act. Ernst & Young LLP, which has expressed its
opinion with respect to certain of the financial statements of the Company
(which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) filed
with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the
Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants as required
by the Securities Act. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, which has expressed its opinion
with respect to the financial statements of Aimtech Corporation (``Aimtech'')
(which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) filed
with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the
Prospectus, are independent public or certified public accountants as required
by the Securities Act.
(i) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements
filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included
in the Prospectus present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the results of
their operations and cash flows for the periods specified. The supporting
schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information
required to be stated therein. Such financial statements and supporting
schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles as applied in the United States applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the
related notes thereto. The financial statements filed with the Commission as a
part of the Registration Statement and included in the Prospectus present fairly
the consolidated financial position of Aimtech and CSI and their respective
subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the results of their
operations and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements
have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
as applied in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes
thereto. The financial data set forth in the Prospectus under the captions
``Prospectus Summary-Summary Consolidated Financial Data,'' ``Selected
Historical Consolidated Financial Data'' and ``Capitalization'' fairly present
the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the audited
financial statements contained in the Registration Statement. The pro forma
consolidated financial
4.
information of the Company and its subsidiaries and the related notes thereto
included under the captions ``Prospectus Summary-Summary Consolidated Financial
Data'' and ``Selected Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data'' and elsewhere in
the Prospectus and in the Registration Statement present fairly the information
contained therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules
and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been
properly presented on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in
the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are
appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to
therein. No other financial statements or schedules of the Company or any other
entity are required to be included in the Registration Statement pursuant to any
requirement of the Act or any rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule
3-05 of Regulation S-X.
(j) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and Its
Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business
as described in the Prospectus and, in the case of the Company, to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Each of the Company and each
subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
is in good standing in the State of Washington and each other jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions
(other than the State of Washington) where the failure to so qualify or to be in
good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Change. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each
subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and
nonassessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries,
free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or
claim. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any
corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in
Exhibit 21.01 to the Registration Statement.
(k) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized,
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption ``Capitalization'' (other than for subsequent
issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the
Prospectus or upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants described in the
Prospectus). The Common Stock (including the Common Shares) conforms in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized
and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have been issued in
compliance with federal and state securities laws. None of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock were issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights
of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities
of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants,
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or
equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for,
any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other
5.
than those accurately described in the Prospectus. The description of the
Company's stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and
the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus
accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect
to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.
(l) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Shares have been approved for
inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of
issuance.
(m) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further
Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or is in default (or,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (``Default'')
under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract,
franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which
any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
subject (each, an ``Existing Instrument''), except for such Defaults as would
not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. The
Company's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus (i) have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any
violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any
subsidiary, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default
under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any
Existing Instrument, except for such conflicts, breaches, Defaults, liens,
charges or encumbrances as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result
in a Material Adverse Change and (iii) will not result in any violation of any
law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to
the Company or any subsidiary. No consent, approval, authorization or other
order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or
regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company's execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained or
made by the Company and are in full force and effect under the Securities Act,
applicable state securities or blue sky laws and from the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the ``NASD'').
(n) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as otherwise disclosed
in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental actions, suits or
proceedings pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened (i)
against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) which has as
the subject thereof any officer or director of, or property owned or leased by,
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) relating to environmental or
discrimination matters, where in any such case (A) there is a reasonable
possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be determined adversely
to the Company or such subsidiary and (B) any such action, suit or proceeding,
if so determined adversely, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. No material labor dispute with the employees of
the Company
6.
or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, is
threatened or imminent.
(o) Intellectual Property Rights. Except as otherwise disclosed in
the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries own or possess sufficient
trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, licenses, approvals, trade
secrets and other similar rights (collectively, ``Intellectual Property
Rights'') reasonably necessary to conduct their businesses as now conducted; and
the expected expiration of any of such Intellectual Property Rights would not
result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement or conflict with asserted
Intellectual Property Rights of others, which infringement or conflict, if the
subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse Change.
(p) All Necessary Permits, Etc. The Company and each subsidiary
possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by
the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies
necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor
any subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation
or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization
or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding, could result in a Material Adverse Change.
(q) Title to Properties. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has
good and marketable title to all the properties and assets reflected as owned in
the financial statements referred to in the Prospectus, in each case free and
clear of any security interests, mortgages, liens, encumbrances, equities,
claims and other defects, except such as do not materially and adversely affect
the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made or
proposed to be made of such property by the Company or such subsidiary. The
real property, improvements, equipment and personal property held under lease by
the Company or any subsidiary are held under valid and enforceable leases, with
such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use
made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements, equipment or
personal property by the Company or such subsidiary.
(r) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax
returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes
required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or
similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them. The Company has
made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial
statements referred to in Section 1 above in respect of all federal, state and
foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability
of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries has not been finally
determined.
(s) Company Not an ``Investment Company.'' The Company has been
advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the
7.
``Investment Company Act''). The Company is not, and after receipt of payment
for the Common Shares will not be, an ``investment company'' within the meaning
of Investment Company Act and will conduct its business in a manner so that it
will not become subject to the Investment Company Act.
(t) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured
by recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in
such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally
deemed adequate and customary for their businesses including, but not limited
to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company
and its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and
earthquakes. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary
will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such
policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions
as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and
at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither of the
Company nor any subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has
sought or for which it has applied.
(u) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company has not taken
and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might
be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of
the price of the Common Stock to facilitate the sale or resale of the Common
Shares.
(v) Related-Party Transactions. There are no business relationships
or related-party transactions involving the Company or any subsidiary or any
other person required to be described in the Prospectus which have not been
described as required.
Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to
the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters
set forth therein.
(w) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any
employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any contribution or
other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state or
foreign office in violation of any law or of the character required to be
disclosed in the Prospectus.
(x) Company's Accounting System. The Company maintains a system of
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles as applied in the United States and to maintain
accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management's general or specific
8.
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(y) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change (i)
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal,
state, local or foreign law or regulation relating to pollution or protection of
human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife,
including without limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants,
contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and
petroleum products (collectively, ``Materials of Environmental Concern''), or
otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environment Concern
(collectively, ``Environmental Laws''), which violation includes, but is not
limited to, noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations
required for the operation of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries
under applicable Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and
conditions thereof, nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries received any
written communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group,
employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is in violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or
cause of action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation
with respect to which the Company has received written notice, and no written
notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory
costs, cleanup costs, governmental responses costs, natural resources damages,
property damages, personal injuries, attorneys' fees or penalties arising out
of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of
any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively,
``Environmental Claims''), pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any person or
entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of
law; and (iii) to the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no past or
present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents,
including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge, presence or
disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that reasonably could result
in a violation of any Environmental Law or form the basis of a potential
Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or against
any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or
any of its subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of law.
(z) ERISA Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries and any
``employee benefit plan'' (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder (collectively, ``ERISA'')) established or maintained
by the Company, its subsidiaries or their ``ERISA Affiliates'' (as defined
below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. ``ERISA
Affiliate'' means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of
any group of organizations
9.
described in Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
(the ``Code'') of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No
``reportable event'' (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur with respect to any ``employee benefit plan'' established or
maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates.
No ``employee benefit plan'' established or maintained by the Company, its
subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such ``employee benefit plan''
were terminated, would have any ``amount of unfunded benefit liabilities'' (as
defined under ERISA). Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their
ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under
(i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any
``employee benefit plan'' or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code.
Each ``employee benefit plan'' established or maintained by the Company, its
subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred,
whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such
qualification.
SECTION 2. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE COMMON SHARES.
The Firm Common Shares. The Company agrees to issue and sell to the
several Underwriters the Firm Common Shares upon the terms herein set forth. On
the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained,
and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the
Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the
respective number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite their names on
Schedule A. The purchase price per Firm Common Share to be paid by the several
----------
Underwriters to the Company shall be $[___] per share.
The First Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Firm Common
Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at
the offices of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company
and the Representatives) at 6:00 a.m. San Francisco time, on [___________,
1998], or such other time and date not later than 10:30 a.m. San Francisco time,
on [__________, 1998] as the Representatives shall designate by notice to the
Company (the time and date of such closing are called the ``First Closing
Date''). The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which the
Representatives may provide notice to postpone the First Closing Date as
originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by
the Company or the Representatives to recirculate to the public copies of an
amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as contemplated by the provisions
of Section 10.
The Optional Common Shares; the Second Closing Date. In addition, on
the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained,
and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company
hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and
not jointly, up to an aggregate of [___] Optional Common Shares from the Company
at the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the Firm
Common Shares. The option granted hereunder is for use by the
10.
Underwriters solely in covering any over-allotments in connection with the sale
and distribution of the Firm Common Shares. The option granted hereunder may be
exercised at any time (but not more than once) upon notice by the
Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within 30
days from the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth (i) the
aggregate number of Optional Common Shares as to which the Underwriters are
exercising the option, (ii) the names and denominations in which the
certificates for the Optional Common Shares are to be registered and (iii) the
time, date and place at which such certificates will be delivered (which time
and date may be simultaneous with, but not earlier than, the First Closing Date;
and in such case the term ``First Closing Date'' shall refer to the time and
date of delivery of certificates for the Firm Common Shares and the Optional
Common Shares). Such time and date of delivery, if subsequent to the First
Closing Date, is called the ``Second Closing Date'' and shall be determined by
the Representatives and shall not be earlier than three nor later than five full
business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. If any Optional Common
Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly,
to purchase the number of Optional Common Shares (subject to such adjustments to
eliminate fractional shares as the Representatives may determine) that bears the
same proportion to the total number of Optional Common Shares to be purchased as
the number of Firm Common Shares set forth on Schedule A opposite the name of
----------
such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Common Shares. The
Representatives may cancel the option at any time prior to its expiration by
giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.
Public Offering of the Common Shares. The Representatives hereby
advises the Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the
public, as described in the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Common
Shares as soon after this Agreement has been executed and the Registration
Statement has been declared effective as the Representatives, in its sole
judgment, has determined is advisable and practicable.
Payment for the Common Shares. Payment for the Common Shares shall be
made at the First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at the Second Closing Date)
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company.
It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for
its own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery
of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Firm Common
Shares and any Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase.
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, individually and not as the
Representatives of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make
payment for any Common Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds
shall not have been received by the Representatives by the First Closing Date or
the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such
Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of
its obligations under this Agreement.
Delivery of the Common Shares. The Company shall deliver, or cause to
be delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several
Underwriters certificates for the
11.
Firm Common Shares at the First Closing Date, against the irrevocable release of
a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase
price therefor. The Company shall also deliver, or cause to be delivered, to
the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters, certificates
for the Optional Common Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase at the
First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, against the
irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the
amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the Common Shares
shall be in definitive form and registered in such names and denominations as
the Representatives shall have requested at least two full business days prior
to the First Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be) and
shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the First
Closing Date (or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be) at a location in
New York City as the Representatives may designate. Time shall be of the
essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a
further condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.
Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters. Not later than 12:00 p.m.
on the second business day following the date the Common Shares of released by
the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall delivery or cause to
be delivered copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as
the Representatives shall request.
SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company further
covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) Representatives' Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements.
During such period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the
First Closing Date or such date, as in the opinion of counsel for the
Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in
connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer (the ``Prospectus Delivery
Period''), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
(including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act) or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the
Representatives for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement,
and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to
which the Representatives reasonably objects.
(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the
Company shall promptly advise the Representatives in writing (i) of the receipt
of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from,
the Commission, (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) of the time and date that any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and
(iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or
terminate from listing or quotation the Common Stock from any securities
exchange upon which it is listed for trading or included or designated for
quotation, or of the
12.
threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the
Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its
best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible
moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the
provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A and 434, as applicable, under the Securities
Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the
Company under such Rule 424(b) were received in a timely manner by the
Commission.
(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities
Act Matters. If, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur
or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement
the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading,
or if in the opinion of the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters it
is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law,
the Company agrees to promptly prepare (subject to Section 3(A)(a) hereof), file
with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Underwriters and to
dealers, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in
the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or
so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.
(d) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus. The
Company agrees to furnish the Representatives, without charge, during the
Prospectus Delivery Period, as many copies of the Prospectus and any amendments
and supplements thereto as the Representatives may request.
(e) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from
the sale of the Common Shares sold by it in the manner described under the
caption ``Use of Proceeds'' in the Prospectus.
(f) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its
expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.
(g) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make
generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an
earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the twelve-month period
ending [___]/1/ that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act.
/1/ Will be the date of the end of the Company's first quarter ending after one
year following the ``effective date of the Registration Statement'' (as defined
in Rule 158(c) under the Securities Act).
13.
(h) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery
Period the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the
Nasdaq National Market all reports and documents required to be filed under the
Exchange Act.
(i) Company to Provide Copy of the Prospectus in Form That May Be
Downloaded from the Internet. The Company shall cause to be prepared and
delivered, at its expense, within one business day from the effective date of
this Agreement, to NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC an ``electronic
Prospectus'' to be used by the Underwriters in connection with the offering and
sale of the Common Shares. As used herein, the term ``electronic Prospectus''
means a form of Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets
each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic
format, satisfactory to NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, that may be
transmitted electronically by NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC and the
other Underwriters to offerees and purchasers of the Common Shares for at least
the Prospectus Delivery Period; (ii) it shall disclose the same information as
the paper Prospectus and Prospectus filed pursuant to ▇▇▇▇▇, except to the
extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in
which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic
Prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular
representation of such material, as appropriate; and (iii) it shall be in or
convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory to
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, that will allow investors to store and
have continuously ready access to the Prospectus at any future time, without
charge to investors (other than any fee charged for subscription to the system
as a whole and for on-line time). Such electronic Prospectus may consist of a
Rule 434 preliminary prospectus, together with the applicable Term Sheet,
provided that it otherwise satisfies the format and conditions described in the
immediately preceding sentence. The Company hereby confirms that it has
included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to ▇▇▇▇▇ or otherwise
with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was
declared effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor
or his or her representative within the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company
shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy
of the Prospectus.
(j) Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities. During the
period of 180 days following the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not,
without the prior written consent of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC
(which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities LLC), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any
option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open ``put equivalent
position'' within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any
registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any shares of
Common Stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of the Common Stock or
securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common
Stock (other than as contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Common
Shares); provided, however, that the Company may issue shares of its Common
Stock or options to purchase its Common Stock, or Common Stock upon exercise of
options, pursuant to any stock option, stock bonus or other stock plan or
arrangement described in the Prospectus, but only if the holders of such shares,
14.
options, or shares issued upon exercise of such options, agree in writing not to
sell, offer, dispose of or otherwise transfer any such shares or options during
such 180 day period without the prior written consent of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities LLC (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC). In addition, during the period of 180
days following the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the
prior written consent of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC (which consent
may be withheld at the sole discretion of NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities
LLC), agree to an early release of stockholders from lock-up agreements
previously executed between the Company and stockholders of the Company.
(k) Future Reports to the Representatives. During the period of five
years hereafter the Company will furnish to the Representatives at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇: (i) as
soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual
Report of the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the
close of such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company's
independent public or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable
after the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form
10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report
filed by the Company with the Commission, the NASD or any securities exchange;
and (iii) as soon as available, copies of any report or communication of the
Company mailed generally to holders of its capital stock.
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC, on behalf of the several
Underwriters, may, in its sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by
the Company of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for
their performance.
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations
hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including
without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the
Common Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and
expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all
necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance
and sale of the Common Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of
the Company's counsel, independent public or certified pubic accountants and
other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration
Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and
certificates of experts), each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, and
all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing
fees, attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters
in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the
qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Common Shares for offer
and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial
securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Representatives, preparing
and printing a ``Blue Sky Survey'' or memorandum, and any supplements thereto,
advising the Underwriters of such qualifications,
15.
registrations and exemptions, (vii) the filing fees incident to, and the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with,
the NASD's review and approval of the Underwriters' participation in the
offering and distribution of the Common Stock, (viii) the fees and expenses
associated with including the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market, and
(ix) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 13 of Part II of the
Registration Statement. Except as provided in this Section 4, Section 6,
Section 8 and Section 9 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses,
including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS. The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Common
Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set
forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date
as though then made and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, as of the
Second Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by the
Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the
following additional conditions:
(a) Accountants' Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the
Representatives shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
public or certified public accountants for the Company and CSI, a letter dated
the date hereof addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of
the type ordinarily included in accountant's ``comfort letters'' to
underwriters, delivered according to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or
any successor bulletin), with respect to the audited and unaudited financial
statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (and the Representatives shall have received an
additional six (6) conformed copies of such accountants' letter for each of the
several Underwriters). In addition, on the date hereof, the Representatives
shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP, independent public or certified
public accountants for the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, independent public
or certified public accountants for Aimtech, a letter dated the date hereof
addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily
included in accountant's ``comfort letters'' to underwriters, delivered
according to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor bulletin),
with respect to the audited financial statements contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (and the Representatives shall have received an
additional six (6) conformed copies of such accountants' letter for each of the
several Underwriters).
(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No
Objection from NASD. For the period from and after effectiveness of this
Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional
Common Shares, the Second Closing Date:
(i) the Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission
(including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in
the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act; or the Company shall
16.
have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing
the information required by such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment
shall have become effective; or, if the Company elected to rely upon Rule 434
under the Securities Act and obtained the Representatives' consent thereto, the
Company shall have filed a Term Sheet with the Commission in the manner and
within the time period required by such Rule 424(b);
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings
for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission; and
(iii) the NASD shall have raised no objection to the fairness and
reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(c) No Material Adverse Change. For the period from and after the
date of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to
the Optional Common Shares, the Second Closing Date in the judgment of the
Representatives there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change.
(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On each of the First Closing
Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received the
favorable opinion of Fenwick & West LLP, counsel for the Company, dated as of
such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A (and the
---------
Representatives shall have received an additional six (6) conformed copies of
such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several Underwriters).
(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters. On each of the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received
the favorable opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel for the
Underwriters, dated as of such Closing Date, in a form deemed acceptable to the
Representatives (and the Representatives shall have received an additional six
(6) conformed copies of such counsel's legal opinion for each of the several
Underwriters).
(f) Officers' Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and the
Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received a written
certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or
President of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting
Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, to the effect set forth
in subsections (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) of this Section 5, and further to the effect
that:
(i) for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior
to such Closing Date, there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change;
17.
(ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company set
forth in Section 1 of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force
and effect as though expressly made on and as of such Closing Date; and
(iii) the Company has complied with all the agreements and
satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or
prior to such Closing Date.
(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On each of the First Closing Date and
the Second Closing Date the Representatives shall have received from KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent public or certified public accountants for the Company,
a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the
letter furnished by them pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, except
that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures
shall be no more than three business days prior to the First Closing Date or
Second Closing Date, as the case may be (and the Representatives shall have
received an additional six (6) conformed copies of such accountants' letter for
each of the several Underwriters).
(h) Lock-Up Agreement from Certain Stockholders of the Company. On
the date hereof, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives an
agreement in the form of Exhibit B hereto from those stockholders listed on
---------
Schedule B hereto and such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each
of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date.
(i) Additional Documents. On or before each of the First Closing Date
and the Second Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the
Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and opinions as
they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the
issuance and sale of the Common Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to
evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the
satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.
If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and
as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First
Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Common Shares, at any time prior
to the Second Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the
part of any party to any other party, except that Section 4, Section 6, Section
8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such
termination.
SECTION 6. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS' EXPENSES. If this Agreement is
termi nated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 5, Section 7, Section 10
or Section 11, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Common Shares on the
First Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or
failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply
with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives
and the other Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this
Agreement with respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-
pocket expenses
18.
that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Representatives and the
Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale
of the Common Shares, including but not limited to fees and disbursements of
counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone
charges.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall not
become effective until the later of (i) the execution of this Agreement by the
parties hereto and (ii) notification by the Commission to the Company and the
Representatives of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the
Securities Act.
Prior to such effectiveness, this Agreement may be terminated by any party
by notice to each of the other parties hereto, and any such termination shall be
without liability on the part of (a) the Company to any Underwriter, except that
the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representatives
and the Underwriters pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) of any Underwriter
to the Company, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party except that the
provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall
survive such termination.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers and employees, and
each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability
or expense, as incurred, to which such Underwriter or such controlling person
may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal
or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including
in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written
consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or
is based (i) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto,
including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A or
Rule 434 under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; or (ii) upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or
the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or
alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; or (iii) in whole or in part upon any inaccuracy in the
representations and warranties of the Company contained herein; or (iv) in whole
or in part upon any failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder
or under law; or (v) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to
act by any Underwriter in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the
Common Stock or the offering contemplated hereby, and which is included as part
of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of
or based upon any matter covered by clause (i) or (ii) above,
19.
provided that the Company shall not be liable under this clause (v) to the
extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final
judgment that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly
from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such
Underwriter through its bad faith or willful misconduct; and to reimburse each
Underwriter and each such controlling person for any and all expenses (including
the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities LLC) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or
such controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling,
compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or
action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not
apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only
to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and
provided, further, that with respect to any preliminary prospectus, the
foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter
from whom the person asserting any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense
purchased Common Shares, or any person controlling such Underwriter, if copies
of the Prospectus were timely delivered to the Underwriter pursuant to Section 2
and a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or
given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person, if required by law so
to have been delivered, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of
the Common Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or
supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section
8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise
have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. Each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, or any such
director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or
at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such
settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as
such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as
contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information
20.
furnished to the Company by the Representatives expressly for use therein; and
to reimburse the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person
for any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating,
defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only
information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company expressly for
use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth (A) as the
last two paragraphs on the inside front cover page of the Prospectus concerning
stabilization by the Underwriters and (B) in the table in the first paragraph
and as the second paragraph and seventh and eighth paragraphs under the caption
``Underwriting'' in the Prospectus; and the Underwriters confirm that such
statements are correct. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b)
shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise
have.
(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission
so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under
the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to the extent it is not
prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is
brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or
intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party
will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect,
jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written
notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid
notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and
the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there
may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the
indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to
assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such
action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying
party's election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the
indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood,
however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of
more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the
indemnifying party (NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC in the case of Section
8(b) and
21.
Section 9), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action)
or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to
the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees
and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.
(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall
not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for
the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section
8(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such
settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying
party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have
reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the
date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent
to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding
in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party,
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
SECTION 9. CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided for in Section 8
is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold
harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as
incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the
Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Common Shares pursuant
to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand,
in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand,
and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the
Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same
respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Common
Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in
each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus (or, if Rule
434
22.
under the Securities Act is used, the corresponding location on the Term Sheet)
bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Common Shares as set
forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and
the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such
inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to
information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on
the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or
defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8(c) with
respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for
contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however, that no
additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice
has been given under Section 8(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions
received by such Underwriter in connection with the Common Shares underwritten
by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their
respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in
Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each officer and employee of an
----------
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer
of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
SECTION 10. DEFAULT OF ONE OR MORE OF THE SEVERAL UNDERWRITERS. If, on
the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one
or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Common
Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the
aggregate number of Common Shares which such
23.
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase
does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Common Shares to be purchased
on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the
proportions that the number of Firm Common Shares set forth opposite their
respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of Firm Common
----------
Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or
in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representatives with the
consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Common Shares which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to
purchase on such date. If, on the First Closing Date or the Second Closing
Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or
refuse to purchase Common Shares and the aggregate number of Common Shares with
respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of
Common Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the
Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Common Shares are not
made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without
liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section
4, Section 6, Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall
survive such termination. In any such case either the Representatives or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the First Closing Date or the Second
Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in
order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
As used in this Agreement, the term ``Underwriter'' shall be deemed to
include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section
10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.
SECTION 11. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. Prior to the First Closing
Date this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to
the Company if at any time (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company's
securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the
Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq
Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or
limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on
any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the NASD; (ii) a general
banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York,
Delaware or California authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak
or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or
calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets,
or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial
change in United States or international political, financial or economic
conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse
and makes it impracticable to market the Common Shares in the manner and on the
terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of
securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall have
occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) the Company shall have sustained a
loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such
character as in the judgment of the Representatives may interfere
24.
materially with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company
regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been insured. Any termination
pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the
Company to any Underwriter, except that the Company shall be obligated to
reimburse the expenses of the Representatives and the Underwriters pursuant to
Sections 4 and 6 hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the Company, or (c) of any party
hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 9
shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
SECTION 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES TO SURVIVE DELIVERY. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Underwriters set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter
or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any
controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment
for the Common Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 13. NOTICES. All communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties
hereto as follows:
If to the Representatives:
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
If to the Company:
Asymetrix Learning Systems, Inc.
▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
25.
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving
written notice to the others.
SECTION 14. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters
pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and
directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 and Section 9, and in
each case their respective successors, and personal representatives, and no
other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term
``successors'' shall not include any purchaser of the Common Shares as such from
any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.
SECTION 15. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or
provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is
for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed
to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to
make it valid and enforceable.
SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW PROVISIONS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.
(a) Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby (``Related Proceedings'') may be instituted in the federal courts of the
United States of America located in the City and County of San Francisco or the
courts of the State of California in each case located in the City and County of
San Francisco (collectively, the ``Specified Courts''), and each party
irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings
instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a
``Related Judgment''), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such
courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons,
notice or document by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be
effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in
any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection
to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified
Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim
in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any
such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) Waiver of Immunity. With respect to any Related Proceeding, each
party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all
immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction,
service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to
which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts, and with respect
to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the
26.
Specified Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not
raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any
such Related Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any
immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976,
as amended.
SECTION 17. GENERAL PROVISIONS. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or
oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the
parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived
unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.
The Table of Contents and the Section headings herein are for the convenience of
the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business
person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding
the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification
provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of Section 9, and is
fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties hereto further
acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto fairly allocate the
risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its
affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been
made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus and the
Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as required by the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
* * * * *
27.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this
instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement
in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
ASYMETRIX LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
By:___________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Chief Executive Officer
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by
the Representatives in San Francisco, California as of the date first above
written.
NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC
BANCAMERICA ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC
Acting as Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in the
attached Schedule A.
By NATIONSBANC ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES LLC
By:__________________________________________
28.
SCHEDULE A
UNDERWRITERS NUMBER OF FIRM
COMMON SHARES
TO BE PURCHASED
NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities LLC.. [___]
BancAmerica ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇......... [___]
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLC.................. [___]
Total............................. [___]
1.
EXHIBIT A
The final opinion in draft form should be attached as Exhibit A at the time this
Agreement is executed.
Opinion of counsel for the Company to be delivered pursuant to Section
5(e) of the Underwriting Agreement.
References to the Prospectus in this Exhibit A include any supplements
---------
thereto at the Closing Date.
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting
Agreement.
(iii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
transact business and is in good standing in the State of Washington and in each
other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of
the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except for such
jurisdictions (other than the State of Washington) where the failure to so
qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Change.
(iv) Each significant subsidiary (as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and, to
the best knowledge of such counsel, is duly qualified as a foreign corporation
to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of
property or the conduct of business, except for such jurisdictions where the
failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.
(v) All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
significant subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully
paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through
subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien,
encumbrance or, to the best knowledge of such counsel, any pending or threatened
claim.
2.
(vi) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company (including the Common Stock) conform to the descriptions thereof set
forth in the Prospectus. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have
been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and,
to the best of such counsel's knowledge, have been issued in compliance with the
registration and qualification requirements of federal and state securities
laws. The form of certificate used to evidence the Common Stock is in due and
proper form and complies with all applicable requirements of the charter and by-
laws of the Company and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
The description of the Company's stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans
or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted and exercised
thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the
information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements,
options and rights.
(vii) No stockholder of the Company or any other person has any
preemptive right, right of first refusal or other similar right to subscribe for
or purchase securities of the Company arising (i) by operation of the charter or
by-laws of the Company or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
or (ii) to the best knowledge of such counsel, otherwise.
(viii) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Company,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification
thereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles.
The Common Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company
have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth therein,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,
if any, have each been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities
Act. To the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of either of the Registration Statement or the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, has been issued under the Securities Act and no
proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or are
contemplated or threatened by the Commission. Any required filing of the
Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act has been made in the manner and within the time period required
by such Rule 424(b).
The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus as of their respective effective or issue dates
(other than the financial statements and supporting schedules included therein
or in exhibits to or excluded from the Registration Statement, as to
3.
which no opinion need be rendered) comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act.
The Common Shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq
National Market.
The statements (i) in the Prospectus under the captions ``Risk
Factors-Intellectual Property; Litigation,''``Risk Factors-Certain Anti-Takeover
Provisions,''``Risk Factors-Shares Eligible For Future Sale,'' ``Description of
Capital Stock,'' ``Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of
Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources,'' ``Business-Proprietary Rights,''
``Business-Legal Proceedings,'' ``Certain Transactions,'' ``Description of
Capital Stock,'' ``Shares Eligible For Future Sale,'' and (ii) in Item 14 and
Item 15 of the Registration Statement, insofar as such statements constitute
matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the Company's charter or by-law
provisions, documents or legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, have been
reviewed by such counsel and fairly present and summarize, in all material
respects, the matters referred to therein.
To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or
governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened which are
required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, other than those
disclosed therein.
To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no Existing
Instruments required to be described or referred to in the Registration
Statement or to be filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or
referred to therein or filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits thereto;
and the descriptions thereof and references thereto are correct in all material
respects.
No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration
or filing with, any court or other governmental authority or agency, is required
for the Company's execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting
Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and by the
Prospectus, except as required under the Securities Act, applicable state
securities or blue sky laws and from the NASD.
The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the
Company and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder (other
than performance by the Company of its obligations under the indemnification
section of the Underwriting Agreement, as to which no opinion need be rendered)
(i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Company; (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the
charter or by-laws of the Company or any subsidiary; (iii) to the best knowledge
of such counsel, any other material Existing Instrument; or (iv) to the best
knowledge of such counsel, will not result in any violation of any law,
administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the
Company or any subsidiary.
4.
The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the Common Shares
will not be, an ``investment company'' within the meaning of Investment Company
Act.
Except as disclosed in the Prospectus under the caption ``Shares
Eligible for Future Sale'', to the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no
persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt
securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in
the offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, except for such rights
as have been duly waived.
To the best knowledge of such counsel, neither the Company nor any
subsidiary is in violation of its charter or by-laws or any law, administrative
regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any
subsidiary or is in Default in the performance or observance of any obligation,
agreement, covenant or condition contained in any material Existing Instrument,
except in each such case for such violations or Defaults as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.
In addition, such counsel shall state that they have participated in
conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company,
representatives of the independent public or certified public accountants for
the Company and with representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents
of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any supplements or
amendments thereto, and related matters were discussed and, although such
counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than as specified above), and
any supplements or amendments thereto, on the basis of the foregoing, nothing
has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that either the
Registration Statement or any amendments thereto, at the time the Registration
Statement or such amendments became effective, contained an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the
Prospectus, as of its date or at the First Closing Date or the Second Closing
Date, as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no belief as to
the financial statements or schedules or other financial or statistical data
derived therefrom, included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
any amendments or supplements thereto).
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the federal law of the United
States, to the extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the
opinion (which shall be dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date,
as the case may be, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the
Underwriters, shall expressly state that the Underwriters may rely on such
opinion as if it were addressed to them and shall be furnished to the
Representatives) of other counsel of good standing whom they
5.
believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters;
provided, however, that such counsel shall further state that they believe that
they and the Underwriters are justified in relying upon such opinion of other
counsel, and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on
certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
6.
EXHIBIT B
(Attach copy of Lock-Up Agreement)
SCHEDULE B
LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS WITH EXECUTED LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS