UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
October 18, 2004
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
Commission File Number: 000-28915
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SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington 13-4093341
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1 Berkely Street, London, England, W1J 8DJ
(Address of principal executive offices)
44 (0) 20 7016 9452
(Issuer's telephone number, including area code)
if changed since last report)
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On October 18, 2004, we entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, L.P.
Pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, we may, at our discretion, periodically sell to Cornell Capital Partners shares of our common stock for a total purchase price of up to $15,000,000. For each share of common stock purchased under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, Cornell Capital Partners will pay 100% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the common stock as quoted on Bloomberg LP during the five consecutive trading days immediately following the notice date.
We have agreed to pay Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. 5% of the proceeds that we receive under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. In addition, upon execution of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, we paid Cornell Capital Partners a commitment fee in the amount of $425,000, which was paid by the issuance of a convertible debenture in the principal amount of $425,000. The convertible debenture has a term of three years, accrues interest at 5% and is convertible into our common stock at a price per share of 100% of the lowest closing bid price for the three trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. Cornell Capital Partners may not convert the debenture for a number of shares of common stock in excess of that number of shares of common stock which, upon giving effect to such conversion, would cause the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the holder and its affiliates to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of our common stock following such conversion.
We also received proceeds from an $800,000 convertible debenture, funded at the initial closing, with a second tranche of $800,000 payable on filing of a registration statement and a final tranche of $400,000 payable when the registration statement becomes "effective". Cornell earns a fee of 10% on each tranche, with an additional 6% paid to Questar Capital Partners. Terms of conversion are identical to those of the commitment fee debenture. Questar Capital will also receive a commission of 2% on each drawdown under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
We engaged Newbridge Securities Corporation, a registered broker-dealer, to advise us in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. For its services, we agreed to issue Newbridge Securities Corporation shares of our common stock in an amount equal to $10,000 divided by the volume weighted average price of our common stock, as quoted on Bloomberg LP, on October 18, 2004.
We have agreed to prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that includes the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the $425,000 principal amount convertible debenture and the shares of common stock issuable to Newbridge Securities Corporation. We cannot sell shares of common stock to Cornell Capital Partners, LP under the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement until such registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation.
See Item 1.01 above.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
See Item 1.01 above.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of business acquired.
Not applicable.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number | Description |
4.1 | Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, between Cornell Capital Partners, LP and Sonoran Energy, Inc. |
4.2 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, by and between Sonoran Energy, Inc. and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. |
4.3 | Escrow Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, by and between Sonoran Energy, Inc., Cornell Capital Partners, LP and Butler Gonzalez LLP, in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. |
4.4 | Placement Agent Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, by and among Sonoran Energy, Inc., Newbridge Securities Corporation and Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. |
4.5 | $425,000 principal amount Compensation Debenture, due October 18, 2007, issued to Cornell Capital Partners, LP, in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. |
4.6 | Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, by and among Sonoran Energy, Inc. and Cornell Capital, LP |
4.7 | Form of 5% Secured Convertible Debenture |
4.8 | Security Agreement, dated October 18, 2004 between Sonoran Energy, Inc. and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, in connection with Security Purchase Agreement |
4.9 | Investor Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 18, 2004 by and between Sonoran Energy, Inc. and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, in connection with Security Purchase Agreement |
4.10 | Escrow Agreement, dated October 18, 2004, by and between Sonoran Energy, Inc., Cornell Capital Partners, LP and Butler Gonzalez LLP, in connection with the Security Purchase Agreement |
4.11 | Form of Warrant to Purchase common stock, in connection with Securities Purchase Agreement |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
/s/ Peter Rosenthal
Peter Rosenthal
President
Date: October 21, 2004
Exhibit 4.1
STANDBY EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT dated as of the ___ day of October 2004 (the "Agreement") between CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Investor"), and SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Washington (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company up to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars($15,000,000) of the Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"); and
WHEREAS, such investments will be made in reliance upon the provisions of Regulation D ("Regulation D") of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Securities Act"), and or upon such other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the investments to be made hereunder.
WHEREAS, the Company has engaged Newbridge Securities Corporation (the "Placement Agent"), to act as the Company's exclusive placement agent in connection with the sale of the Company's Common Stock to the Investor hereunder pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement dated the date hereof by and among the Company, the Placement Agent and the Investor (the "Placement Agent Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Certain Definitions
Section 1.1 "Advance" shall mean the portion of the Commitment Amount requested by the Company in the Advance Notice.
Section 1.2 "Advance Date" shall mean the date David Gonzalez, Esq. Attorney Trust Account is in receipt of the funds from the Investor and David Gonzalez, Esq., as the Investor's Counsel, is in possession of free trading shares from the Company and therefore an Advance by the Investor to the Company can be made and David Gonzalez, Esq. can release the free trading shares to the Investor. The Advance Date shall be the first (1st) Trading Day after expiration of the applicable Pricing Period for each Advance.
Section 1.3 "Advance Notice" shall mean a written notice to the Investor setting forth the Advance amount that the Company requests from the Investor and the Advance Date.
Section 1.4 "Advance Notice Date" shall mean each date the Company delivers to the Investor an Advance Notice requiring the Investor to advance funds to the Company, subject to the terms of this Agreement. No Advance Notice Date shall be less than seven (7) Trading Days after the prior Advance Notice Date.
Section 1.5 "Bid Price" shall mean, on any date, the closing bid price (as reported by Bloomberg L.P.) of the Common Stock on the Principal Market or if the Common Stock is not traded on a Principal Market, the highest reported bid price for the Common Stock, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Section 1.6 "Closing" shall mean one of the closings of a purchase and sale of Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3.
Section 1.7 "Commitment Amount" shall mean the aggregate amount of up to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000) which the Investor has agreed to provide to the Company in order to purchase the Company's Common Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 1.8 "Commitment Period" shall mean the period commencing on the earlier to occur of (i) the Effective Date, or (ii) such earlier date as the Company and the Investor may mutually agree in writing, and expiring on the earliest to occur of (x) the date on which the Investor shall have made payment of Advances pursuant to this Agreement in the aggregate amount of Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000), (y) the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 2.5, or (z) the date occurring twenty-four (24) months after the Effective Date.
Section 1.9 "Common Stock" shall mean the Company's common stock, no par value.
Section 1.10 "Condition Satisfaction Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section7.2.
Section 1.11 "Damages" shall mean any loss, claim, damage, liability, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements and costs and expenses of expert witnesses and investigation).
Section 1.12 "Effective Date" shall mean the date on which the SEC first declares effective a Registration Statement registering the resale of the Registrable Securities as set forth in Section 7.2(a).
Section 1.13 "Escrow Agreement" shall mean the escrow agreement among the Company, the Investor, and David Gonzalez, Esq., dated the date hereof.
Section 1.14 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 1.15 "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any condition, circumstance, or situation that would prohibit or otherwise materially interfere with the ability of the Company to enter into and perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in any material respect.
Section 1.16 "Market Price" shall mean the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock during the Pricing Period.
Section 1.17 "Maximum Advance Amount" shall be Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars(US$500,000) per Advance Notice.
Section 1.18 "NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Section 1.19 "Person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
Section 1.20 "Placement Agent" shall mean Newbridge Securities Corporation, a registered broker-dealer.
Section 1.21 "Pricing Period" shall mean the five (5) consecutive Trading Days after the Advance Notice Date.
Section 1.22 "Principal Market" shall mean the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the American Stock Exchange, the OTC Bulletin Board or the New York Stock Exchange, whichever is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for the Common Stock.
Section 1.23 "Purchase Price" shall be set at one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Price during the Pricing Period.
Section 1.24 "Registrable Securities" shall mean the shares of Common Stock to be issued hereunder (i) in respect of which the Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the SEC, (ii) which have not been sold under circumstances meeting all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act ("Rule 144") or (iii) which have not been otherwise transferred to a holder who may trade such shares without restriction under the Securities Act, and the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such securities not bearing a restrictive legend.
Section 1.25 "Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement dated the date hereof, regarding the filing of the Registration Statement for the resale of the Registrable Securities, entered into between the Company and the Investor.
Section 1.26 "Registration Statement" shall mean a registration statement on Form S-1 or SB-2 (if use of such form is then available to the Company pursuant to the rules of the SEC and, if not, on such other form promulgated by the SEC for which the Company then qualifies and which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate, and which form shall be available for the resale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and in accordance with the intended method of distribution of such securities), for the registration of the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act.
Section 1.27 "Regulation D" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
Section 1.28 "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Section 1.29 "Securities Act" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
Section 1.30 "SEC Documents" shall mean Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements of the Company as supplemented to the date hereof, filed by the Company for a period of at least twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date hereof or the Advance Date, as the case may be, until such time as the Company no longer has an obligation to maintain the effectiveness of a Registration Statement as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 1.31 "Trading Day" shall mean any day during which the New York Stock Exchange shall be open for business.
Section 1.32 "VWAP" shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Company's Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP.
ARTICLE II
Advances
Section 2.1 Investments.
Advances. Upon the terms and conditions set forth herein (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII hereof), on any Advance Notice Date the Company may request an Advance by the Investor by the delivery of an Advance Notice. The number of shares of Common Stock that the Investor shall receive for each Advance shall be determined by dividing the amount of the Advance by the Purchase Price. No fractional shares shall be issued. Fractional shares shall be rounded to the next higher whole number of shares. The aggregate maximum amount of all Advances that the Investor shall be obligated to make under this Agreement shall not exceed the Commitment Amount.
Section 2.2 Mechanics.
(a) Advance Notice. At any time during the Commitment Period, the Company may deliver an Advance Notice to the Investor, subject to the conditions set forth in Section7.2; provided, however, the amount for each Advance as designated by the Company in the applicable Advance Notice, shall not be more than the Maximum Advance Amount. The aggregate amount of the Advances pursuant to this Agreement shall not exceed the Commitment Amount. The Company acknowledges that the Investor may sell shares of the Company's Common Stock corresponding with a particular Advance Notice on the day the Advance Notice is received by the Investor. There shall be a minimum of seven (7) Trading Days between each Advance Notice Date.
(b) Date of Delivery of Advance Notice. An Advance Notice shall be deemed delivered on (i) the Trading Day it is received by facsimile or otherwise by the Investor if such notice is received prior to 12:00 noon Eastern Time, or (ii) the immediately succeeding Trading Day if it is received by facsimile or otherwise after 12:00 noon Eastern Time on a Trading Day or at any time on a day which is not a Trading Day. No Advance Notice may be deemed delivered on a day that is not a Trading Day.
(c) Pre-Closing Share Credit. Within two (2) business days after the Advance Notice Date, the Company shall credit shares of the Company's Common Stock to the Investor's counsel's balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit Withdrawal At Custodian system, in an amount equal to the amount of the requested Advance divided by the closing Bid Price of the Company's Common Stock as of the Advance Notice Date multiplied by one point one (1.1). Any adjustments to the number of shares to be delivered to the Investor at the Closing as a result of fluctuations in the closing Bid Price of the Company's Common Stock shall be made as of the date of the Closing. Any excess shares shall be credited to the next Advance. In no event shall the number of shares issuable to the Investor pursuant to an Advance cause the Investor to own in excess of nine and 9/10 percent (9.9%) of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
(d) Hardship. In the event the Investor sells the Company's Common Stock pursuant to subsection (c) above and the Company fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.5 and 2.2 (c), and specifically fails to provide the Investor with the shares of Common Stock for the applicable Advance, the Company acknowledges that the Investor shall suffer financial hardship and therefore shall be liable for any and all losses, commissions, fees, or financial hardship caused to the Investor.
Section 2.3 Closings. On each Advance Date, which shall be the first (1st) Trading Day after expiration of the applicable Pricing Period for each Advance, (i) the Company shall deliver to the Investor's Counsel, as defined pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, shares of the Company's Common Stock, representing the amount of the Advance by the Investor pursuant to Section 2.1 herein, registered in the name of the Investor which shall be delivered to the Investor, or otherwise in accordance with the Escrow Agreement and (ii) the Investor shall deliver to David Gonzalez, Esq. (the "Escrow Agent") the amount of the Advance specified in the Advance Notice by wire transfer of immediately available funds which shall be delivered to the Company, or otherwise in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. In addition, on or prior to the Advance Date, each of the Company and the Investor shall deliver to the other through the Investor's Counsel, all documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered by either of them pursuant to this Agreement in order to implement and effect the transactions contemplated herein. Payment of funds to the Company and delivery of the Company's Common Stock to the Investor shall occur in accordance with the conditions set forth above and those contained in the Escrow Agreement; provided, however, that to the extent the Company has not paid the fees, expenses, and disbursements of the Investor, the Investor's counsel, in accordance with Section 12.4, the amount of such fees, expenses, and disbursements may be deducted by the Investor (and shall be paid to the relevant party) from the amount of the Advance with no reduction in the amount of shares of the Company's Common Stock to be delivered on such Advance Date.
Section 2.4 Termination of Investment. The obligation of the Investor to make an Advance to the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate permanently (including with respect to an Advance Date that has not yet occurred) in the event that (i) there shall occur any stop order or suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for an aggregate of fifty (50) Trading Days, other than due to the acts of the Investor, during the Commitment Period, and (ii) the Company shall at any time fail materially to comply with the requirements of Article VI and such failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the Investor, provided, however, that this termination provision shall not apply to any period commencing upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement and ending upon the date on which such post effective amendment is declared effective by the SEC.
Section 2.5 Agreement to Advance Funds.
(a) The Investor agrees to advance the amount specified in the Advance Notice to the Company after the completion of each of the following conditions and the other conditions set forth in this Agreement:
(i) the execution and delivery by the Company, and the Investor, of this Agreement and the Exhibits hereto;
(ii) Investor's Counsel shall have received the shares of Common Stock applicable to the Advance in accordance with Section 2.2(c) hereof;
(iii) the Company's Registration Statement with respect to the resale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement shall have been declared effective by the SEC;
(iv) the Company shall have obtained all material permits and qualifications required by any applicable state for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities, or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom. The sale and issuance of the Registrable Securities shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Company is subject;
(v) the Company shall have filed with the Commission in a timely manner all reports, notices and other documents required of a "reporting company" under the Exchange Act and applicable Commission regulations;
(vi) the fees as set forth in Section 12.4 below shall have been paid or can be withheld as provided in Section 2.3; and
(vii) the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 shall have been satisfied.
(viii) the Company shall have provided to the Investor an acknowledgement, from Cordovano & Honeck PC as to its ability to provide all consents required in order to file a registration statement in connection with this transaction;
(ix) The Company's transfer agent shall be DWAC eligible.
Section 2.6 Lock Up Period.
(i) During the Commitment Period, the Company shall not issue or sell (i) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Bid Price on the date of issuance or (ii)issue or sell any warrant, option, right, contract, call, or other security or instrument granting the holder thereof the right to acquire Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Bid Price on the date of issuance.
(ii) On the date hereof, the Company shall obtain from each officer and director a lock-up agreement, as defined below, in the form annexed hereto as Schedule2.6 agreeing to only sell in compliance with the volume limitation of Rule 144.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties of Investor
Investor hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that the following are true and as of the date hereof and as of each Advance Date:
Section 3.1 Organization and Authorization. The Investor is duly incorporated or organized and validly existing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has all requisite power and authority to purchase and hold the securities issuable hereunder. The decision to invest and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Investor, the performance by such Investor of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by such Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized and requires no other proceedings on the part of the Investor. The undersigned has the right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other instruments (including, without limitations, the Registration Rights Agreement), on behalf of the Investor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and, assuming the execution and delivery hereof and acceptance thereof by the Company, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms.
Section 3.2 Evaluation of Risks. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial tax and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of, and bearing the economic risks entailed by, an investment in the Company and of protecting its interests in connection with this transaction. It recognizes that its investment in the Company involves a high degree of risk.
Section 3.3 No Legal Advice From the Company. The Investor acknowledges that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with his or its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. The Investor is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.
Section 3.4 Investment Purpose. The securities are being purchased by the Investor for its own account, for investment and without any view to the distribution, assignment or resale to others or fractionalization in whole or in part. The Investor agrees not to assign or in any way transfer the Investor's rights to the securities or any interest therein and acknowledges that the Company will not recognize any purported assignment or transfer except in accordance with applicable Federal and state securities laws. No other person has or will have a direct or indirect beneficial interest in the securities. The Investor agrees not to sell, hypothecate or otherwise transfer the Investor's securities unless the securities are registered under Federal and applicable state securities laws or unless, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, an exemption from such laws is available.
Section 3.5 Accredited Investor. The Investor is an "Accredited Investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D of the Securities Act.
Section 3.6 Information. The Investor and its advisors (and its counsel), if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and information it deemed material to making an informed investment decision. The Investor and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and its management. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Investor or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor's right to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. The Investor understands that its investment involves a high degree of risk. The Investor is in a position regarding the Company, which, based upon employment, family relationship or economic bargaining power, enabled and enables such Investor to obtain information from the Company in order to evaluate the merits and risks of this investment. The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to this transaction.
Section 3.7 Receipt of Documents. The Investor and its counsel have received and read in their entirety: (i) this Agreement and the Exhibits annexed hereto; (ii) all due diligence and other information necessary to verify the accuracy and completeness of such representations, warranties and covenants; (iii) the Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended April 30, 2004 and Form 10-QSB for the period ended January 31, 2004; and (iv)answers to all questions the Investor submitted to the Company regarding an investment in the Company; and the Investor has relied on the information contained therein and has not been furnished any other documents, literature, memorandum or prospectus.
Section 3.8 Registration Rights Agreement and Escrow Agreement. The parties have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, each dated the date hereof.
Section 3.9 No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
Section 3.10 Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company or any "Affiliate" of the Company (as that term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act). Neither the Investor nor its Affiliates has an open short position in the Common Stock of the Company, and the Investor agrees that it will not, and that it will cause its Affiliates not to, engage in any short sales of or hedging transactions with respect to the Common Stock, provided that the Company acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of an Advance Notice the Investor will sell the Shares to be issued to the Investor pursuant to the Advance Notice, even if the Shares have not been delivered to the Investor.
Section 3.11 Trading Activities. The Investor's trading activities with respect to the Company's Common Stock shall be in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market on which the Company's Common Stock is listed or traded. Neither the Investor nor its affiliates has an open short position in the Common Stock of the Company and, except as set forth below, the Investor shall not and will cause its affiliates not to engage in any short sale as defined in any applicable SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers rules on any hedging transactions with respect to the Common Stock. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investor agrees not to engage in any naked short transactions in excess of the amount of shares owned (or an offsetting long position) during the Commitment Period. The Investor shall be entitled to sell Common Stock during the applicable Pricing Period.
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of the Company
Except as stated below, on the disclosure schedules attached hereto or in the SEC Documents (as defined herein), the Company hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Investor that the following are true and correct as of the date hereof:
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is duly incorporated or organized and validly existing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has all requisite power and authority corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 4.2 Authorization, Enforcement, Compliance with Other Instruments. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Placement Agent Agreement and any related agreements, in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Placement Agent Agreement and any related agreements by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders, (iii)this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Placement Agent Agreement and any related agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, (iv) this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Placement Agent Agreement and assuming the execution and delivery thereof and acceptance by the Investor and any related agreements constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies.
Section 4.3 Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of which 25,225,531 shares of Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. All of such outstanding shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, no shares of Common Stock are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, as of the date hereof, (i)there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities (iii)there are no outstanding registration statements other than on Form S-8 and (iv) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the Securities Act (except pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement). There are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by this Agreement or any related agreement or the consummation of the transactions described herein or therein. The Company has furnished to the Investor true and correct copies of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), and the Company's By-laws, as in effect on the date hereof (the "By-laws"), and the terms of all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto.
Section 4.4 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation, any certificate of designations of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or By-laws or (ii) conflict with or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market on which the Common Stock is quoted) applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any material property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or affected and which would cause a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws, respectively, or any material contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment, decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries. The business of the Company and its subsidiaries is not being conducted in violation of any material law, ordinance, regulation of any governmental entity. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, the Company is not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the date hereof. The Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any fact or circumstance which might give rise to any of the foregoing.
Section 4.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements. Since January 1, 2002, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC under of the Exchange Act. The Company has delivered to the Investor or its representatives, or made available through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, true and complete copies of the SEC Documents. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company disclosed in the SEC Documents (the "Financial Statements") complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and, fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No other information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the Investor which is not included in the SEC Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 4.6 10b-5. The SEC Documents do not include any untrue statements of material fact, nor do they omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Section 4.7 No Default. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company is not in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other material instrument or agreement to which it is a party or by which it is or its property is bound and neither the execution, nor the delivery by the Company, nor the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the exhibits or attachments hereto will conflict with or result in the breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default or result in the creation or imposition of any lien or charge on any assets or properties of the Company under its Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other material agreement applicable to the Company or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or any statute, or any decree, judgment, order, rules or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties, in each case which default, lien or charge is likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect on the Company's business or financial condition.
Section 4.8 Absence of Events of Default. Except for matters described in the SEC Documents and/or this Agreement, no Event of Default, as defined in the respective agreement to which the Company is a party, and no event which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would become an Event of Default (as so defined), has occurred and is continuing, which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company's business, properties, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
Section 4.9 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. The Company and its subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights of others, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company's knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or its subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement; and the Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing.
Section 4.10 Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is any such dispute threatened. None of the Company's or its subsidiaries' employees is a member of a union and the Company and its subsidiaries believe that their relations with their employees are good.
Section 4.11 Environmental Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable material foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval.
Section 4.12 Title. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company has good and marketable title to its properties and material assets owned by it, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim or equitable interest other than such as are not material to the business of the Company. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.
Section 4.13 Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.14 Regulatory Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit.
Section 4.15 Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
Section 4.16 No Material Adverse Breaches, etc. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of the Company's officers has or is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect on the business, properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in breach of any contract or agreement which breach, in the judgment of the Company's officers, has or is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the business, properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries.
Section 4.17 Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending against or affecting the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company's subsidiaries, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on the transactions contemplated hereby (ii) adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under, this Agreement or any of the documents contemplated herein, or (iii) except as expressly disclosed in the SEC Documents, have a Material Adverse Effect on the business, operations, properties, financial condition or results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 4.18 Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company does not presently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, association or other business entity.
Section 4.19 Tax Status. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of its subsidiaries has made or filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject and (unless and only to the extent that the Company and each of its subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any such claim.
Section 4.20 Certain Transactions. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.
Section 4.21 Fees and Rights of First Refusal. The Company is not obligated to offer the securities offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis or otherwise to any third parties including, but not limited to, current or former shareholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.
Section 4.22 Use of Proceeds. The Company represents that the net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes. However, in no event shall the net proceeds from this offering be used by the Company for the payment (or loaned to any such person for the payment) of any judgment, or other liability, incurred by any executive officer, officer, director or employee of the Company, except for any liability owed to such person for services rendered, or if any judgment or other liability is incurred by such person originating from services rendered to the Company, or the Company has indemnified such person from liability.
Section 4.23 Further Representation and Warranties of the Company. For so long as any securities issuable hereunder held by the Investor remain outstanding, the Company acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that it will maintain the listing of its Common Stock on the Principal Market.
Section 4.24 Opinion of Counsel. Investor shall receive an opinion letter from Dieterich & Associates, counsel to the Company, on the date hereof.
Section 4.25 Opinion of Counsel. The Company will obtain for the Investor, at the Company's expense, any and all opinions of counsel which may be reasonably required in order to sell the securities issuable hereunder without restriction.
Section 4.26 Dilution. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock could cause dilution to existing shareholders and could significantly increase the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock.
ARTICLE V
Indemnification
The Investor and the Company represent to the other the following with respect to itself:
Section 5.1 Indemnification.
(a) In consideration of the Investor's execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Company's other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, and all of its officers, directors, partners, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "Investor Indemnitees") from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Investor Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (the "Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by the Investor Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Investor Indemnitee not arising out of any action or inaction of an Investor Indemnitee, and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Investor Indemnitees. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.
(b) In consideration of the Company's execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Investor's other obligations under this Agreement, the Investor shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "Company Indemnitees") from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Company Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Investor in this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, or any instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Investor(s) contained in this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Company Indemnitee based on misrepresentations or due to a breach by the Investor and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Company Indemnitees. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Investor may be unenforceable for any reason, the Investor shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.
(c) The obligations of the parties to indemnify or make contribution under this Section 5.1 shall survive termination.
ARTICLE VI
Covenants of the Company
Section 6.1 Registration Rights. The Company shall cause the Registration Rights Agreement to remain in full force and effect and the Company shall comply in all material respects with the terms thereof.
Section 6.2 Listing of Common Stock. The Company shall maintain the Common Stock's authorization for quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s Over the Counter Bulletin Board.
Section 6.3 Exchange Act Registration. The Company will cause its Common Stock to continue to be registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, will file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act and will not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by Exchange Act or the rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under said Exchange Act.
Section 6.4 Transfer Agent Instructions. Not later than two (2) business days after each Advance Notice Date and prior to each Closing and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and resale of the Common Stock by the Investor, the Company will deliver instructions to its transfer agent to issue shares of Common Stock free of restrictive legends.
Section 6.5 Corporate Existence. The Company will take all steps necessary to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company.
Section 6.6 Notice of Certain Events Affecting Registration; Suspension of Right to Make an Advance. The Company will immediately notify the Investor upon its becoming aware of the occurrence of any of the following events in respect of a registration statement or related prospectus relating to an offering of Registrable Securities: (i) receipt of any request for additional information by the SEC or any other Federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or related prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the SEC or any other Federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; (iv) the happening of any event that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or related prospectus of any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, related prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the related prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (v) the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate; and the Company will promptly make available to the Investor any such supplement or amendment to the related prospectus. The Company shall not deliver to the Investor any Advance Notice during the continuation of any of the foregoing events.
Section 6.7 Expectations Regarding Advance Notices. Within ten (10) days after the commencement of each calendar quarter occurring subsequent to the commencement of the Commitment Period, the Company must notify the Investor, in writing, as to its reasonable expectations as to the dollar amount it intends to raise during such calendar quarter, if any, through the issuance of Advance Notices. Such notification shall constitute only the Company's good faith estimate and shall in no way obligate the Company to raise such amount, or any amount, or otherwise limit its ability to deliver Advance Notices. The failure by the Company to comply with this provision can be cured by the Company's notifying the Investor, in writing, at any time as to its reasonable expectations with respect to the current calendar quarter.
Section 6.8 Restriction on Sale of Capital Stock. During the Commitment Period, the Company shall not issue or sell (i) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the bid price of the Common Stock determined immediately prior to its issuance, (ii) issue or sell any Preferred Stock warrant, option, right, contract, call, or other security or instrument granting the holder thereof the right to acquire Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than such Common Stock's Bid Price determined immediately prior to its issuance, or (iii) file any registration statement on Form S-8.
Section 6.9 Consolidation; Merger. The Company shall not, at any time after the date hereof, effect any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into, or a transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another entity (a "Consolidation Event") unless the resulting successor or acquiring entity (if not the Company) assumes by written instrument the obligation to deliver to the Investor such shares of stock and/or securities as the Investor is entitled to receive pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 6.10 Issuance of the Company's Common Stock. The sale of the shares of Common Stock shall be made in accordance with the provisions and requirements of RegulationD and any applicable state securities law.
ARTICLE VII
Conditions for Advance and Conditions to Closing
Section 7.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Company. The obligation hereunder of the Company to issue and sell the shares of Common Stock to the Investor incident to each Closing is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by the Company, at or before each such Closing, of each of the conditions set forth below.
(a) Accuracy of the Investor's Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Investor shall be true and correct in all material respects.
(b) Performance by the Investor. The Investor shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Investor at or prior to such Closing.
Section 7.2 Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Advance Notice and the Obligation of the Investor to Purchase Shares of Common Stock. The right of the Company to deliver an Advance Notice and the obligation of the Investor hereunder to acquire and pay for shares of the Company's Common Stock incident to a Closing is subject to the fulfillment by the Company, on (i) the date of delivery of such Advance Notice and (ii)the applicable Advance Date (each a "Condition Satisfaction Date"), of each of the following conditions:
(a) Registration of the Common Stock with the SEC. The Company shall have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to the resale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. As set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Statement shall have previously become effective and shall remain effective on each Condition Satisfaction Date and (i) neither the Company nor the Investor shall have received notice that the SEC has issued or intends to issue a stop order with respect to the Registration Statement or that the SEC otherwise has suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, either temporarily or permanently, or intends or has threatened to do so (unless the SEC's concerns have been addressed and the Investor is reasonably satisfied that the SEC no longer is considering or intends to take such action), and (ii) no other suspension of the use or withdrawal of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or related prospectus shall exist. The Registration Statement must have been declared effective by the SEC prior to the first Advance Notice Date.
(b) Authority. The Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement for the offer and sale of the shares of Common Stock, or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom. The sale and issuance of the shares of Common Stock shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Company is subject.
(c) Fundamental Changes. There shall not exist any fundamental changes to the information set forth in the Registration Statement which would require the Company to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement.
(d) Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the conditions specified in Section2.5 hereof) and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to each Condition Satisfaction Date.
(e) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits or directly and adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have the effect of prohibiting or adversely affecting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Stock. The trading of the Common Stock is not suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market (if the Common Stock is traded on a Principal Market). The issuance of shares of Common Stock with respect to the applicable Closing, if any, shall not violate the shareholder approval requirements of the Principal Market (if the Common Stock is traded on a Principal Market). The Company shall not have received any notice threatening the continued listing of the Common Stock on the Principal Market (if the Common Stock is traded on a Principal Market).
(g) Maximum Advance Amount. The amount of an Advance requested by the Company shall not exceed the Maximum Advance Amount. In addition, in no event shall the number of shares issuable to the Investor pursuant to an Advance cause the Investor to own in excess of nine and 9/10 percent (9.9%) of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
(h) No Knowledge. The Company has no knowledge of any event which would be more likely than not to have the effect of causing such Registration Statement to be suspended or otherwise ineffective.
(i) Other. On each Condition Satisfaction Date, the Investor shall have received the certificate executed by an officer of the Company in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
ARTICLE VIII
Due Diligence Review; Non-Disclosure of Non-Public Information
Section 8.1 Due Diligence Review. Prior to the filing of the Registration Statement the Company shall make available for inspection and review by the Investor, its advisors and representatives, and any underwriter participating in any disposition of the Registrable Securities on behalf of the Investor pursuant to the Registration Statement, any such registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto or any blue sky, NASD or other filing, all financial and other records, all SEC Documents and other filings with the SEC, and all other corporate documents and properties of the Company as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of such review, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all such information reasonably requested by the Investor or any such representative, advisor or underwriter in connection with such Registration Statement (including, without limitation, in response to all questions and other inquiries reasonably made or submitted by any of them), prior to and from time to time after the filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement for the sole purpose of enabling the Investor and such representatives, advisors and underwriters and their respective accountants and attorneys to conduct initial and ongoing due diligence with respect to the Company and the accuracy of the Registration Statement.
Section 8.2 Non-Disclosure of Non-Public Information.
(a) The Company shall not disclose non-public information to the Investor, its advisors, or its representatives, unless prior to disclosure of such information the Company identifies such information as being non-public information and provides the Investor, such advisors and representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such non-public information for review. The Company may, as a condition to disclosing any non-public information hereunder, require the Investor's advisors and representatives to enter into a confidentiality agreement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Investor.
(b) Nothing herein shall require the Company to disclose non-public information to the Investor or its advisors or representatives, and the Company represents that it does not disseminate non-public information to any investors who purchase stock in the Company in a public offering, to money managers or to securities analysts, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will, as hereinabove provided, immediately notify the advisors and representatives of the Investor and, if any, underwriters, of any event or the existence of any circumstance (without any obligation to disclose the specific event or circumstance) of which it becomes aware, constituting non-public information (whether or not requested of the Company specifically or generally during the course of due diligence by such persons or entities), which, if not disclosed in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement would cause such prospectus to include a material misstatement or to omit a material fact required to be stated therein in order to make the statements, therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. Nothing contained in this Section 8.2 shall be construed to mean that such persons or entities other than the Investor (without the written consent of the Investor prior to disclosure of such information) may not obtain non-public information in the course of conducting due diligence in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and nothing herein shall prevent any such persons or entities from notifying the Company of their opinion that based on such due diligence by such persons or entities, that the Registration Statement contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
ARTICLE IX
Choice of Law/Jurisdiction
Section 9.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties further agree that any action between them shall be heard in Hudson County, New Jersey, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of New Jersey, sitting in Hudson County, New Jersey and the United States District Court of New Jersey, sitting in Newark, New Jersey, for the adjudication of any civil action asserted pursuant to this paragraph.
ARTICLE X
Assignment; Termination
Section 10.1 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights of the Company hereunder may be assigned to any other Person.
Section 10.2 Termination. The obligations of the Investor to make Advances under Article II hereof shall terminate twenty-four (24) months after the Effective Date.
ARTICLE XI
Notices
Section 11.1 Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers, or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile, provided a copy is mailed by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; (iii) three (3) days after being sent by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested, or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Investor(s): Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a Copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
Each party shall provide five (5) days' prior written notice to the other party of any change in address or facsimile number.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
Section 12.1 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event any signature page is delivered by facsimile transmission, the party using such means of delivery shall cause four (4) additional original executed signature pages to be physically delivered to the other party within five (5) days of the execution and delivery hereof, though failure to deliver such copies shall not affect the validity of this Agreement.
Section 12.2 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Investor, the Company, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party to be charged with enforcement.
Section 12.3 Reporting Entity for the Common Stock. The reporting entity relied upon for the determination of the trading price or trading volume of the Common Stock on any given Trading Day for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Bloomberg, L.P. or any successor thereto. The written mutual consent of the Investor and the Company shall be required to employ any other reporting entity.
Section 12.4 Fees and Expenses. The Company hereby agrees to pay the following fees:
(a) Structuring Fees. Each of the parties shall pay its own fees and expenses(including the fees of any attorneys, accountants, appraisers or others engaged by such party) in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that the Company will pay Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars($12,500) to Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC as a structuring fee, of which Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) was already paid and the remaining balance of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) shall be paid directly from the gross proceeds of the First Closing of the Convertible Debenture transaction pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof. This structuring fee shall be deemed fully earned on the date hereof. Subsequently on each advance date, the Company will pay to Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC a structuring fee of Five Hundred Dollars($500).
In addition, the Company shall pay to the Yorkville Advisors Management LLC a non-accountable expense allowance of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), of which Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) shall be paid directly from the gross proceeds of the First Closing of the Convertible Debenture transaction pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof and the remain balance of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) shall be paid upon filing of the registration statement pursuant to the Investor Registration Rights Agreement of even date herewith. This fee shall be deemed fully earned on the date hereof.
(b) Commitment Fees.
(i) On each Advance Date the Company shall pay to the Investor, directly from the gross proceeds held in escrow, an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of each Advance. The Company hereby agrees that if such payment, as is described above, is not made by the Company on the Advance Date, such payment will be made at the direction of the Investor as outlined and mandated by Section 2.3 of this Agreement.
(ii) Upon the execution of this Agreement the Company shall issue to the Investor a Compensation Debenture (the "Compensation Debenture") in the amount of Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand ($425,000), which shall be convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with the Compensation Debenture of even date herewith (the "Investor's Shares").
(iii) Fully Earned. The Investor's Shares shall be deemed fully earned as of the date hereof.
(iv) Registration Rights. The Investor's Shares will have "piggy-back" registration rights.
Section 12.5 Brokerage. Each of the parties hereto represents that it has had no dealings in connection with this transaction with any finder or broker who will demand payment of any fee or commission from the other party. The Company on the one hand, and the Investor, on the other hand, agree to indemnify the other against and hold the other harmless from any and all liabilities to any person claiming brokerage commissions or finder's fees on account of services purported to have been rendered on behalf of the indemnifying party in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 12.6 Confidentiality. If for any reason the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, each of the parties hereto shall keep confidential any information obtained from any other party (except information publicly available or in such party's domain prior to the date hereof, and except as required by court order) and shall promptly return to the other parties all schedules, documents, instruments, work papers or other written information without retaining copies thereof, previously furnished by it as a result of this Agreement or in connection herein.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Standby Equity Distribution Agreement to be executed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
�� By: ______________________________
Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
INVESTOR:
&nbs p; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
& nbsp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: _______________________________
& nbsp; Name: Mark Angelo
& nbsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
EXHIBIT A
ADVANCE NOTICE/COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
The undersigned, _______________________ hereby certifies, with respect to the sale of shares of Common Stock of Sonoran Energy, Inc., (the "Company"), issuable in connection with this Advance Notice and Compliance Certificate dated ___________________(the "Notice"), delivered pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement(the "Agreement"), as follows:
1. The undersigned is the duly elected CEO of the Company.
2. There are no fundamental changes to the information set forth in the Registration Statement which would require the Company to file a post effective amendment to the Registration Statement.
3. The Company has performed in all material respects all covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company on or prior to the Advance Date related to the Notice and has complied in all material respects with all obligations and conditions contained in the Agreement.
4. The Advance requested is _____________________.
The undersigned has executed this Certificate this ____ day of _________________.
& nbsp; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: _______________________________
& nbsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
& nbsp; Title: CEO
SCHEDULE 2.6
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
The undersigned hereby agrees that for a period commencing on the date hereof and expiring on the termination of the Agreement dated October __, 2004 between Sonoran Energy, Inc., (the "Company"), and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, (the "Investor") (the "Lock-up Period"), he, she or it will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Investor, issue, offer, agree or offer to sell, sell, grant an option for the purchase or sale of, transfer, pledge, assign, hypothecate, distribute or otherwise encumber or dispose of except pursuant to Rule 144 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, any securities of the Company, including common stock or options, rights, warrants or other securities underlying, convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for or evidencing any right to purchase or subscribe for any common stock (whether or not beneficially owned by the undersigned), or any beneficial interest therein (collectively, the "Securities").
In order to enable the aforesaid covenants to be enforced, the undersigned hereby consents to the placing of legends and/or stop-transfer orders with the transfer agent of the Company's securities with respect to any of the Securities registered in the name of the undersigned or beneficially owned by the undersigned, and the undersigned hereby confirms the undersigned's investment in the Company.
Dated: _______________, 2004
& nbsp; Signature
& nbsp; ____________________________________
&nb sp; Address: _____________________________
& nbsp; City, State, Zip Code: ____________________
& nbsp; _____________________________________
&n bsp; Print Social Security Number
&n bsp; or Taxpayer I.D. Number
Exhibit 4.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of October ___, 2004 by and between SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a Washington corporation (the
"Company"), and CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Investor").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement by and between the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Standby Equity Distribution Agreement"), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, to issue and sell to the Investor that number of shares of the Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), which can be purchased pursuant to the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement for an aggregate purchase price of up to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
B. To induce the Investor to execute and deliver the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "Person" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
b. "Register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
c. "Registrable Securities" means the Investor's Shares, as defined in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and shares of Common Stock issuable to Investors pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
d. "Registration Statement" means a registration statement under the 1933 Act which covers the Registrable Securities.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-1, SB-2 or on such other form as is available. The Company shall cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC prior to the first sale to the Investor of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
b. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities which the Investor has purchased pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefore, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all of such Registrable Securities which the Investor has purchased pursuant to the
Standby Equity Distribution Agreement as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefore arises. The Company shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of Registrable Securities issuable on an Advance Notice Date is greater than the number of shares available for resale under such Registration Statement.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
a. The Company shall keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the date on which the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (the "Registration Period"), which Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall 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, in light of
the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all
Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company's filing a report on Form 10-KSB, Form 10-QSB or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement the Registration Stateme nt.
c. The Company shall furnish to the Investor without charge, (i) at least one copy of such Registration Statement as declared effective by the SEC and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) ten (10) copies of the final prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.
d. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therew ith or as a condition thereto to (w) make any
change to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws, (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
e. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or development, the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify the Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to the Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
f. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction within the United States of America and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investor of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
g. At the reasonable request of the Investor, the Company shall furnish to the Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from
time to time on such dates as the Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is
customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investor.
h. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) the Investor and (ii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investor (collectively, the "Inspectors") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree, and the Investor hereby agrees, to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which
the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or
correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector and the Investor has knowledge. The Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential.
i. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of com petent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
j. The Company shall use its best efforts either to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement (i) to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or to secure the inclusion for quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. OTC Bulletin Board for such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(j).
k. The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investor may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investor may request.
l. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
m. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby,
an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
n. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.
o. Within two (2) business days after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investor) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
p. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR.
The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), the Investor will
immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(e) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended certificates for shares of Common Stock to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which the Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All expenses incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees,
printers, legal and accounting fees shall be paid by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
With respect to Registrable Securities which are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an "Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, "Claims") incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental,
administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"), to
which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered ("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation there under relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "Violations"). The Company shall reimburse the Investor and each such controlling person promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or disbursements or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (x) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the prepa ration of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (y) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(e); and (z) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person.
b. In connection with a Registration Statement, the Investor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933
Act or the 1934 Act (each an "Indemnified Party"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise,
insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or is based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(d), the Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the prospectus was corrected and such new prospectus was delivered to the Investor prior to the Investor's use of the prospectus to which the Claim relates.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party sha ll have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has b een made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the
Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144") the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 6.3 of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement) and the filing of
such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to the Investor so long as the Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so
filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only by a written agreement between the Company and the Investor. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 9 shall be binding upon the Investor and the Company. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is
offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Investor, to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street Suite 3700
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
Any party may change its address by providing written notice to the other parties hereto at least five days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. The corporate laws of the State of New Jersey shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and the Investor. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New
Jersey. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of the State of New Jersey, sitting in Hudson County, New Jersey and the Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey sitting in Newark, New Jersey, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agre es that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and the Placement Agent Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and the Placement Agent Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
j. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction
will be applied against any party.
k. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any
provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
& nbsp; COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ____________________________________
&nb sp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
& nbsp; Title: CEO
& nbsp; INVESTOR:
&nb sp; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
&nb sp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: ____________________________________
& nbsp; �� Name: Mark Angelo
& nbsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Attention:
Re: SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Standby Equity Distribution Agreement") entered into by and between the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, LP (the "Investor") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Investor shares of its Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"). Pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company also has entered
into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investor (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ____, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form ________ (File No. 333-_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names the Investor as a selling stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement
effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
& nbsp; By: ________________________________
cc: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
Exhibit 4.3ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of October __, 2004 by SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a Washington corporation (the "Company"); CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Investor"); and DAVID GONZALEZ, ESQ. (the "Escrow Agent").
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Standby Equity Distribution Agreement") dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which the Investor will purchase the Company's Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price, as that term is defined in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, for an aggregate price of up to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000). The Standby Equity Distribution Agreement provides that on each Advance Date the Investor, as that term is defined in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, shall deposit the Advance pursuant to the Advance Notice in a segregated escrow account to be held by Escrow Agent and the Company shall deposit shares of the Company's Common Stock, which shall be purchased by the Investor as set forth in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, with the Escrow Agent, in order to effectuate a disbursement to the Company of the Advance by the Escrow Agent and a disbursement to the Investor of the shares of the Company's Common Stock by Escrow Agent at a closing to be held as set forth in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Closing").
WHEREAS, Escrow Agent has agreed to accept, hold, and disburse the funds and the shares of the Company's Common Stock deposited with it in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, in order to establish the escrow of funds and shares to effect the provisions of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when used herein:
a. "Escrow Funds" shall mean the Advance funds deposited with the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
b. "Joint Written Direction" shall mean a written direction executed by the Investor and the Company directing Escrow Agent to disburse all or a portion of the Escrow Funds or to take or refrain from taking any action pursuant to this Agreement.
c. "Common Stock Joint Written Direction" shall mean a written direction executed by the Investor and the Company directing Investor's Counsel to disburse all or a portion of the shares of the Company's Common Stock or to refrain from taking any action pursuant to this Agreement.
2. Appointment of and Acceptance by Escrow Agent.
a. The Investor and the Company hereby appoint Escrow Agent to serve as Escrow Agent hereunder. Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and, upon receipt by wire transfer of the Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 3 below, agrees to hold, invest and disburse the Escrow Funds in accordance with this Agreement.
b. The Investor and the Company hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to serve as the holder of the shares of the Company's Common Stock which shall be purchased by the Investor. The Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and, upon receipt via D.W.A.C or the certificates representing of the shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 3 below, agrees to hold and disburse the shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with this Agreement.
c. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is general counsel to the Investor, a partner in the general partner of the Investor and counsel to the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated and referenced herein. The Company agrees that in the event of any dispute arising in connection with this Escrow Agreement or otherwise in connection with any transaction or agreement contemplated and referenced herein, the Escrow Agent shall be permitted to continue to represent the Investor and the Company will not seek to disqualify such counsel.
3. Creation of Escrow Account/Common Stock Account.
a. On or prior to the date of this Agreement the Escrow Agent shall establish an escrow account for the deposit of the Escrow Funds entitled as follows: Sonoran Energy, Inc./Cornell Capital Partners, LP. The Investor will wire funds to the account of the Escrow Agent as follows:
Bank: Wachovia, N.A. of New Jersey
Routing #: 031201467
Account #: 2020000659170
Name on Account: David Gonzalez Attorney Trust Account
Name on Sub-Account: Sonoran Energy, Inc./Cornell Capital Partners, LP Escrow account
b. On or prior to the date of this Agreement the Escrow Agent shall establish an account for the D.W.A.C. of the shares of Common Stock. The Company will D.W.A.C. shares of the Company's Common Stock to the account of the Escrow Agent as follows:
Brokerage Firm: Sloan Securities Corp.
Clearing House: Fiserv
Account #: 56887298
DTC #: 0632
Name on Account: David Gonzalez Escrow Account
4. Deposits into the Escrow Account. The Investor agrees that it shall promptly deliver all monies for the payment of the Common Stock to the Escrow Agent for deposit in the Escrow Account.
5. Disbursements from the Escrow Account.
a. At such time as Escrow Agent has collected and deposited instruments of payment in the total amount of the Advance and has received such Common Stock via D.W.A.C from the Company which are to be issued to the Investor pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall notify the Company and the Investor. The Escrow Agent will continue to hold such funds until the Investor and Company execute and deliver a Joint Written Direction directing the Escrow Agent to disburse the Escrow Funds pursuant to Joint Written Direction at which time the Escrow Agent shall wire the Escrow Funds to the Company. In disbursing such funds, Escrow Agent is authorized to rely upon such Joint Written Direction from Company and may accept any signatory from the Company listed on the signature page to this Agreement and any signature from the Investor that Escrow Agent already has on file. Simultaneous with delivery of the executed Joint Written Direction to the Escrow Agent the Investor and Company shall execute and deliver a Common Stock Joint Written Direction to the Escrow Agent directing the Escrow Agent to release via D.W.A.C to the Investor the shares of the Company's Common Stock. In releasing such shares of Common Stock the Escrow Agent is authorized to rely upon such Common Stock Joint Written Direction from Company and may accept any signatory from the Company listed on the signature page to this Agreement and any signature from the Escrow Agent has on file.
In the event the Escrow Agent does not receive the amount of the Advance from the Investor or the shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Investor from the Company, the Escrow Agent shall notify the Company and the Investor.
In the event that the Escrow Agent has not received the Common Stock to be purchased by the Investor from the Company, in no event will the Escrow Funds be released to the Company until such shares are received by the Escrow Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Common Stock certificates" shall mean Common Stock certificates to be purchased pursuant to the respective Advance Notice pursuant to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement.
6. Deposit of Funds. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized to deposit the wire transfer proceeds in the Escrow Account.
7. Suspension of Performance: Disbursement Into Court.
a. Escrow Agent. If at any time, there shall exist any dispute between the Company and the Investor with respect to holding or disposition of any portion of the Escrow Funds or the Common Stock or any other obligations of Escrow Agent hereunder, or if at any time Escrow Agent is unable to determine, to Escrow Agent's sole satisfaction, the proper disposition of any portion of the Escrow Funds or Escrow Agent's proper actions with respect to its obligations hereunder, or if the parties have not within thirty (30) days of the furnishing by Escrow Agent of a notice of resignation pursuant to Section 9 hereof, appointed a successor Escrow Agent to act hereunder, then Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, take either or both of the following actions:
i. Suspend the performance of any of its obligations (including without limitation any disbursement obligations) under this Escrow Agreement until such dispute or uncertainty shall be resolved to the sole satisfaction of Escrow Agent or until a successor Escrow Agent shall be appointed (as the case may be); provided however, Escrow Agent shall continue to invest the Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 8 hereof; and/or
ii. Petition (by means of an interpleader action or any other appropriate method) any court of competent jurisdiction in any venue convenient to Escrow Agent, for instructions with respect to such dispute or uncertainty, and to the extent required by law, pay into such court, for holding and disposition in accordance with the instructions of such court, all funds held by it in the Escrow Funds, after deduction and payment to Escrow Agent of all fees and expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) payable to, incurred by, or expected to be incurred by Escrow Agent in connection with performance of its duties and the exercise of its rights hereunder.
iii. Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the Company, the Investor, or any person with respect to any such suspension of performance or disbursement into court, specifically including any liability or claimed liability that may arise, or be alleged to have arisen, out of or as a result of any delay in the disbursement of funds held in the Escrow Funds or any delay in with respect to any other action required or requested of Escrow Agent.
8. Investment of Escrow Funds. The Escrow Agent shall deposit the Escrow Funds in a non-interest bearing money market account.
If Escrow Agent has not received a Joint Written Direction at any time that an investment decision must be made, Escrow Agent may retain the Escrow Fund, or such portion thereof, as to which no Joint Written Direction has been received, in a non-interest bearing money market account.
9. Resignation and Removal of Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent may resign from the performance of its duties hereunder at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the parties or may be removed, with or without cause, by the parties, acting jointly, by furnishing a Joint Written Direction to Escrow Agent, at any time by the giving of ten (10) days' prior written notice to Escrow Agent as provided herein below. Upon any such notice of resignation or removal, the representatives of the Investor and the Company identified in Sections 13a.(iv) and 13b.(iv), below, jointly shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder, which shall be a commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution with a combined capital and surplus in excess of US$10,000,000.00. Upon the acceptance in writing of any appointment of Escrow Agent hereunder by a successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Escrow Agent, and the retiring Escrow Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Escrow Agreement, but shall not be discharged from any liability for actions taken as Escrow Agent hereunder prior to such succession. After any retiring Escrow Agent's resignation or removal, the provisions of this Escrow Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement. The retiring Escrow Agent shall transmit all records pertaining to the Escrow Funds and shall pay all funds held by it in the Escrow Funds to the successor Escrow Agent, after making copies of such records as the retiring Escrow Agent deems advisable and after deduction and payment to the retiring Escrow Agent of all fees and expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) payable to, incurred by, or expected to be incurred by the retiring Escrow Agent in connection with the performance of its duties and the exercise of its rights hereunder.
10. Liability of Escrow Agent.
a. Escrow Agent shall have no liability or obligation with respect to the Escrow Funds except for Escrow Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence. Escrow Agent's sole responsibility shall be for the safekeeping, investment, and disbursement of the Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Escrow Agent shall have no implied duties or obligations and shall not be charged with knowledge or notice or any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein. Escrow Agent may rely upon any instrument, not only as to its due execution, validity and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which Escrow Agent shall in good faith believe to be genuine, to have been signed or presented by the person or parties purporting to sign the same and conform to the provisions of this Agreement. In no event shall Escrow Agent be liable for incidental, indirect, special, and consequential or punitive damages. Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to take any legal action or commence any proceeding in connection with the Escrow Funds, any account in which Escrow Funds are deposited, this Agreement or the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, or to appear in, prosecute or defend any such legal action or proceeding. Escrow Agent may consult legal counsel selected by it in the event of any dispute or question as to construction of any of the provisions hereof or of any other agreement or its duties hereunder, or relating to any dispute involving any party hereto, and shall incur no liability and shall be fully indemnified from any liability whatsoever in acting in accordance with the opinion or instructions of such counsel. The Company and the Investor jointly and severally shall promptly pay, upon demand, the reasonable fees and expenses of any such counsel and Escrow Agent is hereby authorized to pay such fees and expenses from funds held in escrow.
b. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in its sole discretion, to comply with orders issued or process entered by any court with respect to the Escrow Funds, without determination by the Escrow Agent of such court's jurisdiction in the matter. If any portion of the Escrow Funds is at any time attached, garnished or levied upon under any court order, or in case the payment, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of any such property shall be stayed or enjoined by any court order, or in any case any order judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court affecting such property or any part thereof, then and in any such event, the Escrow Agent is authorized, in its sole discretion, to rely upon and comply with any such order, writ judgment or decree which it is advised by legal counsel selected by it, binding upon it, without the need for appeal or other action; and if the Escrow Agent complies with any such order, writ, judgment or decree, it shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person or entity by reason of such compliance even though such order, writ judgment or decree may be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.
11. Indemnification of Escrow Agent. From and at all times after the date of this Agreement, the parties jointly and severally, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent provided herein, indemnify and hold harmless Escrow Agent and each director, officer, employee, attorney, agent and affiliate of Escrow Agent (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against any and all actions, claims (whether or not valid), losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including without limitation reasonable attorney's fees, costs and expenses) incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnified Parties from and after the date hereof, whether direct, indirect or consequential, as a result of or arising from or in any way relating to any claim, demand, suit, action, or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) by any person, including without limitation the parties to this Agreement, whether threatened or initiated, asserting a claim for any legal or equitable remedy against any person under any statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any federal or state securities laws, or under any common law or equitable cause or otherwise, arising from or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, performance or failure of performance of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein, whether or not any such Indemnified Party is a party to any such action or proceeding, suit or the target of any such inquiry or investigation; provided, however, that no Indemnified Party shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for liability finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, subject to no further appeal, to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. If any such action or claim shall be brought or asserted against any Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company and the Investor hereunder in writing, and the and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and the payment of all expenses. Such Indemnified Party shall, in its sole discretion, have the right to employ separate counsel (who may be selected by such Indemnified Party in its sole discretion) in any such action and to participate and to participate in the defense thereof, and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by such Indemnified Party, except that the Investor and/or the Company shall be required to pay such fees and expense if (a) the Investor or the Company agree to pay such fees and expenses, or (b) the Investor and/or the Company shall fail to assume the defense of such action or proceeding or shall fail, in the sole discretion of such Indemnified Party, to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in any such action or proceeding, (c) the Investor and the Company are the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding or (d) the named or potential parties to any such action or proceeding (including any potentially impleaded parties) include both Indemnified Party the Company and/or the Investor and Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company or the Investor. The Investor and the Company shall be jointly and severally liable to pay fees and expenses of counsel pursuant to the preceding sentence, except that any obligation to pay under clause (a) shall apply only to the party so agreeing. All such fees and expenses payable by the Company and/or the Investor pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be paid from time to time as incurred, both in advance of and after the final disposition of such action or claim. The obligations of the parties under this section shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent shall be independent of any obligation of Escrow Agent.
12. Expenses of Escrow Agent. Except as set forth in Section 11 the Company shall reimburse Escrow Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys' fees, travel expenses, telephone and facsimile transmission costs, postage (including express mail and overnight delivery charges), copying charges and the like as outlined in Section 12.4 of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof. All of the compensation and reimbursement obligations set forth in this Section shall be payable by the Company, upon demand by Escrow Agent. The obligations of the Company under this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of Escrow Agent.
13. Warranties.
a. The Investor makes the following representations and warranties to the Escrow Agent:
i. The Investor has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
ii. This Agreement has been duly approved by all necessary action of the Investor, including any necessary approval of the limited partner of the Investor, has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Investor's general partner, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
iii. The execution, delivery, and performance of the Investor of this Agreement will not violate, conflict with, or cause a default under the agreement of limited partnership of the Investor, any applicable law or regulation, any court order or administrative ruling or degree to which the Investor is a party or any of its property is subject, or any agreement, contract, indenture, or other binding arrangement.
iv. Mark A. Angelo has been duly appointed to act as the representative of Investor hereunder and has full power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, to execute and deliver any Joint Written Direction, to amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement, and to take any and all other actions as the Investor's representative under this Agreement, all without further consent or direction form, or notice to, the Investor or any other party.
v. No party other than the parties hereto have, or shall have, any lien, claim or security interest in the Escrow Funds or any part thereof. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file in any jurisdiction claiming a security interest in or describing (whether specifically or generally) the Escrow Funds or any part thereof.
vi. All of the representations and warranties of the Investor contained herein are true and complete as of the date hereof and will be true and complete at the time of any disbursement from the Escrow Funds.
b. The Company makes the following representations and warranties to Escrow Agent and the Investor:
i. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington, and has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
ii. This Agreement has been duly approved by all necessary corporate action of the Company, including any necessary shareholder approval, has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
iii. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Escrow Agreement is in accordance with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and will not violate, conflict with, or cause a default under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, any applicable law or regulation, any court order or administrative ruling or decree to which the Company is a party or any of its property is subject, or any agreement, contract, indenture, or other binding arrangement.
iv. Peter Rosenthal has been duly appointed to act as the representative of the Company hereunder and has full power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, to execute and deliver any Joint Written Direction, to amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement and to take all other actions as the Company's Representative under this Agreement, all without further consent or direction from, or notice to, the Company or any other party.
v. No party other than the parties hereto shall have, any lien, claim or security interest in the Escrow Funds or any part thereof. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file in any jurisdiction claiming a security interest in or describing (whether specifically or generally) the Escrow Funds or any part thereof.
vi. All of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein are true and complete as of the date hereof and will be true and complete at the time of any disbursement from the Escrow Funds.
14. Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. In the event that any party hereto commences a lawsuit or other proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey shall have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any such proceeding. If all such courts lack federal subject matter jurisdiction, the parties agree that the Superior Court Division of New Jersey, Chancery Division of Hudson County shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Any of these courts shall be proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding and the parties hereto waive any objection to such venue. The parties hereto consent to and agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified herein and agree to accept the service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts.
15. Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, by certified mail with return receipt requested and postage prepaid, when delivered personally, one (1) day delivery to any overnight courier, or when transmitted by facsimile transmission and addressed to the party to be notified as follows:
If to Investor, to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - - Suite 3700
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to Escrow Agent, to: David Gonzalez, Esq.
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
Or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by like notice.
16. Amendments or Waiver. This Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by a writing signed by the parties of the Escrow Agent. No delay or omission by any party in exercising any right with respect hereto shall operate as waiver. A waiver on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to, or waiver of, any right or remedy on any future occasion.
17. Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties relating to the holding, investment, and disbursement of the Escrow Funds and sets forth in their entirety the obligations and duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to the Escrow Funds.
20. Binding Effect. All of the terms of this Agreement, as amended from time to time, shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the Investor, the Company, or the Escrow Agent.
21. Execution of Counterparts. This Agreement and any Joint Written Direction may be executed in counter parts, which when so executed shall constitute one and same agreement or direction.
22. Termination. Upon the first to occur of the termination of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof or the disbursement of all amounts in the Escrow Funds and Common Stock into court pursuant to Section 7 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate and Escrow Agent shall have no further obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or the Escrow Funds or Common Stock.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above set forth.
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
&nb sp; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
&nb sp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Mark A. Angelo
&n bsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: David Gonzales, Esq.
Exhibit 4.4
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT
& nbsp; Dated as of: October __, 2004
Newbridge Securities Corporation
1451 Cypress Creek Road, Suite 204
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), hereby agrees with Newbridge Securities Corporation (the "Placement Agent") and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership (the "Investor"), as follows:
1. Offering. The Company hereby engages the Placement Agent to act as its exclusive placement agent in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Standby Equity Distribution Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company (the "Offering") up to Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars ($15,000,000) of the Company's common stock (the "Commitment Amount"), no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), at price per share equal to the Purchase Price, as that term is defined in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. The Placement Agent services shall consist of reviewing the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and advising the Company with respect to those terms.
All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. The Investor will be granted certain registration rights with respect to the Common Stock as more fully set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Investor dated the date hereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). The documents to be executed and delivered in connection with the Offering, including, but not limited, to the Company's latest Quarterly Report on Form10-QSB as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Escrow Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Escrow Agreement"), are referred to sometimes hereinafter collectively as the "Offering Materials." The Company's Common Stock purchased by the Investor hereunder or to be issued in connection with the conversion of any debentures are sometimes referred to hereinafter as the "Securities." The Placement Agent shall not be obligated to sell any Securities.
2. Compensation.
A. Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall issue to the Placement Agent or its designee shares of the Company's Common Stock in an amount equal to Ten Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$10,000) divided by the volume weighted average price of the Company's Common Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, LP, on the date hereof (the "Placement Agent's Shares"). The Placement Agent shall be entitled to "piggy-back" registration rights, which shall be triggered upon registration of any shares of Common Stock by the Investor with respect to the Placement Agent's Shares pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement dated the date hereof.
3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Placement Agent.
A. The Placement Agent represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
(i) The Placement Agent has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Placement Agent of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not result in any violation of, or be in conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Placement Agent is a party or by which the Placement Agent or its properties are bound, or any judgment, decree, order or, to the Placement Agent's knowledge, any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Placement Agent. This Agreement when executed and delivered by the Placement Agent, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Placement Agent, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity, or (c)the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy.
(iii) Upon receipt and execution of this Agreement, the Placement Agent will promptly forward copies of this Agreement to the Company or its counsel and the Investor or its counsel.
(iv) The Placement Agent will not intentionally take any action that it reasonably believes would cause the Offering to violate the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Rules and Regulations") or applicable "Blue Sky" laws of any state or jurisdiction.
(v) The Placement Agent is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and is a broker-dealer registered as such under the 1934 Act and under the securities laws of the states in which the Securities will be offered or sold by the Placement Agent unless an exemption for such state registration is available to the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent is in material compliance with the rules and regulations applicable to the Placement Agent generally and applicable to the Placement Agent's participation in the Offering.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
A. The Company represents and warrants as follows:
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of each of this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and the Registration Rights Agreement has been or will be duly and validly authorized by the Company and is, or with respect to this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and the Registration Rights Agreement, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except to the extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity or (c) the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy. The Securities to be issued pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and the certificates/instruments representing such Securities, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (1)the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (2) the enforceability thereof is subject to general principles of equity. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken by the Company.
(ii) The Company has a duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth herein and in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. The Company is not a party to or bound by any instrument, agreement or other arrangement providing for it to issue any capital stock, rights, warrants, options or other securities, except for this Agreement, the agreements described herein and as described in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, dated the date hereof and the agreements described therein. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company, have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission or preemptive rights with respect thereto and are not subject to personal liability solely by reason of being security holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of which 25,225,531 shares of Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
(iii) The Common Stock to be issued in accordance with this Agreement and the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement has been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement and the Compensation Debenture, the certificates/instruments representing such Common Stock will be validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof will not be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such holders; such Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holder of any security of the Company.
(iv) The Company has good and marketable title to, or valid and enforceable leasehold estates in, all items of real and personal property necessary to conduct its business (including, without limitation, any real or personal property stated in the Offering Materials to be owned or leased by the Company), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests and defects of any material nature whatsoever, other than those set forth in the Offering Materials and liens for taxes not yet due and payable.
(v) There is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against, or involving the properties or business of the Company, except as set forth in the Offering Materials.
(vi) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington. Except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, an interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture or other business entity. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the character of its operations requires such qualification or licensing and where failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and all material and necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies (domestic and foreign) to conduct its businesses (and proposed business) as described in the Offering Materials. Any disclosures in the Offering Materials concerning the effects of foreign, federal, state and local regulation on the Company's businesses as currently conducted and as contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Escrow Agreement, to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof and thereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection herewith and therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required by the Company for the issuance of the Securities or execution and delivery of the Offering Materials except for applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company, since its inception, has not incurred any liability arising under or as a result of the application of any of the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations.
(vii) There has been no material adverse change in the condition or prospects of the Company, financial or otherwise, from the latest dates as of which such condition or prospects, respectively, are set forth in the Offering Materials, and the outstanding debt, the property and the business of the Company conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Materials.
(viii) Except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company is not in breach of, or in default under, any term or provision of any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, note, loan or Standby Equity Distribution Agreement or any other material agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected. The Company is not in violation of any provision of its charter or by-laws or in violation of any franchise, license, permit, judgment, decree or order, or in violation of any material statute, rule or regulation. Neither the execution and delivery of the Offering Materials nor the issuance and sale or delivery of the Securities, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated in the Offering Materials nor the compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, has conflicted with or will conflict with, or has resulted in or will result in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or has constituted or will constitute a default under, or has resulted in or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject except (a) where such default, lien, charge or encumbrance would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and (b) as described in the Offering Materials; nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or the by-laws of the Company or, assuming the due performance by the Placement Agent of its obligations hereunder, any material statute or any material order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any court or of any foreign, federal, state or other regulatory authority or other government body having jurisdiction over the Company.
(ix) Subsequent to the dates as of which information is given in the Offering Materials, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or therein and the securities offered pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof, the Company has not (a) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money, or (b) entered into any transaction other than in the ordinary course of business, or (c) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect of its capital stock. Except as described in the Offering Materials, the Company has no outstanding obligations to any officer or director of the Company.
(x) There are no claims for services in the nature of a finder's or origination fee with respect to the sale of the Common Stock or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings that may affect the Placement Agent's compensation, as determined by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(xi) The Company owns or possesses, free and clear of all liens or encumbrances and rights thereto or therein by third parties, the requisite licenses or other rights to use all trademarks, service marks, copyrights, service names, trade names, patents, patent applications and licenses necessary to conduct its business (including, without limitation, any such licenses or rights described in the Offering Materials as being owned or possessed by the Company) and, except as set forth in the Offering Materials, there is no claim or action by any person pertaining to, or proceeding, pending or threatened, which challenges the exclusive rights of the Company with respect to any trademarks, service marks, copyrights, service names, trade names, patents, patent applications and licenses used in the conduct of the Company's businesses (including, without limitation, any such licenses or rights described in the Offering Materials as being owned or possessed by the Company) except any claim or action that would not have a material adverse effect on the Company; the Company's current products, services or processes do not infringe or will not infringe on the patents currently held by any third party.
(xii) Except as described in the Offering Materials, the Company is not under any obligation to pay royalties or fees of any kind whatsoever to any third party with respect to any trademarks, service marks, copyrights, service names, trade names, patents, patent applications, licenses or technology it has developed, uses, employs or intends to use or employ, other than to their respective licensors.
(xiii) Subject to the performance by the Placement Agent of its obligations hereunder the offer and sale of the Securities complies, and will continue to comply, in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the 1933 Act and any other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and executive orders. Neither the Offering Materials nor any amendment or supplement thereto nor any documents prepared by the Company in connection with the Offering will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All statements of material facts in the Offering Materials are true and correct as of the date of the Offering Materials.
(xiv) All material taxes which are due and payable from the Company have been paid in full or adequate provision has been made for such taxes on the books of the Company, except for those taxes disputed in good faith by the Company
(xv) None of the Company nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents, nor any other person acting on behalf of the Company, has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) which (A) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, or (B) if not given in the past, might have had a materially adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Offering Materials, or (C) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company in the future.
5. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Investor.
A. The Investor represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
(i) The Investor has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Investor of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not result in any violation of, or be in conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor or its properties are bound, or any judgment, decree, order or, to the Investor's knowledge, any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Investor. This Agreement when executed and delivered by the Investor, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (a) the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally, (b) the enforceability hereof or thereof is subject to general principles of equity, or (c) the indemnification provisions hereof or thereof may be held to be in violation of public policy.
(iii) The Investor will promptly forward copies of any and all due diligence questionnaires compiled by the Investor to the Placement Agent.
(iv) The Investor is an Accredited Investor (as defined under the 1933 Act).
(v) The Investor is acquiring the Securities for the Inventor's own account as principal, not as a nominee or agent, for investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or for, resale, distribution or fractionalization thereof in whole or in part and no other person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest in such Securities. Further, the Investor does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Securities.
(vi) The Investor acknowledges the Investor's understanding that the offering and sale of the Securities is intended to be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act by virtue of Section 3(b) of the 1933 Act and the provisions of Regulation D promulgated thereunder ("Regulation D"). In furtherance thereof, the Investor represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Investor has the financial ability to bear the economic risk of the Investor's investment, has adequate means for providing for the Inventor's current needs and personal contingencies and has no need for liquidity with respect to the Investor's investment in the Company; and
(b) The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment. The Inventor also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Securities.
(vii) The Investor has been given the opportunity for a reasonable time prior to the date hereof to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Company or its representatives concerning the terms and conditions of the Offering, and other matters pertaining to this investment, and has been given the opportunity for a reasonable time prior to the date hereof to obtain such additional information in connection with the Company in order for the Investor to evaluate the merits and risks of purchase of the Securities, to the extent the Company possesses such information or can acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense. The Investor is not relying on the Placement Agent or any of its affiliates with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the Offering Materials or for any economic considerations involved in this investment.
6. Certain Covenants and Agreements of the Company.
The Company covenants and agrees at its expense and without any expense to the Placement Agent as follows:
A. To advise the Placement Agent and the Investor of any material adverse change in the Company's financial condition, prospects or business or of any development materially affecting the Company or rendering untrue or misleading any material statement in the Offering Materials occurring at any time as soon as the Company is either informed or becomes aware thereof.
B. To use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock issuable in connection with the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement to be qualified or registered for sale on terms consistent with those stated in the Registration Rights Agreement and under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Placement Agent and the Investor shall reasonably request. Qualification, registration and exemption charges and fees shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Company.
C. Upon written request, to provide and continue to provide the Placement Agent and the Investor copies of all quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements prepared by or on behalf of the Company, other reports prepared by or on behalf of the Company for public disclosure and all documents delivered to the Company's stockholders.
D. To deliver, during the registration period of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, to the Investor upon the Investor's request, within forty five (45) days, a statement of its income for each such quarterly period, and its balance sheet and a statement of changes in stockholders' equity as of the end of such quarterly period, all in reasonable detail, certified by its principal financial or accounting officer; (ii) within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, its balance sheet as of the close of such fiscal year, together with a statement of income, a statement of changes in stockholders' equity and a statement of cash flow for such fiscal year, such balance sheet, statement of income, statement of changes in stockholders' equity and statement of cash flow to be in reasonable detail and accompanied by a copy of the certificate or report thereon of independent auditors if audited financial statements are prepared; and (iii) a copy of all documents, reports and information furnished to its stockholders at the time that such documents, reports and information are furnished to its stockholders.
E. To comply with the terms of the Offering Materials.
F. To ensure that any transactions between or among the Company, or any of its officers, directors and affiliates be on terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the Company, than the terms and conditions that would be available in an "arm's length" transaction with an independent third party.
7. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.
A. The Company hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Placement Agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the SEC's Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Rules and Regulations"), harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Placement Agent or such indemnified person of the Placement Agent may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (a) Section 4 of this Agreement, (b) the Offering Materials (except those written statements relating to the Placement Agent given by the Placement Agent for inclusion therein), (c) any application or other document or written communication executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Common Stock under the securities laws thereof, or any state securities commission or agency; (ii) the omission or alleged omission from documents described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company in this Agreement. The Company further agrees that upon demand by an indemnified person, at any time or from time to time, it will promptly reimburse such indemnified person for any loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense actually and reasonably paid by the indemnified person as to which the Company has indemnified such person pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 7(A), any such payment or reimbursement by the Company of fees, expenses or disbursements incurred by an indemnified person in any proceeding in which a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction (after all appeals or the expiration of time to appeal) is entered against the Placement Agent or such indemnified person based upon specific finding of fact that the Placement Agent or such indemnified person's gross negligence or willful misfeasance will be promptly repaid to the Company.
B. The Placement Agent hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Company and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Company, and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Company or such indemnified person of the Company may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Placement Agent in this Agreement, or (ii) any false or misleading information provided to the Company in writing by one of the Placement Agent's indemnified persons specifically for inclusion in the Offering Materials.
C. The Investor hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Placement Agent, and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Placement Agent or such indemnified person of the Placement Agent may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the conduct of the Investor or its officers, employees or representatives in its acting as the Investor for the Offering, (ii) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Investor in the Offering Materials, or (iii) any false or misleading information provided to the Placement Agent by one of the Investor's indemnified persons.
D. The Placement Agent hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the Investor and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Investor, and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations, harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable legal fees and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry or investigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, including any inquiry, investigation or pretrial proceeding such as a deposition) to which the Investor or such indemnified person of the Investor may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Rules and Regulations, or any other federal or state law or regulation, common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Placement Agent in this Agreement.
E. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of commencement of any action covered by Section 7(A), (B), (C) or (D), the party to be indemnified shall, within five (5) business days, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; the omission by one(1) indemnified party to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligation to indemnify any other indemnified party that has given such notice and shall not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability outside of this indemnification if not materially prejudiced thereby. In the event that any action is brought against the indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent it may desire, to assume and control the defense thereof with counsel chosen by it which is reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to so assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under such Section 7(A), (B), (C), or (D) for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, but the indemnified party may, at its own expense, participate in such defense by counsel chosen by it, without, however, impairing the indemnifying party's control of the defense. Subject to the proviso of this sentence and notwithstanding any other statement to the contrary contained herein, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to choose its or their own counsel and control the defense of any action, all at the expense of the indemnifying party if (i)the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection with the defense of such action at the expense of the indemnifying party, or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses of one additional counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstance, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties. No settlement of any action or proceeding against an indemnified party shall be made without the consent of the indemnifying party.
F. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 7(A) or 7(B) is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason held by a court to be unavailable on grounds of policy or otherwise, the Company and the Placement Agent shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the investigation or defense of same) which the other may incur in such proportion so that the Placement Agent shall be responsible for such percent of the aggregate of such losses, claims, damages and liabilities as shall equal the percentage of the gross proceeds paid to the Placement Agent and the Company shall be responsible for the balance; provided, however, that no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7(F), any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent, or any partner, director, officer, employee, representative or any agent of any thereof, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Placement Agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each officer of the Company and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against the other party under this Section 7(D), notify such party from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation they may have hereunder or otherwise if the party from whom contribution may be sought is not materially prejudiced thereby.
G. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified person or any termination of this Agreement.
H. The Company hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to or claim of any punitive, exemplary, incidental, indirect, special, consequential or other damages (including, without limitation, loss of profits) against the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the placement agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations arising out of any cause whatsoever (whether such cause be based in contract, negligence, strict liability, other tort or otherwise). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the aggregate liability of the Placement Agent and each officer, director, shareholder, employee or representative of the Placement Agent and each person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Placement Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act or the Rules and Regulations shall not exceed the compensation received by the Placement Agent pursuant to Section 2 hereof. This limitation of liability shall apply regardless of the cause of action, whether contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence) or breach of statute or any other legal or equitable obligation.
8. Payment of Expenses.
The Company hereby agrees to bear all of the expenses in connection with the Offering, including, but not limited to the following: filing fees, printing and duplicating costs, advertisements, postage and mailing expenses with respect to the transmission of Offering Materials, registrar and transfer agent fees, escrow agent fees and expenses, fees of the Company's counsel and accountants, issue and transfer taxes, if any.
9. Conditions of Closing.
The Closing shall be held at the offices of the Investor or its counsel. The obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Investor herein as of the date hereof and as of the Date of Closing (the "Closing Date") with respect to the Company or the Investor, as the case may be, as if it had been made on and as of such Closing Date; the accuracy on and as of the Closing Date of the statements of the officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; and the performance by the Company and the Investor on and as of the Closing Date of its covenants and obligations hereunder and to the following further conditions:
A. Upon the effectiveness of a registration statement covering the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, the Investor and the Placement Agent shall receive the opinion of Counsel to the Company, dated as of the date thereof, which opinion shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor, their counsel and the Placement Agent.
B. At or prior to the Closing, the Investor and the Placement Agent shall have been furnished such documents, certificates and opinions as it may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in this Agreement and the Offering Materials, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction of any of the representations, warranties or conditions herein contained.
C. At and prior to the Closing, (i) there shall have been no material adverse change nor development involving a prospective change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Offering Materials; (ii) there shall have been no transaction, not in the ordinary course of business except the transactions pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company on the date hereof which has not been disclosed in the Offering Materials or to the Placement Agent in writing; (iii) except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company shall not be in default under any provision of any instrument relating to any outstanding indebtedness for which a waiver or extension has not been otherwise received; (iv) except as set forth in the Offering Materials, the Company shall not have issued any securities (other than those to be issued as provided in the Offering Materials) or declared or paid any dividend or made any distribution of its capital stock of any class and there shall not have been any change in the indebtedness (long or short term) or liabilities or obligations of the Company (contingent or otherwise) and trade payable debt; (v) no material amount of the assets of the Company shall have been pledged or mortgaged, except as indicated in the Offering Materials; and (v) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, against the Company or affecting any of its properties or businesses shall be pending or threatened before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency, domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could materially adversely affect the businesses, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Offering Materials.
D. If requested at Closing the Investor and the Placement Agent shall receive a certificate of the Company signed by an executive officer and chief financial officer, dated as of the applicable Closing, to the effect that the conditions set forth in subparagraph (C) above have been satisfied and that, as of the applicable closing, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein are true and correct.
E. The Placement Agent shall have no obligation to insure that (x) any check, note, draft or other means of payment for the Common Stock will be honored, paid or enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, or (y) subject to the performance of the Placement Agent's obligations and the accuracy of the Placement Agent's representations and warranties hereunder, (1) the Offering is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act or any applicable state "Blue Sky" law or (2) the Investor is an Accredited Investor.
10. Termination.
This Agreement shall be co-terminus with, and terminate upon the same terms and conditions as those set forth in, the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement. The rights of the Investor and the obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement, and the rights of the Placement Agent and the obligations of the Company shall survive the termination of this Agreement unabridged.
11. Miscellaneous.
A. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all which shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
B. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, or when received if personally delivered or faxed (upon confirmation of receipt received by the sending party), addressed as follows to such other address of which written notice is given to the others):
If to Placement Agent, to: Newbridge Securities Corporation
1451 Cypress Creek Road, Suite 204
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Attention: Doug Aguililla
Telephone: (954) 334-3450
Facsimile: (954) 229-9937
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Investor: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - - Suite 3700
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Attention: Mark A. Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With copies to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
C. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects under the laws of the State of New Jersey, without reference to its conflict of laws rules or principles. Any suit, action, proceeding or litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought and prosecuted in such federal or state court or courts located within the State of New Jersey as provided by law. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to the jurisdiction of each such court or courts located within the State of New Jersey and to service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any other manner provided by applicable law, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any right to claim that any suit, action, proceeding or litigation so commenced has been commenced in an inconvenient forum.
D. This Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein contain the entire understanding between the parties hereto and may not be modified or amended except by a writing duly signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is sought.
E. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
&nbs p; COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
&nbs p; PLACEMENT AGENT:
&nbs p; NEWBRIDGE SECURITIES CORPORATION
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Guy S. Amico
&n bsp; Title: President
;
; INVESTOR:
&nbs p; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
&nb sp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Mark A. Angelo
&n bsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
Exhibit 4.5
THIS SECURED DEBENTURE, AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH IT IS CONVERTIBLE (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SECURITIES"), HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE. THE SECURITIES ARE BEING OFFERED PURSUANT TO A SAFE HARBOR FROM REGISTRATION UNDER REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"). THE SECURITIES ARE "RESTRICTED" AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT, PURSUANT TO REGULATION D OR PURSUANT TO AVAILABLE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND THE COMPANY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER SUCH INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE. FURTHER HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE MADE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT.
COMPENSATION DEBENTURE
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
Convertible Debenture
October ___, 2007
No. CCP-1 ___ ; US$425,000________
This Secured Debenture (the "Debenture") is issued on October ___, 2004 (the "Closing Date") by Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), to Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the "Holder") pursuant to exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ARTICLE I.
Section 1.01 Principal and Interest. For value received, the Company hereby promises to pay to the order of the Holder on October ___, 2007in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds the principal sum of Four Hundred Twenty Five U.S. Dollars(US$425,000). This Debenture is non-interest bearing. At the Company's option, the entire principal amount and all accrued interest shall be either (a) paid to the Holder on the third (3rd) year anniversary from the date hereof or (b) converted in accordance with Section1.02 herein provided, however, that in no event shall the Holder be entitled to convert this Debenture for a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of that number of shares of Common Stock which, upon giving effect to such conversion, would cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its affiliates to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock following such conversion.
Section 1.02 Optional Conversion. The Holder is entitled, at its option, to convert, and sell on the same day, at any time and from time to time, until payment in full of this Debenture, all or any part of the principal amount of the Debenture, plus accrued interest, into shares (the "Conversion Shares") of the Company's common stock, no par value per share("Common Stock"), at the price per share (the "Conversion Price") equal to the lesser of (a) an amount equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, LP (the "VWAP") as listed on a Principal Market (as defined herein), as quoted by Bloomberg L.P. (the "Fixed Price") as of the date hereof, or (b)an amount equal to one hundred percent(100%) of the average of the three (3) lowest VWAP of the Company's Common Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, LP, for the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the Conversion Date (as defined herein). Subparagraphs (a) and (b) above are individually referred to as a "Conversion Price". As used herein, "Principal Market" shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or American Stock Exchange. If the Common Stock is not traded on a Principal Market, the Closing Bid Price and/or the VWAP shall mean, the reported Closing Bid Price or the VWAP for the Common Stock, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., for the applicable periods. No fraction of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares will be issued on conversion, but the number of shares issuable shall be rounded to the nearest whole share. To convert this Debenture, the Holder hereof shall deliver written notice thereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit"A" to this Debenture, with appropriate insertions (the "Conversion Notice"), to the Company at its address as set forth herein. The date upon which the conversion shall be effective (the "Conversion Date") shall be deemed to be the date set forth in the Conversion Notice.
Section 1.03 Reservation of Common Stock. The Company shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of this Debenture, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect such conversion, based upon the Conversion Price. If at any time the Company does not have a sufficient number of Conversion Shares authorized and available, then the Company shall call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30)days of that time for the sole purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
Section 1.04 Registration Rights. The Company is obligated to register the resale of the Conversion Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement, between the Company and the Holder of even date herewith (the "Investor Registration Rights Agreement").
Section 1.05 Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, the Company will act as paying agent and registrar. The Company may change any paying agent, registrar, or Company-registrar by giving the Holder not less than ten(10) business days' written notice of its election to do so, specifying the name, address, telephone number and facsimile number of the paying agent or registrar. The Company may act in any such capacity.
Section 1.06 Secured Nature of Debenture. This Debenture is secured by all of the assets and property of the Company as set forth on Exhibit A to the Security Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and the Holder (the "Security Agreement"). As set forth in the Security Agreement, Holder's security interest shall terminate upon the occurrence of an Expiration Event as defined in the Security Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
Section 2.01 Amendments and Waiver of Default. The Debenture may not be amended. Notwithstanding the above, without the consent of the Holder, the Debenture may be amended to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to provide for assumption of the Company obligations to the Holder.
ARTICLE III.
Section 3.01 Events of Default. An Event of Default is defined as follows: (a) failure by the Company to pay amounts due hereunder within fifteen(15) days of the date of maturity of this Debenture; (b) failure by the Company to comply with the terms of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement; (c) failure by the Company's transfer agent to issue freely tradeable Common Stock to the Holder within five(5) days of the Company's receipt of the attached Notice of Conversion from Holder, following a declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement; (d) failure by the Company for ten(10) days after notice to it to comply with any of its other agreements in the Debenture; (e) events of bankruptcy or insolvency; (f) a breach by the Company of its obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreement or the Investor Registration Rights Agreement which is not cured by the Company within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice thereof. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Holder may, in its sole discretion, accelerate full repayment of all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon or may, notwithstanding any limitations contained in this Debenture and/or the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), convert all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.02 herein.
Section 3.02 Failure to Issue Unrestricted Common Stock. As indicated in Article III Section3.01, a breach by the Company of its obligations under the Investor Registration Rights Agreement shall be deemed an Event of Default, which if not cured within ten(10) days, shall entitle the Holder to accelerate full repayment of all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon or, notwithstanding any limitations contained in this Debenture and/or the Securities Purchase Agreement, to convert all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.02 herein. The Company acknowledges that failure to honor a Notice of Conversion shall cause irreparable harm to the Holder.
ARTICLE IV.
Section 4.01 Rights and Terms of Conversion. This Debenture, in whole or in part, may be converted at any time following the Closing Date, into shares of Common Stock at a price equal to the Conversion Price as described in Section 1.02 above.
Section 4.02 Re-issuance of Debenture. When the Holder elects to convert a part of the Debenture, then the Company shall reissue a new Debenture in the same form as this Debenture to reflect the new principal amount.
Section 4.03 Termination of Conversion Rights. The Holder's right to convert the Debenture into the Common Stock in accordance with paragraph 4.01 shall terminate on the date that is the third (3rd) year anniversary from the date hereof and this Debenture shall be automatically converted on that date in accordance with the formula set forth in Section4.01 hereof, and the appropriate shares of Common Stock and amount of interest shall be issued to the Holder.
ARTICLE V.
Section 5.01 Anti-dilution. In the event that the Company shall at any time subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or shall issue a stock dividend on the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision or the issuance of such dividend shall be proportionately decreased, and in the event that the Company shall at any time combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased, effective at the close of business on the date of such subdivision, dividend or combination as the case may be.
Section 5.02 Consent of Holder to Sell Capital Stock or Grant Security Interests. Except for the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, so long as any of the principal of or interest on this Debenture remains unpaid and unconverted, the Company shall not, without the prior consent of the Holder, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, issue or sell (i)any Common Stock or Preferred Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than its fair market value determined immediately prior to its issuance, (ii)issue or sell any Preferred Stock, warrant, option, right, contract, call, or other security or instrument granting the holder thereof the right to acquire Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than such Common Stock's fair market value determined immediately prior to its issuance, (iii) enter into any security instrument granting the holder a security interest in any of the assets of the Company, or (iv) file any registration statement on Form S-8.
ARTICLE VI.
Section 6.01 Notice. Notices regarding this Debenture shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses, unless a party notifies the other parties, in writing, of a change of address:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Holder: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street, Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07303
Attention: Mark Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
Section 6.02 Governing Law. This Debenture shall be deemed to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each of the parties consents to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court sitting in the District of the State of New Jersey or the state courts of the State of New Jersey sitting in Hudson County, New Jersey in connection with any dispute arising under this Debenture and hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection, including any objection based on forum non conveniens to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions.
Section 6.03 Severability. The invalidity of any of the provisions of this Debenture shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any of the other provisions of this Debenture, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6.04 Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Debenture represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no representations, warranties or commitments, except as set forth herein. This Debenture may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.
Section 6.05 Counterparts. This Debenture may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall be deemed to constitute on instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, with the intent to be legally bound hereby, the Company as executed this Debenture as of the date first written above.
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
EXHIBIT "A"
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(To be executed by the Holder in order to Convert the Note)
TO:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert $____________________ of the principal amount of the above Note into Shares of Common Stock of Sonoran Energy, Inc., according to the conditions stated therein, as of the Conversion Date written below.
Conversion Date: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Applicable Conversion Price: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Amount to be converted: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Amount of Debenture unconverted: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Conversion Price per share: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please issue the shares of Common Stock in the following name and to the following address:
Issue to: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Authorized Signature: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Title: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Broker DTC Participant Code: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Account Number: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Exhibit 4.6
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of October ___, 2004, by and among SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), and the Buyers listed on Schedule I attached hereto (individually, a "Buyer" or collectively "Buyers").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Buyer(s) are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration pursuant to Section 4(2) and/or Rule506 of Regulation D ("Regulation D") as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Company shall issue and sell to the Buyer(s), as provided herein, and the Buyer(s) shall purchase up to Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) of secured convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures"), which shall be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock") (as converted, the "Conversion Shares") of which Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000) shall be funded on the fifth (5th) business day following the date hereof (the "First Closing"), Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000) shall be funded on the fifth (5th) business day following the date the registration statement (the "Registration Statement") is filed, pursuant the Investor Registration Rights Agreement dated the date hereof, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") (the "Second Closing"), and Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) shall be funded on the fifth (5th) business day following on the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC (the "Third Closing") (individually referred to as a "Closing" collectively referred to as the "Closings"), for a total purchase price of up to Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), (the "Purchase Price") in the respective amounts set forth opposite each Buyer(s) name on Schedule I (the "Subscription Amount"); and
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering a Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Investor Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated there under, and applicable state securities laws; and
WHEREAS, the aggregate proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Debentures contemplated hereby shall be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement substantially in the form of the Escrow Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B.
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions").
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering a Security Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the "Security Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide the Buyer a security interest in Pledged Collateral (as this term is defined in the Security Agreement dated the date hereof) to secure Company's obligations under this Agreement, the Convertible Debenture, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, the Security Agreement or any other obligations of the Company to the Investor; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement the Company and the Buyer(s) hereby agree as follows:
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES.
(a) Purchase of Convertible Debentures. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Buyer agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at Closing (as defined herein below) and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Buyer, severally and not jointly, at Closing, Convertible Debentures in amounts corresponding with the Subscription Amount set forth opposite each Buyer's name on Schedule I hereto. Upon execution hereof by a Buyer, the Buyer shall wire transfer the Subscription Amount set forth opposite his name on Schedule I in same-day funds or a check payable to "David Gonzalez, Esq., as Escrow Agent for Sonoran Energy, Inc. /Cornell Capital Partners, LP", which Subscription Amount shall be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and disbursed in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Buyer may withdraw his Subscription Amount and terminate this Agreement as to such Buyer at any time after the execution hereof and prior to Closing (as hereinafter defined).
(b) Closing Date. The First Closing of the purchase and sale of the Convertible Debentures shall take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the fifth (5th) business day following the date hereof, subject to notification of satisfaction of the conditions to the First Closing set forth herein and in Sections 6 and 7 below (or such later date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the Buyer(s)) (the "First Closing Date"), the Second Closing of the purchase and sale of the Convertible Debentures shall take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the fifth (5th) business day following the date the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, subject to notification of satisfaction of the conditions to the Second Closing set forth herein and in Sections 6 and 7 below (or such later date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the Buyer(s)) (the "Second Closing Date") and the Third Closing of the purchase and sale of the Convertible Debentures shall take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the fifth (5th) business day following the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, subject to notification of satisfaction of the conditions to the Second Closing set forth herein and in Sections 6 and 7 below (or such later date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the Buyer(s)) (the "Third Closing Date") (collectively referred to a the "Closing Dates"). The Closings shall occur on the respective Closing Dates at the offices of Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC, 3700 Hudson Street, Suite 3700, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 (or such other place as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the Buyer(s)).
(c) Escrow Arrangements; Form of Payment. Upon execution hereof by Buyer(s) and pending the Closings, the aggregate proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Debentures to Buyer(s) pursuant hereto shall be deposited in a non-interest bearing escrow account with David Gonzalez, Esq., as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement between the Company, the Buyer(s) and the Escrow Agent in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Escrow Agreement"). Subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Dates, (i) the Escrow Agent shall deliver to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement such aggregate proceeds for the Convertible Debentures to be issued and sold to such Buyer(s), minus the $10,000 structuring fee referenced in Section 4(h) hereof and the $12,500 structuring fee referenced in Section 12.4 of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement of even date herewith, which shall be deducted and paid directly from the gross proceeds held in escrow of the First Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the Company's written wire instructions, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to each Buyer, Convertible Debentures which such Buyer(s) is purchasing in amounts indicated opposite such Buyer's name on Schedule I, duly executed on behalf of the Company.
2. BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
Each Buyer represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, that:
(a) Investment Purpose. Each Buyer is acquiring the Convertible Debentures and, upon conversion of Convertible Debentures, the Buyer will acquire the Conversion Shares then issuable, for its own account for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the 1933 Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, such Buyer reserves the right to dispose of the Conversion Shares at any time in accordance with or pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such Conversion Shares or an available exemption under the 1933 Act.
(b) Accredited Investor Status. Each Buyer is an "Accredited Investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.
(c) Reliance on Exemptions. Each Buyer understands that the Convertible Debentures are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Buyer's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Buyer to acquire such securities.
(d) Information. Each Buyer and its advisors (and his or, its counsel), if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and information he deemed material to making an informed investment decision regarding his purchase of the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares, which have been requested by such Buyer. Each Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and its management. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Buyer or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Buyer's right to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained in Section 3 below. Each Buyer understands that its investment in the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares involves a high degree of risk. Each Buyer is in a position regarding the Company, which, based upon employment, family relationship or economic bargaining power, enabled and enables such Buyer to obtain information from the Company in order to evaluate the merits and risks of this investment. Each Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares.
(e) No Governmental Review. Each Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares, or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares, nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares.
(f) Transfer or Resale. Each Buyer understands that except as provided in the Investor Registration Rights Agreement: (i) the Convertible Debentures have not been and are not being registered under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, or (B) such Buyer shall have delivered to the Company an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements; (ii) any sale of such securities made in reliance on Rule 144 under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule thereto)("Rule144") may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of such securities under circumstances in which the seller(or the person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other person is under any obligation to register such securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder. The Company reserves the right to place stop transfer instructions against the shares and certificates for the Conversion Shares.
(g) Legends. Each Buyer understands that the certificates or other instruments representing the Convertible Debentures and or the Conversion Shares shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TOWARD RESALE AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Company within two (2) business days shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of the Conversion Shares upon which it is stamped, if, unless otherwise required by state securities laws, (i) in connection with a sale transaction, provided the Conversion Shares are registered under the 1933 Act or (ii) in connection with a sale transaction, after such holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, which opinion shall be in form, substance and scope customary for opinions of counsel in comparable transactions, to the effect that a public sale, assignment or transfer of the Conversion Shares may be made without registration under the 1933 Act.
(h) Authorization, Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Buyer and is a valid and binding agreement of such Buyer enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors' rights and remedies.
(i) Receipt of Documents. Each Buyer and his or its counsel has received and read in their entirety: (i) this Agreement and each representation, warranty and covenant set forth herein, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, and the Irrevocable transfer Agent Instructions; (ii) all due diligence and other information necessary to verify the accuracy and completeness of such representations, warranties and covenants; (iii) the Company's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004; (iv) the Company's Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2004 and (v) answers to all questions each Buyer submitted to the Company regarding an investment in the Company; and each Buyer has relied on the information contained therein and has not been furnished any other documents, literature, memorandum or prospectus.
(j) Due Formation of Corporate and Other Buyers. If the Buyer(s) is a corporation, trust, partnership or other entity that is not an individual person, it has been formed and validly exists and has not been organized for the specific purpose of purchasing the Convertible Debentures and is not prohibited from doing so.
(k) No Legal Advice From the Company. Each Buyer acknowledges, that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with his or its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Each Buyer is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that, except as set forth in the SEC Documents (as defined herein):
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and its subsidiaries are corporations duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are incorporated, and have the requisite corporate power to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) Authorization, Enforcement, Compliance with Other Instruments. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, and any related agreements, and to issue the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions (as defined herein) and any related agreements by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Convertible Debentures the Conversion Shares and the reservation for issuance and the issuance of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders, (iii) this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and any related agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, (iv) this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and any related agreements constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies. The authorized officer of the Company executing this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and any related agreements knows of no reason why the Company cannot file the registration statement as required under the Investor Registration Rights Agreement or perform any of the Company's other obligations under such documents.
(c) Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of which 25,225,531 shares of Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. All of such outstanding shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3(f)), no shares of Common Stock are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, as of the date of this Agreement, (i) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities and (iii) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the 1933 Act (except pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement) and (iv) there are no outstanding registration statements and there are no outstanding comment letters from the SEC or any other regulatory agency. There are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Convertible Debentures as described in this Agreement. The Company has furnished to the Buyer true and correct copies of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), and the Company's By-laws, as in effect on the date hereof (the "By-laws"), and the terms of all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto other than stock options issued to employees and consultants.
(d) Issuance of Securities. The Convertible Debentures are duly authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, are free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. The Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance. Upon conversion or exercise in accordance with the Convertible Debentures the Conversion Shares will be duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) No Conflicts. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Investors Registration Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the Certifictae of Incorporation, any certificate of designations of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the By-laws or (ii) conflict with or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of The National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s OTC Bulletin Board on which the Common Stock is quoted) applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or affected. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws, respectively, or any material contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment, decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries. The business of the Company and its subsidiaries is not being conducted, and shall not be conducted in violation of any material law, ordinance, or regulation of any governmental entity. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the 1933 Act and any applicable state securities laws, the Company is not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, all consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the date hereof. The Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstance, which might give rise to any of the foregoing.
(f) SEC Documents: Financial Statements. Since January 1, 2002, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC under of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof or amended after the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being hereinafter referred to as the "SEC Documents"). The Company has delivered to the Buyers or their representatives, or made available through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov., true and complete copies of the SEC Documents. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company disclosed in the SEC Documents (the "Financial Statements") complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such Financial Statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and, fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No other information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the Buyer which is not included in the SEC Documents, including, without limitation, information referred to in this Agreement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(g) 10(b)-5. The SEC Documents do not include any untrue statements of material fact, nor do they omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(h) Absence of Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending against or affecting the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company's subsidiaries, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would (i) have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated hereby (ii) adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under, this Agreement or any of the documents contemplated herein, or (iii) except as expressly disclosed in the SEC Documents, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(i) Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer's Purchase of the Convertible Debentures. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer(s) is acting solely in the capacity of an arm's length purchaser with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Buyer(s) is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and any advice given by the Buyer(s) or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is merely incidental to such Buyer's purchase of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares. The Company further represents to the Buyer that the Company's decision to enter into this Agreement has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives.
(j) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares.
(k) No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares under the 1933 Act or cause this offering of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the 1933 Act.
(l) Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is any such dispute threatened. None of the Company's or its subsidiaries' employees is a member of a union and the Company and its subsidiaries believe that their relations with their employees are good.
(m) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. The Company and its subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights of others, and, to the knowledge of the Company there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company's knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or its subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement; and the Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing.
(n) Environmental Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval.
(o) Title. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.
(p) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(q) Regulatory Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit.
(r) Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability, and (iii) the recorded amounts for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(s) No Material Adverse Breaches, etc. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of the Company's officers has or is expected in the future to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in breach of any contract or agreement which breach, in the judgment of the Company's officers, has or is expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries.
(t) Tax Status. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of its subsidiaries has made and filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject and (unless and only to the extent that the Company and each of its subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any such claim.
(u) Certain Transactions. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, and except for arm's length transactions pursuant to which the Company makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no less favorable than the Company could obtain from third parties and other than the grant of stock options disclosed in the SEC Documents, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.
(v) Fees and Rights of First Refusal. The Company is not obligated to offer the securities offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis or otherwise to any third parties including, but not limited to, current or former shareholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.
4. COVENANTS.
(a) Best Efforts. Each party shall use its best efforts timely to satisfy each of the conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement.
(b) Form D. The Company agrees to file a Form D with respect to the Conversion Shares as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to each Buyer promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary to qualify the Conversion Shares, or obtain an exemption for the Conversion Shares for sale to the Buyers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyers on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Reporting Status. Until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Buyer(s) may sell all of the Conversion Shares without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor thereto), or (ii) the date on which (A) the Buyer(s) shall have sold all the Conversion Shares and (B) none of the Convertible Debentures are outstanding (the "Registration Period"), the Company shall file in a timely manner all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act and the regulations of the SEC thereunder, and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would otherwise permit such termination.
(d) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Debentures for general corporate and working capital purposes.
(e) Reservation of Shares. The Company shall take all action reasonably necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be necessary to effect the issuance of the Conversion Shares. If at any time the Company does not have available such shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all of the Conversion Shares of the Company shall call and hold a special meeting of the shareholders within thirty (30) days of such occurrence, for the sole purpose of increasing the number of shares authorized. The Company's management shall recommend to the shareholders to vote in favor of increasing the number of shares of Common Stock authorized. Management shall also vote all of its shares in favor of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
(f) Listings or Quotation. The Company shall promptly secure the listing or quotation of the Conversion Shares upon each national securities exchange, automated quotation system or The National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board ("OTCBB") or other market, if any, upon which shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall use its best efforts to maintain, so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all Conversion Shares from time to time issuable under the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall maintain the Common Stock's authorization for quotation on the OTCBB.
(g) Fees and Expenses. Each of the Company and the Buyer(s) shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by such party in connection with the negotiation, investigation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions. The Buyer(s) shall be entitled to a ten percent (10%) discount on the Purchase Price.
(h) Structuring Fees. The Company shall pay to the Buyer(s) a structuring fee in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) shall be paid directly from the proceeds of the First Closing.
(i) Corporate Existence. So long as any of the Convertible Debentures remain outstanding, the Company shall not directly or indirectly consummate any merger, reorganization, restructuring, reverse stock split consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or any similar transaction or related transactions (each such transaction, an "Organizational Change") unless, prior to the consummation an Organizational Change, the Company obtains the written consent of each Buyer. In any such case, the Company will make appropriate provision with respect to such holders' rights and interests to insure that the provisions of this Section 4(h) will thereafter be applicable to the Convertible Debentures.
(j) Transactions With Affiliates. So long as any Convertible Debentures are outstanding, the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries not to, enter into, amend, modify or supplement, or permit any subsidiary to enter into, amend, modify or supplement any agreement, transaction, commitment, or arrangement with any of its or any subsidiary's officers, directors, person who were officers or directors at any time during the previous two (2) years, stockholders who beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the Common Stock, or Affiliates (as defined below) or with any individual related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any such individual or with any entity in which any such entity or individual owns a five percent (5%) or more beneficial interest (each a "Related Party"), except for (a) customary employment arrangements and benefit programs on reasonable terms, (b) any investment in an Affiliate of the Company, (c) any agreement, transaction, commitment, or arrangement on an arms-length basis on terms no less favorable than terms which would have been obtainable from a person other than such Related Party, (d) any agreement transaction, commitment, or arrangement which is approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, for purposes hereof, any director who is also an officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall not be a disinterested director with respect to any such agreement, transaction, commitment, or arrangement. "Affiliate" for purposes hereof means, with respect to any person or entity, another person or entity that, directly or indirectly, (i) has a ten percent (10%) or more equity interest in that person or entity, (ii) has ten percent (10%) or more common ownership with that person or entity, (iii) controls that person or entity, or (iv)shares common control with that person or entity. "Control" or "controls" for purposes hereof means that a person or entity has the power, direct or indirect, to conduct or govern the policies of another person or entity.
(k) Transfer Agent. The Company covenants and agrees that, in the event that the Company's agency relationship with the transfer agent should be terminated for any reason prior to a date which is two (2) years after the Closing Date, the Company shall immediately appoint a new transfer agent and shall require that the new transfer agent execute and agree to be bound by the terms of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions (as defined herein).
(l) Restriction on Issuance of the Capital Stock. So long as any Convertible Debentures are outstanding, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Buyer(s), issue or sell shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (i) without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Bid Price of the Common Stock determined immediately prior to its issuance, (ii) issue any warrant, option, right, contract, call, or other security instrument granting the holder thereof, the right to acquire Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration less than such Common Stock's Bid Price value determined immediately prior to it's issuance, (iii) enter into any security instrument granting the holder a security interest in any and all assets of the Company, or (iv) file any registration statement on Form S-8.
5. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.
The Company shall issue the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions to its transfer agent irrevocably appointing David Gonzalez, Esq. as its agent for purpose of having certificates issued, registered in the name of the Buyer(s) or its respective nominee(s), for the Conversion Shares representing such amounts of Convertible Debentures as specified from time to time by the Buyer(s) to the Company upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures, for interest owed pursuant to the Convertible Debenture, and for any and all Liquidated Damages (as this term is defined in the Investor Registration Rights Agreement). Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC shall be paid a cash fee of Fifty Dollars ($50) for every occasion they act pursuant to the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions. The Company shall not change its transfer agent without the express written consent of the Buyer(s), which may be withheld by the Buyer(s) in its sole discretion. Prior to registration of the Conversion Shares under the 1933 Act, all such certificates shall bear the restrictive legend specified in Section 2(g) of this Agreement. The Company warrants that no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5, and stop transfer instructions to give effect to Section 2(g) hereof (in the case of the Conversion Shares prior to registration of such shares under the 1933 Act) will be given by the Company to its transfer agent and that the Conversion Shares shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company as and to the extent provided in this Agreement and the Investor Registration Rights Agreement. Nothing in this Section 5 shall affect in any way the Buyer's obligations and agreement to comply with all applicable securities laws upon resale of Conversion Shares. If the Buyer(s) provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, in form, scope and substance customary for opinions of counsel in comparable transactions to the effect that registration of a resale by the Buyer(s) of any of the Conversion Shares is not required under the 1933 Act, the Company shall within two (2) business days instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates in such name and in such denominations as specified by the Buyer. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Buyer by vitiating the intent and purpose of the transaction contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5 will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section5, that the Buyer(s) shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO SELL.
The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the Convertible Debentures to the Buyer(s) at the Closings is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Dates, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company's sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion:
(a) Each Buyer shall have executed this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Investor Registration Rights Agreement and the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and delivered the same to the Company.
(b) The Buyer(s) shall have delivered to the Escrow Agent the Purchase Price for Convertible Debentures in respective amounts as set forth next to each Buyer as outlined on Schedule I attached hereto and the Escrow Agent shall have delivered the net proceeds to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available U.S. funds pursuant to the wire instructions provided by the Company.
(c) The representations and warranties of the Buyer(s) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Dates as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date), and the Buyer(s) shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Buyer(s) at or prior to the Closing Dates.
(d) The Company shall have filed a form UCC-1 with regard to the Pledged Property and Pledged Collateral as detailed in the Security Agreement dated the date hereof and provided proof of such filing to the Buyer(s).
7. CONDITIONS TO THE BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.
The obligation of the Buyer(s) hereunder to purchase the Convertible Debentures at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
(a) The Company shall have executed this Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Convertible Debenture, the Escrow Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Instructions and the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, and delivered the same to the Buyer(s).
(b) The Common Stock shall be authorized for quotation on the OTCBB, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended for any reason and all of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures shall be approved the OTCBB.
(c) The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties is already qualified as to materiality in Section 3 above, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct without further qualification) as of the date when made and as of the Closing Dates as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Dates. If requested by the Buyer, the Buyer shall have received a certificate, executed by the President of the Company, dated as of the Closing Dates, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer including, without limitation an update as of the Closing Dates regarding the representation contained in Section 3(c) above.
(d) The Company shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer(s) the Convertible Debentures in the respective amounts set forth opposite each Buyer(s) name on Schedule I attached hereto.
(e) The Buyer(s) shall have received an opinion of counsel from Dieterich & Associates in a form satisfactory to the Buyer(s).
(f) The Company shall have provided to the Buyer(s) a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state from the state in which the company is incorporated.
(g) As of the Closing Date, the Company shall have reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Convertible Debentures, shares of Common Stock to effect the conversion of all of the Conversion Shares then outstanding.
(h) The Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer, shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company's transfer agent.
(i) The Company shall have provided to the Investor an acknowledgement, to the satisfaction of the Investor, from Cordovano & Honeck PC as to its ability to provide all consents required in order to file a registration statement in connection with this transaction.
(j) The Company shall have filed a form UCC-1 or such other forms as may be required to perfect the Buyer's interest in the Pledged Property and Pledged Collateral as detailed in the Security Agreement dated the date hereof and provided proof of such filing to the Buyer(s).
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) In consideration of the Buyer's execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares hereunder, and in addition to all of the Company's other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer(s) and each other holder of the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares, and all of their officers, directors, employees and agents( including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "Buyer Indemnitees") from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Buyer Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (the "Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by the Buyer Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement, the Convertible Debentures or the Investor Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement, or the Investor Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Indemnities, any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Convertible Debentures or the status of the Buyer or holder of the Convertible Debentures the Conversion Shares, as a Buyer of Convertible Debentures in the Company. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.
(b) In consideration of the Company's execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Buyer's other obligations under this Agreement, the Buyer shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its officers, directors, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "Company Indemnitees") from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer(s) in this Agreement, , instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Buyer, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Buyer(s) contained in this Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Buyer, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Company Indemnitee based on material misrepresentations or due to a material breach and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Company Indemnities. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by each Buyer may be unenforceable for any reason, each Buyer shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.
9. GOVERNING LAW: MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties further agree that any action between them shall be heard in Hudson County, New Jersey, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of New Jersey, sitting in Hudson County and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey sitting in Newark, New Jersey for the adjudication of any civil action asserted pursuant to this Paragraph.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event any signature page is delivered by facsimile transmission, the party using such means of delivery shall cause four (4) additional original executed signature pages to be physically delivered to the other party within five (5) days of the execution and delivery hereof.
(c) Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
(e) Entire Agreement, Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyer(s), the Company, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor any Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party to be charged with enforcement.
(f) Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers, or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon confirmation of receipt, when sent by facsimile; (iii) three (3) days after being sent by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested, or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Transfer Agent, to: Nevada Agency & Trust
50 W. Liberty - - Suite 880
Reno, NV 89501
Attention:_____________
Telephone: (775) 322-0626
Facsimile: (775) 322-5623
With Copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to the Buyer(s), to its address and facsimile number on Schedule I, with copies to the Buyer's counsel as set forth on Schedule I. Each party shall provide five (5) days' prior written notice to the other party of any change in address or facsimile number.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Neither the Company nor any Buyer shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.
(h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person.
(i) Survival. Unless this Agreement is terminated under Section 9(l), the representations and warranties of the Company and the Buyer(s) contained in Sections 2 and 3, the agreements and covenants set forth in Sections 4, 5 and 9, and the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 8, shall survive the Closing for a period of two (2) years following the date on which the Convertible Debentures are converted in full. The Buyer(s) shall be responsible only for its own representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereunder.
(j) Publicity. The Company and the Buyer(s) shall have the right to approve, before issuance any press release or any other public statement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby made by any party; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the Buyer(s), to issue any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions required under applicable securities or other laws or regulations (the Company shall use its best efforts to consult the Buyer(s) in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure prior to its release and Buyer(s) shall be provided with a copy thereof upon release thereof).
(k) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) Termination. In the event that the Closing shall not have occurred with respect to the Buyers on or before five (5) business days from the date hereof due to the Company's or the Buyer's failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7 above (and the non-breaching party's failure to waive such unsatisfied condition(s)), the non-breaching party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement with respect to such breaching party at the close of business on such date without liability of any party to any other party; provided, however, that if this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to this Section 9(l), the Company shall remain obligated to reimburse the Buyer(s) for the fees and expenses of Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC described in Section 4(g) above.
(m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
[REMAINDER PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyers and the Company have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
&nbs p; COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: _____________________________________
�� &n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF INVESTOR REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT C
TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS
SCHEDULE I
SCHEDULE OF BUYERS
Name | Signature | Address/Facsimile Number of Buyer | Amount of Subscription |
| | | |
Cornell Capital Partners | By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC | 101 Hudson Street - Suite 3700 | $ 2,000,000 |
| Its: General Manager | Jersey City, NJ 07303 Facsimile: (201) 985-8266 | |
| By: ____________________________ Name: Mark A. angelo Its: Portfolio Manager | | |
&n bsp;
Exhibit 4.7THIS SECURED DEBENTURE, AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH IT IS CONVERTIBLE (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SECURITIES"), HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE. THE SECURITIES ARE BEING OFFERED PURSUANT TO A SAFE HARBOR FROM REGISTRATION UNDER REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"). THE SECURITIES ARE "RESTRICTED" AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT, PURSUANT TO REGULATION D OR PURSUANT TO AVAILABLE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND THE COMPANY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER SUCH INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE. FURTHER HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE MADE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT.
SECURED DEBENTURE
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
5% Secured Convertible Debenture
October ___, 2007
No. CCP-001 &n bsp; US$800,000
This Secured Debenture (the "Debenture") is issued on October ___, 2004 (the "Closing Date") by Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), to Cornell Capital Partners, LP (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the "Holder") pursuant to exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ARTICLE I.
Section 1.01 Principal and Interest. For value received, the Company hereby promises to pay to the order of the Holder on October ___, 2007in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds the principal sum of Eight Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$800,000), together with interest on the unpaid principal of this Debenture at the rate of five percent(5%) per year (computed on the basis of a 365-day year and the actual days elapsed) from the date of this Debenture until paid. At the Company's option, the entire principal amount and all accrued interest shall be either (a) paid to the Holder on the third (3rd) year anniversary from the date hereof or (b) converted in accordance with Section1.02 herein provided, however, that in no event shall the Holder be entitled to convert this Debenture for a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of that number of shares of Common Stock which, upon giving effect to such conversion, would cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its affiliates to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock following such conversion.
Section 1.02 Optional Conversion. The Holder is entitled, at its option, to convert, and sell on the same day, at any time and from time to time, until payment in full of this Debenture, all or any part of the principal amount of the Debenture, plus accrued interest, into shares (the "Conversion Shares") of the Company's common stock, no par value per share("Common Stock"), at the price per share (the "Conversion Price") equal to the lesser of (a)an amount equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the closing bid price of the Common Stock as listed on a Principal Market (as defined herein), as quoted by Bloomberg L.P. (the "Fixed Price") as of the date hereof, or (b)an amount equal to one hundred percent(100%) of the average of the three (3) lowest volume weighted average price of the Company's Common Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, LP (the "VWAP"), for the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the Conversion Date (as defined herein). Subparagraphs(a) and (b) above are individually referred to as a "Conversion Price". As used herein, "Principal Market" shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or American Stock Exchange. If the Common Stock is not traded on a Principal Market, the Closing Bid Price and/or the VWAP shall mean, the reported Closing Bid Price or the VWAP for the Common Stock, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., for the applicable periods. No fraction of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares will be issued on conversion, but the number of shares issuable shall be rounded to the nearest whole share. To convert this Debenture, the Holder hereof shall deliver written notice thereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit "A" to this Debenture, with appropriate insertions (the "Conversion Notice"), to the Company at its address as set forth herein. The date upon which the conversion shall be effective (the "Conversion Date") shall be deemed to be the date set forth in the Conversion Notice.
Section 1.03 Reservation of Common Stock. The Company shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of this Debenture, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect such conversion, based upon the Conversion Price. If at any time the Company does not have a sufficient number of Conversion Shares authorized and available, then the Company shall call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30)days of that time for the sole purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
Section 1.04 Right of Redemption. The Company at its option shall have the right to redeem, with three (3) business days advance written notice (the "Redemption Notice"), a portion or all outstanding convertible debenture. The redemption price shall be one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the amount redeemed plus accrued interest.
In the event the Company exercises a redemption of either all or a portion the Convertible Debenture, the Holder shall receive a warrant to purchase fifty thousand (50,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock for every One Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars(US$100,000) redeemed, pro rata (the "Warrant"). The Warrant shall be exercisable on a "cash basis" and have an exercise price of one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Closing Bid Price of the Company's Common Stock on the Closing Date. The Warrant shall have "piggy-back" and demand registration rights and shall survive for two (2) years from the Closing Date.
Section 1.05 Registration Rights. The Company is obligated to register the resale of the Conversion Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement, between the Company and the Holder of even date herewith (the "Investor Registration Rights Agreement").
Section 1.06 Interest Payments. The interest so payable will be paid at the time of maturity or conversion to the person in whose name this Debenture is registered. At the time such interest is payable, the Holder, in its sole discretion, may elect to receive the interest in cash (via wire transfer or certified funds) or in the form of Common Stock. In the event of default, as described in Article III Section3.01 hereunder, the Holder may elect that the interest be paid in cash (via wire transfer or certified funds) or in the form of Common Stock. If paid in the form of Common Stock, the amount of stock to be issued will be calculated as follows: the value of the stock shall be the Closing Bid Price on: (i)the date the interest payment is due; or (ii) if the interest payment is not made when due, the date the interest payment is made. A number of shares of Common Stock with a value equal to the amount of interest due shall be issued. No fractional shares will be issued; therefore, in the event that the value of the Common Stock per share does not equal the total interest due, the Company will pay the balance in cash.
Section 1.07 Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, the Company will act as paying agent and registrar. The Company may change any paying agent, registrar, or Company-registrar by giving the Holder not less than ten (10) business days' written notice of its election to do so, specifying the name, address, telephone number and facsimile number of the paying agent or registrar. The Company may act in any such capacity.
Section 1.08 Secured Nature of Debenture. This Debenture is secured by all of the assets and property of the Company as set forth on Exhibit A to the Security Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and the Holder (the "Security Agreement"). As set forth in the Security Agreement, Holder's security interest shall terminate upon the occurrence of an Expiration Event as defined in the Security Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
Section 2.01 Amendments and Waiver of Default. The Debenture may not be amended. Notwithstanding the above, without the consent of the Holder, the Debenture may be amended to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to provide for assumption of the Company obligations to the Holder.
ARTICLE III.
Section 3.01 Events of Default. An Event of Default is defined as follows: (a) failure by the Company to pay amounts due hereunder within fifteen(15) days of the date of maturity of this Debenture; (b) failure by the Company to comply with the terms of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement; (c) failure by the Company's transfer agent to issue freely tradeable Common Stock to the Holder within five(5) days of the Company's receipt of the attached Notice of Conversion from Holder, following a declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement; (d) failure by the Company for ten(10) days after notice to it to comply with any of its other agreements in the Debenture; (e)events of bankruptcy or insolvency; (f) a breach by the Company of its obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreement or the Investor Registration Rights Agreement which is not cured by the Company within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice thereof. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Holder may, in its sole discretion, accelerate full repayment of all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon or may, notwithstanding any limitations contained in this Debenture and/or the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), convert all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.02 herein.
Section 3.02 Failure to Issue Unrestricted Common Stock. As indicated in Article III Section3.01, a breach by the Company of its obligations under the Investor Registration Rights Agreement shall be deemed an Event of Default, which if not cured within ten(10) days, shall entitle the Holder to accelerate full repayment of all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon or, notwithstanding any limitations contained in this Debenture and/or the Securities Purchase Agreement, to convert all debentures outstanding and accrued interest thereon into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.02 herein. The Company acknowledges that failure to honor a Notice of Conversion shall cause irreparable harm to the Holder.
ARTICLE IV.
Section 4.01 Rights and Terms of Conversion. This Debenture, in whole or in part, may be converted at any time following the Closing Date, into shares of Common Stock at a price equal to the Conversion Price as described in Section 1.02 above.
Section 4.02 Re-issuance of Debenture. When the Holder elects to convert a part of the Debenture, then the Company shall reissue a new Debenture in the same form as this Debenture to reflect the new principal amount.
Section 4.03 Termination of Conversion Rights. The Holder's right to convert the Debenture into the Common Stock in accordance with paragraph 4.01 shall terminate on the date that is the third (3rd) year anniversary from the date hereof and this Debenture shall be automatically converted on that date in accordance with the formula set forth in Section4.01 hereof, and the appropriate shares of Common Stock and amount of interest shall be issued to the Holder.
ARTICLE V.
Section 5.01 Anti-dilution. In the event that the Company shall at any time subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or shall issue a stock dividend on the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision or the issuance of such dividend shall be proportionately decreased, and in the event that the Company shall at any time combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased, effective at the close of business on the date of such subdivision, dividend or combination as the case may be.
Section 5.02 Consent of Holder to Sell Capital Stock or Grant Security Interests. Except for the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof between the Company and Cornell Capital Partners, LP, so long as any of the principal of or interest on this Debenture remains unpaid and unconverted, the Company shall not, without the prior consent of the Holder, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, issue or sell (i) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than its fair market value determined immediately prior to its issuance, (ii) issue or sell any Preferred Stock, warrant, option, right, contract, call, or other security or instrument granting the holder thereof the right to acquire Common Stock without consideration or for a consideration per share less than such Common Stock's fair market value determined immediately prior to its issuance, (iii) enter into any security instrument granting the holder a security interest in any of the assets of the Company, or (iv) file any registration statement on Form S-8.
ARTICLE VI.
Section 6.01 Notice. Notices regarding this Debenture shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses, unless a party notifies the other parties, in writing, of a change of address:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to the Holder: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street, Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
Section 6.02 Governing Law. This Debenture shall be deemed to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each of the parties consents to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court sitting in the District of the State of New Jersey or the state courts of the State of New Jersey sitting in Hudson County, New Jersey in connection with any dispute arising under this Debenture and hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection, including any objection based on forum non conveniens to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions.
Section 6.03 Severability. The invalidity of any of the provisions of this Debenture shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any of the other provisions of this Debenture, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6.04 Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Debenture represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no representations, warranties or commitments, except as set forth herein. This Debenture may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.
Section 6.05 Counterparts. This Debenture may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall be deemed to constitute on instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, with the intent to be legally bound hereby, the Company as executed this Debenture as of the date first written above.
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp;
& nbsp; By: ________________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
Title: CEO
EXHIBIT "A"
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(To be executed by the Holder in order to Convert the Note)
TO:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert $____________________ of the principal amount of the above Note into Shares of Common Stock of Sonoran Energy, Inc., according to the conditions stated therein, as of the Conversion Date written below.
Conversion Date: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Applicable Conversion Price: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Amount to be converted: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Amount of Debenture unconverted: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Conversion Price per share: $__________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please issue the shares of Common Stock in the following name and to the following address:
Issue to: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Authorized Signature: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Title: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Broker DTC Participant Code: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Account Number: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Exhibit 4.8
SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), is entered into and made effective as of October __, 2004, by and between SONORAN ENERGY, INC., (the "Company"), and the BUYER(S) listed on Schedule I attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Secured Party").
WHEREAS, the Company shall issue and sell to the Secured Party, as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement dated the date hereof, and the Secured Party shall purchase up to Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) of five percent (5%) secured convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures"), which shall be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock") (as converted, the "Conversion Shares"), for a total purchase price of up to Two Million Dollars($2,000,000), in the respective amounts set forth opposite each Buyer(s) name on ScheduleI attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement;
WHEREAS, to induce the Secured Party to enter into the transaction contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Secured Convertible Debenture, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, and the Escrow Agreement (collectively referred to as the "Transaction Documents"), the Company hereby grants to the Secured Party a security interest in and to the pledged property identified on Exhibit "A" hereto (collectively referred to as the "Pledged Property") until the satisfaction of the Obligations, as defined herein below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Section 1.1 Recitals.
The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by this reference.
Section 1.2 Interpretations.
Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any person other than the Secured Party any right, remedy or claim under or by reason hereof.
Section 1.3 Obligations Secured.
The obligations secured hereby are any and all obligations of the Company now existing or hereinafter incurred to the Secured Party, whether oral or written and whether arising before, on or after the date hereof including, without limitation, those obligations of the Company to the Secured Party under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Secured Convertible Debenture, the Investor Registration Rights Agreement and Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, and any other amounts now or hereafter owed to the Secured Party by the Company thereunder or hereunder (collectively, the "Obligations").
ARTICLE II
PLEDGED COLLATERAL, ADMINISTRATION OF COLLATERAL
AND TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST
Section 2.1 Pledged Property.
(a) Company hereby pledges to the Secured Party, and creates in the Secured Party for its benefit, a security interest for such time until the Obligations are paid in full, in and to all of the property of the Company as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto (collectively, the "Pledged Property"):
The Pledged Property, as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto, and the products thereof and the proceeds of all such items are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Pledged Collateral."
(b) Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, file, record and deliver to the Secured Party any documents reasonably requested by the Secured Party to perfect its security interest in the Pledged Property. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Secured Party such documents and instruments, including, without limitation, financing statements, certificates, affidavits and forms as may, in the Secured Party's reasonable judgment, be necessary to effectuate, complete or perfect, or to continue and preserve, the security interest of the Secured Party in the Pledged Property, and the Secured Party shall hold such documents and instruments as secured party, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein.
Section 2.2 Rights; Interests; Etc.
(a) So long as no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred and be continuing:
(i) the Company shall be entitled to exercise any and all rights pertaining to the Pledged Property or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms hereof; and
(ii) the Company shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all payments paid or made in respect of the Pledged Property.
(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) All rights of the Company to exercise the rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section2.2(a)(i)hereof and to receive payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section2.2(a)(ii)hereof shall be suspended, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such rights and to receive and hold as Pledged Collateral such payments; provided, however, that if the Secured Party shall become entitled and shall elect to exercise its right to realize on the Pledged Collateral pursuant to Article5 hereof, then all cash sums received by the Secured Party, or held by Company for the benefit of the Secured Party and paid over pursuant to Section2.2(b)(ii)hereof, shall be applied against any outstanding Obligations; and
(ii) All interest, dividends, income and other payments and distributions which are received by the Company contrary to the provisions of Section2.2(b)(i)hereof shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Secured Party, shall be segregated from other property of the Company and shall be forthwith paid over to the Secured Party; or
(iii) The Secured Party in its sole discretion shall be authorized to sell any or all of the Pledged Property at public or private sale in order to recoup all of the outstanding principal plus accrued interest owed pursuant to the Convertible Debenture as described herein
(c) Each of the following events shall constitute a default under this Agreement (each an "Event of Default"):
(i) any default, whether in whole or in part, shall occur in the payment to the Secured Party of principal, interest or other item comprising the Obligations as and when due or with respect to any other debt or obligation of the Company to a party other than the Secured Party;
(ii) any default, whether in whole or in part, shall occur in the due observance or performance of any obligations or other covenants, terms or provisions to be performed under this Agreement or the Transaction Documents;
(iii) the Company shall: (1) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (2) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, assignee, custodian, sequestrator, liquidator or similar official for itself or any of its assets and properties; (3) commence a voluntary case for relief as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code; (4)file with or otherwise submit to any governmental authority any petition, answer or other document seeking: (A) reorganization, (B)an arrangement with creditors or (C) to take advantage of any other present or future applicable law respecting bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, readjustment of debts, relief of debtors, dissolution or liquidation; (5)file or otherwise submit any answer or other document admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition or other document filed or otherwise submitted against it in any proceeding under any such applicable law, or (6)be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(iv) any case, proceeding or other action shall be commenced against the Company for the purpose of effecting, or an order, judgment or decree shall be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction approving (in whole or in part)anything specified in Section2.2(c)(iii)hereof, or any receiver, trustee, assignee, custodian, sequestrator, liquidator or other official shall be appointed with respect to the Company, or shall be appointed to take or shall otherwise acquire possession or control of all or a substantial part of the assets and properties of the Company, and any of the foregoing shall continue unstayed and in effect for any period of thirty (30)days.
(v) Any obligation of Company (other than its Obligations under this Agreement) for the payment of borrowed money is not paid when due or within any applicable grace period, or such obligation becomes or is declared to be due and payable before the expressed maturity of the obligation, or there shall have occurred an event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would cause any such obligation to become, or allow any such obligation to be declared to be, due and payable.
(vi) A breach by the Company of any material contract that would have a material adverse affect upon the business of the Company.
ARTICLE III
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT; PERFORMANCE
Section 3.1 Secured Party Appointed Attorney-In-Fact.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Company hereby appoints the Secured Party as its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Company and in the name of the Company or otherwise, from time to time in the Secured Party's discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Secured Party may reasonably deem necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, to receive and collect all instruments made payable to the Company representing any payments in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same. The Secured Party may demand, collect, receipt for, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose, or realize on the Pledged Property as and when the Secured Party may determine. To facilitate collection, the Secured Party may notify account debtors and obligors on any Pledged Property or Pledged Collateral to make payments directly to the Secured Party.
Section 3.2 Secured Party May Perform.
If the Company fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Secured Party, at its option, may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Secured Party incurred in connection therewith shall be included in the Obligations secured hereby and payable by the Company under Section 8.3.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 4.1 Authorization; Enforceability.
Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants that it has taken all action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and upon execution and delivery, this Agreement shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the respective party, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights or by the principles governing the availability of equitable remedies.
Section 4.2 Ownership of Pledged Property.
The Company warrants and represents that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged Property free and clear of any lien, security interest, option or other charge or encumbrance except for the security interest created by this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
DEFAULT; REMEDIES; SUBSTITUTE COLLATERAL
Section 5.1 Default and Remedies.
(a) If an Event of Default described in Section2.2(c)(i)and (ii) occurs, then in each such case the Secured Party may declare the Obligations to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company, and upon any such declaration, the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default described in Sections2.2(c)(iii)or (iv) occurs and is continuing for the period set forth therein, then the Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable without declaration or other act on the part of the Secured Party.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Secured Party shall: (i) be entitled to receive all distributions with respect to the Pledged Collateral, (ii)to cause the Pledged Property to be transferred into the name of the Secured Party or its nominee, (iii) to dispose of the Pledged Property, and (iv) to realize upon any and all rights in the Pledged Property then held by the Secured Party.
Section 5.2 Method of Realizing Upon the Pledged Property: Other Remedies.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, in addition to any rights and remedies available at law or in equity, the following provisions shall govern the Secured Party's right to realize upon the Pledged Property:
(a) Any item of the Pledged Property may be sold for cash or other value in any number of lots at brokers board, public auction or private sale and may be sold without demand, advertisement or notice (except that the Secured Party shall give the Company ten (10) days' prior written notice of the time and place or of the time after which a private sale may be made (the "Sale Notice"), which notice period is hereby agreed to be commercially reasonable. At any sale or sales of the Pledged Property, the Company may bid for and purchase the whole or any part of the Pledged Property and, upon compliance with the terms of such sale, may hold, exploit and dispose of the same without further accountability to the Secured Party. The Company will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such instruments, documents, assignments, waivers, certificates, and affidavits and supply or cause to be supplied such further information and take such further action as the Secured Party reasonably shall require in connection with any such sale.
(b) Any cash being held by the Secured Party as Pledged Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the Secured Party in respect of, sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Pledged Collateral shall be applied as follows:
(i) to the payment of all amounts due the Secured Party for the expenses reimbursable to it hereunder or owed to it pursuant to Section8.3 hereof;
(ii) to the payment of the Obligations then due and unpaid.
(iii) the balance, if any, to the person or persons entitled thereto, including, without limitation, the Company.
(c) In addition to all of the rights and remedies which the Secured Party may have pursuant to this Agreement, the Secured Party shall have all of the rights and remedies provided by law, including, without limitation, those under the Uniform Commercial Code.
(i) If the Company fails to pay such amounts due upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, then the Secured Party may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of Company, wherever situated.
(ii) The Company agrees that it shall be liable for any reasonable fees, expenses and costs incurred by the Secured Party in connection with enforcement, collection and preservation of the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses, and such amounts shall be deemed included as Obligations secured hereby and payable as set forth in Section8.3 hereof.
Section 5.3 Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relating to the Company or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or its creditors, the Secured Party (irrespective of whether the Obligations shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Secured Party shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of the Obligations), subject to the rights of Previous Security Holders, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the Obligations and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Secured Party (including any claim for the reasonable legal fees and expenses and other expenses paid or incurred by the Secured Party permitted hereunder and of the Secured Party allowed in such judicial proceeding), and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by the Secured Party to make such payments to the Secured Party and, in the event that the Secured Party shall consent to the making of such payments directed to the Secured Party, to pay to the Secured Party any amounts for expenses due it hereunder.
Section 5.4 Duties Regarding Pledged Collateral.
The Secured Party shall have no duty as to the collection or protection of the Pledged Property or any income thereon or as to the preservation of any rights pertaining thereto, beyond the safe custody and reasonable care of any of the Pledged Property actually in the Secured Party's possession.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Company covenants and agrees that, from the date hereof and until the Obligations have been fully paid and satisfied, unless the Secured Party shall consent otherwise in writing (as provided in Section8.4 hereof):
Section 6.1 Existence, Properties, Etc.
(a) The Company shall do, or cause to be done, all things, or proceed with due diligence with any actions or courses of action, that may be reasonably necessary (i)to maintain Company's due organization, valid existence and good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation, and (ii)to preserve and keep in full force and effect all qualifications, licenses and registrations in those jurisdictions in which the failure to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); and (b)the Company shall not do, or cause to be done, any act impairing the Company's corporate power or authority (i) to carry on the Company's business as now conducted, and (ii)to execute or deliver this Agreement or any other document delivered in connection herewith, including, without limitation, any UCC-1 Financing Statements required by the Secured Partyto which it is or will be a party, or perform any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder. For purpose of this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any material and adverse affect as determined by Secured Party in its sole discretion, whether individually or in the aggregate, upon (a) the Company's assets, business, operations, properties or condition, financial or otherwise; (b)the Company's to make payment as and when due of all or any part of the Obligations; or (c) the Pledged Property.
Section 6.2 Financial Statements and Reports.
The Company shall furnish to the Secured Party such financial data as the Secured Party may reasonably request. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall furnish to the Secured Party (or cause to be furnished to the Secured Party) the following:
(a) as soon as practicable and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such fiscal year, the statement of earnings and retained earnings of the Company as of the close of such fiscal year, and statement of cash flows for the Company for such fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, certified by the chief executive and chief financial officers of the Company as being true and correct and accompanied by a certificate of the chief executive and chief financial officers of the Company, stating that the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each covenant, term and condition of this Agreement during such fiscal year and that no Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature of same, the period of existence of same and the action the Company proposes to take in connection therewith;
(b) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all accountants' reports and accompanying financial reports submitted to the Company by independent accountants in connection with each annual examination of the Company.
Section 6.3 Accounts and Reports.
The Company shall maintain a standard system of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and provide, at its sole expense, to the Secured Party the following:
(a) as soon as available, a copy of any notice or other communication alleging any nonpayment or other material breach or default, or any foreclosure or other action respecting any material portion of its assets and properties, received respecting any of the indebtedness of the Company in excess of $100,000 (other than the Obligations), or any demand or other request for payment under any guaranty, assumption, purchase agreement or similar agreement or arrangement respecting the indebtedness or obligations of others in excess of $100,000, including any received from any person acting on behalf of the Secured Party or beneficiary thereof; and
(b) within fifteen (15)days after the making of each submission or filing, a copy of any report, financial statement, notice or other document, whether periodic or otherwise, submitted to the shareholders of the Company, or submitted to or filed by the Company with any governmental authority involving or affecting (i) the Company that could have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Obligations; (iii) any part of the Pledged Collateral; or (iv) any of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the Loan Instruments.
Section 6.4 Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection.
The Company shall maintain its books, accounts and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and permit the Secured Party, its officers and employees and any professionals designated by the Secured Party in writing, at any time to visit and inspect any of its properties (including but not limited to the collateral security described in the Transaction Documents and/or the Loan Instruments), corporate books and financial records, and to discuss its accounts, affairs and finances with any employee, officer or director thereof.
Section 6.5 Maintenance and Insurance.
(a) The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained, at its own expense, all of its assets and properties in good working order and condition, making all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof.
(b) The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained, at its own expense, insurance in form, substance and amounts (including deductibles), which the Company deems reasonably necessary to the Company's business, (i) adequate to insure all assets and properties of the Company, which assets and properties are of a character usually insured by persons engaged in the same or similar business against loss or damage resulting from fire or other risks included in an extended coverage policy; (ii)against public liability and other tort claims that may be incurred by the Company; (iii) as may be required by the Transaction Documents and/or applicable law and (iv)as may be reasonably requested by Secured Party, all with adequate, financially sound and reputable insurers.
Section 6.6 Contracts and Other Collateral.
The Company shall perform all of its obligations under or with respect to each instrument, receivable, contract and other intangible included in the Pledged Property to which the Company is now or hereafter will be party on a timely basis and in the manner therein required, including, without limitation, this Agreement.
Section 6.7 Defense of Collateral, Etc.
The Company shall defend and enforce its right, title and interest in and to any part of: (a) the Pledged Property; and (b) if not included within the Pledged Property, those assets and properties whose loss could have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company shall defend the Secured Party's right, title and interest in and to each and every part of the Pledged Property, each against all manner of claims and demands on a timely basis to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
Section 6.8 Payment of Debts, Taxes, Etc.
The Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, all of its indebtedness and other liabilities and perform, or cause to be performed, all of its obligations in accordance with the respective terms thereof, and pay and discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges and levies imposed upon it, upon any of its assets and properties on or before the last day on which the same may be paid without penalty, as well as pay all other lawful claims (whether for services, labor, materials, supplies or otherwise)as and when due.
Section 6.9 Taxes and Assessments; Tax Indemnity.
The Company shall (a) file all tax returns and appropriate schedules thereto that are required to be filed under applicable law, prior to the date of delinquency, (b) pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the Company, upon its income and profits or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, and (c) pay all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies that, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any of its properties; provided, however, that the Company in good faith may contest any such tax, assessment, governmental charge or levy described in the foregoing clauses (b) and (c) so long as appropriate reserves are maintained with respect thereto.
Section 6.10 Compliance with Law and Other Agreements.
The Company shall maintain its business operations and property owned or used in connection therewith in compliance with (a) all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances governing such business operations and the use and ownership of such property, and (b) all agreements, licenses, franchises, indentures and mortgages to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties is bound. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall pay all of its indebtedness promptly in accordance with the terms thereof.
Section 6.11 Notice of Default.
The Company shall give written notice to the Secured Party of the occurrence of any default or Event of Default under this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or any other Loan Instrument or any other agreement of Company for the payment of money, promptly upon the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.12 Notice of Litigation.
The Company shall give notice, in writing, to the Secured Party of (a)any actions, suits or proceedings wherein the amount at issue is in excess of $50,000, instituted by any persons against the Company, or affecting any of the assets of the Company, and (b)any dispute, not resolved within fifteen (15) days of the commencement thereof, between the Company on the one hand and any governmental or regulatory body on the other hand, which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the business operations or financial condition of the Company.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Company covenants and agrees that, from the date hereof until the Obligations have been fully paid and satisfied, the Company shall not, unless the Secured Party shall consent otherwise in writing:
Section 7.1 Indebtedness.
The Company shall not directly or indirectly permit, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, increase, renew or extend on or after the date hereof any indebtedness on its part, including commitments, contingencies and credit availabilities, or apply for or offer or agree to do any of the foregoing.
Section 7.2 Liens and Encumbrances.
The Company shall not directly or indirectly make, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, security interest or other lien or encumbrance of any nature in, to or against any part of the Pledged Property or of the Company's capital stock, or offer or agree to do so, or own or acquire or agree to acquire any asset or property of any character subject to any of the foregoing encumbrances (including any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement), or assign, pledge or in any way transfer or encumber its right to receive any income or other distribution or proceeds from any part of the Pledged Property or the Company's capital stock; or enter into any sale-leaseback financing respecting any part of the Pledged Property as lessee, or cause or assist the inception or continuation of any of the foregoing.
Section 7.3 Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions and Sales.
Without the prior express written consent of the Secured Party, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, the Company shall not: (a) Amend its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws; (b) issue or sell its stock, stock options, bonds, notes or other corporate securities or obligations; (c) be a party to any merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, (d) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets or stock of, or any partnership or joint venture interest in, any other person, firm or entity, (e) sell, transfer, convey, grant a security interest in or lease all or any substantial part of its assets, nor (f) create any subsidiaries nor convey any of its assets to any subsidiary.
Section 7.4 Management, Ownership.
The Company shall not materially change its ownership, executive staff or management without the prior written consent of the Secured Party. The ownership, executive staff and management of the Company are material factors in the Secured Party's willingness to institute and maintain a lending relationship with the Company.
Section 7.5 Dividends, Etc.
The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend of any kind, in cash or in property, on any class of its capital stock, nor purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of such stock, nor make any distribution of any kind in respect thereof, nor make any return of capital to shareholders, nor make any payments in respect of any pension, profit sharing, retirement, stock option, stock bonus, incentive compensation or similar plan (except as required or permitted hereunder), without the prior written consent of the Secured Party.
Section 7.6 Guaranties; Loans.
The Company shall not guarantee nor be liable in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, or become contingently liable after the date of this Agreement in connection with the obligations or indebtedness of any person or persons, except for (i) the indebtedness currently secured by the liens identified on the Pledged Property identified on Exhibit A hereto and (ii) the endorsement of negotiable instruments payable to the Company for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The Company shall not make any loan, advance or extension of credit to any person other than in the normal course of its business.
Section 7.7 Debt.
The Company shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any additional indebtedness of any description whatsoever in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000 (excluding any indebtedness of the Company to the Secured Party, trade accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and the endorsement of negotiable instruments payable to the Company, respectively for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business).
Section 7.8 Conduct of Business.
The Company will continue to engage, in an efficient and economical manner, in a business of the same general type as conducted by it on the date of this Agreement.
Section 7.9 Places of Business.
The location of the Company's chief place of business is 1331 North Alma School Road, Chandler, Arizona 85224. The Company shall not change the location of its chief place of business, chief executive office or any place of business disclosed to the Secured Party or move any of the Pledged Property from its current location without thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Secured Party in each instance.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Notices.
All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered as duly given on: (a)the date of delivery, if delivered in person, by nationally recognized overnight delivery service or (b)five(5)days after mailing if mailed from within the continental United States by certified mail, return receipt requested to the party entitled to receive the same:
If to the Secured Party: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street-Suite 3700
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Portfolio Manager
Telephone: (201) 986-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
And if to the Company: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
Any party may change its address by giving notice to the other party stating its new address. Commencing on the tenth (10th)day after the giving of such notice, such newly designated address shall be such party's address for the purpose of all notices or other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 8.2 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other severable provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
Section 8.3 Expenses.
In the event of an Event of Default, the Company will pay to the Secured Party the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel, which the Secured Party may incur in connection with: (i)the custody or preservation of, or the sale, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Pledged Property; (ii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Secured Party hereunder or (iii)the failure by the Company to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
Section 8.4 Waivers, Amendments, Etc.
The Secured Party's delay or failure at any time or times hereafter to require strict performance by Company of any undertakings, agreements or covenants shall not waiver, affect, or diminish any right of the Secured Party under this Agreement to demand strict compliance and performance herewith. Any waiver by the Secured Party of any Event of Default shall not waive or affect any other Event of Default, whether such Event of Default is prior or subsequent thereto and whether of the same or a different type. None of the undertakings, agreements and covenants of the Company contained in this Agreement, and no Event of Default, shall be deemed to have been waived by the Secured Party, nor may this Agreement be amended, changed or modified, unless such waiver, amendment, change or modification is evidenced by an instrument in writing specifying such waiver, amendment, change or modification and signed by the Secured Party.
Section 8.5 Continuing Security Interest.
This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Pledged Property and shall: (i) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the Obligations; and (ii) be binding upon the Company and its successors and heirs and (iii) inure to the benefit of the Secured Party and its successors and assigns. Upon the payment or satisfaction in full of the Obligations, the Company shall be entitled to the return, at its expense, of such of the Pledged Property as shall not have been sold in accordance with Section5.2 hereof or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof.
Section 8.6 Independent Representation.
Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that it has received or has had the opportunity to receive independent legal counsel of its own choice and that it has been sufficiently apprised of its rights and responsibilities with regard to the substance of this Agreement.
Section 8.7 Applicable Law: Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties further agree that any action between them shall be heard in Hudson County, New Jersey, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of New Jersey, sitting in Hudson County and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey sitting in Newark, New Jersey for the adjudication of any civil action asserted pursuant to this Paragraph.
Section 8.8 Waiver of Jury Trial.
AS A FURTHER INDUCEMENT FOR THE SECURED PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND TO MAKE THE FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS TRANSACTION.
Section 8.9 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding among them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ____________________________________
&nb sp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
& nbsp; Title: CEO
& nbsp; INVESTOR:
&nb sp; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
&nb sp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: ____________________________________
& nbsp; Name: Mark Angelo
& nbsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITION OF PLEDGED PROPERTY
For the purpose of securing prompt and complete payment and performance by the Company of all of the Obligations, the Company unconditionally and irrevocably hereby grants to the Secured Party a continuing security interest in and to, and lien upon, the following Pledged Property of the Company:
(a) all goods of the Company, including, without limitation, machinery, equipment, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, signs, lights, tools, parts, supplies and motor vehicles of every kind and description, now or hereafter owned by the Company or in which the Company may have or may hereafter acquire any interest, and all replacements, additions, accessions, substitutions and proceeds thereof, arising from the sale or disposition thereof, and where applicable, the proceeds of insurance and of any tort claims involving any of the foregoing;
(b) all inventory of the Company, including, but not limited to, all goods, wares, merchandise, parts, supplies, finished products, other tangible personal property, including such inventory as is temporarily out of Company's custody or possession and including any returns upon any accounts or other proceeds, including insurance proceeds, resulting from the sale or disposition of any of the foregoing;
(c) all contract rights and general intangibles of the Company, including, without limitation, goodwill, trademarks, trade styles, trade names, leasehold interests, partnership or joint venture interests, patents and patent applications, copyrights, deposit accounts whether now owned or hereafter created;
(d) all documents, warehouse receipts, instruments and chattel paper of the Company whether now owned or hereafter created;
(e) all accounts and other receivables, instruments or other forms of obligations and rights to payment of the Company (herein collectively referred to as "Accounts"), together with the proceeds thereof, all goods represented by such Accounts and all such goods that may be returned by the Company's customers, and all proceeds of any insurance thereon, and all guarantees, securities and liens which the Company may hold for the payment of any such Accounts including, without limitation, all rights of stoppage in transit, replevin and reclamation and as an unpaid vendor and/or lienor, all of which the Company represents and warrants will be bona fide and existing obligations of its respective customers, arising out of the sale of goods by the Company in the ordinary course of business;
(f) to the extent assignable, all of the Company's rights under all present and future authorizations, permits, licenses and franchises issued or granted in connection with the operations of any of its facilities;
(g) all products and proceeds (including, without limitation, insurance proceeds) from the above-described Pledged Property.
Exhibit 4.9
INVESTOR REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of October __, 2004, by and among SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), and the undersigned investors (each, an "Investor" and collectively, the "Investors").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Investors secured convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures") which shall be convertible into that number of shares of the Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement for an aggregate purchase price of up to Two Million U.S. Dollars($2,000,000). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
B. To induce the Investors to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations there under, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investors hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Person" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
(b) "Register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange SEC (the "SEC").
(c) "Registrable Securities" means the shares of Common Stock issuable to Investors upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Investor's Shares, as this term is defined in the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated the date hereof.
(d) "Registration Statement" means a registration statement under the 1933 Act which covers the Registrable Securities.
2. REGISTRATION.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file, no later than thirty (30) days from the date hereof (the "Scheduled Filing Deadline"), with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 or SB-2 (or, if the Company is then eligible, on Form S-3) under the 1933 Act (the "Initial Registration Statement") for the registration for the resale by all Investors who purchased Convertible Debentures pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement _________ shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Investor's Shares. The Company shall cause the Registration Statement to remain effective until all of the Registrable Securities have been sold. Prior to the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC, the Company shall furnish a copy of the Initial Registration Statement to the Investors for their review and comment. The Investors shall furnish comments on the Initial Registration Statement to the Company within twenty-four (24) hours of the receipt thereof from the Company.
(b) Effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement. The Company shall use its best efforts (i) to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC no later than one hundred five (105) days after the date hereof (the "Scheduled Effective Deadline") and (ii) to insure that the Initial Registration Statement and any subsequent Registration Statement remains in effect until all of the Registrable Securities have been sold, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. It shall be an event of default hereunder if the Initial Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC within one hundred thirty (130) days after filing thereof.
(c) Failure to File or Obtain Effectiveness of the Registration Statement. In the event the Registration Statement is not filed by the Scheduled Filing Deadline or is not declared effective by the SEC on or before the Scheduled Effective Date, or if after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, sales cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement (whether because of a failure to keep the Registration Statement effective, failure to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to the Registration Statement, failure to register sufficient shares of Common Stock or otherwise then as partial relief for the damages to any holder of Registrable Securities by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies at law or in equity), the Company will pay as liquidated damages (the "Liquidated Damages") to the holder, at the holder's option, either a cash amount or shares of the Company's Common Stock within three (3) business days, after demand therefore, equal to two percent (2%) of the liquidated value of the Convertible Debentures outstanding as Liquidated Damages for each thirty (30) day period after the Scheduled Filing Deadline or the Scheduled Effective Date as the case may be.
(d) Liquidated Damages. The Company and the Investor hereto acknowledge and agree that the sums payable under subsection 2(c) above shall constitute liquidated damages and not penalties and are in addition to all other rights of the Investor, including the right to call a default. The parties further acknowledge that (i) the amount of loss or damages likely to be incurred is incapable or is difficult to precisely estimate, (ii) the amounts specified in such subsections bear a reasonable relationship to, and are not plainly or grossly disproportionate to, the probable loss likely to be incurred in connection with any failure by the Company to obtain or maintain the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, (iii) one of the reasons for the Company and the Investor reaching an agreement as to such amounts was the uncertainty and cost of litigation regarding the question of actual damages, and (iv) the Company and the Investor are sophisticated business parties and have been represented by sophisticated and able legal counsel and negotiated this Agreement at arm's length.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
(a) The Company shall keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule415 at all times until the date on which the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (the "Registration Period"), which Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall 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, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
(b) The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company's filing a report on Form 10-KSB, Form 10-QSB or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), the Company shall incorporate such report by reference into the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement the Registration Statement.
(c) The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) at least one (1) copy of such Registration Statement as declared effective by the SEC and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) ten (10) copies of the final prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.
(d) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Investor reasonably requests, (ii)prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (w) make any change to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws, (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
(e) As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or development, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to each Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii)of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(f) The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction within the United States of America and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
(g) At the reasonable request of any Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.
(h) The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any Investor and (ii)one (1) firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the "Inspectors") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree, and each Investor hereby agrees, to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector and the Investor has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential.
(i) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
(j) The Company shall use its best efforts either to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement (i) to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or (ii)the inclusion for quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. OTC Bulletin Board for such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(j).
(k) The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.
(l) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
(m) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve (12) month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
(n) The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.
(o) Within two (2) business days after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(p) The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(e) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended certificates for shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All expenses incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers, legal and accounting fees shall be paid by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
With respect to Registrable Securities which are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an "Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, "Claims") incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation there under relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "Violations"). The Company shall reimburse the Investors and each such controlling person promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or disbursements or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (x) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (y) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c); and (z)shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
(b) In connection with a Registration Statement, each Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers, employees, representatives, or agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each an "Indemnified Party"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or is based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the prospectus was corrected and such new prospectus was delivered to each Investor prior to such Investor's use of the prospectus to which the Claim relates.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one (1) counsel for such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
(d) The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
(e) The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i)any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144") the Company agrees to:
(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
(b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents as are required by the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
(c) furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.
9. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and Investors who then hold at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section9 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to fewer than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two (2) or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
(b) Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to an Investor, to its address and facsimile number on the Schedule of Investors attached hereto, with copies to such Investor's representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Investors or to such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
(d) The laws of the State of New Jersey shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and the Investors as its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of the State of New Jersey, sitting in Hudson County, New Jersey and federal courts for the District of New Jersey sitting Newark, New Jersey, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(e) This Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, the Securities Purchase Agreement and related documents including the Convertible Debenture and the Escrow Agreement dated the date hereof by and among the Company, the Investors set forth on the Schedule of Investors attached hereto, and David Gonzalez, Esq. (the "Escrow Agreement") and the Security Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Security Agreement") constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, the Securities Purchase Agreement and related documents including the Convertible Debenture, the Escrow Agreement and the Security Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
(f) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.
(g) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
(i) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
(j) This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Investor Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
&nbs p; COMPANY:
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: _____________________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
SCHEDULE I
SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS
Name | Signature | Address/Facsimile Number of Buyer | Amount of Subscription |
| | | |
Cornell Capital Partners | By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC | 101 Hudson Street - Suite 3700 | $ 2,000,000 |
| Its: General Manager | Jersey City, NJ 07303 Facsimile: (201) 985-8266 | |
| By: ____________________________ Name: Mark A. angelo Its: Portfolio Manager | | |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Attention:
Re: SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Securities Purchase Agreement") entered into by and among the Company and the investors named therein (collectively, the "Investors") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Investors shares of its Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors (the "Investor Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ____, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form ________ (File No.333-_____________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange SEC(the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Investors as a selling stockholder there under.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.
& nbsp; Very truly yours,
& nbsp;
& nbsp; DIETERICH & ASSOCIATES
&nbs p; By: ______________________________
cc: [LIST NAMES OF INVESTORS]
Exhibit 4.10
ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of October ___, 2004 SONORAN ENERGY, INC., a Washington corporation (the "Company"); the Buyer(s) listed on the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated the date hereof(also referred to as the "Investor(s)"), and DAVID GONZALEZ, ESQ., as Escrow Agent hereunder (the "Escrow Agent").
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor(s) have entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"), dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which the Company proposes to sell secured convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures") which shall be convertible into the Company's Common Stock, no par value per share(the "Common Stock"), at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price, as that term is defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Securities Purchase Agreement provides that the Investor(s) shall deposit the purchase amount in a segregated escrow account to be held by Escrow Agent in order to effectuate a disbursement to the Company at a closing to be held as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Closing").
WHEREAS, the Company intends to sell Convertible Securities (the "Offering").
WHEREAS, Escrow Agent has agreed to accept, hold, and disburse the funds deposited with it in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, in order to establish the escrow of funds and to effect the provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings when used herein:
a. "Escrow Funds" shall mean the funds deposited with Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
b. "Joint Written Direction" shall mean a written direction executed by the Investor(s) and the Company directing Escrow Agent to disburse all or a portion of the Escrow Funds or to take or refrain from taking any action pursuant to this Agreement.
c. "Escrow Period" shall begin with the commencement of the Offering and shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of the following dates:
(i) The date upon which Escrow Agent confirms that it has received in the Escrow Account all of the proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Debentures;
(ii) The expiration of twenty (20) days from the date of commencement of the Offering (unless extended by mutual written agreement between the Company and the Investor(s) with a copy of such extension to Escrow Agent); or
(iii) The date upon which a determination is made by the Company and the Investor(s) to terminate the Offering prior to the sale of all the Convertible Debentures.
During the Escrow Period, the Company and the Investor(s) are aware that they are not entitled to any funds received into escrow and no amounts deposited in the Escrow Account shall become the property of the Company or the Investor(s) or any other entity, or be subject to the debts of the Company or the Investor(s) or any other entity.
2. Appointment of and Acceptance by Escrow Agent. The Investor(s) and the Company hereby appoint Escrow Agent to serve as Escrow Agent hereunder. Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and, upon receipt by wire transfer of the Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 3 below, agrees to hold, invest and disburse the Escrow Funds in accordance with this Agreement.
a. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is general counsel to the Investor(s), a partner in the general partner of the Investor(s), and counsel to the Investor(s) in connection with the transactions contemplated and referred herein. The Company agrees that in the event of any dispute arising in connection with this Escrow Agreement or otherwise in connection with any transaction or agreement contemplated and referred herein, the Escrow Agent shall be permitted to continue to represent the Investor(s) and the Company will not seek to disqualify such counsel.
3. Creation of Escrow Funds. On or prior to the date of the commencement of the Offering, the parties shall establish an escrow account with the Escrow Agent, which escrow account shall be entitled as follows: Sonoran Energy, Inc./Cornell Capital Partners, LP Escrow Account for the deposit of the Escrow Funds. The Investor(s) will instruct subscribers to wire funds to the account of the Escrow Agent as follows:
Bank: Wachovia, N.A. of New Jersey
Routing #: 031201467
Account #: 2020000659170
Name on Account: David Gonzalez Attorney Trust Account
Name on Sub-Account: Sonoran Energy, Inc./Cornell Capital Partners, LP Escrow account
4. Deposits into the Escrow Account. The Investor(s) agrees that they shall promptly deliver funds for the payment of the Convertible Debentures to Escrow Agent for deposit in the Escrow Account.
5. Disbursements from the Escrow Account.
a. The Escrow Agent will continue to hold such funds until Cornell Capital Partners, LP on behalf of the Investor(s) and Company execute a Joint Written Direction directing the Escrow Agent to disburse the Escrow Funds pursuant to Joint Written Direction signed by the Company and the Investor(s). In disbursing such funds, Escrow Agent is authorized to rely upon such Joint Written Direction from the Company and the Investor(s) and may accept any signatory from the Company listed on the signature page to this Agreement and any signature from the Investor(s) that the Escrow Agent already has on file.
b. In the event Escrow Agent does not receive the amount of the Escrow Funds from the Investor(s), Escrow Agent shall notify the Company and the Investor(s). Upon receipt of payment instructions from the Company, Escrow Agent shall refund to each subscriber without interest the amount received from each Investor(s), without deduction, penalty, or expense to the subscriber. The purchase money returned to each subscriber shall be free and clear of any and all claims of the Company, the Investor(s) or any of their creditors.
c. In the event Escrow Agent does receive the amount of the Escrow Funds prior to expiration of the Escrow Period, in no event will the Escrow Funds be released to the Company until such amount is received by Escrow Agent in collected funds. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "collected funds" shall mean all funds received by Escrow Agent which have cleared normal banking channels and are in the form of cash.
6. Collection Procedure. Escrow Agent is hereby authorized to deposit the proceeds of each wire in the Escrow Account.
7. Suspension of Performance: Disbursement Into Court. If at any time, there shall exist any dispute between the Company and the Investor(s) with respect to holding or disposition of any portion of the Escrow Funds or any other obligations of Escrow Agent hereunder, or if at any time Escrow Agent is unable to determine, to Escrow Agent's sole satisfaction, the proper disposition of any portion of the Escrow Funds or Escrow Agent's proper actions with respect to its obligations hereunder, or if the parties have not within thirty (30) days of the furnishing by Escrow Agent of a notice of resignation pursuant to Section 9 hereof, appointed a successor Escrow Agent to act hereunder, then Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, take either or both of the following actions:
a. suspend the performance of any of its obligations (including without limitation any disbursement obligations) under this Escrow Agreement until such dispute or uncertainty shall be resolved to the sole satisfaction of Escrow Agent or until a successor Escrow Agent shall be appointed (as the case may be); provided however, Escrow Agent shall continue to invest the Escrow Funds in accordance with Section 8 hereof; and/or
b. petition (by means of an interpleader action or any other appropriate method) any court of competent jurisdiction in any venue convenient to Escrow Agent, for instructions with respect to such dispute or uncertainty, and to the extent required by law, pay into such court, for holding and disposition in accordance with the instructions of such court, all funds held by it in the Escrow Funds, after deduction and payment to Escrow Agent of all fees and expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) payable to, incurred by, or expected to be incurred by Escrow Agent in connection with performance of its duties and the exercise of its rights hereunder.
c. Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the Company, the Investor(s), or any person with respect to any such suspension of performance or disbursement into court, specifically including any liability or claimed liability that may arise, or be alleged to have arisen, out of or as a result of any delay in the disbursement of funds held in the Escrow Funds or any delay in with respect to any other action required or requested of Escrow Agent.
8. Investment of Escrow Funds. Escrow Agent shall deposit the Escrow Funds in a non-interest bearing account.
If Escrow Agent has not received a Joint Written Direction at any time that an investment decision must be made, Escrow Agent shall maintain the Escrow Funds, or such portion thereof, as to which no Joint Written Direction has been received, in a non-interest bearing account.
9. Resignation and Removal of Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent may resign from the performance of its duties hereunder at any time by giving thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the parties or may be removed, with or without cause, by the parties, acting jointly, by furnishing a Joint Written Direction to Escrow Agent, at any time by the giving of ten (10) days' prior written notice to Escrow Agent as provided herein below. Upon any such notice of resignation or removal, the representatives of the Investor(s) and the Company identified in Sections 13a.(iv) and 13b.(iv), below, jointly shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder, which shall be a commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution with a combined capital and surplus in excess of US$10,000,000.00. Upon the acceptance in writing of any appointment of Escrow Agent hereunder by a successor Escrow Agent, such successor Escrow Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Escrow Agent, and the retiring Escrow Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Escrow Agreement, but shall not be discharged from any liability for actions taken as Escrow Agent hereunder prior to such succession. After any retiring Escrow Agent's resignation or removal, the provisions of this Escrow Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement. The retiring Escrow Agent shall transmit all records pertaining to the Escrow Funds and shall pay all funds held by it in the Escrow Funds to the successor Escrow Agent, after making copies of such records as the retiring Escrow Agent deems advisable and after deduction and payment to the retiring Escrow Agent of all fees and expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) payable to, incurred by, or expected to be incurred by the retiring Escrow Agent in connection with the performance of its duties and the exercise of its rights hereunder.
10. Liability of Escrow Agent.
a. Escrow Agent shall have no liability or obligation with respect to the Escrow Funds except for Escrow Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence. Escrow Agent's sole responsibility shall be for the safekeeping, investment, and disbursement of the Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Escrow Agent shall have no implied duties or obligations and shall not be charged with knowledge or notice or any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein. Escrow Agent may rely upon any instrument, not only as to its due execution, validity and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained herein, which Escrow Agent shall in good faith believe to be genuine, to have been signed or presented by the person or parties purporting to sign the same and conform to the provisions of this Agreement. In no event shall Escrow Agent be liable for incidental, indirect, special, and consequential or punitive damages. Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to take any legal action or commence any proceeding in connection with the Escrow Funds, any account in which Escrow Funds are deposited, this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or to appear in, prosecute or defend any such legal action or proceeding. Escrow Agent may consult legal counsel selected by it in any event of any dispute or question as to construction of any of the provisions hereof or of any other agreement or its duties hereunder, or relating to any dispute involving any party hereto, and shall incur no liability and shall be fully indemnified from any liability whatsoever in acting in accordance with the opinion or instructions of such counsel. The Company and the Investor(s) jointly and severally shall promptly pay, upon demand, the reasonable fees and expenses of any such counsel.
b. Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in its sole discretion, to comply with orders issued or process entered by any court with respect to the Escrow Funds, without determination by Escrow Agent of such court's jurisdiction in the matter. If any portion of the Escrow Funds is at any time attached, garnished or levied upon under any court order, or in case the payment, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of any such property shall be stayed or enjoined by any court order, or in any case any order judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court affecting such property or any part thereof, then and in any such event, Escrow Agent is authorized, in its sole discretion, to rely upon and comply with any such order, writ judgment or decree which it is advised by legal counsel selected by it, binding upon it, without the need for appeal or other action; and if Escrow Agent complies with any such order, writ, judgment or decree, it shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person or entity by reason of such compliance even though such order, writ judgment or decree may be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.
11. Indemnification of Escrow Agent. From and at all times after the date of this Agreement, the parties jointly and severally, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent provided herein, indemnify and hold harmless Escrow Agent and each director, officer, employee, attorney, agent and affiliate of Escrow Agent (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against any and all actions, claims (whether or not valid), losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including without limitation reasonable attorney's fees, costs and expenses) incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnified Parties from and after the date hereof, whether direct, indirect or consequential, as a result of or arising from or in any way relating to any claim, demand, suit, action, or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) by any person, including without limitation the parties to this Agreement, whether threatened or initiated, asserting a claim for any legal or equitable remedy against any person under any statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any federal or state securities laws, or under any common law or equitable cause or otherwise, arising from or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, performance or failure of performance of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein, whether or not any such Indemnified Party is a party to any such action or proceeding, suit or the target of any such inquiry or investigation; provided, however, that no Indemnified Party shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for liability finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, subject to no further appeal, to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. If any such action or claim shall be brought or asserted against any Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company and the Investor(s) hereunder in writing, and the Investor(s) and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and the payment of all expenses. Such Indemnified Party shall, in its sole discretion, have the right to employ separate counsel (who may be selected by such Indemnified Party in its sole discretion) in any such action and to participate and to participate in the defense thereof, and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by such Indemnified Party, except that the Investor(s) and/or the Company shall be required to pay such fees and expense if (a) the Investor(s) or the Company agree to pay such fees and expenses, or (b) the Investor(s) and/or the Company shall fail to assume the defense of such action or proceeding or shall fail, in the sole discretion of such Indemnified Party, to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in any such action or proceeding, (c) the Investor(s) and the Company are the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding or (d) the named or potential parties to any such action or proceeding (including any potentially impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party, the Company and/or the Investor(s) and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company or the Investor(s). The Investor(s) and the Company shall be jointly and severally liable to pay fees and expenses of counsel pursuant to the preceding sentence, except that any obligation to pay under clause (a) shall apply only to the party so agreeing. All such fees and expenses payable by the Company and/or the Investor(s) pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be paid from time to time as incurred, both in advance of and after the final disposition of such action or claim. The obligations of the parties under this section shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent shall be independent of any obligation of Escrow Agent.
The parties agree that neither payment by the Company or the Investor(s) of any claim by Escrow Agent for indemnification hereunder shall impair, limit, modify, or affect, as between the Investor(s) and the Company, the respective rights and obligations of Investor(s), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
12. Expenses of Escrow Agent. Except as set forth in Section 11 the Company shall reimburse Escrow Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys' fees, travel expenses, telephone and facsimile transmission costs, postage (including express mail and overnight delivery charges), copying charges and the like. All of the compensation and reimbursement obligations set forth in this Section shall be payable by the Company, upon demand by Escrow Agent. The obligations of the Company under this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of Escrow Agent.
13. Warranties.
a. The Investor(s) makes the following representations and warranties to Escrow Agent:
(i) The Investor(s) has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(ii) This Agreement has been duly approved by all necessary action of the Investor(s), including any necessary approval of the limited partner of the Investor(s) or necessary corporate approval, as applicable, has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Investor(s), enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(iii) The execution, delivery, and performance of the Investor(s) of this Agreement will not violate, conflict with, or cause a default under any agreement of limited partnership of Investor(s) or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Investor(s)(as applicable), any applicable law or regulation, any court order or administrative ruling or degree to which the Investor(s) is a party or any of its property is subject, or any agreement, contract, indenture, or other binding arrangement.
(iv) Mark Angelo has been duly appointed to act as the representative of the Investor(s) hereunder and has full power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Escrow Agreement, to execute and deliver any Joint Written Direction, to amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement, and to take any and all other actions as the Investor(s)'s representative under this Agreement, all without further consent or direction form, or notice to, the Investor(s) or any other party.
(v) No party other than the parties hereto and the Investor(s)s have, or shall have, any lien, claim or security interest in the Escrow Funds or any part thereof. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file in any jurisdiction claiming a security interest in or describing (whether specifically or generally) the Escrow Funds or any part thereof.
(vi) All of the representations and warranties of the Investor(s) contained herein are true and complete as of the date hereof and will be true and complete at the time of any disbursement from the Escrow Funds.
b. The Company makes the following representations and warranties to the Escrow Agent:
(i) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington and has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(ii) This Agreement has been duly approved by all necessary corporate action of the Company, including any necessary shareholder approval, has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(iii) The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement is in accordance with the Securities Purchase Agreement and will not violate, conflict with, or cause a default under the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, any applicable law or regulation, any court order or administrative ruling or decree to which the Company is a party or any of its property is subject, or any agreement, contract, indenture, or other binding arrangement, including without limitation to the Securities Purchase Agreement, to which the Company is a party.
(iv) Peter Rosenthal has been duly appointed to act as the representative of the Company hereunder and has full power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, to execute and deliver any Joint Written Direction, to amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement and to take all other actions as the Company's Representative under this Agreement, all without further consent or direction from, or notice to, the Company or any other party.
(v) No party other than the parties hereto and the Investor(s)s have, or shall have, any lien, claim or security interest in the Escrow Funds or any part thereof. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file in any jurisdiction claiming a security interest in or describing (whether specifically or generally) the Escrow Funds or any part thereof.
(vi) All of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein are true and complete as of the date hereof and will be true and complete at the time of any disbursement from the Escrow Funds.
14. Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. In the event that any party hereto commences a lawsuit or other proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey shall have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any such proceeding. If all such courts lack federal subject matter jurisdiction, the parties agree that the Superior Court Division of New Jersey, Chancery Division of Hudson County shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Any of these courts shall be proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding and the parties hereto waive any objection to such venue. The parties hereto consent to and agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified herein and agree to accept the service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts.
15. Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered five (5) days after deposit in the United States mails, by certified mail with return receipt requested and postage prepaid, when delivered personally, one (1) day delivered to any overnight courier, or when transmitted by facsimile transmission and upon confirmation of receipt and addressed to the party to be notified as follows:
If to Investor, to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - - Suite 3700
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Attention: Mark Angelo
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With a copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to Escrow Agent, to: David Gonzalez, Esq.
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste 800
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
Or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by like notice.
16. Amendments or Waiver. This Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by a writing signed by the parties hereto. No delay or omission by any party in exercising any right with respect hereto shall operate as waiver. A waiver on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to, or waiver of, any right or remedy on any future occasion.
17. Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties relating to the holding, investment, and disbursement of the Escrow Funds and sets forth in their entirety the obligations and duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to the Escrow Funds.
20. Binding Effect. All of the terms of this Agreement, as amended from time to time, shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the Investor(s), the Company, or the Escrow Agent.
21. Execution of Counterparts. This Agreement and any Joint Written Direction may be executed in counter parts, which when so executed shall constitute one and same agreement or direction.
22. Termination. Upon the first to occur of the disbursement of all amounts in the Escrow Funds pursuant to Joint Written Directions or the disbursement of all amounts in the Escrow Funds into court pursuant to Section 7 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate and Escrow Agent shall have no further obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or the Escrow Funds.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above set forth.
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
&nb sp; CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
&nb sp; By: Yorkville Advisors, LLC
&nbs p; Its: General Partner
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: Mark A. Angelo
&n bsp; Title: Portfolio Manager
&nb sp; By: ______________________________
&n bsp; Name: David Gonzales, Esq.
Exhibit 4.11 �� ;
WARRANT
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS WARRANT MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT.
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
Warrant To Purchase Common Stock
Warrant No.: _____
Number of Shares: _______
Date of Issuance: __________________
Sonoran Energy, Inc., Washington corporation (the "Company"), hereby certifies that, for Ten United States Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Cornell Capital Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("Cornell"), the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns, is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company upon surrender of this Warrant, at any time or times on or after the date hereof, but not after 11:59P.M. Eastern Time on the Expiration Date (as defined herein) ________________ fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock (as defined herein) of the Company (the "Warrant Shares") at the exercise price per share provided in Section1(b) below or as subsequently adjusted; provided, however, that in no event shall the holder be entitled to exercise this Warrant for a number of Warrant Shares in excess of that number of Warrant Shares which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the holder and its affiliates to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock following such exercise, except within sixty (60) days of the Expiration Date. For purposes of the foregoing proviso, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the holder and its affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such proviso is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i)exercise of the remaining, unexercised Warrants beneficially owned by the holder and its affiliates and (ii)exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by the holder and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or preferred stock) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For purposes of this Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock a holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (1) the Company's most recent Form 10-QSB or Form 10-KSB, as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company or its transfer agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written request of any holder, the Company shall promptly, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day following the receipt of such notice, confirm in writing to any such holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the exercise of Warrants (as defined below) by such holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported.
Section 1.
(a) This Warrant is the common stock purchase warrant (the "Warrant") issued pursuant to a secured convertible debenture dated October __, 2004 by and between the Company and Cornell (the "Convertible Debenture").
(b) Definitions. The following words and terms as used in this Warrant shall have the following meanings:
(i) "Approved Stock Plan" means any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to which the Company's securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services provided to the Company.
(ii) "Business Day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
(iii) "Closing Bid Price" means the closing bid price of Common Stock as quoted on the Principal Market (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets ("Bloomberg") through its "Volume at Price" function).
(iv) "Common Stock" means (i)the Company's common stock, no par value per share, and (ii)any capital stock into which such Common Stock shall have been changed or any capital stock resulting from a reclassification of such Common Stock.
(v) "Excluded Securities" means, provided such security is issued at a price which is greater than or equal to the arithmetic average of the Closing Bid Prices of the Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of issuance, any of the following: (a) any issuance by the Company of securities in connection with a strategic partnership or a joint venture (the primary purpose of which is not to raise equity capital), (b) any issuance by the Company of securities as consideration for a merger or consolidation or the acquisition of a business, product, license, or other assets of another person or entity and (c) options to purchase shares of Common Stock, provided (I) such options are issued after the date of this Warrant to employees of the Company within thirty (30) days of such employee's starting his employment with the Company, and (II) the exercise price of such options is not less than the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock on the date of issuance of such option.
(vi) "Expiration Date" means the date two (2) years from the Issuance Date of this Warrant or, if such date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized to be closed in the City of New York or the State of New York or on which trading does not take place on the Principal Exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is traded (a "Holiday"), the next date that is not a Holiday.
(vii) "Issuance Date" means the date hereof.
(viii) "Options" means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
(ix) "Other Securities" means (i)those options and warrants of the Company issued prior to, and outstanding on, the Issuance Date of this Warrant, (ii) the shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of such options and warrants, provided such options and warrants are not amended after the Issuance Date of this Warrant and (iii)the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.
(x) "Person" means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.
(xi) "Principal Market" means the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, whichever is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for such security, or the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg or, if no bid or sale information is reported for such security by Bloomberg, then the average of the bid prices of each of the market makers for such security as reported in the "pink sheets" by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.
(xii) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(xiii) "Warrant" means this Warrant and all Warrants issued in exchange, transfer or replacement thereof.
(xiv) "Warrant Exercise Price" shall be one hundred twenty percent(120%) of the Closing Bid Price (as defined in the Convertible Debenture) of the Company's Common Stock on the Closing Date (as defined in the Convertible Debenture) or as subsequently adjusted as provided in Section8 hereof.
(xv) "Warrant Shares" means the shares of Common Stock issuable at any time upon exercise of this Warrant.
(c) Other Definitional Provisions.
(i) Except as otherwise specified herein, all references herein (A)to the Company shall be deemed to include the Company's successors and (B)to any applicable law defined or referred to herein shall be deemed references to such applicable law as the same may have been or may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
(ii) When used in this Warrant, the words "herein", "hereof", and "hereunder" and words of similar import, shall refer to this Warrant as a whole and not to any provision of this Warrant, and the words "Section", "Schedule", and "Exhibit" shall refer to Sections of, and Schedules and Exhibits to, this Warrant unless otherwise specified.
(iii) Whenever the context so requires, the neuter gender includes the masculine or feminine, and the singular number includes the plural, and vice versa.
Section 2. Exercise of Warrant. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, this Warrant may be exercised by the holder hereof then registered on the books of the Company, pro rata as hereinafter provided, at any time on any Business Day on or after the opening of business on such Business Day, commencing with the first day after the date hereof, and prior to 11:59P.M. Eastern Time on the Expiration Date, by (i)delivery of a written notice, in the form of the subscription notice attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Exercise Notice"), of such holder's election to exercise this Warrant, which notice shall specify the number of Warrant Shares to be purchased, (ii)payment to the Company of an amount equal to the Warrant Exercise Price(s) applicable to the Warrant Shares being purchased, multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares(at the applicable Warrant Exercise Price) as to which this Warrant is being exercised(plus any applicable issue or transfer taxes) (the "Aggregate Exercise Price") in cash or wire transfer of immediately available funds and (iii) the surrender of this Warrant (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to this Warrant in the case of its loss, theft or destruction) to a common carrier for overnight delivery to the Company as soon as practicable following such date. In the event of any exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant in compliance with this Section 2(a), the Company shall on the fifth(5th) Business Day following the date of receipt of the Exercise Notice, the Aggregate Exercise Price and this Warrant (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to this Warrant in the case of its loss, theft or destruction) and the receipt of the representations of the holder specified in Section 6 hereof, if requested by the Company (the "Exercise Delivery Documents"), and if the Common Stock is DTC eligible credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder shall be entitled to the holder's or its designee's balance account with The Depository Trust Company; provided, however, if the holder who submitted the Exercise Notice requested physical delivery of any or all of the Warrant Shares, or, if the Common Stock is not DTC eligible then the Company shall, on or before the fifth(5th) Business Day following receipt of the Exercise Delivery Documents, issue and surrender to a common carrier for overnight delivery to the address specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the holder, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder shall be entitled pursuant to such request. Upon delivery of the Exercise Notice and Aggregate Exercise Price referred to in clause(ii) above the holder of this Warrant shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised. In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Warrant Exercise Price, the Closing Bid Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall promptly issue to the holder the number of Warrant Shares that is not disputed and shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations to the holder via facsimile within one (1) Business Day of receipt of the holder's Exercise Notice. If the holder and the Company are unable to agree upon the determination of the Warrant Exercise Price or arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares within one (1) day of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the holder, then the Company shall immediately submit via facsimile (i) the disputed determination of the Warrant Exercise Price or the Closing Bid Price to an independent, reputable investment banking firm or (ii) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares to its independent, outside accountant. The Company shall cause the investment banking firm or the accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the holder of the results no later than forty-eight (48) hours from the time it receives the disputed determinations or calculations. Such investment banking firm's or accountant's determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be deemed conclusive absent manifest error.
(a) Unless the rights represented by this Warrant shall have expired or shall have been fully exercised, the Company shall, as soon as practicable and in no event later than five (5) Business Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue a new Warrant identical in all respects to this Warrant exercised except it shall represent rights to purchase the number of Warrant Shares purchasable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant exercised, less the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which such Warrant is exercised.
(b) No fractional Warrant Shares are to be issued upon any pro rata exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of Warrant Shares issued upon such exercise of this Warrant shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.
(c) If the Company or its Transfer Agent shall fail for any reason or for no reason to issue to the holder within ten(10) days of receipt of the Exercise Delivery Documents, a certificate for the number of Warrant Shares to which the holder is entitled or to credit the holder's balance account with The Depository Trust Company for such number of Warrant Shares to which the holder is entitled upon the holder's exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall, in addition to any other remedies under this Warrant or the Placement Agent Agreement or otherwise available to such holder, pay as additional damages in cash to such holder on each day the issuance of such certificate for Warrant Shares is not timely effected an amount equal to 0.025% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of Warrant Shares not issued to the holder on a timely basis and to which the holder is entitled, and (B) the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock for the trading day immediately preceding the last possible date which the Company could have issued such Common Stock to the holder without violating this Section2.
(d) If within ten (10) days after the Company's receipt of the Exercise Delivery Documents, the Company fails to deliver a new Warrant to the holder for the number of Warrant Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2 hereof, then, in addition to any other available remedies under this Warrant or the Placement Agent Agreement, or otherwise available to such holder, the Company shall pay as additional damages in cash to such holder on each day after such tenth (10th) day that such delivery of such new Warrant is not timely effected in an amount equal to 0.25% of the product of (A)the number of Warrant Shares represented by the portion of this Warrant which is not being exercised and (B)the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock for the trading day immediately preceding the last possible date which the Company could have issued such Warrant to the holder without violating this Section2.
Section 3. Covenants as to Common Stock. The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) This Warrant is, and any Warrants issued in substitution for or replacement of this Warrant will upon issuance be, duly authorized and validly issued.
(b) All Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
(c) During the period within which the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved at least one hundred percent (100%) of the number of shares of Common Stock needed to provide for the exercise of the rights then represented by this Warrant and the par value of said shares will at all times be less than or equal to the applicable Warrant Exercise Price. If at any time the Company does not have a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock authorized and available, then the Company shall call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30) days of that time for the sole purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
(d) If at any time after the date hereof the Company shall file a registration statement, the Company shall include the Warrant Shares issuable to the holder, pursuant to the terms of this Warrant and shall maintain, so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all Warrant Shares from time to time issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant; and the Company shall so list on each national securities exchange or automated quotation system, as the case may be, and shall maintain such listing of, any other shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant if and so long as any shares of the same class shall be listed on such national securities exchange or automated quotation system.
(e) The Company will not, by amendment of its Articles of Incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed by it hereunder, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Warrant and in the taking of all such action as may reasonably be requested by the holder of this Warrant in order to protect the exercise privilege of the holder of this Warrant against dilution or other impairment, consistent with the tenor and purpose of this Warrant. The Company will not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Warrant Exercise Price then in effect, and (ii)will take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant.
(f) This Warrant will be binding upon any entity succeeding to the Company by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
Section 4. Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all taxes, except any applicable withholding, which may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant.
Section 5. Warrant Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, no holder, as such, of this Warrant shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of shares of capital stock of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the holder of this Warrant of the Warrant Shares which he or she is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on such holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 5, the Company will provide the holder of this Warrant with copies of the same notices and other information given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the stockholders.
Section 6. Representations of Holder. The holder of this Warrant, by the acceptance hereof, represents that it is acquiring this Warrant and the Warrant Shares for its own account for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution of this Warrant or the Warrant Shares, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the holder does not agree to hold this Warrant or any of the Warrant Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption under the Securities Act. The holder of this Warrant further represents, by acceptance hereof, that, as of this date, such holder is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule501(a)(1) of Regulation D promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act (an "Accredited Investor"). Upon exercise of this Warrant the holder shall, if requested by the Company, confirm in writing, in a form satisfactory to the Company, that the Warrant Shares so purchased are being acquired solely for the holder's own account and not as a nominee for any other party, for investment, and not with a view toward distribution or resale and that such holder is an Accredited Investor. If such holder cannot make such representations because they would be factually incorrect, it shall be a condition to such holder's exercise of this Warrant that the Company receive such other representations as the Company considers reasonably necessary to assure the Company that the issuance of its securities upon exercise of this Warrant shall not violate any United States or state securities laws.
Section 7. Ownership and Transfer.
(a) The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to the holder hereof), a register for this Warrant, in which the Company shall record the name and address of the person in whose name this Warrant has been issued, as well as the name and address of each transferee. The Company may treat the person in whose name any Warrant is registered on the register as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, but in all events recognizing any transfers made in accordance with the terms of this Warrant.
Section 8. Adjustment of Warrant Exercise Price and Number of Shares. The Warrant Exercise Price and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:
(a) Adjustment of Warrant Exercise Price and Number of Shares upon Issuance of Common Stock. If and whenever on or after the Issuance Date of this Warrant, the Company issues or sells, or is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock(other than (i) Excluded Securities and (ii) shares of Common Stock which are issued or deemed to have been issued by the Company in connection with an Approved Stock Plan or upon exercise or conversion of the Other Securities) for a consideration per share less than a price (the "Applicable Price") equal to the Warrant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale, then immediately after such issue or sale the Warrant Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount equal to such consideration per share. Upon each such adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be adjusted to the number of shares determined by multiplying the Warrant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product thereof by the Warrant Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment.
(b) Effect on Warrant Exercise Price of Certain Events. For purposes of determining the adjusted Warrant Exercise Price under Section 8(a) above, the following shall be applicable:
(i) Issuance of Options. If after the date hereof, the Company in any manner grants any Options and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion or exchange of any convertible securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the granting or sale of such Option for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 8(b)(i), the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities shall be equal to the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting or sale of the Option, upon exercise of the Option or upon conversion or exchange of any convertible security issuable upon exercise of such Option. No further adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock or of such convertible securities upon the exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such convertible securities.
(ii) Issuance of Convertible Securities. If the Company in any manner issues or sells any convertible securities and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion or exchange thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the issuance or sale of such convertible securities for such price per share. For the purposes of this Section8(b)(ii), the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon such conversion or exchange shall be equal to the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale of the convertible security and upon conversion or exchange of such convertible security. No further adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such convertible securities, and if any such issue or sale of such convertible securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price had been or are to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 8(b), no further adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.
(iii) Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion or exchange of any convertible securities, or the rate at which any convertible securities are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock changes at any time, the Warrant Exercise Price in effect at the time of such change shall be adjusted to the Warrant Exercise Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or convertible securities provided for such changed purchase price, additional consideration or changed conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be correspondingly readjusted. For purposes of this Section 8(b)(iii), if the terms of any Option or convertible security that was outstanding as of the Issuance Date of this Warrant are changed in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Option or convertible security and the Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such change. No adjustment pursuant to this Section8(b) shall be made if such adjustment would result in an increase of the Warrant Exercise Price then in effect.
(c) Effect on Warrant Exercise Price of Certain Events. For purposes of determining the adjusted Warrant Exercise Price under Sections8(a) and 8(b), the following shall be applicable:
(i) Calculation of Consideration Received. If any Common Stock, Options or convertible securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefore will be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefore. If any Common Stock, Options or convertible securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of marketable securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company will be the market price of such securities on the date of receipt of such securities. If any Common Stock, Options or convertible securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefore will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such Common Stock, Options or convertible securities, as the case may be. The fair value of any consideration other than cash or securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the holders of Warrants representing at least two-thirds (b) of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten(10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the "Valuation Event"), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Business Days after the tenth(10th) day following the Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the holders of Warrants representing at least two-thirds (b) of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne jointly by the Company and the holders of Warrants.
(ii) Integrated Transactions. In case any Option is issued in connection with the issue or sale of other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction in which no specific consideration is allocated to such Options by the parties thereto, the Options will be deemed to have been issued for a consideration of $.01.
(iii) Treasury Shares. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time does not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any shares so owned or held will be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock.
(iv) Record Date. If the Company takes a record of the holders of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (1)to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or in convertible securities or (2)to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock, Options or convertible securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase, as the case may be.
(d) Adjustment of Warrant Exercise Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. If the Company at any time after the date of issuance of this Warrant subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, any Warrant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced and the number of shares of Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant will be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time after the date of issuance of this Warrant combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, any Warrant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment under this Section8(d) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
(e) Distribution of Assets. If the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement or other similar transaction) (a "Distribution"), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case:
(i) any Warrant Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the Distribution shall be reduced, effective as of the close of business on such record date, to a price determined by multiplying such Warrant Exercise Price by a fraction of which (A) the numerator shall be the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding such record date minus the value of the Distribution (as determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors) applicable to one share of Common Stock, and (B) the denominator shall be the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding such record date; and
(ii) either (A) the number of Warrant Shares obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased to a number of shares equal to the number of shares of Common Stock obtainable immediately prior to the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the Distribution multiplied by the reciprocal of the fraction set forth in the immediately preceding clause (i), or (B) in the event that the Distribution is of common stock of a company whose common stock is traded on a national securities exchange or a national automated quotation system, then the holder of this Warrant shall receive an additional warrant to purchase Common Stock, the terms of which shall be identical to those of this Warrant, except that such warrant shall be exercisable into the amount of the assets that would have been payable to the holder of this Warrant pursuant to the Distribution had the holder exercised this Warrant immediately prior to such record date and with an exercise price equal to the amount by which the exercise price of this Warrant was decreased with respect to the Distribution pursuant to the terms of the immediately preceding clause (i).
(f) Certain Events. If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section8 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company's Board of Directors will make an appropriate adjustment in the Warrant Exercise Price and the number of shares of Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant so as to protect the rights of the holders of the Warrants; provided, except as set forth in section 8(d),that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 8(f) will increase the Warrant Exercise Price or decrease the number of shares of Common Stock obtainable as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 8.
(g) Notices.
(i) Immediately upon any adjustment of the Warrant Exercise Price, the Company will give written notice thereof to the holder of this Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment.
(ii) The Company will give written notice to the holder of this Warrant at least ten (10) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A)with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, (B)with respect to any pro rata subscription offer to holders of Common Stock or (C)for determining rights to vote with respect to any Organic Change (as defined below), dissolution or liquidation, provided that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to such holder.
(iii) The Company will also give written notice to the holder of this Warrant at least ten (10) days prior to the date on which any Organic Change, dissolution or liquidation will take place, provided that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to such holder.
Section 9. Purchase Rights; Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale.
(a) In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 8 above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the "Purchase Rights"), then the holder of this Warrant will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such holder could have acquired if such holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights.
(b) Any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to another Person or other transaction in each case which is effected in such a way that holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock is referred to herein as an "Organic Change." Prior to the consummation of any (i) sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to an acquiring Person or (ii) other Organic Change following which the Company is not a surviving entity, the Company will secure from the Person purchasing such assets or the successor resulting from such Organic Change (in each case, the "Acquiring Entity") a written agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to the holders of Warrants representing at least two-thirds (iii)of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding) to deliver to each holder of Warrants in exchange for such Warrants, a security of the Acquiring Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant and satisfactory to the holders of the Warrants (including an adjusted warrant exercise price equal to the value for the Common Stock reflected by the terms of such consolidation, merger or sale, and exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of the Warrants without regard to any limitations on exercise, if the value so reflected is less than any Applicable Warrant Exercise Price immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale). Prior to the consummation of any other Organic Change, the Company shall make appropriate provision (in form and substance satisfactory to the holders of Warrants representing a majority of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding) to insure that each of the holders of the Warrants will thereafter have the right to acquire and receive in lieu of or in addition to (as the case may be) the Warrant Shares immediately theretofore issuable and receivable upon the exercise of such holder's Warrants(without regard to any limitations on exercise), such shares of stock, securities or assets that would have been issued or payable in such Organic Change with respect to or in exchange for the number of Warrant Shares which would have been issuable and receivable upon the exercise of such holder's Warrant as of the date of such Organic Change (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the exercisability of this Warrant).
Section 10. Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant. If this Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company shall promptly, on receipt of an indemnification undertaking (or, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, the Warrant), issue a new Warrant of like denomination and tenor as this Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.
Section 11. Notice. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Warrant must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i)upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii)upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of receipt is received by the sending party transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii)one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:
If to Cornell: Cornell Capital, LP
101 Hudson Street - - Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Mark A. Angelo
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
With Copy to: Cornell Capital Partners, LP
101 Hudson Street - -Suite 3700
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attention: Troy Rillo, Esq.
Senior Vice-President
Telephone: (201) 985-8300
Facsimile: (201) 985-8266
If to the Company, to: Sonoran Energy, Inc.
1331 North Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85224
Attention: Peter Rosenthal
Telephone: (480) 963-8800
Facsimile: (480) 963-0044
With a copy to: Dieterich & Associates
11300 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Attention: Chris Dieterich, Esq.
Telephone: (310) 312-6888
Facsimile: (310) 312-6680
If to a holder of this Warrant, to it at the address and facsimile number set forth on ExhibitC hereto, with copies to such holder's representatives as set forth on ExhibitC, or at such other address and facsimile as shall be delivered to the Company upon the issuance or transfer of this Warrant. Each party shall provide five days' prior written notice to the other party of any change in address or facsimile number. Written confirmation of receipt (A)given by the recipient of such notice, consent, facsimile, waiver or other communication, (or (B)provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
Section 12. Date. The date of this Warrant is set forth on page 1 hereof. This Warrant, inall events, shall be wholly void and of no effect after the close of business on the Expiration Date, except that notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the provisions of Section8(b) shall continue in full force and effect after such date as to any Warrant Shares or other securities issued upon the exercise of this Warrant.
Section 13. Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of the Warrants may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the holders of Warrants representing at least two-thirds of the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding; provided that, except for Section 8(d), no such action may increase the Warrant Exercise Price or decrease the number of shares or class of stock obtainable upon exercise of any Warrant without the written consent of the holder of such Warrant.
Section 14. Descriptive Headings; Governing Law. The descriptive headings of the several sections and paragraphs of this Warrant are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Warrant. The corporate laws of the State of New Jersey shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New Jersey or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New Jersey. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Hudson County and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.
Section 15. Waiver of Jury Trial. AS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT, THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THIS WARRANT AND/OR ANY AND ALL OF THE OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TRANSACTION.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be signed as of the date first set forth above.
&nbs p; SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
&nb sp; By: _____________________________________
&n bsp; Name: Peter Rosenthal
&n bsp; Title: CEO
EXHIBIT A TO WARRANT
EXERCISE NOTICE
TO BE EXECUTED
BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS WARRANT
SONORAN ENERGY, INC.
The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase ______________ of the shares of Common Stock ("Warrant Shares") of Sonoran Energy, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), evidenced by the attached Warrant (the "Warrant"). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.
1. Form of Warrant Exercise Price. The Holder intends that payment of the Warrant Exercise Price shall be made as a "Cash Exercise" with respect to ______________ Warrant Shares.
2. Payment of Warrant Exercise Price. The holder shall pay the sum of $______________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.
3. Delivery of Warrant Shares. The Company shall deliver to the holder _________ Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.
Date: _______________ __, _____
Name of Registered Holder
By: __________________________
Name: _________________________
Title:: __________________________
EXHIBIT B TO WARRANT
FORM OF WARRANT POWER
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned does hereby assign and transfer to ________________, Federal Identification No.__________, a warrant to purchase ____________ shares of the capital stock of Sonoran Energy, Inc., a ______ corporation, represented by warrant certificate no._____, standing in the name of the undersigned on the books of said corporation. The undersigned does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________, attorney to transfer the warrants of said corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: __________________________________ ________________________________________
By: _____________________________________
Name: ___________________________________
Title: ____________________________________
&n bsp;