Exhibit 4.2
EXECUTION COPY
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of this 20th day of February, 2007 by and among Ibis Technology
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), and the "Investors"
named in that certain Purchase Agreement by and among the Company and the
Investors (the "Purchase Agreement"). Capitalized terms used herein have the
respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Purchase Agreement unless otherwise
defined herein.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any person, any other person which
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such person.
"Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
banks in New York City are open for the general transaction of business.
"Common Stock" shall mean the Company's common stock, par value $0.008
per share, and any securities into which such shares may hereinafter be
reclassified.
"Investors" shall mean the Investors identified in the Purchase
Agreement and any Affiliate or permitted transferee of any Investor who is a
subsequent holder of any Warrants or Registrable Securities.
"Prospectus" shall mean (i) the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect
to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement and by all other amendments and
supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all
material incorporated by reference in such prospectus, and (ii) any "free
writing prospectus" as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act prepared by,
distributed by or authorized by the Company.
"Register," "registered" and "registration" refer to a registration
made by preparing and filing a Registration Statement or similar document in
compliance with the 1933 Act (as defined below), and the declaration or ordering
of effectiveness of such Registration Statement or document.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean (i) the Shares, (ii) the Warrant
Shares and (iii) any other securities issued or issuable with respect to or in
exchange for Registrable Securities; provided, that, a security shall cease to
be a Registrable Security upon (A) sale pursuant to a Registration Statement or
Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, or (B) such security becoming eligible for sale by
the Investors pursuant to Rule 144(k).
"Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company filed under the 1933 Act that covers the resale of any of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, amendments
and supplements to such Registration Statement, including post-effective
amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such
Registration Statement.
"Required Investors" means the Investors holding a majority of the
Registrable Securities.
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Shares" means the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement.
"1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Warrants" means, the warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock
issued to the Investors pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the form of which is
attached to the Purchase Agreement as Exhibit A.
"Warrant Shares" means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Warrants.
2. Registration.
(a) Registration Statements.
(i) Promptly following the First Closing but no later
than sixty (60) days after the First Closing Date (the "First Filing Deadline"),
the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC one Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (or, if Form S-3 is not then available to the Company, on such form of
registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale
of the Registrable Securities), covering the resale of the Initial Shares and
the Initial Warrant Shares (the "Initial Registrable Securities"). Subject to
any SEC comments, such Registration Statement shall include the plan of
distribution attached hereto as Exhibit A. Such Registration Statement also
shall cover, to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules
promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), such indeterminate number of
additional shares of Common Stock resulting from stock splits, stock dividends
or similar transactions with respect to the Initial Registrable Securities. Such
Registration Statement shall not include any shares of Common Stock or other
securities for the account of any other holder without the prior written consent
of the Required Investors; except shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
warrants issued to TN Capital Equities, Ltd, or its designees, in connection
with its services as placement agent with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Transaction Documents (the
"Placement Agent Warrants"). The Registration Statement (and each amendment or
supplement thereto, and each request for acceleration of effectiveness thereof)
shall be provided in accordance with Section 3(c) to the Investors and their
counsel prior to its filing or other submission. If a Registration Statement
covering the Initial Registrable Securities is not filed with the SEC on or
prior to the First Filing Deadline, the Company will make pro rata payments to
each Investor, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to
1.5% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor on the First Closing Date
for each 30-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following the First
Filing Deadline for which no Registration Statement is filed with respect to the
Initial Registrable Securities. Such payments shall constitute the Investors'
exclusive monetary remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the
Investors to seek injunctive relief. Such payments shall be made to each
Investor in cash.
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(ii) Promptly following the Second Closing but no
later than sixty (60) days after the Second Closing Date (the "Second Filing
Deadline"), the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC one Registration
Statement on Form S-3 or, at the Company's option, amend the Registration
Statement filed pursuant to clause (i) above, if such Registration Statement has
not previously been declared effective (or, if Form S-3 is not then available to
the Company, on such form of registration statement as is then available to
effect a registration for resale of the Registrable Securities), covering the
resale of the Remaining Shares and the Remaining Warrant Shares (the "Remaining
Registrable Securities"). Subject to any SEC comments, such Registration
Statement shall include the plan of distribution attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Such Registration Statement also shall cover, to the extent allowable under the
1933 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), such
indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock resulting from stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions with respect to the Remaining
Registrable Securities. Such Registration Statement shall not include any shares
of Common Stock or other securities for the account of any other holder without
the prior written consent of the Required Investors; except shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to the Placement Agent Warrants. The Registration
Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each request for
acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided in accordance with
Section 3(c) to the Investors and their counsel prior to its filing or other
submission. If a Registration Statement covering the Remaining Registrable
Securities is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the Second Filing Deadline,
the Company will make pro rata payments to each Investor, as liquidated damages
and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 1.5% of the aggregate amount paid by
such Investor on the Second Closing Date for each 30-day period or pro rata for
any portion thereof following the Second Filing Deadline for which no
Registration Statement is filed with respect to the Remaining Registrable
Securities. Such payments shall constitute the Investors' exclusive monetary
remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the Investors to seek
injunctive relief. Such payments shall be made to each Investor in cash.
(iii) Additional Registrable Securities. Upon the
written demand of any Investor and upon any change in the Warrant Price (as
defined in the Warrant) such that additional shares of Common Stock become
issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants (the "Additional Shares"), the
Company shall prepare and file with the SEC one or more Registration Statements
on Form S-3 or, at the Company's option, amend the Registration Statement filed
pursuant to clause (i) and/or (ii) above (as applicable), if such Registration
Statement has not previously been declared effective (or, if Form S-3 is not
then available to the Company, on such form of registration statement as is then
available to effect a registration for resale of the Additional Shares, subject
to the Required Investors' consent) covering the resale of the Additional
Shares, but only to the extent the Additional Shares are not at the time covered
by an effective Registration Statement. Subject to any SEC comments, such
Registration Statement shall include the plan of distribution attached hereto as
Exhibit A. Such Registration Statement also shall cover, to the extent allowable
under the 1933 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416),
such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock resulting from
stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions with respect to the
Additional Shares. Such Registration Statement shall not include any shares of
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Common Stock or other securities for the account of any other holder without the
prior written consent of the Required Investors; except additional shares of
Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Placement Agent Warrants as a result of
any change of the warrant exercise price of such Placement Agent Warrants. The
Registration Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each
request for acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided in
accordance with Section 3(c) to the Investors and their counsel prior to its
filing or other submission. If a Registration Statement covering the Additional
Shares is required to be filed under this Section 2(a)(iii) and is not filed
with the SEC within thirty (30) days of the request of any Investor or upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified in this Section 2(a)(iii), the Company
will make pro rata payments to each Investor, as liquidated damages and not as a
penalty, in an amount equal to 1.5% of the aggregate amount invested by such
Investor for each 30-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following
the date by which such Registration Statement should have been filed for which
no Registration Statement is filed with respect to the Additional Shares. Such
payments shall constitute the Investors' exclusive monetary remedy for such
events, but shall not affect the right of the Investors to seek injunctive
relief. Such payments shall be made to each Investor in cash.
(b) Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses
associated with each registration, including filing and printing fees, the
Company's counsel and accounting fees and expenses, costs associated with
clearing the Registrable Securities for sale under applicable state securities
laws, listing fees, fees and expenses of one counsel to the Investors (subject
to a cap of $5,000), but excluding discounts, commissions, fees of underwriters,
selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals
with respect to the Registrable Securities being sold.
(c) Effectiveness.
(i) The Company shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as
practicable. The Company shall notify the Investors by facsimile or e-mail as
promptly as practicable, and in any event, within twenty-four (24) hours, after
any Registration Statement is declared effective and shall within two Business
Days of the effective date provide the Investors with copies of any related
Prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other disposition of the
securities covered thereby. If (A)(w) a Registration Statement covering the
Initial Registrable Securities is not declared effective by the SEC prior to the
earliest of (i) five (5) Business Days after the SEC shall have informed the
Company that no review of the Registration Statement will be made or that the
SEC has no further comments on the Registration Statement, (ii) the 60th day
after the initial filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC (the 90th
day if the SEC reviews the Registration Statement) or (iii) the 90th day after
the First Closing Date (the 120th day if the SEC reviews the Registration
Statement), (x) a Registration Statement covering the Remaining Registrable
Securities is not declared effective by the SEC prior to the earliest of (i)
five (5) Business Days after the SEC shall have informed the Company that no
review of the Registration Statement will be made or that the SEC has no further
comments on the Registration Statement, (ii) the 60th day after the initial
filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC (the 90th day if the SEC
reviews the Registration Statement) or (iii) the 90th day after the Second
Closing Date (the 120th day if the SEC reviews the Registration Statement), or
(y) a Registration Statement covering Additional Shares is not declared
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effective by the SEC within ninety (90) days following the time such
Registration Statement was required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a)(iii),
or (B) after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC,
sales cannot be made pursuant to such Registration Statement for any reason
(including without limitation by reason of a stop order, or the Company's
failure to update the Registration Statement), but excluding the inability of
any Investor to sell the Registrable Securities covered thereby due to market
conditions and except as excused pursuant to subparagraph (ii) below, then the
Company will make pro rata payments to each Investor, as liquidated damages and
not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 1.5% of the aggregate amount invested by
such Investor for each 30- day period or pro rata for any portion thereof
following the date by which such Registration Statement should have been
effective (the "Blackout Period"). Such payments shall constitute the Investors'
exclusive monetary remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the
Investors to seek injunctive relief. The amounts payable as liquidated damages
pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid monthly within three (3) Business Days
of the last day of each month following the commencement of the Blackout Period
until the termination of the Blackout Period. Such payments shall be made to
each Investor in cash.
(ii) For not more than twenty (20) consecutive days
or for a total of not more than forty-five (45) days in any twelve (12) month
period, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information
concerning the Company, by suspending the use of any Prospectus included in any
registration contemplated by this Section containing such information, the
disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the
Company, in the best interests of the Company (an "Allowed Delay"); provided,
that the Company shall promptly (a) notify the Investors in writing of the
existence of (but in no event, without the prior written consent of an Investor,
shall the Company disclose to such Investor any of the facts or circumstances
regarding) material non-public information giving rise to an Allowed Delay, (b)
advise the Investors in writing to cease all sales under the Registration
Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay and (c) use commercially reasonable
efforts to terminate an Allowed Delay as promptly as practicable.
(d) Rule 415; Cutbacks. Notwithstanding the other
provisions of this Section 2, if at any time the SEC takes the position that the
offering of some or all of the Registrable Securities in a Registration
Statement is not eligible to be made on a delayed or continuous basis under the
provisions of Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, the Company shall (i) remove from the
Registration Statement such portion of the Registrable Securities (the "Cut Back
Shares") and/or (ii) agree to such restrictions and limitations on the
registration and resale of the Registrable Securities as the SEC may require to
assure the Company's compliance with the requirements of Rule 415 (collectively,
the "SEC Restrictions"). Any cut-back imposed pursuant to this Section 2(d)
shall be allocated first to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants and then among the Investors on a pro
rata basis and shall be allocated first to any Warrant Shares, unless the SEC
Restrictions otherwise require. No liquidated damages shall accrue on or as to
any Cut Back Shares until such time as the Company is able to effect the
registration of the Cut Back Shares in accordance with any SEC Restrictions
(such date, the "Restriction Termination Date"). From and after the Restriction
Termination Date, all of the provisions of this Section 2 (including the
liquidated damages provisions) shall again be applicable to the Cut Back Shares;
provided, however, that for such purposes the Closing Date shall be deemed to be
the Restriction Termination Date.
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3. Company Obligations. The Company will use commercially reasonable
efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance
with the terms hereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will, as expeditiously
as possible:
(a) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
Registration Statement to become effective and to remain continuously effective
for a period that will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the date on which all
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement as amended from
time to time, have been sold, and (ii) the date on which all Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement may be sold pursuant to Rule
144(k) (the "Effectiveness Period") and advise the Investors in writing when the
Effectiveness Period has expired;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as
may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the
Effectiveness Period and to comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the
1934 Act with respect to the distribution of all of the Registrable Securities
covered thereby;
(c) provide copies to and permit counsel designated
by the Investors to review each Registration Statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto no fewer than three (3) Business Days prior to their filing
with the SEC and not file any document to which such counsel reasonably objects;
(d) furnish to the Investors and their legal counsel
(i) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed, filed with the
SEC, or received by the Company (but not later than two (2) Business Days after
the filing date, receipt date or sending date, as the case may be) one (1) copy
of any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary
prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each
letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the
SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in
each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion of any
thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential
treatment), and (ii) such number of copies of a Prospectus, including a
preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such
other documents as each Investor may reasonably request in order to facilitate
the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor that are
covered by the related Registration Statement;
(e) use commercially reasonable efforts to (i)
prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness and,
(ii) if such order is issued, obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the
earliest possible moment;
(f) prior to any public offering of Registrable
Securities, use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or
cooperate with the Investors and their counsel in connection with the
registration or qualification of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions requested by the
Investors and do any and all other commercially reasonable acts or things
necessary or advisable to enable the distribution in such jurisdictions of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(f), (ii) subject itself
to general taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be so
subject but for this Section 3(f), or (iii) file a general consent to service of
process in any such jurisdiction;
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(g) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each
securities exchange, interdealer quotation system or other market on which
similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(h) immediately notify the Investors, at any time
prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, upon discovery that, or upon the
happening of any event as a result of which, the Prospectus includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly prepare, file with the
SEC and furnish to such holder a supplement to or an amendment of such
Prospectus as may be necessary so that such Prospectus shall not include an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing; and
(i) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC under the 1933 Act
and the 1934 Act, including, without limitation, Rule 172 under the 1933 Act,
file any final Prospectus, including any supplement or amendment thereof, with
the SEC pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, promptly inform the Investors
in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company does not
satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the
Investors are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with any
disposition of Registrable Securities and take such other actions as may be
reasonably necessary to facilitate the registration of the Registrable
Securities hereunder; and make available to its security holders, as soon as
reasonably practicable, but not later than the Availability Date (as defined
below), an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve (12) months,
beginning after the effective date of each Registration Statement, which
earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933
Act, including Rule 158 promulgated thereunder (for the purpose of this
subsection 3(i), "Availability Date" means the 45th day following the end of the
fourth fiscal quarter that includes the effective date of such Registration
Statement, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last quarter of the
Company's fiscal year, "Availability Date" means the 90th day after the end of
such fourth fiscal quarter).
(j) With a view to making available to the Investors
the benefits of Rule 144 (or its successor rule) and any other rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell shares
of Common Stock to the public without registration, the Company covenants and
agrees to: (i) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144, until the earlier of (A) six months after
such date as all of the Registrable Securities may be resold pursuant to Rule
144(k) or any other rule of similar effect or (B) such date as all of the
Registrable Securities shall have been resold; (ii) file with the SEC in a
timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
1934 Act; and (iii) furnish to each Investor upon request, as long as such
Investor owns any Registrable Securities, (A) a written statement by the Company
that it has complied with the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act, (B) a copy
of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, and (C) such other information as may be reasonably requested in
order to avail such Investor of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits
the selling of any such Registrable Securities without registration.
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4. Due Diligence Review; Information. In the event that an
Investor notifies the Company that it is reasonably necessary for such Investor
to conduct a due diligence review of the Company for the purpose of availing
itself of any defense to liability provided under Section 11 or 12 of the 1933
Act, the Company shall make available, during normal business hours, for
inspection and review by the Investors, advisors to and representatives of the
Investors (who may or may not be affiliated with the Investors and who are
reasonably acceptable to the Company), all financial and other records, all SEC
Filings (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) 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, within a reasonable time period, to supply
all such information reasonably requested by the Investors 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 Investors 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 such
Registration Statement.
The Company shall not disclose material nonpublic information
to the Investors, or to advisors to or representatives of the Investors, unless
prior to disclosure of such information the Company identifies such information
as being material nonpublic information and provides the Investors, such
advisors and representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept
such material nonpublic information for review and any Investor wishing to
obtain such information enters into an appropriate confidentiality agreement
with the Company with respect thereto.
5. Obligations of the Investors.
(a) Each Investor shall furnish in writing to the
Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it
and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it,
as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable
Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration
as the Company may reasonably request. At least five (5) Business Days prior to
the first anticipated filing date of any Registration Statement, the Company
shall notify each Investor of the information the Company requires from such
Investor if such Investor elects to have any of the Registrable Securities
included in the Registration Statement. An Investor shall provide such
information to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the first
anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement if such Investor elects
to have any of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration
Statement.
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(b) Each Investor, by its acceptance of the
Registrable Securities agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of a
Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company
in writing of its election to exclude all of its Registrable Securities from
such Registration Statement.
(c) Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Company of either (i) the commencement of an Allowed Delay
pursuant to Section 2(c)(ii) or (ii) the happening of an event pursuant to
Section 3(h) hereof, such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such
Registrable Securities, until the Investor is advised by the Company that such
dispositions may again be made.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and its officers, directors, members,
employees and agents, successors and assigns, and each other person, if any, who
controls such Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act, against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they may become
subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, any preliminary Prospectus or final
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof; (ii) any blue sky
application or other document executed by the Company specifically for that
purpose or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any
state or other jurisdiction in order to qualify any or all of the Registrable
Securities under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or
information herein called a "Blue Sky Application"); (iii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iv) any violation
by the Company or its agents of any rule or regulation promulgated under the
1933 Act applicable to the Company or its agents and relating to action or
inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration; or (v)
any failure to register or qualify the Registrable Securities included in any
such Registration in any state where the Company or its agents has affirmatively
undertaken or agreed in writing that the Company will undertake such
registration or qualification on an Investor's behalf and will reimburse such
Investor, and each such officer, director or member and each such controlling
person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case
if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out
of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such
Investor or any such controlling person in writing specifically for use in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus.
(b) Indemnification by the Investors. Each Investor
agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers,
employees, stockholders and each person who controls the Company (within the
meaning of the 1933 Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
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expense (including reasonable attorney fees) resulting from any untrue statement
of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required to be stated in
the Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or amendment
or supplement thereto or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or
omission is contained in any information furnished in writing by such Investor
to the Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement or
Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability
of an Investor be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net
of all expense paid by such Investor in connection with any claim relating to
this Section 6 and the amount of any damages such Investor has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission) received by such
Investor upon the sale of the Registrable Securities included in the
Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any
person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt notice to the
indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification
and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided that any
person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ
separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (a)
the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses, or (b) the
indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and
employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person or (c) in the reasonable
judgment of any such person, based upon written advice of its counsel, a
conflict of interest exists between such person and the indemnifying party with
respect to such claims (in which case, if the person notifies the indemnifying
party in writing that such person elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such person); and
provided, further, that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as
provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations
hereunder, except to the extent that such failure to give notice shall
materially adversely affect the indemnifying party in the defense of any such
claim or litigation. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in
connection with any proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for fees or
expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such
indemnified parties. No indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the
indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement
that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the
claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability
in respect of such claim or litigation.
(d) Contribution. If for any reason the
indemnification provided for in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) is
unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient to hold it harmless, other
than as expressly specified therein, then the indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of
such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the indemnified party and the indemnifying party,
as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. 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 not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. In no event shall the contribution obligation of a holder of
Registrable Securities be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the
proceeds (net of all expenses paid by such holder in connection with any claim
relating to this Section 6 and the amount of any damages such holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission) received by it upon the sale of the
Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation.
10
7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be
amended only by a writing signed by the Company and the Required Investors. 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 shall have obtained the
written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act, of the Required
Investors.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made as set forth in Section 9.4 of
the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Assignments and Transfers by Investors. The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the Investors and their respective successors and assigns. An Investor may
transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more
persons its rights hereunder in connection with the transfer of Registrable
Securities by such Investor to such person, provided that such Investor complies
with all laws applicable thereto and provides written notice of assignment to
the Company promptly after such assignment is effected.
(d) Assignments and Transfers by the Company. This
Agreement may not be assigned by the Company (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) without the prior written consent of the Required Investors,
provided, however, that the Company may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any surviving or successor corporation in connection with a
merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation, or a sale,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets to another corporation, without the prior written consent of the Required
Investors, after notice duly given by the Company to each Investor.
(e) Benefits of the Agreement. The terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the respective permitted successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than
the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights,
remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
(f) Counterparts; Faxes. This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This
Agreement may also be executed via facsimile, which shall be deemed an original.
11
(g) Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles
used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be
considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
(h) Severability. Any provision of this Agreement
that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof but shall
be interpreted as if it were written so as to be enforceable to the maximum
extent permitted by applicable law, and any such prohibition or unenforceability
in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision
in any other jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
parties hereby waive any provision of law which renders any provisions hereof
prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.
(i) Further Assurances. The parties shall execute and
deliver all such further instruments and documents and take all such other
actions as may reasonably be required to carry out the transactions contemplated
hereby and to evidence the fulfillment of the agreements herein contained.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by
the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.
(k) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of
Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of
law principles thereof. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New
York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to
or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be
served on each party hereto anywhere in the world by the same methods as are
specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Each of the parties
hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such
suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. Each party
hereto irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit,
action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim
that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO
REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
REPRESENTS THAT COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED SPECIFICALLY AS TO THIS WAIVER.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
or caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
The Company: IBIS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By: /s/ WILLIAM SCHMIDT
-----------------------------
Name: William Schmidt
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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The Investors: SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND III QP, L.P.
By: /s/ AUSTIN W. MARXE
-------------------
Name: Austin W. Marxe
Title: General Partner
SPECIAL SITUATIONS PRIVATE EQUITY FUND, L.P.
By: /s/ AUSTIN W. MARXE
-------------------
Name: Austin W. Marxe
Title: General Partner
SPECIAL SITUATIONS TECHNOLOGY FUND, L.P.
By: /s/ AUSTIN W. MARXE
-------------------
Name: Austin W. Marxe
Title: General Partner
SPECIAL SITUATIONS TECHNOLOGY FUND II, L.P.
By: /s/ AUSTIN W. MARXE
-------------------
Name: Austin W. Marxe
Title: General Partner
14
Exhibit A
Plan of Distribution
The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees,
pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common
stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this
prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership
distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in
shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on
which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may
be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices
related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time
of sale, or at negotiated prices.
The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following
methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:
- ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
- block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal
to facilitate the transaction;
- purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account;
- an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
- privately negotiated transactions;
- short sales effected after the date the registration statement of
which this Prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;
- through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
- broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; and
- a combination of any such methods of sale.
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a
security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them
and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the
pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from
time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus
under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act
amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or
other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The
selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other
circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in
interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein,
the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers
or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling
stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling
stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the
common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less
discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the
right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in
whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or
through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. Upon
any exercise of the warrants by payment of cash, however, we will receive the
exercise price of the warrants.
The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares
in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act
of 1933, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of
that rule.
The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents
that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be
"underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any
discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the
shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Selling stockholders who are "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11)
of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the
names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public
offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable
commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in
an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if
applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the
common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale
or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and
is complied with.
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We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation
rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the
market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates.
In addition, to the extent applicable we will make copies of this prospectus (as
it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling
stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer
that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against
certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities
laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.
We have agreed with the selling stockholders to keep the registration
statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the
earlier of (1) such time as all of the shares covered by this prospectus have
been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with the registration statement
or (2) the date on which the shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the
Securities Act.
17