Exhibit 10.21
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
dated as of February 28, 2001
by and among
COVISTA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
and
BLINK DATA CORP.
and
KEVIN A. ALWARD; ELKA PARK SEVEN, LLC; PHILANDER NORTON ALWARD AS TRUSTEE
UNDER THE ALWARD CHILDREN'S TRUST, AND
THE ALWARD GENERATION-SKIPPING TRUST;
and
RICHARD GERARD DE HAVEN; MICHELE DE HAVEN AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE BROCK
ALEXANDER DE HAVEN TRUST, THE SAM GERARD DE HAVEN TRUST, AND THE ALLISON
NICOLE MARCHESE TRUST;
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, (the "Agreement") by and among Covista
Communications, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the "Purchaser"), Blink Data
Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Blink"), and Kevin A. Alward, Elka Park Seven,
LLC, Philander Norton Alward, as Trustee under the Alward Children's Trust, and
the Alward Generation-Skipping Trust, Richard Gerard De Haven, and Michele De
Haven as Trustee under the Brock Alexander De Haven Trust, the Sam Gerard De
Haven Trust, and the Allison Nicole Marchese Trust, who are, collectively, all
the Shareholders of Blink Data Corp. (collectively the "Shareholders").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Shareholders desire to sell to the Purchaser, and the
Purchaser desires to acquire from the Shareholders, all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Blink (the "Blink Shares") solely in exchange for
shares of Common Stock of Purchaser, and upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF BLINK SHARES
SECTION 1.1 BLINK SHARES. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Shareholders shall sell, transfer, assign and deliver to the
Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall acquire from the Shareholders on the Closing
Date (as hereinafter defined) all of the Blink Shares.
SECTION 1.2 CONSIDERATION. The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for
the Blink Shares shall be paid solely by Purchaser delivering to the
Shareholders three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of its Common Stock, $.05
par value, of Purchaser (the "Stock"). The Purchase Price shall be paid as
provided in Section 1.3.
SECTION 1.3 CLOSING. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Purchaser at 10:00 AM. on March 29, 2001, or at such
other time, date or place as the Shareholders and the Purchaser may mutually
agree in writing (the date on which the Closing takes place being the "Closing
Date"). At the Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Shareholders
identified in Schedule 1 hereto and to their designees identified in Schedule
7.1(c) certificates for the Stock registered in the names and denominations set
forth on said Schedules.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
Each of the Shareholders, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to
the Purchaser as follows:
SECTION 2.1 ORGANIZATION. Blink Data Corp. ("Blink") and its subsidiary,
Blink Services, Inc. ("Services") are each a corporation duly incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and each has the corporate power and authority to own, operate or
lease the properties and assets now owned, operated or leased by it and to carry
on its business as currently conducted. Blink is not qualified to do business in
any jurisdiction other than the
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jurisdiction of its incorporation and the State of New Jersey in which its
principal place of business is located. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1,
Services is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character
of the properties (owned, operated or leased) and the nature of its activities
requires Services to be qualified as a foreign corporation to do business.
SECTION 2.2 CAPITALIZATION. (a) Blink's authorized capital stock consists
solely of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of which 15,000,000
shares (the "Blink Shares") are the only shares issued and outstanding and the
Shareholders are the sole record and beneficial owners and holders of all of the
Blink Shares as reflected on Schedule 1 hereto. The Blink Shares have been duly
authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the
Shareholders own all of the Blink Shares, free and clear of any liens, claims or
encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.
(b) Upon consummation of the transaction contemplated herein and the
delivery of the consideration set forth in Section 1.2 above, there will be (i)
no subscription, warrant, option or other right of any kind to purchase or
otherwise acquire from Blink any outstanding, authorized but unissued or
treasury shares of capital stock or any other security of Blink; (ii) no
outstanding security of any kind convertible into or exchangeable for such
capital stock and (iii) no voting arrangement to which Blink or the Shareholders
are a party or are bound with respect to the Blink Shares.
SECTION 2.3 AUTHORITY. Blink and each of the Shareholders has the right,
power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated by it or them. This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by Blink and the Shareholders, and (assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Purchaser) constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Blink and each of the Shareholders enforceable
against each of them in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar law
affecting creditors' rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to the
effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
SECTION 2.4 ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. Shareholders have furnished to
Purchaser a complete and correct copy of Blink's certificate of incorporation
and by-laws, as amended to date, each of which is in full force and effect.
Blink is not in violation of any of the provisions of its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws. The minute book of Blink correctly reflects all
actions taken by its Board of Directors and shareholders, as the case may be.
SECTION 2.5 CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS. Schedule 2.5 sets forth all of the
agreements, leases, contracts and commitments to which Blink or Services is a
party (collectively, the "Contracts"). True, correct and complete copies of all
written Contracts have been delivered to Purchaser; provided that for all
written Contracts not so deliverd to Purchaser, and for all oral Contracts, if
any, listed on Schedule 2.5, a true, correct and complete written description of
each such Contract is set forth on Schedule 2.5. To Shareholders' knowledge,
neither Blink nor Services is in breach of or default under any Contract, and
each Contract is a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of Blink or
Services, as the case may be, and the other parties thereto, subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject, as to
enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
To Shareholders' knowledge, there has not occurred any breach or default under
any Contract, and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or the
lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default under any Contract. There is
no material dispute between the parties to any Contract as to the interpretation
thereof or as to whether any party is in breach or default thereunder, and no
party to any Contract has indicated its intention to, or suggested it may
evaluate whether to, terminate any Contract. Except for Kevin Alward, whose
restriction expires April 5,
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2001, neither Blink nor Services or any of their respective employees to be
retained by Purchaser after the Closing is a party to any covenant or obligation
of any nature limiting the freedom of any of them to compete in any line of
business or engage in any activity related to the businesses of Blink, Services
or Purchaser.
SECTION 2.6 SUBSIDIARIES. Blink does not have any Subsidiary other than
Services, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of which is owned by
Blink and there are no outstanding rights of any kind to acquire any capital
stock of Services.
SECTION 2.7 NO CONFLICT. EXCEPT as may result from any facts or
circumstances relating solely to the Purchaser, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby by Blink
and the Shareholders do not and will not (a) violate or conflict with the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Blink, or, (b) conflict with or
violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award applicable to the Shareholders, Blink or Services or
their respective businesses, or (c) result in any breach of, or constitute a
material default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or
both, would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the
creation of any lien or other encumbrance on any of the assets or properties of
the Shareholders, Blink or Services pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchises or other
instrument to which the Shareholders, Blink or Services or any of their
personnel is a party or by which any of such assets or properties of such
persons is bound or affected.
SECTION 2.8 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except (a) for such
notices and consents as may be required by statute or regulation in the
locations in which Blink and/or Services is qualified to provide
telecommunications services, or (b) as may be necessary as a result of any facts
or circumstances relating solely to Purchaser, the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Blink and the Shareholders do not, and the performance of this
Agreement by Blink and the Shareholders will not, require any consent, approval,
authorization or other action by, or filing with or notification to, any
governmental or regulatory authority.
SECTION 2.9 FINANCIAL INFORMATION; DISCLOSURE. (a) Shareholders have
delivered to Purchaser true and correct copies of the unaudited internally
prepared consolidated balance sheets of Blink and Services, as of December 31,
2000 and February 28, 2001, (the "Balance Sheet") and the related unaudited
internally prepared consolidated statements of profit and loss of Blink and
Services for the periods then ended, which fairly present in all material
respects the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Blink
and Services, as of the dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby
(subject only to year end closing adjustments not material in amount and the
lack of full footnote presentations) and were prepared in all material respects
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis.
(b) This Agreement together with the Schedules, atttachments, exhibits,
written statements and certificates supplied to the Purchaser by Blink or the
Shareholders with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
SECTION 2.10 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.To Shareholders' knowledge,
after reasonable inquiry, there is no liability (whether absolute, contingent or
otherwise and whether due or to become due) of Blink or Services, except
liabilities to the extent reflected or reserved against in the Balance Sheet or
incurred in the ordinary course of business of Blink or Services after the date
of the
4
Balance Sheet, which would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition operations or prospects of Blink and Services, taken as a whole.
SECTION 2.11 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.11, since February 28, 2001, Blink (which in context includes
Services) has not conducted its business and operations other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, or taken any of
the following actions:
(a) (i) amended its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) split,
combined or reclassified any shares of its outstanding capital stock, (iii)
declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distribution payable in cash,
stock or property, or (iv) directly or indirectly redeemed or otherwise acquired
any shares of its capital stock;
(b) (i) authorized for issuance, issued or sold or agreed to issue or sell
any shares or rights to acquire or securities convertible into any shares of its
capital stock (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants or
otherwise), (ii) merged or consolidated with another entity, (iii) acquired or
purchased an equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of
another corporation, partnership or other business organization or otherwise
acquired any assets outside the ordinary and usual course of business and
consistent with past practice or otherwise entered into any contract, commitment
or transaction outside the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with
past practice, (iv) sold, leased, licensed, encumbered or otherwise disposed of
any of its assets outside the ordinary and usual course of business and
consistent with past practice, (v) incurred, assumed or prepaid any indebtedness
or any other liabilities other than in the ordinary course of businesss and
consistent with past practice, (vi) assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise
become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for
the obligations of any other person, (vii) made any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person, (viii) authorized or made
capital expenditures in excess of $5,000, (ix) permitted any insurance policy
naming Blink or Services as a beneficiary or a loss payee to be canceled or
terminated other than in the ordinary course of business, or (x) entered into
any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the
foregoing; and
(c) (i) adopted or entered into any plan or other arrangement for the
current or future benefit or welfare of any director, officer or current or
former employee, (ii) increased in any manner the compensation or fringe
benefits or paid any bonus to any director, officer or employee (except for
normal increases in salaried compensation in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice), or (iii) taken any action to fund or in any
other way secure, accelerate or otherwise remove restrictions with respect to
the payment of compensation or benefits under any agreement, arrangement or
other plan.
Except as set forth on Schedule 2.11, since February 28, 2001, there has not
been any fact, event, circumstance or change affecting or relating to Blink or
Services, taken as a whole, which has had or is reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect upon their business, operations, financial condition or
prospects taken as a whole. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.11(c), the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not require the consent of or
the giving of notice to any party pursuant to the terms, conditions or
provisions of any agreement, license, franchise, policy, purchase or sales
order, executory guaranty, indemnification or understanding, whether oral or
written, to which Blink or Services is a party and used in their businesses,
including, without limitation, the Contracts listed on Schedule 2.5 to this
Agreement.
SECTION 2. 12 ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. There are no claims,
actions, proceedings or, to the knowledge of Blink or the Shareholders,
investigations which are pending or, to the knowledge of Blink or the
Shareholders, threatened, against Blink or Services or any of the assets or
properties of Blink or Services or any of their affiliates, before any court,
arbitrator or administrative, governmental or
5
regulatory authority or body or which seeks to delay or prevent the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby or which would be reasonably likely to
adversely affect or restrict Blink or the Shareholders's ability to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither Blink nor Services or the
Shareholders or any of their affiliates or assets and properties of Blink or
Services are subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award.
SECTION 2.13 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. To Shareholders knowledge, neither Blink
nor Services is in violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to either of them or by which any of their assets or
properties are bound or affected.
SECTION 2.14 LICENSES AND PERMITS. Blink and Services each has, except as
set forth on Schedule 2.14, all governmental licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary to conduct their respective businesses.
SECTION 2.15 TAXES. (a)Blink and Services have timely filed, or will file,
all returns required to be filed by each of them, for any taxes, including
sales/use and payroll taxes and universal service fees, for any period ending on
or before the Closing Date, taking into account any extension of time to file
granted to or obtained on behalf of Blink or Services, (b) all taxes have been
paid or will be paid, (c) all material amounts required to be collected or
withheld with respect to taxes have been duly collected or withheld and any such
amounts that are required to be remitted to any taxing authority have been or
will be duly remitted, (d) no deficiency for any material amount of tax has been
asserted or assessed by any taxing authority against Blink or Services and (e)
there are no material liens for taxes upon the assets of Shareholders or
Services other than inchoate liens arising under operation of law for taxes not
yet delinquent.
SECTION 2.16 TITLE TO PROPERTIES, ABSENCE OF LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES. Blink
and Services each has good and marketable title to its respective assets and
properties, free and clear of all liens, charges, pledges, security interests or
other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever. Any leases of real or personal
property of Blink or Services set forth on Schedule 2.5 (assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by the lessor, which assumption, to the
knowledge of the Shareholders, is correct) are valid and binding in accordance
with their respective terms and there is not under any of such leases any
existing default, or any condition, event or act which with notice or lapse of
time or both would constitute such a default, nor would consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby result in a default or any such condition,
event or act which would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, operations or prospects of Blink and Services, taken as a whole.
SECTION 2.17 CONDITION OF ASSETS. All tangible personal property, fixtures,
machinery and equipment of Blink and Services are in a reasonable state of
repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and operating condition and are
suitable for the purposes for which they are being used.
SECTION 2.18 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.18 hereto, no director, officer or stockholder of the Blink, nor any member of
such individual's immediate family, owns, directly or indirectly, or has an
ownership interest of more than five percent (5%) in (i) any business,
(corporate or otherwise) which is a party to any material business arrangement
or relationship of any kind with Blink or Services, or (ii) any business
(corporate or other) which conducts the same business as, or a business similar
to, that conducted by Blink or Services.
SECTION 2.19 INSURANCE. All policies of fire, liability,
workers' compensation, and other forms of insurance providing insurance coverage
to or for Blink or Services for events or occurrences arising or taking place in
the case of occurrence type insurance, and for claims made and/or suits
commenced in the case of claims made type insurance, since the date of the
Balance Sheet, are listed
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in Schedule 2.19 hereto, and all premiums with respect thereto covering all
periods up to and including the date as of which this representation is being
made have been paid, and no notice of cancellation or termination has been
received with respect to any such policy. All such policies are in full force
and effect, and provide insurance, including without limitation liability
insurance, in such amounts and against such risks as Blink and the Shareholders
reasonably deem appropriate to protect the employees, properties, assets,
business and operations of Blink and Services. All such policies will remain in
full force and effect through the Closing and until such time will not in any
way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of, any of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 2.20 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Blink and Services each is the sole and exclusive owner of, or has the
right to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trade names,
copyrights, service marks, trade secrets, registrations for and applications for
registration of trademarks, service marks and copyrights, technology and
know-how, rights in computer software and other properietary rights and
information and all technical and user manuals and documentation made or used in
connection with any of the foregoing, used or held for use in connection with
the operation of their businesses (collectively, the "Intellectual Property"),
free and clear of all liens.
(b) All grants, registrations and applications for the Intellectual
Property that are used in the conduct of the businesses of Blink and Services
(i) are valid, subsisting, in proper form and enforceable, and have been duly
maintained, includng the submission of all necessary filings and fees in
accordance with the legal and administrative requirements of the appropriate
jurisdictions and (ii) have not lapsed, expired or been abandoned, and none of
the Shareholders has notice that any application or registration therefor is the
subject of any legal or governmental proceeding before any registration
authority in any jurisdiction.
(c) Blink or Services each owns or has the right to use all of the
Intellectual Property used by it or held for use by it in connection with its
business. Neither Blink nor any of the Shareholders has notice that any third
party is engaging in conduct which conflicts with or infringes in any way any
Intellectual Property. The conduct of the business of Blink and Services as
currently conducted does not conflict with or infringe in any way any
properietary right of any third party, and none of the Shareholders has notice
that there is any claim, suit, action or proceeding pending or threatened
against Blink or Services (i) alleging any such conflict or infringement with
any third party's proprietary rights, or (ii) challenging the ownership, use,
validity or enforceability of the Intellectual Property.
SECTION 2.21 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS.
There are no controversies pending or threatened between Blink or Services
and any of their employees regarding compliance with applicable wage and hour,
equal employment, safety or other similar legal requirements relating to their
employees. Each of the persons employed by Blink or Services is listed on
Schedule 2.21. Schedule 2.21 sets forth the compensation and credited service
for vacation purposes of all full and part-time employees of Blink and Services
as at February 28, 2001. No employee of Blink or Services has indicated to
Shareholders that he or she is considering terminating his or her employment.
Blink and Services each has complied in all material respects with applicable
wage and hour, equal employment, safety and other legal requirements relating to
their employees.
SECTION 2.22 RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. Except as previously
disclosed in writing by Kevin Alward and solely with respect to him for the
period ending on April 5, 2001, there is no agreement, judgment, injunction,
order or decree binding on Blink, Services or any of the Shareholders which has
or could reasonably be expected to have (after giving effect to the consummation
of the
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transaction contemplated by this Agreement) the effect of prohibiting or
imparing Blink or Services' business as currently practiced, the acquisition of
property by Blink or Services or the conduct of the business of Blink or
Services as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted by Purchaser.
SECTION 2.23 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Schedule 2.23 is a complete and accurate
summary aging of all Blink's and Services' accounts and notes receivable set
forth on its books and records as of February 28, 2001, net of reserves for bad
debt and other reserves maintained in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. All such accounts and notes receivable of Blink and
Services (i) represent sales actually made in the ordinary course of business
for goods or services delivered or rendered to unaffiliated customers in bona
fide arm's length transactions, (ii) constitute valid claims, (iii) have not
been extended or rolled over in order to make them current, and (iv) are
collectible in the ordinary course of their businesses.
SECTION 2.24 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Blink's and Services' books and records are
complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in
accordance with good business practices. Blink's and Services' minute books
contain complete and accurate records of all meetings' and accurately reflect
all corporate action of their shareholders and directors or any omissions
therein would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, operations or prospects of Blink and Services, taken as a whole.
SECTION 2.25 ILLEGAL PAYMENTS. Neither Blink nor Services or their officers
and agents have made any illegal payment to, or provided any illegal benefit or
inducement for, any governmental official, supplier, customer or other person,
in an attempt to influence any such person to take or to refrain from taking any
action relating to Blink or Services.
SECTION 2.26 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC. Schedule 2.26
lists: (i) all officers, directors and fiduciaries of Blink and Services; (ii)
all bank accounts and safe deposit boxes maintained by Blink and Services and
all authorized signatories therefor, specifying their respective authority; and
(iii) all credit cards under which Blink's or Services' employees may incur
liability, and the names of persons holding such cards. No person or entity
holds any general or special power of attorney from Blink or Services.
SECTION 2.27. CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS.
(a) There shall not be fewer than 300 customers at the Closing Date.
Schedule 2.27(a) sets forth a list of Blink's and Services' 20 largest customers
(including the addresses, phone numbers and names of contact persons at such
customers) in order of dollar volume of sales for the period from the inception
of their businesses through February 28, 2001, showing the approximate total
sales in dollars to each such customer during such period.
(b) Schedule 2.27(b) sets forth a list of Blink's or Services' 5 largest
suppliers in order of dollar volume of purchases for the period from the
inception of their businesses through February 28, 2001, showing the approximate
total purchase in dollars from each such supplier during such period.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.27(c), neither Blink nor Services is
engaged in any disputes with customers or suppliers, except for minor returns,
bill adjustments and similar disputes in the ordinary course of business not
exceeding $1,000 with respect to any single return, bill adjustment or similar
dispute and which individually or in the aggregate do not result in a material
adverse effect upon the business, operations, financial condition or prospects
of Blink and Services, taken as a whole, and there are no facts known to Blink
or any of the Shareholders which may reasonably be expected to indicate that any
adverse change may occur in the business relationship of Blink or Services with
any
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customer or supplier named on Schedule 2.27(a) or Schedule 2.27(b). To the
knowledge of Blink and each of the Shareholders, none of the customers or
suppliers named on Schedule 2.27(a) or Schedule 2.27(b) is considering
termination, non-renewal or any adverse modification of its arrangements with
Blink or Services, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not,
to the knowledge of Blink and each of the Shareholders, have any adverse effect
on Blink or Services relationsip with any of such suppliers or customers.
(d) Schedule 2.27(d) sets forth a complete and accurate summary aging of
all of Blink's or Services' accounts payable over $500 as of February 28, 2001.
SECTION 2.28 CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.28, the Contracts listed on Schedule
2.5 are all of the Contracts, written or oral, to which Blink or Services is a
party or as to which either of them or their properties are bound or which
otherwise relate to their businesses (excluding any Contract that involves a
commitment by Blink or Services of less than $1,000 over the next 12 months and
less than $5,000 over the balance of the term of such Contract).
(b) To the knowledge of Blink and each of the Shareholders, neither Blink
nor Services is in breach or default, nor is there any basis for any valid claim
of breach or default by Blink or Services, under any Contract. Except as set
forth on Schedule 2.28, all Contracts are valid and in full force and effect,
and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not
cause any Contract to cease to be valid and in full force and effect. Accurate
and complete copies of all Contracts, including all amendments thereto, have
been heretofore delivered or made available to Purchaser.
SECTION 2.29 DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty by the Shareholders
in this Agreement contains an untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein not
misleading. Neither Blink nor any of the Shareholders is aware of any matter
that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Blink
and Services, taken as a whole, that has not been disclosed in writing to
Purchaser.
SECTION 2.30 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT INTENT.
(a) Each of the Shareholders is acquiring the Stock pursuant to this
Agreement for his or its own account for investment and not with a view to the
resale or distribution or public offering thereof within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(b) Each of the Shareholders understands that the Stock has not been
registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, cannot be resold unless the
Stock is registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from
registration is available;
(c) Each of the Shareholders has such knowledge and experience in financial
and business matters that he is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an
investment in the Stock; and
(d) Purchaser has made available to each of the Shareholders, at a
reasonable time prior to the execution of this Agreement, the opportunity to ask
questions and receive answers concerning the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and to obtain any additional information concerning Purchaser which
Purchaser possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Shareholders as follows:
SECTION 3.1 INCORPORATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE PURCHASER. The Purchaser is
a corporation duly incorporated and organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey and has all necessary
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to carry out its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, the performance
by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the
Purchaser of the transactions on its part contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Purchaser. This
Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby have been duly executed and
delivered by the Purchaser, and (assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by Blink and the Shareholders) constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Purchaser enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
SECTION 3.2 NO CONFLICT. Assuming all consents, approvals, authorizations
and other actions described in Section 3.4 have been obtained and except as may
result from any facts or circumstances relating solely to Blink or the
Shareholders, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
agreements contemplated hereby by the Purchaser do not and will not (a) violate
or conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Purchaser,
(b) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award applicable to the Purchaser, or (c)
result in any breach of, or constitute a default (or event which with the giving
of 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, or
result in the creation of any lien or other encumbrance on any of the assets or
properties of the Purchaser pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument
relating to such assets or properties to which the Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of such assets or properties is bound or
affected.
SECTION 3.3 AUTHORIZATION OF STOCK. The Stock has been duly authorized, and
when issued and delivered as provided in this Agreement, shall be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free and clear of any liens, claims
or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except as required under the
securities laws of the United States.
SECTION 3.4 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS AND APPROVAL.The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Purchaser do not, and the performance of this Agreement
by the Purchaser will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or other
action by, or filing with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory
authority, except (a) as described in a writing delivered to the Shareholders by
the Purchaser on the date of or prior to the execution hereof or (b) as may be
necessary as a result of any facts or circumstances relating solely to Blink or
the Shareholders.
SECTION 3.5 ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. No claim, action, proceeding or
investigation is pending, or to the knowledge of Purchaser threatened, against
the Purchaser before any court, arbitrator or administrative, governmental or
regulatory authority or body which seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby or which would be reasonably likely to
materially
10
and adversely affect or restrict the Purchaser's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.6 REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Purchaser has filed all
reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") or the
Securities Act (collectively, the "Purchaser SEC Reports"), and has previously
made available to each of the Shareholders true and complete copies of all such
SEC Reports. Such Purchaser SEC Reports, as of their respective dates, complied
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and none of such Purchaser SEC Reports
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of the
audited consolidated financial statements of Purchaser (including any related
notes and schedules) included (or incorporated by reference) in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2000, and the
unaudited consolidted financial statements of Purchaser (including any related
notes and schedules) included (or incorporated by reference) in any Form 10-Qs
filed by Purchaser subsequent to the filing of such Form 10-K, (a) have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto)
subject, in the case of the unaudited consolidated financial statements, to
year-end closing adjustments not material in amount and the lack of full
footnote presentations and except that the presentation and disclosures in such
statements conform with the applicble rules of the Exchange Act, but include all
adjustments necessary to conform to GAAP requirements with respect to interim
financial statements, and (b) fairly present, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of Purchaser and its consolidated subsidiaries
as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and
their cash flows for the periods then ended.
SECTION 3.7 PURCHASER INVESTMENT INTENT. Purchaser is acquiring the Blink
Shares pursuant to this Agreement for its own account for investment and not
with a view to the resale or distribution or public offering thereof within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Purchaser understands that the Blink Shares have
not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, cannot be resold
unless they are registered under the Securities Act or unlesss an exemption from
registration is available.
ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
The parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 4. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE CLOSING. (a) Unless the
Purchaser otherwise agrees in writing and except as otherwise set forth herein,
between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Blink shall and shall
cause Services to (i) conduct their businesses only in the ordinary course, (ii)
use reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact their business
organizations, (iii) use reasonable efforts to keep available to the Purchaser
the services of its present officers and employees, and (iv) use reasonable
efforts to preserve the current relationships of Blink and Services with their
customers, suppliers, agents, distributors and other persons or firms with which
each has significant business relationships.
(b) Blink shall and shall cause Services to terminate all outstanding
options, warrants or other rights to acquire Blink capital stock held by
employees, consultants, agents, distributors or any other person or firm without
obligation or liability on the part of Blink or Services; provided that
Purchaser shall offer incentive stock options to employees of Blink and Services
to be retained by Purchaser for
11
such amounts and exercise prices as set forth on Schedule 4.1(b) and otherwise
upon terms generally consistent with the terms of option grants previously made
to employees of Purchaser and provided each such employee shall have executed a
copy of Purchaser's Employee Handbook as a condition to the receipt of such
options.
SECTION 4.2 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. From the date hereof until the Closing,
upon reasonable notice, Blink shall cause its officers, directors, employees,
accountants and agents to, (i) afford the officers, employees and authorized
agents and representatives of the Purchaser reasonable access, during normal
business hours, to the offices, properties, books and records of Blink and
Services, and (ii) furnish to the Purchaser such additional information
regarding the assets, properties, business and goodwill of Blink and Services as
the Purchaser may from time to time reasonably request; provided, however, that
such investigation shall not unreasonably interfere with the business or
operations of Blink or Services.
SECTION 4.3 REGULATORY AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS; CONSENTS. Each party
hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all authorizations,
consents, orders and approvals of all federal, state and local regulatory bodies
and officials that may be or become necessary for its execution and delivery of,
and the performance of its obligations pursuant to, this Agreement and will
cooperate fully with the other party in promptly seeking to obtain all such
authorizations, consents, orders and approvals. The parties hereto will not take
any action that would have the effect of delaying, impairing, or impeding the
receipt of any required approvals.
SECTION 4.4 FURTHER ACTION. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and
deliver such documents and other papers and take such further actions as may be
reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the
transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V
DELIBERATELY OMITTED
ARTICLE VI
DELIBERATELY OMITTED
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
SECTION 7.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS. The obligations
of the Shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS. The representations and
warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be true and
correct as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made as of the
Closing (other than such representations and warranties as are made as of
another date which shall be true and correct as of such date) and the covenants
contained in this Agreement to be complied with by the Purchaser on or before
the Closing shall have been complied with. The Shareholders shall have received
a certificate to such effect signed by a duly authorized officer of the
Purchaser.
12
(b) NO ORDER. No United States or state governmental authority or other
agency or commission or United States or state court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation, injunction or other order which is in effect and has the effect of
making the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or otherwise
restraining or prohibiting consummation of such transactions; provided, however,
that the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to have any such
order or injunction vacated.
(c) PURCHASER STOCK CERTIFICATES. Purchaser shall deliver certificates
representing the Stock registered in the names of Shareholders or their
designees in the denominations set forth on Schedule 7.1(c) hereto.
(d) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall have
signed employment agreements with Kevin Alward and Richard De Haven in forms
reasonably approved by each such Shareholder and the Purchaser.
(e) BOARD APPROVALS. Purchaser shall have delivered to Shareholders a
certificate of its corporate Secretary or other authorized officer certifying
resolutions of its Board of Directors authorizing execution of this Agreement
and the execution, delivery and performance of all agreements, documents and
transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. Purchaser shall have executed an investment
letter with respect to the Blink Shares in form and content acceptable to
counsel for Shareholders.
SECTION 7.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER. The obligations of
the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver, at or prior to the Closing, of
each of the following conditions:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS. The representations and
warranties of the Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall be true and
correct as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made as of the
Closing (other than such representations and warranties as are made as of
another date which shall be true and correct as of such date) and the covenants
contained in this Agreement to be complied with by the Shareholders on or before
the Closing shall have been complied with. The Purchaser shall have received a
certificate to such effect signed by Kevin Alward and Richard De Haven for
themselves and on behalf of each of the other Shareholders.
(b) NO ORDER. No United States or state governmental authority or other
agency or commission or United States or state court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation, injunction or other order which is in effect and has the effect of
making the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or otherwise
restraining or prohibiting consummation of such transactions; provided, however,
that the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to have any such
order or injunction vacated.
(c) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. The Shareholders referred to in Section 7.1 (d)
shall have signed employment agreements with the Purchaser in the forms of such
agreements reasonably approved by such Shareholders and the Purchaser.
(d) SHAREHOLDERS' CONTRIBUTION. On or prior to the Closing Date,
Shareholders shall have contributed to the capital of Blink, all indebtedness
owing by Blink or Services to Shareholders or of any of their affiliates.
13
(e) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION.Kevin Alward and Richard De Haven, on their
own behalf and, as the case may be, on behalf of each of the remaining
Shareholders, shall have executed an investment letter with respect to the Stock
in form and content acceptable to counsel for Purchaser.
(f) CONSENTS. The approval and all consents from third parties and
governmental agencies required to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained.
(g) RECEIPT OF CLOSING DOCUMENTATION. On the Closing Date, Shareholders
shall deliver or shall cause Blink or Services to deliver to the Purchaser the
following:
(i) a certificate dated the Closing Date and executed by the
Secretary of Blink attesting to the existence and correctness of
the certificates of incorporation and by-laws of Blink and
Services to which are attached copies of each such document;
(ii) certificates representing the Blink Shares, duly endorsed for
transfer to Purchaser;
(iii) a general release by each Shareholder in favor of Blink and
Services
(iv) resignations, effective as of the Closing Date, of all of the
officers and directors of Blink and Services from any positions
which they may hold;
(v) consents, in form and content satisfactory to Purchaser and its
counsel, evidencing the termination of all options or other
rights to acquire capital stock of Blink or Services, whether
held by employees, consultants, agents, distributors or any other
person or firm;
(vi) an instrument, in form and content satisfactory to Purchaser and
its counsel, evidencing the Shareholders' capital contribution
referred to in Section 7.2(d) of this Agreement; and
(vii) such other certificates, agreements or other instruments as
Purchaser may reasonably request to give full effect to the
intent and purposes of this Agreement, including consents, if
required, from any vendor, lessor, licensor, distributor or
customer of Blink or Services.
(h) BOARD APPROVAL. Blink shall have delivered to Purchaser a certificate
of its corporate Secretary or other authorized officer certifying resolutions of
its Board of Directors authorizing execution of this Agreement and the
execution, delivery and performance of all agreements, documents and
transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, WAIVER INDEMNIFICATION AND SURVIVAL
SECTION 8.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Closing:
(a) the mutual written consent of the Shareholders and Blink, on the one
part, and Purchaser, on the other;
14
(b) by either of the Shareholders or the Purchaser, if the Closing shall
not have occurred on or prior to March 29, 2001; provided, however, that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1 (b) shall not be
available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this
Agreement shall have been the cause of, or shall have resulted in, the failure
of the Closing to occur prior to such date.
SECTION 8.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void
and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of any party hereto,
except as set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 and 9.11. However, nothing
herein shall relieve either party from liability for any willful breach hereof.
SECTION 8.3 WAIVER. At any time prior to the Closing, any party may (a)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
the other party hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, or (c)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed by the party to be bound thereby.
SECTION 8.4 SURVIVAL. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in any
certificate or instrument delivered in connection herewith shall be continuing
and shall survive the Closing for a period of one (1) year thereafter,
notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of a party
hereto.
SECTION 8.5 INDEMNIFICATION OF THE PURCHASER. Each of the Shareholders
shall indemnify the Purchaser against, and shall hold the Purchaser harmless
from, any and all costs, damages, claims, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), losses, liabilities or deficiencies, whether known or unknown,
resulting from any misrepresentation, omission, nonfulfillment or breach by
Blink or the Shareholders of any covenant, representation or warranty set forth
in this Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered in
connection with this Agreement. The obligation of each such Shareholder to
provide indemnity under this Section 8.5 shall be in direct proportion to the
percentage of ownership of Blink shares by such Shareholder.
SECTION 8.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS. The Purchaser shall
indemnify the Shareholders against, and shall hold the Shareholders harmless
from, any and all costs, damages, claims, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), losses, liabilities or deficiencies, whether known or unknown,
resulting from any misrepresentation, omission, nonfulfillment or breach by the
Purchaser of any covenant, representation or warranty set forth in this
Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered in connection with
this Agreement.
SECTION 8.7 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES. All claims for indemnification
under this Agreement shall be asserted and resolved as follows:
(a) A party claiming indemnification under this Agreement (an "Indemnified
Party") shall with reasonable promptness (i) notify the party from which
indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of any third-party claim
("Third Party Claim") for which indemnification is sought and (ii) transmit to
the Indemnifying Party a written notice ("Claim Notice") describing in
reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers
served with respect to such claim (if any), an estimate of the amount of damages
attributable to the Third Party Claim to the extent feasible (which estimate
shall not be conclusive of the final amount of such claim) and the basis of the
Indemnified Party's request for indemnification under this Agreement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no delay on the part of the Indemnified Party in providing the
Claim Notice shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from its
15
obligations hereunder unless (and then only to the extent) the Indemnifying
Party is damaged by such delay.
Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of any Claim Notice (the "Election
Period"), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether
the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party
under the Survival and Indemnification Provisions with respect to such Third
Party Claim and (ii) whether the Indemnifying Party desires, at the sole cost
and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to defend against such Third Party Claim.
(b) If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the
Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the
Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend,
at its sole cost and expense, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party, such Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnifying Party in
accordance with this Section 8.7 (b). The Indemnifying Party shall have full
control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement
thereof; provided however, that if the basis of the proceeding relates to a
condition or operations that existed or were conducted both prior to and after
the Closing, each party shall have the same right to participate in the
proceeding and in the settlement of the Third Party Claim without either party
having the right of control. The Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, at the
sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (but only if the Indemnified
Party is entitled to indemnification hereunder), to file, during the Election
Period, any motion, answer or other pleadings that the Indemnified Party shall
reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of
the Indemnifying Party and not materially prejudicial to the Indemnifying Party
(it being understood and agreed that if an Indemnified Party takes any such
action that is materially prejudicial and causes a final adjudication that is
adverse to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall be relieved of
its obligations hereunder with respect to such Third Party Claim). If requested
by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees, at the sole cost and
expense of the Indemnifying Party, to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and
its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party
elects to contest, including, without limitation, the making of any related
counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third Party Claim or any
cross-complaint against any Person. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement
of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this
Section 8.7 and shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such
participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party may, at any
time and in its sole discretion, release the Indemnifying Party from its
obligations hereunder with respect to a Third Party Claim and thereafter assume
control of the defense or settlement thereof, including all costs and expenses
thereof.
(c) If the Indemnifying Party fails to notify the Indemnified Party within
the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to defend the Indemnified
Party pursuant to Section 8.7 (b), or if the Indemnifying Party elects to defend
the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 8.7 (b) but fails diligently and
promptly to prosecute or settle the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified
Party shall have the right to defend, at the sole cost and expense of the
Indemnifying Party (if the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification
hereunder), the Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings shall be promptly and vigorously prosecuted by the Indemnified Party
to a final conclusion or settled. The Indemnified Party shall have full control
of such defense and proceedings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
Indemnifying Party has delivered a written notice to the Indemnified Party to
the effect that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the
Indemnified Party hereunder and if such dispute is resolved in favor of the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to bear the
costs and expenses of the Indemnified Party's defense pursuant to this Section
8.7 (c) or of the Indemnifying Party's participation therein at the Indemnified
Party's request, and the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying
Party in full for all costs and expenses of such litigation. The
16
Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or
settlement controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 8.7 (c),
and the Indemnifying Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to
such participation.
(d) In the event any Indemnified Party shall have a claim against any
Indemnifying Party hereunder that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the
Indemnified Party shall transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (the
"Indemnity Notice") describing in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, an
estimate of the amount of damages attributable to such claim to the extent
feasible (which estimate shall not be conclusive of the final amount of such
claim) and the basis of the Indemnified Party's request for indemnification
under this Agreement. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified
Party within 30 days from its receipt of the Indemnity Notice that the
Indemnifying Party disputes such claim, the claim specified by the Indemnified
Party in the Indemnity Notice shall be deemed a liability of the Indemnifying
Party hereunder.
SECTION 8.8 APPLICATION. Nothing in this Article VIII shall limit or
otherwise prejudice in any way the right of the Shareholders or the Purchaser to
proceed against the other party with respect to fraud or intentional
misrepresentation of such party.
SECTION 8.9 LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Article VIII, (a) neither Shareholders, on the one hand, nor Purchaser, on the
other shall be liable to the other under this Agreement for any losses resulting
from a breach of any representation or warranty until the total for all such
claims exceeds $25,000 in the aggregate, and (b) the maximum aggregate liability
of the Shareholders, on the one hand, and Purchaser, on the other, for all
losses, claims, damages or expenses resulting from a breach of any
representation or warranty shall not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate, except
for fraud or an intentional misrepresentation by a party.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 9.1 EXPENSES. All costs and expenses, including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and
accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and
expenses, whether or not the Closing shall have occurred.
SECTION 9.2 NOTICES.All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in
person, by courier service, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid,
return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses
(or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in
accordance with this Section 10.2):
(a) if to Blink:
Blink Data Corp.
365 West Passaic Street / Second Floor
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Attn: Kevin Alward, President
17
with a copy to:
Blink Data Corp.
365 West Passaic Street, 2nd Floor
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Attention: General Counsel
(b) if to the Shareholders Kevin Alward, Elka Park Seven LLC, Philander
Norton Alward, Trustee under The Alward Children's Trust, or The Alward
Generation-Skipping Trust:
Kevin Alward
182 Powell Road
Allendale, NJ 07401
(c) If to Shareholders Richard De Haven, and Michele De Haven, Trustee
under the Brock Alexander De Haven Trust, the Sam Gerard De Haven Trust, or the
Allison Nicole Marchese Trust:
Richard Dehaven
25 Blue Heron Way
Skillman, NJ 08558
(d) if to the Purchaser:
COVISTA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
150 Clove Road
Little Falls, NJ 07424
Attn: John Leach, President
18
with a copy to:
Law Offices of Jay J. Miller
430 E. 57th Street / Suite 5D
New York, New York 10022
Attn: Jay J. Miller, Esq.
SECTION 9.3 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Unless required by
law or otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Blink and Shareholders and
(until the Closing) the Purchaser shall (i) keep confidential and (ii) shall not
communicate to other persons or firms (other than their employees, agents and
advisors) or make any public announcements in respect of this Agreement, and
matters discussed or disclosed in connection herewith or therewith, without
prior consent by the other parties; in the event such consent is given, the
parties shall cooperate as to the timing and contents of any such public
announcement.
SECTION 9.4 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not
performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to the remedy of specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition
to any other remedy at law or equity.
SECTION 9.5 HEADINGS; GENDER, NUMBER AND PERSON. (a) The headings contained
in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(b) As used herein, any reference to (1) the masculine, feminine or neuter
gender includes the other two genders, (2) the singular or plural number
includes the other number, and (3) a person or third party includes both natural
persons and entities.
19
SECTION 9.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior agreement or understanding, written and oral, among the
Shareholders and the Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 9.7 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation
of law or otherwise.
SECTION 9.8 NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto
and their successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or
implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person or firm, any legal
or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.9 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except
by an instrument in writing signed by Blink, the Shareholders and the Purchaser.
SECTION 9.10 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to
contracts executed in and to be performed in that state. Any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and
determined in a state or federal court sitting in the State of New Jersey and
the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
such courts in any such action or proceeding and irrevocably waive the defense
of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding.
SECTION 9.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 9.12 SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Agreement is declared by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable after all
appeals have either been exhausted or the time for any appeals to be taken has
expired, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated.
SECTION 9.13 DELIVERY BY FACSIMILE. This Agreement shall become effective
upon execution and delivery hereof by all the parties hereto; delivery of this
Agreement may be made by facsimile to the parties with original copies promptly
to follow by courier.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Blink, the Shareholders and the Purchaser have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
BLINK DATA CORP.
By: /s/ KEVIN A. ALWARD
-----------------------------------------
Name: Kevin A. Alward
Title: President and CEO
SHAREHOLDERS:
/s/ KEVIN A. ALWARD
-------------------------------------------
Kevin A. Alward
Elka Park Seven, LLC
By: /s/ KEVIN A. ALWARD
----------------------------------------
Name: Kevin A. Alward
Title: Managing Member
The Alward Children's Trust
By: /s/ PHILANDER NORTON ALWARD
----------------------------------------
Name: Philander Norton Alward
Title: Trustee
The Alward Generation-Skipping Trust
By: /s/ PHILANDER NORTON ALWARD
----------------------------------------
Name: Philander Norton Alward
Title: Trustee
/s/ RICHARD GERARD DE HAVEN
-------------------------------------------
Richard Gerard De Haven
Brock Alexander De Haven Trust
By: /s/ MICHELE DE HAVEN
----------------------------------------
Name: Michele DeHaven
Title: Trustee
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Sam Gerard De Haven Trust
By: /s/ MICHELE DE HAVEN
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Name: Michele DeHaven
Title: Trustee
Allison Nicole Marchese Trust
By: /s/ MICHELE DE HAVEN
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Name: Michele DeHaven
Title Trustee
PURCHASER:
COVISTA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ A. JOHN LEACH, JR.
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Name: A. John Leach, Jr.
Title: President & CEO
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