UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 3, 2005
REMEDENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 001-15975 86-0837251 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 011-329-321-7080
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 4a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On June 3, 2005, Remedent, Inc., formerly known as Remedent USA, Inc. (the "Company"), entered into an Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with Remedent N.V., a Belgian company and an entity in which the Company is a stockholder ("Remedent NV"); Lausha NV, a Belgian company that is controlled by Guy De Vreese who is Chairman of the Company ("Lausha"); and Robin List, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company ("Mr. List"). Mr. List and Lausha are collectively referred to as the "Exchanging Stockholders."
Prior to the exchange contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, the Company owned 2, 200 shares of Remedent NV representing a twenty-two percent (22%) ownership interest in Remedent NV and the Exchanging Stockholders collectively owned 7,800 shares of Remedent NV representing a seventy-eight percent (78%) ownership interest of Remedent NV. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 7,715,703 of its restricted common stock (representing a 78% ownership interest in the Company) giving effect to a one for twenty reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split"), in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Remedent NV owned by the Exchanging Stockholders (the "Acquisition"). The Agreement contemplates that as a result of the Acquisition, Remedent NV will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
A copy of the Exchange Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On June 3, 2005, the Company consummated the Acquisition of Remedent NV as contemplated by the Exchange Agreement. The Acquisition was effected pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company issued 7,715,703 post Reverse Stock Split shares of its restricted common stock to the Exchanging Stockholders in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Remedent NV owned by the Exchanging Stockholders. As a result of the Acquisition, Remedent NV is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
The number of shares as a percentage of the Company's outstanding shares, issued in consideration for the Acquisition of the seventy eight percent (78%) of the shares of Remedent NV was based on an evaluation by MDB Capital Group, LLC, a NASD registered broker dealer retained by the Company to render advice with regard to the Company's restructuring. MDB Capital Group, LLC concluded that the Company's twenty two percent (22%) interest in Remedent NV was the Company's only asset and therefore, as consideration for their seventy eighty percent (78%) interest in Remedent NV, the Exchanging Stockholders should receive an equal percentage ownership interest in the Company, therefore preserving the existing proportional indirect ownership interests in Remedent NV of both the Exchanging Stockholders and the existing Company stockholders.
Moreover, since the Exchanging Stockholders are also officers and directors of the Company, or companies controlled by the Company's officers and directors, the Company has taken the position that it has always maintained control of Remedent NV, as defined by Accounting Research Bulletin 51 "Consolidated Financial Statements." According, the operations of Remedent NV have been included in the Company's consolidated financials statements since inception. Furthermore, since the Company's entire business operations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, have been conducted through
Remedent NV, the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2005, contains disclosure on Remedent NV's business operations.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.
In connection with the Acquisition described in Sections 1.01 and 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, the Company exchanged a total of 7,715,703 shares of its post Reverse Stock Split common stock to the Exchanging Stockholders in exchange for the all of the issued and outstanding shares of Remedent NV owned by the Exchanging Stockholders. As a result of these issuances of common stock to the Exchanging Stockholders, Lausha directly owns 7,093,501 shares of restricted common stock of the Company representing approximately 71.27% of Company's common stock, and as since Lausha is controlled by Mr. De Vreese, he beneficially owns approximately 74.92% of the Company's common stock. In addition, Mr. List, an officer and director of the Company, beneficially owns 7.87% of the Company's common stock. Moreover, Lausha and Mr. List collectively own approximately 78% of the Company's common stock.
The Acquisition was approved by the Company's stockholders. An Information Statement on Schedule 14C was filed with the Commission and delivered to the stockholders of the Company on May 9, 2005 in connection with the required stockholder's approval.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On June 3, 2005, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation pursuant
to the filing of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the
Nevada Secretary of State. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
(i) changed the name of the Company from "Remedent USA, Inc." to "Remedent,
Inc." (ii) increased the number of authorized shares to 60,000,000 shares
consisting of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, and (iii) effected a 1 for 20 reverse stock split
(collectively, the "Amendments"). The Amendments were disclosed in an
Information Statement mailed on May 9, 2005 to all stockholders of record as of
the close of business on February 1, 2005.
A copy of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are attached as Exhibit 3(i).
Additionally, effective on June 3, 2005, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws pursuant to which a provision was adopted or changed to provide for twenty-four (24) hours prior notice for any special meeting of the Board.
A copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws are attached as Exhibit 3(ii).
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) The financial statements required by this item are not included with this initial report. The required financial statements will be filed by amendment as soon as practicable, but not later than 71 days after the date this Current Report on Form 8-K was required to be filed.
(b) The pro forma financial statements required by this item are not included with this initial report. The required pro forma financial statements will be filed by amendment as soon as practicable, but not later than 71 days after the date this Current Report on Form 8-K was required to be filed.
(c) The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith:
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description ----------- ------------------- 3(i) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation 3(ii) Amended and Restated Bylaws 10.1 Exchange Agreement |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 8, 2005 /s/ Robin List ------------------------------------- Robin List, Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 3(i)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
REMEDENT USA, INC.
FIRST: The name of this Corporation is:
Remedent, Inc.
SECOND: The registered agent and its registered office in the State of Nevada is:
Corporation Trust Company of Nevada 6100 Neil Road, Suite 500 Reno, NV 89511
THIRD: This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of shares designated "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock," respectively. The total number of shares of Common Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Fifty Million (50,000,000), par value $0.001 per share, and the total number of shares of Preferred Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Ten Million (10,000,000), par value $0.001 per share.
Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors shall determine the designation of each series and the authorized number of shares of each series. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine and alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of shares of Preferred Stock and to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series. If the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.
Effective on June 3, 2005, every twenty (20) shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, including such shares of Common Stock reserved for outstanding warrants and options, shall be combined and converted into one (1) share of Common Stock. As consideration for any resulting fractional shares, the Corporation shall issue and deliver scrip to such holders of fractional shares in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of Section 78.205 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
FOURTH: The purpose of this Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Nevada Revised Statutes.
FIFTH: The duration of this Corporation is to be perpetual.
SIXTH: At all elections of directors of the Corporation, each holder of stock possessing voting power to as many votes as equal the number of shares multiplied by the
number of directors to be elected, and he may cast all of his votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number to be voted for or any two or more of them, as he may see fit.
SEVENTH: No directors or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer involving any act or omission of any such director or officer; provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer for: (i) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law; or (ii) the payment of dividends in violation of Section 78.300 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Any repeal or modification of this article SEVENTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director or officer of the Corporation for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and that the foregoing Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation was approved by a vote of the Corporation's stockholders holding such number of shares entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power in favor of these Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, such majority equating to 52.8% of the outstanding voting power.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation as of this 25th day of May, 2005, to be effective as of June 3, 2005.
/s/ Robin List ----------------------------------- Robin List, Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 3(ii)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
REMEDENT, INC.
a Nevada corporation
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
REMEDENT, INC.
a Nevada corporation
These are Bylaws of Remedent, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "corporation").
ARTICLE 1 OFFICES
1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of REMEDENT, INC. (the
"corporation") shall be located at 7301 E. Evans Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
1.2 Locations of Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the states of Nevada, Arizona and California as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE 2 STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held within 180 days after the end of the corporation's fiscal year at such time as is designated by the board of directors and as is provided for in the notice of the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for the annual meeting of the stockholders or at any adjournment thereof, the board of directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.
2.2 Special Meeting. Special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time in the manner provided in the Articles of Incorporation. At any time special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
2.3 Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of director. A waiver of notice signed by all stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting may designate any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place for the holding of such meeting. If no designation is made or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the principal office of the corporation.
2.4 Notice of Meetings. The secretary or assistant secretary, if any, shall cause notice of the time, place, and purpose or purpose of all meetings of the stockholders (whether annual or special), to be mailed at least 10 but not more than 60 days prior to the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote.
2.5 Waiver of Notice. Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting of stockholders (however called or noticed, whether or not called or noticed, and whether before, during, or after the meeting) by signing a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or any approval of the minutes thereof. Attendance at a meeting, in person or by proxy, shall constitute waiver of all defects of notice regardless of whether waiver, consent, or approval is signed or any objections are made, unless attendance is solely for the purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. All such waivers, consents, or approvals shall be made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
2.6 Fixing Records Date. For the purpose of (i) determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting; (ii) stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect to any change, conversion, or exchange of stock; or (iii) for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders, such date in any case to be not more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of stockholders is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote as a meeting, the day preceding the date on which notice of meeting is mailed shall be the record date. For any other purpose, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the resolution of the board of directors pertaining thereto is adopted. When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. Failure to comply with this section shall not affect the validity of any action taken at a meeting of stockholders.
2.7 Voting Lists. The officers of the corporation shall cause to be prepared from the stock ledger at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the principal executive office of the corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The original stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this section, or the books of the corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
2.8 Quorum. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, stock representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such reconvened meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.9 Vote Required. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of stock having a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which by express provision of the statutes of the state of Nevada or of the Articles of Incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
2.10 Voting of Stock. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, subject to the modification of such voting rights of any class or classes of the corporation's capital stock by the certificate or incorporation.
2.11 Proxies. At each meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder entitled to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy; provided, however, that the right to vote by proxy shall exist only in case the instrument authorizing such proxy to act shall have been executed in writing by the registered holder or holders of such stock, as the case may be, as shown on the stock ledger of the corporation or by his attorney thereunto duly authorized in writing. Such instrument authorizing a proxy to act shall be delivered at the beginning of such meeting to the secretary of the corporation or to such other officer or person who may, in the absence of the secretary, be acting as secretary of the meeting. In the event that any such instrument shall designate two or more persons to act as proxy, a majority of such persons present at the meeting, or if only one be present, that one shall (unless the instrument shall otherwise provide) have all of the powers conferred by the instrument on all persons so designated. Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity shall be entitled to vote the stock so held, and the persons whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless the transfer by the pledgor in the books and records of the corporation shall have expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case the pledgee, or his proxy, may represent such stock and vote thereon. No proxy shall be voted or acted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
2.12 Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this section. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the board of directors, shall be made by timely
notice in writing to the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than 30 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, in the event that less than 40 days' notice of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder's notice must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom such stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including each such person's written consent to serve as a director if elected); and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address of such stockholder as it appears on the corporation's books, and (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation's capital stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by the board of directors for election as a director shall furnish to the secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in a stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this section. The officer of the corporation or other person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with such provisions, and if such officer should so determine, such officer shall so declare to the meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
2.13 Inspectors of Election. There shall be appointed two inspectors of the vote. Such inspectors shall first take and subscribe an oath or affirmation faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability. Unless appointed in advance of any such meeting by the board of directors, such inspectors shall be appointed for the meeting by the presiding officer. No director or candidate for the officer of director shall be appointed as such inspector. Such inspectors shall be responsible for tallying and certifying each vote required to be tallied and certified by them as provided in the resolution of the board of directors appointing them or in their appointment by the person presiding at such meeting, as the case may be.
2.14 Election of Directors. At all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected, except as otherwise set forth in any preferred stock designation (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation) with respect to the right of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. The election need not be by ballot unless any stockholder so demands before the voting begins. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation, any preferred stock designation, or these bylaws, all matters other than the election of directors submitted to the stockholders at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast with respect thereto.
2.15 Business at Annual Meeting. At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) by any stockholder of the corporation who is entitled to
vote with respect thereto and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this section. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, in the event that less than 40 days' notice of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed. A stockholder's notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation's capital stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder, and (d) any material interest of such stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this section. The officer of the corporation or other person presiding at the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with such provisions, and if such presiding officer should so determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with such provisions and if such presiding officer should so determine, such presiding officer shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
2.16 Business at Special Meeting. At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
2.17 Written Consent to Action by Stockholders. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporation action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
2.18 Procedure for Meetings. Meeting of the stockholders shall be conducted pursuant to such reasonable rules of conduct and protocol as the board of directors may prescribe or, if no such rules are prescribed, in accordance with the most recent published edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
ARTICLE 3 DIRECTORS
3.1 General Powers. The business of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of its board of directors, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
3.2 Number, Term, and Qualifications. The number of directors which shall constitute the board, subject to the limitations set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, shall be determined by resolution of a majority of the total number of directors if there were no vacancies (the "Whole Board") or by the stockholders at the annual meeting of the stockholders or a special meeting called for such purpose, except as provided in section 3.3 of this article, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified. Directors need not be residents of the state of incorporation or stockholders of the corporation. Initially the corporation shall have seven directors.
3.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum of the Whole Board, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.
3.4 Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the board of directors shall be held without other notice than this bylaw immediately following and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders. The board of directors may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the state of incorporation, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
3.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the president, vice president, or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the board of directors may fix any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place for holding any special meeting of the board of directors called by them.
3.6 Meetings by Telephone Conference Call. Members of the board of directors may participate in a meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors by means of conference telephone or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
3.7 Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least 24 hours prior thereto by written notice delivered personally or sent by facsimile transmission confirmed by registered mail or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier to each director. Each director shall register his or her address and telephone number(s) with the secretary for purpose of receiving notices. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the date so
personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission or as of the day following dispatch by overnight courier. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting solely for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. An entry of the service of notice given in the manner and at the time provided for in this section may be made in the minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors, and such entry, if read and approved at a subsequent meeting of the board of directors, shall be conclusive on the issue of notice.
3.8 Quorum. A majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors, provided, that the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors if any action taken is approved by a majority of the required quorum for such meeting. If less than a majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
3.9 Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, and individual directors shall have no power as such.
3.10 Compensation. By resolution of the board of directors, the directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
3.11 Presumption of Assent. A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting, unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or unless he shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.
3.12 Resignations. A director may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to either the president, a vice president, the secretary, or assistant secretary, if any. The resignation shall become effective on giving of such notice, unless such notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation.
3.13 Written Consent to Action by Directors. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the directors of the corporation or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the directors or of a committee, may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors, or all of the members of the committee, as the case may be. Such consent shall have the same legal effect as a unanimous vote of all the directors or members of the committee.
3.14 Removal. Subject to any limitations set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, at meeting expressly called for that purpose, one or more directors may be removed by a vote of a majority of the shares of outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.
ARTICLE 4 OFFICERS
4.1 Number. The officers of the corporation shall be a president, one or more vice presidents, as shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as may be appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors may elect, but shall not be required to elect, a chairman of the board, and the board of directors may appoint a general manager.
4.2 Election, Term of Office, and Qualifications. The officers shall be chosen by the board of directors annually at its annual meeting. In the event of failure to choose officers at an annual meeting of the board of directors, officers may be chosen at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors. Each such officer (whether chosen at an annual meeting of the board of directors to fill a vacancy or otherwise) shall hold his office until the next ensuing annual meeting of the board of directors and until his successor shall have been chosen and qualified, or until his death until his resignation or removal in the manner provided in these bylaws. Any one person may hold any two or more of such offices, except that the president shall not also be the secretary. No person holding two or more offices shall execute any instrument in the capacity of more than one office. The chairman of the board, if any, shall be and remain director of the corporation during the term of his office. No other officer need be a director.
4.3 Subordinate Officers, Etc. The board of directors from time to time may appoint such other officers or agents as it may deem advisable, each of whom shall have such title, hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as the board of directors from time to time may determine. The board of directors from time to time may delegate to any officer or agent the power to appoint any such subordinate officer or agents and to prescribe their respective titles, terms of office, authorities, and duties. Subordinate officers need not be stockholders or directors.
4.4 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the board of directors, the president, or the secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect on delivery.
4.5 Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any special meeting of the board of directors called for that purpose or at a regular meeting, by the vote of a majority of the directors, with or without cause. Any officer or agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 4.3 hereof may also be removed, either with or without cause, by any officer on whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the board of directors.
4.6 Vacancies and Newly Created Offices. If any vacancy shall occur in any office by reason of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause or if a new office
shall be created, then such vacancies or newly created offices may be filled by the board of directors at any regular of special meeting.
4.7 The Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if there be such an officer, shall have the following powers and duties: (a) He shall preside at all stockholders' meetings; (b) He shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors; and (c) He shall be a member of the executive committee, if any.
4.8 The Chief Executive Officer. The chief executive officer of the corporation shall have the same powers and duties as the president, as described below, and, in addition, shall have such powers and duties as may be directed by the board of directors of the corporation from time to time.
4.9 The President. The president shall have the following powers and duties: (a) He shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the direction of the board of directors, shall have general charge of the business, affairs, and property of the corporation and general supervision over its officers, employees, and agents; (b) If no chairman of the board has been chosen or if such officer is absent or disabled, he shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and board of directors; (c) He shall be a member of the executive committee, if any; (d) He shall be empowered to sign certificates representing stock of the corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the board of directors; and (e) He shall have all power and perform all duties normally incident to the office of a president of a corporation and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors.
4.10 The Vice-Presidents. The board of directors may, from time to time, designate and elect one or more vice-presidents, one of whom may be designated to serve as executive vice-president. Each vice-president shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president. At the request or in the absence or disability of the president, the executive-vice president or, in the absence or disability of the executive vice-president, the vice-president designated by the board of directors or (in the absence of such designation by the board of directors) by the president, as senior vice-president, may perform all the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the president.
4.11 The Secretary. The secretary shall have the following powers and duties: (a) He shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all of the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors in books provided for that purpose; (b) He shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws and as required by statute; (c) He shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal of the corporation, and shall cause such seal (or a facsimile thereof) to be affixed to all certificates representing stock of the corporation prior to the issuance thereof and to all instruments, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal shall have been duly authorized in accordance with these bylaws, and when so affixed, he may attest the same; (d) He shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates, and other documents and records required by statute are properly kept and filed; (e) He shall have charge of the stock ledger and books of the corporation and cause such books to be
kept in such manner as to show at any time the amount of the stock of the corporation of each class issued and outstanding, the manner in which and the time when such stock was paid for, the names alphabetically arranged and the addresses of the holders of record thereof, the amount of stock held by each older and time when each became such holder of record; and he shall exhibit at all reasonable times to any director, on application, the original or duplicate stock ledger. He shall cause the stock ledger referred to in section 6.4 hereof to be kept and exhibited at the principal office of the corporation, or at such other place as the board of directors shall determine, in the manner and for the purpose provided in such section; (f) He shall be empowered to sign certificates representing stock of the corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the board of directors; and (g) He shall perform in general all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as are given to him by these bylaws or as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president.
4.12 The Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the following powers and duties: (a) He shall have charge and supervision over and be responsible for the monies, securities, receipts, and disbursements of the corporation; (b) He shall cause the monies and other valuable effects of the corporation to be deposited in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such banks or trust companies or with such banks or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with section 4.3 hereof; (c) He shall cause the monies of the corporation to be disbursed by checks or drafts (signed as provided in section 5.4 hereof) drawn on the authorized depositories of the corporation, and cause to be taken and preserved property vouchers for all monies disbursed; (d) He shall render to the board of directors or the president, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the corporation and of all of his transactions as treasurer, and render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the stockholders, if called on to do so; (e) He shall cause to be kept correct books of account of all the business and transactions of the corporation and exhibit such books to any directors on request during business hours; (f) He shall be empowered from time to time to require from all officers or agents of the corporation reports or statements giving such information as he may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the corporation; (g) He shall perform in general all duties incident to the office of treasurer ad such other duties as are give to him by these bylaws or as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president; and (h) He shall, in the absence of the designation to the contrary by the board of directors, act as the chief financial officer and/or principal accounting officer of the corporation.
4.13 Salaries. The salaries or other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, except that the board of directors may delegate to any person or group of persons the power to fix the salaries or other compensation of any subordinate officers or agents appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 4.3 hereof. no officer shall be prevented from receiving any such salary or compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the corporation.
4.14 Surety Bonds. In case the board of directors shall so require, any officer or agent of the corporation shall execute to the corporation a bond in such sums and with such surety or sureties as the board of directors may direct, conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties to the corporation, including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting of all property, monies, or securities of the corporation which may come into his hands.
ARTICLE 5 EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, BORROWING OF
MONEY, AND DEPOSIT OF CORPORATE FUNDS
5.1 Execution of Instruments. Subject to any limitation contained in the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, the president or any vice-president may, in the name and on behalf of the corporation, execute and deliver any contract or other instrument authorized in writing by the board of directors. The board of directors may, subject to any limitation contained in the Articles of Incorporation or in these bylaws, authorize in writing any officer or agent to execute and deliver any contract or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the corporation; any such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
5.2 Loans. No loan or advance shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation, no negotiable paper or other evidence of its obligation under any loan or advance shall be issued in its name, and no property of the corporation shall be mortgaged, pledged, hypothecated, transferred, or conveyed as security for the payment of any loan, advance, indebtedness, or liability of the corporation, unless and except as authorized by the board of directors. Any such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
5.3 Deposits. All monies of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited form time to time to its credit in such banks or trust companies or with such bankers or other depositories as the board of directors may select or as from time to time may be selected by any officer or agent authorized to do so by the board of directors.
5.4 Checks, Drafts, Etc. All notes, drafts, acceptances, checks, endorsements, and, subject to the provisions of these bylaws, evidences of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as the board of directors from time to time may determine. Endorsements for deposits to the credit of the corporation in any of its duly authorized depositories shall be in such manner as the board of directors from time to time may determine.
5.5 Bonds and Debentures. Every bond or debenture issued by the corporation shall be evidenced by an appropriate instrument which shall be signed by the president or a vice president and by the secretary and sealed with the seal of the corporation. The seal may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. Where such bond or debenture is authenticated with the manual signature of an authorized officer of the corporation or other trustee designated by the indenture of trust or other agreement under which such security is issued, the signature of any of the corporation's officers named thereon may be a facsimile. in case any officer who signed or whose facsimile signature has been used on any such bond or debenture shall cease to be an officer of the corporation for any reason before the same has been delivered by the corporation, such bond or debenture may nevertheless be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as through the person who signed it or whose facsimile signature has been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer.
5.6 Sale, Transfer, Etc. of Securities. Sales, transfers, endorsements, and assignments of stocks, bonds, and other securities owned by or standing in the name of the
corporation and the execution and delivery on behalf of the corporation of any and all instruments in writing incident to any such sale, transfer, endorsement, or assignment shall be effected by the president or by any vice-president and the secretary or assistant secretary, or by any officer or agent thereunto authorized by the board of directors.
5.7 Proxies. Proxies to vote with respect to stock of other corporations owned by or standing in the name of the corporation shall be executed and delivered on behalf of the corporation or by any officer or agent thereunder authorized by the board of directors.
ARTICLE 6 CAPITAL STOCK
6.1 Stock Certificates. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by the president or any vice-president and the secretary or assistant secretary, and sealed with the seal (which may be a facsimile, engraved or printed) of the corporation, certifying the number and kind, class, or series of stock owned by him in the corporation; provided, however, that where such a certificate is countersigned by (a) a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent, or (b) registered by a registrar, the signature of any such president, vice-president, secretary, or assistant secretary may be a facsimile. In case any officer who shall have signed or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on any such certificate shall cease to be such officer of the corporation, for any reason, before the delivery of such certificate by the corporation, such certificate may nevertheless be adopted by the corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person who signed it or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used thereon has not ceased to be such officer. Certificates representing stock of the corporation shall be in such form as provided by the statutes of the state of incorporation. There shall be entered on the stock books of the corporation at the time of issuance of each share, the number of the certificate issued, the name and address of the person owning the stock represented thereby, the number and kind, class, or series of such stock, and the date of issuance thereof. Every certificate exchanged or returned to the corporation shall be marked "canceled" with the date of cancellation.
6.2 Transfer of Stock. Transfers of stock of the corporation shall be made on the books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his attorney thereunto duly authorized by a power of attorney duly executed in writing and filed with the secretary of the corporation or any of its transfer agents, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments or transfer, representing such stock. Except as provided by law, the corporation and transfer agents and registrars, if any, shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any stock as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal, equitable, or other claim to or interest in such stock on the part of any other person whether or not it or they shall have express or other notice thereof.
6.3 Regulations. Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, the board of directors may make such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issuance, transfer, redemption, and registration of certificates for stock of the corporation.
6.4 Maintenance of Stock Ledger at Principal Place of Business. A stock ledger (or ledgers where more than one kind, class, or series of stock is outstanding) shall be kept at the principal place of business of the corporation, or at such other place as the board of directors shall determine, containing the names alphabetically arranged of original stock holders of the corporation, their addresses, their interest, the amount paid on their shares, and all transfers thereof and the number and class of stock held by each. Such stock ledgers shall at all reasonable hours be subject to inspection by persons entitled by law to inspect the same.
6.5 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars with respect to the certificates representing stock of the corporation and may require all such certificates to bear the signature of either or both. The board of directors may from time to time define the respective duties of such transfer agents and registrars. No certificate for stock shall be valid until countersigned by a transfer agent, if at the date appearing thereon the corporation had a transfer agent for such stock, and until registered by a registrar, if at such date the corporation had a registrar for such stock.
6.6 Closing of Transfer Books and Fixing of Record Date.
(a) The board of directors shall have power to close the stock ledgers of the corporation for a period of not to exceed 60 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, the date for payment of any dividend, the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose.
(b) In lieu of closing the stock ledgers as aforesaid, the board of directors may fix in advance a date, not less than 10 days and not exceeding 60 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, the date for the payment of any dividend, the date for the allotment of rights, the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, a date in connection with obtaining any such consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to a notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, to any such allotment of rights, to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent.
(c) If the stock ledgers shall be closed or a record date set for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders, such books shall be closed for or such record date shall be at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting.
6.7 Lost or Destroyed Certificates. The corporation may issue a new certificate for stock of the corporation in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the board of directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or his legal representatives to give the corporation a bond in such form and amount as the board of directors may direct and with such surety or sureties as may be satisfactory to the board, and to indemnify the corporation and its transfer agents and registrars,
if any, against any claims that may be made against it or any such transfer agents and registrars, if any, against any claims that may be made against it or any such transfer agent or registrar on account of the issuance of such new certificate. A new certificate may be issued without requiring any bond when, in the judgment of the board of directors, it is proper to do so.
ARTICLE 7 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
7.1 Executive Committee. The board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, may appoint from its membership an executive committee of not less than three members (whose members shall include the chairman of the board if any, and the president, one of whom shall act as chairman of the executive committee, as the board may designate). The board of directors shall have the power at any time to dissolve the executive committee, to change the membership thereof, and to fill vacancies thereon. When the board of directors is not in session, the executive committee shall have and may exercise all of the powers vested in the board of directors, except the following powers: to fill vacancies in the board of directors; to declare dividends or other distributions to stockholders; to adopt, amend, or repeal the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws' to approve any action that also requires stockholder approval; to amend or repeal any resolution of the board of directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable; to fix the compensation of directors for serving on the board of directors or on any committee; to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation under any provision of applicable law, to recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets; to recommend to stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution; to recommend to stockholders an amendment of bylaws; to authorize the issuance of stock (provided that the executive committee may determine the number of shares of stock not in excess of the number of authorized to be issued by the board of directors and the amount of consideration for which such shares shall be issued); and to enter into any merger into or with another entity as permitted by applicable law.
7.2 Other Committees. The board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, may appoint such other committees as it may, from time to time, deem proper and may determine the number of member, frequency of meetings, and duties thereof.
7.3 Proceedings. The executive committee and such other committees as may be designated hereunder by the board of directors may fix their own presiding and recording officer or officers and may meet at such place or places, at such time or times, and on such notice (or without notice) as it shall determine from time to time. Each committee may make rules for the conduct of its business as it shall from time to time deem necessary. It will keep a record of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the board of directors at the meeting of the board of directors next following.
7.4 Quorum and Manner of Acting. At all meetings of the executive committee and of such other committees as may be designated hereunder by the board of directors, the presence of members constituting a majority of the total authorized membership of the committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. The members of the executive committee and of such other committees as may
be designated hereunder by the board of directors shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall have no powers as such.
7.5 Resignations. Any member of the executive committee and of such other committees as may be designated hereunder by the board of directors may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to either the president, the secretary, or assistant secretary, or to the presiding officer of the committee of which he is a member, if any shall have been appointed and shall be in office. Unless otherwise specified therein, such registration shall take effect on delivery.
7.6 Removal. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, at any time remove any member of the executive committee or of any other committee designated by it hereunder either for or without cause.
7.7 Vacancies. If any vacancy shall occur in the executive committee or of any other committee designated by the board of directors hereunder, by reason of disqualification, death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the remaining members shall, until the filling of such vacancy, constitute the then total authorized membership of the committee and continue to act, unless such committee consisted of more than one member prior to the vacancy or vacancies and is left with only one member as a result thereof. Such vacancy may be filled at any meeting of the Whole Board.
7.8 Compensation. The Whole Board may allow a fixed sum and expenses of attendance to any member of the executive committee, or of any other committee designated by it hereunder, who is not an active salaried employee of the corporation for attendance at each meeting of the said committee.
ARTICLE 8 INSURANCE AND OFFICER AND DIRECTOR CONTRACTS
8.1 Indemnification: Third-Party Actions. The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation (and, in the discretion of the board of directors, may so indemnify a person by reason of the fact that he is or was an employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise), against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, ad with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
8.2 Indemnification: Corporate Actions. The corporation shall indemnify any persons who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of the corporation (and, in the discretion of the board of directors, may so indemnify a person by reason of the fact that he is or was an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise), against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
8.3 Determination. To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in sections 8.1 and 8.2 hereof, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. Any other indemnification under sections 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation only in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard or conduct set forth in sections 8.1 or 8.2 hereof. Such determination shall be made either (i) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in written opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders by a majority vote of a quorum of stockholders at any meeting duly called for such purpose.
8.4 Advances. Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officers to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized by this section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid on such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.
8.5 Scope of Indemnification. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4: (a) Shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled, under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office; and (b) Shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
8.6 Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against any such liability.
8.7 Officer and Director Contracts. No contract or other transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors or officers or between the corporation and any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the corporation's directors or officers are directors, officers, or have a financial interest, is either void or voidable solely on the basis of such relationship or solely because any such director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction or solely because the vote or votes of each director or officer are counted for such purpose, if: (a) The material facts of the relationship or interest are disclosed or known to the board of directors or committee and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (b) The material facts of the relationship or interest is disclosed or known to the stockholders and they approve or ratify the contract or transactions in good faith by a majority vote of the shares voted at a meeting of stockholders called for such purpose or written consent of stockholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote (the votes of the common or interested directors or officers shall be counted in any such vote of stockholders); or (c) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation at the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified by the board of directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.
ARTICLE 9 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be determined by the board of directors of the corporation.
ARTICLE 10 DIVIDENDS
The board of directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding stock in the manner and on the terms and conditions provided by the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.
ARTICLE 11 AMENDMENTS
All bylaws of the corporation, whether adopted by the board of directors or the stockholders, shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal, and new bylaws may be made, except that: (a) No bylaw adopted or amended by the stockholders shall be altered or repealed by the board of directors; and (b) No bylaw shall be adopted by the board of directors which shall require more than the stock representing a majority of the voting power for a quorum at a meeting of stockholders or more than a majority of the votes cast to constitute action by the stockholders, except where higher percentages are required by law; provided, however, that (i) If any bylaw regulating an impending election of directors is adopted or amended or repealed by the board of directors, there shall be set forth in the notice of the next meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, the bylaws so adopted or amended or repealed, together with a concise statement of the changes made; and (ii) No amendment, alteration, or repeal of this article XI shall be made except by the stockholders.
CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
The undersigned does hereby certify that he is the secretary of REMEDENT, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under and virtue of the laws of the state of Nevada; that the above and foregoing bylaws of said corporation were duly and regularly adopted as such by the board of directors of said corporation at a duly convened meeting of the board of directors of the corporation held on February 1, 2005, and that the above and foregoing bylaws are now in full force and effect and supersede ad replace any prior bylaws of the corporation.
DATED this 3rd day of June, 2005
/s/ Scott E. Bartel -------------------------------- Scott E. Bartel, Acting Secretary |
Exhibit 10.1
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This Exchange Agreement (the "Agreement") dated June 3, 2005, is made by and among Remedent USA, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Remedent"); Remedent N.V., a Belgian company (the "Subsidiary"), Lausha NV, a Belgian company ("Lausha") and Robin List ("List") ("List and Lausha" collectively referred to herein as "Exchanging Stockholders" and individually as an "Exchanging Stockholder").
RECITALS
A. Remedent currently owns 2,200 shares of common stock representing twenty-two percent (22%) ownership interest of the Subsidiary and the Exchanging Stockholders individually own the number of shares of common stock of the Subsidiary as set forth in Exhibit A, and collectively own 7,800 shares of common stock of the Subsidiary representing a seventy-eight percent (78%) ownership interest of the Subsidiary.
B. Remedent desires to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiary owned by the Exchanging Stockholders, and the Exchanging Stockholders desire to exchange all of their shares of the Subsidiary for shares of Remedent authorized but unissued and restricted common stock as hereinafter provided.
C. It is the intention of the parties that: (i) Remedent shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Subsidiary owned by the Exchanging Stockholders in exchange solely for the number of shares of Remedent authorized but unissued shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, set forth below; and (ii) the Exchange shall qualify as a transaction in securities exempt from registration or qualification under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and under the applicable securities laws of each state or jurisdiction where the Exchanging Stockholders reside, with the Subsidiary becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Remedent.
D. The board of directors of Remedent deems it to be in the best interest of Remedent and its stockholders to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiary owned by the Exchanging Stockholders; and the Exchanging Stockholders deems it to be in their best interest to exchange all of the capital stock of the Subsidiary owned by them for shares of common stock of Remedent, as hereinafter provided.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows.
1. EXCHANGE OF SHARES
1.1 Exchange of Shares. Remedent, and the Exchanging Stockholders hereby agree that the Exchanging Stockholders shall, subject to the effectuation of the reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split"), as currently contemplated under the Definitive Information Statement filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, at the time or place as may be agreed upon by the parties hereto which shall be no earlier than the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split ("Closing Date"), exchange an aggregate of 7,800 shares of common stock of the Subsidiary for 7,715,703 restricted shares of Common Stock of Remedent (the "Exchange"). The 7,800 shares of common stock represent all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiary owned by the Exchanging Stockholders. The common stock of the Subsidiary owned by each of the Exchanging Stockholders and the number of shares of common stock of Remedent which each Exchanging Stockholder will receive in the Exchange are set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
1.2 Delivery of Exchange Stock. On the Closing Date, the Exchanging Stockholders will deliver or caused to be delivered to Remedent the certificates representing all of the outstanding common stock of the Subsidiary owned by the Exchanging Stockholders, duly endorsed (or with executed stock powers) so as to make Remedent the sole owner thereof. Upon delivery of the Exchanging Stockholders' shares, Remedent will deliver or cause to be delivered certificates representing an aggregate of 7,715,703 restricted shares of common stock of Remedent (the "Exchanging Stock"), as set forth in Exhibit A, resulting in the Exchanging Stockholders collectively owning seventy-eight (78%) of Remedent at the time of such Closing Date.
1.3. Tax Treatment of Exchange. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Exchange is being conducted in order to facilitate the raising of capital of Remedent pursuant to the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum of Remedent dated May 27, 2005 (the "Private Placement"). In connection therewith, it is the intention of the parties that the Exchange be integrated with the Private Placement for purposes of determining "control" under Section 351 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SUBSIDIARY AND EXCHANGING STOCKHOLDERS
Each Exchanging Stockholder and the Subsidiary, to the extent applicable, as of the date of this Agreement and of the Closing Date, hereby represent and warrant as follows.
2.1 Ownership of Shares. The Exchanging Stockholders are the owners of record and beneficially of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Subsidiary as set forth in Exhibit A. Each Exchanging Stockholder represents and warrants that it owns such shares free and clear of all rights, claims, liens and encumbrances, and the shares have not been sold, pledged, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to this Agreement.
2.2 Access to Corporate Information; Independent Investigation. Robin List, as a director and Chief Executive Officer of Remedent, and Lausha, as an entity controlled owned by Guy De Vresse who is Chairman of Remedent, each Exchanging Stockholder acknowledges that, it has all material knowledge of the business, operations and finance of Remedent, and has been given access to and opportunity to examine all financial statements, contracts and documents of Remedent; and in making the decision to exchange the Subsidiary common stock for Shares of common stock of Remedent, it is and will solely rely upon its knowledge and independent investigations made by it or its representatives.
2.3 Risks. Each Exchanging Stockholder executing this Agreement acknowledges and understands that the exchange for the shares of Remedent involves a high degree of risk and is suitable only for persons of adequate financial means who have no need for liquidity in this investment. In addition, each Exchanging Stockholder acknowledges that (i) the Exchanging Stockholder may not be able to liquidate the investment in the event of an emergency; (ii) transferability is extremely limited; and (iii) the Exchanging Stockholder could sustain a complete loss of its entire investment. The Exchanging Stockholder is sufficiently experienced in financial and business matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in Remedent; has evaluated such merits and risks, including risks particular to the Exchanging Stockholder's situation; and the Exchanging Stockholder has determined that this investment is suitable for the Exchanging Stockholder. The Exchanging Stockholder has adequate financial resources and can bear a complete loss of the Exchanging Stockholder's investment.
2.4 Investment Intent. Each Exchanging Stockholder hereby represents that the shares of Remedent are being acquired for the Exchanging Stockholder's own account with no intention of distributing such securities to others. The Exchanging Stockholder has no contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or otherwise distribute to any person or to have any person sell, transfer or otherwise distribute the shares of Remedent for the Exchanging Stockholder. The Exchanging Stockholder is presently not engaged, nor does the Exchanging Stockholder plan to engage within the presently foreseeable future, in any discussion with any person regarding such a sale, transfer or other distribution of the shares of Remedent or any interest therein.
2.5 Compliance with Federal and State Securities Laws. The Exchanging Stockholder understands that the shares of common stock of Remedent have not been registered under the Securities Act. The Exchanging Stockholder understands that the shares of common stock of Remedent must be held indefinitely unless the sale or other transfer thereof is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and the Company is required to refuse any transfer of the Exchanging Stock that is not in compliance with the foregoing. Moreover, each Exchanging Stockholder understands that its right to transfer the shares of common stock of Remedent will be subject to certain restrictions, which include restrictions against transfer under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In addition, each Exchanging Stockholder represents that it will only sell the Exchanging Stock in compliance with the Securities Act, including the provisions of Regulation S of the Securities Act ("Regulation S"), pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from such registration. In addition to such restrictions, each Exchanging Stockholder realizes that it may not be able to sell or dispose of the shares of common stock of Remedent as there may be no public or other market for them. Each Exchanging Stockholder understands that certificates evidencing the Exchanging Stock shall bear a legend substantially as follows:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE LAW. THEY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR PLEDGED TO ANY U.S. PERSON OR IN THE U.S. UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
2.6 Approvals. Each Exchanging Stockholder represents no approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of, or filing with, any person, firm or corporation or any court, administrative agency or other governmental authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and for the consummation of the transactions described herein.
2.7 Not a U.S. Person. Each Exchanging Stockholder represents that it is not a U.S. Person within the meaning of Regulation S of the Securities Act and is not acquiring the Exchanging Stock for the account or benefit of any U.S. Person. In addition, each Exchanging Stockholder represents that it is or was not in the U.S. at the time of the offer or sale of the Exchanging Stock.
2.8 No Hedging. Each Exchanging Stockholder represents that it will not engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Exchanging Stock unless it is in accordance with the Securities Act.
2.9 Foreign Compliance. Each Exchanging Stockholder acknowledges, represents and agrees that no action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction outside the U.S. by Remedent that would permit an offering of the Exchanging Stock, or possession or distribution of offering materials in connection with the issue of the Exchanging Stock, in any jurisdiction outside the U.S. where legal action by Remedent for that purpose is required. Each Exchanging Stockholder outside the U.S. will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in which it purchases, offers, sells or delivers Exchanging Stock or has in its possession or distributes any offering material, in all cases at its own expense.
2.10 Authorization. Each Exchanging Stockholder further represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Company that (i) the it has full right, power, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and (ii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Exchanging Stockholder enforceable against the respective Exchanging Stockholder in accordance with its terms.
2.11 Independent. Each Exchanging Stockholder understands that nothing in this Agreement or any other materials presented to each Exchanging Stockholder in connection with the purchase and sale of the Exchanging Stock constitutes legal, tax or investment advice. Each Exchanging Stockholder has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors, as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with its purchase of the Exchanging Stock.
2.12 Non-contravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will
(i) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government,
governmental agency, or court to which Exchanging Stockholder or the Subsidiary
is subject or, if Exchanging Stockholder is an entity, any provision of its
charter, bylaws, or other governing documents, (ii) conflict with, result in a
breach of, constitute a default under, result in the
acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any material agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which Exchanging Stockholder or the Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets are subject, or (iii) result in the imposition or creation of a lien upon or with respect to the Subsidiary or the Subsidiary shares of common stock.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF REMEDENT
Remedent hereby represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as follow:
3.1 The Exchanging Stock. At the closing, the Remedent shares of common stock to be issued and delivered to the Exchanging Stockholders hereunder will when so issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and currently in effect, constitute valid and legally issued shares of Remedent Common Stock fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of all pledges, liens and encumbrances.
3.2 No Direct Selling Efforts. The Company represents that there "directed selling efforts" in connection with the Exchanging Stock were or are being made in the U.S. by the Company, an affiliate or any person acting on their behalf. For purposes of this Section, directed selling efforts means any activity undertaken for the purpose of, or that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of, conditioning the market in the U.S. for any of the securities being offered in reliance on Regulation S.
3.3 No Solicitation. The Company did not conduct any general solicitation (as that term is used in Rule 502(c) of Regulation D of the Securities Act, or general advertising with respect to the sale of the Securities, or make any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security under any circumstances that would require registration of the Securities under the Securities Act.
4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
4.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of Exchanging Stockholders and Remedent. All obligations of the Exchanging Stockholders and Remedent under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, prior to or as of the Closing Date, as indicated below, of each of the following conditions:
(i) The Reverse Stock Split shall become effectuated; and
(ii) Remedent shall have sufficient shares of Remedent Common Stock authorized but unissued to complete the Exchange.
5. INDEMNIFICATION
Exchanging Stockholders and the Subsidiary, to the extent applicable, agree to indemnify and hold harmless Remedent, its officers, directors and stockholders; and Remedent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Exchanging Stockholders, at all times against and in respect of any liability, damage, or deficiency, all actions, suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, incident to any of the foregoing, resulting from any
material misrepresentation made by any indemnifying party to an indemnified party, an indemnifying party's breach of a covenant or warranty or an indemnifying party's nonfulfillment of any agreement hereunder.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Certain Taxes. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the Exchanging Stockholders when due, if any, and the Exchanging Stockholders shall, at their own expense, file all necessary tax returns and other documentation with respect to all such transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other taxes and fees, and, if required by applicable law.
6.2 Further Assurances. The parties shall execute such documents and other papers and take such further actions as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each such party shall use its best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions to the closing, including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of any documents or other papers, the execution and delivery of which are necessary or appropriate to the closing.
6.3 Waivers. The waiver of a breach of this Agreement or the failure of any party hereto to exercise any right under this Agreement shall in no way constitute waiver as to future breach whether similar or dissimilar in nature or as to the exercise of any further right under this Agreement.
6.4 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by an instrument of equal formality signed by the parties or the duly authorized representatives of the respective parties.
6.5 Assignment. This Agreement is not assignable except by operation of law.
6.6 Notice. Any notice or statement given under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if sent by mail addressed to the other party at the address indicated above or at such other address which shall have been furnished in writing to the addressor.
6.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, and the legal relations between the parties determined, in accordance with the laws of California, thereby precluding any choice of law rules which may direct the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
6.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibit attached hereto) contains the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the exchange and issuance of the shares and related transactions, and supersede all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.
6.9 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
6.10 Severability of Provisions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any term, phrase, clause, paragraph, restriction, covenant, agreement or provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect the validity or enforcement of any other provision or any part thereof.
6.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed, shall constitute an original copy hereof, but all of which together shall consider but one and the same document.
6.12 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and inure to the benefit of the parties, their respective heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns.
6.13 Tax Treatment. Remedent and Subsidiary and the Exchanging Stockholders acknowledge that they each have been represented by their own tax advisors in connection with this transaction; that none of them has made a representation or warranty to any of the other parties with respect to the tax treatment accorded this transaction, or the effect individually or corporately on any party under the applicable tax laws, regulations, or interpretations; and that no opinion of counsel or private revenue ruling has been obtained with respect to the effects of this transaction under the appropriate tax laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Exchange Agreement on the date first above written.
REMEDENT USA, INC.
By: /s/ Robin List ----------------------------------- Robin List, Chief Executive Officer |
ROBIN LIST
By: /s/ Robin List ----------------------------------- Robin List |
LAUSHA N.V.
By: /s/ Guy De Vreese ----------------------------------- Its: CEO ----------------------------------- |
REMEDENT, N.V.
By: /s/ Guy De Vreese ----------------------------------- Its: COO ----------------------------------- |
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF EXCHANGING STOCKHOLDER
======================================================================================= Name of Stockholder Approximate Number of Shares Number of Shares of Percentage of Holding of Subsidiary held of Restricted Remedent In Subsidiary Common Stock to be Issued --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lausha, N.V. 71.71% 7,171 7,093,501 Robin List 6.29% 629 622,202 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 78.00% 7,800 7,715,703 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |