As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2008
File No. 333-147284
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 3
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Cayman Islands
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6770
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39-2064705
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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10F, Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building
No. 17, North DaLiuShu Road
Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081
Peoples Republic of China
Telephone: 86-106214-3561
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Han-Juin Hu
10F, Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building
No. 17, North DaLiuShu Road
Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081
Peoples Republic of China
Telephone: 86-106214-3561
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
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Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
(212) 407-4000
Facsimile: (212) 407-4990
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David Alan Miller, Esq.
Jeffrey M. Gallant, Esq.
Graubard Miller
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10174-1901
(212) 818-8800
Facsimile: (212) 818-8881
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box.
x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Security Being Registered
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Amount Being
Registered
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price Per Security
(1)
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Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
(1)
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Amount of
Registration Fee
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Units, each consisting of one ordinary share, $.0001 par value, and one Warrant
(2)
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5,175,000 Units
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$
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8.00
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$
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41,400,000.00
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$
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1,270.98
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Ordinary shares included as part of the Units
(2)
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5,175,000 Shares
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(3)
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Warrants included as part of the Units
(2)
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5,175,000 Warrants
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(3)
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Ordinary shares underlying the Warrants included in the Units
(4)
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5,175,000 Shares
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$
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5.50
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$
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28,462,500.00
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$
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873.80
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Representatives Unit Purchase Option
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1
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$
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100.00
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$
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100.00
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(3)
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Units underlying the Representatives Unit Purchase Option (Underwriters Units)
(4)
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450,000 Units
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$
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8.80
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$
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3,960,000.00
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$
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121.58
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Ordinary shares included as part of the Underwriters Units
(4)
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450,000 Shares
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(3)
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Warrants included as part of the Representatives Units
(4)
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450,000 Warrants
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(3)
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Ordinary shares underlying the Warrants included in the Representatives Units
(4)
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450,000 Shares
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$
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5.50
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$
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2,475,000.00
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$
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75.98
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Total
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$
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76,297,600.00
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$
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2,342.34
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(5)
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
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(2)
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Includes 675,000 Units and 675,000 ordinary shares and 675,000 Warrants underlying such Units which may be issued on exercise of a 45-day option granted to the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
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(3)
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No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g).
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(4)
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Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered such additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Warrants.
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, JANUARY 30, 2008
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$36,000,000
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
4,500,000 units
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. is a newly formed limited life Cayman Island exempted company organized as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in the Greater China region, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. As a limited life exempted company, we will continue in existence only until
, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until
, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period. If we have not completed a business combination by such date, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit that we are offering has a price of $8.00 and consists of one ordinary share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $5.50. Each warrant will become exercisable six months after our completion of a business combination, and will expire on
, 2013
[five years from the date of this prospectus]
, or earlier upon redemption.
We have granted EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., the representative of the underwriters for this offering, a 45-day option to purchase up to 675,000 units (over and above the 4,500,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment will be used only to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. We have also agreed to sell to EarlyBirdCapital, for $100, as additional compensation, an option to purchase up to a total of 450,000 units at $8.80 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus. The purchase option and its underlying
securities have been registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Our founding shareholders have committed to purchase from us 1,250,000 warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000). These purchases will take place pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from the purchases (an aggregate of $1,250,000) will be placed in the trust fund described below. The insider warrants to be purchased by these individuals will be identical to the warrants being offered by this prospectus except that if we call the warrants for redemption, the insider warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis so long as
such warrants are held by these individuals or their affiliates. The purchasers have agreed that the insider warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination.
There is presently no public market for our units, ordinary shares or warrants. The units will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and warrants will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbols
and
, respectively. We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page
15
of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Public Offering Price
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Underwriting Discount
and Commissions
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Proceeds, Before
Expenses, to Us
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Per unit
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$
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8.00
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$
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0.56
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(1)
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$
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7.44
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Total
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$
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36,000,000
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$
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2,520,000
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$
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33,480,000
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(1)
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This amount includes $1,080,000 of the underwriting discount ($0.24 per unit), equal to 3% of the gross proceeds of this offering (or $1,242,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) which the underwriters have agreed will be deferred until the consummation of a business combination. If a business combination is not consummated, such deferred discount with be forfeited by the underwriters. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discount.
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$33,850,000 of the net proceeds of this offering (including $1,080,000 of underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in this offering which is being deferred by them until we consummate a business combination), plus the additional aggregate $1,250,000 we will receive from the purchase of the insider warrants described above, for an aggregate of $35,100,000 (or $7.80 per unit sold to the public in this offering), will be deposited into a trust account at Credit Suisse, maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. These funds will not be released to us until the earlier of the completion of a
business combination and our liquidation (which may not occur until
, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until
, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period.
We are offering the units for sale on a firm-commitment basis. EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., acting as representative of the underwriters, expects to deliver our securities to investors in the offering on or about
, 2008.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
Roth Capital Partners
, 2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights certain information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and the financial statements. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus:
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references to we, us or our company refer to Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.;
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initial shares refers to the 1,293,750 ordinary shares that our founding shareholders originally purchased from us for $25,000 in October 2007, including up to a maximum of 168,750 shares which are subject to forfeiture to the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option;
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insider warrants refers to the 1,250,000 warrants we are selling privately to our founding shareholders upon consummation of this offering;
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references to Greater China refer to the Peoples Republic of China as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan;
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references to PRC refer to the mainland of the Peoples Republic of China;
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references to $ refer to the legal currency of the United States;
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the term public shareholders means the holders of the ordinary shares which are being sold as part of the units in this public offering (whether purchased in this offering or in the aftermarket), including any of our founding shareholders to the extent that they purchase or acquire such shares;
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the term founding shareholders means collectively James Cheng-Jee Sha our Chief Executive Officer and director, Diana Chia-Huei Liu our President and director, Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu our Chief Operating Officer and director, William Tsu-Cheng Yu our Chief Financial Officer and director, and Gary Han Ming Chang our special advisor; and
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the information in this prospectus assumes that the representative of the underwriters will not exercise its over-allotment option.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
We are a newly formed Cayman Islands limited life company organized on October 16, 2007 as an exempted company with limited liability. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies wishing to conduct business outside the Cayman Islands. As an exempted company, we are able to avoid direct taxation from the Cayman Islands government for a period of 20 years if such direct taxation were ever introduced in the Cayman Islands by obtaining a tax undertaking from the Cayman Islands government.
We were formed as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in Greater China. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that we may not consummate a business combination with a business that has its principal operations outside of Greater China. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry.
Opportunities for market expansion have emerged for businesses with operations in Greater China due to certain changes in the PRCs political, economic and social policies as well as certain fundamental changes affecting the PRC and its neighboring countries. We believe that Greater China represents both a favorable environment for making acquisitions and an attractive operating environment for a target business for several reasons, including, among other things, increased government focus within the PRC on privatizing assets, improving foreign trade and encouraging business and economic activity leading to the PRC having one of the highest
gross domestic product growth among major industrial countries in the world as well as strong growth in many sectors of its economy driven by emerging private enterprises.
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Notwithstanding these facts, there are various risks of business acquisitions in Greater China including, among others, the risk that we may be unable to enforce our rights in the PRC, that governments may revert back to former policies less conducive to free trade and that relations between the PRC and countries in other regions of the world, including the United States, may deteriorate leading to reduced trade.
We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We have not (nor have any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by any candidates (or representative of any candidates) with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with our company. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative
to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.
Our initial business combination must be with a target business whose fair market value is at least equal to 80% of our net assets, meaning all of our assets, including the funds held in the trust account, less our liabilities (which would include deferred underwriting commissions) at the time of such acquisition, although this may entail simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses. We anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business. We may, however, structure a business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business but will
not acquire less than a controlling interest (meaning more than 50% of the voting securities (or the ability to control the vote of such securities) of such target business). If we acquire only a controlling interest in a target business or businesses, the portion of such business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets. If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the
subsequent integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.
The target business that we acquire may have a fair market value substantially in excess of 80% of our net assets. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may use the proceeds held in the trust account, issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such business and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so.
We may also consummate a business combination in which we acquire control of an operating business through contractual arrangements. The government of the PRC has restricted or limited foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in certain industries. The industry groups that are restricted are wide ranging, including certain aspects of telecommunications, advertising, food production, and heavy equipment manufacturers, for example. In addition there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in important industries that may affect the national economic
security or having famous Chinese brand names or well established Chinese brand names. Subject to the review requirements of the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies as discussed elsewhere for acquisitions of assets and companies in the PRC and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted Chinese parties. To the extent that such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company. The agreements would be designed to provide our company with the economic benefits of and control over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in
the hands of Chinese parties who would be our nominees. These agreements likely also would provide for increased ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under PRC law and regulation.
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Our principal executive offices are located at 10F, Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic of China and our telephone number is 86-106214-3561.
THE OFFERING
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4,500,000 units, at $8.00 per unit, each unit consisting of:
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one ordinary share; and
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The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Each of the ordinary shares and warrants may trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital determines that an earlier date is acceptable (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular). In no event will EarlyBirdCapital allow separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including an audited balance sheet, upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date the units commence trading. The
audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 8-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.
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Securities sold privately to insiders simultaneously with consummation of this offering
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1,250,000 insider warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) will be sold to our founding shareholders pursuant to letter agreements among such purchasers, us and EarlyBirdCapital. These purchases will take place pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Purchasers of the insider warrants may not rescind the agreement to purchase the warrants, there are no conditions on the obligations of purchasers of the insider warrants that are within their control, and the purchasers of insider warrants may not obtain a refund for the purchase price of the insider warrants. The insider warrants will be identical to the warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus except that if we call the warrants for redemption as described below, the insider warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis so long as such warrants are held by
the purchasers or
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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their affiliates. Such purchasers have also agreed that the insider warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination. EarlyBirdCapital has advised us that it has no intention of waiving these restrictions on transferability.
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Number outstanding before this offering
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Number to be outstanding after this
offering
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Number outstanding before this offering
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Number to be sold to insiders
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Number to be outstanding after this offering and sale to insiders
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Each warrant is exercisable for one ordinary share.
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The warrants will become exercisable six months after the completion of a business combination with a target business.
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The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [________], 2013
[five years from the date of this prospectus]
or earlier upon redemption.
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However, except with respect to the insider warrants, no warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant is current and the ordinary shares have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. Accordingly, such warrants could expire worthless if we fail to maintain an effective registration statement relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants or fail to obtain an exemption under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. With respect to the insider warrants, we may be able to deliver them unregistered ordinary shares notwithstanding our inability to have a prospectus relating to the ordinary
shares declared effective.
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We may redeem the outstanding warrants (including any insider warrants and any warrants issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option issued to EarlyBirdCapital), with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital:
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(1)
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Includes 168,750 shares held by our founding stockholders which are subject to forfeiture to the extent the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised.
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(2)
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Assumes no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option and, therefore, that our founding stockholders have forfeited 168,750 shares held by such individuals.
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in whole and not in part,
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at a price of $0.01 per warrant at any time while the warrants are exercisable (which will only occur if a registration statement relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and current),
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upon a minimum of 30 days prior written notice of redemption, and
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if, and only if, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $11.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption.
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The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient degree of liquidity to cushion the market reaction to our redemption call.
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If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise our warrants (not including the insider warrants) to do so on a cashless basis, though the public shareholders are not eligible to do so at their own option. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of our ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the fair market value of an ordinary share by (y) the fair market value of an ordinary share. The fair market value is the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption
is sent to the holders of warrants.
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Regardless of the election of our management, the purchasers of the insider warrants will be entitled to exercise the insider warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the formula described above.
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Since we may redeem the warrants only with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital and EarlyBirdCapital may hold warrants subject to redemption, EarlyBirdCapital may have a conflict of interest in determining whether or not to consent to such redemption. We cannot assure you that EarlyBirdCapital will consent to such redemption if it is not in its best interests even if it is in our best interests.
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Proposed OTC Bulletin Board symbols for our:
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Offering proceeds to be held in trust
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$33,850,000 of the proceeds of this offering plus the $1,250,000 we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants (for an aggregate of $35,100,000 or approximately $7.80 per unit sold to the public in this offering) will be placed in a trust account at Credit Suisse, maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. This amount includes $1,080,000 of underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in the offering. The underwriters have agreed that such amount will not be paid unless and until we consummate a business combination. Except as set forth below, these proceeds will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation. Therefore, unless and until a business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be
available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be released to us, from time to time, interest earned on the funds held in the trust account, up to an aggregate of $1,050,000 to fund expenses related to investigating and selecting a target business, income and other taxes and our other working capital requirements. With this exception, expenses may be paid prior to a business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account (initially, approximately $150,000).
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None of the warrants may be exercised until after the consummation of a business combination and, thus, after the proceeds of the trust account have been disbursed. Accordingly, the warrant exercise price will be paid directly to us and not placed in the trust account.
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Determination of Offering Amount
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We and the underwriters agreed to value the offering at $36,000,000 based on the previous transactional experience of our principals, which includes a variety of transactions valued at approximately $60,000,000 and above. The offering size was also based on the underwriters evaluation of overall market conditions for similar transactions as the proposed offering, including their ability to solicit investors for an offering of this size.
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Limited payments to insiders
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There will be no compensation of any kind (including equity board compensation) paid (or issued) by us or a target business to our founding shareholders, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they
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render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than:
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repayment of an aggregate $100,000 non-interest bearing loan made by James Sha, Diana Liu, and William Yu each a director of ours;
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payment of $7,500 per month to Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, for office space and related services; and
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reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations.
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There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.
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Memorandum and articles of association
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As discussed below, there are specific provisions in our memorandum and articles of association that may not be amended prior to our consummation of a business combination, including our requirements to seek shareholder approval of such a business combination and to allow our shareholders to seek conversion of their shares if they do not approve of such a business combination. While we have been advised that such provisions limiting our ability to amend our memorandum and articles of association may not be enforceable under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we view these provisions, which are contained in Section 170 of our memorandum and articles of association, as obligations to our shareholders and will not take any action to amend or waive these provisions. Our memorandum and articles of association also provides that we will continue in existence only until
,
2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until
, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period. If we have not completed a business combination by such date, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. This has the same effect as if our board of directors and shareholders had formally voted to approve our voluntary winding up and dissolution. As a result, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up and dissolution. We view the provision terminating our corporate
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life by
, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
, or until
, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consumma-
tion of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, as an obligation to our shareholders and will not take any action to amend or waive this provision to allow us to survive for a longer period of time except in connection with the consummation of a business combination.
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Shareholders must approve business combination
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Pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, we will seek shareholder approval before we effect any business combination, even if the nature of the acquisition would not ordinarily require shareholder approval under applicable state or Cayman Islands law. We view this requirement as an obligation to our shareholders and will not take any action to amend or waive this provision in our memorandum and articles of association. We will publicly announce the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting to approve our business combination at least two business days prior to such record date. Pursuant to Section 59 of our memorandum and articles of association, we will provide our shareholders with a minimum of 10 days notice of a meeting (which is more than the 5 days notice required by Cayman Islands law). In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all
of our founding shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the ordinary shares owned by them immediately before this offering (but not any shares acquired by them in this offering or in the aftermarket) in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders. We will proceed with a business combination only if (i) a majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders are voted in favor of the business combination and (ii) public shareholders owning less than 40% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights described below. Accordingly, it is our intention in every case to structure and consummate a business combination in which approximately 39.99% of the public shareholders may exercise their conversion rights and the business combination will still go forward. Traditionally, blank check companies had a conversion threshold of 20%. We have set the conversion percentage at
40% in order to reduce the likelihood that a group of investors holding a block of our stock will be able to stop us from completing a business combination that may otherwise be approved by a large majority of our public shareholders.
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Conversion rights for shareholders voting to reject a business combination
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Pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, public shareholders voting against a business combination will be entitled to convert their stock into a pro rata share of
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the trust account (initially $7.80 per share), plus any interest earned on their portion of the trust account less up to $1,050,000 that may be distributed to us to fund our working capital requirements, if the business combination is approved and completed. We view this requirement as an obligation to our shareholders and will not take any action to amend or waive this provision in our memorandum and articles of association. Our founding shareholders have contractually agreed that they will not have such conversion rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket (nor will they seek appraisal rights with respect to such shares if appraisal rights would be available to them). Public shareholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust fund will continue to have the
right to exercise any warrants they may hold.
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Investors in this offering who do not sell, or who receive less than $0.20 of net sales proceeds for, the warrants included in the units, and persons who purchase ordinary shares in the aftermarket at a price in excess of $7.80 per share, may have a disincentive to exercise their conversion rights because the amount they would receive upon conversion could be less than their original or adjusted purchase price.
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An eligible shareholder may request conversion at any time after the mailing to our shareholders of the proxy statement and prior to the vote taken with respect to a proposed business combination at a meeting held for that purpose, but the request will not be granted unless the shareholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Additionally, we may require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in street name, to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent at any time through the vote on the business combination or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holders option. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering
them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $35 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder.
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The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time we send out our proxy statement through the vote on the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. This time
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period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in street name, in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor.
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Liquidation if no business combination
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As described above, if we have not consummated a business combination by
, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until
, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally went through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, referred to in this prospectus as the Companies Law. In such a situation under the Companies Law, a
liquidator would give at least 21 days' notice to creditors of his intention to make a distribution by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in the Cayman Islands Official Gazette, although in practice this notice requirement need not necessarily delay the distribution of assets as the liquidator may be satisfied that no creditors would be adversely affected as a consequence of a distribution before this time period has expired. We anticipate the trust account would be liquidated shortly following expiration of the 21 day period to our public shareholders the amount in our trust account (including any accrued interest not previously disbursed to us) plus any remaining net assets (subject to our provision for creditors) as part of our plan of dissolution and distribution. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be
liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more). Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account or that a court would not conclude that such agreements are not
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legally enforceable. James Sha and Diana Liu have contractually agreed with us that they will be personally liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. However, we cannot assure you that they will be able to satisfy those obligations, if they are required to do so. As a result, we cannot assure you that the per-share distribution from the trust fund, if we liquidate, will not be less than $7.80, plus interest then held in the trust fund.
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Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of the company under Cayman Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them. Furthermore, a liquidator of the company might seek to hold a shareholder liable to contribute to our estate to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to the dissolution of the trust account beyond the date of dissolution of the trust account.
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Our founding shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares. We will pay the costs of liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account.
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If such funds are insufficient, James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $15,000) and have agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.
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On an automatic dissolution and subsequent liquidation of the trust account due to our failure to complete a business combination within 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association), the funds, if any, held by us outside of the trust account will be returned to all shareholders pursuant to applicable law.
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Escrow of founding shareholders shares
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On the date of this prospectus, all of our founding shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, will place their initial shares into an escrow account maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as escrow agent. Subject to certain limited exceptions (such as (i) by gift to a member of an founding shareholders immediate family or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of which is a founding shareholder or a member of a founding shareholders immediate family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any founding shareholder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
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order, or (iv) by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case where the transferee agrees to the same restrictions as the original holder, including the terms of the escrow agreement and the requirement to vote all ordinary shares held by our existing shareholders in accordance with the vote of a majority of our public shareholders on a proposed business combination), these shares will not be transferable during the escrow period. These shares will not be released from escrow until nine months after our consummation of a business combination with respect to 50% of the initial shares and one year after our consummation of a business combination with respect to the remaining 50% of the initial shares. These shares may only be released earlier if the underwriters over-allotment option
is not exercised or is exercised in part to the extent necessary to have up to 168,750 shares forfeited by our founding shareholders and cancelled by us or if, following a business combination, we engage in a subsequent transaction resulting in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities. Additionally, a portion of the initial shares will be forfeited by our founding shareholders and returned to us for cancellation if the holders of more than 20% of the shares sold in this offering vote against a proposed business combination and seek to exercise their conversion rights and such business combination is consummated so that the initial shares would never exceed 23.81% of our outstanding ordinary shares post business combination.
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Although the insider warrants will not be placed in escrow, the purchasers have agreed that such securities will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination.
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Risks
In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. In addition, this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and, therefore, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. Additionally, our initial security holders initial equity investment is below that which is required under the guidelines of the North American Securities Administrators Association,
Inc. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page
15
of this prospectus.
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data are presented.
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October 31, 2007
Actual
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As Adjusted
(1)
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Balance Sheet Data:
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Working capital (deficiency)
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$
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20,547
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$
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34,153,147
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Total assets
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$
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120,547
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$
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34,153,147
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Total liabilities
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$
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100,000
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$
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1,080,000
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Value of ordinary shares which may be converted to cash (approximately $7.80 per share)
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$
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$
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14,039,992
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Shareholders equity
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$
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20,547
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$
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19,033,155
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(1)
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Includes the $1,250,000 we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants. Assumes the payment of the $1,080,000 deferred underwriters discounts and commissions to the underwriters. The working capital includes $37,500 of costs related to this offering which were paid prior to October 31, 2007. These deferred offering costs have been recorded as a current asset and are reclassified against shareholders equity in the as adjusted information.
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The as adjusted information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering by this prospectus and insider warrants, including the application of the related gross proceeds and the payment of the estimated remaining costs of this public offering and the repayment of the accrued and other liabilities required to be repaid.
The working capital includes $37,500 of costs related to this offering which were paid prior to October 31, 2007. These deferred offering costs have been recorded as a current asset and are reclassified against shareholders equity in the as adjusted information.
The working capital and total assets amounts include $34,020,000 of the amount to be held in the trust account, which will be available to us only upon the consummation of a business combination within 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering. The total amount to be placed in trust also includes an additional $1,080,000 ($0.24 per share) of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in the offering only if we consummate a business combination. However, for
presentational purposes, the balance sheet data above assumes that we have an obligation to pay the underwriters this amount. If a business combination is not so consummated, the trust account, and all accrued interest earned thereon less up to $1,050,000 that may be released to us from time to time to fund our working capital requirements, will be distributed solely to our public shareholders (subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors).
We will not proceed with a business combination if public shareholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in this offering vote against the business combination and exercise their conversion rights. Accordingly, we may effect a business combination if public shareholders owning up to approximately 39.99% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights. If this occurs, we would be required to convert to cash up to approximately 39.99% of the 4,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or approximately 1,799,999 ordinary shares, at an initial per-share conversion price of approximately $7.80 (for a total of approximately
$14,039,992), without taking into account interest then held in the trust account. This amount represents $7.56 per share from the proceeds of the offering and the private placements and $0.24 per share of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. Payment of a portion of the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions to the converting shareholders does not reduce the amount payable to the underwriters if we consummate a business combination ($1,080,000) and accordingly, we will not be able to use such funds in connection with the consummation of our business combination.
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The actual per-share conversion price will be equal to:
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the amount in the trust account, including all accrued interest after distribution of interest income on the trust account balance to us as described elsewhere in this prospectus, as of two business days prior to the proposed consummation of the business combination,
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divided by the number of ordinary shares sold in the offering.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the material risks described below, which we believe represent all the material risks related to the offering, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units.
Risks Associated with Our Business
We are a development stage company with no operating history and, accordingly, you will not have any basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a recently organized development stage company with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to commence operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public offering of our securities. Since we do not have an operating history, you will have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We have not conducted any discussions with respect to any business combination and we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective acquisition candidates. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest, after the consummation
of a business combination.
If we are forced to liquidate before a business combination and distribute the trust account, our public shareholders may receive less than $8.00 per share and our warrants will expire worthless.
If we are unable to complete a business combination within two years from the date of this prospectus and are forced to liquidate our assets, the per-share liquidation distribution may be less than $8.00 because of the expenses of this offering, our general and administrative expenses and the anticipated costs of seeking a business combination. Furthermore, there will be no distribution with respect to our outstanding warrants which will expire worthless if we liquidate before the completion of a business combination.
If we are unable to consummate a business combination, our public shareholders will be forced to wait the full 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) before receiving liquidation distributions.
We have 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) in which to complete a business combination. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to such date unless we consummate a business combination prior thereto. Only after the expiration of this full time period will public shareholders be entitled to liquidation distributions if we are unable to complete a business combination. Accordingly, investors funds may be unavailable to them until such date.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete a business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a blank check company under the United States securities laws. However, since we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet, demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors of blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or
protections of those rules such as completely restricting the transferability of our securities, requiring us to complete a business combination within 18 months from the effective date of the initial registration statement and restricting the use of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable, we will be entitled to withdraw a certain amount of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account prior to the completion of a business combination and we have a longer period of time to complete a business combination than we would if we were subject to such rule.
Because there are numerous companies with a business plan similar to ours seeking to effectuate a business combination, including companies seeking to consummate a business combination with companies in Greater China, it may be more difficult for us to do so.
Since August 2003 through January 2008, based upon publicly available information, approximately 150 similarly structured blank check companies have completed initial public offerings in the United States. Of
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these companies, only 45 companies have consummated a business combination, while 24 other companies have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination, but have not consummated such business combination, and 7 companies have failed to complete business combinations and have either dissolved or announced their intention to dissolve and return trust proceeds to their shareholders. Accordingly, there are approximately 74 blank check companies with more than $13.4 billion in trust that are seeking to carry out a business plan similar to our business plan. Of these companies, 13 with approximately $923 million in trust
assets are seeking to consummate a business combination with a company in Greater China. Furthermore, there are a number of additional offerings for blank check companies that are still in the registration process but have not completed initial public offerings and there are likely to be more blank check companies filing registration statements for initial public offerings after the date of this prospectus and prior to our completion of a business combination. While some of those companies must complete a business combination in specific industries or geographic locations, a number of them may consummate a business combination in any industry or geographic location they choose. Therefore, we may be subject to competition from these and other companies seeking to consummate a business plan similar to ours. Because of this competition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to effectuate a business combination within the required time periods.
A decline in interest rates could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete a business combination since we will depend on interest earned on the trust account to fund our search, to pay our tax obligations and to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering, only $150,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the trust account to provide us with additional working capital we will need to identify one or more target businesses and to complete our initial business combination, as well as to pay any tax obligations that we may owe. While we are entitled to have released to us for such purposes certain interest earned on the funds in the trust account, a substantial decline in interest rates may result in our having insufficient funds
available with which to structure, negotiate or close an initial business combination. In such event, we would need to borrow funds from our founding shareholders to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Our founding shareholders are under no obligation to advance funds in such circumstances.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share liquidation price received by shareholders will be less than $7.80 per share.
Our placing of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage and prospective target businesses we negotiate with, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. A court could also conclude that such agreements are not
legally enforceable. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public shareholders. If we liquidate before the completion of a business combination and distribute the proceeds held in trust to our public shareholders, James Sha and Diana Liu have contractually agreed with us that they will be severally liable (on a pro rata basis relative to the number of initial shares owned by them prior to the completion of this offering) to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. Because we will seek to have all vendors and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, we believe the likelihood of our officers and
directors having any such obligations is minimal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have questioned James Sha and Diana Liu on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Furthermore, if they refused to satisfy their obligations, we would be required to bring a claim against them to enforce our indemnification rights. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the per-share distribution from the trust fund, if we liquidate, will not be less than $7.80, plus interest then held in the trust fund, due to such claims.
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Additionally, if we are forced to declare insolvency or a case for involuntary liquidation is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account will be subject to applicable Cayman Islands insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $7.80 per share.
Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them.
Our memorandum and articles of association provides that we will continue in existence only 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering. If we have not completed a business combination by such date and amended this provision in connection thereto, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally went through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law (2007 Revision) of
the Cayman Islands, referred to in this prospectus as the Companies Law. In such a situation under the Companies Law, a liquidator would give at least 21 days notice to creditors of his intention to make a distribution by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in the Cayman Islands Official Gazette, although in practice this notice requirement need not necessarily delay the distribution of assets as the liquidator may be satisfied that no creditors would be adversely affected as a consequence of a distribution before this time period has expired. We anticipate the trust account would be liquidated shortly following expiration of the 21 day period. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must present his final report and accounts before a final general meeting which must be called by a public notice at least one month before it takes place. After the final meeting, the liquidator must
make a return to the Registrar confirming the date on which the meeting was held and three months after the date of such filing the company is dissolved.
Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of the company under Cayman Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them. Furthermore, a liquidator of the company might seek to hold a shareholder liable to contribute to our estate to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to the dissolution of the trust account beyond the date of
dissolution of the trust account. Additionally, we cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our shareholders amounts owed to them by us. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims for having paid public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
If we are unable to consummate a transaction within 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering our purpose and powers will be limited to dissolving, liquidating and winding up. Upon notice from us, the trustee of the trust account will distribute the amount in our trust account to our public shareholders as part of our plan of dissolution and distribution. Concurrently, we shall pay, or reserve for payment, from funds not held in trust, our liabilities and obligations, although we cannot assure
you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. If there are insufficient funds held outside the trust account for such purpose, James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed that they will be jointly and severally liable (on a pro rata basis relative to the number of initial shares owned by them prior to the completion of this offering) to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us.
If we are forced to declare insolvency or a case for involuntary liquidation is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account will be subject to applicable Cayman Islands insolvency law, and may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. Furthermore, because we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public shareholders promptly after __________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this
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offering]
or until ___________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public shareholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from our assets. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing
itself and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
An effective registration statement may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise his, her or its warrants and causing such warrants to be practically worthless.
No public warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant is current. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so, and if we do not maintain a current prospectus related to the ordinary shares issuable upon
exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to settle any such warrant exercise, whether by net cash settlement or otherwise. If the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the public warrants is not current, such warrants may have no value, the market for such warrants may be limited and such warrants may expire worthless. Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current, the insider warrants may be exercised for unregistered ordinary shares.
An investor will only be able to exercise a warrant if the issuance of ordinary shares upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants, thereby potentially limiting the value of the warrants.
No public warrants will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. As a result, the public warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for such warrants may be limited and the holders of such warrants may not be able to exercise their warrants if the ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of such warrants reside.
Since we have not yet selected a particular industry or target business with which to complete a business combination, we are unable to currently ascertain the merits or risks of the industry or business in which we may ultimately operate.
We may consummate a business combination with a company in Greater China operating in any industry we choose and are not limited to any particular industry or type of business. Accordingly, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we complete a business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its development stage, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations of those entities. If we complete a business combination with an entity in an
industry characterized by a high level of risk, we may be affected by the currently unascertainable risks of that industry. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular industry or target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a target business.
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We may issue shares or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our shareholders and likely cause a change in control of our ownership.
Our memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of up to 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $.001 per share, and 1,000,000 preferred shares, par value $.001 per share. Immediately after this offering and the purchase of the insider warrants (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option), there will be 37,725,000 authorized but unissued ordinary shares available for issuance (after appropriate reservation for the issuance of the shares upon full exercise of our outstanding warrants and the unit purchase option granted to EarlyBirdCapital) and all of the 1,000,000 preferred shares available for issuance. Although we have no
commitment as of the date of this offering, we are likely to issue a substantial number of additional shares of our ordinary or preferred shares, or a combination of ordinary and preferred shares, to complete a business combination. The issuance of any ordinary shares, preferred shares or debt securities issued following this offering will be conditioned on the purchasers of such securities agreeing that they do not have the right to receive any funds held in trust upon our dissolution and liquidation in the event that we are unable to complete a business combination. However, the issuance of additional ordinary shares or any number of shares of our preferred shares:
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may significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in this offering;
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may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;
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will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and
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may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares.
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Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
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default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
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acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
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our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and
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our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding.
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Our ability to successfully effect a business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following a business combination.
Our ability to successfully effect a business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although our key personnel such as James Sha, Diana Liu, William Yu, and Jim Wu, may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will
prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
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The requirement that we complete a business combination by ____________, 2009 [eighteen months from the consummation of this offering], or ____________, 2010 [thirty months from the consummation of this offering] if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination.
If we have not consummated a business combination by ____________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or ____________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be
aware of these requirements. Consequently, the closer we get to one of the time limits, the greater the leverage a target business will have over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete a business combination with any target business within the required timeframe.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following a business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous to us.
Our key personnel will be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a
target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination.
Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination.
Our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs, which could create a conflict of interest when allocating their time between our operations and their other commitments. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination. All of our executive officers are engaged in several other business endeavors (although no other blank check companies) and are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our affairs. If our officers and directors other business affairs require them to devote more substantial amounts of time to such affairs, it could limit
their ability to devote time to our affairs and could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. As a result, we may miss out on potential business opportunities.
None of our officers or directors are currently involved with any blank check companies or offerings. However, our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they may owe fiduciary duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. Each
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of our officers and directors owes a pre-existing fiduciary obligation to the entities listed under the section of this prospectus captioned Management Conflicts of Interest. To the extent that our officers and directors identify business opportunities that may be suitable for those entities, they will honor his or her pre-existing fiduciary obligation to such entity. Accordingly, they may not present attractive opportunities to us unless such entity has declined to accept such opportunities. In order to otherwise minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our
officers and directors has agreed, until the earliest of a business combination, our voluntary liquidation or such time as he or she ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary obligations they may have. We have not established any procedures to ensure that our officers observe these requirements. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor. As a result, a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us and we may miss out on a potential transaction.
We may not seek an opinion from an unaffiliated third party as to the fair market value of the target business we acquire or that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.
We are not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party that the target business we select has a fair market value in excess of at least 80% of our net assets. We are also not required to obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party indicating that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view unless the target is affiliated with our officers, directors, special advisors, founding shareholders or their affiliates. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, whose collective experience in business evaluations for blank check
companies like ours is not significant.
All of our officers and directors own ordinary shares issued prior to this offering and are purchasing warrants simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. These securities will not participate in liquidation distributions. Therefore, our officers and directors may present a particular target business to us that otherwise would not be attractive so as to avoid having their securities become worthless.
All of our officers and directors own ordinary shares that were issued prior to this offering and are purchasing insider warrants upon consummation of this offering. Such individuals have waived their right to receive distributions with respect to their initial shares upon our automatic dissolution and voluntary liquidation if we are unable to consummate a business combination. The initial shares acquired prior to this offering, as well as the insider warrants purchased by our officers and directors, and any warrants purchased by our officers or directors in this offering or in the aftermarket will be worthless if we do not consummate a business
combination. Furthermore, because our founding shareholders paid only $25,000 for their initial shares, a business combination that may be a net loss to public shareholders could still result in a positive return for our officers and directors. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors and officers discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders best interest.
If our ordinary shares become subject to the SECs penny stock rules, broker-dealers may experience difficulty in completing customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected.
If at any time we have net tangible assets of $5,000,000 or less and our ordinary shares have a market price per share of less than $5.50, transactions in our ordinary shares may be subject to the penny stock rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under these rules, broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than institutional accredited investors must:
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make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser;
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receive the purchasers written agreement to the transaction prior to sale;
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provide the purchaser with risk disclosure documents which identify certain risks associated with investing in penny stocks and which describe the market for these penny stocks as well as a purchasers legal remedies; and
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obtain a signed and dated acknowledgment from the purchaser demonstrating that the purchaser has actually received the required risk disclosure document before a transaction in a penny stock can be completed.
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If our ordinary shares become subject to these rules, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our securities.
After our business combination, we will be solely dependent on a single business and a limited number of products or services.
Our business combination must be with a business with a fair market value of at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition, and although this may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time, it is likely that we will not have sufficient resources to engage in multiple acquisitions. If we consummate a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other
entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
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solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, or
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dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
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Alternatively, if our business combination entails the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time from different sellers, we would face additional risks, including difficulties and expenses incurred in connection with the subsequent integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies into a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
The ability of our shareholders to exercise their conversion rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
When we seek shareholder approval of any business combination, we will offer each public shareholder (but not our founding shareholders) the right to have his, her or its ordinary shares converted to cash if the shareholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Such holder must both vote against such business combination and then exercise his, her or its conversion rights to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account. Because we will not know how many shareholders may exercise such conversion rights, if our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the
purchase price, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such conversion, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of shareholders exercise their conversion rights than we expect. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing. Therefore, we may not be able to consummate a business combination that requires us to use all of the funds held in the trust account as part of the purchase price, or we may end up having a leverage ratio that is not optimal for our business combination. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
We will proceed with a business combination only if public shareholders owning less than 40% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights.
We will proceed with a business combination only if public shareholders owning less than 40% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights. Accordingly, approximately 39.99% of the public shareholders may exercise their conversion rights and we could still consummate a proposed business combination. As a result, this may have the effect of making it more likely that we could consummate a proposed
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business combination even when a significant number of public shareholders have voted against such transaction. We have set the conversion percentage at 40% in order to reduce the likelihood that a group of investors holding a block of our stock will be able to stop us from completing a business combination that may otherwise be approved by a large majority of our public shareholders. While there are several offerings similar to ours which include conversion provisions between 20% and 40%, the 20% threshold was customary and standard for offerings similar to ours.
Because we allow up to one share less than 40% of the shares sold in this offering to exercise their conversion rights, we may need to arrange third-party financing to consummate our business combination.
Our business combination may require us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price and will require us to use at least 80% of our net assets to acquire such target business. Because we will not know how many shareholders may exercise such conversion rights, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of shareholders exercise their conversion rights than we expect. This is especially true since our conversion threshold is 40%, as opposed to the more traditional 20%. Additionally, even if our business combination does not require us to use substantially all of our
cash to pay the purchase price, if a significant number of shareholders exercise their conversion rights, we will have less cash available to use in furthering our business plans following a business combination and may need to arrange third party financing. We have not taken any steps to secure third party financing for either situation. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such third party financing on terms favorable to us or at all.
Because of our limited resources and structure, we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.
We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe that there are numerous potential
target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, the obligation we have to seek shareholder approval of a business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Additionally, our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Furthermore, our negotiating position with any potential target may be harmed as we approach the deadline for the consummation of a business combination as such target business will know that our deadline cannot be extended. Because only 76 of the 150 blank check
companies that have gone public in the United States since August 2003 have either consummated a business combination or entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination, it may indicate that there are fewer attractive target businesses available to such entities like our company or that many privately held target businesses are not inclined to enter into these types of transactions with publicly held blank check companies like ours. If we are unable to consummate a business combination with a target business within the prescribed time periods, we will be forced to liquidate.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering as well as the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us will be sufficient to allow us to consummate a business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If these funds prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of the business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, or the
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obligation to convert into cash a significant number of shares from dissenting shareholders, we will be required to seek additional financing. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate a particular business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, if we consummate a business combination, we may require additional financing to fund the operations or growth of the target
business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after a business combination.
Our founding shareholders, including our officers and directors, control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a shareholder vote.
Upon consummation of our offering, our founding shareholders (including all of our officers and directors) will collectively own 20.0% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and forfeiture of up to 168,750 initial shares to the extent the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option). None of our officers, directors, founding shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or units or ordinary shares from persons in the open market or in private placements. However, if a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an
intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, such individuals could make such purchases in order to influence the vote.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our staggered board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our existing shareholders, because
of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our existing shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of a business combination.
Our founding shareholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.02 per share, for their initial shares and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares.
The difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to the investors in this offering. Our founding shareholders acquired their initial shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Assuming the offering is completed, you and the other new investors will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 29.05% or $2.32 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $5.68 and the initial offering price of $8.00 per unit).
Our outstanding warrants and option may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effect a business combination.
We will be issuing warrants to purchase 4,500,000 ordinary shares as part of the units offered by this prospectus and the insider warrants to purchase 1,250,000 ordinary shares. We will also issue an option to purchase 450,000 units to the representative of the underwriters which, if exercised, will result in the issuance of an additional 450,000 warrants. To the extent we issue ordinary shares to effect a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants and option could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such
securities, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete the business combination. Accordingly, our warrants and option may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business. Additionally, the sale, or even the possibility of sale, of the shares underlying the warrants and option could have an adverse effect on the market price for our securities or on our ability to obtain future financing. If and to the extent these warrants and option are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.
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Our managements ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer ordinary shares upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.
If we call our warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this prospectus have been satisfied, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (not including insider warrants) to do so on a cashless basis. If our management chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of ordinary shares received by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential upside of the holders investment in our
company.
If our founding shareholders or the purchasers of the insider warrants exercise their registration rights with respect to their initial shares or insider warrants and underlying securities, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and warrants and the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effect a business combination.
Our founding shareholders are entitled to demand that we register the resale of their initial shares at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which their shares are released from escrow. Additionally, the purchasers of the insider warrants are entitled to demand that we register the resale of the securities underlying the insider warrants at any time after we consummate a business combination. If such individuals exercise their registration rights with respect to all of their securities, then there will be an additional 1,125,000 ordinary shares, or 1,293,750 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, and
1,250,000 warrants (plus an additional 1,250,000 ordinary shares underlying such warrants) eligible for trading in the public market. The presence of these additional securities trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business, as the shareholders of the target business may be discouraged from entering into a business combination with us or will request a higher price for their securities because of the potential effect the exercise of such rights may have on the trading market for our ordinary shares.
Investors in this offering may engage in resale transactions only in those states that we have registered this offering and a limited number of other jurisdictions where an applicable exemption from registration exists.
We have applied to register our securities, or have obtained or will seek to obtain an exemption from registration, in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Rhode Island. If you are not an institutional investor, you must be a resident of these jurisdictions to purchase our securities in the offering. Institutional investors in every state except Idaho may purchase units in this offering pursuant to exemptions provided to such entities under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an institutional investor varies from state to state but generally includes
financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities. Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, the resale of the units and, once they become separately transferable, the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units are exempt from state registration requirements. However, each state retains jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their state.
If we are deemed to be an investment company, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete a business combination.
A company that, among other things, is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, trading or holding certain types of securities would be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Since we will invest the proceeds held in the trust fund, it is possible that we could be deemed an investment company.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act of 1940. To this end, the proceeds held in trust may be invested by the trustee only in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, we intend to meet the requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1
promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
If we are nevertheless deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it more difficult for us to complete a business combination, including:
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restrictions on the nature of our investments; and
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restrictions on the issuance of securities.
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In addition, we may have imposed upon us certain burdensome requirements, including:
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registration as an investment company;
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adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and
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reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, compliance policies and procedures and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
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Compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expense for which we have not allotted.
Our directors may not be considered independent under the policies of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.
No salary or other compensation will be paid to our directors for services rendered by them on our behalf prior to or in connection with a business combination. Accordingly, we believe our non-executive directors would be considered independent as that term is commonly used by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and the American Stock Exchange LLC. Such exchanges define independent as a person, other than an officer or employee of the company or any parent or subsidiary, having no relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Equity ownership of
non-executive directors is not relevant to the definition of independence. However, under the policies of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., an international organization devoted to investor protection, because each of our directors own shares of our securities and may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf (such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations), state securities administrators could argue that all of such individuals are not independent. If this were the case, they would take the position that we would not have the benefit of any independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf and subject to reimbursement. Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by
anyone other than our board of directors, which would include persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. Although we believe that all actions taken by our directors on our behalf will be in our best interests, whether or not they are deemed to be independent, we cannot assure you that this will actually be the case. If actions are taken, or expenses are incurred that are actually not in our best interests, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, and a material adverse effect on the prices of our securities held by public shareholders.
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Unless we complete a business combination, our officers and directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses they incur if such expenses exceed the amount available to us for working capital and general corporate purposes. Therefore, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination and in the public shareholders best interest.
Our officers and directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount available for working capital unless a business combination is consummated. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such business combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses. If the target business owners do not agree to such repayment, this could cause our officers and directors to view such potential business combination unfavorably, resulting in a conflict of interest. The financial interest of our officers and directors could influence their
motivation in selecting a target business and thus, there may be a conflict of interest when determining whether a particular business combination is in the shareholders best interest.
Because our founding shareholders initial equity investment for their initial shares was only $25,000, our offering may be disallowed by state administrators that follow the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. Statement of Policy on development stage companies.
Pursuant to the Statement of Policy Regarding Promoters Equity Investment promulgated by The North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., any state administrator may disallow an offering of a development stage company if the initial equity investment by a companys promoters does not equal a certain percentage of the aggregate public offering price. Our promoters initial investment of $25,000 for their initial shares is less than the required $1,010,000 minimum amount pursuant to this policy. Accordingly, a state administrator would have the discretion to disallow our offering if it wanted to. We cannot assure you that
our offering would not be disallowed pursuant to this policy. If the offering were disallowed, it would further restrict your ability to engage in resale transactions with respect to our securities. Additionally, if we are unable to complete a business combination, our promoters loss will be limited to their initial investment. Conversely, if we are able to complete a business combination, the ordinary shares acquired prior to this offering will be worth significantly more than $25,000.
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and, following a business combination, substantially all of our assets will be located outside the United States, although our trust fund will be located in the United States and be governed by United States laws. In addition, certain of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or our directors or executive officers, or enforce
judgments obtained in the United States courts against us or our directors or officers. Moreover, we have been advised that the PRC does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and the PRC would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties of the United States federal securities laws.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) or the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of
persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted
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bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
The Cayman Islands courts are also unlikely:
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to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and
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to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws.
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There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may stay proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
We may become a passive foreign investment company (or PFIC), which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
In general, we will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of our gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the average value of our assets is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes, without limitation, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section of this prospectus captioned Taxation United States Federal Income Taxation) held our ordinary
shares or warrants, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. We cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC in the current or any future year. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. Our analysis as to PFIC status (as in the case of other U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein) is not based upon an opinion of counsel and, because our actual PFIC status is dependent on future facts or events, it is not possible for an opinion as to our PFIC status to be rendered at this time. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of this prospectus captioned Taxation United States Federal Income Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.
Risks Related to Operations in the PRC
Business combinations with companies with operations in the PRC entail special considerations and risks. If we are successful in completing a business combination with a target business with operations in the PRC, we will be subject to, and possibly adversely affected by, the following risks:
After a business combination, substantially all of our assets will likely be located in the PRC and substantially all of our revenue will be derived from our operations in the PRC. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the PRC.
The PRCs economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, could affect our business. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects.
The PRCs GDP has grown consistently since 1978 (National Bureau of Statistics of China). However, we cannot assure you that such growth will be sustained in the future. If in the future the PRCs economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate a business combination and if we effect a business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.
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The PRCs economic growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, but may have a negative effect on us, depending on the industry in which we engage in a business combination. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the PRC government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to a potential target business and a business combination.
The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the use of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in the PRC is still owned by the PRC government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. It also exercises significant control over PRC economic growth through the
allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. We cannot assure you that the PRCs economic, political or legal systems will not develop in a way that becomes detrimental to our business, results of operations and prospects.
The PRCs entry into the World Trade Organization, or WTO, the sole global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, has been regarded as a positive economic change. It is believed that the PRCs entry will ultimately result in a reduction on tariffs for industrial products, a reduction in trade restrictions and an increase in trading with the United States. If actions are not taken to rectify these problems, trade relations may be strained and this may have a negative impact on the PRCs economy.
If relations between the United States and the PRC deteriorate, potential target businesses or their goods or services could become less attractive.
The relationship between the United States and the PRC is subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance, the United States recently announced its intention to impose new short-term quotas on Chinese clothing imports, which may be extended for several years. Such import quotas may adversely affect political relations between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the PRC in industries that may affect our ultimate target business. Relations may also be compromised if the U.S. becomes a more vocal advocate of Taiwan or proceeds to sell certain military weapons and technology to Taiwan. Changes in political
conditions in the PRC and changes in the state of Sino-U.S. relations are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our operations or cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.
As a result of merger and acquisition regulations implemented on September 8, 2006 relating to acquisitions of assets and equity interests of Chinese companies by foreign persons (the M&A Rules), it is expected that acquisitions will take longer and be subject to economic scrutiny by the PRC government authorities such that we may not be able to complete a transaction.
On September 8, 2006, the Ministry of Commerce, together with several other government agencies, promulgated a comprehensive set of regulations governing the approval process by which a Chinese company may participate in an acquisition of its assets or its equity interests and by which a Chinese company may obtain public trading of its securities on a securities exchange outside the PRC. The M&A Rules established, among other things, additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming, complex and uncertain, including but without limitations to, the requirement in some
instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance when a foreign investor acquires equity or assets of a PRC domestic enterprise. Although there was a complex series of regulations in place prior to September 8, 2006 for approval of Chinese enterprises that were administered by a combination of provincial and centralized agencies, the new regulations have largely centralized and expanded the approval process to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) or its branch offices, the State Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Depending on the structure of the transaction, these regulations will require the Chinese parties to make a
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series of applications and supplemental applications to the aforementioned agencies, some of which must be made within strict time limits and depending on approvals from one or the other of the aforementioned agencies. The application process has been supplemented to require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the business to be acquired and evaluations of the acquirer which will permit the government to assess the economics of a transaction in addition to the compliance with legal requirements. If obtained, approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed. Also, completed
transactions must be reported to MOFCOM and some of the other agencies within a short period after closing and be confirmed by such agencies. If the completed transactions are not confirmed, it could render the transaction legally ineffective even if consummated by the parties. In extreme cases, the authorities could suspend or revoke the business license of the Chinese entities and cause an unwinding of the transaction. If the transaction was unwound, the consideration paid to the target business would be returned to us and we would then be forced to either attempt to complete a new business combination if it was prior to 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering or we would be required to return any amounts which were held in the trust account to our shareholders and dissolve and liquidate. It is expected that compliance with
the regulations will be more time consuming than in the past, will be more costly for the Chinese parties and will permit the government much more extensive evaluation and control over the terms of the transaction. Therefore, acquisitions in the PRC may not be able to be completed because the terms of the transaction may not satisfy aspects of the approval process and may not be completed, even if approved, if they are not consummated within the time permitted by the approvals granted.
Because the September 8, 2006, PRC merger and acquisition regulations permit the government agencies to have scrutiny over the economics of an acquisition transaction and require consideration in a transaction to be paid within stated time limits, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction that is acceptable to our shareholders or sufficiently protect their interests in a transaction.
The regulations have introduced aspects of economic and substantive analysis of the target business and the acquirer and the terms of the transaction by MOFCOM and the other governing agencies through submissions of an appraisal report, an evaluation report and the acquisition agreement, all of which form part of the application for approval, depending on the structure of the transaction. The regulations also prohibit a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the Chinese business or assets. The regulations require that in certain transaction structures, the consideration must be paid within strict time periods,
generally not in excess of a year. Because the Chinese authorities have been unhappy with offshore flips which converted domestic companies into foreign investment enterprises (FIEs) in order to take advantage of certain benefits, including reduced taxation, in the PRC, the new regulations require new foreign sourced capital of not less than 25% of the domestic companys postacquisition capital in order to obtain FIE treatment. Accordingly, if a sufficient amount of foreign capital is not infused into the domestic company, it will not be eligible to obtain FIE treatment. In asset transactions there must be no harm of third parties and the public interest in the allocation of assets and liabilities being assumed or acquired. These aspects of the regulations will limit our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the
assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited. Therefore, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction with terms that will satisfy our investors and protect our shareholders interests in an acquisition of a Chinese business or assets.
The PRC merger and acquisition regulations of September 8, 2006, have introduced industry protection and anti-trust aspects to the acquisition of Chinese companies and assets which may limit our ability to effect an acquisition.
Under the PRC merger and acquisition regulations, acquisitions of Chinese domestic companies relating to important industries that may affect the national economic security or result in the transfer of actual control of companies having famous Chinese brand names or well established Chinese brand names must be reported and approved by the relevant agencies. The merger and acquisition regulations also provide for antitrust review requirements for certain large transactions or transactions involving large companies and
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roll-up transactions with the same effect in the relevant Chinese market. In addition, certain mergers and acquisitions among foreign companies occurring outside of the PRC could also be subject to antitrust review in the PRC which is similar to United States anti-trust law concepts. The regulations use various economic tests to determine if the transaction has to be reported to MOFCOM which include (i) if any of the parties to the transaction has a turnover in the Chinese market of more than RMB 1,500,000,000, (ii) if in a transaction outside of the PRC, any party thereto has assets in the PRC of more than RMB 3,000,000,000, (iii) if any of the
parties to the transaction, before its consummation, has control not less than 20% of the Chinese market, (iv) if any of the parties as a result of the transaction will control 25% of the Chinese market, (v) the foreign investor has acquired 10 or more enterprises in related industries in the PRC during the last year, or (vi) if in a transaction outside of the PRC results in the foreign entities acquiring 15 or more FIEs in related industries within the PRC. Exemptions may be sought from the MOFCOM and SAIC on the basis that: (i) the transaction will improve market competition, (ii) the transaction will restructure unprofitable entities and ensures employment, (iii) the transaction will introduce high technologies and increase international competitiveness, and (iv) the transaction will improve the environment. Notwithstanding the September 8, 2006, regulations, there is a draft anti-monopoly law being considered which may replace or supplement the above provisions. Any transaction
that we contemplate will have to comply with these regulations and may require additional approval or abandonment if we are not able to satisfy the requirements of the governmental authorities. When we evaluate a potential transaction, we will consider the need to comply with these regulations which may result in our modifying or not pursuing a particular transaction.
Although the merger and acquisition regulations provide specific requirements and procedures, there are many ambiguities which give the regulators great latitude in the approval process which will cause uncertainty in our ability to complete a transaction on a timely basis.
The merger and acquisition regulations set forth many requirements that have to be followed, but there are still many ambiguities in the meaning of many provisions. Although further regulations are anticipated in the future, until there has been clarification either by pronouncements, regulation or practice, there is some uncertainty in the scope of the regulations. Moreover, the ambiguities give the regulators wide latitude in the enforcement of the regulations and the transactions to which they may or may not apply. Therefore, we cannot predict the extent to which the regulations will apply to a transaction, and therefore, there may be uncertainty
in whether or not a transaction will be completed until the approval process is under way or until the preliminary approvals are obtained.
The Ministry of Information Industry (MII) issued regulations that regulate and limit ownership and investment in internet and other value-added telecommunications businesses in the PRC which may limit the type of businesses we will be able to acquire.
On July 13, 2006, the MII issued a notice with the purpose of increasing the regulation of foreign investment in and operations of value added telecom services which includes internet and telecommunications businesses in the PRC. The regulations require Chinese entities to own and control the following: (i) internet domain names, (ii) registered trademarks, and (iii) servers and other infrastructure equipment used to host and operate web-sites and conduct business. The ownership requirements functionally limit foreign direct and indirect ownership and control of the intellectual property of these businesses even when attempted through various
parallel control, licensing, use and management agreements. It is anticipated that these regulations will be strictly enforced, and the government has provided that the new regulations apply retroactively and provides for audit procedures. The failure to comply may cause the MII to terminate a telecommunications license or otherwise modify existing agreements or require the disposition of the assets by the foreign entity. Any anticipated foreign investment in such businesses will be subject to prior approval by the MII, and it is expected that approval for investment may not be easily obtained for foreign investment in these businesses unless in strict compliance. Therefore, investment by us in this sector may not be actively pursued because certain assets may not be acquirable and accounting consolidation may be restricted or not permitted as a result of an unfavorable but permitted transaction structure.
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If the PRC imposes restrictions to reduce inflation, future economic growth in the PRC could be severely curtailed which could materially and adversely impact our profitability following a business combination.
While the economy of the PRC has experienced rapid growth, this growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the supply of money and rising inflation. In order to control inflation in the past, the PRC has imposed controls on bank credits, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state bank lending. Imposition of similar restrictions may lead to a slowing of economic growth and decrease the interest in the services or products we may ultimately offer leading to a material and adverse impact on our profitability.
Any devaluation of currencies used in the PRC could negatively impact our target business results of operations and any appreciation thereof could cause the cost of a target business as measured in dollars to increase.
Because our objective is to complete a business combination with a target business likely to have its primary operating facilities located in the PRC, and because substantially all revenues and income following a business combination would be received in a foreign currency such as Renminbi, the main currency used in the PRC, the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, would be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the Renminbi. The value of the Renminbi fluctuates and is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRCs political and economic conditions. To the extent that we need to convert United States
dollars into Chinese Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of this currency against the United States dollar could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into United States dollars for other business purposes and the United States dollar appreciates against this currency, the United States dollar equivalent of the Renminbi we convert would be reduced. The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies such as the United States dollar has been generally based on rates set by the Peoples Bank of China, which are set daily based on the previous days interbank foreign exchange market rates and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. Historically, the PRC pegged its currency to the United States dollar. This meant that each unit of Chinese currency had a set ratio for which it could be exchanged for United States currency, as opposed to having a
floating value like other countries currencies. Many countries argued that this system of keeping the Chinese currency low when compared to other countries gave Chinese companies an unfair price advantage over foreign companies. Due to mounting pressure from other countries, the PRC recently reformed its economic policies and adopted a floating rate with respect to the Renminbi, with a 0.3% fluctuation. As of December 31, 2007, the exchange rate of the Renminbi was 7.3960 against the United States dollar, amounting to approximately a 12% appreciation of the Renminbi. This floating exchange rate, and any appreciation of the Renminbi that may result from such rate, could cause the cost of a target business as measured in dollars to increase. Further, target companies may be adversely affected since the competitive advantages that existed as a result of the former policies will cease. We cannot assure you that a target business with which we consummate a business combination will be
able to compete effectively with the new policies in place.
Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following a business combination.
Following a business combination, we will be subject to the PRCs rules and regulations on currency conversion. In the PRC, the State Administration for Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulates the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. Currently, foreign investment enterprises (FIEs) are required to apply to the SAFE for Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs. Following a business combination, we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a basic
account and capital account. Currency conversion within the scope of the basic account, such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However, conversion of currency in the capital account, including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE. We cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose further restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may have outside of the PRC.
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If the PRC enacts regulations in our target business proposed industry segments which forbid or restrict foreign investment, our ability to consummate a business combination could be severely impaired.
Many of the rules and regulations that companies face in the PRC are not explicitly communicated. If new laws or regulations forbid foreign investment in industries in which we want to complete a business combination, they could severely limit the candidate pool of potential target businesses. Additionally, if the relevant Chinese authorities find us or the target business with which we ultimately complete a business combination to be in violation of any existing or future Chinese laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:
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revoking our business and other licenses;
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requiring that we restructure our ownership or operations;
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prohibiting possible future PRC subsidiaries or afficiates from returning the investments and profits abroad; and
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requiring that we discontinue any portion or all of our business.
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The imposition of any of the above penalties could result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business as well as our financial situation and we might be forced to relinquish our interests in operations.
In many cases, existing regulations with regard to investments from foreign investors and domestic private capital lack detailed explanations and operational procedures, and are subject to interpretation, which may change over time. We thus cannot be certain how the regulations will be applied to our business, either currently or in the future. Moreover, new regulations may be adopted or the interpretation of existing regulations may change, any of which could result in similar penalties, resulting in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business as well as our financial situation.
Recent regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may increase the administrative burden we face and create regulatory uncertainties that may limit or adversely effect our ability to acquire PRC companies.
Regulations were issued on January 24, 2005, on April 8, 2005 and on November 21, 2005, by the SAFE, that will require approvals from, and registrations with, PRC government authorities in connection with direct or indirect offshore investment activities by PRC residents and PRC corporate entities; however, there has been a recent announcement that such regulations may be partially reversed. The SAFE regulations retroactively require approval and registration of direct or indirect investments previously made by PRC residents in offshore companies. In the event that a PRC shareholder with a direct or indirect stake in an offshore parent company fails
to obtain the required SAFE approval and make the required registration, the PRC subsidiaries of such offshore parent company may be prohibited from making distributions of profit to the offshore parent and from paying the offshore parent proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation in respect of the PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE approval and registration requirements described above, as currently drafted, could result in liability under PRC law for foreign exchange evasion. More recently, however, new regulations have been drafted that would partially reverse the policy that requires Chinese companies to obtain permission from SAFE to own overseas corporate entities.
As a result of the lack of implementing rules, the uncertainty as to when the new draft regulations will take effect, and uncertainty concerning the reconciliation of the new regulations with other approval requirements, it remains unclear how these existing regulations, and any future legislation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. We are committed to complying with the relevant rules. As a result of the foregoing, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of the target business we intend to acquire, as the case may be, will be able to complete the
necessary approval, filings and registrations for a proposed business combination. This may restrict our ability to implement our business combination strategy and adversely affect our operations.
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Because Chinese law will govern almost all of any target business material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within the PRC or elsewhere, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Chinese law will govern almost all of our target business material agreements, many of which may be with Chinese governmental agencies. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of the PRC. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in the PRC may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The Chinese judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. The
inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
If we acquire a target business through contractual arrangements with one or more operating businesses in the PRC, such contracts may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of such businesses and may be difficult to enforce.
The government of the PRC has restricted or limited foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in certain industries. The industry groups that are restricted are wide ranging, including certain aspects of telecommunications, advertising, food production, and heavy equipment manufacturers, for example. In addition there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in important industries that may affect the national economic security or having famous Chinese brand names or well established Chinese brand names. Subject to the review
requirements of the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies as discussed elsewhere for acquisitions of assets and companies in the PRC and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted Chinese parties. To the extent that such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company which may not be subject to the merger and acquisition regulations mentioned above since these types of arrangements typically do not involve a change of equity ownership in a PRC operating company, injure a third party or affect the social public interest. The agreements would be designed to provide our company with the economic benefits of and control
over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in the hands of Chinese parties who would be our nominees and, therefore, may exempt the transaction from the merger and acquisition regulations, including the application process required thereunder. However, since there has been limited implementation guidance provided with respect to the merger and acquisition regulations, there can be no assurance that the relevant government agency would not apply them to a business combination effected through contractual arrangements. If such an agency determines that such an application should have been made, the consequences may include, without limitation, confiscating relevant incomes, levying fines, revoking business and other licenses, requiring restructure of ownership or operations and requiring discontinuation of any portion of all of the acquired business. These agreements likely also would provide for increased
ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under PRC law and regulation. If we choose to effect a business combination that employs the use of these types of control arrangements, we may have difficulty in enforcing our rights. Therefore these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits, accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership. For example, if the target business or any other entity fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend substantial resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under Chinese law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be sufficient to off-set the cost of enforcement and may adversely affect the benefits we expect to receive from the business combination.
Moreover, we expect that the contractual arrangements upon which we would be relying would be governed by Chinese law and would be the only basis of providing resolution of disputes which may arise through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with Chinese law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with Chinese legal procedures.
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Uncertainties in the Chinese legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert the effective level of control or receive the full economic benefits of full direct ownership over the target business.
If our management following a business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following a business combination, our management will likely resign from their positions as officers of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. We cannot assure you that management of the target business will be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with our laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
Because any target business with which we attempt to complete a business combination may be required to provide our shareholders with financial statements prepared in accordance with and reconciled to United States generally accepted accounting principles, prospective target businesses may be limited.
In accordance with requirements of United States Federal securities laws, in order to seek shareholder approval of a business combination, a proposed target business may be required to have certain financial statements which are prepared in accordance with, or which can be reconciled to, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited in accordance with U.S. generally accepted auditing standards. To the extent that a proposed target business does not have financial statements which have been prepared with, or which can be reconciled to, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
auditing standards, we may not be able to complete a business combination with that proposed target business. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses with which we may complete a business combination. Furthermore, to the extent that we seek to acquire a target business that does not have financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, it could make it more difficult for our management to analyze such target business and determine whether it has a fair market value in excess of 80% of our net assets. It could also delay our preparation of our proxy statement that we will send to shareholders relating to the proposed business combination with such a target business, thereby making it more difficult for us to consummate such a business combination.
If certain exemptions within the PRC regarding withholding taxes are removed, we may be required to deduct Chinese corporate withholding taxes from dividends we may pay to our stockholders following a business combination.
According to the PRCs currently applicable income tax laws, regulations, notices and decisions related to foreign investment enterprises and their investors (the Applicable Foreign Enterprises Tax Law), income such as dividends and profits distribution from the PRC derived from a foreign enterprise which has no establishment in the PRC is subject to an effective 10% withholding tax, unless the relevant income is specifically exempted from tax under the Applicable Foreign Enterprises Tax Law. Currently, profits derived by a stockholder, such as through dividends, from an FIE is exempted. However, if the foregoing exemption is removed
in the future following a business combination, we may be required to deduct certain amounts from dividends we may pay to our stockholders to pay corporate withholding taxes. In addition, on March 16, 2007, the National Peoples Congress or the NPC, approved and promulgated the Enterprise Income Tax Law. This new law will take effect as of January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, income from the PRC derived from a foreign enterprise which has no establishment in the PRC is subject to a 20% withholding tax absent a tax treaty between the PRC and another jurisdiction. Much of the detailed implementation guidance has yet to be provided by the PRC government. Changes in tax laws or interpretation of tax laws by the government could significantly impact our return to the investors.
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Under PRC laws, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to a high level of scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities.
Under PRC laws, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. If any of the transactions we enter into with possible future subsidiaries and affiliated entities are found not to be on an arms-length basis, or to result in an unreasonable reduction in tax under PRC law, the PRC tax authorities have the authority to disallow any tax savings, adjust the profits and losses of such possible future PRC entities and assess late payment interest and penalties. A finding by the PRC tax authorities that we are ineligible for any such tax savings, or that any of our possible future
affiliated entities are not eligible for tax exemptions, would substantially increase our possible future taxes and thus reduce our net income and the value of your investment.
After we consummate a business combination, our operating company in Greater China may be subject to restrictions on dividend payments.
After we consummate a business combination, we will rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current regulations in the PRC would permit our operating company in the PRC to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our operating company in the PRC will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such reserve account may not be distributed
as cash dividends. In addition, if our operating company in the PRC incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.
The PRC government has enacted a new law on enterprise income tax, and as it implements this law the tax and fee benefits provided to foreign investors and companies to encourage development within the country may be reduced or removed resulting in expenses may raise impacting margins and net income.
Under the currently effective PRC Foreign Investment Enterprise and Foreign Enterprise Income Tax Law adopted by the NPC on April 9, 1991 and the implementation rules applicable to a foreign investment enterprise (FIE), an income tax rate of 33% is generally imposed on an FIE, consisting of a 30% national income tax and a 3% local surcharge, for their domestic and overseas incomes. If the FIE is engaged in manufacturing with an operating period of more than 10 years, it could further be exempted from enterprise income tax for two years beginning from its first profitable year, and allowed a 50% reduction in the 30% national income tax for a period of
five years thereafter.
A company might receive certain additional preferential enterprise income tax treatment if it qualifies as a company especially supported by the PRC government. FIEs in certain areas (e.g., some free trade zones and some technology parks) might also receive further reductions in their enterprise income tax rate. The PRC government authorities, however, could reduce or eliminate these incentives at any time in the future.
The effect of a new law might be due to do this to some extent for some companies. Since the PRC joined the World Trade Organization, or the WTO, in November 2001, this preferential tax treatment has been criticized as not being WTO-compliant. On March 16, 2007, the NPC, approved and promulgated a new tax law: the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law. This new tax law will take effect on January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, FIEs and domestic companies are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%. The new tax law provides a five-year transition period starting from its effective date for those enterprises which were established before the promulgation date of
the new tax law and which were entitled to a preferential lower tax rate under the then-effective tax laws or regulations. In accordance with regulations issued by the State Council, the tax rate of such enterprises may gradually transition to the uniform tax rate within the transition period. For those enterprises which are enjoying tax holidays, such tax holidays may continue until their expiration in accordance with the regulations issued by the State Council, but where the tax holiday has not yet started because of losses, such tax holiday shall be deemed to commence from the first effective year of the new tax law. While the new tax law equalizes the tax rates for FIEs and domestic companies, preferential tax treatment would continue to be given to companies in certain encouraged sectors and to entities classified as high-technology companies supported by the PRC government, whether FIEs or domestic companies. According to
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the new tax law, entities that qualify as high-technology companies especially supported by the PRC government are expected to benefit from a tax rate of 15% as compared to the uniform tax rate of 25%. Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that any particular company will continue to qualify as a high technology company supported by the PRC government in the future, and benefit from such preferential tax rate. Following the effectiveness of the new tax law, a companys effective tax rate may increase, unless it is otherwise eligible for preferential treatment.
Additionally, under the new tax law, an income tax rate of 20% will be assessed on dividends payable to non-PRC investors derived from sources within the PRC. It is currently unclear in what circumstances a source will be considered as located within the PRC.
Investors should note that the new tax law provides only a framework of the enterprise tax provisions, leaving many details on the definitions of numerous terms as well as the interpretation and specific applications of various provisions unclear and unspecified. Any increase in our tax rate in the future could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this prospectus that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our managements expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words anticipates, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend,
may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about our:
|
|
ability to complete a combination with one or more target businesses;
|
|
|
success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers or directors following a business combination;
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|
|
officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving a business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;
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potential inability to obtain additional financing to complete a business combination;
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limited pool of prospective target businesses;
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the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;
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potential change in control if we acquire or acquire control of one or more target businesses for stock;
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public securities limited liquidity and trading;
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|
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use of proceeds not in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or
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financial performance following this offering.
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The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the
heading Risk Factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws and/or if and when management knows or has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that previously disclosed projections are no longer reasonably attainable.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, not including the funds we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants (all of which will be deposited into the trust fund), will be as set forth in the following table:
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|
|
|
|
|
Without
Over-Allotment
Option
|
|
Over-Allotment
Option
Exercised
|
Gross proceeds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross proceeds from units offered to the public
|
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$
|
36,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
41,400,000
|
|
Gross proceeds from warrants offered in the pre-offering private
placement
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
Total
|
|
|
37,250,000
|
|
|
|
42,650,000
|
|
Offering expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting discount
(2)
|
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|
1,440,000
|
|
|
|
1,656,000
|
|
Deferred underwriting discount
(3)
|
|
|
1,080,000
|
|
|
|
1,242,000
|
|
Legal fees and expenses (including blue sky services and expenses)
|
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|
350,000
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
Printing and engraving expenses
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
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|
50,000
|
|
|
|
50,000
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|
SEC registration fee
|
|
|
2,343
|
|
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|
2,343
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|
FINRA filing fee
|
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|
8,130
|
|
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|
8,130
|
|
Miscellaneous expenses
|
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|
89,527
|
|
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|
89,527
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|
Total offering expenses from the offering and the pre-offering private placement
|
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3,080,000
|
|
|
|
3,458,000
|
|
Net proceeds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds not held in trust
|
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|
150,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
Net proceeds held in trust for our benefit
|
|
|
34,020,000
|
|
|
|
39,042,000
|
|
Total net proceeds
|
|
|
34,170,000
|
|
|
|
39,192,000
|
|
Deferred underwriting discount held in trust
(3)
|
|
|
1,080,000
|
|
|
|
1,242,000
|
|
Total amount held in trust
|
|
$
|
35,100,000
|
|
|
$
|
40,284,000
|
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Use of net proceeds not held in trust and up to $1,050,000 of after tax interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Amount
(4)
|
|
Percentage
of
Total
|
Legal, accounting and other expenses attendant to the structuring and negotiation of a business combination
(5)
|
|
$
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
33.33
|
%
|
Due diligence, identification and research of prospective target businesses and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses of management
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
25.00
|
%
|
Payment for office space to Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing and for administrative and support services ($7,500 per month for 30 months)
|
|
|
225,000
|
|
|
|
18.75
|
%
|
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
12.50
|
%
|
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance, taxes, general corporate purposes, dissolution obligations and reserves
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
10.42
|
%
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,200,000
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
As of October 31, 2007, $37,500 of the offering expenses have already been paid from the proceeds of a loan described below, including the SEC registration fee, the filing fee for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and a portion of the legal and audit expenses. In addition, as of October 31, 2007, management has incurred 37,500 in reimbursable offering expenses that will be reimbursed by us following completion of this offering for items such as travel, translation cost, and administrative expenses.
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|
(2)
|
Represents 4% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the units in this offering.
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|
(3)
|
Represents 3% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the units in this offering that will be paid to the underwriters only upon consummation of a business combination, less $0.24 for each share converted
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into cash in connection with our business combination. If a business combination is not consummated and we are liquidated, such amounts will be disbursed among our public shareholders.
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(4)
|
The amount available to us for expenses and working capital will be the same regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised.
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(5)
|
These amounts are expected to be paid to legal, accounting and other outside professional firms to assist in negotiating, structuring and documenting a business combination and the preparation and filing of the related proxy statement.
|
$33,850,000 or $39,034,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of net proceeds of this offering, plus the $1,250,000 we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants, will be placed in a trust account at Credit Suisse, maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York, as trustee. This amount includes a portion of the underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters in this offering. The underwriters have agreed that such amount will not be paid unless and until we consummate a business combination and have waived their right to receive such payment upon our automatic dissolution and
voluntary liquidation if we are unable to complete a business combination. The funds held in trust will be invested only in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Except with respect to $1,050,000 of interest income that may be released to us from time to time, the proceeds held in trust will not be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or our voluntary liquidation. The proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete a business combination.
The payment to Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, of a monthly fee of $7,500 is for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. This arrangement is being agreed to by Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing for our benefit and is not intended to provide our officers and directors compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Beijing area, that the fee charged by Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. This arrangement will terminate upon
completion of a business combination or the distribution of the trust account to our public shareholders. Other than the $7,500 per month administrative fee, no compensation of any kind (including finders, consulting or other similar fees) will be paid to any of our existing officers, directors, shareholders, special advisors or any of their affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Reimbursement for such expenses will be paid by us out
of the funds not held in trust and currently allocated to Legal, accounting and other expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiation of a business combination, Due diligence of prospective target businesses and Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance, taxes and reserves. Since the role of present management after a business combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after a business combination.
Regardless of whether the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the net proceeds available to us out of trust for our search for a business combination will initially be approximately $150,000. We intend to use the excess working capital (approximately $1,050,000) for director and officer liability insurance premiums, tax payments and in the event due diligence, taxes, legal, accounting and other expenses of structuring and negotiating business combinations exceed our estimates, as well as for reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by our founding shareholders in connection with activities on our behalf as described
above. In addition to the foregoing, interest earned on the funds in the trust account of up to $1,050,000 may be released to us from trust to fund our working capital requirements. We believe that the total working capital available to us will be sufficient to cover our expenses and reimbursement costs. We could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds available to us as a down payment or to fund a no-shop
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provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from shopping around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a no-shop provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our
forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, conducting due diligence with respect to, or completing a business combination with, a potential target business.
Other than the fee for office space and administrative and secretarial services described above, we will not pay fees of any kind (including finders and consulting fees) to any of our officers and directors, or any of their affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of the business combination. However, our officers and directors will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There are no limitations on the amount of
expenses for which they can seek reimbursement, provided such expenses were incurred for our benefit. Our board of directors will have the responsibility of reviewing and approving all expense reimbursements made to our directors, with the interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval. To the extent that such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and interest income that is released to us from the trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate a business combination. These expenses would be a liability of the post-combination business and would be treated in a manner similar to any other account payable of the combined business. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses.
The net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account and not immediately required for the purposes set forth above will be held as cash or cash equivalents or will be invested only in United States government securities so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The income derived from investment of these net proceeds during this period will be used to defray our general and administrative expenses, as well as costs relating to compliance with securities laws and regulations, including associated professional fees, until a business combination is completed.
The allocation of net proceeds not held in trust represents our best estimate of the intended uses of these funds. In the event that our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may reallocate some of such proceeds within the above described categories.
We will likely use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business and to pay our expenses relating thereto. While we are not obligated to engage any of the underwriters, including EarlyBirdCapital, to assist us with locating a target business following this offering, we are not restricted from doing so. If we did, we may pay a fee to them for their services for assisting us in locating a target business. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the proceeds held in the trust account which are
not used to consummate a business combination will be disbursed to the combined company and will, along with any other net proceeds not expended, be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust fund were insufficient to cover such expenses.
To the extent we are unable to consummate a business combination, we will pay the costs of automatic dissolution and voluntary liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $15,000) and have agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
James Sha, Diana Liu, and William Yu, each a director of ours, have advanced to us a total of $100,000 which was used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering referenced in the line items above related to the SEC registration fee, FINRA filing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees and expenses. The loans will be payable without interest on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or the consummation of this offering. The loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering available to us.
We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, we will have sufficient available funds (which includes amounts we can receive from the trust account) to operate for the next 30 months, assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association and that a business combination is not consummated during that time.
A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account (including interest earned on his, her or its portion of the trust account) only in the event of our automatic dissolution, voluntary liquidation or if that public shareholder converts such shares into cash in connection with a business combination which the public shareholder voted against and which we consummate. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
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DILUTION
The difference between the public offering price per ordinary share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale and exercise of warrants, including the insider warrants. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of ordinary shares which may be converted into
cash), by the number of outstanding ordinary shares.
At October 31, 2007, our net tangible book value was $20,547, or approximately $0.02 per ordinary share. After giving effect to the sale of 4,500,000 (or 5,175,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of this offering, and the sale of the insider warrants, our pro forma net tangible book value at October 31, 2007 would have been $5.68 (or $5.66 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $5.66 (or $5.64 if the
over-allotment option is exercised in full) per share to the founding shareholders and an immediate dilution of $2.32 (or $2.34 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) per share or 29.05% (or 29.28% if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to new investors. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is approximately $14,039,992 (or $16,117,592 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) less than it otherwise would have been because if we effect a business combination, the conversion rights to the public shareholders (but not our founding shareholders) may result in the conversion into cash of up to approximately 39.99% of the aggregate number of the shares sold in this offering at a per-share conversion price equal to the amount in the trust account (which includes $1,080,000 (or $1,242,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting discounts and commissions) as of two business
days prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination, inclusive of any interest, divided by the number of shares sold in this offering.
The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units and insider warrants:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without
Over-Allotment
Option
|
|
Over-Allotment
Option
Exercised
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
Net tangible book value before this offering
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Increase attributable to new investors and private placement sales
|
|
$
|
5.66
|
|
|
$
|
5.64
|
|
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering
|
|
$
|
5.68
|
|
|
$
|
5.66
|
|
Dilution to new investors
|
|
$
|
2.32
|
|
|
$
|
2.34
|
|
The actual dilution new investors may experience could be higher as a result of the exercise of our warrants, particularly if investors exercise their warrants on a cashless basis as described elsewhere in this prospectus.
The following table sets forth information with respect to our founding shareholders and the new investors without the over-allotment option:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased
|
|
Total Consideration
|
|
Average
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
Founding shareholders
|
|
|
1,125,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
New investors
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
80.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
36,000,000
|
|
|
|
99.93
|
%
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
|
5,625,000
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
36,025,000
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Does not include shares underlying the 1,250,000 founder warrants to be purchased in the pre-offering private placement.
|
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The following table sets forth information with respect to our founding shareholders and the new investors with the over-allotment option:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased
|
|
Total Consideration
|
|
Average
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
Founding shareholders
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
(1)
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
New investors
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
|
|
80.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
41,400,000
|
|
|
|
99.94
|
%
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
41,425,000
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Does not include shares underlying the 1,250,000 founder warrants to be purchased in the pre-offering private placement.
|
The pro forma net tangible book value after the offering is calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without
Over-Allotment
Option
|
|
Over-Allotment
Option
Exercised
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net tangible book value before this offering
|
|
$
|
20,547
|
|
|
$
|
20,547
|
|
Net proceeds from this offering and the pre-offering private placement
(1)
|
|
|
34,132,500
|
|
|
|
39,154,500
|
|
Proceeds from option sold to underwriter
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to conversion to cash
|
|
|
(14,039,992
|
)
|
|
|
(16,117,592
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
20,113,155
|
|
|
$
|
23,057,555
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering
|
|
|
1,125,000
|
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
Ordinary shares included in the units offered
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
Less: Shares subject to conversion
|
|
|
(1,799,999
|
)
|
|
|
(2,069,999
|
)
|
Less: Shares to be forfeited by the existing stockholders in the even of maximum conversion
(2)
|
|
|
(281,250
|
)
|
|
|
(323,450
|
)
|
|
|
|
3,543,750
|
|
|
|
4,075,301
|
|
|
(1)
|
This amount is net of all offering expenses including the deferred portion of the underwriting compensation.
|
|
(2)
|
If we consummate a business combination, the conversion rights afforded to our public shareholders may result in the conversion to cash of up to approximately 39.99% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold, or approximately 1,799,999 (or 2,069,999 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) shares, in this offering at a per share conversion price equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any accrued interest earned on their portion of the trust account not previously distributed to us (net of taxes payable), as of the two business days prior to the proposed consummation of a business combination divided by the number of ordinary shares sold in this offering. In the event that holders of more than 20% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering elect to convert their shares, our founding shareholders have agreed to forfeit that number of shares (up to a maximum of 281,250 (or 323,450 if the over-allotment option is
exercised in full)) that will result in the number of shares owned by them prior to this offering collectively being no more than 23.81% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of such business combination after giving effect to the conversion.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization at October 31, 2007 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units, insider warrants and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities. The actual shareholders equity data as of October 31, 2007 is derived from our audited financial statement. The as adjusted shareholders equity data is unaudited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
As Adjusted
(1)
|
Note payable to shareholder
(1)
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Deferred underwriting discount ($0.24 per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080,000
|
|
Value of ordinary shares which may be converted for an interest in the trust fund, as adjusted ($7.80 per share)
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,039,992
|
|
Shareholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred shares, $.001 par value, 1,000,000 authorized; none issued or outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 1,293,750 shares issued and outstanding; 5,625000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 1,799,999 shares subject to possible conversion and 281,250 shares subject to being forfeited by founding shareholders), as adjusted
(2)
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
|
|
3,544
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
(3)
|
|
|
23,706
|
|
|
|
19,034,064
|
|
Deficit accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
20,547
|
|
|
$
|
19,033,155
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$
|
120,547
|
|
|
$
|
34,153,147
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amount loaned pursuant to the promissory note issued to our founding shareholders are due on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or the consummation of this offering. These funds were used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering including the SEC registration fee, FINRA filing fee and a portion of the legal and audit fees and expenses.
|
|
(2)
|
If we consummate a business combination, the conversion rights afforded to our public shareholders may result in the conversion to cash of up to approximately 39.99% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold, or approximately 1,799,999 shares, in this offering at a per share conversion price equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any accrued interest earned on their portion of the trust account not previously distributed to us (net of taxes payable), as of the two business days prior to the proposed consummation of a business combination divided by the number of ordinary shares sold in this offering. In the event that holders of more than 20% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering elect to convert their shares, our founding shareholders have agreed to forfeit that number of shares (up to a maximum of 281,250) that will result in the number of shares owned by them prior to this offering collectively being no more than
23.81% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of such business combination after giving effect to the conversion. The As Adjusted number assumes the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option and that 168,750 of the initial shares have been forfeited.
|
|
(3)
|
The As Adjusted amount includes the $1,250,000 to be paid by our founding shareholders in connection with the pre-offering private placement of the founder warrants.
|
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We were formed on October 16, 2007 as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in Greater China. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, capital stock and debt, in effecting a business combination. The issuance of any ordinary shares, preferred shares or debt securities issued following this offering will be conditioned on the purchasers of such securities agreeing that they
do not have the right to receive any funds held in trust upon our dissolution and liquidation in the event that we are unable to complete a business combination. However, the issuance of additional shares of our capital stock:
|
|
may significantly reduce the equity interest of our shareholders;
|
|
|
may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preferred shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;
|
|
|
will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and most likely will also result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and
|
|
|
may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares.
|
Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
|
|
default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;
|
|
|
acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that required the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
|
|
|
our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and
|
|
|
our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such security is outstanding.
|
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our entire activity since inception has been to prepare for our proposed fundraising through an offering of our equity securities.
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the units, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $560,000 and underwriting discounts of approximately $2,520,000, or $2,898,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be approximately $32,770,000, or $37,792,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. However, the underwriters have agreed that 3.0% of the underwriting discounts and commissions due will be held in trust and will not be payable unless and until we consummate a business combination. Accordingly, $33,850,000, or $39,034,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of the net proceeds of
this offering will be held in trust and the remaining $150,000 in either case will not be held in trust. An additional $1,250,000 will also be deposited into trust upon consummation of this offering from the sale of the insider warrants described below. We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions), to acquire a target business and to pay our expenses relating thereto. The funds used to pay the representative will not be available to us to use in connection with or following the business combination. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways
including continuing or expanding the target business operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used
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to repay any operating expenses or finders fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust fund were insufficient to cover such expenses.
We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with the up to $1,050,000 of interest income that may be released to us from the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for the next 30 months, assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association and that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on
prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. We anticipate that we will incur approximately $400,000 of expenses for legal, accounting and other third-party expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiating of a business combination, $225,000 for the administrative fee payable to Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing ($7,500 per month for 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association)), $300,000 of expenses for the due diligence and investigation of a target business by our officers, directors and founding shareholders, $150,000 of expenses in legal and
accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations and $125,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses, taxes and reserves and director and officer liability insurance premiums. We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, we may need to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities if such funds are required to consummate a business combination that is presented to us, although we have not entered into any such arrangement and have no current intention of doing so.
We are obligated, commencing on the date of this prospectus, to pay to Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, a monthly fee of $7,500 for general and administrative services.
Through the date of this prospectus, James Sha, Diana Liu, and William Yu have advanced an aggregate of $100,000 to us for payment of offering expenses on our behalf. The loans will be payable without interest on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or the consummation of this offering. The loans will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.
Our founding shareholders have committed to purchase an aggregate of 1,250,000 warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) from us. These purchases will take place pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Purchasers of the insider warrants may not rescind the agreement to purchase the warrants, there are no conditions on the obligations of purchasers of the insider warrants that are within their control, and the purchasers of insider warrants may not obtain a refund for the purchase price of the insider warrants.
We have agreed to issue to the representative of the underwriters, for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 450,000 units. This option will be valued at the date of issuance; however, for illustrative purposes, at October 23, 2007, we estimate that the fair value of this option is approximately $2,160,109 ($4.80 per Unit underlying such option) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the option granted to the representative is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 71.55%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 4.17% and (3) expected life of 5 years.
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PROPOSED BUSINESS
Introduction
We are a newly formed limited life Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on October 16, 2007, organized as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in Greater China. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that we may not consummate a business combination with a business that has its principal operations outside of Greater China. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry.
Opportunities in Greater China
Opportunities for market expansion have emerged for businesses with operations in Greater China, particularly in the PRC, due to certain changes in the PRCs political, economic and social policies as well as certain fundamental changes affecting the PRC and its neighboring countries. We believe that Greater China represents both a favorable environment for making acquisitions and an attractive operating environment for a target business for several reasons, including:
|
|
prolonged economic expansion within the PRC, including gross domestic product growth of approximately 16% on average over the last 25 years, including approximately 17.7% in 2004, approximately 14.5% in 2005 and 10.8% in the first three quarters of 2006 (National Bureau of Statistics of China);
|
|
|
increased government focus within the PRC on privatizing assets, improving foreign trade and encouraging business and economic activity;
|
|
|
favorable labor rates and efficient, low-cost manufacturing capabilities;
|
|
|
the recent entry of the PRC into the World Trade Organization, the sole global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, which may lead to a reduction on tariffs for industrial products, a reduction in trade restrictions and an increase in trading with the United States; and
|
|
|
the fact that the PRCs public equity markets are not as well developed and active as the equity markets within the United States and are characterized by companies with relatively small market capitalizations and low trading volumes, thereby causing Chinese companies to attempt to be listed on the United States equity markets.
|
We believe that these factors and others should enable us to acquire a target business with growth potential on favorable terms.
Government Regulations
Government Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange Controls
The principal regulation governing foreign exchange in the PRC is the Foreign Currency Administration Rules (IPPS), as amended. Under these rules, the Renminbi, the PRCs currency, is freely convertible for trade and service related foreign exchange transactions (such as normal purchases and sales of goods and services from providers in foreign countries), but not for direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside of China unless the prior approval of the State Administration for Foreign Exchange (SAFE) of the PRC is obtained. Foreign investment enterprises (FIEs) are required to apply to the SAFE for
Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs. Following a business combination, involving a change of equity ownership of a PRC operating entity or through contractual arrangements with a PRC operating entity. Our subsidiary will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a basic account and capital account. Currency translation within the scope of the basic account, such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. Such transactions are subject to the consent of investment banks which are authorized by the SAFE to review basic
48
TABLE OF CONTENTS
account currency transactions. However, conversion of currency in the capital account, including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE. This prior approval may delay or impair our ability to operate following a business combination. On November 21, 2005, the SAFE issued Circular No. 75 on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles. Circular No. 75 confirms that the use of offshore special purpose vehicles as holding companies for PRC
investments are permitted, but proper foreign exchange registration applications are required to be reviewed and accepted by the SAFE.
Government Regulations Relating to Taxation
Under the currently effective PRC Foreign Investment Enterprise and Foreign Enterprise Income Tax Law adopted by the National Peoples Congress (NPC) on April 9, 1991 and the implementation rules applicable to an FIE, an income tax rate of 33% is generally imposed on an FIE, consisting of a 30% national income tax and a 3% local surcharge, for their domestic and overseas incomes. If the FIE is engaged in manufacturing with an operating period of more than 10 years, it could further be exempted from enterprise income tax for two years beginning from its first profitable year, and allowed a 50% reduction in enterprise income tax for a period of
three years thereafter.
A company might receive additional certain preferential enterprise income tax treatment if it qualifies as a company especially supported by the PRC government. FIEs in certain areas (e.g., some free trade zones and some technology parks) might also receive further reductions in their enterprise income tax rate. The PRC government authorities, however, could reduce or eliminate these incentives at any time in the future.
On March 16, 2007, the NPC, approved and promulgated a new tax law: the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law. This new tax law will take effect on January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, FIEs and domestic companies are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%. The new tax law provides a five-year transition period starting from its effective date for those enterprises which were established before the promulgation date of the new tax law and which were entitled to a preferential lower tax rate under the then-effective tax laws or regulations. In accordance with regulations issued by the State Council, the tax rate of such enterprises may gradually transition to
the uniform tax rate within the transition period. For those enterprises which are enjoying tax holidays, such tax holidays may continue until their expiration in accordance with the regulations issued by the State Council, but where the tax holiday has not yet started because of losses, such tax holiday shall be deemed to commence from the first effective year of the new tax law. Although the new tax law equalizes the tax rates for FIEs and domestic companies, preferential tax treatment would continue to be given to both FIEs and domestic companies in certain encouraged sectors and to entities classified as high-technology companies supported by the PRC government. According to the new tax law, entities that qualify as high-technology companies especially supported by the PRC government are expected to benefit from a tax rate of 15% as compared to the uniform tax rate of 25%. Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that any particular company will continue to qualify as a
high-technology company supported by the PRC government in the future, and benefit from such preferential tax rate. Following the effectiveness of the new tax law, a companys effective tax rate may increase, unless it is otherwise eligible for preferential treatment.
Additionally, under the new tax law, an income tax rate for dividends payable to non-PRC investors and derived from sources within the PRC may be increased to 20%. It is currently unclear in what circumstances a source will be considered as located within the PRC.
Investors should note that the new tax law provides only a framework of the enterprise tax provisions, leaving many details on the definitions of numerous terms as well as the interpretation and specific applications of various provisions unclear and unspecified. Any increase in our tax rate in the future could have a material adverse effect on its financial conditions and results of operations.
Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution
Foreign Currency Exchange.
Foreign currency exchange in the PRC is governed by a series of regulations, including the Foreign Currency Administrative Rules (1996), as amended, and the Administrative Regulations Regarding Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), as amended. Under these regulations, the Renminbi is freely convertible for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but
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not for direct investment, loans or investments in securities outside China without the prior approval of the SAFE. Pursuant to the Administrative Regulations Regarding Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange, foreign-invested enterprises in China may purchase foreign exchange without the approval of the SAFE for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial documents evidencing these transactions. They may also retain foreign exchange, subject to a cap approved by SAFE, to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. However, the relevant Chinese government authorities may limit or eliminate the
ability of foreign-invested enterprises to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future. In addition, foreign exchange transactions for direct investment, loan and investment in securities outside China are still subject to limitations and require approvals from the SAFE.
Regulation of Foreign Exchange in Certain Onshore and Offshore Transactions.
Pursuant to recent regulations issued by the SAFE, PRC residents are required to register with and receive approvals from SAFE in connection with offshore investment activities. SAFE has stated that the purpose of these regulations is to ensure the proper balance of foreign exchange and the standardization of the cross-border flow of funds.
On January 24, 2005, SAFE issued a regulation stating that SAFE approval is required for any sale or transfer by the PRC residents of a PRC companys assets or equity interests to foreign entities in exchange for the equity interests or assets of the foreign entities. The regulation also states that, when registering with the foreign exchange authorities, a PRC company acquired by an offshore company must clarify whether the offshore company is controlled or owned by PRC residents and whether there is any share or asset link between or among the parties to the acquisition transaction.
On April 8, 2005, SAFE issued another regulation further explaining and expanding upon the January regulation. The April regulation clarified that, where a PRC company is acquired by an offshore company in which PRC residents directly or indirectly hold shares, such PRC residents must (i) register with the local SAFE regarding their respective ownership interests in the offshore company, even if the transaction occurred prior to the January regulation, and (ii) file amendments to such registration concerning any material events of the offshore company, such as changes in share capital and share transfers. The April regulation also expanded the
statutory definition of the term foreign acquisition, making the regulations applicable to any transaction that results in PRC residents directly or indirectly holding shares in the offshore company that has an ownership interest in a PRC company. The April regulation also provides that failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth therein may result in the imposition of restrictions on the PRC companys foreign exchange activities and its ability to distribute profits to its offshore parent company.
On October 21, 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Reverse Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or Circular 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005. Circular 75 replaced the two rules issued by SAFE in January and April 2005 mentioned above.
According to Circular 75:
|
|
prior to establishing or assuming control of an offshore company for the purpose of financing that offshore company with assets or equity interests in an onshore enterprise in the PRC, each PRC resident, whether a natural or legal person, must complete the overseas investment foreign exchange registration procedures with the relevant local SAFE branch;
|
|
|
an amendment to the registration with the local SAFE branch is required to be filed by any PRC resident that directly or indirectly holds interests in that offshore company upon either (1) the injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise to the offshore company, or (2) the completion of any overseas fund raising by such offshore company; and
|
|
|
an amendment to the registration with the local SAFE branch is also required to be filed by such PRC resident when there is any material change involving a change in the capital of the offshore company, such as (1) an increase or decrease in its capital, (2) a transfer or swap of shares, (3) a merger or division, (4) a long term equity or debt investment, or (5) the creation of any security interests over the relevant assets located in China.
|
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Moreover, Circular 75 applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have established or acquired control of offshore companies that have made onshore investments in the PRC in the past are required to complete the relevant overseas investment foreign exchange registration procedures by March 31, 2006. Under the relevant rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in Circular 75 may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant onshore company, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliate and the capital inflow from the offshore
entity, and may also subject relevant PRC residents to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.
As a Cayman Islands company, and therefore a foreign entity, if we purchase the assets or equity interest of a PRC company owned by PRC residents, such PRC residents will be subject to the registration procedures described in the regulations as currently drafted. Moreover, PRC residents who are beneficial holders of our shares are required to register with SAFE in connection with their investment in us.
As a result of the lack of implementing rules, other uncertainties concerning how the existing SAFE regulations will be interpreted or implemented, and uncertainty as to when the new regulations will take effect, we cannot predict how they will affect our business operations following a business combination. For example, our ability to conduct foreign exchange activities following a business combination, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with the SAFE registration requirements by such PRC residents, over whom we have no control. In addition, we cannot assure you that such PRC
residents will be able to complete the necessary approval and registration procedures required by the SAFE regulations. We will require all our shareholders, following a business combination, who are PRC residents to comply with any SAFE registration requirements, although we have no control over either our shareholders or the outcome of such registration procedures. Such uncertainties may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and adversely affect our business and prospects following a business combination.
Dividend Distribution.
The principal laws and regulations in China governing distribution of dividends by foreign-invested companies include:
|
|
The Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law (1979), as amended;
|
|
|
The Regulations for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law (1983), as amended;
|
|
|
The Sino-foreign Cooperative Enterprise Law (1988), as amended;
|
|
|
The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Cooperative Enterprise Law (1995), as amended;
|
|
|
The Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986), as amended; and
|
|
|
The Regulations of Implementation of the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1990), as amended.
|
Under these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless such reserve funds have reached 50% of their respective registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Regulation of Foreign Investors Merging Chinese Enterprises
On August 8, 2006, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, State Administration of Taxation, State Administration for Industry and Commerce, China Securities Regulatory Commission and State Administration of Foreign Exchange jointly promulgated the Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge Domestic Enterprises, which will take effect from September 8, 2006, replacing the Interim Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge Domestic Enterprises issued in March 2003 by four authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, State Administration of Taxation, State Administration for
Industry and Commerce and State Administration of Foreign Exchange. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and China Securities Regulatory Commission newly join the regulation promulgation.
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The requirements and approval procedures for the Equity Acquisition and Assets Acquisition remains unchanged as those in the interim regulation. The new regulation adds one chapter on the acquisition with equity as the consideration including one section on the special purpose company. This chapter stipulated the relevant conditions and approval procedures in detail making such acquisitions workable. The currently mandatory requirement for the submission of fund remittance into China will be changed.
The Anti-monopoly Chapter in the new regulation is more or less the same as the existing interim regulation, although Chinese government is recently tightening such control.
We cannot predict how such regulations especially the anti-monopoly examination will affect our future completion of a business combination. However, we are confident our strong and in-depth understanding of Chinese market would help us minimize the negative impacts.
Contractual Arrangements
The government of the PRC has restricted or limited foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in a wide variety of industries, including certain aspects of telecommunications, advertising, food production, and heavy equipment manufacturers. The PRC may apply these restrictions in other industries in the future. In addition, there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in important industries that may affect the national economic security or having famous Chinese brand names or well established Chinese brand names. Subject to
the review requirements of the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant agencies as discussed elsewhere for acquisitions of assets and companies in the PRC and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted Chinese parties. To the extent that such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company. The agreements would be designed to provide our company with the economic benefits of and control over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in the hands of Chinese parties who would likely be designated by our company.
For example, these contracts could result in a structure where, in exchange for our payment of the acquisition consideration, (i) the target company would be majority owned by Chinese residents whom we designate and the target company would continue to hold the requisite licenses for the target business, and (ii) we would establish a new subsidiary in China which would provide technology, technical support, consulting and related services to the target company in exchange for fees, which would transfer to us substantially all of the economic benefits of ownership of the target company.
These contractual arrangements would be designed to provide the following:
|
|
Our exercise of effective control over the target company;
|
|
|
A substantial portion of the economic benefits of the target company would be transferred to us; and
|
|
|
We, or our designee, would have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the target company owned by the Chinese residents whom we designate, or all or part of the assets of the target company, in each case when and to the extent permitted by Chinese regulations.
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While we cannot predict the terms of any such contract that we will be able to negotiate, at a minimum, any contractual arrangement would need to provide us with (i) effective control over the targets operations and management either directly through board control or through affirmative and/or negative covenants and veto rights with respect to matters such as entry into material agreements, management changes and issuance of debt or equity securities, among other potential control provisions and (ii) a sufficient level of economic interest to ensure that we satisfy the 80% net asset test required for our initial business combination. We have
not, however, established specific provisions which must be in an agreement in order to meet the definition of business combination. We would obtain an independent appraisal from an investment bank or industry expert for the purpose of determining the fair value of any contractual arrangement.
These agreements likely also would provide for increased ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under PRC law and regulation. If we choose to effect a business combination that
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employs the use of these types of control arrangements, we may have difficulty in enforcing our rights. Therefore these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits, accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership through a merger or stock exchange. For example, if the target business or any other entity fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend substantial resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under Chinese law, including seeking specific performance or
injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be sufficient to off-set the cost of enforcement and may adversely affect the benefits we expect to receive from the business combination.
Moreover, we expect that the contractual arrangements upon which we would be relying would be governed by Chinese law and would be the only basis of providing resolution of disputes which may arise through either arbitration or litigation in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with Chinese law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with Chinese legal procedures. Uncertainties in the Chinese legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert the effective level of control over the
target business.
We have not selected any target business or target industry on which to concentrate our search for a business combination and we are, therefore, unable to determine at this time what form an acquisition of a target business will take.
Effecting a Business Combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting a business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination as described in this prospectus, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific purposes. Accordingly, investors in this offering are investing without first having an opportunity to
evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. A business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares, while avoiding what it may deem to be adverse consequences of undertaking a public offering itself. These include time delays, significant expense, loss of voting control and compliance with various Federal and state securities laws. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.
We Have Not Identified a Target Business or Target Industry
To date, we have not selected any target business or target industry on which to concentrate our search for a business combination. None of our officers, directors, special advisors, promoters and other affiliates has engaged in discussions on our behalf with representatives of other companies regarding the possibility of a potential merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with us, nor have we, nor any of our agents or affiliates, been approached by any candidates (or representatives of any candidates) with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with us. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone
on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate such an acquisition candidate. We have also not conducted any research with respect to identifying the number and characteristics of the potential acquisition candidates. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to locate a target business or that we will be able to engage in a business combination with a target business on favorable terms.
Subject to the limitations that a target business have its principal operations in Greater China and has a fair market value of at least 80% of our net assets at the time of the acquisition, as described below in more
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detail, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect a business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its early stage of development or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be
affected by numerous risks inherent in the business and operations of financially unstable and early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting.
Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions.
While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finders fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arms length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will any of our existing officers, directors, shareholders, special advisors or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid, from us or a target business, any finders fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or
for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). If we determine to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our officers, directors, special advisors or shareholders, we would do so only if we obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. However, as of the date of this prospectus, there are no affiliated entities of our officers, directors, special advisors or shareholders that we would consider as a business combination target. We will not acquire an entity with which our management has had acquisition or investment discussions through their other business activities. We also do not anticipate acquiring an entity that is either a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, an investment banking
firm (or an affiliate thereof) that is affiliated with our officers, directors, special advisors and founding shareholders. However, if circumstances change and we determined to acquire such an entity, we are required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination
Our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors. Examples of factors that may be considered include the following:
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financial condition and results of operation;
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experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel;
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stage of development of the products, processes or services;
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degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes or services;
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proprietary features and degree of intellectual property or other protection of the products, processes or services;
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regulatory environment of the industry; and
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costs associated with effecting the business combination.
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These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted
either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties. We will also seek to have all prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. If any prospective target business refused to execute such agreement, we believe we would cease negotiations with such target business.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
The target business that we acquire, or acquire control of, must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition, although we may acquire a target business whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of our net assets. We anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests of the target business. We may, however, structure a business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests of the target business but will not acquire less than a controlling interest (which would be more than 50% of the voting securities (or the ability to control the vote of such
securities) of the target business). If we acquire only a controlling interest in a target business or businesses, the portion of such business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (examples of which may include actual and potential sales, earnings and cash flow and book value). If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair
market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that fair market value meets the 80% of net assets threshold, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our shareholders, although copies will be provided to shareholders who request it. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold.
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Lack of Business Diversification
Our business combination must be with a target business or businesses which satisfies the minimum valuation standard at the time of such acquisition, as discussed above, although this process may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to
diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
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subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and
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result in our dependency upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
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If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the
operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business Management
Although we intend to scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of the target business management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that each of our executive officers could remain in a
senior management or advisory position with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our executive officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our
decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Opportunity for Shareholder Approval of Business Combination
Prior to the completion of a business combination, we will submit the transaction to our shareholders for approval, even if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require shareholder approval under applicable law.
In connection with seeking shareholder approval of a business combination, we will furnish our shareholders with proxy solicitation materials prepared in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
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amended, which, among other matters, will include a description of the operations of the target business and audited historical financial statements of the business. We will publicly announce the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting to approve our business combination at least two business days prior to such record date. Pursuant to Section 59 of our memorandum and articles of association we will provide our shareholders with a minimum of 10 days notice of a meeting (which is more than the 5 days notice required by Cayman Islands law).
In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our founding shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective initial shares in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders. As a result, if a majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders are voted in favor of a proposed business combination, our founding shareholders will vote all of their initial shares in favor of such proposed business combination. This voting arrangement shall not apply to shares included in units purchased privately, purchased in this offering or
purchased following this offering in the aftermarket by any of our founding shareholders, officers and directors. Accordingly, they may vote these shares on a proposed business combination any way they choose. We will proceed with the business combination only if a majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders are voted in favor of the business combination and public shareholders owning less than 40% of the shares sold in this offering both exercise their conversion rights and vote against the business combination.
Conversion Rights
At the time we seek shareholder approval of any business combination, we will offer each public shareholder the right to have such shareholders ordinary shares converted to cash if the shareholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Our founding shareholders will not have such conversion rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket (nor will they seek appraisal rights with respect to such shares if appraisal rights would be available to them). The
actual per-share conversion price will be equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any interest except for up to $1,050,000 that may be released to us to fund our working capital requirements (calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination), divided by the number of shares sold in this offering. Without taking into any account interest then held in the trust account, the initial per-share conversion price would be $7.80, or $0.20 less than the per-unit offering price of $8.00.
Public shareholders wishing to exercise their conversion rights must (i) vote against the proposed business combination and (ii) request that we convert their shares into cash. Additionally, we may require public shareholders to tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the meeting or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Companys DWAC (Deposit Withdrawal At Custodian) System. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such
certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time we send out our proxy statement through the vote on the business combination to tender his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in street name, in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, because we do not have any control over this process, it may take significantly longer than we anticipated. Accordingly, we will only require shareholders to deliver their certificate prior to the vote if we give shareholders at least two weeks between the mailing of the proxy solicitation materials
and the meeting date.
Traditionally, in order to perfect conversion rights in connection with a blank check companys business combination, a holder could simply vote no against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to convert. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for him to deliver his certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an option window after the consummation of the business combination during which he could monitor the price of the stock in the market. If the price rose above the conversion
price, he could sell his shares in the open market before actually delivering his shares to the company for
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cancellation. Thus, the conversion right, to which shareholders were aware they needed to commit before the shareholder meeting, would become a continuing right surviving past the consummation of the business combination until the converting holder delivered his certificate to us for conversion at the conversion price. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a converting holders election to convert is irrevocable once the business combination is approved. There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through
the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $35 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights to tender their shares prior to the meeting the need to deliver shares is a requirement of conversion regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. Accordingly, this would not result in any increased cost to shareholders when compared to the traditional process.
Any request for conversion, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date of the meeting. Furthermore, if a shareholder delivered his certificate for conversion and subsequently decided prior to the meeting not to elect conversion, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to shareholders entitled to convert their shares who elect conversion will be distributed within 10 business days after completion of a business combination. Public shareholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust account still have the right to
exercise any warrants they still hold.
If a vote on our initial business combination is held and the business combination is not approved, we may continue to try to consummate a business combination with a different target until 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the date of this prospectus. If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then public shareholders voting against our initial business combination who exercised their conversion rights would not be entitled to convert their ordinary shares into a pro rata share of
the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. In such case, if we have required public shareholders to tender their certificates prior to the meeting, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholder. Public shareholders would be entitled to receive their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account only in the event that the initial business combination they voted against was duly approved and subsequently completed, or in connection with our liquidation.
We will not complete any business combination if public shareholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in this offering, both exercise their conversion rights and vote against the business combination. Accordingly, it is our understanding and intention in every case to structure and consummate a business combination in which approximately 39.99% of the public shareholders may exercise their conversion rights and the business combination will still go forward. We have set the conversion percentage at 40% in order to reduce the likelihood that a group of investors holding a block of our stock will be able to stop us from completing a business
combination that otherwise may approved by a large majority of our public shareholders. Most other blank check companies have a conversion threshold of 20%, which makes it more difficult for such companies to consummate their initial business combination.
Investors in this offering who do not sell, or who receive less than $0.20 of net sales proceeds for, the warrant included in the units, or persons who purchase ordinary shares in the aftermarket at a price in excess of $7.80 per share, may have a disincentive to exercise their conversion rights because the amount they would receive upon conversion could be less than their original or adjusted purchase price.
Automatic Dissolution and Subsequent Liquidation if No Business Combination
Our memorandum and articles of association provides that we will continue in existence only until ___________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until ___________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period. If we have not completed a business combination by such date, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating.
This has the same effect as if our board of directors and shareholders had formally voted to
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approve our voluntary winding up and dissolution. As a result, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up and dissolution. We view the provision terminating our corporate life by ___________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering],
or until ___________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, as an obligation to our shareholders
and will not take any action to amend or waive this provision to allow us to survive for a longer period of time except in connection with the consummation of a business combination. Under the Companies Law, in the case of a full voluntary liquidation procedure, a liquidator would give at least 21 days notice to creditors of his intention to make a distribution by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in the Cayman Islands Official Gazette, although in practice this notice requirement need not necessarily delay the distribution of assets as the liquidator may be satisfied that no creditors would be adversely affected as a consequence of a distribution before this time period has expired. We anticipate the trust account would be liquidated shortly following the expiration of the 21 day period. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must lay his final report and accounts before a
final general meeting which must be called by a public notice at least one month before it takes place. After the final meeting, the liquidator must make a return to the Registrar confirming the date on which the meeting was held and three months after the date of such filing the company is dissolved.
If we are unable to complete a business combination by __________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until ___________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, we will distribute to all of our public shareholders, in proportion to their respective equity interests, an aggregate sum equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any interest, plus any
remaining net assets (subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors). We anticipate notifying the trustee of the trust account to begin liquidating such assets promptly after expiration of the 21 day period and anticipate it will take no more than 10 business days to effectuate such distribution. Our founding shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust fund. If such funds are insufficient, James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $15,000) and have agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share liquidation price would be $7.80 or $0.20 less than the per-unit offering price of $8.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors (which could include vendors and service providers we have engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business and that are owed money by us, as well as target businesses themselves) which could have higher
priority than the claims of our public shareholders. James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed, pursuant to agreements with us and EarlyBirdCapital that, if we liquidate prior to the consummation of a business combination, they will be personally liable (on a pro rata basis relative to the number of initial shares owned by them prior to the completion of this offering) to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account. We cannot assure you, however, that they would be able to satisfy those obligations. Furthermore, if they refused to satisfy their obligations, we would be required to bring a claim against them to enforce our indemnification rights. Accordingly, the actual per-share liquidation price could be less than $7.80, plus interest, due to claims of creditors.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of the expiration of our existence and our dissolution and subsequent liquidation or if they seek to convert their
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respective shares into cash upon a business combination which the shareholder voted against and which is completed by us. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of the company under Cayman Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them. Furthermore, a liquidator of the company might seek to hold a shareholder liable to contribute to our estate to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to the dissolution of the trust account beyond the date of
dissolution of the trust account. Additionally, we cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our shareholders amounts owed to them by us. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims for having paid public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
If we are unable to consummate a transaction within 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering, our purpose and powers will be limited to dissolving, liquidating and winding up. Upon notice from us, the trustee of the trust account will liquidate the investments constituting the trust account and will turn over the proceeds to our transfer agent for distribution to our public shareholders as part of our plan of distribution and dissolution. Concurrently, we shall pay, or reserve for payment,
from funds not held in trust, our liabilities and obligations, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. If there are insufficient funds held outside the trust account for such purpose, our directors and officers have agreed to indemnify us for all claims of creditors to the extent we obtain valid and enforceable waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors and service providers (such as accountants, lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) and potential target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right,
title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result, we believe the claims that could be made against us will be limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds in the trust account to our public shareholders. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you of this fact as there is no guarantee that vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if they execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust fund. A court could also conclude that such agreements are not legally enforceable. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-share distribution from the trust fund could be less than $7.80 due to claims or potential
claims of creditors.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. There are approximately 74 blank check companies that have completed initial public offerings in the United States with more than $13.4 billion in trust that are seeking to carry out a business plan similar to our business plan. Of these, 13 companies with 923 million in trust are seeking to effectuate a business combination with a company in the PRC. Furthermore, there are a number of additional offerings for blank check companies that are still in the registration process but have not
completed initial public offerings and there are likely to be more blank check companies filing registration statements for initial public offerings after the date of this prospectus and prior to our completion of a business combination. Additionally, we may be subject to competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital firms, leverage buyout firms and operating businesses looking to expand their operations through the acquisition of a target business. Many
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of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an
advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Further, the following may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:
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our obligation to seek shareholder approval of a business combination, which may delay the completion of a transaction;
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our obligation to convert into cash ordinary shares held by our public shareholders to such holders that both vote against the business combination and exercise their conversion rights, which may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination; and
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our outstanding warrants and option, and the potential future dilution they represent.
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Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.
If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We maintain our principal executive offices at 10F, Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic of China. The cost for this space is included in the $7,500 per-month fee Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing will charge us for general and administrative services commencing on the effective date of this prospectus pursuant to a letter agreement between us and Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Beijing area, that the fee charged by Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing is at least as favorable as we
could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to our executive officers, adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have four executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, it is our belief, based on our managements prior transactional experience, that they will spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating
and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs) than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect each of our officers to devote an average of approximately 15 hours per week to our business. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
Legal Proceedings
We are not involved in any litigation or administrative proceedings incidental to our business.
Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements
We have registered our units, ordinary shares and warrants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current
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reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation materials sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial
statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent that such financial statements cannot be obtained, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies
The following table compares and contrasts the terms of our offering and the terms of an offering of blank check companies under Rule 419 promulgated by the SEC assuming that the gross proceeds, underwriting discounts and underwriting expenses for the Rule 419 offering are the same as this offering and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the terms of a Rule 419 offering will apply to this offering.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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Escrow of offering proceeds
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$33,850,000 of the net offering proceeds plus the $1,250,000 we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants will be deposited into a trust account at Credit Suisse, maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee.
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$25,380,000 of the offering proceeds would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account.
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Investment of net proceeds
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The $33,850,000 of net offering proceeds plus the $1,250,000 we will receive from the sale of the insider warrants held in trust will only be invested in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States.
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Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business
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The initial target business that we acquire, or acquire control of, must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition.
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We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represented at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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Trading of securities issued
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The units may commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if
EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.
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No trading of the units or the underlying ordinary shares and warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account.
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Exercise of the warrants
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The warrants cannot be exercised until six months after the completion of a business combination and, accordingly, will be exercised only after the trust fund has been terminated and distributed.
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The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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Election to remain an investor
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We will give our shareholders the opportunity to vote on the business combination. In connection with seeking shareholder approval, we will send each shareholder a proxy statement containing information required by the SEC. A shareholder following the procedures described in this prospectus is given the right to convert his or her shares into his or her pro rata share of the trust account. However, a shareholder who does not follow these procedures or a shareholder who does not take any action would not be entitled to the return of any funds.
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A prospectus containing information required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company, in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of the post-effective amendment, to decide whether he or she elects to remain a share-holder of the company or require the return of his or her investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account would automatically be returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all of the deposited funds in the escrow account must be returned to all investors and none of the securities will be issued.
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Business combination deadline
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Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our corporate existence will cease 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) from the consummation of this offering except for the purposes of winding up our affairs and liquidating. However, if we complete a business combination within this time period, we will amend this provision to allow for our perpetual existence following such business combination.
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If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account would be returned to investors.
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MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
Our current directors and executive officers are as follows:
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Name
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Age
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Position
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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57
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Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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43
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President and Director
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Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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39
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Chief Operating Officer and Director
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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46
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Chief Financial Officer and Director
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Mr. Sha founded and has been a partner of Spring Creek Investments since December 1999. Spring Creek Investments is a private investment firm specializing in principal investments and business consultations with internet and infrastructure companies. Mr. Sha also has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Optoplex Corporation, a communication networks company, since December 2002. From September 2005 to February 2007, Mr. Sha served as Chief Executive Officer of AppStream, a software application virtualization company.
From February 1999 to September 1999, Mr. Sha served as the Chief Executive Officer for Sina.com (NASDAQ: SINA), a global Chinese on-line media company and value added information service provider. From July 1996 to August 1998, Mr. Sha served as the Chief Executive Officer of Actra Business Systems, a joint venture between Netscape Communications Corporation and GE Information Services (GEIS), providing next-generation internet commerce application solutions for both business-to-consumer and business-to-business commerce markets. From August 1994 to August 1998, Mr. Sha served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Netscape Communications Corporation, a computer services company until its merger with AOL. From May 1990 to August 1994, Mr. Sha was a Vice President at Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ:ORCL), a database management and development systems software company. From June 1986 to May 1990, Mr. Sha was a Vice President at Wyse Technology, Inc., a hardware, software and
services computing company. Mr. Sha currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Tom.com (HK: 8282), a wireless internet company in the PRC providing value-added multimedia products and services. Mr. Sha also serves as a trustee of the University of California at Berkeley Foundation and is a Board member of the Berkeley Chinese Alumni International Association. Mr. Sha graduated from National Taiwan University with a BS in Electrical Engineering, the University of California at Berkeley with an MS in EECS and from Santa Clara University with an MBA.
Diana Chia-Huei Liu
has served as our President since our inception. Ms. Liu has served as the President and Managing Director of Cansbridge Capital, a private investment firm specializing in early stage investments along the west coast of North America (namely U.S. and Canada) and Asia, since August 1998. Prior to Cansbridge, Ms. Liu served as the Executive Vice-President at Polaris Securities Group (TW:6011), an investment firm in Taiwan, where she founded and managed its North American operations from April 1994 to August 1998. From August 1991 to April 1994, Ms. Liu was an account portfolio manager in global private banking at the
Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY), a full service banking firm. From October 1988 to August 1991, Ms. Liu served as the regional sales manager for the province of British Columbia, Canada, at CIBC Securities, a subsidiary of CIBC (NYSE:CM), a full service banking firm, where she founded and managed the mutual funds promotion division. Ms. Liu has served since June 2006 as a member of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Investment Committee at the Asia Pacific Foundation, a Canadian federal government created think tank and policy advisory board where she works closely with the co-CEOs on operational issues and investment of its endowment funds. In addition, she also currently serves as a director of the Vancouver Goh Ballet Society and BaySpec, Inc., a supplier of optical components. Ms. Liu graduated with a BA in economics from the University of British Columbia in Canada. Ms. Liu is the spouse of Mr. William Yu, our Chief Financial Officer.
Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
has served as our Chief Operating Officer since our inception. Mr. Wu founded and has been a Managing Director of Aragon Partners Limited since July 2007. Aragon Partners Limited is an advisory firm specializing in business consultations with companies in Asia and Silicon Valley. Mr. Wu also served as Vice President of Corporate Development, Asia Pacific and General Counsel of Openwave Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:OPWV), a provider of server and client software products and services for the
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communications and media industries, from September 2005 to July 2007. Prior to joining Openwave, Mr. Wu held various positions at Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), which he joined in March of 1999, including Vice President of International Mergers & Acquisitions, Director Corporate Development for North Asia and General Counsel for Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Yahoo, Mr. Wu practiced corporate securities law at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, a law firm which he joined in June of 1997. While at Preston, Mr. Wu helped found the firms San Francisco, Beijing and Taipei offices, and served as partner and member of the firm-wide governance council.
Mr. Wu began his career as an associate at Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP, a law firm, in the corporate securities practice from September 1993 to June 1997. Mr. Wu graduated from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley with a BS in Finance. Mr. Wu also earned a JD from Cornell Law School.
William Tsu-Cheng Yu
has served as our Chief Financial Officer since our inception. Since July 2000, Mr. Yu has served as the Managing Partner of Cansbridge Capital. Since July 2006, Mr. Yu has also served as a special advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Optoplex Corporation, a communication networks company and also as director to the company. Mr. Yu currently serves as a director of Abebooks, Inc., the worlds largest on-line used book seller. From February 2002 to August 2003, Mr. Yu served as the Chief Financial Officer to Telos Technology Corp., a supplier of wireless solutions for voice and data communication networks,
up to its acquisition by UT Starcom (NASDAQ: UTSI) in 2004. Mr. Yu co-founded Intrinsyc Software Inc. (TSE: ICS), a TSE-listed embedded software company, and served in various capacities including director, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from July 1996 to November 2002. From August 1994 to May 1996, Mr. Yu was an associate in the Asia Pacific corporate finance group of Marleau, Lemire Securities, Inc., an investment banking firm headquartered in Montreal, Canada. From July 1991 to August 1994, Mr. Yu was an investment portfolio manager at Discovery Enterprises Inc., a provincial-government sponsored venture capital fund. Mr. Yu also previously worked with China-Canada Investment and Development and the Lawson Mardon Group. He has also served in various capacities with the Monte Jade Science and Technology Association, a non-profit organization supporting entrepreneurship and investment in technology companies in North America and Asia. Mr.
Yu earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering with Honors and an MBA with Honors from Queens University in Canada. Mr. Yu is the spouse of Ms. Diana Liu, our President.
Special Advisors
We may seek guidance and advice from the following special advisor. We have no formal arrangements or agreements with this advisor to provide services to us. This special advisor will simply provide advice, introductions to potential targets, and assistance to us, at our request, only if he is able to do so. Nevertheless, we believe with his business background and extensive contacts, he will be helpful to our search for a target business and our consummation of a business combination.
Gary Han Ming Chang
has served as our special advisor since our inception. Mr. Chang has served as a Managing Director at Advanced Capital Financial Advisory Ltd., an investment advisory firm, since January 2004 advising companies in the Greater China region on public listings, M&A transactions and senior and bridge lending. From August 1991 to August 2003, Mr. Chang served in various capacities at the Polaris Securities Group, an investment banking firm, including as a member of the Board of Directors at both Polaris Taiwan and Polaris Hong Kong, a managing director of the firms Hong Kong operations and as an Executive Vice
President heading the brokerage, underwriting, proprietary trading and fixed income business units. From 1989 to 1991, prior to joining Polaris, Mr. Chang founded and served as Chairman of Gemini Securities Co., an investment banking firm which then merged with and became a subsidiary of the Polaris Securities Group in 1991. Mr. Chang graduated with a BA in International Economics from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
Mr. Chang will play a key role in identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target business, and structuring, negotiating and consummating its acquisition. We believe that the skills and expertise of Mr. Chang, his access to acquisition opportunities and ideas, his contacts, and his transactional expertise should enable him to successfully identify and effect an acquisition.
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Executive Compensation
No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date of this prospectus through the acquisition of a target business, we will pay Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, a fee of $7,500 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide our officers and directors compensation in lieu of a salary. Other than the $7,500 per month administrative fee, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of
our founding shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. However, such individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. To the extent that such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and interest income that is released to us from the trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate a business
combination. These expenses would be a liability of the post-combination business and would be treated in a manner similar to any other account payable of the combined business. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses. Because of the foregoing, we will generally not have the benefit of independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf and subject to reimbursement.
Conflicts of Interest
Potential investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
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None of our officers or directors are currently involved with any blank check companies or offerings. However, our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us.
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None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.
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In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our officers and directors may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
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The initial shares owned by our directors will be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed. The warrants owned by our directors which will expire worthless if a business combination is not consummated. Additionally, our directors will not receive liquidation distributions with respect to any of their initial shares which also might cause them to have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate. Furthermore, the purchasers of the insider warrants have agreed that such securities will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination. For the foregoing reasons, our board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate to effect a business combination with.
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Our officers and directors may enter into consulting or employment agreements with the company as part of a business combination pursuant to which they may be entitled to compensation for their services to be rendered to the company after the consummation of a business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, timely completing a business combination and securing the release of their stock from escrow.
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Our directors and officers may purchase ordinary shares as part of this offering or in the aftermarket and would be entitled to vote such shares as they choose on a proposal to approve a business combination.
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We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty of loyalty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
Each of our directors have, or may come to have, to a certain degree, other fiduciary obligations. All of our directors have fiduciary obligations to other companies on whose board of directors they presently sit, or may have obligations to companies whose board of directors they may join in the future. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has agreed, until the earliest of a business combination, our voluntary liquidation or such time as he or she ceases to be an officer or director, to present suitable business opportunities to us before
presenting these opportunities to other entities subject to pre-existing duties to other entities. Accordingly, they may not present opportunities to us that come to their attention in the performance of their duties as directors of such other entities, unless the other companies have declined to accept such opportunities or clearly lack the resources to take advantage of such opportunities.
Below is a table summarizing the companies to which our officers and directors owe fiduciary obligations, all of which would have to (i) be presented appropriate potential target businesses by our officers and directors, and (ii) reject the opportunity to acquire such potential target business, prior to their presentation of such target business to us:
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Name
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Name of Affiliated Entity
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Affiliation
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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Spring Creek Venture
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Managing Partner
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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Optoplex Corporation
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Chief Executive Officer
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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Tom Group
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Director
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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AppStream
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Director
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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Cansbridge Capital Corp.
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President
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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BaySpec, Inc.
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Director
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Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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Aragon Partners Limited
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Managing Director
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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Cansbridge Capital Corp.
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Managing Director
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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Optoplex Corporation
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Director and Special Consultant
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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Abebooks
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Director
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These individuals have no other fiduciary obligations that would take priority with respect to the fiduciary obligations they owe to us to present potential target businesses to us.
In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our founding shareholders shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective ordinary shares which were owned prior to this offering in accordance with the vote of the public shareholders owning a majority of the ordinary shares sold in this offering. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares. Any ordinary shares acquired by founding shareholders in the offering or aftermarket will be considered part of the holdings of the public
shareholders for all purposes (other than with respect to conversion rights which our founding shareholders have also agreed to waive). Except with respect to the conversion rights afforded to public shareholders, these founding shareholders will have the same rights as other public shareholders with respect to shares other than initial shares owned by them, including voting rights in connection with a potential business combination. Accordingly, they may vote such shares on a proposed business combination any way they choose.
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To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our founding shareholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. We currently do not anticipate entering into a business combination with an entity affiliated with any of our officers, directors, special advisors or founding shareholders, including an entity that is either a portfolio company of, or has otherwise received a financial investment from, an investment
banking firm (or an affiliate thereof) that is affiliated with our management. We will also not acquire an entity with which our management has had acquisition or investment discussions through their other business activities. Furthermore, in no event will any of our existing officers, directors, shareholders or advisors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finders fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.
Other Conflict of Interest Limitations
We will not enter into a business combination with any underwriters or selling group members or any of their affiliates, unless we obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. that a business combination with such target business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. Any such opinion will be included in our proxy solicitation materials, furnished to shareholders in connection with their vote on such a business combination.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of January 29, 2008 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus (assuming no purchases of units offered by this prospectus), by:
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each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares;
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each of our officers and directors; and
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all our officers and directors as a group.
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Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them.
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Prior to Offering
and Insider Purchases
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After Offering and
Insider Purchases
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
(1)
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Amount and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
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Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares
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Amount and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
(2)
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Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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562,500
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50.0
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%
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562,500
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10.0
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%
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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225,000
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20.0
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%
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225,000
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4.0
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%
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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225,000
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20.0
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%
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225,000
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4.0
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%
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Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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78,750
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7.0
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%
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78,750
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1.4
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%
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Gary Han Ming Chang
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33,750
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3.0
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%
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33,750
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*
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All directors and executive officers as a group (seven individuals)
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1,125,000
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(3)
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100.0
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%
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1,125,000
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(3)
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20.0
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%
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(1)
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Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is 10F, Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic of China.
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(2)
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Does not include 1,250,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of warrants to be purchased by our founding shareholders prior to the consummation of this offering and which are not exercisable and will not become exercisable within the next 60 days.
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(3)
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Does not include 168,750 shares that will be forfeited by our founding shareholders if the underwriters
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do not exercise their over-allotment option in full. The founding shareholders will forfeit, for no consideration, that number of shares, up to a maximum of 168,750 shares, necessary to ensure that the number of shares they hold prior to this offering equals 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares after this offering and the exercise, if any, of the underwriters over-allotment option.
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Immediately after this offering, our founding shareholders, which include all of our officers and directors, collectively, will beneficially own 20.0% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming none of them purchase any units offered by this prospectus). None of our founding shareholders, officers and directors has indicated to us that he or she intends to purchase our securities in the offering. Because of the ownership block held by our founding shareholders, such individuals may be able to effectively exercise control over all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of
significant corporate transactions other than approval of a business combination.
All of the initial shares outstanding prior to the date of this prospectus will be placed in escrow with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent. These shares will not be released from escrow until nine months after our consummation of a business combination with respect to 50% of the initial shares and one year after our consummation of a business combination with respect to the remaining 50% of the initial shares. These shares may only be released earlier if the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised or is exercised in part to the extent necessary to have up to 168,750 shares forfeited by our founding
shareholders and cancelled by us or if, following a business combination, we engage in a subsequent transaction resulting in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities. Additionally, a portion of the initial shares will be forfeited by our founding shareholders and returned to us for cancellation if the holders of more than 20% of the shares sold in this offering vote against a proposed business combination and seek to exercise their conversion rights and such business combination is consummated so that the initial shares would never exceed 23.81% of our outstanding ordinary shares upon consummation of such business combination (without giving effect to any shares that may be issued in the business combination). During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (i) by gift to a member of an founding shareholders immediate family or to a trust or other entity, the
beneficiary of which is a founding shareholder or a member of a founding shareholders immediate family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of any founding shareholder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, or (iv) by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case where the transferee agrees to the same restrictions as the original holder, including the terms of the escrow agreement and the requirement to vote all ordinary shares held by our existing shareholders in accordance with the vote of a majority of our public shareholders on a proposed business combination, but will retain all other rights as our shareholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their ordinary shares and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in ordinary shares, such
dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, none of our founding shareholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their initial shares.
James Sha, Diana Liu, William Yu, and Jim Wu are our promoters as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws.
Our founding shareholders have committed to purchase an aggregate of 1,250,000 insider warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) from us. These purchases will take place pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Purchasers of the insider warrants may not rescind the agreement to purchase the warrants, there are no conditions on the obligations of purchasers of the insider warrants that are within their control, and the purchasers of insider warrants may not obtain a refund for the purchase price of the insider warrants. The insider warrants will be identical to the
warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus except that if we call the warrants for redemption, the insider warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis at the holders option so long as such warrants are held by such individuals or their affiliates. Additionally, such purchasers have waived their right to receive distributions upon our automatic dissolution and subsequent liquidation prior to a business combination with respect to the insider warrants. Furthermore, such purchasers have agreed that the insider warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In October 2007, we issued 1,293,750 ordinary shares (including 168,750 shares our founding shareholders have agreed to forfeit to the extent the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option) to the individuals set forth below for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.02 per share, as follows:
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Name
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Number of Shares
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Relationship to Us
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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646,875
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Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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258,750
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President and Director
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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258,750
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Chief Financial Officer and Director
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Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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90,563
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Chief Operating Officer and Director
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Gary Han Ming Chang
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38,812
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Special Advisor
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If the underwriters determine to not exercise their over-allotment option in full, our founding shareholders have agreed to forfeit an aggregate of up to 168,750 ordinary shares. If such shares are forfeited, we would record the aggregate fair value of the shares forfeited and reacquired to treasury stock and a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital based on the difference between the fair market value of the ordinary shares forfeited and the price paid to us for such forfeited shares (which would be an aggregate total of approximately $3,375 for all 168,750 shares). Upon receipt, such forfeited shares would then be immediately cancelled
which would result in the retirement of the treasury stock and a corresponding charge to additional paid-in capital. Additionally, a portion of the initial shares will be forfeited by our founding shareholders and returned to us for cancellation if the holders of more than 20% of the shares sold in this offering vote against a proposed business combination and seek to exercise their conversion rights and such business combination is consummated so that the initial shares would never exceed 23.81% of our outstanding ordinary shares upon consummation of such business combination (without giving effect to any shares that may be issued in the business combination).
If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased or decreased, a share dividend or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our founding shareholders ownership at a percentage of the total number of shares outstanding after this offering not to exceed 20%. Such an increase in offering size could also result in a proportionate increase in the amount of interest we may withdraw from the trust account. As a result of an increase in the size of the offering, the per-share conversion or liquidation price could decrease by as much as $0.02.
The holders of the majority of these shares will be entitled to demand that we register these shares pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the date of this prospectus. These holders may elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are released from escrow. In addition, these shareholders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Our founding shareholders have committed, pursuant to written subscription agreements with us and EarlyBirdCapital, to collectively purchase the insider warrants (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) from us. These purchases will take place pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. Purchasers of the insider warrants may not rescind the agreement to purchase the warrants, there are no conditions on the obligations of purchasers of the insider warrants that are within their control, and the purchasers of insider warrants may not obtain a refund for the purchase price of the insider warrants. The
purchase price for the insider warrants will be delivered to Loeb & Loeb LLP, our counsel in connection with this offering, who will also be acting solely as escrow agent in connection with the private sale of insider warrants, at least 24 hours prior to the date of this prospectus to hold in a non-interest bearing account until we consummate this offering. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will deposit the purchase price into the trust fund simultaneously with the consummation of the offering. The insider warrants will be identical to the warrants underlying the units being offered by this prospectus except that if we call the warrants for redemption, the insider warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis at the holders option so
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long as such warrants are held by these purchasers or their affiliates. Additionally, the purchasers have agreed that the insider warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after we have completed a business combination. The holders of the majority the insider warrants (or underlying securities) will be entitled to demand that we register these securities pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the date of this prospectus. The holders of the majority of these securities may elect to exercise these registration rights with respect to such securities at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, these
holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to such date. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, has agreed that, commencing on the effective date of this prospectus through the acquisition of a target business, it will make available to us a small amount of office space and certain office and secretarial services, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing $7,500 per month for these services. James Sha is the president and owner of Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing. As a result, he will benefit from the transaction to the extent of his interest in Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing. However, this arrangement is
solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide our officers and directors compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Beijing area, that the fee charged by Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. However, as our directors may not be deemed independent, we did not have the benefit of disinterested directors approving this transaction.
As of the date of this prospectus, James Sha, Diana Liu, and William Yu have loaned us an aggregate of $100,000 to cover expenses related to this offering. The loans will be payable without interest on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or the consummation of this offering. We intend to repay these loans from the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.
We will reimburse our founding shareholders, officers, directors, special advisors or their affiliates for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us, which will be reviewed only by our board or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. To the extent that such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and interest income that is released to us from the
trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate a business combination. These expenses would be a liability of the post-combination business and would be treated in a manner similar to any other account payable of the combined business. Our officers and directors may, as part of any such combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any such expenses.
Other than the $7,500 per-month administrative fee and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses payable to our officers and directors, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finders fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to any of our founding shareholders, officers, directors or special advisors who owned our ordinary shares prior to this offering, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates, including loans by our officers and directors, will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions or loans, including any forgiveness of loans, will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested independent directors (to the extent we have any) or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into
any such transaction unless our disinterested independent directors (or, if there are no independent directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
General
We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The following are summaries of all of the material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares, as well as our units, ordinary shares and warrants themselves. We have filed copies of our memorandum and articles of association as exhibits to our registration statement on Form S-1.
We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $.001, and 1,000,000 preferred shares, par value $.001. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,293,750 ordinary shares (including 168,750 shares our founding shareholders have agreed to forfeit to the extent the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option) are outstanding, held by five shareholders of record. No preferred shares are currently outstanding.
Units
Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share. The ordinary shares and warrants will begin to trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), provided that in no event may the ordinary shares and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on
Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 8-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K information indicating if EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.
Ordinary Shares
Our shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our founding shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective ordinary shares owned by them immediately prior to this offering in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares voted by our public shareholders. This voting arrangement shall not apply to shares included in units purchased in this offering or purchased following this offering in the aftermarket by any of our founding shareholders, officers and
directors. Additionally, our founding shareholders, officers and directors will vote all of their shares in any manner they determine, in their sole discretion, with respect to any other items that come before a vote of our shareholders.
We will proceed with the business combination only if a majority of the ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders are voted in favor of the business combination and public shareholders owning less than 40% of the shares sold in this offering both exercise their conversion rights discussed below and vote against the business combination.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, if we do not consummate a business combination by __________, 2009
[eighteen months from the consummation of this offering]
or until ___________, 2010
[thirty months from the consummation of this offering]
if a letter of intent, agreement
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in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period, it will trigger our automatic dissolution and we will wind up our affairs and liquidate. If we are forced to liquidate prior to a business combination, our public shareholders are entitled to share ratably in the trust fund, including any interest, and any net assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities. Our founding shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their
initial shares.
Our shareholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that public shareholders have the right to have their ordinary shares converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account if they vote against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Public shareholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust account still have the right to exercise the warrants that they received as part of the units.
Preferred Shares
Our memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 preferred shares with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. No preferred shares are being issued or registered in this offering. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred shares with dividend, liquidation, conversion, redemption voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of ordinary shares. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing
preferred shares which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred shares to effect a business combination. In addition, the preferred shares could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preferred shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
Warrants
No warrants are currently outstanding. Each warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $5.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing six months after the completion of a business combination.
The warrants will expire five years from the date of this prospectus at 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
We may call the warrants for redemption (including the insider warrants and any warrants issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option issued to EarlyBirdCapital), with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital,
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in whole and not in part,
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at a price of $0.01 per warrant at any time while the warrants are exercisable (which will only occur if a registration statement relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and current),
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upon not less than 30 days prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder, and
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if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $11.50 per share, for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders.
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The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient degree of liquidity to cushion the market reaction to our redemption call.
Since we may redeem the warrants only with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital and EarlyBirdCapital may hold warrants subject to redemption, EarlyBirdCapital may have a conflict of interest in determining whether or not to consent to such redemption. We cannot assure you that EarlyBirdCapital will consent to such redemption if it is not in its best interests even if it is in our best interests.
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If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise our warrants (not including the insider warrants) to do so on a cashless basis, though the public shareholders are not eligible to do so at their own option. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of our ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the fair market value of an
ordinary share by (y) the fair market value of an ordinary share. The fair market value is the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the fair market value in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the warrants after a business combination. Regardless of the election of our management, the purchasers of the insider warrants will be entitled to exercise any insider
warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the formula described above. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our officers, directors, special advisor or their affiliates is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain an insider, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public shareholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the ordinary shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such
exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.
The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below their respective exercise prices.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be
entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise a prospectus relating to ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and the ordinary shares have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to meet these conditions and use our best efforts to maintain a current prospectus relating to ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so, and if we do not maintain a
current prospectus related to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the ordinary shares are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which
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the holders of the warrants reside, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless. If the warrants expire worthless, this would mean that a person who paid $8.00 for a unit in our initial public and who did not sell the warrants included in the unit would have effectively paid $8.00 for one ordinary share. Because the warrants will not be exercisable without an effective registration statement covering the shares underlying the warrants, we will not call the warrants for redemption unless there is an effective registration statement in place.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
Purchase Option
We have agreed to sell to the underwriter an option to purchase up to a total of 450,000 units at $8.80 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board does not
anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Law. The Companies Law is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
. Cayman Islands law does not provide for mergers as that expression is understood under United States corporate law. While Cayman Islands law does have statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a scheme of arrangement which may be tantamount to a merger, we do not anticipate the use of such statutory provisions because a business combination can be achieved through other means, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements,
of an operating business. However, in the event that a business combination was sought pursuant to these scheme of arrangement statutory provisions (which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the
arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
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we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;
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the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
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the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and
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the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law or that would amount to a fraud on the minority.
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When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders Suits
. Our Cayman Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
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a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;
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the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained;
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the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed; or
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those who control the company are perpetrating a fraud on the minority.
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Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
. The Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United Sates, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize a foreign judgment as the basis for a claim at common law in the Cayman Islands provided such judgment:
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is given by a competent foreign court;
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imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given;
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is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and
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was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands.
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Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our memorandum and articles of association filed under the laws of the Cayman Islands contain provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections to our shareholders prior to the consummation of a business combination, including:
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a requirement that all proposed business combinations be presented to shareholders for approval regardless of whether or not the Cayman Islands requires such a vote;
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a prohibition against completing a business combination if 40% or more of our shareholders exercise their conversion rights in lieu of approving a business combination;
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the right of shareholders voting against a business combination (up to approximately 39.99%) to surrender their shares for a pro rata portion of the trust account in lieu of participating in a proposed business combination;
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a requirement that our management take all actions necessary to dissolve our company and liquidate our trust account in the event we do not consummate a business combination by 30 months (assuming the period in which we need to consummate a business combination has been extended, as provided in our memorandum and articles of association) after the consummation of this offering; and
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limitation on shareholders rights to receive a portion of the trust account only upon winding up and dissolution of our company or upon the exercise of their conversion rights.
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Our memorandum and articles of association prohibit the amendment or modification of any of the foregoing provisions prior to the consummation of a business combination. While these rights and protections have been established for the purchasers of units in this offering, it is nevertheless possible that the prohibition against amending or modifying these rights and protections at any time prior to the consummation of the business combination could be challenged as unenforceable under Cayman Islands law, although, pursuant to the underwriting agreement we are prohibited from amending or modifying these rights and protections at any time prior to the
consummation of the business combination. We have not sought an unqualified opinion regarding the enforceability of the prohibition on amendment or modification of such provisions because we view these provisions as fundamental and contractual terms of this offering. We believe these provisions to be obligations of our company to its shareholders and that investors will make an investment in our company relying, at least in part, on the enforceability of the rights and obligations set forth in these provisions including, without limitation, the prohibition on any amendment or modification of such provisions.
Anti-Money Laundering Cayman Islands
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
We also reserve the right to refuse to make any conversion payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business the person will be required to report such belief or suspicion to either the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Law (2005 Revision) if the disclosure relates to money laundering or to a police officer of the rank of constable or higher if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist property,
pursuant to the Terrorism Law. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our securities and warrant agent for our warrants is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Immediately after this offering, we will have 5,625,000 ordinary shares outstanding, or 6,468,750 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, the 4,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or 5,175,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised, will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining shares are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. None of the
1,125,000 initial shares, or 1,293,750 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, would be eligible for sale under Rule 144 prior to October 16, 2008. However, as described below, the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that these securities would not be eligible for transfer under Rule 144. Furthermore, all of the 1,125,000 initial shares, or 1,293,750 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, have been placed in escrow. These shares will not be released from escrow until nine months after our consummation of a business combination with respect to 50% of the initial shares and one year after our consummation of a business combination with respect to the remaining 50% of the initial shares. These shares may only be released earlier if the underwriters over-allotment option is not exercised or is exercised in part to the extent necessary to have up to 168,750 shares forfeited by our founding shareholders and cancelled by us or
if, following a business combination, we engage in a subsequent transaction resulting in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:
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1% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 5,625,000 shares immediately after this offering (or 6,468,750 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and
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if the ordinary shares are listed on a national securities exchange, the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
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Sales under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 144(k)
Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of or at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the restricted shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell their shares without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.
SEC Position on Rule 144 Sales
The Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that promoters or affiliates of a blank check company and their transferees, both before and after a business combination act as underwriters under the Securities Act when reselling the securities of a blank check company acquired prior to the consummation of its initial public offering. Accordingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission believes that those securities can be resold only through a registered offering and that Rule 144 would not be available for those resale transactions despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144. The Securities and Exchange
Commission has recently proposed amendments to Rule 144 that would make Rule 144 available to promoters or affiliates of blank check companies and their transferees 90 days after the consummation of an initial business combination by the blank check company.
Registration Rights
The holders of our initial shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the insider warrants (and underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these
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securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the initial shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the insider warrants (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain piggy-back registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business
combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
TAXATION
The following summary of the material Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our ordinary shares and warrants issued pursuant to this offering is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares and warrants, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Government of the Cayman Islands will not, under existing legislation, impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax upon the company or its shareholders. The Cayman Islands are not party to any double taxation treaties.
No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable by you in respect of the issue or transfer of ordinary shares or warrants. However, an instrument transferring title to an ordinary share or warrant, if brought to or executed in the Cayman Islands, would be subject to Cayman Islands stamp duty.
We have applied for and can expect to receive an undertaking from the Governor-in-Cabinet of the Cayman Islands that, in accordance with section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 20 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable (i) on the shares, debentures or other obligations of the company or
(ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividend or other distribution of income or capital by the company to its members or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of the company.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our ordinary shares and warrants (which we refer to collectively as our securities) issued pursuant to this offering. The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders will apply to a beneficial owner of our securities that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
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a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trusts administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If you are not described as a U.S. Holder and are not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will be considered a Non-U.S. Holder. The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading Non-U.S. Holders.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a persons decision to purchase our securities. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holders individual circumstances, and this discussion addresses only persons that acquire our ordinary shares and warrants as part of units upon their original issuance pursuant to this offering and assumes that each of our ordinary shares and warrants trade separately. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that will own
our ordinary shares and warrants as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
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financial institutions or financial services entities;
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taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting;
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governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
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persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting shares;
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persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; or
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
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This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal gift or estate tax, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Additionally, the discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our ordinary shares or warrants through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our ordinary shares or warrants, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.
We have not sought a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or an opinion of counsel as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.
BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TAX LAWS AND BECAUSE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR MAY BE AFFECTED BY MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN, EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH ITS TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES AND WARRANTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.
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Allocation of Purchase Price Between Ordinary Shares and Warrants
While not free from doubt, each unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant to acquire one ordinary share. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit generally must allocate the purchase price of a unit between the ordinary share and the warrant that comprise the unit based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Of the purchase price for a unit offered hereunder, we intend to allocate U.S.$7.00 to each ordinary share and U.S.$1.00 to each warrant comprising part of such unit. The price allocated to each ordinary share
and each warrant generally will be the holders tax basis in such share or warrant, as the case may be. While uncertain, the IRS, by analogy to the rules relating to the allocation of the purchase price to components of a unit consisting of debt and equity, may take the position that our allocation of the purchase price will be binding on a holder of a unit, unless the holder explicitly discloses in a statement attached to the holders timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the acquisition date of the unit that the holders allocation of the purchase price between the ordinary share and each warrant that comprise the unit is different than our allocation. Our allocation is not, however, binding on the IRS.
Each U.S. Holder is advised to consult its own tax advisor with respect to the risks associated with an allocation of the purchase price between the ordinary share and the warrant that comprise a unit that is inconsistent with our allocation of the purchase price. The balance of the discussion assumes the above characterization.
U.S. Holders
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders will be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return of a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of cash or other property to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult with its own tax advisor regarding this reporting obligation.
Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on our ordinary shares. Such a distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holders basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants below) provided that (1) our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) we are not a PFIC, as discussed below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. It is not entirely clear, however, whether a U.S. Holders holding period for
our ordinary shares would be suspended for purposes of clause (3) above for the period that such holder had a right to have such ordinary shares redeemed by us. In addition, under recently published IRS authority, ordinary shares are considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States only if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently do not include the OTC Bulletin Board (the only exchange on which our ordinary shares are currently anticipated to be listed and traded). Accordingly, any dividends paid on our ordinary shares are not currently expected to qualify for the lower rate. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares.
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Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants (which, in general, would include a redemption of ordinary shares or warrants), and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or warrants. See Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holders basis in the ordinary shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant.
Capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same rate as ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 (and 20% thereafter). Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holders holding period for the ordinary shares or warrants exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a warrant for cash. Ordinary shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant for cash generally will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holders tax basis in the warrant, increased by the amount paid to exercise the warrant. The holding period of such ordinary shares generally would begin on the day after the date of exercise of the warrant. If the terms of a warrant provide for any adjustment to the number of shares of ordinary shares for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrants, such
adjustment may, under certain circumstances, result in a constructive distribution that could be taxable as a dividend to the U.S. Holder of the warrant. Conversely, the absence of an appropriate adjustment similarly may result in a constructive distribution that could be taxable as a dividend to the U.S. Holders of the ordinary shares. See Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares, above. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holders tax basis in the warrant. U.S. Holders who exercise a warrant other than by paying the exercise price in cash should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of such an exercise, which may vary from that described above.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any company in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year, ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the assets of any company in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive
income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for the current taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income, if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us is uncertain. After acquisition
of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the start-up exception and will be a PFIC for the current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of the taxable year, and accordingly there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for the current taxable year or any
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future taxable year. Our analysis as to PFIC status (as in the case of other U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein) is not based upon an opinion of counsel and, because our actual PFIC status is dependent on future facts or events, it is not possible for an opinion as to our PFIC status to be rendered at this time.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held our ordinary shares or warrants, and the U.S. Holder did not make a timely qualified electing fund (QEF) election for the first taxable year of its holding period for our ordinary shares or a mark-to-market election, as described below, such holder will be subject to special rules with respect to:
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any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of its ordinary shares or warrants; and
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any excess distribution made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such holder during a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such holder in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, such holders holding period for the ordinary shares).
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Under these rules,
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the U.S. Holders gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period for the ordinary shares or warrants;
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the amount allocated to the taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or excess distribution will be taxed as ordinary income;
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the amount allocated to each prior year, with certain exceptions, will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and
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the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such year.
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In addition, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder who acquires our ordinary shares or warrants from a deceased U.S. Holder who dies before January 1, 2010 generally will be denied the step-up of U.S. federal income tax basis in such shares or warrants to their fair market value at the date of the deceased holders death. Instead, such U.S. Holder would have a tax basis in such shares or warrants equal to the deceased holders tax basis, if lower.
In general, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect of our ordinary shares acquired as part of the unit in this offering by making a timely QEF election to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of a warrant (other than upon exercise of a warrant), any gain recognized generally will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the period the U.S. Holder held the warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such warrants properly makes a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly
acquired shares, but the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares will continue to apply to such shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for the purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the warrants), unless the holder makes a purging election. The purging election creates a deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain recognized by reason of the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will have a new basis and holding period in the shares acquired upon the exercise of the warrants for purposes of the PFIC rules.
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The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections may only be made by filing a protective statement with such return or with the consent of the IRS.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive certain information from us. Upon request from a U.S. Holder, we will endeavor to provide to the U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If a U.S. Holder has elected the application of the QEF rules to its PFIC shares, and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for the first tax year of its holding period for our ordinary shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election), any gain realized on the appreciation of the PFIC shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such
earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally will not be taxable as a dividend. The tax basis of a U.S. Holders shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those years. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first tax year in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules (or the denial of basis step-up at death) discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion
regime with respect to such shares for the tax years in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of the tax years in which we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a purging election and pays the tax and interest charge with respect to the gain inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election period.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares in a PFIC that is treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election. If the U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for the first tax year in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares and for which we are determined to be PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted basis
in its ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of such shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holders basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to warrants.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or on Nasdaq, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Since we expect that our ordinary shares will be listed on the OTC
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Bulletin Board, they may not currently qualify as marketable stock for purposes of the election. As a result, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their
own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
If a U.S. Holder owns (or is deemed to own) shares during any year in a PFIC, such holder may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made).
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our ordinary shares and warrants under their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of its ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case such gain from
United States sources may be subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if applicable, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes will apply to distributions made on our ordinary shares within the United States to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our ordinary shares or warrants to or through a U.S. office of a broker by a non-corporate U.S. Holder. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
In addition, backup withholding of United States federal income tax, currently at a rate of 28%, generally will apply to such distributions made on our ordinary shares to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and the proceeds from such sales and other dispositions of shares or warrants by a non-corporate U.S. Holder who:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
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is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.
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A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holders or a Non-U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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UNDERWRITING
In accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, and each of the underwriters, for which EarlyBirdCapital, Inc is acting as representative, has individually agreed to purchase on a firm commitment basis the number of units set forth opposite their respective name below:
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Underwriters
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Number of Units
|
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Roth Capital Partners, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
4,500,000
|
|
A copy of the underwriting agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Prohibited Sale of Securities under Cayman Islands Law
As an exempted company not listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange, we are prohibited under the Companies Law from making any invitation to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of our securities.
United States Blue Sky Information
We will offer and sell the units to retail customers only in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Rhode Island. In New York and Hawaii, we have relied on exemptions from the state registration requirements. In the other states, we have applied to have the units registered for sale and will not sell the units to retail customers in these states unless and until such registration is effective (including in Colorado, pursuant to 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado Revised Statutes).
If you are not an institutional investor, you may purchase our securities in this offering only in the jurisdictions described directly above. Institutional investors in every state except in Idaho may purchase the units in this offering pursuant to exemptions under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an institutional investor varies from state to state but generally includes financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities.
We will file periodic and annual reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Therefore, under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, the resale of the units, from and after the effective date, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, are exempt from state registration requirements. However, states are permitted to require notice filings and collect fees with regard to these transactions, and a state may suspend the offer and sale of securities within such state if any such required filing is not made or fee is not paid. As of the date of this prospectus, the
following states either do not presently require any notice filings or fee payments or have not yet issued rules or regulations indicating whether notice filings or fee payments will be required:
|
|
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
|
Additionally, the following states currently permit the resale of the units, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, if the proper notice filings have been submitted and the required fees have been paid:
|
|
The District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont.
|
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not determined in which, if any, of these states we will submit the required filings or pay the required fee. Additionally, if any of these states that has not yet adopted a
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statute relating to the National Securities Markets Improvement Act adopts such a statute in the future requiring a filing or fee or if any state amends its existing statutes with respect to its requirements, we would need to comply with those new requirements in order for the securities to continue to be eligible for resale in those jurisdictions.
Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, the states retain the jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their states.
Aside from the exemption from registration provided by the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, we believe that the units, from and after the effective date, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, may be eligible for sale on a secondary market basis in various states based on the availability of another applicable exemption from state registration requirements, in certain instances subject to waiting periods, notice filings or fee payments.
Pricing of Securities
We have been advised by the representative that the underwriters propose to offer the units to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. They may allow some dealers concessions not in excess of $____ per unit and the dealers may reallow a concession not in excess of $____ per unit to other dealers.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the representative. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares and warrants underlying the units, include:
|
|
the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
|
|
|
prior offerings of those companies;
|
|
|
our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
|
|
|
an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
|
|
|
general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering; and
|
|
|
other factors as were deemed relevant.
|
However, although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry since we have no operating results and are not limited to operate in any specific industry.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted to the representative of the underwriters an option, exercisable during the 45-day period commencing on the date of this prospectus, to purchase from us at the offering price, less underwriting discounts, up to an aggregate of 675,000 additional units for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment option will only be used to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. The representative of the underwriters may exercise the over-allotment option if it sells more units than the total number set forth above.
Commissions and Discounts
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount to be paid by us to the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us. This information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the representative of the underwriters of its over-allotment option.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Unit
|
|
Without Option
|
|
With
Option
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
$
|
36,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
41,400,000
|
|
Discount
(1)
|
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
|
$
|
2,520,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,898,000
|
|
Proceeds before expenses
(2)
|
|
$
|
7.44
|
|
|
$
|
33,480,000
|
|
|
$
|
38,502,000
|
|
|
(1)
|
$1,080,000, or $1,242,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full, will not be payable unless and until we complete a business combination. The underwriters have waived their right to receive such payment upon our automatic dissolution and voluntary liquidation if we are unable to complete a business combination.
|
|
(2)
|
The offering expenses are estimated at $560,000.
|
The foregoing table does not include the value of the purchase option described below. Although such option is considered underwriters compensation by FINRA and has a value of approximately $2,160,109, the option does not affect the amount of proceeds we will receive from the offering. Accordingly, we have not included the value of the option in the table above. No discounts or commissions will be paid on the sale of the insider warrants.
Purchase Option
We have agreed to sell to the representative, for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 450,000 units. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus. This option is exercisable at $8.80 per unit, and may be exercised on a cashless basis, following the one year anniversary of the date of this prospectus and expiring five years from the date of this prospectus. This option will be valued at the date of issuance; however, for illustrative purposes, at October 23, 2007, 2007, we estimate that the fair value of this option is approximately $2,160,109 ($4.80 per Unit underlying such option) using a
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the option granted to the representative is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 71.55%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 4.17% and (3) expected life of 5 years. The option and the 450,000 units, the 450,000 ordinary shares and the 450,000 warrants underlying such units, and the 450,000 ordinary shares underlying such warrants, have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 2710(g)(1) of the FINRA Conduct Rules. Additionally, the option may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a one-year period (including the foregoing 180-day period) following the date of this prospectus except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. Although the purchase option and its underlying securities have been registered under the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the option grants to holders demand and piggy back rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the date of this prospectus with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the option. We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities, other than underwriting commissions which will be paid for by the holders themselves. We will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the purchase option or the warrants underlying the purchase option. The holder of the purchase option will not be entitled to exercise the purchase option or the warrants underlying the purchase option unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the purchase option is effective or an exemption from registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the purchase option or underlying warrants, the
purchase option or warrants, as applicable, will expire worthless.
The exercise price and number of units issuable upon exercise of the option may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the option will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities
Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriter to bid for or purchase our units before the distribution of the units is completed. The distribution of the units in this offering will be completed once all
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the units have been sold, all stabilizing transactions have been completed and all penalty bids have either been reclaimed or withdrawn. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:
|
|
Stabilizing Transactions
. The underwriters may make bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the price of our units, as long as stabilizing bids do not exceed the offering price of $8.00.
|
|
|
Over-Allotments and Syndicate Coverage Transactions
. The underwriters may create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. If the underwriters create a short position during the offering, the underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions by purchasing our units in the open market. The representative may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option.
|
|
|
Penalty Bids
. The representative may reclaim a selling concession from a selected dealer when the units originally sold by the selected dealer is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover short positions.
|
Stabilization and covering transactions may cause the price of our securities to be higher than they would be in the absence of these transactions. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the prices of our securities if it discourages resales of our securities.
Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may occur on the OTC Bulletin Board, in the over-the-counter market or on any trading market. If any of these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in this respect.
LEGAL MATTERS
Conyers Dill & Pearman is acting as our special Cayman Islands counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act of 1933, and as such, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus. Loeb & Loeb, LLP, New York, New York, is acting as U.S. counsel for us in connection with this offering. Legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Graubard Miller, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the underwriter in this offering.
EXPERTS
The financial statements included in this prospectus and in the registration statement have been audited by UHY LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the period set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the registration statement. The financial statements and the report of UHY LLP are included in reliance upon their report given upon the authority of UHY LLP as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, which includes exhibits, schedules and amendments, under the Securities Act, with respect to this offering of our securities. Although this prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, contains all material information included in the registration statement, parts of the registration statement have been omitted as permitted by rules and regulations of the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits for further information about us, our securities and this offering. The registration statement and its exhibits, as well as our other reports filed with
the SEC, can be inspected and copied at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the public reference room by calling the
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SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov which contains the Form S-1 and other reports, proxy and information statements and information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
F-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (a corporation in the development stage) as of October 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the period from October 16, 2007 (inception) to October 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. as of October 31, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from October 16, 2007 (inception) to October 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ UHY LLP
New York, New York
November 7, 2007
F-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
BALANCE SHEET
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
Current Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
83,047
|
|
Deferred offering costs associated with proposed public offering
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
120,547
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
Current Liabilities
|
|
Notes payable to stockholders
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Commitments
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred shares, $.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares, $.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,293,750 shares
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
23,706
|
|
Deficit accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
20,547
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
120,547
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
|
|
|
Formation costs
|
|
$
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares
|
|
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
|
|
Deficit
Accumulated
During the
Development
Stage
|
|
Stockholders'
Equity
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
Ordinary shares issued October 16, 2007 for cash at $0.01932 per share
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
|
$
|
1,294
|
|
|
$
|
23,706
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Balance at October 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
|
$
|
1,294
|
|
|
$
|
23,706
|
|
|
$
|
(4,453
|
)
|
|
$
|
20,547
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(4,453
|
)
|
Financing Activities
|
|
Proceeds from sale of ordinary shares to founding stockholders
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
Proceeds from stockholders notes payable
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Deferred offering costs associated with proposed public offering
|
|
|
(37,500
|
)
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
87,500
|
|
Net Increase in Cash
|
|
|
83,047
|
|
Cash, Beginning
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, Ending
|
|
$
|
83,047
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
Note 1 Organization and Plan of Business Operations
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (the Company) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on October 16th, 2007 as a blank check company whose objective is to acquire, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, an operating business, or control of such operating business through contractual arrangements, that has its principal operations located in the Greater China region which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (Greater China).
At October 31, 2007 the Company had not yet commenced any significant operations. All activity through October 31, 2007 relates to the Companys formation and the proposed public offering described below. The Company has selected December 31
st
as its fiscal year-end.
The Companys ability to commence significant operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of up to 4,500,000 units (units) which is discussed in Note 3 (Proposed Offering). The Companys management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of this Proposed Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of this Proposed Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a business combination with an operating business that has its principal operations located in Greater China (Business
Combination). Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully affect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering, management has agreed that at least $7.80 per unit sold in the Proposed Offering will be placed in a trust account (Trust Account) and invested in United States government securities, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 until the earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business Combination and (ii) liquidation of the Company. The placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company
waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Two of the initial shareholders have agreed that they will be liable under certain circumstances to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by the Company for services rendered contracted for or products sold to the Company. However, there can be no assurance that they will be able to satisfy those obligations should they arise. The remaining net proceeds (not held in the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. Additionally, up to an aggregate of $1,050,000 of interest earned on the Trust Account balance may be released to the Company to fund working capital requirements as well as any amounts that
are necessary to pay the Companys tax obligations.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target business, is required to submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that stockholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in the Proposed Offering vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion rights described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. All of the Companys stockholders prior to the Proposed Offering, including all of the officers and directors of the Company (Initial Stockholders), have agreed to vote their founding shares of ordinary shares in accordance with the vote of the
majority interest of all other stockholders of the Company (Public Stockholders) with respect to any Business Combination. After consummation of a Business Combination, these voting safeguards will no longer be applicable.
With respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public Stockholder who voted against the Business Combination may demand that the Company convert his or her shares. The per share conversion price will equal the amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination, divided by the number of ordinary shares
F-7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
Note 1 Organization and Plan of Business Operations (continued)
held by Public Stockholders at the consummation of the Proposed Offering. Accordingly Public Stockholders holding up to 39.99% of the aggregate number of shares owned by all Public Stockholders may seek conversion of their shares in the event of a Business Combination. Such Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their per share interest in the Trust Account computed without regard to the shares held by Initial Stockholders.
The Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association will be amended prior to the Proposed Offering to provide that the Company will continue in existence only until 18 months from the Effective Date of the Proposed Offering or until 30 months if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not been consummated within such 18 month period. If the Company has not completed a Business Combination by such date, its corporate existence will cease and it will dissolve and liquidate for the purposes of winding up its affairs.
In the event of liquidation, it is likely that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Fund assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per share in the Proposed Offering (assuming no value is attributed to the Warrants contained in the Unit to be offered in the Proposed Offering discussed in Note 3).
Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Management does believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
Note 3 Proposed Public Offering
The Proposed Offering calls for the Company to offer for public sale up to 4,500,000 units at a proposed offering price of $8.00 per unit (plus up to an additional 675,000 units solely to cover over-allotments, if any). Each unit consists of one ordinary share of the Companys stock and one Redeemable Ordinary Share Purchase Warrant (Warrants). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one ordinary share at an exercise price of $5.50 commencing the later of the completion of a Business Combination and one year from the effective date of the Proposed Offering and expiring five years from the effective date of
the Proposed Offering. The Company may redeem the Warrants, with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (EBC), the representative of the underwriters in the Proposed Offering, at a price of $.01 per Warrant upon 30 days notice while the Warrants are exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of the ordinary shares is at least $11.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. If the Company redeems the Warrants as described above, management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his Warrant to do so on a cashless basis. In such event, the holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering his Warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of
the Warrants and the fair market value (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The fair market
F-8
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
Note 3 Proposed Public Offering (continued)
value shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrants. In accordance with the warrant agreement relating to the Warrants to be sold and issued in the Proposed Offering the Company is only required to use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement covering the Warrants. The Company will not be obligated to deliver securities, and there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities, if a registration statement is not effective at the time
of exercise. Additionally, in the event that a registration is not effective at the time of exercise, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and in no event (whether in the case of a registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. Consequently, the Warrants may expire unexercised and unredeemed.
The Company will pay the underwriters in the Proposed Offering an underwriting discount of 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering. However, the underwriters have agreed that 3.0% of the underwriting discounts will not be payable unless and until the Company completes a Business Combination and have waived their right to receive such payment upon the Companys liquidation if it is unable to complete a Business Combination. In addition, at the closing of the Public Offering, the Company will issue a unit purchase option, for $100.00, to EBC and/or its designees to purchase 450,000 units at an exercise price of $8.80 per unit. The
units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to the units being offered in the Proposed Offering. The Company intends to account for the fair value of the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Proposed Offering resulting in a charge directly to stockholders equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this unit purchase option is approximately $2,160,109 ($4.80 per unit) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The fair value of the unit purchase option granted to the underwriter is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 71.55%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 4.17% and (3) expected life of 5 years. The unit purchase option may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holders option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Companys redemption of the Warrants, as described above), such that the holder may use the appreciated value of the unit purchase option (the difference between the exercise prices of the unit purchase option and the underlying
Warrants and the market price of the Units and underlying ordinary shares) to exercise the unit purchase option without the payment of any cash. The Company will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the unit purchase option or the Warrants underlying the unit purchase option. The holder of the unit purchase option will not be entitled to exercise the unit purchase option or the Warrants underlying the unit purchase option unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the unit purchase option is effective or an exemption from registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the unit purchase option or underlying Warrants, the unit purchase option or Warrants, as applicable, will expire worthless.
Note 4 Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal and underwriting fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Offering and that will be charged to stockholders equity upon the receipt of the capital raised. Should the Proposed Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs as well as additional expenses to be incurred will be charged to operations.
Note 5 Notes Payable to Stockholders
The Company issued, in aggregate, $100,000 principal amount of unsecured promissory notes to certain officers and initial stockholders on October 24, 2007. The notes are non-interest bearing and are payable on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or the consummation of the Proposed Offering. Due to the short-term nature of the note, the fair value of the notes approximates their carrying amount.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Period October 16, 2007 (Inception) to October 31, 2007
Note 6 Commitments
The Company presently occupies office space provided by an affiliate of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and director. Such affiliate has agreed that, until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will make such office space, as well as certain office and secretarial services, available to the Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay such affiliate $7,500 per month for such services commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering.
Pursuant to letter agreements dated as of September 25, 2007 with the Company and the underwriter, the initial stockholders have waived their right to receive distributions with respect to their founding shares upon the Companys liquidation.
The initial stockholders of the Company have committed to purchase 1,250,000 Warrants (Insider Warrants) at $1.00 per Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) in a private placement that will take place simultaneously with the consummation of the Proposed Offering. The Company believes the purchase price of these warrants approximates the fair value of such warrants because the fair market value of publicly traded warrants for similarly structured blank check companies is typically no greater than $1.00. The warrants will be accounted for as permanent equity. However, if it is determined, at the time of the Proposed
Offering, that the fair value of such warrants exceeds the $1.00 purchase price, the Company would record compensation expense for the excess of the fair value of the warrants on the day of purchase over the $1.00 purchase price in accordance with SFAS 123(R). All of the proceeds received from this purchase will be placed in the Trust Account. The Insider Warrants to be purchased by such purchasers will be identical to the Warrants being offered in the Proposed Offering except that if the Company calls the Warrants for redemption, the Insider Warrants may be exercisable on a cashless basis, at the holders option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Companys redemption of the Warrants, as described above), so long as such securities are held by such purchasers or their affiliates. Furthermore, the purchasers have agreed that the Insider Warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until after the Company has completed a Business
Combination.
The initial stockholders and the holders of the Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) will be entitled to registration rights with respect to their founding shares or Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Proposed Offering. The holders of the majority of the founding shares are entitled to demand that the Company register 50% of these shares at any time commencing three months prior to nine months after the consummation of the Business Combination and the balance of these shares at any time commencing three months prior to the first anniversary of the
consummation of a Business Combination. The holders of the Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) are entitled to demand that the Company register these securities at any time after the Company consummates a Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders and holders of the Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) have certain piggy-bank registration rights on registration statements filed after the Companys consummation of a Business Combination.
Note 7 Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The agreement with the underwriters prohibits the Company, prior to a Business Combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in the proceeds of the Trust Account or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a Business Combination.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
$36,000,000
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
4,500,000 Units
PROSPECTUS
|
|
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EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Roth Capital Partners
|
, 2008
Until ________, 2008, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the securities offered by this prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:
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Initial Trustees fee
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$
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(1)
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Legal fees and expenses (including blue sky services and expenses)
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350,000
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Printing and engraving expense
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60,000
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Accounting fees and expenses
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50,000
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SEC registration fee
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2,343
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FINRA registration fee
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8,130
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Miscellaneous expenses
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89,527
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(2)
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Total
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$
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560,000
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(1)
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In addition to the initial acceptance fee that is charged by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee, the registrant will be required to pay to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company annual fees of $3,000 for acting as trustee, $4,800 for acting as transfer agent of the registrants ordinary shares, $2,400 for acting as warrant agent for the registrants warrants and $1,800 for acting as escrow agent.
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(2)
|
This amount represents additional expenses that may be incurred by the Company in connection with the offering over and above those specifically listed above, including distribution and mailing costs.
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Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association will provide for indemnification of our officers and directors for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own fraud or willful default.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
(a) During the past three years, we sold the following ordinary shares without registration under the Securities Act:
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Shareholders
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Number of
Shares
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James Cheng-Jee Sha
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646,875
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William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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258,750
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Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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258,750
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Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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90,563
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Gary Han Ming Chang
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38,812
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Such shares were issued on October 16, 2007 in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as they were sold to sophisticated, accredited, wealthy individuals. The shares issued to the individuals and entities above were sold for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.02 per share.
In addition, our founding shareholders have committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 1,250,000 warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for a total purchase price of $1,250,000). These purchases will take place
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pursuant to a private placement immediately prior to the consummation of our initial public offering. These issuances will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The obligation to purchase the warrants undertaken by the above individuals was made pursuant to Subscription Agreements, dated as of October 8, 2007 (the form of which was filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1). Such obligations were made prior to the filing of the Registration Statement, and the only conditions to the obligations undertaken by such individuals are conditions outside of the
investors control. Consequently, the investment decision relating to the purchase of the warrants was made prior to the filing of the Registration Statement relating to the public offering and therefore constitutes a completed private placement.
No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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1.1
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Form of Underwriting Agreement.
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1.2
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Form of Selected Dealers Agreement.
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3.1*
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Certificate of Incorporation.
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3.2*
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Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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3.3
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Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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4.1
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Specimen Unit Certificate.
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4.2
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Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate.
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4.3
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Specimen Warrant Certificate.
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4.4
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Form of Unit Purchase Option to be granted to Representative.
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4.5
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Form of Warrant Agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
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5.1
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Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman.
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5.2
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Opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP.
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10.1
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Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and James Cheng-Jee Sha.
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10.2
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Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and William Tsu-Cheng Yu.
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10.3
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Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Diana Chia-Huei Liu.
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10.4
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Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu.
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10.5
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Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Gary Han Ming Chang.
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10.6
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Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
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10.7
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Form of Share Escrow Agreement between the Registrant, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Founding Shareholders.
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10.8
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Form of Letter Agreement between Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing and Registrant regarding administrative support.
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10.9*
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Promissory Note, dated as of October 24, 2007, issued to James Sha.
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10.10*
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Promissory Note, dated as of October 24, 2007, issued to Diana Liu.
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10.11*
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Promissory Note, dated as of October 24, 2007, issued to William Yu.
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10.12
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and the Founding Shareholders.
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10.13
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Form of Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement among the Registrant and the Founding Shareholders.
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23.1
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Consent of UHY LLP.
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23.2
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Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (included in Exhibit 5.1).
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23.3
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Consent of Loeb & Loeb LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
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24*
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Power of Attorney.
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Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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(1)
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To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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(i)
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To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
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(ii)
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement.
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(iii)
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
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(2)
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That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
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(3)
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To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4)
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That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i)
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Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
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(ii)
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Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
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(iii)
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The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
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(iv)
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Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser
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(b) The undersigned hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
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(1)
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For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
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(2)
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For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
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II-4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atherton, State of California, on the 30th day of January, 2008.
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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/s/ James Cheng-Jee Sha
James Cheng-Jee Sha
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Name
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Position
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Date
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/s/ James Cheng-Jee Sha
James Cheng-Jee Sha
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Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
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January 30, 2008
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/s/ Diana Chia-Huei Liu*
Diana Chia-Huei Liu
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President and Director
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January 30, 2008
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/s/ Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu*
Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
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Chief Operating Officer and Director
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January 30, 2008
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/s/ William Tsu-Cheng Yu*
William Tsu-Cheng Yu
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Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal
Accounting and Financial Officer)
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January 30, 2008
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*By
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/s/ James Cheng-Jee Sha
James Cheng-Jee Sha, attorney-in-fact
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II-5
UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT
between
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORPORATION
and
EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
Dated:
___________, 2008
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT
New
York,
New York
________,
2008
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
New
York,
New York 10016
Dear
Sirs:
The
undersigned, Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands corporation
(“Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (being
referred to herein variously as “you,” “EBC” or the “Representative”) and with
the other underwriters named on Schedule I hereto for which EBC is acting as
Representative (the Representative and the other Underwriters being collectively
called the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”) as
follows:
1.
Purchase
and Sale of Securities
.
1.1
Firm
Securities
.
1.1.1
Purchase
of Firm Units
.
On the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to
the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell,
severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of
4,500,000 units (“Firm Units”) of the Company at a purchase price (net of
discounts and commissions) of $7.44 per Firm Unit (including discounts and
commissions of $0.24 that will be paid to the Underwriters only upon
consummation of a Business Combination (as defined below) by the Company).
The
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree that they will not seek payment
of the discounts and commissions of $0.24 referred to in the preceding sentence
unless and until a Business Combination has been consummated by the Company,
and
the Company agrees that it shall pay such discounts and commissions only upon
consummation of such Business Combination. The Underwriters, severally and
not
jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule I attached hereto and made a part
hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $7.44 per
Firm
Unit (including deferred discounts and commission described above). The Firm
Units are to be offered initially to the public (“Offering”) at the offering
price of $8.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one ordinary share
of
the Company, par value $.001 per share (“Ordinary Share”), and one warrant
(“Warrant(s)”). The Ordinary Shares and the Warrants included in the Firm Units
will not be separately transferable until 90 days after the effective date
(“Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.1
hereof) unless EBC informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate
trading, but in no event will EBC allow separate trading until the preparation
of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company
of
the proceeds of the Offering and the filing of a Form 8-K by the Company which
includes such balance sheet. Each Warrant entitles its holder to exercise it
to
purchase one Ordinary Share for $5.50 during the period commencing on the later
of the consummation by the Company of its “Business Combination” or one year
from the Effective Date and terminating on the five-year anniversary of the
Effective Date. “Business Combination” shall mean the acquisition, through a
stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, of
an
operating business that has its principal operations located in Greater China
(as
described more fully in the Registration Statement)
.
1.1.2
Payment
and Delivery
.
Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York
time, on the third business day following commencement of trading of the Firm
Units or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative
and
the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as
shall
be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The hour and date of
delivery and payment for the Firm Units are called “Closing Date.” Payment for
the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the Representative’s
election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank
cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable as follows:
$33,850,000 of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units shall
be
deposited in the trust fund established by the Company for the benefit of the
public shareholders as described in the Registration Statement (“Trust Fund”)
pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (“Trust
Agreement”) and the remaining proceeds shall be paid (subject to Section 3.13
hereof) to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates (in
form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm
Units
(or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the
account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such name
or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request
in
writing at least two full business days prior to the Closing Date.
[The
Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units
for
delivery, at least one full business day prior to the Closing
Date.]
The
Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon
tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.
1.2
Over-Allotment
Option
.
1.2.1
Option
Units
.
For the
purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution
and
sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and
not
jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 675,000 units from the
Company (“Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 675,000 units are hereinafter
referred to as “Option Units.” The Firm Units and the Option Units are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Units,” and the Units, the Ordinary
Shares and the Warrants included in the Units and the Ordinary Shares issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
“Public Securities.” The purchase price to be paid for the Option Units will be
the same price per Option Unit as the price per Firm Unit set forth in Section
1.1.1 hereof.
1.2.2
Exercise
of Option
.
The
Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be
exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time
to time) of the Option Units within 45 days after the Effective Date. The
Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units
prior
to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted
hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company by the
Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or
facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased
and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units (the
“Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than five full business days
after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by
the
Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at
such
other place as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative.
Upon
exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to
convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option
Units specified in such notice.
1.2.3
Payment
and Delivery
.
Payment
for the Option Units shall be made on the Option Closing Date at the
Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by
certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable
as follows: $7.68 per Option Unit shall be deposited in the Trust Fund
(including discounts and commissions of $0.24 that will be paid to the
Underwriters only upon consummation of a Business Combination by the Company)
pursuant to the Trust Agreement upon delivery to you of certificates (in form
and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Units
(or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The
certificates representing the Option Units to be delivered will be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Representative requests not
less than two full business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to the Representative
for
inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company’s
transfer agent or correspondent not less than one full business day prior to
such Closing Date.
1.3
Representative’s
Purchase Option
.
1.3.1
Purchase
Option
.
The
Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative (and/or its
designees) on the Effective Date an option (“Representative’s Purchase Option”)
for the purchase of an aggregate of 450,000 units (“Representative’s Units”) for
an aggregate purchase price of $100. Each of the Representative’s Units is
identical to the Firm Units. The Representative’s Purchase Option shall be
exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on the later of the consummation
of
a Business Combination and one year from the Effective Date and expiring on
the
five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price per
Representative’s Unit of $8.80 (110% of the initial public offering price of a
Unit). The Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Units, the
Warrants included in the Representative’s Units (“Representative’s Warrants”)
and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrants
are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Representative’s Securities.”
The Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities are hereinafter
referred to collectively as the “Securities.” The Representative understands and
agrees that there are significant restrictions against transferring the
Representative’s Purchase Option and underlying securities, as set forth in
Section 3 of the Representative’s Purchase Option. Specifically, the
Representative’s Securities are subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule
2710(g)(1) of the NASD Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”). Additionally, the Representative’s Purchase Option may not
be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a one-year period
(including the foregoing 180-day period) following the Effective Date except
to
any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the Offering and their
bona
fide officers or partners.
1.3.2
Payment
and Delivery
.
Delivery and payment for the Representative’s Purchase Option shall be made on
the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Representative, upon payment
therefor, certificates for the Representative’s Purchase Option in the name or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may
request.
2.
Representations
and Warranties of the Company
.
The
Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:
2.1
Filing
of Registration Statement
.
2.1.1
Pursuant
to the Act
.
The
Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a
registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1
(File
No. 333-147284), including any related preliminary prospectus (“Preliminary
Prospectus”), for the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), which registration statement and amendment or
amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements
of the Act, and the rules and regulations (“Regulations”) of the Commission
under the Act. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration
statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration
statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial statements,
schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or
incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of
such
time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter
called the “Registration Statement,” and the form of the final prospectus dated
the Effective Date included in the Registration Statement (or, if applicable,
the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424
of
the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” The Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date
hereof.
2.1.2
Pursuant
to the Exchange Act
.
The
Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-_______)
providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (“Exchange Act”), of the Units, the Ordinary Shares and the Warrants.
The registration of the Units, Ordinary Shares and Warrants under the Exchange
Act has been declared effective by the Commission on the date
hereof.
2.2
No
Stop Orders, Etc.
Neither
the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory
authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing
or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the
best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with
respect to such an order.
2.3
Disclosures
in Registration Statement
.
2.3.1
10b-5
Representation
.
At the
time the Registration Statement became effective and at all times subsequent
thereto up to the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, each of
the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus does and will contain all material
statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act
and
the Regulations, and will in all material respects conform to the requirements
of the Act and the Regulations; neither the Registration Statement nor the
Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on such dates, does or
will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. When
any Preliminary Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed
as
part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities or
any
amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) and when any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission,
such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto
complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act
and
the Regulations and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this
Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for
use
in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto.
2.3.2
Disclosure
of Agreements
.
The
agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there
are
no agreements or other documents required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits
to
the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each
agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which
the
Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound
or
affected and (i) that is referred to in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material
to
the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in
full force and effect and is enforceable against the Company and, to the
Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms,
except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as
enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited
under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject
to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments
has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best
of
the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and,
to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the
lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or
default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the
Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not
result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation,
judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or
businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental
laws
and regulations.
2.3.3
Prior
Securities Transactions
.
No
securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf
of,
or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with the Company since the Company’s formation, except as
disclosed in the Registration Statement.
2.4
Changes
After Dates in Registration Statement
.
2.4.1
No
Material Adverse Change
.
Since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein,
(i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or business prospects of the Company, (ii) there have been no
material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated
pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) no member of the Company’s management has
resigned from any position with the Company.
2.4.2
Recent
Securities Transactions, Etc.
Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be
indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not (i) issued
any
securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for
borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other
distribution on or in respect to its equity securities.
2.5
Independent
Accountants
.
UHY LLP
(“UHY”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration
Statement, are independent accountants as required by the Act and the
Regulations. UHY has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements
included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services,
as
such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.6
Financial
Statements
.
The
financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules
included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus fairly present the
financial position, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Company
at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly
the
information required to be stated therein. The summary financial data included
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the information
shown thereon and have been compiled on a basis consistent with the audited
financial statements presented therein. No other financial statements or
schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus. The Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance sheet
transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations),
and
other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons
that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues
or expenses.
2.7
Authorized
Capital; Options; Etc.
The
Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Prospectus duly authorized,
issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the
adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as disclosed in, or
contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective
Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other
rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized but unissued Ordinary
Shares of the Company or any security convertible into Ordinary Shares of the
Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell Ordinary Shares or
any
such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
2.8
Valid
Issuance of Securities; Etc
.
2.8.1
Outstanding
Securities
.
All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized
and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have
no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security
of
the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized
Ordinary Shares conform to all statements relating thereto contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the
outstanding Ordinary Shares were at all relevant times either registered under
the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part
on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such Ordinary Shares,
exempt from such registration requirements.
2.8.2
Securities
Sold Pursuant to this Agreement
.
The
Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
and
will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders;
the
Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any
holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted
by
the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the
authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly
taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with
respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement. When issued, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell,
upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor,
the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in
accordance with the terms thereof and such Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants are enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability
may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other
forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
2.8.3
I
nsider
Securities
.
The
Company’s founding shareholders (“Initial Shareholders”)
have
committed to purchase an aggregate of 1,250,000 Warrants (“Insider Warrants” and
together with the Ordinary Shares underlying the Insider Warrants, collectively
referred to as the “Insider Securities”) at a purchase price of $1.00 per
Insider Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,000) from the Company
upon consummation of the Offering. The Insider Securities have been duly
authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the warrant purchase
agreements (“Subscription Agreement”) entered into by the Initial Shareholders
to purchase such Insider Securities, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; the Insider Securities are not and
will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security
of
the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all
corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale
of the Insider Securities has been duly and validly taken.
2.9
Registration
Rights of Third Parties
.
Except
as set forth in the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company
or
any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of
the
Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities
of
the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration
statement to be filed by the Company.
2.10
Validity
and Binding Effect of Agreements
.
This
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.21 hereof), the Trust
Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), the
Subscription Agreements and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in
Section 2.22.2 hereof) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company
and constitute, and the Representative’s Purchase Option, has been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered, will
constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of
any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal
and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance
and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
may be brought.
2.11
No
Conflicts, Etc.
The
execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement,
the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Escrow Agreement,
the
consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated
and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not
and
will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both
(i)
result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of,
or
constitute a default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination
or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
of
the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party except pursuant to the Trust Agreement referred to in
Section 2.24 hereof; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company; or (iii) violate any
existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any
governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over
the
Company or any of its properties or business.
2.12
No
Defaults; Violations
.
No
material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term,
covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or
instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company
may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is
subject. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its
Memorandum and Articles of Association or in violation of any material
franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree
of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its properties, businesses or assets.
2.13
Corporate
Power; Licenses; Consents
.
2.13.1
Conduct
of Business
.
The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary
authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and
from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the
date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the Prospectus.
The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of federal,
state and local regulation on this offering and the Company’s business purpose
as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were
made, not misleading.
2.13.2
Transactions
Contemplated Herein
.
The
Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
the
Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Services Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement
and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof and thereof, and all
consents, authorizations, approvals, licenses, certifications, permits and
orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent,
authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency
or
other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery, of the
Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated
by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement
and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal
and state securities laws.
2.14
D&O
Questionnaires
.
To the
best of the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the
questionnaires
(“Questionnaires”) completed by the Initial Shareholders
and
provided to the Underwriters as an exhibit to his, her or its Insider Letter
(as
defined in Section 2.22.1) is true and correct as of its date and the Company
has not become aware of any information which would cause the information
disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Initial Shareholders to become
inaccurate and incorrect.
2.15
Litigation;
Governmental Proceedings
.
There
is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation
or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, any Initial Shareholders, which has not been disclosed in the
Registration Statement or the Questionnaires.
2.16
Good
Standing
.
The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and
is
in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is duly qualified
to
do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would
not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of
the
Company.
2.17
Stop
Orders
.
The
Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or any part thereof and has not threatened
to issue any such order.
2.18
Transactions
Affecting Disclosure to FINRA
.
2.18.1
Finder’s
Fees
.
Except
as described in the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements,
agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting
or origination fee by the Company or any Initial Shareholders with respect
to
the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements
or
understandings of the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any
Initial Shareholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as
determined by FINRA.
2.18.2
Payments
Within Twelve Months
.
Other
than payments to EBC, the Company has not within the twelve months prior to
the
Effective Date made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or
otherwise) (i) to any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in
consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing
to
the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company, (ii) to
any
FINRA member or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or
indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member.
2.18.3
Use
of
Proceeds
.
None of
the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any
participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized
herein and except as may be paid in connection with a Business Combination
as
contemplated by the Prospectus.
2.18.4
Insiders’
FINRA Affiliation
.
Based
on questionnaires distributed to such persons, except as set forth on
Schedule 2.18.4, no officer, director or any beneficial owner of the
Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or
association with any FINRA member. The Company will advise the Representative
and its counsel if it learns that any officer, director or owner of at least
5%
of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares is or becomes an affiliate or
associated person of an FINRA member participating in the offering.
2.19
Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act
.
Neither
the Company nor any of the Initial Shareholders or any other person acting
on
behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give
any
money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers
in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or
agent
of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency
or
instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party
or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or
candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or
may
be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it
in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject
the
Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a
material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company
as
reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Prospectus or
(iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal
accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply
with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.20
Officers’
Certificate
.
Any
certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered
to you or to your counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the
Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.21
Warrant
Agreement
.
The
Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants,
the
Insider Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants with Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 4.4 to
the Registration Statement (“Warrant Agreement”).
2.22
Agreements
with Initial Shareholders
.
2.22.1
Insider
Letters
.
The
Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable
agreements (except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or
noncompete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws,
and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other
forms
of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought)
annexed as Exhibits 10._ through 10._ to the Registration Statement
(“Insider Letters”), pursuant to which each of the Initial Shareholders of the
Company agrees to certain matters, including but not limited to, certain matters
described as being agreed to by them under the “Proposed Business” section of
the Prospectus.
2.22.2
Escrow
Agreement
.
The
Company has caused the Initial Shareholders to enter into an escrow agreement
(“Escrow Agreement”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
(“Escrow Agent”) substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10._
to
the
Registration Statement, whereby the Ordinary Shares owned by the Initial
Shareholders will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent until, with respect
to
50% of the shares held by each Initial Shareholders (or a total of 646,875
shares), 9 months after the consummation of a Business Combination, and, with
respect to the balance, until 12 months after the consummation of a Business
Combination. During such escrow period, the Initial Shareholders shall be
prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring such shares (except as
otherwise set forth in the Escrow Agreement) but will retain the right to vote
such shares. To the Company’s knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is enforceable
against each of the Initial Shareholders and will not, with or without the
giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, result in a breach of, or
conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any agreement or instrument to which any of the Initial Shareholders is a party.
The Escrow Agreement shall not be amended, modified or otherwise changed without
the prior written consent of EBC.
2.22.3
Subscription
Agreements
.
The
Company has entered into the Subscription Agreement in the form annexed as
Exhibit 10._ to the Registration Statement with the Initial Shareholders to
purchase the Insider Warrants. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, the
Initial Shareholders have placed the purchase price for the Insider Warrants
in
escrow prior to the date hereof. Simultaneously with the consummation of the
Offering, such purchase price shall be deposited into the Trust Fund pursuant
to
the Trust Agreement.
2.23
Intentionally
Omitted
.
2.24
Investment
Management Trust Agreement
.
The
Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds
of
the Offering substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
Registration Statement.
2.25
Covenants
Not to Compete
.
No
Initial Shareholders, employee, officer or director of the Company is subject
to
any noncompetition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer
or
prior employer which could materially affect his ability to be an Initial
Shareholders, employee, officer and/or director of the Company.
2.26
Investment
Company Act; Investments
. The Company has been advised concerning the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and
the rules and regulations thereunder and has in the past conducted, and intends
in the future to conduct, its affairs in such a manner as to ensure that it
will
not become an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment
company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and such rules and
regulations. The Company is not, nor will the Company become upon the sale
of
the Units and the application of the proceeds therefore as described in the
Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”, an “investment company” or a
person controlled by an “investment company” within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act. No more than 45% of the “value” (as defined in
Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act) of the Company’s total assets
(exclusive of cash items and “Government Securities” (as defined in Section
2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act) consist of, and no more than 45% of
the
Company’s net income after taxes is derived from, securities other than the
Government Securities.
2.27
Subsidiaries
.
The
Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.
2.28
Related
Party Transactions
.
There
are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the
Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus that
have
not been described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except
normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or
guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the
officers or directors or Initial Shareholders of the Company or any of the
members of the families of any of them, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus.
2.29
No
Distribution of Offering Material.
The
Company has not distributed and will not distribute prior to the Closing Date
any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Units
other than any Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement and other materials, if any, permitted by the Act.
2.30
Title
to Assets.
Except
as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company has
good
and marketable title to all properties and assets described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus as owned by it, free and clear of any pledge, lien,
security interest, encumbrances, claim or equitable interest, other than such
as
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings,
operations, business or business prospects of the Company.
2.31
Taxes.
The
Company has timely filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and
franchise tax returns and has paid all taxes shown thereon as due, and there
is
no tax deficiency that has been or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
might be asserted against the Company that might have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, earnings, operations, business or business prospects
of the Company, and all material tax liabilities are adequately provided for
on
the books of the Company.
3.
Covenants
of the Company
.
The
Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1
Amendments
to Registration Statement
.
The
Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment
or
supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed
after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which
the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2
Federal
Securities Laws
.
3.2.1
Compliance
.
During
the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon
it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations
under
the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit
the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance
with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus
relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act,
any
event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended
or
supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to
comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an
appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the
Act.
3.2.2
Filing
of Final Prospectus
.
The
Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424
of
the Regulations.
3.2.3
Exchange
Act Registration
.
The
Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units,
Ordinary Shares and Warrants under the provisions of the Exchange Act for a
period of five years from the Effective Date, or until the Company is required
to be liquidated, if earlier or, in the case of the Warrants, until the Warrants
expire and are no longer exercisable. The Company will not deregister the Units
under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of EBC.
3.2.4
Ineligible
Issuer
.
At the
time of filing the Registration Statement and at the date hereof, the Company
was and is an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act. The Company has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Public
Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined
in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as
defined in Rule 405.
3.3
Blue
Sky Filings
.
The
Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Representative,
at or
prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, to qualify
the
Public Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate, provided that
no
such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result
thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to
taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In each
jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected, the Company will,
unless the Representative agrees that such action is not at the time necessary
or advisable, use its best efforts to file and make such statements or reports
at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such
jurisdiction.
3.4
Delivery
to Underwriters of Prospectuses
.
The
Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge, from
time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Act or the Exchange Act, such number of copies of each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus as such Underwriters may reasonably request and,
as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto
becomes effective, deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements,
including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of
all
exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original
executed consents of certified experts.
3.5
Effectiveness
and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative
.
The
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain
effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice
in writing (i) of the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration
Statement, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the
initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose, (iii) of
the
issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the
suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale
in
any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding
for
that purpose, (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing
of
any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, (v)
of
the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from
the
Commission, and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described
in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement
of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue
or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement or
the
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission
or
any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such
qualification at any time, the Company will use commercially reasonable effort
to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.6
Review
of Financial Statements
.
Until a
business combination (as described in this prospectus) or until such earlier
time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its
expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public
accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for
each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly
financial information, the filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q quarterly report
and the mailing of quarterly financial information to shareholders.
3.7
Affiliated
Transactions
.
3.7.1
Business
Combinations
.
The
Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which is
affiliated with any Initial Shareholders
unless
the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm
that
the Business Combination is fair to the Company’s shareholders from a financial
perspective.
3.7.2
Administrative
Services
.
The
Company has entered into an agreement (“Services Agreement”) with Live ABC
Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing (“Affiliate”) substantially in the form annexed as
Exhibit 10._ to the Registration Statement pursuant to which the Affiliate
will
make available to the Company general and administrative services including
office space, utilities and secretarial support for the Company’s use for $7,500
per month.
3.7.3
Compensation
.
Except
as set forth above in this Section 3.7, the Company shall not pay any Initial
Shareholders or any of their affiliates any fees or compensation from the
Company, for services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with,
the consummation of a Business Combination; provided that the Initial
Shareholders shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with general corporate
purposes seeking and consummating a Business Combination.
3.8
Secondary
Market Trading and Standard & Poor’s
.
The
Company will apply to be included in Standard & Poor’s Daily News and
Corporation Records Corporate Descriptions for a period of five years from
the
consummation of a Business Combination. Promptly after the consummation of
the
Offering, the Company shall take such steps as may be necessary to obtain a
secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s securities in the State of
California. The Company shall also take such other action as may be reasonably
requested by the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption
in such other states as may be requested by the Representative.
3.9
Intentionally
Omitted
.
3.10
Financial
Public Relations Firm
.
Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business
Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations
firm.
3.11
Reports
to the Representative
.
3.11.1
Periodic
Reports, Etc.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will furnish to
the
Representative (Attn: Steven Levine, President and Managing Director of
Investment Banking) and its counsel copies of such financial statements and
other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes
generally to holders of any class of its securities, and promptly furnish to
the
Representative (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required
to file with the Commission, (ii) a copy of every press release and every news
item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released
by the Company, (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1
or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company, (iv) five copies of each
registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission under the
Securities Act, (v) a copy of monthly statements, if any, setting forth such
information regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial position
(including balance sheet, profit and loss statements and data regarding
outstanding purchase orders) as is regularly prepared by management of the
Company and (vi) such additional documents and information with respect to
the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the
Representative may from time to time reasonably request.
3.11.2
Intentionally
Omitted
.
3.11.3
Secondary
Market Trading Survey
.
Until
such time as the Public Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may be,
on
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or quoted on Nasdaq,
or
until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated,
the
Company shall engage Graubard Miller (“GM”), for a one-time fee of $5,000
payable on the Closing Date , to deliver and update to the Representative on
a
timely basis, but in any event on the Effective Date and at the beginning of
each fiscal quarter, a written report detailing those states in which the Public
Securities may be traded in non-issuer transactions under the Blue Sky laws
of
the fifty States (“Secondary Market Trading Survey”).
3.11.4
Intentionally
Omitted
.
3.12
Disqualification
of Form S-1
.
Until
the earlier of seven years from the date hereof or until the Warrants have
expired and are no longer exercisable, the Company will not take any action
or
actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1 (or other
appropriate form) for the registration of the Warrants and the Representative’s
Warrants under the Act.
3.13
Payment
of Expenses
.
3.13.1
General
Expenses Related to the Offering
.
The
Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, to the extent not paid at Closing Date, all expenses incident
to
the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement,
including but not limited to (i) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing
(including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of the
Registration Statement, the Preliminary and Final Prospectuses and the printing
and mailing of this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of
all
copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to
the
Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters, (ii) the
printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, the Ordinary Shares
and
the Warrants included in the Units and the Representative’s Purchase Option,
including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the qualification
of the Public Securities under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws,
including the costs of printing and mailing the “Preliminary Blue Sky
Memorandum,” and all amendments and supplements thereto, fees and disbursements
of GM (such fees shall be $35,000 in the aggregate (of which $___ has previously
been paid)), and a one-time fee of $5,000 payable to GM for the preparation
of
the Secondary Market Trading Survey, (iv) filing fees, costs and expenses
(including disbursements for the Representative’s counsel) incurred in
registering the Offering with FINRA, (v) fees and disbursements of the transfer
and warrant agent, (vi) the Company’s expenses associated with “due diligence”
meetings arranged by the Representative, (vii) the preparation, binding and
delivery of transaction “bibles,” in form and style reasonably satisfactory to
the Representative and transaction lucite cubes or similar commemorative items
in a style and quantity as reasonably requested by the Representative and (viii)
all other costs and expenses customarily borne by an issuer incident to the
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section 3.13.1. The Company has paid $_________ for the
investigation of the principals by an investigative search firm chosen by the
Representative. If the Offering is successfully consummated, any such amounts
paid by the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be
credited against the discounts and commissions owed to the Underwriters. The
Representative may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to
the
Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses
set forth in this Agreement to be paid by the Company to the Representative
and
others. If the Offering contemplated by this Agreement is not consummated for
any reason whatsoever then the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters in
full
for their out of pocket expenses, including, without limitation, its legal
fees
(up to a maximum of $50,000) and disbursements
and
“road
show” and due diligence expenses
.
The
Representative shall retain such part of amount previously paid as shall equal
its actual out-of-pocket expenses and refund the balance. If the amount
previously paid is insufficient to cover such actual out-of-pocket expenses,
the
Company shall remain liable for and promptly pay any other actual out-of-pocket
expenses.
3.13.2
Intentionally
Omitted
.
3.13.3
Deferred
Compensation
.
Upon
the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company shall pay the
Underwriters discounts and commissions of $0.24 per Unit sold in the Offering.
This payment shall be made by wire transfer to an account designated by the
Representative on the closing date of the Business Combination.
3.14
Application
of Net Proceeds
.
The
Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner
consistent with the application described under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in
the Prospectus.
3.15
Delivery
of Earnings Statements to Security Holders
.
The
Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar
month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be
certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants
unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the
provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period
of
at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Effective
Date.
3.16
Notice
to FINRA
.
For a
period of ninety days following the Effective Date, in the event any person
or
entity (regardless of any FINRA affiliation or association) is engaged to assist
the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger
and acquisition services, the Company will provide the following to FINRA and
EBC prior to the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete
details of all services and copies of agreements governing such services (which
details or agreements may be appropriately redacted to account for privilege
or
confidentiality concerns); and (ii) justification as to why the person or
entity providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered
an
“underwriter and related person” with respect to the Company’s initial public
offering, as such term is defined in Rule 2710 of FINRA’s Conduct Rules. The
Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential
arrangement will be made in the proxy statement which the Company will file
for
purposes of soliciting shareholder approval for the Business
Combination.
3.17
Stabilization
.
Neither
the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or
shareholders (without the consent of EBC) has taken or will take, directly
or
indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might
reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
3.18
Internal
Controls
.
The
Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to
provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance
with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements
in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain
accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
3.19
Accountants
.
Until
the earlier of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time
upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain
UHY or another independent registered public accountant.
3.20
Form
8-K
.
The
Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants
to
audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (“Audited
Financial Statements”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of
the initial public offering. As soon as the Audited Financial Statements become
available, the Company shall immediately file a Current Report on Form 8-K
with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Company’s Audited Financial
Statements.
3.21
FINRA
.
The
Company shall advise FINRA if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder
of
the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an FINRA member
participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public
Securities.
3.22
Corporate
Proceedings
.
All
corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have
been done to the reasonable satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriters.
3.23
Investment
Company
.
The
Company shall cause a portion of the proceeds of the Offering to be held in
the
Trust Fund to be invested only as set forth in the Trust Agreement and as more
fully described in the Prospectus. The Company will otherwise conduct its
business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment
Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination,
it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting,
owning, holding or trading securities.
3.24
Business
Combination Announcement
.
Within
five business days following the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination, the Company shall cause an announcement (“Business Combination
Announcement”) to be placed, at its cost, in
The
Wall Street Journal
,
The
New York Times
and a
third publication to be selected by the Representative announcing the
consummation of the Business Combination and indicating that EBC was the
managing underwriter in the Offering. The Company shall supply the
Representative with a draft of the Business Combination Announcement and provide
the Representative with a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon. The Company
will not place the Business Combination Announcement without the final approval
of the Representative, which such approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
3.25
Colorado
Trust Filing
.
In the
event the Securities are registered in the State of Colorado, the Company will
cause a Colorado Form ES to be filed with the Commissioner of the State of
Colorado no less than 10 days prior to the distribution of the Trust Fund in
connection with a Business Combination and will do all things necessary to
comply with Section 11-51-302 and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado Securities
Act.
3.26
Insider
Warrants
.
The
Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, if the Warrants are called for
redemption, so long as the Insider Warrants are held by the Initial Shareholders
or their affiliates, such Insider Warrants shall be exercisable by the holder
by
surrendering such Insider Warrants for that number of Ordinary Shares equal
to
the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Ordinary
Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant
Price and the “Fair Market Value” (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value.
The
“Fair
Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Ordinary
Shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third business day prior to the
date on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of
Warrants
.
4.
Conditions
of Underwriters’ Obligations
.
The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units,
as
provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as
of
each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy
of
the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof
and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the
following conditions:
4.1
Regulatory
Matters
.
4.1.1
Effectiveness
of Registration Statement
.
The
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M.,
New
York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall
be
consented to in writing by you, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have
been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any
request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have
been
complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of
GM
.
4.1.2
FINRA
Clearance
.
By the
Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from FINRA
as
to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as
described in the Registration Statement.
4.1.3
No
Blue Sky Stop Orders
.
No
order suspending the sale of the Units in any jurisdiction designated by you
pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof shall have been issued on either on the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall
have
been instituted or shall be contemplated.
4.2
Company
Counsel Matters
.
4.2.1
Effective
Date Opinion of Counsel
.
On the
Effective Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion
of
GM, counsel to the Company, dated the Effective Date, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Graubard
Miller (“GM”) as set froth in Exhibit A.
4.2.2
Effective
Date Opinion of Cayman Islands Counsel
.
On the
Effective Date, the Underwriters shall have received the favorable opinion
of
Conyers, Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, dated the Effective Date,
addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory as set
forth in Exhibit B.
4.2.3
Closing
Date and Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel
.
On each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received the favorable opinion of Loeb and Conyers, dated the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to GM,
confirming as of the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date,
the statements made by Loeb and Conyers in their opinions delivered on the
Effective Date.
4.2.4
Reliance
.
In
rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (i) as to matters involving the
application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions
in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to
the
extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Loeb) of other counsel reasonably
acceptable to GM, familiar with the applicable laws, and (ii) as to matters
of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written
statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various
jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence
or
good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or
certificates shall be delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The
opinion of counsel for the Company and any opinion relied upon by such counsel
for the Company shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied
upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the
Underwriters.
4.3
Cold
Comfort Letter
.
At the
time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any, you shall have received a letter, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including
the non-material nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in
clause (iii) below) to you and to GM from UHY dated, respectively, as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date,
if any:
(i)
Confirming
that they are independent registered public accounting firm with respect to
the
Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations and that
they have not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included
in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such
term
is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act;
(ii)
Stating
that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the published
Regulations thereunder;
(iii)
Stating
that, on the basis of a reading of the latest available unaudited interim
financial statements of the Company (with an indication of the date of the
latest available unaudited interim financial statements), a reading of the
latest available minutes of the shareholders and board of directors and the
various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers and
other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters
and other specified procedures and inquiries, they have been advised by the
Company officials that (a) the unaudited financial statements of the Company
included in the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Regulations or are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that
of
the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Registration
Statement and (b) at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective
Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was no
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease
in
the shareholders’ equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the
October 31, 2007 balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, other
than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or, if
there
was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;
(iv)
Stating
that they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages
of revenues and earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining
to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in each case to the extent that
such
amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived from
the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and
excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with
the
results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and
other
appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) set forth in the letter
and found them to be in agreement;
(v)
Stating
that they have not provided the Company’s management with any written
communication in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 60
“Communication of Internal Control Structure Related Matters Noted in an Audit;”
and
(vi)
Statements
as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as
you
may reasonably request.
4.4
Officers’
Certificates
.
4.4.1
Officers’
Certificate
.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of
the
Board or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company,
dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and
complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section
4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date
and
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition,
the Representative will have received such other and further certificates of
officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably
request.
4.4.2
Secretary’s
Certificate
.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary,
Assistant Secretary or other officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date
or
the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying (i) that the
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company are true and complete,
have not been modified and are in full force and effect, (ii) that the
resolutions relating to the public offering contemplated by this Agreement
are
in full force and effect and have not been modified, (iii) all correspondence
between the Company or its counsel and the Commission, and (iv) as to the
incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such
certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
4.5
No
Material Changes
.
Prior
to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, (i)
there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a
prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the
business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest
dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement
and
Prospectus, (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have
been pending or threatened against the Company or any Initial Shareholders
before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other
administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may
materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial
condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under
the
Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by
the
Commission, and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which
are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations
and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus
nor
any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under
which they were made, not misleading.
4.6
Delivery
of Agreements
.
4.6.1
Effective
Date Deliveries
.
On the
Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement,
the
Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and all of the Insider
Letters.
4.6.2
Closing
Date Deliveries
.
On the
Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Representative’s Purchase Option.
4.7
Opinion
of Counsel for the Underwriters
.
All
proceedings taken in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of
the
Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to you and to GM and you shall have received from such counsel a
favorable opinion, dated the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any,
with respect to such of these proceedings as you may reasonably require. On
or
prior to the Effective Date, the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date,
as
the case may be, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished such
documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the
purpose of enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in
this
Section 4.7, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction
of any of the representations, warranties or conditions herein
contained.
4.8
Insider
Securities
.
On the
Closing Date, the Initial Shareholders shall have purchased the Insider Warrants
and the purchase price for such Insider Warrants shall be deposited into the
Trust Fund.
5.
Indemnification
.
5.1
Indemnification
of Underwriters
.
5.1.1
General
.
Subject
to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each of the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by you that
participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”)
and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person,
if any, who controls any such Underwriter (“controlling person”) within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against
any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including
but
not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between
any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters
and
any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or
otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in
(i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as from time to time each
may
be amended and supplemented); (ii) in any post-effective amendment or amendments
or any new registration statement and prospectus in which is included securities
of the Company issued or issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Purchase
Option; or (iii) any application or other document or written communication
(in
this Section 5 collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or
based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction
in
order to qualify the Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed
with
the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, or any securities
exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by
or
on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus,
the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereof, or in any application, as the case may be. With respect to any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the
Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph
shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact
that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting
any
such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation
of
sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the
Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in
the
Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of
non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.4 hereof.
The
Company agrees promptly to notify the Representative of the commencement of
any
litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors
or controlling persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities
or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
5.1.2
Procedure
.
If any
action is brought against an Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a controlling
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant
to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter or Selected Dealer shall promptly notify
the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall
assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel
(subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or Selected Dealer,
as
the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, Selected
Dealer or controlling person shall have the right to employ its or their own
counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be
at
the expense of such Underwriter, Selected Dealer or controlling person unless
(i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have
been
authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such
action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Underwriter or Selected Dealer, as the case may be, to have
charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it
or
them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company
(in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of
such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which
events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm
of
attorneys (in addition to a local firm of attorneys in any applicable
jurisdiction) selected by the Underwriter, Selected Dealer and/or controlling
person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, if the Underwriter, Selected Dealer or controlling person
shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall
have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Indemnification provided
for
in this Section 5.1 shall not be available to any party who shall fail to give
notice as provided in this Section 5.1.2 if the Company was unaware of the
proceeding to which such notice would have related and was actually prejudiced
by the failure to give such notice;
provided,
however
,
that
indemnification shall only be limited to the extent of such prejudice;
provided,
further,
that,
the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from any liability
which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section
5.1. The Company shall not without the prior written consent of the indemnified
party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceedings.
5.2
Indemnification
of the Company
.
Each
Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several
Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in
reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, information furnished to the
Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter
expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application.
In
case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so
indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in
respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such
Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the
Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties
given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
5.3
Contribution
.
5.3.1
Contribution
Rights
.
In
order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case
in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5
makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined
(by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction
and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal)
that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding
the
fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii)
contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on
the
part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided
under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the
Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims,
damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement
incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions
that the Underwriters and the Company are responsible for; provided, that,
no
person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was
not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions
of
this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount
in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee
of
an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who
controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriters or the Company, as applicable.
5.3.2
Contribution
Procedure
.
Within
fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its
representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made
against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of
the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the contributing party
will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party
other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or
proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing
party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid
fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein
with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified.
Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking
contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding
effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of
any
claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without
the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions
contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted
by
law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise
available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section
5.3 are several and not joint.
6.
Default
by an Underwriter
.
6.1
Default
Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units
.
If any
Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to
purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the over-allotment option is
exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units with
respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10%
of
the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed
to
purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default
relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion
to
their respective commitments hereunder.
6.2
Default
Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units
In the
event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than
10%
of the Firm Units or Option Units, you may in your discretion arrange for
yourself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option
Units to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If within
one
business day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units
or
Option Units you do not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option
Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one business
day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to you to
purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event that
neither you nor the Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option
Units to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement
will be terminated by you or the Company without liability on the part of the
Company (except as provided in Sections 3.13 and 5 hereof) or the several
Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however, that
if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will
not
terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein shall
relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several
Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default
hereunder.
6.3
Postponement
of Closing Date
.
In the
event that the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are
to be
purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another
party or parties as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but
not in any event exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever
changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees
to
file promptly any amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
that
in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary.
The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party
substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been
a
party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.
7.
Intentionally
Omitted
.
8.
Additional
Covenants
.
8.1
Intentionally
Omitted
.
8.2
Additional
Shares or Options
.
The
Company hereby agrees that until the consummation of a Business Combination,
it
shall not issue any Ordinary Shares or any options or other securities
convertible or exercisable or exchangeable into Ordinary Shares, or any shares
of Preferred Stock which participate in any manner in the Trust Fund or which
vote as a class with the Ordinary Shares on a Business Combination.
8.3
Trust
Fund Waiver Acknowledgment
.
(a)
Underwriters/Representative
.
Except
with respect to the underwriting discounts and commissions due to the
Underwriters only upon successful consummation of a Business Combination, each
of the Underwriters and the Representative hereby agree that it does not have
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the
Trust
Fund (“Claim”) and waive any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or
arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company
and
will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason
whatsoever.
(b)
Target
Businesses and Vendors
.
The
Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation
of any operating business which the Company seeks to acquire (“Target Business”)
or obtain the services of any vendor unless and until the Company has used
its
commercially reasonable efforts to have such Target Business or vendor
acknowledge in writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of
understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the
same
in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that (a) it has
read
the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Fund
for the benefit of the public shareholders and that the Company may disburse
monies from the Trust Fund only (i) to the public shareholders in the event
they
elect to convert their IPO Shares (as defined below in Section 8.8), (ii) to
the
public shareholders upon the liquidation of the Company if the Company fails
to
consummate a Business Combination or (iii) to the Company after, or concurrently
with, the consummation of a Business Combination and (b) for and in
consideration of the Company (1) agreeing to evaluate such Target Business
for
purposes of consummating a Business Combination with it or (2) agreeing to
engage the services of the vendor, as the case may be, such Target Business
or
vendor agrees that it does not have Claim in or to any monies in the Trust
Fund
and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out
of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not
seek
recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
8.4
Insider
Letters
.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would cause
a
breach of any of the Insider Letters executed between each Initial Shareholders
and EBC and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider
Letters without the prior written consent of EBC.
8.5
Memorandum
and Articles of Association
.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause
the Company to be in breach or violation of its Memorandum and Articles of
Association. Prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company
will not amend its Memorandum and Articles of Association without the prior
written consent of EBC.
8.6
Blue
Sky Requirements
.
Upon
request, the Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with ten copies
of all proxy information and all related material filed with the Commission
in
connection with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the
Commission. In addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which
its
initial public offering was registered, such information as may be requested
by
such state.
8.7
Intentionally
Omitted
.
8.8
Acquisition/Liquidation
Procedure
.
The
Company agrees: (i) that, prior to the consummation of any Business Combination,
it will submit such transaction to the Company's shareholders for their approval
(“Business Combination Vote”) even if the nature of the acquisition is such as
would not ordinarily require shareholder approval under applicable state law
and
will publicly announce the record date establishing the shareholders that will
be entitled to vote at the meeting to approve the Business Combination at least
two business days prior to such record date; and (ii) that, in the event that
the Company does not effect a Business Combination within 18 months from the
Effective Date, or 30 months from the Effective Date if a letter of intent,
agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18
months after consummation of this offering and the Business Combination has
not
been consummated within such 18 month period, the Company will be liquidated
and
will distribute to all holders of IPO Shares (defined below) an aggregate sum
equal to the Company’s “Liquidation Value.” The Company’s “Liquidation Value”
shall mean the Company’s book value, as determined by the Company and approved
by UHY. In no event, however, will the Company’s Liquidation Value be less than
the Trust Fund, inclusive of any net interest income thereon (net of taxes
payable and funds released to the Company for working capital purposes). Only
holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions
and
the Company shall pay no liquidating distributions with respect to any other
shares of capital stock of the Company. With respect to the Business Combination
Vote, the Company shall cause all of the Initial Shareholders to vote the
Ordinary Shares owned by them immediately prior to this Offering in accordance
with the vote of the holders of a majority of the IPO Shares present, in person
or by proxy, at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders called for such purpose.
At the time the Company seeks approval of any potential Business Combination,
the Company will offer each holder of Ordinary Shares issued in the Offering
(“IPO Shares”) the right to convert their IPO Shares at a per share price
(“Conversion Price”) equal to the amount in the Trust Fund (inclusive of any
interest income therein) calculated as of two business days prior to the
consummation of the proposed Business Combination divided by the total number
of
IPO Shares. If a majority of the holders of IPO Shares present and entitled
to
vote on the Business Combination vote in favor of such Business Combination
and
holders of less than 40% in interest of the Company’s IPO Shares elect to
convert their IPO Shares, the Company may, but will not be required to, proceed
with such Business Combination. If the Company elects to so proceed, it will
convert shares, based upon the Conversion Price, from those holders of IPO
Shares who affirmatively requested such conversion and who voted against the
Business Combination. If holders of 40% or more in interest of the IPO Shares,
who vote against approval of any potential Business Combination, elect to
convert their IPO Shares, the Company will not proceed with such Business
Combination and will not convert such shares. The provisions of this Section
8.8
may not be modified, amended or deleted under any circumstances.
8.9
Rule
419
.
The
Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from
becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any
Business Combination, including but not limited to using its best efforts to
prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a
“penny stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such
period.
8.10
Affiliated
Transactions
.
The
Company shall cause each of the Initial Shareholders to agree that, in order
to
minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the Initial Shareholders will present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any
suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the earlier of
the
consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the
Company or until such time as the Initial Shareholders cease to be an officer
or
director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual
obligations the Initial Shareholders might have.
8.11
Target
Net Assets
.
The
Company agrees that the initial Target Business that it acquires must have
a
fair market value equal to at least 80% of the Company’s net assets (all of the
Company’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Fund, less the Company’s
liabilities) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of such
business must be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company based
upon
standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and
potential sales, earnings and cash flow and book value. If the Board of
Directors of the Company is not able to independently determine that the target
business has a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at
the time of such acquisition, the Company will obtain an opinion from an
unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA
with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. The Company is not required
to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market
value
if the Company’s Board of Directors independently determines that the Target
Business does have sufficient fair market value.
9.
Representations
and Agreements to Survive Delivery
.
Except
as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and
agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations,
warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or Option Closing Date and such
representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and Company,
including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made
by
or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any controlling person, and
shall survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of
the
Securities to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration
of
any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later
of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the
representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect.
10.
Effective
Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof
.
10.1
Effective
Date
.
This
Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the
Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
10.2
Termination
.
You
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any
Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence
has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the immediate future
materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii)
if
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Boston
Stock Exchange or on NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor trading market)
shall
have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been
fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or
maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on NASD OTC
Bulletin Board or by order of the Commission or any other government authority
having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved
in
a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium
has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a
moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially
adversely impacts the United States securities market, or (vi) if the Company
shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane,
earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether
or
not such loss shall have been insured, will, in your opinion, make it
inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units, or (vii) if any of the
Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached, or
(viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof
of
such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company,
or
such adverse material change in general market conditions, including without
limitation as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof, as in
the
Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the
offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made by
the
Underwriters for the sale of the Securities.
10.3
Expenses
.
In the
event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever,
within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the
terms
herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out of pocket expenses related
to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.13
hereof.
10.4
Indemnification
.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election
hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this
Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be
in
any way effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the
terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
11.
Miscellaneous
.
11.1
Notices
.
All
communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied and confirmed
and shall be deemed given when so delivered or telecopied and confirmed or
if
mailed, two days after such mailing
If
to the
Representative:
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
New
York,
New York 10016
Attn:
David
M.
Nussbaum, Chairman
Copy
to:
Graubard
Miller
The
Chrysler Building
405
Lexington Avenue
New
York,
New York 10174
Attn:
David
Alan Miller, Esq.
If
to the
Company:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
Han-Juin
Hu
Copy
to:
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10154
Attn:
Mitchell
S. Nussbaum, Esq.
11.2
Headings
.
The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any
of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
11.3
Amendment
.
Except
for Section 8.8 (which may not be amended under any circumstances), this
Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the
parties hereto.
11.4
Entire
Agreement
.
This
Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitute the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties,
oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
11.5
Binding
Effect
.
This
Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the controlling persons,
directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective
successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have
or
be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or
in
respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein
contained.
11.6
Governing
Law
.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law
principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of
another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding
or
claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall
be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York of the United
States of America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits
to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby
waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts
represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon
the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it
at
the address set forth in Section 11 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed
personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action,
proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any
such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding
and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
11.7
Execution
in Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been
signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties
hereto. Facsimile signatures will be binding and effective as
originals.
11.8
Waiver,
Etc.
The
failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver
of
any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement
or
any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter
enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the
party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought;
and
no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be
construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and
the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between
us.
|
Very truly yours,
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SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
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By:
|
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Name:
Title:
|
|
|
Accepted
on the date first
above
written.
|
|
|
|
|
EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
|
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By:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
Steven Levine
Title:
Managing Director
|
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SCHEDULE
I
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
4,500,000
Units
Underwriter
|
|
Number
of Firm Units
to
be Purchased
|
|
|
|
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|
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
|
|
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4,500,000
|
|
EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
275
MADISON AVENUE
NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 10016
________________________________________________
SELECTED
DEALERS AGREEMENT
________________________________________________
Dear
Sirs:
1. Registration
under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (“Act”), of the 4,500,000 Units
*
Plus
the over-allotment option available to the Underwriters to purchase up to an
additional 675,000 Units. of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“Company”), as more
fully described in the Preliminary Prospectus, dated _________, 2008, and in
the
final prospectus (“Prospectus”) which will be forwarded to you, will become
effective in the near future. We, as the Underwriters, are offering certain
of
the Units for purchase by a selected group of dealers (“Selected Dealers”) on
the terms and conditions stated herein.
Authorized
Public Offering Price:
|
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$8.00
per Unit.
|
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Dealers’
Selling Concession:
|
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Not
to exceed $0.__ per Unit payable upon termination of this Agreement,
except as provided below. We reserve the right not to pay such
concession
on any of the Units purchased by any of the Selected Dealers
from us and
repurchased by us at or below the price stated above prior to
such
termination.
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Reallowance:
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You
may reallow not in excess of $0.__ per Unit as a selling concession
to
dealers who are members in good standing of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or to foreign dealers who are not eligible
for membership in FINRA and who have agreed (i) not to sell the
Units
within the United States of America, its territories or possessions
or to
persons who are citizens thereof or residents therein, and (ii)
to abide
by the applicable NASD Conduct Rules of
FINRA.
|
*
Plus
the
over-allotment option available to the Underwriters to purchase up to an
additional 675,000 Units.
Delivery
and Payment:
|
|
Delivery
of the Units shall be made on or about ______, 2008 or such later
date as
we may advise on not less than one day’s notice to you, at the office of
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
,
275
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016
,
or at such other place as we shall specify on not less than one
day’s
notice to you. Payment for the Units is to be made, against delivery,
at
the authorized public offering price stated above, or, if we shall
so
advise you, at the authorized public offering price less the dealers’
selling concession stated above, by
wire
transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by
certified or official bank check in New York Clearing House Funds
payable
to the order of
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
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Termination:
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This
Agreement shall terminate at the close of business on the 45
th
day following the effective date of the Registration Statement
(of which
the enclosed Prospectus forms a part), unless extended at our discretion
for a period or periods not to exceed in the aggregate 30 additional
days.
We may terminate this Agreement, whether or not extended, at any
time
without notice.
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2.
Any
of
the Units purchased by you hereunder are to be offered by you to the public
at
the public offering price, except as herein otherwise provided and except that
a
reallowance from such public offering price not in excess of the amount set
forth on the first page of this Agreement may be allowed as consideration for
services rendered in distribution to dealers that (a) are actually engaged
in the investment banking or securities business; (b) execute the written
agreement prescribed by Rule 2740 of FINRA’s NASD Conduct Rules; and (c) are
either members in good standing of FINRA or foreign banks, dealers or
institutions not eligible for membership in FINRA that represent to you that
they will promptly reoffer such Units at the public offering price and will
abide by the conditions with respect to foreign banks, dealers and institutions
set forth in paragraph 9 below.
3.
You,
by
becoming a member of the Selected Dealers, agree (a) upon effectiveness of
the
Registration Statement and your receipt of the Prospectus, to take up and pay
for the number of Units allotted and confirmed to you, (b) not to use any of
the
Units to reduce or cover any short position you may have and (c) to make
available a copy of the Prospectus to all persons who on your behalf will
solicit orders for the Units prior to the making of such solicitations by such
persons. You are not authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Prospectus or any supplements
or amendments thereto.
4. We
may be authorized to over-allot in
arranging sales to Selected Dealers, to purchase and sell Units, and to
stabilize or maintain the market price of the Units. You agree to advise us
at
any time and from time to time upon our request, prior to the termination of
this Agreement, of the number of Units purchased by you remaining unsold by
you,
and you will, upon our request at any such time, sell to us, for our account
or
the account of one or more of the Underwriters, such amount of such unsold
Units
as we may designate, at the public offering price thereof less an amount to
be
determined by us not in excess of the concession to dealers. In the event that
prior to the later of (i) the termination of this Agreement or (ii) the covering
by us of any short position created by us in connection with the offering of
the
Units, for our account or the account of one or more Underwriters, we purchase
or contract to purchase for our account or the account of any of the
Underwriters, in the open market or otherwise, any Units theretofore delivered
to you, we reserve the right to withhold the above-mentioned concession to
dealers on such Units if sold to you at the public offering price, or if such
concession has been allowed to you through your purchase at a net price, you
agree to repay such concession upon our demand, plus, in each case, any taxes
on
redelivery, commissions, original issue discount, accrued interest and dividends
paid in connection with such purchase or contract to purchase.
5. As
contemplated by Rule 15c2-8 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we agree to mail a copy of
the
Prospectus to any person making a written request therefor during the period
referred to in the rules and regulations adopted under such Act, the mailing
to
be made to the address given in the request. You confirm that you have delivered
all preliminary prospectuses and revised preliminary prospectuses, if any,
required to be delivered under the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 and agree to
deliver all copies of the Prospectus required to be delivered thereunder. We
have heretofore delivered to you such preliminary prospectuses as have been
required by you, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and will deliver
such
further prospectuses as may be requested by you. You agree to keep an accurate
record of your distribution (including dates, number of copies and persons
to
whom sent) of copies of the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement to any thereof), and promptly upon request by us to
bring all subsequent changes to the attention of anyone to whom such material
shall have been furnished. You agree to furnish to persons who receive a
confirmation of sale a copy of the Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)
or
Rule 424(c) under the Securities Act.
6.
You
agree
that until termination of this Agreement you will not make purchases or sales
of
the Units except (a) pursuant to this Agreement, (b) pursuant to authorization
received from us, or (c) in the ordinary course of business as broker or agent
for a customer pursuant to any unsolicited order.
7.
Additional
copies of the Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto shall be
supplied in reasonable quantity upon request.
8.
The
Units
are offered by us for delivery when, as and if sold to, and accepted by, us
and
subject to the terms herein and in the Prospectus or any supplements or
amendments thereto, to our right to vary the concessions and terms of offering
after their release for public sale, to approval of counsel as to legal matters
and to withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the offer without
notice.
9.
Upon
written application to us, you shall be informed as to the jurisdictions under
the securities or blue sky laws of which we believe the Units are eligible
for
sale, but we assume no responsibility as to such eligibility or the right of
any
member of the Selected Dealers to sell any of the Units in any jurisdiction.
We
acknowledge that you have advised us that sales of the Company’s securities
cannot be made from the state of New Jersey or Connecticut. You represent to
us
that all sales by you of the Company’s securities will be made by your offices
outside the state of New Jersey and Connecticut. We have caused to be filed
a
Further State Notice relating to such of the Units to be offered to the public
in New York in the form required by, and pursuant to, the provisions of Article
23A of the General Business Law of the State of New York. Upon the completion
of
the public offering contemplated herein, each member of the Selected Dealers
agrees to promptly furnish to us, upon our request, territorial distribution
reports setting forth each jurisdiction in which sales of the Units were made
by
such member, the number of Units sold in such jurisdiction, and any further
information as we may request, in order to permit us to file on a timely basis
any report that we as the Underwriters of the offering or manager of the
Selected Dealers may be required to file pursuant to the securities or blue
sky
laws of any jurisdiction.
10. You,
by becoming a member of the
Selected Dealers, represent that you are actually engaged in the investment
banking or securities business and that you are (a) a member in good standing
of
FINRA and will comply with all applicable rules of FINRA, including but not
limited to FINRA’s NASD Conduct Rule 2740, or (b) a foreign dealer or
institution that is not eligible for membership in FINRA and that has agreed
(i)
not to sell Units within the United States of America, its territories or
possessions or to persons who are citizens thereof or residents therein; (ii)
that any and all sales shall be in compliance with Rule 2790 of FINRA’s NASD
Conduct Rules; (iii) to comply, as though it were a member of FINRA, with Rules
2730, 2740 and 2750 of FINRA’s NASD Conduct Rules, and to comply with Rule 2420
thereof as that Rule applies to a non-member broker or dealer in a foreign
country. You represent that neither you nor any of your directors, officers,
partners, or persons associated with you (as defined in the By-Laws of FINRA)
nor, to your knowledge, any "related person" (as defined by FINRA in its
Interpretation Relating to Review of Corporate Financing, which term includes
counsel, financial consultants and advisors, finders, members of the selling
or
distribution groups, and any other persons associated with or related to any
of
the foregoing) or any other broker-dealer has had, within the last twelve
months, any dealings with the Company or any controlling shareholders thereof
(other than relating to this Agreement) as to which documents or information
are
required to be filed with FINRA pursuant to its Interpretation Relating to
Review of Corporate Financing.
11. You
are not authorized to act as agent
for any Underwriter or the Company in offering the Units to the public
otherwise. Neither we not any Underwriter shall be under any obligation to
you
except as specifically set forth herein. Nothing herein shall constitute any
members of the Selected Dealers partners with us or with each other, but you
agree, notwithstanding any prior settlement of accounts or termination of this
Agreement, to bear your proper proportion of any tax or other liability based
upon the claim that the Selected Dealers constitute a partnership, association,
unincorporated business or other separate entity and a like share of any
expenses of resisting any such claim.
12.
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
shall
be
the Managing Underwriter of the offering and manager of the Selected Dealers
and
shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem advisable in
respect of all matters pertaining to the offering or the Selected Dealers or
any
members of them. Except as expressly stated herein, or as may arise under the
Act, we shall be under no liability to any member of the Selected Dealers as
such for, or in respect of (i) the validity or value of the Units (ii) the
form
of, or the statements contained in, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement
of which the Prospectus forms a part, any supplements or amendments to the
Prospectus or such Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, any
instruments executed by, or obtained or any supplemental sales data or other
letters from, the Company, or others, (iii) the form or validity of the
Underwriting Agreement or this Agreement, (iv) the eligibility of any of the
Units for sale under the laws of any jurisdiction, (v) the delivery of the
Units, (vi) the performance by the Company, or others of any agreement on its
or
their part, or (vii) any matter in connection with any of the foregoing, except
our own want of good faith.
13.
If
for
federal income tax purposes the Selected Dealers, among themselves or with
the
Underwriters, should be deemed to constitute a partnership, then we elect to
be
excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and we agree not to take any position
inconsistent with such selection. We authorize you, in your discretion, to
execute and file on our behalf such evidence of such election as may be required
by the Internal Revenue Service.
14.
All
communications from you shall be addressed to
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
at
275
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016
,
Attention: General Counsel. Any notice from us to you shall be deemed to have
been fully authorized by the Underwriters and to have been duly given if mailed,
telegraphed or sent by confirmed facsimile transmittal to you at the address
to
which this letter is mailed. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to conflict of
laws. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
If
you
desire to become a member of the Selected Dealers, please advise us to that
effect immediately by facsimile transmission and sign and return to us the
enclosed counterpart of this letter.
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Very
truly yours,
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EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
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By:
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General
Counsel
|
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We
accept
membership in the Selected Dealers on the terms specified
above.
|
(Selected
Dealer)
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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THE
COMPANIES LAW
EXEMPTED
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
|
1.
|
The
name of the Company is Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp.
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2.
|
The
Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Codan
Trust
Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box
2681,
Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman
Islands.
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3.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the objects for which
the
Company is established are
unrestricted.
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4.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the Company shall
have and
be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of
full
capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided
by
Section 27(2) of The Companies Law.
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5.
|
Nothing
in this Memorandum shall permit the Company to carry on a business
for
which a licence is required under the laws of the Cayman Islands
unless
duly licensed.
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6.
|
The
Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm
or
corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company
carried
on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this clause
shall
be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts
in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of
its
powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the
Cayman
Islands.
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7.
|
The
liability of each member is limited to the amount from time to time
unpaid
on such member's shares.
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8.
|
The
share capital of the Company is US$51,000 divided into 50,000,000
ordinary
shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each and 1,000,000 preferred
shares of US$0.001 each.
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9.
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The
Company may exercise the power contained in the Companies Law to
deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation
in another jurisdiction.
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The
Companies Law (Revised)
Company
Limited by Shares
THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
(Adopted
by way of a special resolution passed on [
·
])
I
N D
E X
SUBJECT
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Article
No.
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Table
A
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1
|
Interpretation
|
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2
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Share
Capital
|
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3
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Alteration
Of Capital
|
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4-7
|
Share
Rights
|
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8-9
|
Variation
Of Rights
|
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10-11
|
Shares
|
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12-15
|
Share
Certificates
|
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16-21
|
Lien
|
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22-24
|
Calls
On Shares
|
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25-33
|
Forfeiture
Of Shares
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34-42
|
Register
Of Members
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43-44
|
Record
Dates
|
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45
|
Transfer
Of Shares
|
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46-51
|
Transmission
Of Shares
|
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52-54
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Untraceable
Members
|
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55
|
General
Meetings
|
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56-58
|
Notice
Of General Meetings
|
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59-60
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Proceedings
At General Meetings
|
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61-65
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Voting
|
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66-77
|
Proxies
|
|
78-83
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Corporations
Acting By Representatives
|
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84
|
No
Action By Written Resolutions Of Members
|
|
85
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Board
Of Directors
|
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86
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[Intentionally
Omitted]
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87-88
|
Disqualification
Of Directors
|
|
89
|
Executive
Directors
|
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90-91
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
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|
92-95
|
Directors’
Fees And Expenses
|
|
96-99
|
Directors’
Interests
|
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100
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
101-103
|
General
Powers Of The Directors
|
|
104-109
|
Borrowing
Powers
|
|
110-113
|
Proceedings
Of The Directors
|
|
114-123
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
124-126
|
Officers
|
|
127-130
|
Register
of Directors and Officers
|
|
131
|
Minutes
|
|
132
|
Seal
|
|
133
|
Authentication
Of Documents
|
|
134
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
135
|
Dividends
And Other Payments
|
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136-145
|
Reserves
|
|
146
|
Capitalization
|
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147-148
|
Subscription
Rights Reserve
|
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149
|
Accounting
Records
|
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150-154
|
Audit
|
|
155-160
|
Notices
|
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161-163
|
Signatures
|
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164
|
Winding
Up
|
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165-166
|
Indemnity
|
|
167
|
Amendment To
Memorandum and Articles of Association
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And
Name of Company
|
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168
|
Information
|
|
169
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Business
Combination
|
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170
|
TABLE
A
1.
The
regulations in Table A in the Schedule to the Companies Law (Revised) do
not
apply to the Company.
INTERPRETATION
2.
(1)
Certain
of the terms contained in these Articles that are listed in the first column
of
the table below, unless the context otherwise requires, shall bear the
meaning
set opposite them respectively in the second column.
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WORD
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MEANING
|
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“Auditor”
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the
independent auditor of the Company which shall be an internationally
recognized firm of independent accountants.
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“Articles”
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|
these
Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended
or
substituted from time to time.
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“Board”
or “Directors”
|
|
the
board of directors of the Company or the directors present at
a meeting of
directors of the Company at which a quorum is present.
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“capital”
|
|
the
share capital from time to time of the Company.
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“clear
days”
|
|
in
relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the
day when the
notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it
is given or
on which it is to take effect.
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“clearing
house”
|
|
a
clearing house recognized by the laws of the jurisdiction in
which the
shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed
or
quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in
such
jurisdiction.
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“Company”
|
|
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
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“competent
regulatory
authority”
|
|
a
competent regulatory authority in the territory where
the
shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed
or
quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in
such
territory.
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“debenture”
and
“debenture
holder”
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include
debenture stock and debenture stockholder
respectively.
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“Designated
Stock
Exchange”
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the
OTC Bulletin Board or such other exchange or
interdealer
quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted.
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“dollars”
and “$”
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dollars,
the legal currency of the United States of America.
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“Exchange
Act”
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the
United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
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“head
office”
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such
office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time
determine to
be the principal office of the Company.
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“Law”
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The
Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised)
of the
Cayman Islands.
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“Member”
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a
duly registered holder from time to time of the shares in the
capital of
the Company.
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“month”
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a
calendar month.
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“FINRA”
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The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
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“NASD
Rules”
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the
rules set forth in the NASD Manual as part of the FINRA
rulebook.
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“Notice”
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written
notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined
in
these Articles.
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“Office”
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the
registered office of the Company for the time being.
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“ordinary
resolution”
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a
resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed
by a
simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled
so to do,
vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation,
by its
duly authorized representative or, where proxies are allowed,
by proxy at
a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice has
been duly given.
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“paid
up”
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paid
up or credited as paid up.
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“Register”
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the
principal register and, where applicable, any branch register
of Members
of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside
the Cayman
Islands as the Board shall determine from time to
time.
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“Registration
Office”
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in
respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board
may from
time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in
respect of
that class of share capital and where (except in cases where
the Board
otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title
for such
class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and
are to be
registered.
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“SEC”
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the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
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“Seal”
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common
seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including
a
securities seal) for use in the Cayman Islands or in any place
outside the
Cayman Islands.
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“Secretary”
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any
person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform
any of the
duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant,
deputy,
temporary or acting secretary.
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“special
resolution”
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a
resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed
by a
majority of not less than a majority of votes cast by such Members
as,
being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such
Members as
are corporations, by their respective duly authorized representative
or,
where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which
not less
than ten (10) clear days’ Notice, specifying (without prejudice to the
power contained in these Articles to amend the same) the intention
to
propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly
given.
Provided that, except in the case of an annual general meeting,
if it is
so agreed by a majority in number of the Members having the right
to
attend and vote at any such meeting, being a majority together
holding not
less than ninety-five (95) percent in nominal value of the shares
giving
that right and in the case of an annual general meeting, if it
is so
agreed by all Members entitled to attend and vote thereat, a
resolution
may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting
of which
less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice has been given;
a
special resolution shall be effective for any purpose for which
an
ordinary resolution is expressed to be required under any provision
of
these Articles or the Statutes.
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“Statutes”
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the
Law and every other law of the Legislature of the Cayman Islands
for the
time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its
Memorandum
of Association and/or these
Articles.
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(2)
In
these
Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context inconsistent
with such construction:
(a)
words
importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(b)
words
importing a gender include both genders and the neuter;
(c)
words
importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether
corporate or not;
(d)
the
words:
(i)
“may”
shall be construed as permissive;
(ii)
“shall”
or “will” shall be construed as imperative;
(e)
expressions
referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed
as including printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing
words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation
takes
the form of electronic display, provided that both the mode of service of
the
relevant document or notice and the Member’s election comply with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations;
(f)
references
to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted
as
relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time
being in force;
(g)
save
as
aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same
meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the
context;
(h)
references
to a document being executed include references to it being executed under
hand
or under seal or by electronic signature or by any other method and references
to a notice or document include a notice or document recorded or stored in
any
digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium
and information in visible form whether having physical substance or
not.
SHARE
CAPITAL
3.
(1)
The
share
capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into effect
shall be divided into shares of a par value of
$
0.0001
each.
(2)
Subject
to the Law, the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and, where
applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent
regulatory authority, any power of the Company to purchase or otherwise acquire
its own shares shall be exercisable by the Board in such manner, upon such
terms
and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit.
(3)
No
share
shall be issued to bearer.
ALTERATION
OF CAPITAL
4.
The
Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution in accordance with the
Law
alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:
(a)
increase
its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the
resolution shall prescribe;
(b)
consolidate
and divide all or any of its capital into shares of larger amount than its
existing shares;
(c)
without
prejudice to the powers of the Board under Article 12, divide its shares
into
several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred
on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential,
deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such
restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company
in
general meeting, as the Directors may determine provided always that, for
the
avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorized by the Company
no resolution of the Company in general meeting is required for the issuance
of
shares of that class and the Directors may issue shares of that class and
determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto
as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which
do
not carry voting rights, the words “non-voting” shall appear in the designation
of such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different
voting rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those
with
the most favorable voting rights, must include the words “restricted voting” or
“limited voting”;
(d)
sub-divide
its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by
the
Memorandum of Association (subject, nevertheless, to the Law), and may by
such
resolution determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting
from
such sub-division, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred,
deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared
with
the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new
shares;
(e)
cancel
any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not
been
taken, or agreed to be taken, by any person, and diminish the amount of its
capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares,
without par value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is
divided.
5.
The
Board
may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in relation
to
any consolidation and division under the last preceding Article and in
particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of
the
shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of
sale
(after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst
the
Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose
the
Board may authorize some person to transfer the shares representing fractions
to
their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company
for the
Company’s benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of
the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
6.
The
Company may from time to time by special resolution, subject to any confirmation
or consent required by the Law, reduce its share capital or any capital
redemption reserve or other undistributable reserve in any manner permitted
by
law.
7.
Except
so
far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue, or by these Articles,
any
capital raised by the creation of new shares shall be treated as if it formed
part of the original capital of the Company, and such shares shall be subject
to
the provisions contained in these Articles with reference to the payment
of
calls and installments, transfer and transmission, forfeiture, lien,
cancellation, surrender, voting and otherwise.
SHARE
RIGHTS
8.
Subject
to the provisions of the Law, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange
and the
Memorandum and Articles of Association and to any special rights conferred
on
the holders of any shares or class of shares, and without prejudice to Article
12 hereof, any share in the Company (whether forming part of the present
capital
or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions
whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as
the
Board may determine, including without limitation on terms that they may
be, or
at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on
such
terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the Board may deem
fit.
9.
Subject
to the Law, any preferred shares may be issued or converted into shares that,
at
a determinable date or at the option of the Company or the holder if so
authorized by its Memorandum of Association, are liable to be redeemed on
such
terms and in such manner as the Company before the issue or conversion may
by
ordinary resolution of the Members determine. Where the Company purchases
for
redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through the market or by
tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to time be
determined by the Board, either generally or with regard to specific purchases.
If purchases are by tender, tenders shall comply with applicable
laws.
VARIATION
OF RIGHTS
10.
Subject
to the Law and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special
rights
for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless
otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from
time
to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified
or
abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate
general
meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate
general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general
meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so
that:
(a)
the
necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned
meeting) shall be a person or persons (or in the case of a Member being a
corporation, its duly authorized representative) together holding or
representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued
shares of that class;
(b)
every
holder of shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for
every
such share held by him; and
(c)
any
holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorized
representative may demand a poll.
11.
The
special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares
shall
not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the
terms
of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by
the
creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
SHARES
12.
(1)
Subject
to the Law, these Articles and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated
Stock Exchange and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions
for
the time being attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued
shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased
capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant
options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times
and for
such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in
its
absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a
discount. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, t
he
Board
is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or resolutions from time to
time
the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred shares and to
fix the
designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the number of shares
constituting each such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights,
redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no voting powers,
and
liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size of any such
class
or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of
preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by Law. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions
providing
for
the
establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may, to the extent
permitted by law, provide that such class or series shall be superior to,
rank
equally with or be
junior
to the
preferred shares of any other class or series.
(2)
Neither
the Company nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any
allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make
available, any such allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others
with
registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a
territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement
or
other special formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board,
be
unlawful or impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing
sentence shall not be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for
any
purpose whatsoever.
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for
the
establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no vote of the
holders
of preferred shares of or ordinary shares shall be a prerequisite to the
issuance of any shares of any class or series of the preferred shares authorized
by and complying with the conditions of the Memorandum and Articles of
Association.
(3)
The
Board
may issue options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar
nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase
or receive any class of shares or securities in the capital of the Company
on
such terms as it may from time to time determine.
13.
The
Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers
of
paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Law. Subject
to
the Law, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the
allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the
other.
14.
Except
as
required by law, no person shall be recognized by the Company as holding
any
share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in
any
way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent,
future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share
or
(except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other
rights
in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof
in the
registered holder.
15.
Subject
to the Law and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment
of
shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder,
recognize a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favor of some other person
and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation
upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit
to
impose.
SHARE
CERTIFICATES
16.
Every
share certificate shall be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof and
shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of
the
shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise
be
in such form as the Directors may from time to time determine. No certificate
shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may
by
resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases,
that
any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other
securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates
by
some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.
17.
(1)
In
the
case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be
bound
to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate
to one
of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such
holders.
(2)
Where
a
share stands in the names of two or more persons, the person first named
in the
Register shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions
of
these Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except
the
transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.
18.
Every
person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in
the
Register shall be entitled, without payment, to receive one certificate for
all
such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more
of
such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the first
of
such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time
determines.
19.
Share
certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed
by the
Law or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine,
whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer
which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and
does
not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.
20.
(1)
Upon
every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor shall be
given
up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a new
certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares
transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article.
If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained
by the transferor a new certificate for the balance shall be issued to him
at
the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect
thereof.
(2)
The
fee
referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant
maximum amount as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine
provided that the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such
fee.
21.
If
a
share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be
issued
to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Company
may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence
and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity
as
the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery
of the
old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants
have
been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has
been
lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been
destroyed.
LIEN
22.
The
Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a
fully
paid share) for all moneys (whether presently payable or not) called or payable
at a fixed time in respect of that share. The Company shall also have a first
and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) registered
in
the name of a Member (whether or not jointly with other Members) for all
amounts
of money presently payable by such Member or his estate to the Company whether
the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of
any
equitable or other interest of any person other than such member, and whether
the period for the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually arrived
or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities
of such
Member or his estate and any other person, whether a Member of the Company
or
not. The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys
payable thereon or in respect thereof. The Board may at any time, generally
or
in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share
exempt in whole or in part, from the provisions of this Article.
23.
Subject
to these Articles, the Company may sell in such manner as the Board determines
any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless
some
sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, or the liability
or engagement in respect of which such lien exists is liable to be presently
fulfilled or discharged nor until the expiration of fourteen (14) clear days
after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently
payable, or specifying the liability or engagement and demanding fulfillment
or
discharge thereof and giving notice of the intention to sell in default,
has
been served on the registered holder for the time being of the share or the
person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
24.
The
net
proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in or towards
payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien
exists, so far as the same is presently payable, and any residue shall (subject
to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed
upon
the share prior to the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the share
at the
time of the sale. To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorize
some
person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser
shall
be registered as the holder of the shares so transferred and he shall not
be
bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title
to
the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings
relating to the sale.
CALLS
ON SHARES
25.
Subject
to these Articles and to the terms of allotment, the Board may from time
to time
make calls upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares
(whether on account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium),
and each Member shall (subject to being given at least fourteen (14) clear
days’
Notice specifying the time and place of payment) pay to the Company as required
by such notice the amount called on his shares. A call may be extended,
postponed or revoked in whole or in part as the Board determines but no member
shall be entitled to any such extension, postponement or revocation except
as a
matter of grace and favor.
26.
A
call
shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the
Board
authorizing the call was passed and may be made payable either in one lump
sum
or by installments.
27.
A
person
upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him
notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the shares in respect of which
the
call was made. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally
liable to pay all calls and installments due in respect thereof or other
moneys
due in respect thereof.
28.
If
a sum
called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for
payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on
the
amount unpaid from the day appointed for payment thereof to the time of actual
payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty percent (20%) per annum) as the
Board
may determine, but the Board may in its absolute discretion waive payment
of
such interest wholly or in part.
29.
No
Member
shall be entitled to receive any dividend or bonus or to be present and vote
(save as proxy for another Member) at any general meeting either personally
or
by proxy, or be reckoned in a quorum, or exercise any other privilege as
a
Member until all calls or installments due by him to the Company, whether
alone
or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if
any)
shall have been paid.
30.
On
the
trial or hearing of any action or other proceedings for the recovery of any
money due for any call, it shall be sufficient to prove that the name of
the
Member sued is entered in the Register as the holder, or one of the holders,
of
the shares in respect of which such debt accrued, that the resolution making
the
call is duly recorded in the minute book, and that notice of such call was
duly
given to the Member sued, in pursuance of these Articles; and it shall not
be
necessary to prove the appointment of the Directors who made such call, nor
any
other matters whatsoever, but the proof of the matters aforesaid shall be
conclusive evidence of the debt.
31.
Any
amount payable in respect of a share upon allotment or at any fixed date,
whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an installment of a
call,
shall be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date fixed for
payment
and if it is not paid the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if
that
amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and
notified.
32.
On
the
issue of shares the Board may differentiate between the allottees or holders
as
to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.
33.
The
Board
may, if it thinks fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same,
and
either in money or money’s worth, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and
unpaid or installments payable upon any shares held by him and upon all or
any
of the moneys so advanced (until the same would, but for such advance, become
presently payable) pay interest at such rate (if any) as the Board may decide.
The Board may at any time repay the amount so advanced upon giving to such
Member not less than one month’s Notice of its intention in that behalf, unless
before the expiration of such notice the amount so advanced shall have been
called up on the shares in respect of which it was advanced. Such payment
in
advance shall not entitle the holder of such share or shares to participate
in
respect thereof in a dividend subsequently declared.
FORFEITURE
OF SHARES
34.
(1)
If
a call
remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Board may give to
the
person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) clear days’
Notice:
(a)
requiring
payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued
and which may still accrue up to the date of actual payment; and
(b)
stating
that if the Notice is not complied with the shares on which the call was
made
will be liable to be forfeited.
(2)
If
the
requirements of any such Notice are not complied with, any share in respect
of
which such Notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment
of
all calls and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited
by a
resolution of the Board to that effect, and such forfeiture shall include
all
dividends and bonuses declared in respect of the forfeited share but not
actually paid before the forfeiture.
35.
When
any
share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the
person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share. No forfeiture shall
be
invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such Notice.
36.
The
Board
may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited hereunder and,
in
such case, references in these Articles to forfeiture will include
surrender.
37.
Any
share
so forfeited shall be deemed the property of the Company and may be sold,
re-allotted or otherwise disposed of to such person, upon such terms and
in such
manner as the Board determines, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment
or
disposition the forfeiture may be annulled by the Board on such terms as
the
Board determines.
38.
A
person
whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of
the
forfeited shares but nevertheless shall remain liable to pay the Company
all
moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the
Company in respect of the shares, with (if the Directors shall in their
discretion so require) interest thereon from the date of forfeiture until
payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty percent (20%) per annum) as the
Board
determines. The Board may enforce payment thereof if it thinks fit, and without
any deduction or allowance for the value of the forfeited shares, at the
date of
forfeiture, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have
received payment in full of all such moneys in respect of the shares. For
the
purposes of this Article any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share,
is
payable thereon at a fixed time which is subsequent to the date of forfeiture,
whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium,
shall
notwithstanding that time has not yet arrived be deemed to be payable at
the
date of forfeiture, and the same shall become due and payable immediately
upon
the forfeiture, but interest thereon shall only be payable in respect of
any
period between the said fixed time and the date of actual payment.
39.
A
declaration by a Director or the Secretary that a share has been forfeited
on a
specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as
against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share, and such declaration
shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer by the Company
if
necessary) constitute a good title to the share, and the person to whom the
share is disposed of shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall
not be bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any), nor
shall
his title to the share be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of
the
proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the share.
When
any share shall have been forfeited, notice of the declaration shall be given
to
the Member in whose name it stood immediately prior to the forfeiture, and
an
entry of the forfeiture, with the date thereof, shall forthwith be made in
the
register, but no forfeiture shall be in any manner invalidated by any omission
or neglect to give such notice or make any such entry.
40.
Notwithstanding
any such forfeiture as aforesaid the Board may at any time, before any shares
so
forfeited shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, permit
the
shares forfeited to be bought back upon the terms of payment of all calls
and
interest due upon and expenses incurred in respect of the share, and upon
such
further terms (if any) as it thinks fit.
41.
The
forfeiture of a share shall not prejudice the right of the Company to any
call
already made or installment payable thereon.
42.
The
provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of
non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable
at a fixed time, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or
by way
of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made
and
notified.
REGISTER
OF MEMBERS
43.
(1)
The
Company shall keep in one or more books a Register of its Members and shall
enter therein the following particulars, that is to say:
(a)
the
name
and address of each Member, the number and class of shares held by him and
the
amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;
(b)
the
date
on which each person was entered in the Register; and
(c)
the
date
on which any person ceased to be a Member.
(2)
The
Company may keep an overseas or local or other branch register of Members
resident in any place, and the Board may make and vary such regulations as
it
determines in respect of the keeping of any such register and maintaining
a
Registration Office in connection therewith.
44.
The
Register and branch register of Members, as the case may be, shall be open
to
inspection for such times and on such days as the Board shall determine by
Members without charge or by any other person, upon a maximum payment of
$2.50
or such other sum specified by the Board, at the Office or such other place
at
which the Register is kept in accordance with the Law or, if appropriate,
upon a
maximum payment of $1.00 or such other sum specified by the Board at the
Registration Office. The Register including any overseas or local or other
branch register of Members may, after notice has been given by advertisement
in
an appointed newspaper or any other newspapers in accordance with the
requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or by any electronic means
in such
manner as may be accepted by the Designated Stock Exchange to that effect,
be
closed at such times or for such periods not exceeding in the whole thirty
(30)
days in each year as the Board may determine and either generally or in respect
of any class of shares.
RECORD
DATES
45.
For
the
purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any
general meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent
to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment
of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled
to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares
or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance,
a
date as the record date for any such determination of Members, which date
shall
not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date
of
such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such
action.
If
the
Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date
for
determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting
shall
be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice
is
given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at the
close
of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
If
corporate action without a general meeting is to be taken, the record date
for
determining the Members entitled to express consent to such corporate action
in
writing, when no prior action by the Board is necessary, shall be the first
date
on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed
to
be taken is delivered to the Company by delivery to its head office. The
record
date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at the close
of
business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
A
determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at
a
meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided,
however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned
meeting.
TRANSFER
OF SHARES
46.
Subject
to these Articles, any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an
instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed
by
the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board
and may
be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or
its
nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner
of
execution as the Board may approve from time to time.
47.
The
instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor
and
the transferee provided that the Board may dispense with the execution of
the
instrument of transfer by the transferee in any case which it thinks fit
in its
discretion to do so. Without prejudice to the last preceding Article, the
Board
may also resolve, either generally or in any particular case, upon request
by
either the transferor or transferee, to accept mechanically executed transfers.
The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the
name
of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof. Nothing
in
these Articles shall preclude the Board from recognizing a renunciation of
the
allotment or provisional allotment of any share by the allottee in favor
of some
other person.
48.
(1)
The
Board
may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefor,
refuse
to register a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) to
a
person of whom it does not approve, or any share issued under any share
incentive scheme for employees upon which a restriction on transfer imposed
thereby still subsists, and it may also, without prejudice to the foregoing
generality, refuse to register a transfer of any share to more than four
joint
holders or a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) on which
the Company has a lien.
(2)
The
Board
in so far as permitted by any applicable law may, in its absolute discretion,
at
any time and from time to time transfer any share upon the Register to any
branch register or any share on any branch register to the Register or any
other
branch register. In the event of any such transfer, the shareholder requesting
such transfer shall bear the cost of effecting the transfer unless the Board
otherwise determines.
(3)
Unless
the Board otherwise agrees (which agreement may be on such terms and subject
to
such conditions as the Board in its absolute discretion may from time to
time
determine, and which agreement the Board shall, without giving any reason
therefor, be entitled in its absolute discretion to give or withhold), no
shares
upon the Register shall be transferred to any branch register nor shall shares
on any branch register be transferred to the Register or any other branch
register and all transfers and other documents of title shall be lodged for
registration, and registered, in the case of any shares on a branch register,
at
the relevant Registration Office, and, in the case of any shares on the
Register, at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept
in
accordance with the Law.
49.
Without
limiting the generality of the last preceding Article, the Board may decline
to
recognize any instrument of transfer unless:
(a)
a
fee of
such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable
or
such lesser sum as the Board may from time to time require is paid to the
Company in respect thereof;
(b)
the
instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share;
(c)
the
instrument of transfer is lodged at the Office or such other place at which
the
Register is kept in accordance with the Law or the Registration Office (as
the
case may be) accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) and such other
evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor
to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some
other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do);
and
(d)
if
applicable, the instrument of transfer is duly and properly
stamped.
50.
If
the
Board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within two months
after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send to
each
of the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal.
51.
The
registration of transfers of shares or of any class of shares may, after
notice
has been given by advertisement in an appointed newspaper or any other
newspapers or by any other means in accordance with the requirements of the
Designated Stock Exchange to that effect be suspended at such times and for
such
periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as the
Board
may determine.
TRANSMISSION
OF SHARES
52.
If
a
Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder,
and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving
holder, will be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any
title
to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the
estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in
respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.
53.
Any
person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy
or
winding-up of a Member may, upon such evidence as to his title being produced
as
may be required by the Board, elect either to become the holder of the share
or
to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof.
If he
elects to become the holder he shall notify the Company in writing either
at the
Registration Office or Office, as the case may be, to that effect. If he
elects
to have another person registered he shall execute a transfer of the share
in
favor of that person. The provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer
and registration of transfers of shares shall apply to such notice or transfer
as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member had not occurred
and
the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by such Member.
54.
A
person
becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up
of a Member shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages
to
which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share.
However, the Board may, if it thinks fit, withhold the payment of any dividend
payable or other advantages in respect of such share until such person shall
become the registered holder of the share or shall have effectually transferred
such share, but, subject to the requirements of Article 75(2) being met,
such a
person may vote at meetings.
UNTRACEABLE
MEMBERS
55.
(1)
Without
prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article,
the
Company may cease sending checks for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants
by post if such checks or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive
occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending checks
for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on
which
such a check or warrant is returned undelivered.
(2)
The
Company shall have the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks
fit,
any shares of a Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made
unless:
(a)
all
checks or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being
not
less than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder
of
such shares in respect of them sent during the relevant period in the manner
authorized by the Articles of the Company have remained uncashed;
(b)
so
far as
it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any
time
during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the
Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares
by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and
(c)
the
Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the
Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement
in
newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of, the Designated
Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required
by
the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three months or such shorter
period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since
the
date of such advertisement.
For
the
purpose of the foregoing, the “relevant period” means the period commencing
twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement referred
to in paragraph (c) of this Article and ending at the expiry of the period
referred to in that paragraph.
(3)
To
give
effect to any such sale the Board may authorize some person to transfer the
said
shares and an instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on
behalf of such person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by
the
registered holder or the person entitled by transmission to such shares,
and the
purchaser shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money
nor
shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity
in
the proceedings relating to the sale. The net proceeds of the sale will belong
to the Company and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall
become indebted to the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds.
No trust shall be created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be
payable in respect of it and the Company shall not be required to account
for
any money earned from the net proceeds which may be employed in the business
of
the Company or as it thinks fit. Any sale under this Article shall be valid
and
effective notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead,
bankrupt or otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.
GENERAL
MEETINGS
56.
An
annual
general meeting of the Company shall be held in each year other than the
year of
the Company’s incorporation at such time and place as may be determined by the
Board.
57.
Each
general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an
extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times
and in
any location in the world as may be determined by the Board.
58.
Only
a
majority of the Board or the Chairman of the Board may call extraordinary
general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such
times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall
determine.
NOTICE
OF GENERAL MEETINGS
59.
(1)
An
annual
general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by not
less
than ten (10) clear days’ Notice but a general meeting may be called by shorter
notice, subject to the Law, if it is so agreed:
(a)
in
the
case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members
entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b)
in
the
case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having
the
right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding
not
less than ninety-five percent (95%) in nominal value of the issued shares
giving
that right.
(2)
The
notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and, in case of special
business, the general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual
general meeting shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general
meeting shall be given to all Members other than to such Members as, under
the
provisions of these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold,
are
not entitled to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled
to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member
and to each of the Directors and the Auditors.
60.
The
accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments
of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to,
or
the non-receipt of such Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person
entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed
or
the proceedings at that meeting.
PROCEEDINGS
AT GENERAL MEETINGS
61.
(1)
All
business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general
meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting,
with the exception of:
(a)
the
declaration and sanctioning of dividends;
(b)
consideration
and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the Directors
and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance
sheet;
(c)
the
election of Directors;
(d)
appointment
of Auditors (where special notice of the intention for such appointment is
not
required by the Law) and other officers;
(e)
the
fixing of the remuneration of the Auditors, and the voting of remuneration
or
extra remuneration to the Directors;
(f)
the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to offer, allot, grant
options over or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares in the capital of
the
Company representing not more than 20 percent (20%) in nominal value of its
existing issued share capital; and
(g)
the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to repurchase securities
of the Company.
(2)
No
business other than the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be
transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement
of the business. At any general meeting of the Company, two (2) Members entitled
to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being
a
corporation) by its duly authorized representative representing not less
than
one-third in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in the Company
throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes.
62.
If
within
thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the chairman
of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting
a
quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the
next week at the same time and place or to such time and place as the Board
may
determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half
an
hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be
dissolved.
63.
The
chairman of the Company shall preside as chairman at every general meeting.
If
at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after
the
time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman,
the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one
Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act.
If no
Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take
the
chair, or if the chairman chosen shall retire from the chair, the Members
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall elect one of their
number to be chairman.
64.
The
chairman may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place,
but
no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business
which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment
not
taken place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen (14) days or more,
at
least seven (7) clear days’ notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given
specifying the time and place of the adjourned meeting but it shall not be
necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted
at the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be
transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of
an
adjournment.
65.
If
an
amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good
faith
ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the
substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling.
In
the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment
thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error)
may in
any event be considered or voted upon.
VOTING
66.
Subject
to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached
to any shares by or in accordance with these Articles, at any general meeting
on
a show of hands every Member present in person (or being a corporation, is
present by a duly authorized representative), or by proxy shall have one
vote
and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case
of a
Member being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative shall have
one
vote for every fully paid share of which he is the holder but so that no
amount
paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or installments
is
treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share. Notwithstanding
anything contained in these Articles, where more than one proxy is appointed
by
a Member which is a clearing house (or its nominee(s)), each such proxy shall
have one vote on a show of hands. A resolution put to the vote of a meeting
shall be decided on a show of hands unless voting by way of a poll is required
by he rules of the Designated Stock Exchange or (before or on the declaration
of
the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand
for a
poll) a poll is demanded:
(a)
by
the
chairman of such meeting; or
(b)
by
at
least three Members present in person or in the case of a Member being a
corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy for the time
being
entitled to vote at the meeting; or
(c)
by
a
Member or Members present in person or in the case of a Member being a
corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy and representing
not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all Members having
the
right to vote at the meeting; or
(d)
by
a
Member or Members present in person or in the case of a Member being a
corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy and holding
shares
in the Company conferring a right to vote at the meeting being shares on
which
an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth of the
total
sum paid up on all shares conferring that right.
A
demand
by a person as proxy for a Member or in the case of a Member being a corporation
by its duly authorized representative shall be deemed to be the same as a
demand
by a Member.
67.
Unless
a
poll is duly demanded and the demand is not withdrawn, a declaration by the
chairman that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously, or by
a
particular majority, or not carried by a particular majority, or lost, and
an
entry to that effect made in the minute book of the Company, shall be conclusive
evidence of the facts without proof of the number or proportion of the votes
recorded for or against the resolution.
68.
If
a poll
is duly demanded the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution
of
the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The Company shall only be required
to disclose the voting figures on a poll if such disclosure is required by
the
rules of the Designated Stock Exchange.
69.
A
poll
demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment,
shall
be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken
in such
manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) and either
forthwith or at such time (being not later than thirty (30) days after the
date
of the demand) and place as the chairman directs. It shall not be necessary
(unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a poll
not
taken immediately.
70.
The
demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting or the
transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has
been
demanded, and, with the consent of the chairman, it may be withdrawn at any
time
before the close of the meeting or the taking of the poll, whichever is the
earlier.
71.
On
a poll
votes may be given either personally or by proxy.
72.
A
person
entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast
all
the votes he uses in the same way.
73.
All
questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of
votes
except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Law.
In
the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll,
the
chairman of such meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote
and
the resolution shall fail.
74.
Where
there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holder may vote,
either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely
entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at
any
meeting the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by
proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order
in
which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several
executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share
stands
shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders
thereof.
75.
(1)
A
Member
who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect
of whom
an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the protection
or
management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs
may
vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, committee,
curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator
bonis appointed by such court, and such receiver, committee, curator bonis
or
other person may vote on a poll by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated
as if he were the registered holder of such shares for the purposes of general
meetings, provided that such evidence as the Board may require of the authority
of the person claiming to vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head
office or Registration Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight
(48)
hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting
or
poll, as the case may be.
(2)
Any
person entitled under Article 53 to be registered as the holder of any shares
may vote at any general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as
if he
were the registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48)
hours
at least before the time of
the
holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the case may be, at which
he
proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his entitlement to such shares,
or the Board shall have previously admitted his right to vote at such meeting
in
respect thereof.
76.
No
Member
shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and vote
and
to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly registered
and all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares
in the
Company have been paid.
77.
If:
(a)
any
objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or
(b)
any
votes
have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have
been
rejected; or
(c)
any
votes
are not counted which ought to have been counted;
the
objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned
meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the
meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected
to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error
shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the
decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the
same
may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman
on
such matters shall be final and conclusive.
PROXIES
78.
Any
Member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled
to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him.
A
Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one
proxy
to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company
or
at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or
proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which
is a
corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the
Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.
79.
The
instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the
appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor
is
a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney
or other person authorized to sign the same. In the case of an instrument
of
proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof
it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly
authorized to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation
without
further evidence of the facts.
80.
The
instrument appointing a proxy and (if required by the Board) the power of
attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a certified
copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one
of such
places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note
to or
in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting (or, if no
place
is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate)
not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding
the
meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument
proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date
of a
meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before
the
time appointed for the taking of the poll and in default the instrument of
proxy
shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be
valid
after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the
date
of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting or on a poll demanded at
a
meeting or an adjourned meeting in cases where the meeting was originally
held
within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing
a
proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at
the
meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall
be
deemed to be revoked.
81.
Instruments
of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may
approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form)
and
the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting
forms
of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall
be
deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote
on
any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as
the
proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated
therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting
to which it relates.
82.
A
vote
given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid
notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation
of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed,
provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation
shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration
Office
(or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments
of
proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith)
two
hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting,
or
the taking of the poll, at which the instrument of proxy is used.
83.
Anything
which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by
his
duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to
proxies
and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation
to
any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is
appointed.
CORPORATIONS
ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES
84.
(1)
Any
corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other
governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its
representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class
of
Members. The person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same
powers
on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were
an
individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles
be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorized
is present thereat.
(2)
If
a
clearing house (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it
may
authorize such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at
any
meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided
that
the authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect
of
which each such representative is so authorized. Each person so authorized
under
the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorized
without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same
rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as
if such
person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the
clearing house (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually
on a
show of hands.
(3)
Any
reference in these Articles to a duly authorized representative of a Member
being a corporation shall mean a representative authorized under the provisions
of this Article.
ACTION
BY WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS
85.
Any
action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or extraordinary general
meetings of the Company may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice
and
without a vote, if a consent or consents 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 and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its principal
place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody
of
the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are
recorded.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
86.
(1)
Unless
otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors
shall not be less than two (2). There shall be no maximum number of Directors
unless otherwise determined from time to time by the Members in general meeting.
The Directors shall be elected or appointed in the first place by the
subscribers to the Memorandum of Association or by a majority of them and
thereafter in accordance with Article 87 and shall hold office until their
successors are elected or appointed.
(2)
Subject
to the Articles and the Law, the Company may by ordinary resolution elect
any
person to be a Director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition
to the
existing Board.
(3)
The
Directors shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint
any
person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition
to
the existing Board. Any Director so appointed by the Board shall hold office
only until the next following annual general meeting of the Company and shall
then be eligible for re-election.
(4)
No
Director shall be required to hold any shares of the Company by way of
qualification and a Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive
notice of and to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and
of
all classes of shares of the Company.
(5)
Subject
to any provision to the contrary in these Articles, a Director may be removed
by
way of (i) an ordinary resolution of the Members at any time before the
expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles
or
in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice
to
any claim for damages under any such agreement), or (ii) a two-thirds vote
of
the Board of Directors if such removal is for cause at any time before the
expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles
or
in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice
to
any claim for damages under any such agreement).
(6)
A
vacancy
on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the provisions of
subparagraph (5) above may be filled by the election or appointment by ordinary
resolution of the Members at the meeting at which such Director is removed
or by
the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present
and
voting at a Board meeting.
(7)
The
Company may from time to time in general meeting by ordinary resolution increase
or reduce the number of Directors but so that the number of Directors shall
never be less than two (2).
87.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
88.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
DISQUALIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS
89.
The
office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:
(1)
resigns
his office by notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or
tendered at a meeting of the Board;
(2)
becomes
of unsound mind or dies;
(3)
without
special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board
for six consecutive months and the Board resolves that his office be vacated;
or
(4)
becomes
bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or
compounds with his creditors;
(5)
is
prohibited by law from being a Director; or
(6)
ceases
to
be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from
office pursuant to these Articles.
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS
90.
The
Board
may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to be a managing
director, joint managing director or deputy managing director or to hold
any
other employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject
to their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may
determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments.
Any
such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to
any
claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the
Company
may have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this
Article shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other
Directors of the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any
contract between him and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to
hold
such office if he shall cease to hold the office of Director for any
cause.
91.
Notwithstanding
Articles 96, 97, 98 and 99, an executive director appointed to an office
under
Article 90 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary,
commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those
modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or
other
benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time
determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a
Director.
92.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
93.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
94.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
95.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
DIRECTORS’
FEES AND EXPENSES
96.
The
Directors shall receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time
determine. The ordinary remuneration of the Directors shall from time to
time be
determined by the Company in general meeting and shall (unless otherwise
directed by the resolution by which it is voted) be divided amongst the Board
in
such proportions and in such manner as the Board may agree or, failing
agreement, equally, except that any Director who shall hold office for part
only
of the period in respect of which such remuneration is payable shall be entitled
only to rank in such division for a proportion of remuneration related to
the
period during which he has held office. Such remuneration shall be deemed
to
accrue from day to day.
97.
Each
Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and
incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him
in
attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings
or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company
or
otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a
Director.
98.
Any
Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company
or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the
ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether
by
way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the
Board
may determine and such extra
remuneration
shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration
provided for by or pursuant to any other Article.
99.
The
Board
shall obtain the approval of the Company in general meeting before making
any
payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of compensation
for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement
from office (not being payment to which the Director is contractually
entitled).
DIRECTORS’
INTERESTS
100.
(1)
No
contract or transaction between the Company and one or more of its Directors
or
officers, or between the Company and any other corporation, partnership,
association, or other organization in which one or more of its Directors
or
officers, are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall
be void
or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the Director or officer
is
present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such Director's
or
officer's votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(a)
The
material facts as to the Director's or officer's relationship or interest
and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of
Directors or the 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; or
(b)
The
material facts as to the Director's or officer's relationship or interest
and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Shareholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the Shareholders; or
(c)
The
contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee or the
Shareholders.
(2)
Common or interested Directors may be counted in determining the presence
of a
quorum and may vote at a meeting of the Board or of a committee which authorizes
the contract or transaction.
101.
[Intentionally
Ommitted]
102.
[Intentionally
Ommitted]
103.
[Intentionally
Ommitted]
GENERAL
POWERS OF THE DIRECTORS
104.
(1)
The
business of the Company shall be managed and conducted by the Board, which
may
pay all expenses incurred in forming and registering the Company and may
exercise all powers of the Company (whether relating to the management of
the
business of the Company or otherwise) which are not by the Statutes or by
these
Articles required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting, subject
nevertheless to the provisions of the Statutes and of these Articles and
to such
regulations being not inconsistent with such provisions, as may be prescribed
by
the Company in general meeting, but no regulations made by the Company in
general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have
been valid if such regulations had not been made. The general powers given
by
this Article shall not be limited or restricted by any special authority
or
power given to the Board by any other Article.
(2)
Without
prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles it is hereby
expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers:
(a)
To
give
to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an
allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as
may be
agreed.
(b)
To
give
to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any
particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof
or in
the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution
for
a salary or other remuneration.
(c)
To
resolve that the Company be deregistered in the Cayman Islands and continued
in
a named jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands subject to the provisions
of the
Law.
105.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
106.
The
Board
may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating
body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to
be
the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such
powers,
authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable
by the
Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions
as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions
for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney
as
the Board may think fit, and may also authorize any such attorney to
sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested
in
him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorized under the Seal of the
Company, execute any deed or instrument under their personal seal with the
same
effect as the affixation of the Company’s Seal.
107.
The
Board
may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing director,
deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of the
powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such
restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion
of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of
such
powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation
or variation shall be affected thereby.
108.
All
checks, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments,
whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid
to
the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed,
as
the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by
resolution determine. The Company’s banking accounts shall be kept with such
banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.
109.
(1)
The
Board
may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary companies
of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business) in
establishing and making contributions out of the Company’s moneys to any schemes
or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances, life
assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this
and
the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may
hold
or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company
or
any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their
dependants or any class or classes of such person.
(2)
The
Board
may pay, enter into agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable
pensions or other benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants,
or to any of such persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those,
if any, to which such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or
may
become entitled under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding
paragraph. Any such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable,
be
granted to an employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at
any
time after his actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any
terms
or conditions as the Board may determine.
BORROWING
POWERS
110.
The
Board
may exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to
mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets
(present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to
the
Law, to issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whether outright or
as
collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company
or of
any third party.
111.
Debentures,
bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities
between
the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.
112.
Any
debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other
than
shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption,
surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general
meetings of the Company, appointment of Directors and otherwise.
113.
(1)
Where
any
uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any subsequent
charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and shall
not
be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority over
such
prior charge.
(2)
The
Board
shall cause a proper register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions
of
the Law, of all charges specifically affecting the property of the Company
and
of any series of debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with
the
requirements of the Law in regard to the registration of charges and debentures
therein specified and otherwise.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE DIRECTORS
114.
The
Board
may meet for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its
meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall
be
determined by a majority of votes. In the case of any equality of votes the
chairman of the meeting shall not have an additional or casting vote and
the
resolution shall fail.
115.
A
meeting
of the Board may be convened by the Secretary on request of a Director or
by any
Director. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board of which notice
may
be given in writing or by telephone or in such other manner as the Board
may
from time to time determine whenever he shall be required so to do by the
president or chairman, as the case may be, or any Director.
116.
(1)
The
quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be
equal
to a majority of the Board.
(2)
Directors
may participate in any meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone
or other communications equipment through which all persons participating
in the
meeting can communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously
and,
for the purpose of counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute
presence at a meeting as if those participating were present in
person.
(3)
Any
Director who ceases to be a Director at a Board meeting may continue to be
present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the
termination of such Board meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise
a quorum of Directors would not be present.
117.
The
continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding
any
vacancy in the Board but, if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced
below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles, the
continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of Directors
is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the
quorum
or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the purpose of
filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of the Company
but not for any other purpose.
118.
The
Chairman of the Board shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board.
If the
Chairman of the Board is not present at any meeting within five (5) minutes
after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may
choose
one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
119.
A
meeting
of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise
all the
powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable
by the Board.
120.
(1)
The
Board
may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to committees,
consisting of such Director or Directors and other persons as it thinks fit,
and
they may, from time to time, revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment
of
and discharge any such committees either wholly or in part, and either as
to
persons or purposes. Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the
powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations
which may be imposed on it by the Board.
(2)
All
acts
done by any such committee in conformity with such regulations, and in
fulfillment of the purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise,
shall
have like force and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if
the
Board delegates such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate
the
members of any such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current
expenses of the Company.
121.
The
meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members
shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating
the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable
and
are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last
preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter
adopted
by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.
122.
A
resolution in writing signed by all the Directors except such as are temporarily
unable to act through ill-health or disability shall (provided that such
number
is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of
such
resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the
Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings
in
the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these
Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at
a
meeting of the Board duly convened and held. Such resolution may be contained
in
one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more
of
the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall
be
treated as valid.
123.
All
acts
bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as
a
Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards
discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of
the
Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any
of
them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every such
person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be
a
Director or member of such committee.
124.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
125.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
126.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
OFFICERS
127.
(1)
The
officers of the Company shall consist of the Chairman of the Board, the
Directors and Secretary and such additional officers (who may or may not
be
Directors) as the Board may from time to time determine, all of whom shall
be
deemed to be officers for the purposes of the Law and these Articles.
(2)
The
Directors shall, as soon as may be after each appointment or election of
Directors, elect amongst the Directors a chairman and if more than one Director
is proposed for this office, the election to such office shall take place
in
such manner as the Directors may determine.
(3)
The
officers shall receive such remuneration as the Directors may from time to
time
determine.
128.
(1)
The
Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board
and
shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may determine.
If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint Secretaries.
The
Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it thinks fit one
or
more assistant or deputy Secretaries.
(2)
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Members and shall keep correct
minutes of such meetings and enter the same in the proper books provided
for the
purpose. He shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Law
or
these Articles or as may be prescribed by the Board.
129.
The
officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in
the
management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them
by
the Directors from time to time.
130.
A
provision of the Law or of these Articles requiring or authorizing a thing
to be
done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its
being
done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place
of the
Secretary.
REGISTER
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
131.
The
Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register
of
Directors and officers in which there shall be entered the full names and
addresses of the Directors and officers and such other particulars as required
by the Law or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the
Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and
shall
from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place
in
relation to such Directors and officers as required by the Law.
MINUTES
132.
(1)
The
Board
shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the
purpose:
|
(a)
|
of
all elections and appointments of
officers;
|
|
(b)
|
of
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors
and of
any committee of the Directors;
|
|
(c)
|
of
all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the
Members,
meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and
where
there are managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.
|
|
(2)
|
Minutes
shall be kept by the Secretary at the
Office.
|
SEAL
133.
(1)
The
Company shall have one or more Seals, as the Board may determine. For the
purpose of sealing documents creating or evidencing securities issued by
the
Company, the Company may have a securities seal which is a facsimile of the
Seal
of the Company with the addition of the word “Securities” on its face or in such
other form as the Board may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody
of
each Seal and no Seal shall be used without the authority of the Board or
of a
committee of the Board authorized by the Board in that behalf. Subject as
otherwise provided in these Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed
shall be signed autographically by one Director and the Secretary or by two
Directors or by such other person (including a Director) or persons as the
Board
may appoint, either generally or in any particular case, save that as regards
any certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company
the
Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them
shall
be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical signature.
Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article shall be deemed
to
be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously
given.
(2)
Where
the
Company has a Seal for use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal
appoint any agent or committee abroad to be the duly authorized agent of
the
Company for the purpose of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may
impose
restrictions on the use thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these
Articles reference is made to the Seal, the reference shall, when and so
far as
may be applicable, be deemed to include any such other Seal as
aforesaid.
AUTHENTICATION
OF DOCUMENTS
134.
Any
Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose
may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company
and any
resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books,
records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company,
and to
certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts,
and if
any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office
or
the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having
the
custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board.
A
document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the
minutes
of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee which is so
certified shall be conclusive evidence in favor of all persons dealing with
the
Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed
or, as
the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record
of
proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
135.
[Intentionally
Omitted]
DIVIDENDS
AND OTHER PAYMENTS
136.
Subject
to the Law, the Company in general meeting or the Board may from time to
time
declare dividends in any currency to be paid to the Members but no dividend
shall be declared in excess of the amount recommended by the Board.
137.
Dividends
may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realized or
unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors
determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends
out
of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized
for this purpose in accordance with the Law.
138.
Except
in
so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise
provide:
(a)
all
dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on
the
shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on
a
share in advance of calls shall be treated for the purposes of this Article
as
paid up on the share; and
(b)
all
dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts
paid
up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect
of
which the dividend is paid.
139.
The
Board
may from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear
to the
Board to be justified by the profits of the Company and in particular (but
without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) if at any time the
share
capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may pay
such
interim dividends in respect of those shares in the capital of the Company
which
confer on the holders thereof deferred or non-preferential rights as well
as in
respect of those shares which confer on the holders thereof preferential
rights
with regard to dividend and provided that the Board acts bona fide the Board
shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares conferring any
preference for any damage that they may suffer by reason of the payment of
an
interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferential rights
and
may also pay any fixed dividend which is payable on any shares of the Company
half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever such profits, in the opinion
of the
Board, justifies such payment.
140.
The
Board
may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the Company
on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable
by
him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.
141.
No
dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share
shall bear interest against the Company.
142.
Any
dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may
be
paid by check or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at
his
registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder
whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address
as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address
as
the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such check or warrant
shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable
to
the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of
the
holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares,
and
shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the check or warrant by
the
bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company
notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen
or
that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint
holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable
or
property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint
holders.
143.
All
dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared
may
be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the
Company
until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6)
years
from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.
The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable
on or
in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company
a
trustee in respect thereof.
144.
Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend
be paid
or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied
wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and
in
particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities
of
the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and
where
any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle
the
same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in
respect
of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same
up
or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets,
or any
part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members
upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all
parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient
to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments
of
transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend,
and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board
may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with
registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in
the
absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such
distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful
or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid
shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result
of
the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of
Members for any purpose whatsoever.
145.
(1)
Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend
be paid
or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may
further resolve either:
(a)
that
such
dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares
credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto will
be
entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board
so
determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following
provisions shall apply:
(i)
the
basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii)
the
Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than
ten
(10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election
accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify
the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and
time
by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii)
the
right
of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion
of
the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded;
and
(iv)
the
dividend (or that part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of
shares as aforesaid) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof
the cash election has not been duly exercised (“the non-elected shares”) and in
satisfaction thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited
as
fully paid up to the holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment
determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and
apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including
profits
carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account,
share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription
Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to
pay
up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment
and distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on
such
basis; or
(b)
that
the
Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an
allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such
part
of the dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following
provisions shall apply:
(i)
the
basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii)
the
Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than
ten
(10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election
accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify
the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and
time
by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii)
the
right
of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion
of
the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded;
and
(iv)
the
dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election
has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof
the
share election has been duly exercised (“the elected shares”) and in lieu
thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully
paid up
to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment determined
as
aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of
any
part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and
standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium
account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve)
as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full
the
appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and
distribution to and amongst the holders of the elected shares on such
basis.
(2)
(a)
The
shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article
shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any)
then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend
or in
any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced
prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant
dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of
their
proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph
(2) of
this Article in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with
their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the
Board
shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution,
bonus or rights.
(b)
The
Board
may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect
to
any capitalization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article,
with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit in
the
case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions
whereby, in whole or in part, fractional entitlements are aggregated and
sold
and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or
rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues
to
the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorize
any
person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with
the
Company providing for such capitalization and matters incidental thereto
and any
agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding
on all
concerned.
(3)
The
Company may upon the recommendation of the Board by ordinary resolution resolve
in respect of any one particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article a dividend may be satisfied
wholly in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without
offering any right to shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash
in
lieu of such allotment.
(4)
The
Board
may on any occasion determine that rights of election and the allotment of
shares under paragraph (1) of this Article shall not be made available or
made
to any shareholders with registered addresses in any territory where, in
the
absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, the
circulation of an offer of such rights of election or the allotment of shares
would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable,
and
in such event the provisions aforesaid shall be read and construed subject
to
such determination. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence
shall
not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose
whatsoever.
(5)
Any
resolution declaring a dividend on shares of any class, whether a resolution
of
the Company in general meeting or a resolution of the Board, may specify
that
the same shall be payable or distributable to the persons registered as the
holders of such shares at the close of business on a particular date,
notwithstanding that it may be a date prior to that on which the resolution
is
passed, and thereupon the dividend shall be payable or distributable to them
in
accordance with their respective holdings so registered, but without prejudice
to the rights inter se in respect of such dividend of transferors and
transferees of any such shares. The provisions of this Article shall mutatis
mutandis apply to bonuses, capitalization issues, distributions of realized
capital profits or offers or grants made by the Company to the
Members.
RESERVES
146.
(1)
The
Board
shall establish an account to be called the share premium account and shall
carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the
amount
or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company. Unless
otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may apply
the
share premium account in any manner permitted by the Law. The Company shall
at
all times comply with the provisions of the Law in relation to the share
premium
account.
(2)
Before
recommending any dividend, the Board may set aside out of the profits of
the
Company such sums as it determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion
of
the Board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company
may
be properly applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion,
either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such
investments as the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall
not be necessary to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves
separate or distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board
may
also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which
it may
think prudent not to distribute.
CAPITALISATION
147.
The
Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time
to
time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to
capitalize all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the
credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital
redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same
is
available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for
distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled
thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions,
on the footing that the same is not paid in cash but is applied either in
or
towards paying up the amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in
the
Company held by such Members respectively or in paying up in full unissued
shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and
distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members, or partly in one
way
and partly in the other, and the Board shall give effect to such resolution
provided that, for the purposes of this Article, a share premium account
and any
capital redemption reserve or fund representing unrealized profits, may be
applied only in paying up in full unissued shares of the Company to be allotted
to such Members credited as fully paid.
148.
The
Board
may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard
to any
distribution under the last preceding Article and in particular may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorize any person to
sell
and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be
as
nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so
or may
ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be
made
to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem
expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf
of
the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary
or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective
and binding upon the Members.
SUBSCRIPTION
RIGHTS RESERVE
149.
The
following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not
prohibited by and are in compliance with the Law:
(1)
If,
so
long as any of the rights attached to any warrants issued by the Company
to
subscribe for shares of the Company shall remain exercisable, the Company
does
any act or engages in any transaction which, as a result of any adjustments
to
the subscription price in accordance with the provisions of the conditions
of
the warrants, would reduce the subscription price to below the par value
of a
share, then the following provisions shall apply:
(a)
as
from
the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and thereafter
(subject as provided in this Article) maintain in accordance with the provisions
of this Article a reserve (the “Subscription Rights Reserve”) the amount of
which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being would
be
required to be capitalized and applied in paying up in full the nominal amount
of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as fully
paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all the
subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights Reserve
in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are
allotted;
(b)
the
Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than
that
specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share
premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make
good
losses of the Company if and so far as is required by law;
(c)
upon
the
exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any warrant,
the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a nominal
amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such warrant
is
required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby
(or,
as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial
exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be allotted
in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder, credited
as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to the
difference between:
(i)
the
said
amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise
of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be, the
relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription
rights); and
(ii)
the
nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would
have
been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the
warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent
the
right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such
exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights
Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of
shares shall be capitalized and applied in paying up in full such additional
nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully
paid to the exercising warrantholders; and
(d)
if,
upon
the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the amount
standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not sufficient
to
pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to such difference
as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled, the Board
shall
apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming available (including,
to the extent permitted by law, share premium account) for such purpose until
such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and allotted as aforesaid
and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be paid or made on
the
fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such payment and
allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the Company with
a
certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such additional nominal
amount of shares. The rights represented by any such certificate shall be
in
registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in part in units of
one
share in the like manner as the shares for the time being are transferable,
and
the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to the maintenance of
a
register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as the Board may
think
fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to each relevant
exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such certificate.
(2)
Shares
allotted pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu
in all
respects with the other shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the
subscription rights represented by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding
anything contained in paragraph (1) of this Article, no fraction of any share
shall be allotted on exercise of the subscription rights.
(3)
The
provision of this Article as to the establishment and maintenance of the
Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be altered or added to in any way which
would vary or abrogate, or which would have the effect of varying or abrogating
the provisions for the benefit of any warrantholder or class of warrantholders
under this Article without the sanction of a special resolution of such
warrantholders or class of warrantholders.
(4)
A
certificate or report by the auditors for the time being of the Company as
to
whether or not the Subscription Rights Reserve is required to be established
and
maintained and if so the amount thereof so required to be established and
maintained, as to the purposes for which the Subscription Rights Reserve
has
been used, as to the extent to which it has been used to make good losses
of the
Company, as to the additional nominal amount of shares required to be allotted
to exercising warrantholders credited as fully paid, and as to any other
matter
concerning the Subscription Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest
error) be conclusive and binding upon the Company and all warrantholders
and
shareholders.
ACCOUNTING
RECORDS
150.
The
Board
shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and expended
by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure
take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of the Company
and of all other matters required by the Law or necessary to give a true
and
fair view of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions.
151.
The
accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or
places
as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors.
No
Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting
record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or
authorized by the Board or the Company in general meeting.
152.
Subject
to Article 153, a printed copy of the Directors’ report, accompanied by the
balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every document required
by
law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the applicable financial
year
and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Company under
convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure, together with
a copy
of the Auditors’ report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto at least
ten (10) days before the date of the general meeting and laid before the
Company
at the annual general meeting held in accordance with Article 56 provided
that
this Article shall not require a copy of those documents to be sent to any
person whose address the Company is not aware or to more than one of the
joint
holders of any shares or debentures.
153.
Subject
to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange,
and
to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the
requirements of Article 152 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any
person
by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a
summary
financial statement derived from the Company’s annual accounts and the
directors’ report which shall be in the form and containing the information
required by applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who
is
otherwise entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and
the
directors’ report thereon may, if he so requires by notice in writing served on
the Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summary
financial statement, a complete printed copy of the Company’s annual financial
statement and the directors’ report thereon.
154.
The
requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 152 the documents
referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with
Article 153 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules
of the
Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents
referred to in Article 152 and, if applicable, a summary financial report
complying with Article 153, on the Company’s computer network or in any other
permitted manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication),
and that person has agreed or is deemed to have agreed to treat the publication
or receipt of such documents in such manner as discharging the Company’s
obligation to send to him a copy of such documents.
AUDIT
155.
Subject
to applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange:
(1)
At
the
annual general meeting or at a subsequent extraordinary general meeting in
each
year, the Members shall appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Company
and such auditor shall hold office until the Members appoint another auditor.
Such auditor may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the
Company shall, during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an
auditor of the Company.
(2)
A
person,
other than a retiring Auditor, shall not be capable of being appointed Auditor
at an annual general meeting unless notice in writing of an intention to
nominate that person to the office of Auditor has been given not less than
fourteen (14) days before the annual general meeting and furthermore, the
Company shall send a copy of any such notice to the retiring
Auditor.
(3)
The
Members may, at any general meeting convened and held in accordance with
these
Articles, by special resolution remove the Auditor at any time before the
expiration of his term of office and shall by ordinary resolution at that
meeting appoint another Auditor in his stead for the remainder of his
term.
156.
Subject
to the Law the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in
every
year.
157.
The
remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Company in general meeting
or
in such manner as the Members may determine.
158.
If
the
office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor,
or
by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability
at
a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy
and
determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
159.
The
Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the
Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call
on
the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession
relating to the books or affairs of the Company.
160.
The
statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by
these
Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books,
accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report
thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so
as to
present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its
operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have
been
called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has
been
furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company
shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance
with
generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall
be
submitted to the Members in general meeting. The generally accepted auditing
standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other
than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of
the
Auditor should disclose this act and name such country or
jurisdiction.
NOTICES
161.
Any
Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles
from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile
transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication
and any such Notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company
on or
to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid
envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing
in the
Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose
or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting
it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or
address
or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Notice to him
or
which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes
at
the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member
or
may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance
with
the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted
by
the applicable laws, by placing it on the Company’s website and giving to the
member a notice stating that the notice or other document is available there
(a
“notice of availability”). The notice of availability may be given to the Member
by any of the means set out above. In the case of joint holders of a share
all
notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands
first
in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service
on or
delivery to all the joint holders.
162.
Any
Notice or other document:
(a)
if
served
or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and shall
be
deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on which
the
envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put into
the
post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove
that
the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was properly addressed
and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary
or
other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board that
the
envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was so addressed
and
put into the post shall be conclusive evidence thereof;
(b)
if
sent
by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on which
it
is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A notice placed
on
the Company’s website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the day
following that on which a notice of availability is deemed served on the
Member;
and
(c)
if
served
or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be
deemed
to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or delivery
or,
as the case may be, at the time of the relevant dispatch or transmission;
and in
proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing signed by the
Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the
Board
as to the act and time of such service, delivery, dispatch or transmission
shall
be conclusive evidence thereof.
163.
(1)
Any
Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered
address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding
that
such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred,
and
whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other
event,
be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share
registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his
name
shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document,
have
been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service
or
delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery
of
such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or
as
claiming through or under him) in the share.
(2)
A
notice
may be given by the Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence
of
the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through
the
post in a prepaid letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or
by
the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt,
or by
any like description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by
the
person claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so
supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have
been
given if the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.
(3)
Any
person who by operation of law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall
become
entitled to any share shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share
which prior to his name and address being entered on the Register shall have
been duly given to the person from whom he derives his title to such
share.
SIGNATURES
164.
For
the
purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic
transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the
case
may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of
shares
from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or
duly
authorized representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the
absence
of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon
at
the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed
by
such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received.
WINDING
UP
165.
(1)
The
provisions of paragraphs 165 and 166 are subject to the provisions of paragraph
170 until such time as a Business Combination (as defined in paragraph 170)
is
consummated.
(2)
(a)
The
Board
shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a petition
to the court for the Company to be wound up.
(b)
A
resolution that the Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily
shall be a special resolution.
166.
(1)
Subject
to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution
of
available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any
class
or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets
available for distribution amongst the Members of the Company shall be more
than
sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement
of the
winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members
in
proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively
and
(ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution
amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the
paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may
be,
the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid
up,
or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up
on
the shares held by them respectively.
(2)
If
the
Company shall be wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the
court)
the liquidator may, with the authority of a special resolution and any other
sanction required by the Law, divide among the Members in specie or kind
the
whole or any part of the assets of the Company and whether or not the assets
shall consist of properties of one kind or shall consist of properties to
be
divided as aforesaid of different kinds, and may for such purpose set such
value
as he deems fair upon any one or more class or classes of property and may
determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or
different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like authority,
vest
any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the
Members as the liquidator with the like authority shall think fit, and the
liquidation of the Company may be closed and the Company dissolved, but so
that
no contributory shall be compelled to accept any shares or other property
in
respect of which there is a liability.
(3)
In
the
event of winding-up of the Company in the People’s Republic of China, every
Member of the Company who is not for the time being in the People’s Republic of
China shall be bound, within 14 days after the passing of an effective
resolution to wind up the Company voluntarily, or the making of an order
for the
winding-up of the Company, to serve notice in writing on the Company appointing
some person resident in the People’s Republic of China and stating that person’s
full name, address and occupation upon whom all summonses, notices, process,
orders and judgments in relation to or under the winding-up of the Company
may
be served, and in default of such nomination the liquidator of the Company
shall
be at liberty on behalf of such Member to appoint some such person, and service
upon any such appointee, whether appointed by the Member or the liquidator,
shall be deemed to be good personal service on such Member for all purposes,
and, where the liquidator makes any such appointment, he shall with all
convenient speed give notice thereof to such Member by advertisement as he
shall
deem appropriate or by a registered letter sent through the post and addressed
to such Member at his address as appearing in the register, and such notice
shall be deemed to be service on the day following that on which the
advertisement first appears or the letter is posted.
INDEMNITY
167.
(1)
The
Directors, Secretary and other officers and every Auditor for the time being
of
the Company and the liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting
in
relation to any of the affairs of the Company and everyone of them, and everyone
of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured
harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all
actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of
them,
their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur
or
sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about
the
execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or
trusts; and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects
or
defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for
the
sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys
or
effects belonging to the Company shall or may be lodged or deposited for
safe
custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any
moneys of or belonging to the Company shall be placed out on or invested,
or for
any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of
their
respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto; PROVIDED THAT this
indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty
which may attach to any of said persons.
(2)
Each
Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he might have, whether
individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on
account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director
to
take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company;
PROVIDED THAT such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any
fraud
or dishonesty which may attach to such Director.
AMENDMENT
TO MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
AND
NAME OF COMPANY
168.
No
Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be
made
until the same has been approved by a special resolution of the Members.
A
special resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum
of Association or to change the name of the Company.
INFORMATION
169.
No
Member
shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting any
detail of the Company’s trading or any matter which is or may be in the nature
of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the
business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will
be
inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate
to the
public.
BUSINESS
COMBINATION
170.
(1)
Notwithstanding
any other provision of these Articles, the following paragraphs (2) through
(6) of this Article shall apply during the period commencing upon the adoption
of these Articles and terminating upon the consummation of any “Business
Combination.” A “Business Combination” shall mean the acquisition by the
Company, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business
combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating
business (“Target Business”), that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and a fair market
value of at least 80% of the Trust Fund (excluding deferred underwriting
discounts and commissions) at the time of the Business Combination. The Company
may not consummate a Business Combination with a Target Business that has
its
principal operations outside of the Greater China region. In the event of
any
conflict between this Article and any other Article, the provisions of this
Article shall prevail. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary,
this Article 170 may not be amended prior to the consummation of a Business
Combination.
(2)
Prior
to
the consummation of any Business Combination, the Company shall submit such
Business Combination to its Members for approval regardless of whether the
Business Combination is of a type which normally would require such Member
approval under the Law. In the event that the holders of a majority of the
outstanding ordinary shares vote for the approval of the Business Combination,
the Company shall be authorized to consummate the Business Combination; provided
that the Company shall not consummate any Business Combination if 40% or
more in
interest of the holders of IPO Shares (defined below) exercise their conversion
rights described below.
(3)
In
the
event that a Business Combination is approved in accordance with the above
paragraph (2) of this Article and is consummated by the Company, any Member
holding ordinary shares (the “IPO Shares”) that were originally issued in the
Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) of securities who voted against the
Business Combination may, contemporaneous with such vote, demand that the
Company redeem his or her IPO Shares for cash. If so demanded, the Company
shall
redeem such shares at a per share redemption price equal to the quotient
determined by dividing (i) the amount in the Trust Fund (as defined below),
as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination,
by (ii) the total number of IPO Shares held by the such holder. “Trust
Fund” shall mean the trust account established by the Company at the
consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds
of
the IPO are deposited.
(4)
In
the
event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by a date
(the
“Termination Date”) which shall be the later of (a) 18 months after the
consummation of the IPO or (b) 30 months after the consummation of the IPO
in
the event that either a letter of intent, an agreement in principle or a
definitive agreement to complete a Business Combination was executed but
the
Business Combination was not consummated within 18 months of the IPO, the
existence of this Company shall cease except for the purposes of winding
up the
Company’s affairs and liquidating and the Directors shall take all such action
necessary to dissolve and liquidate the Company as promptly as practicable.
In
the event that the Company is so dissolved and liquidated, only the holders
of
IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions and the
Company shall pay no liquidating distributions with respect to any other
outstanding securities of the Company.
(5)
A
holder
of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Trust Fund
only in the event of a liquidation of the Company or in the event he or she
redeems his or her shares in accordance with paragraph (3) of this Article.
In no other circumstances shall a holder of IPO Shares have any right or
interest of any kind in or to the Trust Fund.
(6)
The
Board
shall be divided into three classes: Class A, Class B and
Class C. The number of Directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as
possible. Upon the adoption of these Articles, the Class C Directors shall
by resolution classify themselves as Class A, Class B and Class C
Directors. The Directors in Class A shall be elected for a term expiring at
the first annual general meeting of Members, the Directors in Class B shall
be elected for a term expiring at the second annual general meeting of members
and the Directors in Class C shall be elected for a term expiring at the
third annual general meeting of Members. Commencing at the first annual general
meeting of Members, and at each annual meeting thereafter, Directors elected
to
succeed those Directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of
office
to expire at the third succeeding annual general meeting of Members after
their
election. Except as the Law may otherwise require, in the interim between
annual
general meetings of Members or an extraordinary general meeting of Members
called for the election of Directors and/or the removal of one or more Directors
and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional Directors and
any
vacancies in the Board, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal
of Directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining
Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining
Director. All Directors shall hold office until the expiration of their
respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been elected
and qualified. A Director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death,
resignation or removal of a Director shall serve for the remainder of the
full
term of the Director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created
such
vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and
qualified.
U-
__________
SEE
REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
CUSIP
_______
UNITS
CONSISTING OF ONE ORDINARY SHARE AND ONE WARRANT
TO
PURCHASE ONE ORDINARY SHARE
Each
Unit
(“Unit”) consists of one (1) ordinary share, par value $.001 per share
(“Ordinary Share”), of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands
corporation (the “Company”), and one (1) warrant (the “Warrant”). The Warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one (1) Ordinary Share for $5.50 per share
(subject to adjustment). Each Warrant will become exercisable six months after
the Company’s completion of a business combination, and will expire unless
exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on ____________, 2013, or
earlier upon redemption (the “Expiration Date”). The Ordinary Share and Warrant
comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable
separately prior to ______________, 2008, subject to earlier separation in
the
discretion of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. The terms of the Warrants are governed
by a
Warrant Agreement, dated as of ____________, 2008, between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, and are subject
to the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions
the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of
the
Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at [●], and are
available to any Warrant holder on written request and without
cost.
This
certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and
Registrar of the Company.
Witness
the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly
authorized officer.
By
|
[CORPORATE
SEAL]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
The
Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests, a
statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of
the
Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences
and/or rights.
The
following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN
COM -
|
as
tenants in common
|
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -
|
_______
Custodian ________
|
TEN
ENT -
|
as
tenants by the entireties
|
|
(Cust)
(Minor)
|
JT
TEN -
|
as
joint tenants with right of survivorship
|
under
Uniform Gifts to Minors
|
|
and
not as tenants in common
|
|
Act_________________________________
|
|
|
|
(State)
|
Additional
Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For
value received,
_________________________
hereby
sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE
INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING
NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
________________________________________________________________
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE OF
ASSIGNEE)
|
_______________________________________________________
|
_______________________________________________________
|
_______________________________________________________
Units
|
represented
by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint
|
|
_______________________________________________________
Attorney
|
to
transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Company
will full
power of substitution in the
premises.
|
Dated
_______________________
|
|
|
|
Notice:
|
The
signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written
upon
the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration
or
enlargement or any change whatsoever
|
|
Signature(s)
Guaranteed:
|
|
|
THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT
UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM.
PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad
_15)
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
INCORPORATED
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
ORDINARY
SHARES
SEE
REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
is
the owner of
FULLY
PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE ORDINANRY SHARES OF THE PAR VALUE OF $.001 EACH
OF
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
transferable
on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney
upon
surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. The Corporation will be
forced
to liquidate if it is unable to complete a business combination by _________,
2009 [18 months from the consummation of its initial public offering] or
__________, 2011 [30 months from the consummation of its initial public
offering] if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement
has been executed within 18 months after consummation of its initial public
offering and the business combination has not been within such 18 month period,
all as more fully described in the Corporation’s final prospectus dated
__________, 2008
This
certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer agent and
registered by the Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Corporation
and
the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized
officers.
Dated:
|
[CORPORATE
SEAL]
|
|
CHAIRMAN
|
|
The
following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN
COM –
|
as
tenants in common
|
UNIF
GIFT MIN ACT –
|
______
Custodian ______
|
TEN
ENT –
|
as
tenants by the entireties
|
|
(Cust)
|
|
JT
TEN –
|
as
joint tenants with right of survivorship
|
under
Uniform Gifts to Minors
|
|
and
not as tenants in common
|
|
|
Additional
Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
The
Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests
the
powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or
other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Corporation
and
the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or
rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and
shall
be held subject to all the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing
for
the issue of shares of Preferred Stock (copies of which may be obtained from
the
secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate
by
acceptance hereof assents.
For
value received,
_________________________
hereby
sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE
INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING
NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE OF
ASSIGNEE)
|
|
|
shares
|
|
of
the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint
|
|
Attorney
|
to
transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation
will
full power of substitution in the premises.
|
|
Dated
_______________________
|
|
|
|
Notice:
The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
written
upon the face of the certificate in
every
particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever
|
|
Signature(s)
Guaranteed:
|
|
|
|
THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT
UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM.
PURSUANT
TO S.E.C.
RULE
17Ad_15)
|
|
The
holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust
fund only in the event of the Company’s liquidation upon failure to consummate a
business combination or if the holder seeks to convert his respective shares
into cash upon a business combination which he voted against and which is
actually completed by the Company. In no other circumstances shall the holder
have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust fund.
NUMBER
|
(SEE
REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND)
|
WARRANTS
|
___________________-
|
THIS
WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR
TO
5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME, __________, 2013
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
CUSIP
__________
WARRANT
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT, for value received
is
the
registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants expiring ___________, 2013 (the
“Warrant”) to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Share, par
value $.001 per share (“Shares”), of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman
Islands corporation (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate. The Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the
Company, at any time commencing six months after the Company’s completion of a
business combination such number of Shares of the Company at the price of $5.50
per share, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant
Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, but only subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Warrant Agreement between the Company and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any securities
pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle
a
Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, (the “Act”) with respect to the Ordinary Shares is effective,
subject to the Company satisfying is obligations under Section [
·
]
of the Warrant Agreement to use its best efforts. In the event that a
registration statement with respect to the Ordinary Shares underlying a Warrant
is not effective under the Act, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled
to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire
worthless. In no event will the company be required to net cash settle the
warrant exercise. The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of
certain events the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares purchasable
hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may, subject to certain conditions,
be
adjusted. The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant Certificate refers
to
the price per Share at which Shares may be purchased at the time the Warrant
is
exercised.
No
fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If the holder
of a Warrant would be entitled to receive a fraction of a Share upon any
exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round up to the
nearest whole number the number of Shares to be issued to such
holder.
Upon
any
exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full shares provided
for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder hereof or the
registered holder’s assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of
Shares for which the Warrant has not been exercised.
Warrant
Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent
by
the registered holder hereof in person or by attorney duly authorized in
writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another
Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in
the
aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon
due
presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the
office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of
Warrants shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Warrant
Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement,
without charge except for any applicable tax or other government
charge.
The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the
absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all
other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by
any
notice to the contrary.
This
Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company.
The
Company reserves the right to call the Warrant at any time, with the prior
consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., prior to its exercise with a notice of call
in writing to the holders of record of the Warrant, giving 30 days’ notice of
such call at any time after the Warrant becomes exercisable if the last sale
price of the Shares has been at least $11.50 per share on each of 20 trading
days within any 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior
to
the date on which notice of such call is given. The call price of the Warrants
is to be $.01 per Warrant. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back
to
the Company by the end of the date specified in the notice of call shall be
canceled on the books of the Company and have no further value except for the
$.01 call price.
[CORORATE
SEAL]
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Secretary
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Chairman
of the Board
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SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
The
undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise __________ Warrants
represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the Ordinary Shares
issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that Certificates
for
such shares shall be issued in the name of
________________________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
And
be
delivered to
________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
and
if
such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such Warrants
be
registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder at the
address stated below:
Dated:_______________ _______________________________________
(SIGNATURE)
_______________________________________
(ADDRESS)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
(TAX
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
ASSIGNMENT
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants
For
Value
Received, ____________________ hereby sell, assign, and transfer
unto
________________________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
________________________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
____________________
of the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint _______________________ Attorney to transfer this Warrant
Certificate on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in
the
premises.
Dated:
_____________________
_______________________________
(SIGNATURE)
THE
SIGNATURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE SUBSCRIPTION FORM MUST CORRESPOND TO THE
NAME
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT
ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED
BY A
COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY OR A MEMBER FIRM OF THE AMERICAN STOCK
EXCHANGE, NEW YROK STOCK EXCHANGE, PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE OR CHICAGO STOCK
EXCHANGE
THE
REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES
THAT
IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE OPTION EXCEPT AS HEREIN
PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE OPTION FOR
A
PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW) TO ANYONE OTHER
THAN (I) EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC. (“
EBC
”)
OR AN
UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED DEALER IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA
FIDE OFFICER OR PARTNER OF EBC OR OF ANY SUCH UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED
DEALER.
THIS
PURCHASE OPTION IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO SIX MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMMATION
BY
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. (“
COMPANY
”)
OF A
MERGER, CAPITAL STOCK EXCHANGE, ASSET ACQUISITION OR OTHER SIMILAR BUSINESS
COMBINATION (“
BUSINESS
COMBINATION
”)(AS
DESCRIBED MORE FULLY IN THE COMPANY’S REGISTRATION STATEMENT (DEFINED HEREIN)).
VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY LOCAL TIME, _________, 2013.
UNIT
PURCHASE OPTION
FOR
THE
PURCHASE OF
__________
UNITS
OF
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT, in consideration of $_____ duly paid by or on behalf of
___________ (“
Holder
”),
as
registered owner of this Purchase Option, to Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
(“
Company
”),
Holder is entitled, at any time or from time to time upon six months after
the
consummation of a Business Combination (“
Commencement
Date
”),
and
at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City local time, _________, 2013 (“
Expiration
Date
”),
but
not thereafter, to subscribe for, purchase and receive, in whole or in part,
up
to ________ (_______) units (“
Units
”)
of the
Company, each Unit consisting of one ordinary share of the Company, par value
$0.0001 per share (“
Ordinary
Share
”),
and
one warrant (“
Warrant(s)
”)
expiring five years from the effective date (“
Effective
Date
”)
of the
registration statement (“
Registration
Statement
”)
pursuant to which Units are offered for sale to the public (“
Offering
”).
Each
Warrant is the same as the warrants included in the Units being registered
for
sale to the public by way of the Registration Statement (“
Public
Warrants
”).
If
the Expiration Date is a day on which banking institutions are authorized by
law
to close, then this Purchase Option may be exercised on the next succeeding
day
which is not such a day in accordance with the terms herein. During the period
ending on the Expiration Date, the Company agrees not to take any action that
would terminate the Purchase Option. This Purchase Option is initially
exercisable at $___ per Unit so purchased; provided, however, that upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights
granted by this Purchase Option, including the exercise price per Unit and
the
number of Units (and Ordinary Shares and Warrants) to be received upon such
exercise, shall be adjusted as therein specified. The term “Exercise Price”
shall mean the initial exercise price or the adjusted exercise price, depending
on the context.
2.1
Exercise
Form
.
In
order to exercise this Purchase Option, the exercise form attached hereto must
be duly executed and completed and delivered to the Company, together with
this
Purchase Option and payment of the Exercise Price for the Units being purchased
payable in cash or by certified check or official bank check. If the
subscription rights represented hereby shall not be exercised at or before
5:00
p.m., New York City local time, on the Expiration Date this Purchase Option
shall become and be void without further force or effect, and all rights
represented hereby shall cease and expire.
2.2
Legend
.
Each
certificate for the securities purchased under this Purchase Option shall bear
a
legend as follows unless such securities have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“
Act
”):
“The
securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”) or applicable state law. The
securities may not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred except
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act, or pursuant
to an
exemption from registration under the Act and applicable state
law.”
2.3
Cashless
Exercise
.
2.3.1
Determination
of Amount
.
In
lieu
of the payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Units for
which
this Purchase Option is exercisable (and in lieu of being entitled to receive
Ordinary Shares and Warrants) in the manner required by Section 2.1, the Holder
shall have the right (but not the obligation) to convert any exercisable but
unexercised portion of this Purchase Option into Units (“
Cashless
Exercise Right
”)
as
follows: upon exercise of the Cashless Exercise Right, the Company shall deliver
to the Holder (without payment by the Holder of any of the Exercise Price in
cash) that number of Units (or that number of Ordinary Shares and Warrants
comprising that number of Units) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
(x)
the “Value” (as defined below) of the portion of the Purchase Option being
converted by (y) the Current Market Value (as defined below). The “Value” of the
portion of the Purchase Option being converted shall equal the remainder derived
from subtracting (a) (i) the Exercise Price multiplied by (ii) the number of
Units underlying the portion of this Purchase Option being converted from (b)
the Current Market Value of a Unit multiplied by the number of Units underlying
the portion of the Purchase Option being converted. As used herein, the term
“Current Market Value” per Unit at any date means: (A) in the event that neither
the Units nor Public Warrants are still trading, the remainder derived from
subtracting (x) the exercise price of the Warrants multiplied by the number
of
Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants underlying one Unit
from
(y) (i) the Current Market Price of the Ordinary Share multiplied by (ii) the
number of Ordinary Shares underlying one Unit, which shall include the Ordinary
Shares underlying the Warrants included in such Unit; (B) in the event that
the
Units, Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are still trading, (i) if the Units
are listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor
exchange), the last sale price of the Units in the principal trading market
for
the Units as reported by the exchange, Nasdaq or the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (“
FINRA
”),
as
the case may be, on the last trading day preceding the date in question; or
(ii)
if the Units are not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on
the
Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the NASD OTC Bulletin Board
(or successor exchange), but is traded in the residual over-the-counter market,
the closing bid price for Units on the last trading day preceding the date
in
question for which such quotations are reported by the Pink Sheets, LLC or
similar publisher of such quotations; and (C) in the event that the Units are
not still trading but the Ordinary Share and Public Warrants underlying the
Units are still trading, the Current Market Price of the Ordinary Share plus
the
product of (x) the Current Market Price of the Public Warrants and (y) the
number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants included in one Unit. The
“Current Market Price” shall mean (i) if the Ordinary Shares (or Public
Warrants, as the case may be) is listed on a national securities exchange or
quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or NASD OTC
Bulletin Board (or successor exchange), the last sale price of the Ordinary
Shares (or Public Warrants) in the principal trading market for the Ordinary
Share as reported by the exchange, Nasdaq or FINRA, as the case may be, on
the
last trading day preceding the date in question; (ii) if the Ordinary Shares
(or
Public Warrants, as the case may be) is not listed on a national securities
exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or
the
NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor exchange), but is traded in the residual
over-the-counter market, the closing bid price for the Ordinary Share (or Public
Warrants) on the last trading day preceding the date in question for which
such
quotations are reported by the Pink Sheets, LLC or similar publisher of such
quotations; and (iii) if the fair market value of the Ordinary Share cannot
be
determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, such price as the Board of
Directors of the Company shall determine, in good faith. In the event the Public
Warrants have expired and are no longer exercisable, no “Value” shall be
attributed to the Warrants underlying this Purchase Option. Additionally, in
the
event that this Purchase Option is exercised pursuant to this Section 2.3 and
the Public Warrants are still trading, the “Value” shall be reduced by the
difference between the Warrant Exercise Price and the exercise price of the
Public Warrants multiplied by the number of Warrants underlying the Units
included in the portion of this Purchase Option being converted.
2.3.1
Mechanics
of Cashless Exercise
.
The
Cashless Exercise Right may be exercised by the Holder on any business day
on or
after the Commencement Date and not later than the Expiration Date by delivering
the Purchase Option with the duly executed exercise form attached hereto with
the cashless exercise section completed to the Company, exercising the Cashless
Exercise Right and specifying the total number of Units the Holder will purchase
pursuant to such Cashless Exercise Right.
2.4
No
Obligation to Net Cash Settle
.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Purchase Option,
in
no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the exercise of the
Purchase Option or the Warrants underlying the Purchase Option. The holder
of
the Purchase Option and the Warrants underlying the Purchase Option will not
be
entitled to exercise the Purchase Option or the Warrants underlying such
Purchase Option unless a registration statement is effective, or an exemption
from the registration requirements is available at such time and, if the holder
is not able to exercise the Purchase Option or underlying Warrants, the Purchase
Option and/or the underlying Warrants, as applicable, will expire
worthless.
3.1
General
Restrictions
.
The
registered Holder of this Purchase Option, by its acceptance hereof, agrees
that
it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate this Purchase Option
(or the Common Stock and Warrants underlying this Purchase Option) for a period
of one year (including a period of 180 days pursuant to Rule 2710(g)(1) of
the
Conduct Rules of FINRA) following the Effective Date to anyone other than
(i) EBC or an underwriter or selected dealer in connection with the
Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of EBC or of any such
underwriter or selected dealer. On and after the first anniversary of the
Effective Date, transfers to others may be made subject to compliance with
or
exemptions from applicable securities laws. In order to make any permitted
assignment, the Holder must deliver to the Company the assignment form attached
hereto duly executed and completed, together with the Purchase Option and
payment of all transfer taxes, if any, payable in connection therewith. The
Company shall within five business days transfer this Purchase Option on the
books of the Company and shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Option or
Purchase Options of like tenor to the appropriate assignee(s) expressly
evidencing the right to purchase the aggregate number of Units purchasable
hereunder or such portion of such number as shall be contemplated by any such
assignment.
3.2
Restrictions
Imposed by the Act
.
The
securities evidenced by this Purchase Option shall not be transferred unless
and
until (i) the Company has received the opinion of counsel for the Holder
that the securities may be transferred pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Act and applicable state securities laws, the
availability of which is established to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Company (the Company hereby agreeing that the opinion of Graubard Miller shall
be deemed satisfactory evidence of the availability of an exemption), or
(ii) a registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement relating to such securities has been filed by the Company
and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“
Commission
”)
and
compliance with applicable state securities law has been
established.
4.
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New Purchase Options to
be
Issued
.
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4.1
Partial
Exercise or Transfer
.
Subject
to the restrictions in Section 3 hereof, this Purchase Option may be exercised
or assigned in whole or in part. In the event of the exercise or assignment
hereof in part only, upon surrender of this Purchase Option for cancellation,
together with the duly executed exercise or assignment form and funds sufficient
to pay any Exercise Price and/or transfer tax, the Company shall cause to be
delivered to the Holder without charge a new Purchase Option of like tenor
to
this Purchase Option in the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the
Holder to purchase the number of Units purchasable hereunder as to which this
Purchase Option has not been exercised or assigned.
4.2
Lost
Certificate
.
Upon
receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Purchase Option and of reasonably satisfactory
indemnification or the posting of a bond, the Company shall execute and deliver
a new Purchase Option of like tenor and date. Any such new Purchase Option
executed and delivered as a result of such loss, theft, mutilation or
destruction shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation on the part
of
the Company.
5.1
Demand
Registration
.
5.1.1
Grant
of Right
.
The
Company, upon written demand (“
Initial
Demand Notice
”)
of the
Holder(s) of at least 51% of the Purchase Options and/or the underlying Units
and/or the underlying securities (“
Majority
Holders
”),
agrees to use its best efforts to register (the “
Demand
Registration
”)
under
the Act on one occasion, all or any portion of the Purchase Options requested
by
the Majority Holders in the Initial Demand Notice and all of the securities
underlying such Purchase Options, including the Units, Ordinary Share, the
Warrants and the Ordinary Share underlying the Warrants (collectively, the
“
Registrable
Securities
”).
On
such occasion, the Company will use its best efforts to file a registration
statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement covering
the Registrable Securities within sixty days after receipt of the Initial Demand
Notice and use its best efforts to have such registration statement or
post-effective amendment declared effective as soon as possible thereafter.
The
demand for registration may be made at any time during a period of five years
beginning on the Effective Date. The Initial Demand Notice shall specify the
number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended
method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of the
Purchase Options and/or Registrable Securities of the demand within ten days
from the date of the receipt of any such Initial Demand Notice. Each holder
of
Registrable Securities who wishes to include all or a portion of such holder’s
Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such holder including
shares of Registrable Securities in such registration, a “
Demanding
Holder
”)
shall
so notify the Company within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder
of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders
shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in the Demand
Registration, subject to Section 5.1.4.
5.1.2
Effective
Registration
.
A
registration will not count as a Demand Registration until the registration
statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration
has
been declared effective and the Company has complied with all of its obligations
under this Agreement with respect thereto.
5.1.3
Underwritten
Offering
.
If the
Majority Holders so elect and such holders so advise the Company as part of
the
Initial Demand Notice, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant
to
such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering.
In
such event, the right of any holder to include its Registrable Securities in
such registration shall be conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such
underwriting and the inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the
underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing
to
distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such underwriting by the Majority Holders.
5.1.4
Reduction
of Offering
.
If the
managing underwriter or underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be
an
underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing
that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which
the
Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares
or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the Ordinary Shares,
if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written
contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other stockholders of the
Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number
of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the
proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability
of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of
shares, as applicable, the “
Maximum
Number of Shares
”),
then
the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable
Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding
Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares that each such Person
has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of
shares held by each such Person (such proportion is referred to herein as
“
Pro
Rata
”))
that
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (i), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company
desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Ordinary Shares or
other securities registrable pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement between the Company and the initial investors in the Company, dated
as
of ________, 2008 (the “
Registration
Rights Agreement
”
and
such registrable securities, the “
Investor
Securities
”)
as to
which “piggy-back” registration has been requested by the holders thereof, Pro
Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and
(iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares have not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the Ordinary
Shares or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company
is
obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such
persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares.
5.1.5
Withdrawal
.
If a
majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any
underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities
in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect
to
withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the
underwriter or underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the
effectiveness of the registration statement filed with the Commission with
respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest of the
Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand
Registration, then the Company does not have to continue its obligations under
Section 5.1 with respect to such proposed offering.
5.1.6
Terms.
The
Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the
Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal counsel selected
by
the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions.
The
Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to qualify or register the
Registrable Securities in such states as are reasonably requested by the
Majority Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be
required to register the Registrable Securities in a state in which such
registration would cause (i) the Company to be obligated to qualify to do
business in such state, or would subject the Company to taxation as a foreign
corporation doing business in such jurisdiction or (ii) the principal
stockholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital
stock of the Company. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any
registration statement or post-effective amendment filed pursuant to the demand
rights granted under Section 5.1.1 to remain effective for a period of nine
consecutive months from the effective date of such registration statement or
post-effective amendment.
5.2
Piggy-Back
Registration
.
5.2.1
Piggy-Back
Rights
.
If at
any time during the seven year period commencing on the Effective Date the
Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Act with respect
to
an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable
or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company
for
its own account or for stockholders of the Company for their account (or by
the
Company and by stockholders of the Company including, without limitation,
pursuant to Section 5.1), other than a registration statement (i) filed in
connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for
an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing
stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity
securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then
the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders
of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than
ten
(10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the
amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended
method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing underwriter
or
underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of
Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale
of
such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such holders may request
in
writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “
Piggy-Back
Registration
”).
The
Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such
registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing underwriter
or
underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable
Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same
terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit
the
sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with
the
intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable
Securities proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back
Registration that involves an underwriter or underwriters shall enter into
an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.
5.2.2
Reduction
of Offering
.
If the
managing underwriter or underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is
to be
an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable
Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares which
the Company desires to sell, taken together with Ordinary Shares, if any, as
to
which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual
arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been
requested under this Section 5.2, and the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back
registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum
Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such
registration:
(a)
If
the
registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the
Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can
be
sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the
extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other securities, if any,
comprised of Registrable Securities and Investor Securities, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to the applicable written contractual
piggy-back registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can
be
sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the
extent that the Maximum Number of shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other securities for
the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant
to written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such persons and
that
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(b)
If
the
registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of holders of
Investor Securities, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other securities for
the account of the demanding persons, Pro Rata, that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the
Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing
clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company
desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Registrable
Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant
to
the terms hereof, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has
not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary
Shares or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company
is
obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such
persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
and
(c)
If
the
registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons
other than either the holders of Registrable Securities or of Investor
Securities, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other securities for the account
of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has
not
been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other
securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number
of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B),
collectively the Ordinary Shares or other securities comprised of Registrable
Securities and Investor Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has
been
requested pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Registration Rights Agreement,
as applicable, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or
other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated
to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons,
that
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.
5.2.3
Withdrawal
.
Any
holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for
inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving
written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the
effectiveness of the registration statement. The Company (whether on its own
determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand
pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a registration
statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement.
Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred
by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Piggy-Back
Registration as provided in Section 5.2.4.
5.2.4
Terms
.
The
Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the
Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal counsel selected
by
the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions
related to the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a proposed
registration, the Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding
Registrable Securities with not less than fifteen days written notice prior
to
the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to
the
Holders shall continue to be given for each applicable registration statement
filed (during the period in which the Purchase Option is exercisable) by the
Company until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been
registered and sold. The Holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise
the “piggy-back” rights provided for herein by giving written notice, within ten
days of the receipt of the Company’s notice of its intention to file a
registration statement. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any
registration statement filed pursuant to the above “piggyback” rights to remain
effective for at least nine months from the date that the Holders of the
Registrable Securities are first given the opportunity to sell all of such
securities.
5.3
Intentionally
Omitted
.
5.4
General
Terms
.
5.4.1
Indemnification
.
The
Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold
pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each person, if any, who
controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“
Exchange
Act
”),
against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable
attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against litigation, commenced or threatened, or any
claim
whatsoever whether arising out of any action between the underwriter and the
Company or between the underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which
any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise,
arising from such registration statement but only to the same extent and with
the same effect as the provisions pursuant to which the Company has agreed
to
indemnify the underwriters contained in Section 5 of the Underwriting Agreement
between the Company, EBC and the other underwriters named therein dated the
Effective Date. The Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant
to such registration statement, and their successors and assigns, shall
severally, and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its officers and directors
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against all loss, claim,
damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other
expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against
any claim whatsoever) to which they may become subject under the Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from information furnished by or on behalf
of
such Holders, or their successors or assigns, in writing, for specific inclusion
in such registration statement to the same extent and with the same effect
as
the provisions contained in Section 5 of the Underwriting Agreement pursuant
to
which the underwriters have agreed to indemnify the Company.
5.4.2
Exercise
of Purchase Options
.
Nothing
contained in this Purchase Option shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s)
to exercise their Purchase Options or Warrants underlying such Purchase Options
prior to or after the initial filing of any registration statement or the
effectiveness thereof.
5.4.3
Documents
Delivered to Holders
.
The
Company shall furnish EBC, as representative of the Holders participating in
any
of the foregoing offerings, a signed counterpart, addressed to the participating
Holders, of (i) an opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date
of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an
underwritten public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing under
any
underwriting agreement related thereto), and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter dated
the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration
includes an underwritten public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing
under the underwriting agreement) signed by the independent public accountants
who have issued a report on the Company’s financial statements included in such
registration statement, in each case covering substantially the same matters
with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included
therein) and, in the case of such accountants’ letter, with respect to events
subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered
in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to
underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities. The Company shall
also deliver promptly to EBC, as representative of the Holders participating
in
the offering, the correspondence and memoranda described below and copies of
all
correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors
and all memoranda relating to discussions with the Commission or its staff
with
respect to the registration statement and permit EBC, as representative of
the
Holders, to do such investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect
to information contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it
deems reasonably necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules
of
FINRA. Such investigation shall include access to books, records and properties
and opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers
and
independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable
times
and as often as EBC, as representative of the Holders, shall reasonably request.
The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential information
or
other records to EBC, as representative of the Holders, or to any other person,
until and unless such persons shall have entered into reasonable confidentiality
agreements (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company),
with
the Company with respect thereto.
5.4.4
Underwriting
Agreement
.
The
Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with the managing
underwriter(s), if any, selected by any Holders whose Registrable Securities
are
being registered pursuant to this Section 5, which managing underwriter shall
be
reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such agreement shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, each Holder and such managing
underwriters, and shall contain such representations, warranties and covenants
by the Company and such other terms as are customarily contained in agreements
of that type used by the managing underwriter. The Holders shall be parties
to
any underwriting agreement relating to an underwritten sale of their Registrable
Securities and may, at their option, require that any or all the
representations, warranties and covenants of the Company to or for the benefit
of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders.
Such Holders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties
to
or agreements with the Company or the underwriters except as they may relate
to
such Holders and their intended methods of distribution. Such Holders, however,
shall agree to such covenants and indemnification and contribution obligations
for selling stockholders as are customarily contained in agreements of that
type
used by the managing underwriter. Further, such Holders shall execute
appropriate custody agreements and otherwise cooperate fully in the preparation
of the registration statement and other documents relating to any offering
in
which they include securities pursuant to this Section 5. Each Holder shall
also
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities
as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of the Registrable
Securities.
5.4.5
Rule
144 Sale
.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5 to the contrary, the
Company shall have no obligation pursuant to Sections 5.1 or 5.2 to use its
best
efforts to obtain the registration of Registrable Securities held by any Holder
(i) where such Holder would then be entitled to sell under Rule 144 within
any
three-month period (or such other period prescribed under Rule 144 as may be
provided by amendment thereof) all of the Registrable Securities then held
by
such Holder, and (ii) where the number of Registrable Securities held by such
Holder is within the volume limitations under paragraph (e) of Rule 144
(calculated as if such Holder were an affiliate within the meaning of Rule
144).
5.4.6
Supplemental
Prospectus
.
Each
Holder agrees, that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening
of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in the registration
statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact
or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing, such Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of a supplemental or
amended prospectus, and, if so desired by the Company, such Holder shall deliver
to the Company (at the expense of the Company) or destroy (and deliver to the
Company a certificate of such destruction) all copies, other than permanent
file
copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such
notice.
6.1
Adjustments
to Exercise Price and Number of Securities
.
The
Exercise Price and the number of Units underlying the Purchase Option shall
be
subject to adjustment from time to time as hereinafter set forth:
6.1.1
Stock
Dividends - Split-Ups
.
If
after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 6.4 below,
the
number of outstanding Ordinary Shares is increased by a stock dividend payable
in Ordinary Shares or by a split-up of Ordinary Shares or other similar event,
then, on the effective date thereof, the number of Ordinary Shares underlying
each of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be increased in proportion to
such
increase in outstanding shares. In such case, the number of Ordinary Shares,
and
the exercise price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants underlying each
of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in accordance with the
terms of the Warrants. For example, if the Company declares a two-for-one stock
dividend and at the time of such dividend this Purchase Option is for the
purchase of one Unit at $8.00 per whole Unit (each Warrant underlying the Units
is exercisable for $5.00 per share), upon effectiveness of the dividend, this
Purchase Option will be adjusted to allow for the purchase of one Unit at $8.00
per Unit, each Unit entitling the holder to receive two Ordinary Shares and
two
Warrants (each Warrant exercisable for $2.50 per share).
6.1.2
Aggregation
of Shares
.
If
after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, the number
of outstanding Ordinary Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination
or
reclassification of Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then, on the
effective date thereof, the number of Ordinary Shares underlying each of the
Units purchasable hereunder shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease
in
outstanding shares. In such case, the number of Ordinary Shares, and the
exercise price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants underlying each
of
the Units purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in accordance with the terms
of the Warrants.
6.1.3
Replacement
of Securities upon Reorganization, etc
.
In case
of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares
other than a change covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 hereof or that solely
affects the par value of such Ordinary Shares, or in the case of any merger
or
consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a
consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation
and
that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the
outstanding Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to
another corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an entirety
or
substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved,
the Holder of this Purchase Option shall have the right thereafter (until the
expiration of the right of exercise of this Purchase Option) to receive upon
the
exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder
immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of stock or
other
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification,
reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any
such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of Ordinary Shares of the
Company obtainable upon exercise of this Purchase Option and the underlying
Warrants immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also
results in a change in Ordinary Shares covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, then
such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and this Section
6.1.3. The provisions of this Section 6.1.3 shall similarly apply to successive
reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other
transfers.
6.1.4
Changes
in Form of Purchase Option
.
This
form of Purchase Option need not be changed because of any change pursuant
to
this Section, and Purchase Options issued after such change may state the same
Exercise Price and the same number of Units as are stated in the Purchase
Options initially issued pursuant to this Agreement. The acceptance by any
Holder of the issuance of new Purchase Options reflecting a required or
permissive change shall not be deemed to waive any rights to an adjustment
occurring after the Commencement Date or the computation thereof.
6.2
[Intentionally
Omitted]
6.3
Substitute
Purchase Option
.
In case
of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company with, or
merger of the Company into, another corporation (other than a consolidation
or
merger which does not result in any reclassification or change of the
outstanding Ordinary Share), the corporation formed by such consolidation or
merger shall execute and deliver to the Holder a supplemental Purchase Option
providing that the holder of each Purchase Option then outstanding or to be
outstanding shall have the right thereafter (until the stated expiration of
such
Purchase Option) to receive, upon exercise of such Purchase Option, the kind
and
amount of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable upon
such
consolidation or merger, by a holder of the number of Ordinary Shares of the
Company for which such Purchase Option might have been exercised immediately
prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer. Such supplemental
Purchase Option shall provide for adjustments which shall be identical to the
adjustments provided in Section 6. The above provision of this Section shall
similarly apply to successive consolidations or mergers.
6.4
Elimination
of Fractional Interests
.
The
Company shall not be required to issue certificates representing fractions
of
Ordinary Shares or Warrants upon the exercise of the Purchase Option, nor shall
it be required to issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional interests,
it being the intent of the parties that all fractional interests shall be
eliminated by rounding any fraction up to the nearest whole number of Warrants,
Ordinary Shares or other securities, properties or rights.
7.
Reservation
and Listing.
The
Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized
Ordinary Shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon exercise of the
Purchase Options or the Warrants underlying the Purchase Option, such number
of
Ordinary Shares or other securities, properties or rights as shall be issuable
upon the exercise thereof. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon exercise
of the Purchase Options and payment of the Exercise Price therefor, all Ordinary
Shares and other securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive
rights of any stockholder. The Company further covenants and agrees that upon
exercise of the Warrants underlying the Purchase Options and payment of the
respective Warrant exercise price therefor, all Ordinary Shares and other
securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any stockholder.
As long as the Purchase Options shall be outstanding, the Company shall use
its
best efforts to cause all (i) Units and Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise
of the Purchase Options, (iii) Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Purchase
Options and (iv) Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included
in the Units issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Option to be listed (subject
to official notice of issuance) on all securities exchanges (or, if applicable
on the Nasdaq National Market, SmallCap Market, OTC Bulletin Board or any
successor trading market) on which the Units, the Ordinary Share or the Public
Warrants issued to the public in connection herewith may then be listed and/or
quoted.
8.
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Certain Notice
Requirements
.
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8.1
Holder’s
Right to Receive Notice
.
Nothing
herein shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders the right to vote
or
consent as a stockholder for the election of directors or any other matter,
or
as having any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company. If, however,
at
any time prior to the expiration of the Purchase Options and their exercise,
any
of the events described in Section 8.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of
said
events, the Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen
days prior to the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the
transfer books for the determination of the stockholders entitled to such
dividend, distribution, conversion or exchange of securities or subscription
rights, or entitled to vote on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding
up or sale. Such notice shall specify such record date or the date of the
closing of the transfer books, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company shall deliver to each Holder a copy of each notice given
to the other stockholders of the Company at the same time and in the same manner
that such notice is given to the stockholders.
8.2
Events
Requiring Notice
.
The
Company shall be required to give the notice described in this Section 8 upon
one or more of the following events: (i) if the Company shall take a record
of
the holders of its Ordinary Shares for the purpose of entitling them to receive
a dividend or distribution payable otherwise than in cash, or a cash dividend
or
distribution payable otherwise than out of retained earnings, as indicated
by
the accounting treatment of such dividend or distribution on the books of the
Company, or (ii) the Company shall offer to all the holders of its Ordinary
Share any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company,
or
any option, right or warrant to subscribe therefor, or (iii) a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company (other than in connection with a
consolidation or merger) or a sale of all or substantially all of its property,
assets and business shall be proposed.
8.3
Notice
of Change in Exercise Price
.
The
Company shall, promptly after an event requiring a change in the Exercise Price
pursuant to Section 6 hereof, send notice to the Holders of such event and
change (“
Price
Notice
”).
The
Price Notice shall describe the event causing the change and the method of
calculating same and shall be certified as being true and accurate by the
Company’s President and Chief Financial Officer.
8.4
Transmittal
of Notices
.
All
notices, requests, consents and other communications under this Purchase Option
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly made when hand
delivered, or mailed by express mail or private courier service: (i) if to
the
registered Holder of the Purchase Option, to the address of such Holder as
shown
on the books of the Company, or (ii) if to the Company, to the following address
or to such other address as the Company may designate by notice to the
Holders:
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Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
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10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
Chairman
9.1
Amendments
.
The
Company and EBC may from time to time supplement or amend this Purchase Option
without the approval of any of the Holders in order to cure any ambiguity,
to
correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective
or
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other provisions
in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company and EBC
may
deem necessary or desirable and that the Company and EBC deem shall not
adversely affect the interest of the Holders. All other modifications or
amendments shall require the written consent of and be signed by the party
against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is
sought.
9.2
Headings
.
The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any
of
the terms or provisions of this Purchase Option.
9.3
Entire
Agreement
.
This
Purchase Option (together with the other agreements and documents being
delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Purchase Option) constitutes
the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties,
oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9.4
Binding
Effect
.
This
Purchase Option shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon,
the Holder and the Company and their permitted assignees, respective successors,
legal representative and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed
to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of
or
by virtue of this Purchase Option or any provisions herein
contained.
9.5
Governing
Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
.
This
Purchase Option shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of
laws. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against
it
arising out of, or relating in any way to this Purchase Option shall be brought
and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States
of
America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such
jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives
any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent
an
inconvenient forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may
be
served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth
in
Section 8 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be
legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The
Company and the Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action
shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or
incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
9.6
Waiver,
Etc
.
The
failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time enforce any of the
provisions of this Purchase Option shall not be deemed or construed to be a
waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the validity of this
Purchase Option or any provision hereof or the right of the Company or any
Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Purchase Option.
No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the
provisions of this Purchase Option shall be effective unless set forth in a
written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which
enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach,
non-compliance or non- fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver
of any other or subsequent breach or non-compliance.
9.7
Execution
in Counterparts
.
This
Purchase Option may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has
been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other
parties hereto.
9.8
Intentionally
Omitted
.
9.9
Intentionally
Omitted
.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Purchase Option to be signed by
its
duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of _________, 2008.
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SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Form
to
be used to exercise Purchase Option:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Date:_________________,
200__
The
undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise all or a portion of the within
Purchase Option and to purchase ____ Units of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
and
hereby makes payment of $____________ (at the rate of $_________ per Unit)
in
payment of the Exercise Price pursuant thereto. Please issue the Ordinary Shares
and Warrants as to which this Purchase Option is exercised in accordance with
the instructions given below.
or
The
undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to purchase _________
Units purchasable under the within Purchase Option by surrender of the
unexercised portion of the attached Purchase Option (with a “Value” based of
$_______ based on a “Market Price” of $_______). Please issue the securities
comprising the Units as to which this Purchase Option is exercised in accordance
with the instructions given below.
NOTICE:
The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon
the face of the purchase option in every particular, without alteration or
enlargement or any change whatever.
Signature(s)
Guaranteed:
THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP
IN
AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE
17Ad-15).
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Name
(Print
in
Block Letters)
Address
Form
to
be used to assign Purchase Option:
ASSIGNMENT
(To
be
executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the within Purchase
Option):
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED,______________________________________________ does hereby sell, assign
and transfer unto___________________________________________ the right to
purchase __________ Units of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“
Company
”)
evidenced by the within Purchase Option and does hereby authorize the Company
to
transfer such right on the books of the Company.
Dated:___________________,
200_
Signature
NOTICE:
The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon
the face of the purchase option in every particular, without alteration or
enlargement or any change whatever.
Signature(s)
Guaranteed:
THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP
IN
AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE
17Ad-15).
WARRANT
AGREEMENT
This
Warrant Agreement (this “Warrant Agreement”) dated as of ___________, 2008, by
and between Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. a Cayman Islands company with offices
at 10F, Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No.17, North DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian
District, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China (“Company”), and American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, with offices at 59 Maiden Lane, New York,
New York 10038, as warrant agent ( the “Warrant Agent”).
WHEREAS,
the Company is engaged in a public offering (“Public Offering”) of Units, each
comprised of one of the Company’s Ordinary Shares (as hereinafter defined) and
one Warrant (as hereinafter defined) (the “Units”) and, in connection therewith,
has determined to issue and deliver (i) up to 5,175,000 Warrants (“Public
Warrants”) to the public investors, (ii) 1,250,000 Warrants to the Company’s
founding shareholders (the “Placement Warrants”) in a concurrent private
placement pursuant to that certain Subscription Agreement dated
________________, 2008 (the “Subscription Agreement”) and (iii) 450,000 Warrants
to EarlyBird Capital, Inc. the representative (the “Representative”) of the
underwriters (the “Underwriters”) with respect to the Public Offering, or to the
Representative’s designees (“Representative’s Warrants” and, together with the
Public Warrants and the Placement Warrants, the “Warrants”), each of such
Warrants evidencing the right of the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary
share, par value $.001 per share, of the Company (“Ordinary Share”) for $5.50;
and
WHEREAS,
the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a
Registration Statement, No. 333-147284 on Form S-1 (as may be amended from
time
to time) (“Registration Statement”) for the registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”) of, among other securities, the Public Warrants
and the Representative’s Warrants and the Ordinary Share issuable upon exercise
of the Public Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and
the
Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance,
registration, transfer, exchange, redemption, exercise and cancellation of
the
Warrants; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants,
the
terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights,
limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and
the
holders of the Warrants; and
WHEREAS,
all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make
the
Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on
behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal
obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Appointment
of Warrant Agent
.
The
Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for
the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees
to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement.
2.
Warrants
.
2.1
Form
of Warrant
.
Each
Warrant shall be issued in registered form only. Each Public Warrant, Placement
Warrant and Representative Warrant shall be in substantially the forms,
respectively, of
Exhibit
A-1
,
Exhibit
A-2
and
Exhibit
A-3
hereto,
the provisions of which are incorporated herein, and shall be signed by, or
bear
the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
the
Company and shall bear a facsimile of the Company’s seal. In the event the
person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have
ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before
such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she
had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.
2.2
Effect
of Countersignature
.
Unless
and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a
Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder
thereof.
2.3
Registration
.
2.3.1
Warrant
Register
.
The
Warrant Agent shall maintain books (“Warrant Register”) for the registration of
original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the
initial issuance of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register
the
Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations
and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent
by
the Company.
2.3.2
Registered
Holder
.
Prior
to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company
and
the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant
shall
be registered upon the Warrant Register (“registered holder”), as the absolute
owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding
any notation of ownership or other writing on the Warrant Certificate made
by
anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent), for the purpose of any
exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the
Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
2.4
Detachability
of Warrants
.
The
Ordinary Shares and Warrants comprising the Units will not be separately
transferable until the 90
th
day
after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Staff of the
SEC
unless the Representative informs the Company of its determination (based on
its
assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small
capitalization companies in general and the trading pattern of and demand for
the Company’s securities in particular) that an earlier separate trading date is
acceptable. In no event will the Representative allow separate trading of the
securities comprising the Units until the Company files a Current Report on
Form
8-K, that includes an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the
Company of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering including the proceeds
received by the Company from the exercise of the Underwriters’ Over-Allotment
Option, if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised prior to the filing of the
Form 8-K. For purposes of this Warrant Agreement, the term “Over Allotment
Option” shall mean the option granted by the Company to the Underwriters, and
exercisable until ________, 2008, to purchase from the Company at a price of
$8.00 per Unit less underwriting discounts, up to an aggregate of 675,000 Units
for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with
the
Public Offering.
3.
Terms
and Exercise of Warrants
3.1
Warrant
Price
.
Each
Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the registered
holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Warrant
Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of Ordinary Shares stated
therein, at the price of $5.50 per whole share, subject to the adjustments
provided in Section 4 hereof and in the last sentence of this Section 3.1.
The
term “Warrant Price” as used in this Warrant Agreement refers to the price at
which each Ordinary Share may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised.
The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price at any time
prior
to the Expiration Date (as hereinafter defined).
3.2
Duration
of Warrants
.
Subject
to compliance with the terms set forth in Section 3.3 hereof, a Warrant may
be
exercised only during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing six months after
the date of consummation by the Company of a stock exchange, asset acquisition
or other similar business combination with, or controlling, through contractual
arrangements of, one or more Target Businesses (as hereinafter defined) having
a
fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the time of
such acquisition (a “Business Combination”) and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time on the earlier to occur of (x) _____________, 2013 (the
“Expiration Date”) or (y) the Redemption Date (as hereinafter defined). Except
with respect to the right, if applicable, to receive the Redemption Price (as
hereinafter defined), in the case of Warrants called for redemption in
accordance with Section 6 hereof each Warrant not exercised on or before the
earlier of the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date shall become void, and
all
rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall
cease at the close of business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration
of
the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a
Warrant may expire unexercised regardless of whether a registration statement
covering the sale of the Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants is effective.
For purposes of this Warrant Agreement, the term “Target Business” shall mean an
operating business with its principal operations in Greater China (as described
in the Registration Statement).
3.3
Exercise
of Warrants
.
3.3.1
Payment
.
Subject
to the provisions of the Warrants and this Warrant Agreement, a Warrant, when
countersigned by the Warrant Agent, may be exercised by the registered holder
thereof by surrendering it, at the office of the Warrant Agent, or, if
applicable, at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, in the Borough
of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as set forth
in the Warrants, duly executed, and by paying in full, the Warrant Price for
each full Ordinary Share as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all
applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the
exchange of the Warrant for Ordinary Shares, and the issuance of the Ordinary
Share. Payment of the Warrant Price shall be made either (i) in cash or by
certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company, (ii)
in
the
event of redemption pursuant to Section 6 hereof in which the Company’s
management has elected to force all holders of Warrants to exercise such
Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by surrendering the Warrants for that number of
Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product
of
the number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the
difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market Value” (defined below)
by (y) the Fair Market Value
or
(iii)
in the case of the Placement Warrants, if the Company has previously called
the
Warrants for redemption pursuant to Article 6 and the applicable Placement
Warrants are owned by one of the officers or directors of the Company and/or
their respective affiliates, on a cashless basis by surrendering Warrants held
by such holder to the Company. Upon the surrender of Warrants to the Company
in
payment of the Warrant Price pursuant to a cashless exercise, a holder shall
be
entitled to receive therefor that number of Ordinary Shares otherwise issuable
upon exercise of such holder’s Warrants less that number of Ordinary Shares
having a Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) equal to the aggregate
Warrant Price that would otherwise have been paid by the holder of such
Warrants. For purposes of this Section 3.3.1, the term “Fair Market Value” shall
mean the average reported last sales price of the Ordinary Shares for the last
10 trading days ending on the third business day prior to the date on which
notice of redemption of the Warrants is given by the Company.
3.3.2
Issuance
of Certificates
.
As soon
as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant and, to the extent applicable,
the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price, the Company shall
issue to the registered holder of such Warrant a certificate or certificates
for
the number of full Ordinary Shares to which he, she or it is entitled,
registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and
if
such Warrant shall not have been exercised in full, a new countersigned Warrant
for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver
any
securities pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant unless (i) a registration
statement under the Act with respect to the Ordinary Shares issuable upon the
exercise of such Warrant is effective, or (ii) in the opinion of counsel to
the
Company, the exercise of such Warrant is exempt from the registration
requirements of the Act and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such
Warrant are qualified for sale or exempt from qualification under applicable
securities laws of the states or other jurisdictions in which the registered
holder(s) thereof reside. Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued
to, any registered holder in any state in which such exercise or issuance would
be unlawful. In no event will the registered holder of the Warrant be entitled
to receive a net-cash settlement, securities or other consideration in lieu
of
physical settlement in Ordinary Shares, regardless of whether the Ordinary
Shares underlying the Warrants are registered pursuant to an effective
registration statement.
3.3.3
Valid
Issuance
.
All
Ordinary Shares issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity
with
this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
3.3.4
Date
of Issuance
.
Each
person in whose name any such certificate for Ordinary Shares is issued shall
for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares
on
the date on which the Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price
was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate, except
that,
if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer
books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become
the
holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date
on
which the stock transfer books are open.
4.
Adjustments
.
4.1
Stock
Dividends/Split Ups
.
If
after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 below,
the
number of outstanding Ordinary Shares is increased by a stock dividend payable
in Ordinary Shares, or by a split up or reclassification of shares Ordinary
Shares, or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock
dividend, split up, reclassification or similar event, the number of Ordinary
Shares issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion
to
such increase in outstanding Ordinary Shares.
4.2
Aggregation
of Shares
.
If
after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6, the number
of outstanding Ordinary Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination,
reverse stock split or reclassification of Ordinary Shares or other similar
event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse
stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of Ordinary Shares
issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such
decrease in outstanding Ordinary Shares.
4.3
Adjustments
in Warrant Price
.
Whenever the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the
Warrants is adjusted, as provided in Section 4.1 and 4.2 above, the Warrant
Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price
immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which
shall be the number of Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the
Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which
shall be the number Ordinary Shares so purchasable immediately
thereafter.
4.4
Replacement
of Securities upon Reorganization, etc.
In case
of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares
(other than a change covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2 hereof or that solely affects
the par value of such Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into another company (other than a
consolidation or merger in which the Company survives and that does not result
in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Ordinary Shares),
or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another company or entity of the
assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as
an
entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Warrant holders
shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and
upon
the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the Ordinary
Shares of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon
the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares
of
stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such
reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution
following any such sale or transfer, that the Warrant holder would have received
if such Warrant holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately
prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in
Ordinary Shares covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be
made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and this Section 4.4. The provisions
of
this Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications,
reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other
transfers.
4.5
Notices
of Changes in Warrant
.
Upon
every adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of shares issuable on
exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the
Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such
adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares
purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in
reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such
calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections
4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, then, in any such event, the Company shall give written
notice to the Warrant holder, at the last address set forth for such holder
in
the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event.
Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the
legality or validity of such event.
4.6
No
Fractional Shares
.
Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Warrant Agreement to the
contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares upon exercise of
Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4,
the
holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant,
to
receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon such exercise,
round up to the nearest whole number Ordinary Shares to be issued to the Warrant
holder.
4.7
Forms
of Warrants
.
The
forms of the Public Warrants, the Placement Warrants and the Representatives
Warrants need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section
4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price
and the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued
pursuant to this Agreement. However, the Company may at any time in its sole
discretion make any change in the form of any Warrant that the Company may
deem
appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant
thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for
an
outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.
5.
Transfer
and Exchange of Warrants
.
5.1
Registration
of Transfer
.
The
Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding
Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer,
properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by
appropriate instruction. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing
an
equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall
be
cancelled by the Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered
by
the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.
5.2
Procedure
for Surrender of Warrants
.
Warrants may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written
request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue
in
exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the registered holder
of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of
Warrants;
provided
,
however
,
that in
the event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend,
the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in
exchange therefor until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel
for
the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the
new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.
5.3
Fractional
Warrants
.
The
Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer
or
exchange which will result in the issuance of a warrant certificate for a
fraction of a warrant.
5.4
Service
Charges
.
No
service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of
Warrants.
5.5
Warrant
Execution and Countersignature
.
The
Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant
to
the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the
Warrant Agent, will supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on
behalf of the Company for such purpose.
6.
Redemption
.
6.1
Redemption
.
Subject
to Section 6.4 hereof, not less than all of the outstanding Warrants may be
redeemed, at the option of the Company, with the prior consent of the
Representative, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their
expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon the notice referred to
in
Section 6.2, at the price of $.01 per Warrant (the “Redemption Price”), provided
that the last sales price of the Ordinary Shares has been equal to or greater
than $11.50 per share, on each of twenty (20) trading days within any thirty
(30) trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date
on
which notice of redemption is given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
registration statement with respect to the Ordinary Shares for which the
Warrants are exercisable must be current and effective in order for the Company
to exercise its redemption rights pursuant to this Section 6. The provisions
of
this Section 6.1 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior
written consent of the Representative.
6.2
Date
Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption
.
In the
event the Company shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall
fix a date and time for the redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Notice of
redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company
not less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date to the registered holders
of
the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on
the
Warrant Register. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the registered
holder received such notice.
6.3
Exercise
After Notice of Redemption
.
The
Warrants may be exercised in accordance with Section 3 of this Warrant Agreement
at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company
pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the Redemption Date.
In
the
event the Company determines to require all holders of Warrants to exercise
their Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to Section 3, the notice of
redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of
Ordinary Shares to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the
“Fair Market Value” in such case.
On
and
after the Redemption Date, the record holder of the Warrants shall have no
further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption
Price.
6.4
Outstanding
Warrants Only
.
The
Company understands that the redemption rights provided for by this Section
6
apply only to outstanding Warrants. To the extent a person holds rights to
purchase Warrants, such purchase rights shall not be extinguished by redemption.
However, once such purchase rights are exercised, the Company may redeem the
Warrants issued upon such exercise provided that the criteria for redemption
are
met, including the opportunity of the Warrant holder to exercise prior to
redemption pursuant to Section 6.3. The provisions of this Section 6.4 may
not
be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the
Representative.
7.
Other
Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants
.
7.1
No
Rights as Stockholder
.
A
Warrant does not entitle the registered holder thereof to any of the rights
of a
stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive
dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or
to
consent or to receive notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of
stockholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other
matter.
7.2
Lost,
Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants
.
If any
Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant
Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their
discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include
the
surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date
as
the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant
shall
constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not
the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any
time
enforceable by anyone.
7.3
Reservation
of Ordinary Shares
.
The
Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized
but unissued Ordinary Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise
in
full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Warrant
Agreement.
7.4
Registration
of Ordinary Shares
.
The
Company agrees that it shall use its best efforts to file with the SEC a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, or a new registration
statement, for the registration, under the Act, of the Ordinary Shares issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants, and it shall take such action as is necessary
to
qualify for sale, in those states in which the Warrants were initially offered
by the Company, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
In
either case, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become
effective on or prior to the commencement of the Exercise Period and to maintain
the effectiveness of such registration statement until the earlier of the
Redemption Date or the Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions of
this
Warrant Agreement. In addition, the Company agrees to use its commercially
reasonable best efforts to register such securities under the blue sky laws
of
the states of residence of exercising warrant holders, if permitted by the
blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions, in the event that an exemption is not available.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Warrant may expire worthless regardless of
whether a registration statement is current under the Act with respect to the
Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. In no event will the
registered holder of a Warrant be entitled to receive a net-cash settlement,
securities or other consideration in lieu of physical settlement in Ordinary
Shares, regardless of whether the Company complies with this Section 7.4. The
provisions of this Section 7.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without
the prior written consent of the Representative.
8.
Concerning
the Warrant Agent and Other Matters
.
8.1
Payment
of Taxes
.
The
Company will from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may
be
imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or
delivery of Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of Warrants, but the Company
shall
not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such
shares.
8.2
Resignation,
Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent
.
8.2.1
Appointment
of Successor Warrant Agent
.
The
Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties
and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving
sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant
Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the
Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the
Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a
period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation
or
incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of the Warrant (who shall,
with
such notice, submit his Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder
of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for
the
County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the
Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or
by such court, shall be a company having its principal office in the Borough
of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by
federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent
shall
be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and
obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally
named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for
any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent
shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument
transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and
rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any
successor Warrant Agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and
deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually
vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority,
powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.
8.2.2
Notice
of Successor Warrant Agent
.
In the
event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give
notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for
the
Ordinary Shares not later than the effective date of any such
appointment.
8.2.3
Merger
or Consolidation of Warrant Agent
.
Any
company into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be
consolidated or any company resulting from any merger or consolidation to which
the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under
this Warrant Agreement without any further act.
8.3
Fees
and Expenses of Warrant Agent
.
8.3.1
Remuneration
.
The
Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services
as such Warrant Agent hereunder as set forth on
Exhibit B
hereto,
and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that
the
Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties
hereunder.
8.3.2
Further
Assurances
.
The
Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be
performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other
acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant
Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Warrant
Agreement.
8.4
Liability
of Warrant Agent
.
8.4.1
Reliance
on Company Statement
.
Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement, the
Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman
of
the Board or Chief Financial Officer of the Company and delivered to the Warrant
Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken
or
suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant
Agreement.
8.4.2
Indemnity
.
The
Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent
and
save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs
and
reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent
in
the execution of this Warrant Agreement except as a result of the Warrant
Agent’s negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith.
8.4.3
Exclusions
.
The
Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of
this
Warrant Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant
(except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Warrant
Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any adjustments
required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner,
method, or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence
of
facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder
be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or
reservation of any Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to this Warrant
Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any Ordinary Shares will when issued
be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.
8.5
Acceptance
of Agency
.
The
Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Warrant Agreement
and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth
and among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect
to
Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all
moneys received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of the Company’s Ordinary
Shares through the exercise of Warrants.
9.
Miscellaneous
Provisions
.
9.1
Successors
.
All the
covenants and provisions of this Warrant Agreement by or for the benefit of
the
Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their
respective successors and assigns.
9.2
Notices
.
Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall
be
in writing and either be delivered personally or by private national courier
service, or be mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or,
if
sent by private national courier service, on the next business day after
delivery to the courier, or, if mailed, two business days after the date of
mailing, as follows:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005
Fortune
Int’l Building, No.17
North
DaLiuShu Road,
Hai
Dian
District Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
Any
notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given
or
made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent
shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery
or if sent by certified mail or private courier service five days after deposit
of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed
in
writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
Compliance
Department
with
a
copy in each case to:
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10154
Attn:
Mitchell
S. Nussbaum, Esq.
and
EarlyBird
Capital, Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
New
York,
New York 10016
Attn:
David M. Nussbuam, Chairman
and
Graubard
Miller
405
Lexington Avenue
New
York,
New York 10174
Attn:
David
Alan Miller, Esq.
9.3
Applicable
law
.
The
validity, interpretation, and performance of this Warrant Agreement and of
the
Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New
York,
without giving effect to conflict of laws. The Company hereby agrees that any
action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way
to
this Warrant Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State
of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New
York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall
be
exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive
jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such
process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting
a
copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Such
mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon
the
Company in any action, proceeding or claim.
9.4
Persons
Having Rights under this Warrant Agreement
.
Nothing
in this Warrant Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any
of
the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or
give to, any person or company other than the parties hereto and the registered
holders of the Warrants and, for the purposes of Sections 6.1, 6.4, 7.4, 9.2
and
9.8 hereof, the Representative, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason
of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise,
or agreement hereof. The Representative shall be deemed to be a third-party
beneficiary of this Warrant Agreement with respect to Sections 6.1, 6.4, 7.4,
9.2 and 9.8 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and
agreements contained in this Warrant Agreement shall be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and the Representative with respect
to
the Sections 6.1, 6.4, 7.4, 9.2 and 9.8 hereof) and their successors and assigns
and of the registered holders of the Warrants.
9.5
Examination
of the Warrant Agreement
.
A copy
of this Warrant Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the
office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of
New
York, for inspection by the registered holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent
may require any such holder to submit his Warrant for inspection by
it.
9.6
Counterparts
.
This
Warrant Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of
such
counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
9.7
Effect
of Headings
.
The
Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this
Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation
thereof.
9.8
Amendments
.
This
Warrant Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent
of
any registered holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing,
correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding
or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
under this Warrant Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable
and
that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the registered
holders. All other modifications or amendments, including any amendment to
increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period, shall require the
written consent of each of the Representative and the registered holders of
a
majority of the then outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company may lower the Warrant Price or extend the duration of the Exercise
Period in accordance with Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, without such
consent.
9.9
Severability
.
This
Warrant Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or
unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of this Warrant Agreement or of any other term or provision
hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or
provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of
this
Warrant Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and
enforceable.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant Agreement has been duly executed by the parties
hereto as of the day and year first above written.
Attest:
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Title:
|
Attest:
|
AMERICAN
STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
|
|
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
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Title:
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EXHIBIT
A-1
SPECIMEN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR
PUBLIC
WARRANT
NUMBER
__________
-
|
WARRANTS
|
(SEE
REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND)
THIS
WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW
YORK
CITY TIME, __________, 2013
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
CUSIP
WARRANT
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT, for value received
is
the
registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants expiring _________, 2013 (the
“Warrant”) to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Share, par
value $.001 per share (“Shares”), of SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP., a Cayman
Islands company (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate. Subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant
Agreement dated as of ______________, 2008 by and between the Company and the
Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”). The Warrant entitles the holder thereof
to purchase from the Company, commencing on the later of (i) the Company’s
completion of a Business Combination with a Target Business or (ii)
_____________, 2009, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the
earlier to occur of (x) _____________, 2013 (the “Expiration Date”) or (y) the
Redemption Date, such number of Shares of the Company at the price of $5.50
per
share, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant
Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company. Payment of the Warrant Price may be made at the option of
the holder of the Warrant in cash or by certified or official bank check payable
to the order of the Company. The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the
occurrence of certain events the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares
purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may, subject to certain
conditions, be adjusted. The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant
Certificate refers to the price per Share at which Shares may be purchased
at
the time the Warrant is exercised. Capitalized terms used in this Warrant
Certificate without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed
to
such terms in the Warrant Agreement.
No
fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If, upon
exercise of a Warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional
interest in a Share, the Company will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest
whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant
holder.
Upon
any
exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full Shares provided
for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder hereof or his
assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Shares for which
the
Warrant has not been exercised.
Warrant
Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent
by
the registered holder hereof in person or by attorney duly authorized in
writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another
Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in
the
aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon
due
presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the
office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of
Warrants shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Warrant
Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement,
without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental
charge.
The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the
absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all
other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by
any
notice to the contrary.
This
Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company.
The
Company reserves the right to redeem all of the outstanding Warrants, with
the
prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., at any time while they are exercisable
and prior to the Expiration Date upon a notice of redemption in writing to
the
holders of record of the Warrants, giving no less than 30 days’ notice of such
redemption if the last sale price of the Shares has been equal to or greater
than $11.50 per Share on each of 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period
ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of such
redemption is given. The redemption price of the Warrants is to be $.01 per
Warrant. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by
the
Redemption Date shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no
further value except for the $.01 redemption price.
This
Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
it
shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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|
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Title:
|
[SEAL]
DATED:
Countersigned:
SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
The
undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise ______________
Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the Ordinary
Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that
Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
|
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
and,
if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced
by this
Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance
of
such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the
Registered Holder at the address stated below:
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Dated:
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(SIGNATURE)
|
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(ADDRESS)
|
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(TAX
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
ASSIGNMENT
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants
For
Value Received,
|
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hereby
sell, assign, and transfer unto
|
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
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(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
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(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
of
the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and
hereby
|
irrevocably
constitute and appoint
|
|
Attorney
to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company,
with
full power of substitution in the premises.
|
Dated:
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(SIGNATURE)
|
THE
SIGNATURE MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT
OR
ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR
INSTITUTION PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
SPECIMEN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR
PLACEMENT
WARRANT
NUMBER
_________-
|
WARRANTS
|
(SEE
REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGENDS)
THIS
WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW
YORK
CITY TIME, April 25, 2013
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
CUSIP
WARRANT
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT, for value received
is
the
registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants expiring ____________, 2013 (the
“Warrant”) to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Share, par
value $.001 per share (“Shares”), of SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP., a Cayman
Islands company (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate. Subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant
Agreement dated as of ______________, 2008 by and between the Company and the
Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”), the Warrant entitles the holder thereof
to purchase from the Company, commencing on the later of (i) the Company’s
completion of a Business Combination with a Target Business or (ii)
_____________, 2009, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the
earlier to occur of (x) _____________, 2013 (the “Expiration Date”) or (y) the
Redemption Date, such number of Shares of the Company at the price of $5.50
per
share, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant
Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company. Payment of the Warrant Price may be made, at the option of
the holder of the Warrant either in cash or by certified or official bank check
payable to the order of the Company or if the Warrants have been called for
redemption by the Company and such warrant is held by an officer or director
of
the Company or any of their respective affiliates, on a cashless basis by
surrendering Warrants held by the holder to the Company. The Warrant Agreement
provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the Warrant Price and the
number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof,
may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. The term Warrant Price as
used
in this Warrant Certificate refers to the price per Share at which Shares may
be
purchased at the time the Warrant is exercised. Capitalized terms used in this
Warrant Certificate without definition shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Warrant Agreement.
No
fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If, upon
exercise of a Warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional
interest in a Share, the Company will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest
whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant
holder.
Upon
any
exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full Shares provided
for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder hereof or his
assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Shares for which
the
Warrant has not been exercised.
Warrant
Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent
by
the registered holder hereof in person or by attorney duly authorized in
writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another
Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in
the
aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon
due
presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the
office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of
Warrants shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Warrant
Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement,
without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental
charge.
The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the
absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all
other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by
any
notice to the contrary.
This
Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company.
The
Company reserves the right to redeem all of the outstanding Warrants, with
the
prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., at any time while they are exercisable
and prior to the Expiration Date upon a notice of redemption in writing to
the
holders of record of the Warrants, giving no less than 30 days’ notice of such
redemption if the last sale price of the Shares has been equal to or greater
than $11.50 per Share on each of 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period
ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of such
redemption is given. The redemption price of the Warrants is to be $.01 per
Warrant. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by
the
Redemption Date shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no
further value except for the $.01 redemption price. Following the date on which
notice of a redemption of the Warrants has been given, payment of the Warrant
Price may, at the option of the holder thereof, also be made on a cashless
basis
by surrendering Warrants held by such holder to the Company. Upon such surrender
of Warrants to the Company in payment of the Warrant Price, a holder shall
be
entitled to receive therefor that number of Shares otherwise issuable upon
exercise of such holder’s Warrants less the number of Shares having a Fair
Market Value equal to the aggregate Warrant Price that would otherwise have
been
paid by the holder of such Warrants.
This
Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
it
shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
By:
|
|
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Title:
|
[SEAL]
DATED:
Countersigned:
[FORM
OF
REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR PLACEMENT WARRANT]
THE
WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE INITIALLY ISSUED AS PART OF AN
ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE ORDINARY SHARE, PAR VALUE
$.001
(“ORDINARY SHARE”) OF SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. (THE “COMPANY”) AND ONE
WARRANT. THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WILL NOT BE SEPARATELY
TRANSFERABLE UNTIL THE 90
TH
DAY
AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS DECLARED EFFECTIVE BY THE STAFF OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) UNLESS EARLYBIRD CAPITAL, INC.
INFORMS THE COMPANY OF ITS DETERMINATION THAT AN EARLIER SEPARATE TRADING DATE
IS ACCEPTABLE AND THE COMPANY HAS MADE CERTAIN PUBLIC FILINGS WITH THE SEC
ON OR
PRIOR TO SUCH EARLIER SEPARATE TRADING DATE.
THE
ORDINARY SHARES OF THE COMPANY FOR WHICH THIS WARRANT IS EXERCISABLE MAY NOT
BE
OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
ACCORDINGLY, NO HOLDER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO EXERCISE SUCH HOLDER’S WARRANTS AT
ANY TIME UNLESS, AT THE TIME OF EXERCISE (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT RELATING TO THE ORDINARY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON THE
EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAS BEEN FILED WITH, AND DECLARED EFFECTIVE BY, THE
SEC, AND NO STOP ORDER SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE SEC, OR (ii) THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SHARES
IS PERMITTED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE
SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THESE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION
HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
OF
THE SECURITIES ACT.
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT
TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE WARRANT
AGENT’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(C) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER
INFORMATION
SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE A
CERTIFICATE OF ASSIGNMENT IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THESE
SECURITIES IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE WARRANT
AGENT.
SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
The
undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise ______________
Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the Ordinary
Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that
Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
|
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
and,
if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced
by this
Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance
of
such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the
Registered Holder at the address stated below:
|
Dated:
|
|
|
|
|
(SIGNATURE)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(TAX
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
ASSIGNMENT
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants
For
Value Received,
|
|
hereby
sell, assign, and transfer unto
|
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
|
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
of
the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and
hereby
|
irrevocably
constitute and appoint
|
|
Attorney
to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company,
with
full power of substitution in the premises.
|
Dated:
|
|
|
|
|
(SIGNATURE)
|
THE
SIGNATURE MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT
OR
ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR
INSTITUTION PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
EXHIBIT
A-3
SPECIMEN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR
REPRESENTATIVE
WARRANT
NUMBER
__________-
|
WARRANTS
|
(SEE
REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND)
THIS
WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW
YORK
CITY TIME, __________, 2013
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
CUSIP
WARRANT
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT, for value received
is
the
registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants expiring _____________, 2013 (the
“Warrant”) to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Share, par
value $.001 per share (“Shares”), of SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP., a Cayman
Islands company (the “Company”), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate. Subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant
Agreement dated as of ____________, 2008 by and between the Company and the
Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Agreement”), the Warrant entitles the holder thereof
to purchase from the Company, commencing on the later of (i) the Company’s
completion of a Business Combination with a Target Business or (ii)
____________, 2008, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the
earlier to occur of (x) _____________, 2013 (the “Expiration Date”) or (y) the
Redemption Date such number of Shares of the Company at the price of $5.50
per
share, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant
Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company. Payment of the Warrant Price may be made, at the option of
the holder of the Warrant, in cash or by certified or official bank check
payable to the order of the Company. The Warrant Agreement provides that upon
the occurrence of certain events the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant
Shares purchasable hereunder, set forth on the face hereof, may, subject to
certain conditions, be adjusted. The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant
Certificate refers to the price per Share at which Shares may be purchased
at
the time the Warrant is exercised. Capitalized terms used in this Warrant
Certificate without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed
to
such terms in the Warrant Agreement.
No
fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If, upon
exercise of a Warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional
interest in a Share, the Company will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest
whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant
holder.
Upon
any
exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full Shares provided
for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder hereof or his
assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering the number of Shares for which
the
Warrant has not been exercised.
Warrant
Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent
by
the registered holder hereof in person or by attorney duly authorized in
writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another
Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in
the
aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon
due
presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant Certificate at the
office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of
Warrants shall be issued to the transferee in exchange for this Warrant
Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement,
without charge except for any applicable tax or other governmental
charge.
The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder as the
absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all
other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by
any
notice to the contrary.
This
Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company.
The
Company reserves the right to redeem all of the outstanding Warrants, with
the
prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., at any time while they are exercisable
and prior to the Expiration Date upon a notice of redemption in writing to
the
holders of record of the Warrants, giving no less than 30 days’ notice of such
redemption if the last sale price of the Shares has been equal to or greater
than $11.50 per Share on each of 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period
ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of such
redemption is given. The redemption price of the Warrants is to be $.01 per
Warrant. Any Warrant either not exercised or tendered back to the Company by
the
Redemption Date shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no
further value except for the $.01 redemption price.
This
Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
it
shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
By:
|
|
|
Title:
|
[SEAL]
DATED:
Countersigned:
[FORM
OF
REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR REPRESENTATIVE WARRANT]
THE
WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE INITIALLY ISSUED AS PART OF AN
ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE ORDINARY SHARE, PAR VALUE
$.001
(“ORDINARY SHARE”) OF SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. (THE “COMPANY”) AND ONE
WARRANT. THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WILL NOT BE SEPARATELY
TRANSFERABLE UNTIL THE 90
TH
DAY
AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS DECLARED EFFECTIVE BY THE STAFF OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) UNLESS EARLYBIRD CAPITAL, INC.
INFORMS THE COMPANY OF ITS DETERMINATION THAT AN EARLIER SEPARATE TRADING DATE
IS ACCEPTABLE AND THE COMPANY HAS MADE CERTAIN PUBLIC FILINGS WITH THE SEC
ON OR
PRIOR TO SUCH EARLIER SEPARATE TRADING DATE.
THE
ORDINARY SHARES OF THE COMPANY FOR WHICH THIS WARRANT IS EXERCISABLE MAY NOT
BE
OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
ACCORDINGLY, NO HOLDER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO EXERCISE SUCH HOLDER’S WARRANTS AT
ANY TIME UNLESS, AT THE TIME OF EXERCISE (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT RELATING TO THE ORDINARY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON THE
EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAS BEEN FILED WITH, AND DECLARED EFFECTIVE BY, THE
SEC, AND NO STOP ORDER SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE SEC, OR (ii) THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SHARES
IS PERMITTED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE
SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT
TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE WARRANT
AGENT’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(C) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER
INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE
A CERTIFICATE OF ASSIGNMENT IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THESE
SECURITIES IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE WARRANT
AGENT.
SUBSCRIPTION
FORM
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
The
undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise ______________
Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the Ordinary
Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that
Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
|
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
and,
if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced
by this
Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance
of
such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the
Registered Holder at the address stated below:
|
Dated:
|
|
|
|
|
(SIGNATURE)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(TAX
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
ASSIGNMENT
To
Be
Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants
For
Value Received,
|
|
hereby
sell, assign, and transfer unto
|
|
(PLEASE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
|
|
(SOCIAL
SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
|
and
be delivered to
|
|
|
(PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
|
|
of
the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and
hereby
|
irrevocably
constitute and appoint
|
|
Attorney
to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company,
with
full power of substitution in the premises.
|
Dated:
|
|
|
|
|
(SIGNATURE)
|
THE
SIGNATURE MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN
WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT
OR
ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR
INSTITUTION PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
28
January, 2008
Page
1
29
January, 2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition
Corp.
Cricket
Square
Hutchins
Drive
P.O.
Box 2681
Grand
Cayman KY1-1111
Cayman
Islands
|
|
DIRECT
LINE:
2842
9556
E-MAIL:
christopher.bickley@conyersdillandpearman.com
OUR
REF:
CWHB/kl/255366
(M#871966)
YOUR
REF:
|
Dear
Sirs,
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”)
We
have
acted as special Cayman legal counsel to the Company in connection with an
initial public offering of (i) 4,500,000 units (the “Units”), with each Unit
consisting of one ordinary share, par value US$0.001 per share (the “Shares”),
and redeemable warrants to purchase one Share (the “Warrants”) to the
underwriters (the “Underwriters”), (ii) up to 675,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment
Units”) which the Underwriters will have a right to purchase from the Company to
cover over-allotments, if any, (iii) (iv) all Shares and all Warrants issued
as
part of the Units and Over-Allotment Units and (v) all Shares issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants included in the Units and Over-Allotment Units as
described in the prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form
F-1
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Registration Statement”).
For
the
purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied upon copies of
the
following documents:
(i)
|
the
Registration Statement to be filed by the Company under the United
States
Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about 29
January, 2008 as amended;
|
(ii)
|
a
draft of the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) contained in the Registration
Statement;
|
(iii)
|
a
draft of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate (the “Warrant
Documents”) constituting the Warrants;
and
|
(iv)
|
drafts
of the unit certificates (the “Unit Certificates”) constituting the Units
and the Over-Allotment Units.
|
We
have
also reviewed and relied upon (1) the memorandum of association and the articles
of association of the Company, (2) copies of written resolutions of the
directors of the Company dated and written resolutions of the shareholders
of
the Company both dated 25 January, 2008 (together, the “Resolutions”), (3) the
register of members of the Company, (4) a certificate of good standing issued
by
the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies on 25 January, 2008 (the “Certificate
Date”) and (5) such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of
law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth
below.
We
have
assumed (i) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures, stamps and
seals
and the conformity to the originals of all copies of documents (whether or
not
certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals
from which such copies were taken; (ii) the accuracy and completeness of all
factual representations made in the Prospectus and Registration Statement and
other documents reviewed by us, (iii) that the resolutions contained in the
Resolutions are full and accurate records of resolutions passed at meetings
duly
convened and held by the directors and shareholders of the Company in accordance
with the articles of association of the Company and that such resolutions have
not been amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect; (iv) that
there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman
Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed
herein; (v) the validity and binding effect under the laws of the United States
of America of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that the
Registration Statement will be duly filed with or declared effective by the
Commission; (vi) that the Unit Certificates will be governed by the laws of
The
State of New York and the validity and binding effect under the laws of The
State of New York of the Warrant Documents and the Unit Certificates; and (vii)
that the Prospectus, when published, will be in substantially the same form
as
that examined by us for purposes of this opinion.
The
obligations of the Company under the Warrant Documents and the Unit Certificates
(a) will be subject to the laws from time to time in effect relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, possessory liens, rights of set off,
reorganisation,
amalgamation,
moratorium or any other laws or legal procedures, whether of a similar nature
or
otherwise, generally affecting the rights of creditors; (b) will be subject
to
statutory limitation of the time within which proceedings may be brought; (c)
will be subject to general principles of equity and, as such, specific
performance and injunctive relief, being equitable remedies, may not be
available; (d) may not be given effect to by a Cayman Islands court, whether
or
not it was applying the laws of The State of New York, if and to the extent
they
constitute the payment of an amount which is in the nature of a penalty and
not
in the nature of liquidated damages. Notwithstanding any contractual submission
to the jurisdiction of specific courts, a Cayman Islands court has inherent
discretion to stay or allow proceedings in the Cayman Islands against the
Company under the Warrant Documents and the Unit Certificates if there are
other
proceedings in respect of those Warrant Documents and the Unit Certificates
simultaneously underway against the Company in another
jurisdiction.
We
express no opinion as to validity or the binding effect of obligations to make
any payment at an increased rate on overdue amounts or on the happening of
an
event or default or to pay a specified rate or interest on the amount of a
judgment after the date of judgement. In addition, any provision expressly
or
impliedly providing that certain statements, calculations and/or certificates
are incorrect on their face or fraudulent will not necessarily prevent judicial
enquiry into the merits of a claim of an aggrieved party.
We
have
made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of
any
jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. This opinion is to be governed
by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and is limited
to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the Cayman
Islands.
On
the
basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1.
|
As
at the Certificate Date, the Company is duly incorporated and existing
under the laws of the Cayman Islands in good standing (meaning
solely that
it has not failed to make any filing with any Cayman Islands government
authority or to pay any Cayman Islands government fee which would
make it
liable to be struck off by the Registrar of Companies and thereby
cease to
exist under the laws of the Cayman
Islands).
|
2.
|
The
issue of the Shares has been duly authorised, and when the Shares
have
been issued, delivered and paid for in the manner described in and
pursuant to the terms of the Prospectus and Registration Statement
will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no further
sums are payable to the Company with respect to the holding of such
Shares).
|
3.
|
When
duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company, the Warrant
Documents and the Unit Certificates will constitute the valid and
binding
obligations of the Company in accordance with their respective terms
thereof.
|
We
hereby
consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to
the
Registration Statement and to the references to us under the headings “Taxation”
and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category
of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act,
or
the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Yours
faithfully,
/s/
CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN
CONYERS
DILL & PEARMAN
January
29, 2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
Reference
is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp., a Cayman Islands company (the “Company”), under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the “Act”), covering an underwritten public offering of (i)
4,500,000 Units, with each Unit consisting of one of the Company’s ordinary
shares, par value $.001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), and one warrant, each
to purchase one share of the Company’s Ordinary Shares (the “Warrants”), (ii) up
to 675,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) for which the underwriters have
been granted an over-allotment option, (iii) up to 450,000 units (“Purchase
Option Units”) which Broadband Capital Management LLC, the representative of the
underwriters, will have the right to purchase for its own account or that of
its
designees, (iv) all Ordinary Shares and all Warrants issued as part of the
Units, Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units and (v) all Ordinary
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units,
Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units.
We
have
examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed
necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth below. With
respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced or
certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter
documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the
extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain
officers of the Company. Because the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants are
governed by New York law, we are rendering this opinion as to New York law.
We
are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion
as
to any matters governed by any law other than the law of the State of New York.
In particular, we do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws
of
the Cayman Islands.
Based
upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that each of the Warrants (including
the Warrants issuable in connection with the Over-Allotment Units and the
Purchase Option Units), if and when paid for in accordance with the terms of
the
underwriting agreement between the Company and the representative of the
underwriters (the “Underwriting Agreement”) constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with
its
terms.
In
addition, the foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that (a)
enforceability may be limited by and be subject to general principles of equity,
regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law (including, without limitation, concepts of notice and
materiality), and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws affecting creditors’ and debtors’ rights generally
(including, without limitation, any state or federal law in respect of
fraudulent transfers); (b) no opinion is expressed herein as to compliance
with
any federal or state consumer protection or antitrust laws, rules, or
regulations, or any municipal or local laws and ordinances; (c) no opinion
is
expressed herein as to the enforceability of the indemnification provisions
contained in any agreement, to the extent such provisions may be unenforceable
under federal or state securities laws; (d) no opinion is expressed herein
as to
compliance with or the effect of federal or state securities or blue sky laws;
(e) no opinion is expressed herein as to federal and state laws, regulations
and
policies concerning (i) a national or local emergency, (ii) possible judicial
deference to acts of sovereign states, (iii) civil and criminal forfeiture
laws,
(iv) conscionability or other provisions that might violate public policy or
(v)
usury; and (f) no opinion is expressed herein as to (i) survivability or
severability provisions, (ii) any provision purporting to make oral
modifications will be unenforceable or which limits the applicability of the
doctrine of promissory estoppel, (iii) choice of law or venue provisions, (iv)
any provision that prohibits assignment by operation of law or in any other
respect that may be deemed unreasonable under the circumstances, or (v) any
arbitration provisions.
We
hereby
consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
to the use of our name as your U.S. counsel and to all references made to us
in
the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In
giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules
and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Very
truly yours,
/s/
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
______________,
2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Re:
Initial
Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned shareholder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
of
Directors of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“Company”), in consideration of
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EarlyBird”) entering into an agreement to underwrite an
initial public offering of the securities of the Company (“IPO”) and embarking
on the IPO process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used
herein are defined in paragraph 12 hereof):
1.
If
the
Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him i
n
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO
Shares
.
The
undersigned will not exercise any appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights
are
available) to which the undersigned may be entitled under the Companies Law
(2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) in connection with
any Business Combination with respect to any Insider Shares, IPO Shares and
shares acquired in the aftermarket owned by him.
2.
In
the
event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18
months from the consummation of the IPO or 30 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO (such date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall (i) take all such
action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company
and
liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably
practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of the Companies Law, and
(ii) vote his or her shares in favor of any plan of dissolution and distribution
recommended by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned hereby waives
any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company
as a
result of such liquidation with respect to all Ordinary Shares then owned by
him, including without limitation, his or her Insider Shares, his or her
Placement Shares, his or her IPO Shares and any shares acquired by him in the
aftermarket (“Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with
the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason
whatsoever.
3.
The
undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and
all loss, liability, claims, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but
not
limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending
or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever) which the Company may become subject as
a
result of any claim by any vendor or other person who is owed money by the
Company for services rendered or products sold or contracted for, or by any
target business (“Third-Party Claimant”), but only to the extent necessary to
ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not reduce
the
amount in the Trust Fund; provided, however, that the undersigned shall not
be
required to so indemnify the Company if the Third-Party Claimant has waived
its
right to proceed against the Trust Fund. The undersigned further agrees to
advance such funds as are necessary to complete the plan of dissolution and
distribution, and not seek repayment thereof, if and to the extent the Company’s
assets outside of the Trust Fund are insufficient.
4.
In
order
to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable
opportunity to acquire a Target Business, until the earlier of the consummation
by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company or
until such time as the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company,
subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the
undersigned might have.
5.
To
further minimize potential conflicts of interest, t
he
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any
Business Combination
with
an
entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that
the
Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a
financial point of view.
6.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate
(“Affiliate”) of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept
any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation
of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary,
the
undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying,
investigating and consummating a Business Combination and the undersigned
acknowledges that Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
(“Related
Party”), shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to
compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities
and secretarial services.
7.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate
of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any
other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family
of the
undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business
Combination.
8.
The
undersigned will escrow half of his or her Insider Shares until the
date
which is nine (9) months after the date on which the Company consummates its
initial Business Combination and the undersigned will escrow the remaining
half
of his or her Insider Shares until the date which is one (1) year after the
date
on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination,
in
accordance with the terms of a Share Escrow Agreement which the Company will
enter into with the undersigned, certain other holders of the Ordinary Shares
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent.
9.
The
undersigned agrees to be a member of the Company’s board of directors and its
Chief Executive Officer until the earlier of the consummation by the Company
of
a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s
biographical information furnished to the Company and EarlyBird and attached
hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any
material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and contains
all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of
Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned’s
Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EarlyBird is true and accurate in
all
respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a)
He
is not
subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any
act
or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;
(b)
He
has
never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud
or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another
person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not
currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
(c)
He
has
never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or
commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license
or registration denied, suspended or revoked.
10.
The
undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which
he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve as a member of
the
Company’s board of directors and its Chief Executive Officer.
11.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts
of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws
of
another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in any way to this
letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of
the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction
and
that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii)
irrevocably
agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the
State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service
of
process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as
such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EarlyBird and appoint
a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EarlyBird within 30
days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law
.
12.
As
used
herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a stock
exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
having a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the
time of such acquisition; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the Company’s
ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all
officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares
owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall
mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Placement”
shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated
immediately prior to the IPO; (vii) “Private Placement Shares” shall mean the
Ordinary Shares issued in the Private Placement; (viii) “Target Business” shall
mean an operating business that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by
the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount
of
the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
EXHIBIT
A
[Insider
biographical information]
______________,
2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Re:
Initial
Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned shareholder, Chief Financial Officer and director of Spring Creek
Acquisition Corp. (“Company”), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
(“EarlyBird”) entering into an agreement to underwrite an initial public
offering of the securities of the Company (“IPO”) and embarking on the IPO
process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are
defined in paragraph 11 hereof):
1.
If
the
Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Insider Shares and Placement Shares owned by him
and
all Ordinary Shares acquired by him in the IPO (the “IPO Shares”) or aftermarket
in favor of the Business Combination. The undersigned will not exercise any
appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights are available) to which the
undersigned may be entitled under the Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the
Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) in connection with any Business Combination
with respect to any Insider Shares, Placement Shares, IPO Shares and shares
acquired in the aftermarket owned by him.
2.
In
the
event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18
months from the consummation of the IPO or 30 months under the circum-stances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO (such date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall (i) take all such
action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company
and
liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably
practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of the Companies Law, and
(ii) vote his or her shares in favor of any plan of dissolution and distribution
recommended by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned hereby waives
any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company
as a
result of such liquidation with respect to all Ordinary Shares then owned by
him, including without limitation, his Insider Shares, his or her Placement
Shares, his or her IPO Shares and any shares acquired by him in the aftermarket
(“Claim”) and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as
a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company
and
will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason
whatsoever.
3.
In
order
to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable
opportunity to acquire a Target Business, until the earlier of the consummation
by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company or
until such time as the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company,
subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the
undersigned might have.
4.
To
further minimize potential conflicts of interest, t
he
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any
Business Combination
with
an
entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that
the
Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a
financial point of view.
5.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate
(“Affiliate”) of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept
any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation
of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary,
the
undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying,
investigating and consummating a Business Combination and the undersigned
acknowledges that Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
(“Related
Party”), shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to
compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities
and secretarial services.
6.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate
of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any
other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of
the
undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business
Combination.
7.
The
undersigned will escrow half of his or her Insider Shares until the
date
which is nine (9) months after the date on which the Company consummates its
initial Business Combination and the undersigned will escrow the remaining
half
of his or her Insider Shares until the date which is one (1) year after the
date
on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination,
in
accordance with the terms of a Share Escrow Agreement which the Company will
enter into with the undersigned, certain other holders of the Ordinary Shares
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent.
8.
The
undersigned agrees to be a member of the Company’s board of directors and its
Chief Financial Officer until the earlier of the consummation by the Company
of
a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s
biographical information furnished to the Company and EarlyBird and attached
hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any
material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and contains
all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of
Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned’s
Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EarlyBird is true and accurate in
all
respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a)
He
is not
subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any
act
or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;
(b)
He
has
never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud
or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another
person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not
currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
(c)
He
has
never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or
commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license
or registration denied, suspended or revoked.
9.
The
undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which
he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve as a member of
the
Company’s board of directors and its Chief Financial Officer.
10.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts
of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws
of
another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in any way to this
letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of
the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction
and
that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii)
irrevocably
agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the
State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service
of
process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as
such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EarlyBird and appoint
a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EarlyBird within 30
days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law
.
11.
As
used
herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a stock
exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
having a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the
time of such acquisition; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the Company’s
ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all
officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares
owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall
mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Placement”
shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated
immediately prior to the IPO; (vii) “Private Placement Shares” shall mean the
Ordinary Shares issued in the Private Placement; (viii) “Target Business” shall
mean an operating business that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by
the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount
of
the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
EXHIBIT
A
[Insider
biographical information]
______________,
2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Re:
Initial
Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned shareholder, President and director of Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp. (“Company”), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EarlyBird”)
entering into an agreement to underwrite an initial public offering of the
securities of the Company (“IPO”) and embarking on the IPO process, hereby
agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in
paragraph 12 hereof):
1.
If
the
Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by her i
n
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO
Shares
.
The
undersigned will not exercise any appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights
are
available) to which the undersigned may be entitled under the Companies Law
(2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) in connection with
any Business Combination with respect to any Insider Shares, IPO Shares and
shares acquired in the aftermarket owned by her.
2.
In
the
event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18
months from the consummation of the IPO or 30 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO (such date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall (i) take all such
action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company
and
liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably
practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of the Companies Law, and
(ii) vote her shares in favor of any plan of dissolution and distribution
recommended by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned hereby waives
any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company
as a
result of such liquidation with respect to all Ordinary Shares then owned by
her, including without limitation, her Insider Shares, her Placement Shares,
her
IPO Shares and any shares acquired by her in the aftermarket (“Claim”) and
hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result
of,
or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not
seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
3.
The
undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and
all loss, liability, claims, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but
not
limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending
or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever) which the Company may become subject as
a
result of any claim by any vendor or other person who is owed money by the
Company for services rendered or products sold or contracted for, or by any
target business (“Third-Party Claimant”), but only to the extent necessary to
ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not reduce
the
amount in the Trust Fund; provided, however, that the undersigned shall not
be
required to so indemnify the Company if the Third-Party Claimant has waived
its
right to proceed against the Trust Fund. The undersigned further agrees to
advance such funds as are necessary to complete the plan of dissolution and
distribution, and not seek repayment thereof, if and to the extent the Company’s
assets outside of the Trust Fund are insufficient.
4.
In
order
to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable
opportunity to acquire a Target Business, until the earlier of the consummation
by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company or
until such time as the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company,
subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the
undersigned might have.
5.
To
further minimize potential conflicts of interest, t
he
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any
Business Combination
with
an
entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that
the
Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a
financial point of view.
6.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate
(“Affiliate”) of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept
any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation
of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary,
the
undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying,
investigating and consummating a Business Combination and the undersigned
acknowledges that Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
(“Related
Party”), shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to
compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities
and secretarial services.
7.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate
of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any
other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of
the
undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business
Combination.
8.
The
undersigned will escrow half of her Insider Shares until the
date
which is nine (9) months after the date on which the Company consummates its
initial Business Combination and the undersigned will escrow the remaining
half
of her Insider Shares until the date which is one (1) year after the date on
which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination,
in
accordance with the terms of a Share Escrow Agreement which the Company will
enter into with the undersigned, certain other holders of the Ordinary Shares
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent.
9.
The
undersigned agrees to be a member of the Company’s board of directors and its
President until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s biographical
information furnished to the Company and EarlyBird and attached hereto as
Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any material
information with respect to the undersigned’s background and contains all of the
information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K,
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned’s Questionnaire
furnished to the Company and EarlyBird is true and accurate in all respects.
The
undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a)
She
is
not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any
act
or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;
(b)
She
has
never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud
or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another
person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and she is not
currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
(c)
She
has
never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or
commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license
or registration denied, suspended or revoked.
10.
The
undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which
she is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve as a member
of
the Company’s board of directors and its President.
11.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts
of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws
of
another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against her arising out of or relating in any way to this
letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of
the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction
and
that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii)
irrevocably
agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the
State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service
of
process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as
such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EarlyBird and appoint
a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EarlyBird within 30
days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law
.
12.
As
used
herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a stock
exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
having a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the
time of such acquisition; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the Company’s
ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all
officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares
owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall
mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Placement”
shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated
immediately prior to the IPO; (vii) “Private Placement Shares” shall mean the
Ordinary Shares issued in the Private Placement; (viii) “Target Business” shall
mean an operating business that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by
the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount
of
the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
EXHIBIT
A
[Insider
biographical information]
______________,
2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Re:
Initial
Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned shareholder, Chief Operating Officer and director of Spring Creek
Acquisition Corp. (“Company”), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
(“EarlyBird”) entering into an agreement to underwrite an initial public
offering of the securities of the Company (“IPO”) and embarking on the IPO
process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are
defined in paragraph 11 hereof):
1.
If
the
Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him i
n
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO
Shares
.
The
undersigned will not exercise any appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights
are
available) to which the undersigned may be entitled under the Companies Law
(2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) in connection with
any Business Combination with respect to any Insider Shares, IPO Shares and
shares acquired in the aftermarket owned by him.
2.
In
the
event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18
months from the consummation of the IPO or 30 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO (such date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall (i) take all such
action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company
and
liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably
practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of the Companies Law, and
(ii) vote his shares in favor of any plan of dissolution and distribution
recommended by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned hereby waives
any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company
as a
result of such liquidation with respect to all Ordinary Shares then owned by
him, including without limitation, his Insider Shares, his Placement Shares,
his
IPO Shares and any shares acquired by him in the aftermarket (“Claim”) and
hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result
of,
or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not
seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
3.
In
order
to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, any suitable
opportunity to acquire a Target Business, until the earlier of the consummation
by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company or
until such time as the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company,
subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations the
undersigned might have.
4.
To
further minimize potential conflicts of interest, t
he
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any
Business Combination
with
an
entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that
the
Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a
financial point of view.
5.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate
(“Affiliate”) of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept
any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation
of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary,
the
undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying,
investigating and consummating a Business Combination and the undersigned
acknowledges that Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
(“Related
Party”), shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to
compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities
and secretarial services.
6.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate
of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any
other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of
the
undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business
Combination.
7.
The
undersigned will escrow half of his Insider Shares until the
date
which is nine (9) months after the date on which the Company consummates its
initial Business Combination and the undersigned will escrow the remaining
half
of his Insider Shares until the date which is one (1) year after the date on
which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination,
in
accordance with the terms of a Share Escrow Agreement which the Company will
enter into with the undersigned, certain other holders of the Ordinary Shares
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow
agent.
8.
The
undersigned agrees to be a member of the Company’s board of directors and its
Chief Operating Officer until the earlier of the consummation by the Company
of
a Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s
biographical information furnished to the Company and EarlyBird and attached
hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any
material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and contains
all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of
Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned’s
Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EarlyBird is true and accurate in
all
respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a)
He
is not
subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any
act
or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;
(b)
He
has
never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud
or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another
person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not
currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
(c)
He
has
never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or
commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license
or registration denied, suspended or revoked.
9.
The
undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which
he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve as a member of
the
Company’s board of directors and its Chief Operating Officer.
10.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts
of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws
of
another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in any way to this
letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of
the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction
and
that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii)
irrevocably
agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the
State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service
of
process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as
such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EarlyBird and appoint
a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EarlyBird within 30
days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law
.
11.
As
used
herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a stock
exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
having a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the
time of such acquisition; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the Company’s
ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all
officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares
owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall
mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Placement”
shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated
immediately prior to the IPO; (vii) “Private Placement Shares” shall mean the
Ordinary Shares issued in the Private Placement; (viii) “Target Business” shall
mean an operating business that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by
the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount
of
the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
EXHIBIT
A
[Insider
biographical information]
______________,
2008
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Re:
Initial
Public Offering
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned shareholder of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“Company”), in
consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EarlyBird”) entering into an agreement
to underwrite an initial public offering of the securities of the Company
(“IPO”) and embarking on the IPO process, hereby agrees as follows (certain
capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 10 hereof):
1.
If
the
Company solicits approval of its shareholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him i
n
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO
Shares
.
The
undersigned will not exercise any appraisal rights (if such appraisal rights
are
available) to which the undersigned may be entitled under the Companies Law
(2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) in connection with
any Business Combination with respect to any Insider Shares, IPO Shares and
shares acquired in the aftermarket owned by him.
2.
In
the
event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 18
months from the consummation of the IPO or 30 months under the circum-stances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO (such date being referred to
herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned shall (i) take all such
action reasonably within its power as is necessary to dissolve the Company
and
liquidate the Trust Fund to holders of IPO Shares as soon as reasonably
practicable, subject to any applicable requirements of the Companies Law, and
(ii) vote his shares in favor of any plan of dissolution and distribution
recommended by the Company’s board of directors. The undersigned hereby waives
any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Company
as a
result of such liquidation with respect to all Ordinary Shares then owned by
him, including without limitation, his Insider Shares, his Placement Shares,
his
IPO Shares and any shares acquired by him in the aftermarket (“Claim”) and
hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result
of,
or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not
seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
3.
To
minimize potential conflicts of interest, t
he
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any
Business Combination
with
an
entity which is affiliated with any of its founding shareholders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that
the
Business Combination is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated shareholders from a
financial point of view.
4.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate
(“Affiliate”) of the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept
any compensation for services rendered to the Company prior to the consummation
of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary,
the
undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying,
investigating and consummating a Business Combination and the undersigned
acknowledges that Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
(“Related
Party”), shall be allowed to charge the Company up to $7,500 per month to
compensate it for the Company’s use of Related Party’s office space, utilities
and secretarial services.
5.
Neither
the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any Affiliate
of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any
other compensation in the event the undersigned, any member of the family of
the
undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned originates a Business
Combination.
6.
The
undersigned will escrow half of his Insider Shares until the
date
which is nine (9) months after the date on which the Company consummates its
initial Business Combination and the undersigned will escrow the remaining
half
of his Insider Shares until the date which is one (1) year after the date on
which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination,
in
accordance with the terms of a Share Escrow Agreement which the Company will
enter into with the undersigned, certain other holders of the Ordinary Shares
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent.
7.
The
undersigned’s biographical information furnished to the Company and EarlyBird
and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects, does
not
omit any material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and
contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401
of
Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned’s
Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EarlyBird hereto is true and accurate
in all respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a)
He
is not
subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any
act
or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;
(b)
He
has
never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud
or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another
person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not
currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and
(c)
He
has
never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or
commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license
or registration denied, suspended or revoked.
8.
The
undersigned has full right and power, without violating any agreement by which
he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement.
9.
This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts
of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws
of
another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in any way to this
letter agreement (a “Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the courts of
the State of New York of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction
and
that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and (iii)
irrevocably
agrees to appoint Loeb & Loeb LLP as agent for the service of process in the
State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his behalf, service
of
process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is unable to act as
such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EarlyBird and appoint
a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EarlyBird within 30
days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law
.
10.
As
used
herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a stock
exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
having a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the
time of such acquisition; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the Company’s
ordinary shares, par value $.0001 per share; (iii) “Insiders” shall mean all
officers, directors and shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
Private Placement; (iv) “Insider Shares” shall mean all of the Ordinary Shares
owned by an Insider prior to the Private Placement; (v) “IPO Shares” shall
mean the Ordinary Shares issued in the Company’s IPO; (vi) “Private Placement”
shall mean the private placement of securities of the Company consummated
immediately prior to the IPO; (vii) “Private Placement Shares” shall mean the
Ordinary Shares issued in the Private Placement; (viii) “Target Business” shall
mean an operating business that has its principal operations in the Greater
China region; and (ix) “Trust Fund” shall mean the trust account established by
the Company at the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount
of
the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.
|
|
|
Name: Gary Han Ming Chang
|
EXHIBIT
A
[Insider
biographical information]
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is made as of __________, 2008 by and between Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp. (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
trustee (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS,
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-147284 (as amended
from time to time) (“Registration Statement”), for its initial public offering
of securities (“IPO”) has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“Effective Date”); and
WHEREAS,
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. is acting as the representative (the “Representative”) of
the underwriters in the IPO; and
WHEREAS,
the Company has issued securities in a private placement that will occur
immediately prior to the IPO (the “Placement”); and
WHEREAS,
as described in the Company’s Registration Statement, and in accordance with the
Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, $32,770,000 of the
proceeds of the IPO, net of all discounts and commissions including the Deferred
Compensation (as defined below) ($37,792,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment
option is exercised in full) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited
and held in a trust account (the “Trust Account") for the benefit of the Company
and the holder’s of the Company’s Ordinary Shares, par value $.0001 per share,
issued in the IPO (the “IPO Shares”) as hereinafter provided, and in the event
the units issued in the IPO are registered in Colorado, pursuant to Section
11-51-302(6) of the Colorado revised statutes (the “CRS”). A copy of Section
11-51-302(6) of the CRS is attached hereto and made a part hereof;
and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of
_______________, 2007, among the Company and certain purchasers, the entire
proceeds of the private placement of the warrants with the Company’s purchasers,
equal to $1,250,000, will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited in the
Trust Account; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, an additional $1,080,000 (or $1,242,000
if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), (or the amount
specified in the notice delivered pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof), representing
a portion of the underwriters’ discount (the “Deferred Compensation”) which the
Representative, on behalf of the underwriters, has agreed to deposit into the
Trust Account; and
WHEREAS,
the amount to be delivered to the Trustee, including the proceeds of the IPO
and
the private placement and the Deferred Compensation, will be referred to herein
as the “Property,” the shareholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the
Property will be referred to as the “Public Shareholders;” and the Public
Shareholders, the Representative and the Company will be referred to together
as
the “Beneficiaries;” and the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this
Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee
shall hold the Property; and
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth
the
terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the
Property;
IT
IS
AGREED:
1.
Agreements
and Covenants of Trustee
.
The
Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a)
Hold
the
Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, including without limitation, the terms of Section 11-51-302(6)
of
the CRS, in a segregated trust account established by the Trustee at a branch
of
Credit Suisse Bank;
(b)
Manage,
supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein;
(c)
In
a
timely manner, upon the instruction of the Company, to invest and reinvest
the
Property in any “Government Security.” As used herein, Government Security means
any Treasury Bill issued by the United States, having a maturity of 180 days
or
less or any open ended investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the
conditions of paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3) and (c)(4) under Rule 2a-7 promulgated
under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(d)
Collect
and receive, when due, all principal and income arising from the Property,
which
shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;
(e)
Notify
the Company and the Representative of all communications received by it with
respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;
(f)
Supply
any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company in
connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns for the Trust
Account;
(g)
Participate
in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest
arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company and/or
the
Representative to do so;
(h)
Render
to
the Company and to the Representative, and to such other person as the Company
may instruct, monthly written statements of the activities of and amounts in
the
Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;
and
(i)
If
there
is any income tax obligation relating to the income of the Property in the
Trust
Account, then, only at the written instruction of the Company, in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as either
Exhibit
A
,
to make
available in cash or by check from the Property in the Trust Account an amount
specified by the Company as owing to the applicable taxing authority, which
amount shall be paid directly to the taxing authority (though a check made
out
to the applicable taxing authority may be provided to the Company for inclusion
with its tax returns) by electronic funds transfer, account debit or other
method of payment;
provided,
however
,
(i)
such distributions may only be made if and to the extent that interest has
been
earned on the amount initially deposited in the Trust Account sufficient to
pay
for such tax obligation and (ii) that if a taxing authority will not accept
payment in such manner, then any payment which would have been made directly
to
the taxing authority may be made to the Company, and the Company shall forward
such payment to the taxing authority; and
(j)
Commence
liquidation of the Trust Account only after receipt of and only in accordance
with the terms of a letter (“
Termination
Letter
”),
in a
form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either
Exhibit
B
or
Exhibit
C
,
signed
on behalf of the Company by its (i) Chief Executive Officer and (ii) Chief
Financial Officer, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and
disburse the Property in the Trust Account (which disbursement shall include,
in
the event of a Business Combination (as hereafter defined), payment of the
Deferred Compensation to the Representative) only as directed in the Termination
Letter and the other documents referred to therein. The Trustee understands
and
agrees that, except as provided in this paragraph and paragraphs 1(i), 1(k)
and
6(a) hereof, disbursements from the Trust Account shall be made only pursuant
to
a duly executed Termination Letter, together with the other documents referenced
herein. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean
an acquisition by a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business
combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more
Target Businesses (as hereinafter defined) having a fair market value of at
least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the time of such acquisition. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Target Business” shall mean an operating
business that has its principal operations in the Greater China region (as
described in the Registration Statement); and
(k)
Upon
one
or more written requests from the Company, which may be given not more than
once
in any calendar month period, the Trustee shall distribute to the Company
interest earned on the Trust Account, as specified by the Company in its written
request to the Trustee, net of taxes payable, up to a maximum of $1,050,000.
The
distributions requested by the Company may be for any amount, provided that
(i)
in the aggregate, all distributions under this Section 1(k) may not exceed
$1,050,000 and (ii) that such distributions may only be made if and to the
extent that interest has been earned on the amount initially deposited into
the
Trust Account in the amount requested by the Company; and
(l)
Permit
or
effect no distribution from the Trust Account except in accordance with Sections
1(i), 1(j), 1(k) and 6(a).
2.
Agreements
and Covenants of the Company
.
The
Company hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a)
Provide
all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with
respect to its duties under Section 1(i) above, the Trustee shall be entitled
to
rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice
or instruction which it in good faith believes to be given by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Chief Financial Officer;
(b)
Hold
the
Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all
expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered
by the Trustee in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought
against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or
demand which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services
of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any income earned from investment
of the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the
Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit
or
proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under
this paragraph, it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim
(hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have the
right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim,
provided, that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect
to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior
written consent of the Company. The Company may participate in such action
with
its own counsel;
(c)
Pay
the
Trustee an initial acceptance fee of $_______ and an annual fee of $________
(it
being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such
fee).
The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and first year’s
fee at the consummation of the IPO and shall thereafter pay the annual fee
on
the anniversary of the Effective Date. The Trustee shall refund to the Company
the fee (on a pro rata basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation
of the Trust Fund. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees
or
charges of the Trustee except as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof (it
being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to make any
payments to the Trustee under such Section);
(d)
Within
five business days after the Representative’s over-allotment option (or any
unexercised portion thereof) expires or is exercised in full, provide the
Trustee notice in writing (with a copy to the Representative) of the total
amount of the Deferred Compensation, which shall in no event be less than
$1,080,000;
(e)
Provide
to the Trustee any letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive
agreement that is executed in connection with a Business Combination, together
with a certified copy of a unanimous resolution of the Board of Directors of
the
Company affirming that such letter of intent, agreement in principle or
definitive agreement is in effect; and
(f)
In
connection with any vote of the Company’s shareholders regarding a Business
Combination, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a firm
regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies and tabulating
shareholder votes verifying the vote of the Company’s shareholders and the
Company’s Public Shareholders regarding such Business Combination.
3.
Limitations
of Liability
.
The
Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:
(a)
Take
any
action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in Section 1 hereof
and the Trustee shall have no liability to any party except for liability
arising out of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(b)
Institute
any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from,
or
institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to,
any
of the Property unless and until it shall have received written instructions
from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have
advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident
thereto;
(c)
Change
the investment of any Property, other than in compliance with Section
1(c);
(d)
Refund
any depreciation in principal of any Property;
(e)
Assume
that the authority of any person designated by the Company or the Representative
to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise
in such designation, or unless the Company or the Representative shall have
delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;
(f)
The
other
parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or
any
action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise
of its own best judgment, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any
order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Trustee), statement, instrument, report or other paper
or
document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness
of
its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information
therein contained) which is believed by the Trustee, in good faith, to be
genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The
Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification,
termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless
evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee signed by the proper
party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected,
unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;
(g)
Verify
the correctness of the information set forth in the Registration Statement
or to
confirm or assure that any acquisition made by the Company or any other action
taken by it is as contemplated by the Registration Statement, unless an officer
of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof, or written notice of such event
is
sent to the Trustee or as otherwise required under Section 1(j) hereof;
and
(h)
Pay
any
taxes on behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly understood that, as
set
forth in Section 1(i), if there is any income tax obligation relating to the
income of the Property in the Trust Account, then, at the written instruction
of
the Company, the Trustee shall make available by check or in cash for transfer
by account debit or wire transfer directly to the taxing authorities designated
by the Company, the amount indicated by the Company as owing to each such taxing
authority).
4.
Certain
Rights
Of
Trustee
.
(a)
Before
the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s
Certificate or opinion of counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable
for
any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s
Certificate or opinion of counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and
the
advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(b)
The
Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(c)
The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good
faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred
upon it by this Agreement.
(d)
The
Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the
validity or adequacy of this Agreement; it shall not be accountable for the
Company’s use of the proceeds from the Trust Account. Notwithstanding the
effective date of this Agreement or anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for any act
or
event relating to this Agreement or the transactions related thereto which
occur
prior to the date of this Agreement, and shall have no contractual obligations
to the Beneficiaries until the date of this Agreement.
5.
No
Right of Set-Off
.
The
Trustee waives any right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim
of
any kind that the Trustee may have against the Property held in the Trust
Account. In the event that the Trustee has a claim against the Company under
this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b), the Trustee
will pursue such claim solely against the Company and not against the Property
held in the Trust Account.
6.
Termination
.
This
Agreement shall terminate as follows:
(a)
If
the
Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under
this
Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor
trustee. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor
trustee has been appointed by the Company and has agreed to become subject
to
the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the
Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the
transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account,
whereupon this Agreement shall terminate;
provided
,
however
,
that,
in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety
days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may
submit an application to have the Property deposited with the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit,
the
Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever that arises due to any
actions or omissions to act by any party after such deposit; or
(b)
At
such
time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1(j) hereof, and distributed the
Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this
Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Section 2(b).
7.
Miscellaneous
.
(a)
The
Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the
security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from
the
Trust Account. Upon receipt of written instructions, the Trustee will confirm
such instructions with an Authorized Individual at an Authorized Telephone
Number listed on the attached
Exhibit
D
or such
other individuals and telephone numbers as are authorized from time to time
pursuant to the notice provisions of this Agreement. The Company and the Trustee
will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security
procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party
immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained
access to such information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In
executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon account numbers or other
identifying numbers of a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank,
rather than names. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability
or
expense resulting from any error in an account number or other identifying
number, provided it has accurately transmitted the numbers
provided.
(b)
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law
principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of
another jurisdiction. It may be executed in several counterparts, each one
of
which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one
instrument.
(c)
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any provision
hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by each
of
the parties hereto;
provided,
however
,
that no
such change, amendment or modification (other than to correct a typographical
or
similar technical error) may be made to Sections 1(i), 1(j), 1(k) and 1(l)
hereof without the consent of the holders of 90% of the IPO Shares, it being
the
specific intention of the parties hereto that each Public Shareholder is and
shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section 7(c) with the same right
and
power to enforce this Section 7(c) as either of the parties hereto. For purposes
of this Section 7(c), the “consent of the holders of 90% of the IPO Shares”
shall mean receipt by the Trustee of a certificate from an entity certifying
that (i) such entity regularly engages in the business of serving as inspector
of elections for companies whose securities are publicly traded, and (ii) either
(a) the holders of record of 90% of the IPO Shares of record as of a record
date
established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companies Law
(2004 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”), have voted in favor
of such amendment or modification or (b) the holders of record of 90% of the
IPO
Shares of record as of a record date established in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Companies Law have delivered to such entity a
signed writing approving such amendment or modification.
(d)
As
to any
claim, cross-claim or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement, each
party waives the right to trial by jury.
(e)
The
parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal
court located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for purposes of
resolving any disputes hereunder.
(f)
Any
notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms
or
provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express
mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt
requested), by hand delivery or by facsimile transmission:
if
to the
Trustee, to:
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
________________
Fax
No.:
(___) __________
if
to the
Company, to:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
James Cheng-Jee Sha, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)
Fax
No.:
in
either
case with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Attn:
________________________
Fax
No.:
________________
and
Graubard
Miller
405
Lexington Avenue
New
York,
New York 10174
Attn:
David
Alan Miller, Esq.
Fax
No.:
(212) 818-8881
and
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10154
Attn:
Mitchell
S. Nussbaum, Esq.
Fax
No.:
(212) 407-4990
(g)
This
Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior written consent
of the Company.
(h)
Each
of
the Trustee and the Company hereby represents that it has the full right and
power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform
its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges
and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust
Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds
in
the Trust Account under any circumstance.
[
Signature
page follows
]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment Management
Trust
Agreement as of the date first written above.
AMERICAN
STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
|
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SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
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By:
|
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Name:
James Cheng-Jee Sha
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Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
EXHIBIT
A
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert
date]
American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
Re:
Trust
Account No.
[
]
Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to paragraph 1(i)
of
the
Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
(“Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated
as of ____________, 2008 (“Trust Agreement”),
the
Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $_______ of the income
earned on the Property as of the date hereof. The Company needs such funds
to
pay for the tax obligations as set forth on the attached tax return or tax
statement. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby
directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly
upon
your receipt of this letter to the Company’s operating account at:
[WIRE
INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]
Very
truly yours,
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SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
|
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Name:
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Title:
|
EXHIBIT
B
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert
date]
American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
Re:
Trust
Account No.
[
] Termination Letter
Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ____________, 2008 (“Trust Agreement”), this is
to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement (“Business
Agreement”) with __________________ (“Target Business”) to consummate a business
combination with Target Business (“Business Combination”) on or about [insert
date]. The Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in advance of the actual
date of the consummation of the Business Combination (“Consummation Date”) and
shall provide you with a certificate or affidavit in accordance with Section
2(f) of the Trust Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust
Agreement.
In
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to
commence liquidation of the Trust Account to the effect that, on the
Consummation Date, all of funds held in the Trust Account will be immediately
available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct
on the Consummation Date.
On
the
Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written
notification that (a) the Business Combination has been consummated and (b)
the
provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the CRS have been met,
and
(ii) the Company and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., as representative of the
underwriters of the Company’s IPO (the “Representative”) shall deliver to you
joint written instructions with respect to the transfer of the funds held in
the
Trust Account, including the Deferred Compensation (“Instructions”). You are
hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds, including the Deferred
Compensation, held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the
counsel’s letter, the Officer’s Certificate and the Instructions, in accordance
with the terms of the Instructions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon
verification of receipt by you of the Instruction Letter, we hereby agree and
acknowledge that the Property in the Trust Account shall be distributed as
follows: (1) first, to the Representative by wire transfer (or as otherwise
directed by the Representative) in immediately available funds, the aggregate
amount of $__________ plus any interest accrued thereon; and (2) thereafter,
to
any other Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Instructions. In
the
event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated
by
the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company of the same
and the Company, if the amount set forth in clause (1) shall not have been
paid
in full, the Company and the Representative shall issue joint written
instructions directing you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust
Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon
the
distribution of all funds in the Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof,
the
Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In
the
event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation
Date
described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the
original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then the funds held
in
the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement on
the
business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the
notice.
Very
truly yours,
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SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
|
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Name:
|
|
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
|
EXHIBIT
C
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert
date]
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
Re:
Trust
Account No.
[
] Termination Letter
Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company (“Trustee”), dated as of ____________, 2008 (“Trust Agreement”), this is
to advise you that the Board of Directors of the Company has voted to dissolve
the Company and liquidate the Trust Account (as defined in the Trust Agreement).
Attached hereto is a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Board of
Directors of the Company relating thereto, certified by an executive officer
of
the Company as true and correct and in full force and effect.
In
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby (a) certify to
you
that, if applicable, the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4
of
the Colorado Statute have been met and (b) authorize you to commence liquidation
of the Trust Account
as
part
of the Company’s plan of dissolution and distribution. In connection with this
liquidation, you are hereby authorized to establish a record date for the
purposes of determining the shareholders of record entitled to receive their
per
share portion of the Trust Account. The record date shall be within ten (10)
days of the liquidation date, or as soon as thereafter as is practicable.
You
will
notify the Company and ______________ (“Designated Paying Agent”) in writing as
to when all of the funds in the Trust Account will be available for immediate
transfer (“Transfer Date”). The Designated Paying Agent shall thereafter notify
you as to the account or accounts of the Designated Paying Agent that the funds
in the Trust Account should be transferred to on the Transfer Date so that
the
Designated Paying Agent may commence distribution of such funds in accordance
with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Company’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. Upon the payment of all the funds in the Trust
Account, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated and the Trust Account
closed.
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SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
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By:
|
|
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Name:
|
|
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
|
EXHIBIT
D
AUTHORIZED
INDIVIDUAL(S)
FOR
TELEPHONE CALL BACK
|
|
AUTHORIZED
TELEPHONE
NUMBER(S)
|
|
|
|
Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F, Room #1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17, North DaLinShu Road
Hai
Dian District, Beijing 10081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
James Cheng-Jee Sha
Chief
Executive Officer
|
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+86-106214-3501
|
|
|
|
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59
Maiden Lane
New
York, New York 10038
Attn:
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(212)
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SHARE
ESCROW AGREEMENT
SHARE
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 2008 (“Agreement”) by and among
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands corporation (“Company”), the
undersigned parties listed as Initial Shareholders on the signature page hereto
(collectively, the “Initial Shareholders”) and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company as escrow agent ( the “Escrow Agent”).
WHEREAS,
the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated ___________,
2008
(“Underwriting Agreement”) with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., as representative
(“EarlyBird”) of the underwriters named therein (collectively, the
“Underwriters”) in connection with a public offering (the “Public Offering”) by
the Company of Units (as hereafter defined), pursuant to which, among other
matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase up to 4,500,000 units
(“Units”) of the Company, each consisting of one ordinary share of the Company,
par value $.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), and one Warrant (a
“Warrant”). Each Warrant evidences the right of the holder thereof to purchase
one Ordinary Share for $5.50, subject to adjustment, as described in the Warrant
Agreement dated as of _______________, 2008 by and between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as Warrant Agent; and
WHEREAS,
the Initial Shareholders have agreed, as a condition of the Underwriters’
obligation to purchase the Units pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and
to
offer them to the public, to deposit all of the Ordinary Shares owned by them
prior to the consummation of the Public Offering and the Private Placement,
which amounts are set forth opposite their respective names in
Schedule
A
attached
hereto (collectively “Escrow Shares”;
provided
,
however
,
that if
EarlyBird does not exercise the over-allotment option in full, or if greater
than 20% of the public shareholders vote against a Business Combination (as
hereinafter defined) that is consummated, such lesser amount as remains after
the cancellation of up to 168,750 shares of the ordinary shares held in escrow),
in escrow as hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Initial Shareholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept
the
Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter
provided.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1.
Appointment
of Escrow Agent
.
The
Company and the Initial Shareholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act
in
accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject
to such terms.
2.
Deposit
of Escrow Shares
.
Prior
to the date of the consummation of the Private Placement and the Public
Offering, each of the Initial Shareholders shall deliver to the Escrow Agent
certificates representing his or her respective Escrow Shares to be held and
disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Initial
Shareholder acknowledges and agrees that the certificates representing his
or
her Escrow Shares will be legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Shares
under this Agreement.
3.
Disbursement
of the Escrow Shares
.
3.1.
The
Escrow Shares
.
The
Escrow Agent shall hold fifty percent (50%) of the Escrow Shares, as set forth
in
Schedule
A
until it
receives a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer of the Company stating that date which is nine (9) months after the
date
on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (as
hereinafter defined) has occurred (the “First Escrow Period”). The Escrow Agent
shall hold the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Escrow Shares, as set forth
in
Schedule
A
until it
receives a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer of the Company stating that the date which is one (1) year after the
date on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (the
“Second Escrow Period”) has occurred (the “Second Escrow Shares”). Following the
termination of either the First Escrow Period or the Second Escrow Period (as
applicable), the Escrow Agent shall, upon written instructions from each Initial
Shareholder, disburse each of the Initial Shareholder’s Escrow Shares to such
Initial Shareholder;
provided
however
,
that
if, after the Company consummates a Business Combination, it (or the surviving
entity) subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other
similar transaction which results in all of its Shareholders of such entity
having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or
other
property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a certificate, executed
by
the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in form
reasonably acceptable to the Escrow Agent, that such transaction is then being
consummated, release the Escrow Shares to the Initial Shareholders immediately
prior to the consummation of such transaction so that they can similarly
participate;
provided
further
,
that if
the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company that EarlyBird did not exercise
its
overallotment option (as further described in the Registration Statement) or
exercised it in part, an amount such that the remaining Escrow Shares shall
not
exceed 20.0% of the outstanding ordinary shares post-Public Offering (but in
no
event more than 168,750 Escrow Shares) shall be forfeited by the Initial
Shareholders and cancelled by the Company and the Escrow Agent shall promptly
destroy the certificates representing such Escrow Shares; and
provided
further
,
that if
the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company that more than 20% of the public
shareholders voted against a proposed Business Combination, exercised their
conversion rights and the Business Combination is consummated, an amount of
the
Escrow Shares such that the remaining Escrow Shares shall not exceed 23.81%
of
the outstanding ordinary shares post-Business Combination (but in no event
more
than 281,250 Escrow Shares) shall be forfeited by the Initial Shareholders
and
cancelled by the Company and the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the
certificates representing such Escrow Shares.
3.2.
Duties
.
The
Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement
or
destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section 3. For purposes
of this Agreement, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by a
stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or
controlling, through contractual arrangements, of one or more Target Businesses
(as hereinafter defined) having a fair market value of at least 80% of the
Company’s net assets at the time of such acquisition. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “Target Business” shall mean an operating business that has
its principal operations in the Greater China (as described in the Registration
Statement) region.
4.
Rights
of Initial Shareholders in Escrow Shares
.
4.1.
Voting
Rights as a Shareholder
.
Subject
to the terms of the Insider Letter described in Section 4.4 hereof and except
as
herein provided, the Initial Shareholders shall retain all of their rights
as
Shareholders of the Company during the Escrow Period, including, without
limitation, the right to vote such shares.
4.2.
Dividends
and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares
.
During
the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow
Shares shall be paid to the Initial Shareholders, but all dividends payable
in
share or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to
the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein,
the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends
distributed thereon, if any.
4.3.
Restrictions
on Transfer
.
During
the Escrow Period, no sale, transfer or other disposition may be made of any
or
all of the Escrow Shares except (i) by gift to a member of an Initial
Shareholder’s immediate family or to a trust or other entity, the beneficiary of
which is an Initial Shareholder or a member of an Initial Shareholder’s
immediate family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon
death of any Initial Shareholder, or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order;
provided
,
however
,
that
such permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective
transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and of the Insider Letter signed by the Initial Shareholder
transferring the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, no Initial Shareholder
shall pledge or grant a security interest in his, her or its Escrow Shares
or
grant a security interest in his, her or its rights under this
Agreement.
4.4.
Insider
Letters
.
Each of
the Initial Shareholders has executed a letter agreement with EarlyBird and
the
Company, dated as indicated on
Schedule
A
hereto
(“Insider Letter”), and which is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-147284 with
respect to the Units to be issued in the Public Offering (the “Registration
Statement”), respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Shareholder
in certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the
Company.
5.
Concerning
the Escrow Agent
.
5.1.
Good
Faith Reliance
.
The
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively
and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate,
opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent),
statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its
due
execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as
to
the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is
believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by
the
proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice
or
demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement
unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper
party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected,
unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.
5.2.
Indemnification
.
The
Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered
by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding
involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of
or
relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the
Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after
the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the
commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify
the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice,
the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature
of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition
of
the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any
appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final,
non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties
hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are
to
be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive
in
the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5
or
5.6 below.
5.3.
Compensation
.
The
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company
for
all services rendered by it hereunder, as set forth on
Exhibit
A
hereto.
The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for
all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties
hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees
and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.
5.4.
Further
Assurances
.
From
time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial
Shareholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such
further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further
acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively
the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith
or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.
5.5.
Resignation
.
The
Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow
agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such
resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation
shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn over to
a
successor escrow agent appointed by the Company and approved by EarlyBird,
the
Escrow Shares held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within
the
60 day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow
Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it deems
appropriate.
5.6.
Discharge
of Escrow Agent
.
The
Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent
hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the Company and a majority
of the Initial Shareholders, jointly,
provided
,
however
,
that
such resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment
by a
successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.
5.7.
Liability
.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not
be
relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own
willful misconduct.
6.
Miscellaneous
.
6.1.
Governing
Law
.
This
Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the
parties hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising
out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced
in
the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for
the
Southern District of New York (each, a “New York court”), and irrevocably
submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. Each of
the
parties hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that
such
courts represent an inconvenient forum.
6.2.
Third-Party
Beneficiaries
.
Each of
the Initial Shareholders hereby acknowledges that EarlyBird is a third-party
beneficiary of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified or changed
without the prior written consent of EarlyBird.
6.3.
Entire
Agreement
.
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to
the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly provided herein, may not
be
changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
to
the charged.
6.4.
Headings
.
The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.
6.5.
Binding
Effect
.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective
parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and
assigns.
6.6.
Notices
.
Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall
be
in writing and either be delivered personally or by private national courier
service, or be mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or,
if
sent by private national courier service, on the next business day after
delivery to the courier, or, if mailed, two business days after the date of
mailing, as follows:
If
to the
Company, to:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
James Cheng-Jee Sha, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)
If
to an
Initial Shareholder, to his address set forth in
Exhibit
A
.
and
if to
the Escrow Agent, to:
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59
Maiden
Lane
New
York,
New York 10038
Attn:
[____________________]
A
copy of
any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to (but which shall not constitute
notice):
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10154
Attn:
Mitchell
S. Nussbaum, Esq.
and:
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
275
Madison Avenue
27th
Floor
New
York,
New York 10016
Attn:
David
M.
Nussbaum
and:
Graubard
Miller
405
Lexington Avenue
New
York,
New York 10174
Attn:
David
Alan Miller, Esq.
The
parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other
communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in
the
manner provided herein for giving notice.
6.7.
Liquidation
of Company
.
The
Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation
and
dissolution of the Company in the event that the Company fails to consummate
a
Business Combination within the time period(s) specified in the Registration
Statement.
-
Signature
page of the Company immediately follows
-
WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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James
Cheng-Jee Sha,
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Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)
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-
Signature
page of Initial Shareholders immediately follows
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WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
INITIAL
SHAREHOLDERS:
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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___________________________
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-
Signature
page of Escrow Agent immediately follows
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WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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&
TRUST COMPANY, as Escrow Agent
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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SCHEDULE
A
First
Escrow
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Name
and Address of
Initial
Shareholder
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Number
of
Shares
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Stock
Certificate
Number
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Date
of
Insider
Letter
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Second
Escrow
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Name
and Address of
Initial
Shareholder
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Number
of
Shares
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Stock
Certificate
Number
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Date
of
Insider
Letter
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EXHIBIT
A
Escrow
Agent Fees
[To
be
determined]
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
_________________,
2007
Live
ABC
Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing
[Address]
[Address]
Gentlemen:
This
letter will confirm our agreement that commencing on the effective date (the
“Effective Date”) of the registration statement (the “Registration Statement”)
relating to the initial public offering of the securities of Spring Creek
Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and continuing until the consummation by the
Company of a business combination or the distribution of the trust account
to
the Company’s then public shareholders (as described in the Registration
Statement), Live ABC Interactive Co., Ltd. Beijing (the “Firm”) shall make
available to the Company certain general and administrative services, including
the use of office space, utilities and secretarial support, as may be required
by the Company from time to time, at [10F, Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building,
No.17, North DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic
of China] (or any successor location). In exchange therefor, the Company shall
pay the Firm at the rate of $7,500 per month.
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Very truly yours,
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SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Agreed to and Accepted by:
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LIVE ABC INTERACTIVE CO., LTD.
BEIJING
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the ____
day of ___________, 2008, by and among, Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a
company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), and the
undersigned parties listed under Investors on the signature page hereto (each,
an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).
WHEREAS,
the Investors currently hold all of the issued and outstanding securities of
the
Company; and
WHEREAS,
the Investors and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to provide
the
Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of Ordinary Shares
owned by them and the Insider Securities and the Ordinary Shares they may
acquire upon exercise of the Insider Securities;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1.
DEFINITIONS.
The following capitalized terms used herein have the following
meanings:
“Agreement”
means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified
from time to time.
“Commission”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency then
administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
“Company”
is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Demand
Registration” is defined in Section 2.1.1.
“Demanding
Holder” is defined in Section 2.1.1.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall
be
in effect at the time.
“Form
S-3” is defined in Section 2.3.
“Indemnified
Party” is defined in Section 4.3.
“Indemnifying
Party” is defined in Section 4.3.
“Insider
Securities” means the warrants being purchased by certain of the Investors prior
to or simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public
offering.
“Investor”
is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Investor
Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.
“Maximum
Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.4.
“Notices”
is defined in Section 6.3.
“Ordinary
Shares” shall mean ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.001 per
share.
“Piggy-Back
Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.
“Register,”
“registered” and “registration” mean a registration effected by preparing and
filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming
effective.
“Registrable
Securities” means (i) all of the Ordinary Shares owned or held by Investors
prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering and (ii) all
of the Insider Securities (and underlying Ordinary Shares) owned or held by
Investors upon consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.
Registrable Securities includes any warrants, Ordinary Shares or other
securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with
respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such Ordinary Shares. As
to
any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be
Registrable Securities when: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the
sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act
and
such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged
in
accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such securities shall have
been
otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not bearing a legend
restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and
subsequent public distribution of them shall not require registration under
the
Securities Act; (c) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding, or
(d)
the Registrable Securities are salable without volume restrictions pursuant
to
Rule 144 in the opinion of counsel to the Company.
“Registration
Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the
Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of securities of the
Company (other than a registration statement on Form F-4 or Form S-8, or their
successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed
to
be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).
“Release
Date” means the earliest date on which any of the Ordinary Shares or Insider
Securities are disbursed from escrow pursuant to Section 3 of that certain
Securities Escrow Agreement dated as of __________, 2008 by and among the
parties hereto and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow
agent.
“Repurchase
Right” is defined in Section 6.10.1.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect
at
the time.
“Underwriter”
means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal
in an underwritten offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making
activities.
2.
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS.
2.1
Demand
Registration
.
2.1.1
Request
for Registration
.
At any
time and from time to time on or after the date that is
(i)
after
the Company consummates a business combination with respect to the Insider
Securities (or underlying Ordinary Shares) or (ii)
three
months prior to the Release Date
with
respect to all Registrable Securities (to the extent not previously registered
by the Company pursuant to the preceding subclause (i)),
the
holders of not less than a majority of the Insider Securities or other
Registrable Securities, as the case may be, held by the Investors or the
transferees of the Investors, may make a written demand for registration under
the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (a “Demand
Registration”). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of
shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended method(s)
of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of Registrable
Securities of the demand, and each holder of Registrable Securities who wishes
to include all or a portion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the
Demand Registration (each such holder including shares of Registrable Securities
in such registration, a “Demanding Holder”) shall so notify the Company within
fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder of the notice from the
Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders shall be entitled to
have
their Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration, subject to
Section 2.1.4 and the provisos set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall
not
be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2) Demand Registrations
under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of Registrable Securities.
2.1.2
Effective
Registration
.
A
registration will not count as a Demand Registration until the Registration
Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration
has
been declared effective and the Company has complied with all of its obligations
under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after
such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration is interfered with
by
any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other governmental agency
or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such Demand Registration
will be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such
stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and
(ii)
a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders thereafter elect to continue
the
offering; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file
a
second Registration Statement until a Registration Statement that has been
filed
is counted as a Demand Registration or is terminated or withdrawn.
2.1.3
Underwritten
Offering
.
If not
less than a majority interest of the Demanding Holders so elect and such holders
so advise the Company as part of their written demand for a Demand Registration,
the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration
shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. In such event, the right
of
any holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall
be
conditioned upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting and the
inclusion of such holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the
extent provided herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their
securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement
in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such
underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the Demand
Registration.
2.1.4
Reduction
of Offering
.
If the
managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be
an
underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing
that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which
the
Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares
or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the Ordinary Shares,
if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written
contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other shareholders of the
Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number
of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the
proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability
of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of
shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), then the Company shall
include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities as to which
Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in
accordance with the number of shares of Registrable Securities which such
Demanding Holder has requested be included in such registration, regardless
of
the number of shares of Registrable Securities held by each Demanding Holder)
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second,
to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (i), the Ordinary Shares or other securities that the Company
desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Ordinary Shares for the
account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant
to
written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (v) fourth, to the extent that
the
Maximum Number of Shares have not been reached under the foregoing clauses
(i),
(ii), and (iii), the Ordinary Shares that other shareholders desire to sell
that
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.
2.1.5
Withdrawal
.
If a
majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any
underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities
in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect
to
withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the
Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with
respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest of the
Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand
Registration, then such registration shall not count as a Demand
Registration.
2.2
Piggy-Back
Registration
.
2.2.1
Piggy-Back
Rights
.
If at
any time on or after the Release Date the Company proposes to file a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering
of
equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or
exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company for
its
own account or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the
Company and by shareholders of the Company including, without limitation,
pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in
connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan,
(ii) for
an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing
shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity
securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the
Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders
of
Registrable
Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before
the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount
and type
of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of
distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters,
if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable Securities
in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares
of
Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5)
days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company
shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration
and
shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters
of
a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested
to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the same terms
and
conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale
or
other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended
method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities
proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration
that
involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting
agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for
such Piggy-Back Registration.
2.2.2
Reduction
of Offering
.
If the
managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is
to be
an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable
Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares
exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any
such
registration:
(i)
If
the
registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the Ordinary
Shares or other securities that the Company desires to
sell
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second,
to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares, if any, including the Registrable
Securities, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written
contractual piggy-back registration rights of security holders (pro rata in
accordance with the number of Ordinary Shares which each such person has
actually requested to be included in such registration, regardless of the number
of Ordinary Shares with respect to which such persons have
the
right
to request such inclusion) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
of Shares; and
(ii)
If
the
registration is a “demand” registration
undertaken at the demand of persons other than the holders of Registrable
Securities pursuant to written
contractual
arrangements with such persons, (A) first, the Ordinary Shares for the account
of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has
not
been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Ordinary Shares or other
securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum
Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B),
the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested under
this Section 2.2 (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of
Registrable Securities held by each such holder); and (D) fourth, to the extent
that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing
clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares, if any, as to which registration
has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration
rights which other shareholders desire to sell that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.
2.2.3
Withdrawal
.
Any
holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for
inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving
written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company may also elect to
withdraw a registration statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of
the
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall
pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection
with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.
2.3
Registrations
on Form S-3
.
The
holders of Registrable Securities may at any time and from time to time, request
in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all of such
Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration which
may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company
shall not be obligated to effect such request through an underwritten offering.
Upon receipt of such written request, the Company will promptly give written
notice of the proposed registration to all other holders of Registrable
Securities, and, as soon as practicable thereafter, effect the registration
of
all or such portion of such holder’s or holders’ Registrable Securities as are
specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable
Securities of any other holder or holders joining in such request as are
specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt
of
such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be obligated to effect any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.3:
(i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) if the holders
of
the Registrable Securities, together with the holders of any other securities
of
the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell
Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at any aggregate
price
to the public of less than $500,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this
Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant
to
Section 2.1.
3.
REGISTRATION
PROCEDURES.
3.1
Filings;
Information
.
Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use its commercially
reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable
Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof
as
expeditiously as practicable, and in connection with any such
request:
3.1.1
Filing
Registration Statement
.
The
Company shall, as expeditiously as possible and in any event within sixty (60)
days after receipt of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section
2.1, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form
for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall
deem
appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Registrable
Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s)
of distribution thereof, and shall use its best efforts to cause such
Registration Statement to become and remain effective for the period required
by
Section 3.1.3; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right to
defer
any Demand Registration for up to thirty (30) days, and any Piggy-Back
Registration for such period as may be applicable to deferment of any demand
registration to which such Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if
the
Company shall furnish to the holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board
of
Directors of the Company, it would be materially detrimental to the Company
and
its shareholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time;
provided further, however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise
the right set forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in
any
365-day period in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.
3.1.2
Copies
.
The
Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the holders of
Registrable Securities included in such registration, and such holders’ legal
counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each
amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including
all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the
prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary
prospectus), and such other documents as the holders of Registrable Securities
included in such registration or legal counsel for any such holders may request
in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned
by
such holders.
3.1.3
Amendments
and Supplements
.
The
Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including
post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and
the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Act until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered
by
such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the
intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement
(which period shall not exceed the sum of one hundred eighty (180) days plus
any
period during which any such disposition is interfered with by any stop order
or
injunction of the Commission or any governmental agency or court) or such
securities have been withdrawn.
3.1.4
Notification
.
After
the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in
no
event more than two (2) business days after such filing, notify the holders
of
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement of such filing,
and shall further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in
writing in all events within two (2) business days of the occurrence of any
of
the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii)
when
any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective;
(iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order
(and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions
required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered);
and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such
Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional
information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a
supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered
to
the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such
prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the
statements therein not misleading, and promptly make available to the holders
of
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement any such
supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a
Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to
the
holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and
to
the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such documents proposed
to
be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal
counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment
thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or prospectus
or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by
reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall
object.
3.1.5
State
Securities Laws Compliance
.
The
Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue
sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of
their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action
necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration
Statement to be registered with or approved by such other Governmental
Authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of
the
Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or
advisable to enable the holders of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall
not
be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph 3.1.5 or
subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.
3.1.6
Agreements
for Disposition
.
The
Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an
underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities. The representations, warranties and covenants of the
Company in any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit
of
any Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the
benefit of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration
statement. No holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration
statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the
underwriting agreement except, if applicable, with respect to such holder’s
organization, good standing, authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack
of
conflict of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational
documents, and with respect to written information relating to such holder
that
such holder has furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such
Registration Statement.
3.1.7
Cooperation
.
The
principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer
of
the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other
officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully
in
any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall
include, without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement
with
respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents,
and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and
potential investors.
3.1.8
Records
.
The
Company shall make available for inspection by the holders of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and
any
attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any holder of Registrable
Securities included in such Registration Statement or any Underwriter, all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the
Company, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence
responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to
supply all information requested by any of them in connection with such
Registration Statement.
3.1.9
Opinions
and Comfort Letters
.
The
Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in
any
Registration Statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i)
any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii)
any
comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to
any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter,
the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included
in
such Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a
prospectus, an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the
Registration Statement containing such prospectus has been declared effective
and that no stop order is in effect.
3.1.10
Earnings
Statement
.
The
Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and the Securities Act, and make available to its shareholders, as soon as
practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months,
beginning within three (3) months after the effective date of the registration
statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
3.2
Obligation
to Suspend Distribution
.
Upon
receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the
kind
described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, in the case of a resale registration on
Form
S-3 pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant
to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board
of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to
transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material
non-public information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any
registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of
“insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable,
and, if so directed by the
Company,
each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent
file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus
covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such
notice.
3.3
Registration
Expenses
.
The
Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Demand
Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Piggy-Back Registration pursuant
to
Section 2.2, and any registration on Form S-3 effected pursuant to Section
2.3,
and all expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations
under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes
effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees;
(ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws
(including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky
qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing expenses; (iv)
the
Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and
expenses of its officers and employees); (v) National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. fees; (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and
fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by
the
Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any
opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 3.1.9); (vii) the
fees
and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with
such registration and (viii) the fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected
by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included
in such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any
underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable
Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts
or
selling commissions shall be borne by such holders. Additionally, in an
underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the Company shall bear
the
expenses of the underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective amount
of
shares each is selling in such offering.
3.4
Information
.
The
holders of Registrable Securities shall provide such information as may
reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any,
in
connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including
amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of
any
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in
connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable
state securities laws.
4.
INDEMNIFICATION
AND CONTRIBUTION.
4.1
Indemnification
by the Company
.
The
Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and each other
holder of Registrable Securities, and each of their respective officers,
employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents,
and
each person, if any, who controls an Investor and each other holder of
Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act
or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, an “Investor Indemnified Party”), from
and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities,
whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement
(or
allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered
under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment
or
supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon
any
omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any
violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation
promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or
inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration;
and
the Company shall promptly reimburse the Investor Indemnified Party for any
legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Indemnified
Party in connection with investigating and defending any such expense, loss,
judgment, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such expense,
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue
statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
in
such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, or
summary prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and
in
conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by such
selling holder expressly for use therein. The Company also shall indemnify
any
Underwriter of the Registrable Securities, their officers, affiliates,
directors, partners, members and agents and each person who controls such
Underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification
provided above in this Section 4.1.
4.2
Indemnification
by Holders of Registrable Securities
.
Each
selling holder of Registrable Securities will, in the event that any
registration is being effected under the Securities Act pursuant to this
Agreement of any Registrable Securities held by such selling holder, indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers and each
underwriter (if any), and each other person, if any, who controls the company
or
such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses,
claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar
as
such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under
which
the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities
Act,
any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained
in
the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to
make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was
made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the
Company by such selling holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse
the Company, its directors and officers, and each such controlling person for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection
with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be
several and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds
actually received by such selling holder.
4.3
Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings
.
Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage
or
liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to
Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification
hereunder, notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the
loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that
the
failure by the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party
may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent
the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the
Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action
brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be
entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it
wishes, jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the
defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice
from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume
control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall
not
be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action
in
which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as
defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the
Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be subject to liability
arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the
Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees and expenses
of
such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based upon the written
opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of both parties
by
the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any
settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which
the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have
been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or
settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from
all
liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.
4.4
Contribution
.
4.4.1
If
the
indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is
unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss,
claim,
damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying
Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to
the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying
Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such
loss,
claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying
Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such
Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
4.4.2
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section 4.4.1. The
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim,
damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph
shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any
legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net
proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or
taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities
which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
5.
UNDERWRITING
AND DISTRIBUTION.
5.1
Rule
144
.
The
Company covenants that it shall file all reports required to be filed by it
under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action
as the holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the
extent required from time to time to enable such holders to sell Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rules
may be amended from time to time, or any similar Rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
6.
MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1
Other
Registration Rights
.
Except
with respect to those securities issued or issuable upon exercise of that
certain Unit Purchase Option to be issued to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. or its
designees in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in ______
2008, t
he
Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a holder of the
Registrable Securities has any right to require the Company to register any
shares of the Company’s capital stock for sale or to include shares of the
Company’s capital stock in any registration filed by the Company for the sale of
shares of capital stock for its own account or for the account of any other
person.
6.2
Assignment;
No Third Party Beneficiaries
.
This
Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may
not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement
and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Registrable
Securities in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable
Securities by any such holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall
be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their
respective successors and the permitted assigns of the Investor or holder of
Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the Investor or holder of
Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights
or
benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set
forth in Article 4 and this Section 6.2.
6.3
Notices
.
All
notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications
(collectively, “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which
are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges
prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile,
addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall
have
specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on
the
date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by telegram,
telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on
a
business
day or
is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the
next business day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed
given on the next business day following timely delivery of such notice to
a
reputable air courier service with an order for next-day delivery.
To
the
Company:
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building
No.
17,
North DaLiuShu Road
Hai
Dian
District, Beijing 100081
People’s
Republic of China
Attn:
James Cheng-Jee Sha, Chief Executive Officer
with
a
copy to:
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10154
Attn:
Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
To
an
Investor, to:
[TO
COME]
6.4
Severability
.
This
Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability
of
any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of
this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu
of
any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend
that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar
in
terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
valid
and enforceable.
6.5
Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument.
6.6
Entire
Agreement
.
This
Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all
certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations,
understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral
or written.
6.7
Modifications
and Amendments
.
No
amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon
any party unless executed in writing by such party.
6.8
Titles
and Headings
.
Titles
and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall
not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.
6.9
Waivers
and Extensions
.
Any
party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party
has the right to waive, provided that such waiver will not be effective against
the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and
specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after
the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any
waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision
herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach
thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver
or
extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed
a
waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or
acts.
6.10
Remedies
.
6.10.1
Specific
Performance
.
Each of
the parties acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be damaged
irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached.
Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that the other parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions (without the necessity of posting a bond or
other security) to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and
to
enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in
any
action instituted in any court of the United States or any state or other
foreign court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the parties and
the
matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law
or
in equity.
6.11
Remedies
Cumulative
.
In the
event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement
to
be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Investor or any other holder
of Registrable Securities may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by
suit
in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term
contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any
such
term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to
enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such
actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers
or
remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each
such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other
right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter
available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
6.12
Governing
Law
.
This
Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance
with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to
any
choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the
substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
6.13
Waiver
of Trial by Jury
.
Each
party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by
jury
in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to
this
Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Investor
in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement
hereof.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement
to
be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the
date first written above.
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
|
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
James Cheng-Jee Sha
|
|
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
INVESTORS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
PLACEMENT
WARRANT
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
PLACEMENT
WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(this
“Agreement”) made as of this ___ day of _____, 2008 among Spring Creek
Acquisition Corp, a Cayman Islands corporation (the “Company”) and the
undersigned (the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS,
the
Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a
registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-147284) (the
“Registration Statement”), in connection with the Company’s initial public
offering (the “IPO”) of up to 4,500,000 units, each unit (“Unit”) consisting of
one ordinary share of the Company, $.0001 par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), and
(ii) one warrant (the “Warrants”), each Warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share;
and
WHEREAS,
the
Company desires to sell in a private placement to the Purchasers (the
“Placement”) an aggregate of 1,250,000 Warrants (the “Placement Warrants”)
substantially identical to the Warrants being issued in the IPO pursuant to
the
terms and conditions hereof and as set forth in the Registration Statement,
except that the Placement Warrants to be issued in the Placement shall not
be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”);
WHEREAS,
each
Purchaser desires to acquire the number of Placement Warrants set forth opposite
his or her name on
Schedule
A
hereto;
WHEREAS,
the
Placement Warrants shall be governed by the Warrant Agreement filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement”);
and
WHEREAS,
the
Purchasers are entitled to registration rights with respect to the Placement
Warrants and the Ordinary Shares underlying such Placement Warrants
(collectively, the “Registrable Securities”) on the terms set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
for and
in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth,
the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1.
Purchase
of Placement Warrants
.
The
Purchasers hereby agree, directly or through nominees, to purchase an aggregate
of 1,250,000 Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per Placement
Warrant, or an aggregate of $1,250,000 (the “Purchase Price”). Such purchases
shall be in the names and amounts set forth on
Schedule
A
hereto.
2.
Closing
.
The
closing of the purchase and sale of the Placement Warrants (the “Closing”) will
take place at such time and place as the parties may agree (the “Closing Date”),
but in no event later than the date on which the SEC declares the Registration
Statement effective (the “Effective Date”). At least 24 hours prior
to the Effective Date, the Purchasers shall pay the Purchase Price by wire
transfer of funds to an account maintained by Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb”),
counsel for the Company. Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, Loeb
shall deposit the Purchase Price into the trust account described in the
Registration Statement (the “Trust Account”). The certificates for the Warrants
comprising the Placement Warrants shall be delivered to the Purchasers promptly
after the closing of the IPO.
3.
Redemption
.
Not
less than all of the outstanding Placement Warrants may be redeemed, at the
option of the Company, with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., at
any
time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office
of
the warrant agent, upon the notice referred to in the Warrant Agreement. Upon
such redemption at the option of the Purchasers, the Purchasers may exercise
their Placement Warrants on a cashless basis, so long as such Placement Warrants
are held by the Purchasers or their Affiliates. In such event, each Purchaser
would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Placement Warrants for that
number of Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the
product of the number of Ordinary Shares underlying the Placement Warrants,
multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Placement
Warrants and the fair market value of an Ordinary Share by (y) the fair market
value of an Ordinary Share. The “fair market value” is the average reported last
sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third
trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to
the
holders of the Placement Warrants. With respect to any natural person, the
term
Affiliate shall also include any member of said person’s immediate family, any
family limited partnership for said person and any trust, voting or otherwise,
of which said person is a trustee or of which said person or any of said
person’s immediate family is a beneficiary. For purposes of the foregoing, the
term “control” and variations thereof means the possession of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all other terms and conditions of the Placement
Warrants are identical to the terms and conditions of the Warrants.
4.
Restrictions
on Transfer
.
From
the Effective Date until the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination (the “Restriction Period”), no sale, transfer or other disposition
may be made of any or all of the Placement Warrants except (i) by gift to a
member of a Purchaser’s immediate family or to a trust or other entity, the
beneficiary of which is a Purchaser or a member of a Purchaser’s immediate
family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of
any
Purchaser; or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order;
provided
,
however
,
that
such permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective
transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. During the Restriction Period, no Purchaser shall pledge or grant
a
security interest in his or her Placement Warrants or grant a security interest
in his or her rights under this Agreement.
5.
Waiver
of Liquidation Distributions
.
In
connection with the Placement Warrants purchased pursuant to this Agreement,
the
Purchasers hereby waive any and all right, title, interest or claim of any
kind
in or to any liquidating distributions by the Company in the event of a
liquidation of the Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete a
Business Combination. For purposes of clarity, any Ordinary Shares purchased
in
the IPO or the aftermarket by the Purchasers shall be eligible to receive any
liquidating distributions by the Company.
6.
Representations
and Warranties of the Purchasers
.
Each
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants on behalf of itself to the Company
that:
6.1
Such
Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
6.2
The
Placement Warrants are being acquired by such Purchaser for such Purchaser’s own
account, only for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for resale
in
connection with, any distribution or public offering thereof within the meaning
of the Securities Act.
6.3
Such
Purchaser has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and this Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of such Purchaser
enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms.
7.
Waiver
and Indemnification
.
The
Purchasers hereby waive any and all rights to assert any present or future
claims, including any right of rescission, against the Company with respect
to
their purchase of the Placement Warrants, and each Purchaser agrees jointly
and
severally to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from all losses, damages
or
expenses that relate to claims or proceedings brought against the Company by
any
Purchaser of the Placement Warrants or their transferees, heirs, assigns or
any
subsequent holders of the Placement Warrants.
8.
Counterparts;
Facsimile
.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when
so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
shall
constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement or any counterpart may
be
executed via facsimile transmission, and any such executed facsimile copy shall
be treated as an original.
9.
Governing
Law
.
This
Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the
parties hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising
out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced
in
the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for
the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. Each of the parties hereby waives any
objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an
inconvenient forum.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the __ day of _____,
2008.
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By:
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James
Cheng-Jee Sha
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Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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SCHEDULE
A
CONSENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We
consent to the inclusion in the Prospectus,
consistuting part of Amendment No. 3 of the Registration Statment No. 333-147284
on Form S-1 of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., our report dated November 7,
2007, with respect to the financial statements of Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp.
as of October 31, 2007 and for the period from October 16, 2007 (date of
inception) to October 31, 2007, which appears in such Prospectus. We also
consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts" in such
Prospectus.
/s/
UHY LLP
New
York, New York
January
30, 2008