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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2018

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Veritone, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   47-1161641

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100

Costa Mesa, California 92626

(888) 507-1737

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive office)

 

 

Chad Steelberg

Chief Executive Officer

Veritone, Inc.

575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100

Costa Mesa, California 92626

(888) 507-1737

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Jeffrey B. Coyne

General Counsel and Secretary

Veritone, Inc.

575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100

Costa Mesa, California 92626

(888) 507-1737

 

Michael A. Hedge

K&L Gates LLP

1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor

Irvine, California 92614

(949) 253-0900

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☐

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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  ☒

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.  ☐

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.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐


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If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer     Accelerated Filer  
Non-accelerated filer   ☐  (do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company  
    Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be
Registered(1)

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price

Per Unit(1)(2)

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price(1)(2)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee(3)

Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share

               

Preferred Stock, par value of $0.001 per share

               

Debt Securities

               

Warrants

               

Units

               

Rights

               

Total :

          $150,000,000   $18,675

 

 

(1) There are being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, an indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, an indeterminate number of units, and an indeterminate number of rights to purchase an indeterminate number of common stock or preferred stock, from time to time, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal as shall result in an aggregate offering price not to exceed $150,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum offering price of the securities will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the issuance by the Registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder also include an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock and amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or rights or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any the securities registered hereunder. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with the issuance by the Registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.
(3) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

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, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement contains two prospectuses:

 

    a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to $150,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings; and

 

    an equity distribution agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 of our common stock in an at the market offering that may be issued and sold under an equity distribution agreement with JMP Securities LLC, or JMP Securities.

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The equity distribution agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The $50,000,000 of common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the equity distribution agreement prospectus is included in the $150,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus. Upon termination of the equity distribution agreement with JMP Securities, any portion of the $50,000,000 included in the equity distribution agreement prospectus that is not sold pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus, and if no shares of our common stock are sold under the equity distribution agreement, the full $150,000,000 of securities may be sold in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement.


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The information in this 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 1, 2018

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

$150,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

Rights

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to an aggregate amount of $150,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt securities, common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “VERI.” On May 30, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq was $20.04 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and, as such, are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. We are also a “controlled company” under the listing requirements of Nasdaq, or the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, which entitle us to rely on certain exemptions from Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements.

Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors ” on page  4 of this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

We will provide the specific terms of any securities we may offer in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the amount of and terms of the offering of those securities.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities, the specific manner in which they may be offered and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement covering the sales of those securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                    , 2018

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1  

About Veritone, Inc.

     2  

Risk Factors

     4  

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     5  

Use of Proceeds

     6  

Dividend Policy

     7  

Description of Capital Stock

     8  

Description of Debt Securities

     15  

Description of Warrants

     25  

Description of Units

     27  

Description of Rights

     29  

Plan of Distribution

     30  

Legal Matters

     34  

Experts

     34  

Where You Can Find More Information

     34  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     34  

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, and, if given or made, you must not rely upon the information or representations as having been authorized. This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor do this prospectus or any accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, speaks only as of the date set forth on the cover page and may not reflect subsequent changes in our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects even though this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may from time to time sell any one or more, or a combination of, the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for up to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell our securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Each prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus and may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to the offered securities.

Before making an investment decision, it is important for you to read and consider the information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below.

This prospectus may not be used to offer to sell, solicit an offer to buy or consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. If there is any inconsistency between information in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the latest supplement and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

This prospectus includes and incorporates by reference, references to our trademarks, trade names and service marks, such as Veritone ® , Veritone Platform TM , Veritone One™, aiWARE™ and Conductor™, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus also contains and incorporates by reference, references to trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, may appear without the ® , TM or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, references in this prospectus to “Veritone,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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ABOUT VERITONE

Overview

We are a provider of artificial intelligence, or AI, computing solutions. We have developed aiWARE™, a proprietary AI operating system that unlocks the power of cognitive computing to transform audio, video and other unstructured data and analyze it in conjunction with structured data in a seamless, orchestrated and automated manner to generate actionable intelligence. Our aiWARE platform, or AI platform, integrates and orchestrates an open ecosystem of best-of-breed cognitive engines, together with our suite of powerful applications, to reveal valuable multivariate insights from vast amounts of structured and unstructured data.

Our platform incorporates proprietary technology to integrate and intelligently orchestrate a wide variety of cognitive engine capabilities to mimic human cognitive functions such as perception, reasoning, prediction and problem solving in order to quickly, efficiently and cost effectively transform unstructured data into structured data. It stores the results in a time-correlated database, creating a rich, online, searchable index of the structured and unstructured data that users can use and analyze in near real-time through the platform’s suite of applications to drive business processes and insights. Our platform is based on an open architecture that enables new cognitive engines and applications to be added quickly and efficiently, resulting in a future proof, scalable and evolving solution that can be easily leveraged for a broad range of industries that capture or use audio, video and other unstructured data, including, without limitation, media, legal, government, politics and other vertical markets.

We offer our aiWARE platform through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery model, with multiple deployment options, including a fully cloud-based option on both commercial and secure government cloud instances, and a hybrid on-premises/cloud option, which allows users to maintain their data and perform AI-based processing using network-isolated cognitive engines on premises behind the users’ firewalls, with the ability to perform additional processing using cloud-based cognitive engines and to search and analyze results through our SaaS suite of applications. In addition, we are currently developing a version of aiWARE that will allow users to utilize certain cognitive engines and substantially all of the other features and functionality of our cloud-based aiWARE in a fully on-premises environment.

In December 2017, we acquired the advanced data analytics software and related intellectual property assets of Atigeo Corporation, including a cooperative distributed inferencing system—based on Hamiltonian models and other proprietary algorithms—that enables queries within huge bodies of unstructured data where straight computational, traditional machine learning and manual approaches are impractical, if not impossible. This strategic acquisition has added proprietary machine learning capabilities to our growing body of technology and intellectual property in data science and will help us further refine our conducted learning. We are in the process of incorporating portions of this technology into our aiWARE platform, which will further advance our intelligent orchestration of cognitive engines and expand the platform’s ability to understand substantially all data types.

We plan to continue to selectively pursue acquisitions and strategic investments in businesses and technologies that strengthen our AI platform, enhance our capabilities and/or expand our market presence in our core vertical markets or in new markets.

We also operate a full service media advertising agency, which we acquired at the time we were founded in 2014. Our services include media planning and strategy, media buying and placement, campaign messaging, clearance verification and attribution, and custom analytics. Since our inception, we have generated most of our revenues from this media agency business. We are in the early stages of developing our AI platform business and, although we intend to focus on our AI platform business, we plan to continue to invest in and grow our media advertising agency business.

 

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For additional information about our company, please refer to other documents we have filed with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as listed under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

Voting Agreement

In connection with the investment by Acacia Research Corporation, or Acacia, in our securities in August 2016, we entered into a voting agreement, or the Voting Agreement, with Acacia and certain stockholders, who we refer to as the Holders, including entities affiliated with Chad Steelberg, our Chief Executive Officer, and Ryan Steelberg, our President. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, our board of directors consists of a total of nine authorized directors. Until May 17, 2019, or the Voting Period, Acacia has the right to nominate three directors to our board of directors, and the Holders, voting together as a group, have the right to nominate six directors to our board of directors. Messrs. Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg currently beneficially own the majority of the voting shares of capital stock held by the Holders, and accordingly, are able to designate all six of the Holders’ director nominees. During the Voting Period, Acacia and the Holders have agreed to vote all of their shares to elect the nine directors nominated by them pursuant to the Voting Agreement. In addition, each of Acacia and the Holders has the right to appoint three designees to attend and participate in the meetings of our board of directors in a non-voting capacity.

Controlled Company

As a result of the Voting Agreement, Acacia and the Holders are able to designate and elect all nine of the directors on our board of directors until May 17, 2019. As a result, we are a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, which entitles us to rely on certain exemptions from Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements and may be relieved of other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company on December 31, 2022, or earlier if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC, or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We have taken advantage of certain reduced reporting burdens in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and we may elect to take advantage of some or all of the reduced reporting requirements in our future filings. As a result, the information contained herein and that we provide to our stockholders in the future may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

Company Information

We were incorporated as a Delaware corporation on June 13, 2014 under the name Veritone Delaware, Inc., and changed our name to Veritone, Inc. on July 15, 2014. Our corporate headquarters are located at 575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626. Our telephone number is (888) 507-1737. Our principal website address is www.veritone.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of, and should not be construed as being incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risk factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be seriously harmed. Please also read carefully the section below entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s beliefs and assumptions. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events or our financial performance, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified below, which may cause our or our industry’s actual or future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements or from historical results. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We have no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or to conform them to actual results, new information, future events or otherwise.

The factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, and other factors could cause our or our industry’s future results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated or expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus.  We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement. Pending the use of the net proceeds from any such offering, we may invest the net proceeds in investment grade, short-term interest-bearing obligations, such as money-market funds, certificates of deposit, or direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States government, or hold the net proceeds as cash.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business. Therefore, we do not currently expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends may also be restricted by the terms of any future credit agreement or any future debt or preferred equity securities of ours or of our subsidiaries.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. Copies of these documents are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Authorized Capital Stock

We are currently authorized to issue 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of March 31, 2018, we had 16,254,054 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding. As of March 31, 2018, there were 44 holders of record of our common stock, which do not include beneficial owners of common stock whose shares are held in street name by brokers or other nominees.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes of approximately equal size, each serving staggered three-year terms. Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine. We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and it is unlikely that any cash dividends will be declared or paid on any common stock in the foreseeable future. Instead, we plan to retain our cash for use in the operation of our business. Our common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights, and is not subject to conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions. If we become subject to a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and any participating preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Preferred Stock

We currently have 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock authorized, none of which are outstanding. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to direct us to issue such shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.

 

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These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Options

As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 4,933,731 shares of our common stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $13.95 per share, under our equity compensation plans. Each of such options has a term of 10 years from the grant date.

Warrants

As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,524,573 shares of common stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $12.71 per share.

Restricted Stock Units

As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding 41,145 restricted stock units, each representing the right to receive one share of common stock upon vesting.

Demand Registration Rights

Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014, as amended, or the Rights Agreement, entered into by our company and certain stockholders, the holders of at least 30% of the following held by the holders of our then-outstanding Series A and A-1 preferred stock, and the holders of at least 30% of the following held by the holders of our then-outstanding Series B preferred stock: (i) shares of our common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any of our securities by the parties to such agreement, and (ii) common stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares in (i), can request that we file up to two registration statements registering all or a portion of their registrable shares in a registration statement that would have an aggregate offering price of not less than $5 million. Under specified circumstances, we have the right to defer filing of a requested registration statement. These registration rights are subject to additional conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares included in any such registration under certain circumstances. We are required to pay all expenses relating to any demand registration by the holders of registrable securities under the Rights Agreement, subject to certain limitations. The registration rights described above will expire for each holder upon the earlier of (i) such time as such holder holds less than one percent of our common stock and Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of such holder’s shares without limitation during a three-month period without registration and (ii) May 2022, the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the holders of at least 20% of the following held by the holders of our then-outstanding Series A and A-1 preferred stock, and the holders of at least 20% of the following held by the holders of our then-outstanding Series B preferred stock: (i) shares of our common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any of our securities by the parties to such agreement, and (ii) common stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares in (i), have the right to demand that we file additional registration statements, including a shelf registration statement, for such holders on Form S-3. Under specified circumstances, we also have the right to defer filing of a requested registration statement. These registration rights are subject to additional conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares included in any such registration under certain circumstances, and to our right to decline to effect such registration if two such registrations have been effected. We are required to pay all expenses relating

 

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to any Form S-3 registration by the holders of registrable securities under the Rights Agreement, subject to certain limitations. The registration rights described above will expire for each holder upon the earlier of (i) such time as such holder holds less than one percent of our common stock and Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of such holder’s shares without limitation during a three-month period without registration and (ii) May 2022, the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

Piggyback Registration Rights

Pursuant to the note purchase agreement, or the Note Purchase Agreement, we entered into in March 2017 with Acacia and Veritone LOC I, LLC, or VLOC, until March 2019, whenever we propose to register any of our securities under the rules and regulations of the SEC, other than with respect to a registration related to employee benefit or similar plans, corporate reorganizations or other transactions under Rule 145 under the Securities Act, a registration of securities pursuant to the Rights Agreement, or any other registration that does not permit secondary sales, Acacia and VLOC, as holders of registrable (i) shares of our common stock issued under the Note Purchase Agreement, (ii) warrants issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, and the shares of our common stock issued pursuant to the exercise of such warrants and (iii) shares of our common stock issued upon conversion of the outstanding principal and accrued interest under certain bridge notes, are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right to include their registrable securities in such registration. The underwriters of any underwritten offering will have the right to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration statement.

Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, other than with respect to a registration related to employee benefit or similar plans, or corporate reorganizations or other transactions under Rule 145 under the Securities Act, the holders of registrable (i) shares of our common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any of our securities by the parties to such agreement, (ii) common stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares in (i), are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right to include their registrable securities in such registration. The underwriters of any underwritten offering will have the right to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration statement.

We are required to pay all expenses relating to any piggyback registration by the holders of registrable securities under the Rights Agreement, subject to certain limitations. The registration rights contained in the Note Purchase Agreement will expire for each holder at such time Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of such holder’s shares without limitation during a three-month period without registration. The registration rights contained in the Rights Agreement will expire for each holder upon the earlier of (i) such time as such holder holds less than one percent of our common stock and Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of such holder’s shares without limitation during a three-month period without registration and (ii) May 2022, the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws include a number of provisions that could deter hostile takeovers or delay or prevent changes in control of our company, as well as changes in our board of directors or management team, including the following:

Board of Directors Vacancies . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws authorize only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, including newly created seats. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors is only permitted to be set by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board of directors. These provisions prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and then gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees. This makes it more difficult to change the composition of our board of directors and will promote continuity of management.

 

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Classified Board . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that our board of directors shall be classified into three classes of directors, each of which hold office for a three-year term. In addition, directors may only be removed from our board of directors for cause. The existence of a classified board could delay a potential acquirer from obtaining majority control of our board of directors, and the prospect of that delay might deter a potential acquirer.

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders may not take action by written consent, but may only take action at annual or special meetings of our stockholders. As a result, a holder controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able to amend our amended and restated bylaws or remove directors without holding a meeting of our stockholders called in accordance with our amended and restated bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws further provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders controlling a majority of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of directors.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations . Our amended and restated bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions might preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

No Cumulative Voting . The Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Directors Removed Only for Cause . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the approval of not less than two-thirds of the total voting power of all of our outstanding voting stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Exclusive Venue . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees or agents to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any action, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action.

Each of the foregoing provisions will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of our company by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue

 

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preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change the control of our company.

These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of our company. These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy rights. However, these provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control of our company or our management. As a consequence, these provisions also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

    before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

    upon closing of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (1) persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

    on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

 

    any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

    any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

    subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

    any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

    the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

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Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, which prohibits our amended and restated certificate of incorporation from limiting the liability of our directors for the following:

 

    any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

    acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

 

    any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that if Delaware law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as so amended. This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we shall indemnify our employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by this person in any action or proceeding arising out of this person’s services as a director or executive officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

The above description of the indemnification provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents, each of which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. A stockholder’s investment may be harmed to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. There is no pending litigation or proceeding naming any of our directors or officers as to which indemnification is being sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director or officer.

 

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Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “VERI.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The terms of any debt securities offered under any applicable prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. One or more series of debt securities may be variable rate debt securities that may be exchanged for fixed rate debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable, and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, which may then be applicable, in connection with any obligation we may have to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Any applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will contain the following terms, if applicable:

 

    the title of the series of debt securities and the ranking;

 

    the aggregate principal amount and any limit on that amount;

 

    the price at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

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    the date on which the debt securities mature;

 

    the fixed or variable rate at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method by which the rate shall be determined;

 

    the timing, place and manner of making principal, interest and any premium payments on the debt securities, and, if applicable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange;

 

    the date or dates, if any, after which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged into or for our common stock or another company’s securities or property or cash, and the terms of any such conversion or exchange;

 

    any redemption or early repayment provisions;

 

    any sinking fund or similar provisions;

 

    the authorized denominations;

 

    any applicable subordination provisions;

 

    any guarantees of the securities by our subsidiaries or others;

 

    the currency in which we will pay the principal, interest and any premium payments on the debt securities;

 

    whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which the amounts shall be determined;

 

    the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

    the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the purchaser of the securities can select the payment currency;

 

    the provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of debt securities upon certain events;

 

    any additions to or changes in the events of default or covenants with respect to the debt securities, and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders, from those described in this prospectus, to declare principal, premium and interest to be due and payable;

 

    additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

 

    additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

    additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

    whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts on the debt securities for any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities instead of paying those amounts;

 

    the form (registered and/or bearer securities), any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for registered securities and vice versa;

 

    the date of any bearer securities or any global security, if other than the date of original issuance of the first security of the series to be issued;

 

    the person to whom and manner in which any interest shall be payable;

 

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    whether the securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;

 

    the identity of the depositary for global securities;

 

    whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to the series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;

 

    the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities and the terms upon which exchanges may be made;

 

    the securities exchange(s), if any, on which the securities will be listed;

 

    whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;

 

    the form (certificated or book-entry);

 

    the form and/or terms of certificates, documents or conditions which may be necessary, if any, for the debt securities to be issuable in final form; and

 

    additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Except as set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that we shall not consolidate with, or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge into, another business entity, unless:

 

    we are the surviving entity or, in the event that we are not the surviving entity, the entity formed by the transaction (in a consolidation) or the entity which received the transfer of assets is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and that the entity assumes all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and

 

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, as defined in the indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge with another business entity or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or any part of the property or assets of any other company in a transaction in which we are the surviving entity.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in any applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to any series of debt securities issued under the indenture:

 

    failure to pay principal of any debt security of that series when due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

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    failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when due, and the default continues for 30 days;

 

    failure to make sinking fund payments when due;

 

    failure to comply with any covenant or warranty contained in the indenture, other than covenants or warranties contained in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities, and the default continues for 30 days after notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series;

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

    any other event of default provided with respect to that particular series of debt securities.

If an event of default occurs and continues, then upon written notice to us, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the unpaid principal amount of and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration:

 

    if all events of default other than the nonpayment of principal of or interest on the debt securities of that series which have become due solely because of the acceleration have been waived or cured; and

 

    the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “Modification of Indenture; Waiver” below.

The indenture will provide that, subject to the duty of the trustee during an event of default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to certain provisions, including those requiring security or indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series.

We will be required to furnish to the trustee under the indenture annually a statement as to the performance by us of our obligations under that indenture and as to any default in our performance.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions, the terms of the indenture or the debt securities may be amended or supplemented by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the amendment with each series voting as a separate class. Without the consent of any holder of the debt securities, we and the trustee may amend the terms of the indenture or the debt securities to:

 

    cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

    provide for the assumption of our obligations to holders of the debt securities by a successor corporation;

 

    provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to certificated debt securities;

 

    make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the debt securities in any material respect;

 

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    add to, change or eliminate any other provisions of the indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities if the change would not (i) apply to any security of any series created prior to the execution of a supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of the provision, and (ii) modify the rights of the holder of any security or would become effective only when there is no outstanding security of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of the provisions proposed to be changed;

 

    establish any additional series of debt securities; or

 

    comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

However, holders of each series of debt securities affected by a modification must consent to modifications that:

 

    reduce the principal amount of the debt securities;

 

    reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest;

 

    change the fixed maturity date;

 

    change the date on which any debt security may be subject to redemption or repurchase, or reduce the redemption or repurchase price;

 

    make any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

    waive any existing default or event of default and the resulting consequences;

 

    modify the right of any holder to receive payment of principal or interest on any debt security;

 

    impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due; or

 

    make any change in the foregoing amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent.

Any existing default may be waived with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of the series affected. The consent of the holders of debt securities is not necessary to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment to any indenture. It is sufficient if any consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

Covenants

Except as permitted in certain circumstances as discussed under “Consolidation, Merger or Sale,” the indenture will require us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights (declaration and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that we shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business and that the loss of the right or franchise is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the debt securities.

The indenture will require us to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before payment becomes delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us, except any tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount or applicability of which is being contested in good faith.

Reference is made to the indenture and any applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any additional covenants specific to a particular series of debt securities.

 

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Discharge

Except as otherwise set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, we may terminate our obligations under the debt securities of any series, and the corresponding obligations under the indenture when:

 

    we have paid or deposited with the trustee funds or United States government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay at maturity all outstanding debt securities of the series, including interest other than destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series which have not been replaced or paid;

 

    all outstanding debt securities of the series have been delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series which have not been replaced or paid) to the trustee for cancellation;

 

    all outstanding debt securities of any series have become due and payable; or

 

    we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture.

In addition, we will have the option to terminate substantially all our obligations under the debt securities of any series and the corresponding obligations under the indenture, and we may exercise that option if:

 

    we have paid or deposited with the trustee, in trust an amount of cash or United States government obligations sufficient to pay all outstanding principal of and interest on the then outstanding debt securities of the series at maturity or upon their redemption, as the case may be;

 

    the deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the indenture;

 

    no default or event of default shall have occurred and continue on the date of deposit and no event of default as a result of a bankruptcy or event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become a bankruptcy event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91st day after that date;

 

    we deliver to the trustee a legal opinion that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of the series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of our option and shall be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if we did not exercise our option; or

 

    certain other conditions are met.

We will have the option to be released from our obligations with respect to the covenants to deliver reports required to be filed with the SEC and an annual compliance certificate, and to make timely payments of taxes (including covenants described in an applicable prospectus supplement), and any event of default occurring because of a default with respect to the covenants as they related to any series of debt securities, and we may exercise that option if:

 

    we deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash or United States government obligations sufficient to pay and discharge when due the entire unpaid principal of and interest on all outstanding debt securities of any series;

 

    the deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the indenture;

 

    no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of deposit and no event of default as a result of a bankruptcy or event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become a bankruptcy event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91st day after that date;

 

   

we deliver to the trustee a legal opinion that the holders of the debt securities of the series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of our option

 

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and shall be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if we did not exercise our option; and

 

    certain other conditions are met.

Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions, our obligations under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the series, other than with respect to the covenants and events of default referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no discharge or defeasance described above shall affect the following obligations to or rights of the holders of any series of debt securities:

 

    rights of registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

    rights of substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series;

 

    rights of holders of debt securities of the series to receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest thereon when due;

 

    rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the trustee;

 

    rights of holders of debt securities of the series as beneficiaries with respect to property deposited with the trustee and payable to all or any of them; and

 

    our obligations to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities of the series.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We expect payment of principal, premium, if any, and any interest on the debt securities to be payable, and the exchange and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency we maintain for that purpose. We expect to issue debt securities in denominations of U.S. $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require a payment to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with an exchange or transfer.

A holder of debt securities may transfer or exchange those debt securities in accordance with the indenture. The registrar for the debt securities may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture. The registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption or any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt security to be redeemed. The registered holder of a debt security may be treated as the owner of the security for all purposes.

We will name in any applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Replacement Securities

Any mutilated certificate representing a debt security or a certificate representing a debt security with a mutilated coupon will be replaced by us at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the certificate to the trustee. Certificates representing debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by us at the expense of the holder upon delivery to us and the trustee of evidence of any destruction, loss or theft satisfactory to us and the trustee, provided that neither we nor the trustee has been notified that the certificate or

 

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coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. In the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, the coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new certificate representing the debt security in exchange for the certificate representing the debt security to which the coupon appertains. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen certificate representing the debt security or coupon, an indemnity bond satisfactory to the trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of the debt security before a replacement certificate will be issued.

Information Concerning the Trustee

We will identify in any applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities the trustee with respect to the series. The indenture and the Trust Indenture Act contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any the claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates, but if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. The Trust Indenture Act and the indenture provide that in case an event of default occurs is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its rights and powers, to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to those provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

Global Debt Securities

Unless we indicate otherwise in any applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to all debt securities.

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in any applicable prospectus supplement. Each global security will be deposited with the depositary and will bear a legend regarding any related restrictions or other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable indenture.

Unless any applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, no global security may be transferred to, or registered or exchanged for, debt securities registered in the name of, any person or entity other than the depositary, unless:

 

    the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable or is no longer qualified to continue as depositary;

 

    we order the trustee that the global security shall be so transferable, registrable and exchangeable, and the transfers shall be registrable; or

 

    other circumstances, if any, as may be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

All debt securities issued in exchange for a global security or any portion of a global security will be registered in those names as the depositary may direct. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt securities which are to be represented by a global security to be deposited with or on behalf of a depositary will be represented by a global security registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of the global security, and the deposit of the global security with the depositary, the depositary will

 

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credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee, or the Participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee for the global security or by Participants or persons that hold through Participants.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Payment of principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on debt securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or bearer as the case may be of the global security representing the debt securities. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if the person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. If we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary will authorize the Participants to give the notice or take the action, and Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the Participants to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

The rights of any holder of a debt security to receive payment of principal and premium of, if any, and interest, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the debt security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the applicable date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holders.

Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for a debt security will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security for the debt security or for maintaining, supervising or receiving any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of the Participants.

If the depositary for a global security representing debt securities of a particular series is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue debt securities of the series in definitive form in exchange for the global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the debt securities of a particular series represented by one or more global securities and, in that event, will issue debt securities of the series in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing debt securities of the series.

 

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Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in any applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or of debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any warrants that we issue or offer, including:

 

    the title of the warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of warrants;

 

    the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

    the currencies in which the price or prices of the warrants may be payable;

 

    the designation, amount and terms of our capital stock or debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

    the designation and terms of our other securities, if any, that may be issued in connection with the warrants, and the number of warrants issued with each corresponding security;

 

    if applicable, the date that the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

    the prices and currencies for which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

    the date that the warrants may first be exercised;

 

    the date that the warrants expire;

 

    the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

    the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

 

    the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

    any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

    information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

    the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

 

    a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

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Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash the principal amount of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities at the applicable exercise price set forth in, or determined as described in, any applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Warrants may be exercised by delivering to the corporation trust office of the warrant agent or any other officer indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement (a) the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed and (b) payment of the amount due upon exercise. As soon as practicable following exercise, we will forward the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities purchasable upon exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants if the expiration date of the warrants has not occurred. If we so indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

Governing Law

Unless we provide otherwise in any applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the warrants or warrant agreements, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

Description of Outstanding Warrants

As of March 31, 2018, there were 1,524,573 warrants to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $12.71 per share, none of which are registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. The terms of any units offered under an applicable prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

General

We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or rights in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

We will describe in any applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:

 

    the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

    any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

 

    any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Rights” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, warrant or right included in each unit, respectively.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in the amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

 

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Title

We, the unit agent and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units, despite any notice to the contrary.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or warrants in one or more series. Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriters will purchase any of the offered securities remaining unsubscribed after the expiration of the rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our stockholders, we will distribute certificates evidencing the rights and an applicable prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving rights in the rights offering.

An applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

    the title of the rights;

 

    the securities for which the rights are exercisable;

 

    the exercise price for the rights;

 

    the currencies in which the price or prices of the rights may be payable;

 

    the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

    the number of the rights issued to each security holder;

 

    the extent to which the rights are transferable;

 

    if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of the rights;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

    the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

 

    any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the rights;

 

    the extent to which the rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

 

    if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering; and

 

    any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.

Each right will entitle the holder to purchase for cash the amount of securities, at the exercise price. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date of the rights. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void. The manner in which rights may be exercised will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the proper completion and due execution of the rights certificate at the designated office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, we or the transfer agent will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchased through upon the exercise of the rights. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of the methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

    at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

 

    at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

    at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

    at negotiated prices.

We may issue securities to other companies or their security holders to acquire those companies or equity interests in those companies, or to acquire assets of those companies, through mergers or consolidations with us or any of our subsidiaries, or through the exchange of our securities for securities of the other companies, or through the exchange of assets of other companies for our securities, or through similar transactions.

We may also issue our securities to one or more of our subsidiaries, including subsidiaries that we presently control and subsidiaries that we may organize or acquire in the future, and those subsidiaries may resell our securities to raise capital or to acquire other companies or equity interests in other companies, or to acquire assets of other companies.

Our officers and directors, members of their immediate families, and their respective affiliates may purchase securities that we offer, subject to compliance with our related person transaction policy, including approval of our Audit Committee, in the case of any transaction in excess of $120,000 in any fiscal year, policies established by our board of directors with regard to trading in our securities by officers and directors, and applicable rules of Nasdaq.

In addition, we may issue the securities being offered by this prospectus as a dividend or distribution.

Any applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

    the name or names of the underwriters, if any;

 

    the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;

 

    any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

    any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

    any public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Sales Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities offered by this prospectus, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us, unless the underwriters are acting only as our agents for the purpose of selling

 

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our securities as described below under “Sales Through Agents.” The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales made by the underwriters in connection with the distribution of our securities by the underwriters. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers.

If we use an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Only underwriters named in an applicable prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by such prospectus supplement.

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price with additional underwriting discounts or commissions. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of any over-allotment option will be set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement relating to those securities.

Sales Through Dealers

If we use dealers in the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealers at the time of resale. An applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transactions.

Direct Sales

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of the sales will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Sales Through Agents

Securities also may be offered and sold through agents designated from time to time. An applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If any applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Institutions with which contracts of this type may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,

 

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investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, but in all cases those institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any contract of this type will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq. Any shares of common stock sold pursuant to an applicable prospectus supplement will be eligible for listing and trading on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance. Unless any applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, each other class or series of securities issued will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on an exchange, but we are not currently obligated to do so. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in the securities, but may discontinue market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.

Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Any such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above, if implemented, may have on the price of our securities.

Derivative Transactions and Hedging

We, the underwriters or other agents may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sales for hedging purposes and any other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others.

The underwriters or agents may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities arising from the distribution of our securities by the underwriters.

Electronic Auctions

We also may make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or

 

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dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of the securities, you will want to pay particular attention to the description of that system we will provide in an applicable prospectus supplement.

The electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which the securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.

Upon completion of the electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.

General Information

Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect to those liabilities. Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution. Some of our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business. We will describe in any applicable prospectus supplement the nature of any such relationship and the name of the parties involved. Any lockup arrangements will be set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement thereto will be passed upon for us by K&L Gates LLP, Irvine, California. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Veritone, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered hereby, you should read the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including documents that we have incorporated by reference, as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, with respect to any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or any other such document, each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the corresponding exhibit. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You may obtain copies of the registration statement and its exhibits via the SEC’s EDGAR database or our website, or at the offices of the SEC, where they may be examined without charge at the Public Reference Room, at the address listed below.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including our company, that file electronically with the SEC. You may obtain documents that we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov and read and copy them at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 (information on operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330).

We also make these documents available on our website at www.veritone.com. Our website and the information contained or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain of the information we file with the SEC. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that has been filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and April 27, 2018, respectively;

 

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    our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018;

 

    our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on June 1, 2018;

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on March 21, 2018 and May 24, 2018; and

 

    the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-38093) filed with SEC on May 11, 2017, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the completion or termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for documents to Veritone, Inc., 575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626; telephone number: (888) 507-1737. You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus through our website at www.veritone.com. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

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LOGO

$150,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

Rights

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

                , 2018

 

 

 


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The information in this 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 1, 2018

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Up to $50,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, or Distribution Agreement, with JMP Securities LLC, or JMP Securities, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 from time to time through JMP Securities, acting as sales agent.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “VERI.” On May 30, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq was $20.04 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and, as such, are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. We are also a “controlled company” under the listing requirements of Nasdaq, or the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, which entitle us to rely on certain exemptions from Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. JMP Securities will act as sales agent and use commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between JMP Securities and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

JMP Securities will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the Distribution Agreement. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, JMP Securities will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of JMP Securities will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to JMP Securities with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                , 2018


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1  

Prospectus Summary

     2  

Risk Factors

     6  

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     7  

Use of Proceeds

     8  

Dilution

     9  

Plan of Distribution

     11  

Legal Matters

     12  

Experts

     12  

Where You Can Find More Information

     12  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     12  

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any free writing prospectuses we may provide to you in connection with this offering. We have not, and JMP Securities has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and JMP Securities is not, making an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy our common stock under this prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of those documents, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus relates to the offering of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

This prospectus describes the specific terms of the common stock we are offering and also adds to, and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

This prospectus includes and incorporates by reference, references to our trademarks, trade names and service marks, such as Veritone ® , Veritone Platform TM , Veritone One™, aiWARE™ and Conductor™, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus also contains and incorporates by reference, references to trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, may appear without the ® , TM or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information about this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our shares of common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. References to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Veritone, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise indicates.

Overview

We are a provider of artificial intelligence, or AI, computing solutions. We have developed aiWARE™, a proprietary AI operating system that unlocks the power of cognitive computing to transform audio, video and other unstructured data and analyze it in conjunction with structured data in a seamless, orchestrated and automated manner to generate actionable intelligence. Our aiWARE platform, or AI platform, integrates and orchestrates an open ecosystem of best-of-breed cognitive engines, together with our suite of powerful applications, to reveal valuable multivariate insights from vast amounts of structured and unstructured data.

Our platform incorporates proprietary technology to integrate and intelligently orchestrate a wide variety of cognitive engine capabilities to mimic human cognitive functions such as perception, reasoning, prediction and problem solving in order to quickly, efficiently and cost effectively transform unstructured data into structured data. It stores the results in a time-correlated database, creating a rich, online, searchable index of the structured and unstructured data that users can use and analyze in near real-time through the platform’s suite of applications to drive business processes and insights. Our platform is based on an open architecture that enables new cognitive engines and applications to be added quickly and efficiently, resulting in a future proof, scalable and evolving solution that can be easily leveraged for a broad range of industries that capture or use audio, video and other unstructured data, including, without limitation, media, legal, government, politics and other vertical markets.

We offer our aiWARE platform through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery model, with multiple deployment options, including a fully cloud-based option on both commercial and secure government cloud instances, and a hybrid on-premises/cloud option, which allows users to maintain their data and perform AI-based processing using network-isolated cognitive engines on premises behind the users’ firewalls, with the ability to perform additional processing using cloud-based cognitive engines and to search and analyze results through our SaaS suite of applications. In addition, we are currently developing a version of aiWARE that will allow users to utilize certain cognitive engines and substantially all of the other features and functionality of our cloud-based aiWARE in a fully on-premises environment.

In December 2017, we acquired the advanced data analytics software and related intellectual property assets of Atigeo Corporation, including a cooperative distributed inferencing system—based on Hamiltonian models and other proprietary algorithms—that enables queries within huge bodies of unstructured data where straight computational, traditional machine learning and manual approaches are impractical, if not impossible. This strategic acquisition has added proprietary machine learning capabilities to our growing body of technology and intellectual property in data science and will help us further refine our conducted learning. We are in the process of incorporating portions of this technology into our aiWARE platform, which will further advance our intelligent orchestration of cognitive engines and expand the platform’s ability to understand substantially all data types.

We plan to continue to selectively pursue acquisitions and strategic investments in businesses and technologies that strengthen our AI platform, enhance our capabilities and/or expand our market presence in our core vertical markets or in new markets.



 

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We also operate a full service media advertising agency, which we acquired at the time we were founded in 2014. Our services include media planning and strategy, media buying and placement, campaign messaging, clearance verification and attribution, and custom analytics. Since our inception, we have generated most of our revenues from this media agency business. We are in the early stages of developing our AI platform business and, although we intend to focus on our AI platform business, we plan to continue to invest in and grow our media advertising agency business.

For additional information about our company, please refer to other documents we have filed with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as listed under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

Voting Agreement

In connection with the investment by Acacia Research Corporation, or Acacia, in our securities in August 2016, we entered into a voting agreement, or the Voting Agreement, with Acacia and certain stockholders, who we refer to as the Holders, including entities affiliated with Chad Steelberg, our Chief Executive Officer, and Ryan Steelberg, our President. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, our board of directors consists of a total of nine authorized directors. Until May 17, 2019, or the Voting Period, Acacia has the right to nominate three directors to our board of directors, and the Holders, voting together as a group, have the right to nominate six directors to our board of directors. Messrs. Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg currently beneficially own the majority of the voting shares of capital stock held by the Holders, and accordingly, are able to designate all six of the Holders’ director nominees. During the Voting Period, Acacia and the Holders have agreed to vote all of their shares to elect the nine directors nominated by them pursuant to the Voting Agreement. In addition, each of Acacia and the Holders has the right to appoint three designees to attend and participate in the meetings of our board of directors in a non-voting capacity.

Controlled Company

As a result of the Voting Agreement, Acacia and the Holders are able to designate and elect all nine of the directors on our board of directors until May 17, 2019. As a result, we are a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, which entitles us to rely on certain exemptions from Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements and may be relieved of other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon December 31, 2022, or earlier if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC, or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We have taken advantage of certain reduced reporting burdens in this registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, as well as in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and we may elect to take advantage of some or all of the reduced reporting requirements in our future filings. As a result, the information contained herein and that we provide to our stockholders in the future may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.



 

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Company Information

We were incorporated as a Delaware corporation on June 13, 2014 under the name Veritone Delaware, Inc., and changed our name to Veritone, Inc. on July 15, 2014. Our corporate headquarters are located at 575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626. Our telephone number is (888) 507-1737. Our principal website address is www.veritone.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of, and should not be construed as being incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.



 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us

Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000.

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

Up to 18,749,063 shares (as more fully described in the notes following this table), assuming sales of 2,495,009 shares of our common stock in this offering at an offering price of $20.04 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 30, 2018. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering.

 

Plan of Distribution

“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, JMP Securities. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 11 of this prospectus.

 

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 8 of this prospectus.

 

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before investing in our common stock.

 

Nasdaq symbol

“VERI”

Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus is based on 16,254,054 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2018, and excludes as of that date:

 

    4,933,731 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2014 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended, or the 2014 Plan, and our 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan, at a weighted-average exercise price of $13.95 per share;

 

    41,145 shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of outstanding restricted stock units under the 2017 Plan;

 

    1,356,042 shares of our common stock reserved for future grants under the 2017 Plan;

 

    1,125,776 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP;

 

    1,524,573 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $12.71 per share; and

 

    20,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant at an exercise price of $11.75 issued on April 6, 2018.


 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors described below and the risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and, despite our efforts, we may use the net proceeds in a manner that does not increase the value of your investment.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. However, we have not determined the specific allocation of the net proceeds among these potential uses. Our management will have broad discretion over the use and investment of the net proceeds from this offering, and, accordingly, investors in this offering will need to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds, with only limited information concerning our specific intentions. These proceeds could be applied in ways that do not improve our operating results or increase the value of your investment.

You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase in the offering.

The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2018. Assuming that an aggregate of 2,495,009 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $20.04 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 30, 2018, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $50,000,000, and after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $14.90 per share, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2018 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. The exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants and the vesting and settlement of outstanding restricted stock units could result in further dilution of your investment.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s beliefs and assumptions. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events or our financial performance, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified below, which may cause our or our industry’s actual or future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements or from historical results. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We have no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or to conform them to actual results, new information, future events or otherwise.

The factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and other factors could cause our or our industry’s future results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated or expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $50,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for working capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other capital. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds that we will have from the sale of the shares of our common stock. Pending the use of the net proceeds from this offering, if any, we may invest the net proceeds in investment grade, short-term interest-bearing obligations, such as money-market funds, certificates of deposit, or direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States government, or hold the net proceeds as cash.

 

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DILUTION

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing our net tangible assets (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

Our historical net tangible book value at March 31, 2018 was $48.1 million or approximately $2.96 per share of our common stock. After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $50.0 million in this offering, at an assumed offering price of $20.04 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 30, 2018, and after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us, our adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2018 would have been approximately $96.4 million, or approximately $5.14 per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $2.18 per share of our common stock to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of approximately $14.90 per share of our common stock to new investors. The following table illustrates per share dilution:

 

Assumed public offering price per share

      $ 20.04  

Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2018

   $ 2.96     

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

   $ 2.18     

Adjusted net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2018, after giving effect to this offering

      $ 5.14  

Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering

      $ 14.90  

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 2,495,009 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $20.04 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on May 30, 2018, for aggregate gross proceeds of $50.0 million. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $20.04 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $50.0 million is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $5.17 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $15.87 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us.

A decrease of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $20.04 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $50.0 million is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $5.10 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $13.94 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

The above discussion and table is based on 16,254,054 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2018, and excludes as of that date:

 

    4,933,731 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under the 2014 Plan and the 2017 Plan, at a weighted-average exercise price of $13.95 per share;

 

    41,145 shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of outstanding restricted stock units under the 2017 Plan;

 

    1,356,042 shares of our common stock reserved for future grants under the 2017 Plan;

 

    1,125,776 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP;

 

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    1,524,573 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $12.71 per share; and

 

    20,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of an outstanding warrant at an exercise price of $11.75 issued on April 6, 2018.

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised, outstanding restricted stock units are settled, or other shares are issued, investors purchasing shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of those securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, or the Distribution Agreement, with JMP Securities LLC, or JMP Securities, under which we may issue and sell from time to time shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 through JMP Securities as our sales agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus may be made in transactions that are deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through Nasdaq or any other existing trading market for our common stock.

Each time we wish to issue and sell common stock under the Distribution Agreement, we will notify JMP Securities of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any minimum price below which sales may not be made and other sales parameters as we deem appropriate. Once we have so instructed JMP Securities, unless JMP Securities declines to accept the terms of the notice, JMP Securities has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares of common stock up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of JMP Securities under the Distribution Agreement to sell our common stock are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.

JMP Securities will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day on Nasdaq following the trading day in which our common stock is sold under the Distribution Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to JMP Securities in connection with the sales.

We will pay JMP Securities commissions for their services in acting as agents in the sale of our shares. JMP Securities will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of common stock sold under the Distribution Agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse JMP Securities for certain specified expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to JMP Securities under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, will be approximately $209,000.

Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and JMP Securities in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our shares of common stock as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and JMP Securities agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

In connection with the sale of common stock on our behalf, JMP Securities will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of JMP Securities will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to JMP Securities against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The offering pursuant to the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the Distribution Agreement as permitted therein.

JMP Securities and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, JMP Securities will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by K&L Gates LLP, Irvine, California. JMP Securities is being represented in connection with this offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Veritone, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed under the Securities Act. As permitted by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information that is included in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statements made in this prospectus concerning legal documents are not necessarily complete and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith file quarterly, annual, and current reports and proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website www.veritone.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8–K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain of the information we file with the SEC. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that has been filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018 and April 27, 2018, respectively;

 

    our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018;

 

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    our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on June 1, 2018;

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on March 21, 2018 and May 24, 2018; and

 

    the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-38093) filed with SEC on May 11, 2017, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the completion or termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for documents to Veritone, Inc., 575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626; telephone number: (888) 507-1737. You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus through our website at www.veritone.com. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

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LOGO

Up to $50,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

JMP Securities

                , 2018

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

Set forth below are estimates (except in the case of the SEC registration fee and FINRA filing fee) of the amount of fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 18,675.00  

FINRA Filing Fee

   $ 23,000.00  

Printing Fees and Expenses

     *  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     *  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     *  

Transfer Agent’s Fees and Expenses

     *  

Miscellaneous Expenses

     *  

Total Expenses:

     *  

 

* These fees and expenses depend on the types of securities offered and the number of offerings, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he or she was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or

 

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officer, or, while a director or officer, is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an indemnitee), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities, losses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify any indemnitee who was or is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or, while a director or officer, is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an indemnitee under certain circumstances.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. These indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and officers for some expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as one of our directors or officers, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

In any underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of securities being registered hereby, the underwriters may agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors, our officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  1.1+    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  1.2*    Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, between the Registrant and JMP Securities LLC.
  3.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2017).
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2017).
  4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing the shares of the Registrant’s common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-216726) filed on April 28, 2017).
  4.2+    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
  4.3+    Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
  4.4*    Form of Indenture.
  4.5+    Form of Debt Security.
  4.6+    Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant Certificate.
  4.7+    Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate, if any.
  4.8+    Form of Right Agreement and Right Certificate, if any.
  4.9    Investor Rights Agreement dated July 15, 2014 among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders, together with Amendment No.  1 thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-216726) filed on March  15, 2017).
  4.10    Voting Agreement dated August  15, 2016 between the Registrant and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form  S-1 (No. 333-216726) filed on March 15, 2017).
  4.11    10% Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-216726) filed on March 15, 2017).
  4.12    Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated August  15, 2016 (First Tranche Warrant A) issued to Acacia Research Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form  S-1 (No. 333-216726) filed on March 15, 2017).
  4.13    Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued under the Note Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-216726) filed on April 21, 2017).
  4.14*    Common Stock Purchase Warrant (First Tranche Warrant B), dated November 25, 2016, between the Registrant and Acacia Research Corporation.
  4.15*    Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Second Tranche Warrant), dated November 25, 2016, between the Registrant and Acacia Research Corporation.
  4.16    First Amendment to First Tranche Warrant A, dated March  14, 2017, between the Registrant and Acacia Research Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A  (No. 333-216726) filed on April 21, 2017).

 

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Exhibit

No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  4.17    First Amendment to First Tranche Warrant B, dated March  14, 2017, between the Registrant and Acacia Research Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-216726) filed on April 21, 2017).
  4.18    First Amendment to Second Tranche Warrant, dated March  14, 2017, between the Registrant and Acacia Research Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A  (No. 333-216726) filed on April 21, 2017).
  4.19    Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 15, 2017, among the Registrant, Acacia Research Corporation and VLOC, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-216726) filed on April 21, 2017).
  5.1*    Opinion of K&L Gates LLP, counsel to the Registrant.
  5.2*    Opinion of K&L Gates LLP, counsel to the Registrant, relating to the equity distribution agreement prospectus.
23.1*    Consent of Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2*    Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3*    Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
24.1*    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement).
25.1**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

+ To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or pursuant to a report to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, and incorporated herein by reference.
* Filed herewith.
** To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(a) To file during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) 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% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) 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;

provided , however , that paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports

 

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filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;

(e) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that 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:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) 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;

(iii) 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

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

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(f) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement 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.

(g) 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.

(h) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Costa Mesa, State of California on June 1, 2018.

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Chad Steelberg

 

Chad Steelberg,

 

Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Chad Steelberg and Peter Collins and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, increasing the number of securities for which registration is sought, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, making such changes in this registration statement as such attorney-in-fact and agent so acting deem appropriate, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done with respect to the offering of securities contemplated by this registration statement, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent or any of them, or his, her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Chad Steelberg

Chad Steelberg

  

Chief Executive Officer and

Chairman of the Board

(Principal Executive Officer)

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Ryan Steelberg

Ryan Steelberg

  

President and Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Peter F. Collins

Peter F. Collins

  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Nathaniel L. Checketts

Nathaniel L. Checketts

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Jeff P. Gehl

Jeff P. Gehl

  

Director

  June 1, 2018


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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ G. Louis Graziadio, III

G. Louis Graziadio, III

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Knute P. Kurtz

Knute P. Kurtz

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Christopher J. Oates

Christopher J. Oates

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Edward J. Treska

Edward J. Treska

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

/s/ Frank E. Walsh, III

Frank E. Walsh, III

  

Director

  June 1, 2018

Exhibit 1.2

 

 

 

Veritone, Inc.

Common Stock

EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

Dated: June 1, 2018

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1.

  Description of Securities      1  
SECTION 2.   Placements      2  
SECTION 3.   Sale of Placement Securities by the Placement Agent      3  
SECTION 4.   Suspension of Sales      4  
SECTION 5.   Representations and Warranties      4  
SECTION 6.   Sale and Delivery to the Placement Agent; Settlement      14  
SECTION 7.   Covenants of the Company      16  
SECTION 8.   Payment of Expenses      20  
SECTION 9.   Conditions of the Placement Agent’s Obligations      21  
SECTION 10.   Indemnity and Contribution by the Company and the Placement Agent      23  
SECTION 11.   Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery      25  
SECTION 12.   Termination of Agreement      25  
SECTION 13.   Notices      26  
SECTION 14.   Parties      26  
SECTION 15.   Adjustments for Stock Splits      26  
SECTION 16.   Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial      26  
SECTION 17.   Consent to Jurisdication      27  
SECTION 18.   Effect of Headings      27  
SECTION 19.   Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses      27  
SECTION 20.   Absence of Fiduciary Relationship      27  
SECTION 21.   Entire Agreement; Amendment; Severability; Waiver      28  
SECTION 22.   Counterparts      28  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A

      Form of Placement Notice

Exhibit B

      Authorized Individuals for Placement Notices and Acceptances

Exhibit C

      Compensation

Exhibit D

      Officer Certificate

Exhibit E

      Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses

 

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Veritone, Inc.

Common Stock

EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

June 1, 2018

JMP Securities LLC

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100

San Francisco, California 94111

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), confirms its agreement (this “ Agreement ”) with JMP Securities LLC (the “ Placement Agent ”), as follows:

SECTION 1. Description of Securities .

The Company agrees that, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, it may issue and sell through the Placement Agent, acting as agent and/or principal, shares of common stock (the “ Securities ”) of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”); provided , however , that in no event shall the Company issue or sell through the Placement Agent (including issue Placement Notices (as defined below) for) such number or dollar amount of the Securities that would (a) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock registered on the effective Registration Statement (defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) exceed the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock less any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding equity securities of the Company or otherwise reserved from the Company’s authorized capital stock, (c) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock permitted to be sold under Form S-3 (including General Instruction I.B.6 thereof, if applicable), or (d) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock for which the Company has filed a Prospectus (as defined below) (the lesser of (a), (b), (c) and (d), the “ Maximum Amount ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except as set forth in a Placement Notice the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 1 on the number of the Securities issued and sold under this Agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the Company, and the Placement Agent shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance. The issuance and sale of the Securities through the Placement Agent will be effected pursuant to the Registration Statement filed by the Company and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), although nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the Company to offer, sell or issue the Securities.

The Company has filed or will file, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Securities Act ”), with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, relating to certain securities, including the Securities to be issued from time to time by the Company, and which incorporates by reference documents that the Company has filed or will file in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Exchange Act ”). The Company has prepared a prospectus or prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities (the “ Offering Prospectus ”) included as part of such registration statement. The Company will furnish to the Placement Agent, for use by the Placement Agent, copies of the base prospectus included as part of such registration statement, along with the Offering Prospectus, relating to the Securities. The Company may file one or more additional registration statements from time to time that will contain a base prospectus and related


prospectus or prospectus supplement (which shall be an Offering Prospectus) with respect to the Placement Securities (as defined below). Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement, as amended when it became or becomes effective, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and including any information contained in a Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Securities Act, is herein called the “ Registration Statement .” The Offering Prospectus and the base prospectus, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, included in the Registration Statement, as it may be supplemented, in the form in which such prospectus and/or Offering Prospectus have most recently been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act is herein called the “ Prospectus .” Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein, and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing after the execution hereof of any document with the Commission deemed to be incorporated by reference therein. Any reference herein to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement (as defined below), the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“ EDGAR ”); all references in this Agreement to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) (other than any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that, pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act, are not required to be filed with the Commission) shall be deemed to include the copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR.

SECTION 2. Placements .

Each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell the Securities hereunder (each, a “ Placement ”), it will notify the Placement Agent by email notice (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) containing the parameters in accordance with which it desires the Securities to be sold, which shall at a minimum include the number of Securities to be issued (the “ Placement Securities ”), the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of Securities that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made (a “ Placement Notice ”), a form of which containing such minimum sales parameters necessary is attached hereto as Exhibit A . The Placement Notice shall originate from any of the individuals from the Company set forth on Exhibit B (with a copy to each of the other individuals from the Company listed on such exhibit), and shall be addressed to each of the individuals from the Placement Agent set forth on Exhibit B , as such Exhibit B may be amended from time to time. If the Placement Agent wishes to accept such proposed terms included in the Placement Notice (which it may decline to do so for any reason in its sole discretion) or, following discussion with the Company, wishes to accept amended terms, the Placement Agent will, prior to 4:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day (as defined below) following the Business Day on which such Placement Notice is delivered to the Placement Agent, issue to the Company a notice by email (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) addressed to all of the individuals from the Company and the Placement Agent set forth on Exhibit B ) setting forth the terms that the Placement Agent is willing to accept. Where the terms provided in the Placement Notice are amended as provided for in the immediately preceding sentence, such terms will not be binding on the Company or the Placement Agent until the Company delivers to the Placement Agent an acceptance by email (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) of all of the terms of such Placement Notice, as amended (the “ Acceptance ”), which email shall be addressed to all of the individuals from the Company and the Placement Agent set forth on Exhibit B . The Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) shall be effective upon

 

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receipt by the Company of the Placement Agent’s acceptance of the terms of the Placement Notice or upon receipt by the Placement Agent of the Company’s Acceptance, as the case may be, unless and until (i) the entire amount of the Placement Securities have been sold, (ii) in accordance with the Placement Notice requirements set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph, the Company terminates the Placement Notice, (iii) the Company issues a subsequent Placement Notice pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section 2 with parameters superseding those on the earlier dated Placement Notice, (iv) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 12 or (v) either party shall have suspended the sale of the Placement Securities in accordance with Section 4 below. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Placement Agent in connection with the sale of the Placement Securities shall be calculated in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit C . It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor the Placement Agent will have any obligation whatsoever with respect to a Placement or any Placement Securities unless and until the Company delivers a Placement Notice to the Placement Agent and either (i) the Placement Agent accepts the terms of such Placement Notice or (ii) where the terms of such Placement Notice are amended, the Company accepts such amended terms by means of an Acceptance pursuant to the terms set forth above, and then only upon the terms specified in the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) and herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), the terms of the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) will control. The term “Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

SECTION 3. Sale of Placement Securities by the Placement Agent .

Subject to the provisions of Section 6(a), the Placement Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the Placement Securities up to the amount specified, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable). The Placement Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day (as defined below) immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Securities hereunder setting forth the number of Placement Securities sold on such day, the compensation payable by the Company to the Placement Agent pursuant to Section 2 with respect to such sales, and the Net Proceeds (as defined below) payable to the Company, with an itemization of the deductions made by the Placement Agent (as set forth in Section 6(b)) from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales. Subject to the terms of the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), the Placement Agent may sell Placement Securities by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made directly on the Exchange (as defined below) or any other existing trading market for the Common Stock. If specified in a Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), the Placement Agent may also sell Placement Securities by any other method permitted by law, including but not limited to in negotiated transactions. For the purposes hereof, “ Trading Day ” means any day on which shares of Common Stock are purchased and sold on the principal market on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and during which there has been no market disruption of, unscheduled closing of or suspension of trading on such principal market. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Placement Agent to sell Securities to the extent that any such sales would exceed the lesser of (A) together with all sales of Securities under this Agreement, the Maximum Amount and (B) the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive officer, and notified to the Placement Agent in writing. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Placement Agent to sell any Securities pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive officer.

 

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SECTION 4. Suspension of Sales . The Company or the Placement Agent may, upon notice to the other party in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Exhibit B , if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged by any of the individuals to whom the notice is sent, other than via auto-reply) or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable facsimile transmission or email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Exhibit B ), suspend any sale of Placement Securities; provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair either party’s obligations with respect to any Placement Securities sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice. Each of the parties agrees that no such notice under this Section 4 shall be effective against the other unless it is made to one of the individuals named on Exhibit  B hereto, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.

SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to the Placement Agent as of the date hereof and as of each Representation Date (as defined herein) on which a certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(o) of this Agreement and as of the time of each sale of any Securities pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Applicable Time ”), and agrees with the Placement Agent, as follows:

(1) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Securities have been or will have been duly registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act, or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed to register the offer and sale of the Securities pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein (a “ Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ”), will be filed with the Commission and become effective under the Securities Act no later than 10:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date required to increase the dollar amount of Securities available to be offered and sold under the Registration Statement, and no stop order preventing or suspending the use of any base prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

At the respective times each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became or becomes effective and as of the date hereof, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. The conditions for the use of Form S-3, as set forth in the General Instructions thereto, have been complied with and the Registration Statement meets, and the offering and sale of the Securities as contemplated hereby complies with, the requirements of Rule 415(a)(1)(x) under the Securities Act (including without limitation, Rule 415(a)(5)). The Registration Statement, as of the date hereof and each effective date with respect thereto, did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, as of their respective dates, and at each Applicable Time and Settlement Date (as defined below), as the case may be, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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The representations and warranties set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by the Placement Agent expressly for use therein.

The copies of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, any other preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto delivered and to be delivered to the Placement Agent (electronically or otherwise) in connection with the offering of the Securities were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) under the Securities Act whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) under the Securities Act because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, and all free writing prospectuses that are listed in Exhibit E hereto, in each case in the form furnished (electronically or otherwise) to the Placement Agent for use in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus relating to the Securities, as of its issue date and as of each Applicable Time and Settlement Date (as defined below), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any incorporated document deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and taken together with the Prospectus, as of the Applicable Time and Settlement Date (as defined below), will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances, prevailing at that time, not misleading. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any issuer free writing prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Placement Agent specifically for use therein.

Each document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus heretofore filed, when it was filed (or, if any amendment with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), conformed in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and any further documents so filed and incorporated after the date of this Agreement will, when they are filed, conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act; no such document when it was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and no such document, when it is filed, will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

(2) Independent Accountants . Marcum LLP, who has certified the financial statements of the Company that constitute part of the Prospectus, is, and was during the periods covered by its reports, an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s current independent accountant, is, and will be when it certifies financial statements of the Company that will constitute part of the Prospectus, an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(3) Good Standing . Each of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Subsidiaries ”) has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing as a corporation, general or limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, except to the extent, in the case of the Subsidiaries, that the failure to be so organized or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect on, or change with respect to, the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ” or “ Material Adverse Change ”) and is in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(4) Subsidiaries . All of the issued shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly by the Company free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

(5) Authorization of Agreement . All corporate action required to be taken by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders to authorize the Company to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby has been taken. All action on the part of the officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the issuance and delivery of the Securities has been taken or will be taken prior to the sale of any Securities under this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of applicable equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained herein may be limited by applicable federal or state securities law.

(6) Company Capitalization . The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. The shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Securities have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(7) Authorization of Securities . The Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Securities will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(8) Absence of Conflicts . The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will not contravene (i) any provision of applicable law, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (iii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iv) any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary, except in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) for such breaches, violations or

 

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contravention that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except (i) such as have previously been obtained, and (ii) such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states or the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.

(9) No Material Adverse Change . There has not occurred any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus.

(10) Absence of Proceedings . There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject (i) other than proceedings accurately described in the Prospectus and proceedings that would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.

(11) Investment Company Act . The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offer and sale of the Securities, will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(12) Environmental Laws . The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except for such non-compliance or such failure to receive permits, licenses or approvals as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(13) Absence of Registration Rights . There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or have otherwise have been validly waived in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby.

 

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(14) No Material Adverse Change . Subsequent to the respective dates of the financial statements, and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability, commitment or obligation, direct or contingent; (ii) the Company has not entered into any transaction with any “related person” that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission, (iii) the Company has not purchased any of its Common Stock or other securities or entered into any agreement or arrangement providing for the purchase of any of its Common Stock or other securities, (iv) the Company has not declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its Common Stock or other securities, (v) there has not been any material change in the capital stock or indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (vi) there has not occurred any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except in each case as described in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, respectively.

(15) Title to Property . The Company and its Subsidiaries do not own any real property. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries. Any real property held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case except as described in the Prospectus.

(16) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses the right to use all patents, inventions, trademarks, trade names, service marks, logos, trade dress, designs, data, database rights, Internet domain names, rights of privacy, rights of publicity, copyrights, works of authorship, license rights, trade secrets, know-how and proprietary information (including unpatented and unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, inventions, systems or procedures) and other industrial property and intellectual property rights, as well as related rights, such as moral rights and the right to sue for all past, present and future infringements or misappropriations of any of the foregoing, and registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) as described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus as being owned by it or, to the Company’s knowledge, that are necessary to conduct its business as presently conducted and currently contemplated to be conducted in the future, except where the failure to own or possess such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company, whether through its products and services or the conduct of its business, (a) has not to its knowledge infringed, misappropriated, conflicted with or otherwise violated, (b) is not to its knowledge currently infringing, misappropriating, conflicting with or otherwise violating, and (c) has not received any written communication of infringement of, misappropriation of, conflict with or violation of, any Intellectual Property of any other person or entity. The Company has not received any written communication alleging that by conducting its business as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, it would infringe, misappropriate, conflict with, or violate, any of the Intellectual Property of any other person or entity. The Company knows of no infringement, misappropriation or violation by others of Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to the Company. The Company has executed appropriate nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements to secure its interests in such Intellectual Property from its employees and contractors and to protect the confidentiality of all of its confidential information and trade secrets. None of the Intellectual Property or technology

 

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(including information technology and outsourced arrangements) employed by the Company has been obtained or is being used by the Company in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its officers, directors or employees or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons. The Company owns or has a valid right to access and use all computer systems, networks, hardware, software, databases, websites, and equipment used to process, store, maintain and operate data, information, and functions used in connection with the business of the Company (the “ Company IT Systems ”). The Company IT Systems are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with, the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has implemented commercially reasonable backup, security and disaster recovery technology consistent in all material respects with applicable regulatory standards and customary industry practices.

(17) Labor Disput es. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, vendors, partners or contractors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(18) Insurance . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(19) C onsents and Permits . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company (i) holds all licenses, registrations, certificates and permits from governmental authorities (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) which are necessary to the conduct of its business, (ii) is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all Governmental Licenses, and all Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, and (iii) has not received any written or other notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Governmental License. All of the Governmental Licenses of the Company are valid and in full force and effect in all material respects. The Company has not received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(20) Accounting Controls . The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that, with respect to the Company, (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States (“ U.S. GAAP ”) and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

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(21) Disclosure Controls . (i) the Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), which (1) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared, (2) have been evaluated for effectiveness as of the end of the Company’s last fiscal year, and (3) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established, and (ii) based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures described above, the Company is not aware of (1) any material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which is reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, or (2) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since the most recent evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures described above, there have been no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over financial reporting.

(22) Tax Returns . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except as currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by U.S. GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has had, nor does the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its Subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(23) Financial Statements . The financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, accurately present the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The other financial information included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and accurately presents the information shown thereby.

(24) Emerging Growth Company . From the time of confidential submission of its initial Registration Statement on Form S-1 to the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “ Emerging Growth Company ”).

(25) Cyber Security; Data Protection . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have complied, and are presently in compliance with, its privacy policies and third-party obligations (imposed by applicable law, contract or otherwise) regarding the collection, use, transfer, storage, protection, disposal and disclosure by the Company and its Subsidiaries of personally identifiable information. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the information technology systems and data used in connection with the operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company and its Subsidiaries have used reasonable efforts to establish commercially reasonable disaster recovery and security procedures for the business. To the knowledge of the Company, there has been no security breach or attack or other compromise of or relating to the Company’s information technology systems that would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(26) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused it to reasonably believe that the industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(27) Absence of Defaults . Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its respective charter or bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) or (ii) in default (or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would be in default) under any existing obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of the properties of any of them is subject, except to the extent such defaults would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(28) No Prohibition on Dividends Payable by the Subsidiaries . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, no Subsidiary is contractually prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying dividends or from making any other distribution with respect to the outstanding equity of such Subsidiary or from repaying to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company any amounts which may from time to time become due under any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company, or from transferring such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company except for any such prohibitions and restrictions that would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or to the extent that any such restriction would currently materially limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends or that would be reasonably likely to materially limit the future payment of dividends on Common Stock.

(29) Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses . Except for the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses identified in Exhibit E hereto, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without the prior consent of the Placement Agent, prepare, use or refer to, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

(30) Company Not an Ineligible Issuer . (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Securities Act) of the Securities and (ii) as of the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 of the Securities Act that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

(31) NASDAQ . The Common Stock has been registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and, solely if required to under applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange, (i) the Company will provide the Placement Agent with written notice of the approval of the Securities for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market (the “ Exchange ”), and, upon such notice, the Securities will be approved for listing on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, or (ii) the Company shall have filed an application for listing of the Securities on the Exchange at, or prior to, the issuance of any Placement Notice and the Exchange shall have reviewed such application and not provided any objections thereto.

 

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(32) Absence of Stabilization and Manipulation . The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(33) Form of Certificates . The form of certificate used to evidence the Common Stock complies in all material respects with all applicable statutory requirements, with any applicable requirements of the organizational documents of the Company and the requirements of the Exchange.

(34) Description of Legal Proceedings . The descriptions of legal or governmental proceedings, contracts, leases and other legal documents in the Registration Statement and Prospectus constitute fair and accurate summaries of such proceedings or documents, and there are no legal or governmental proceedings, contracts, leases or other documents that are known to the Company and which are of a character required to be described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not so described or filed; all agreements between the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and third parties expressly referenced in the Registration Statement and Prospectus are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or the Subsidiaries, to the extent a party thereto, and, to the knowledge of the Company, of the other parties thereto, enforceable against the Company or Subsidiaries in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in breach or default under any such agreements, except to the extent that the indemnification and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws and public policy considerations in respect thereof.

(35) ERISA . The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries would have any material liability; neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred and none of them expect to incur any material liability under (A) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (B) Section 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ Code ”); each “pension plan” for which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(36) Tax Advice . The Company has not relied upon the Placement Agent or legal counsel for the Placement Agent for any legal, tax or accounting advice in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

(37) Compliance with Securities Laws . In connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities, the Company has not offered shares of its Common Stock or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable or redeemable for Common Stock in a manner in violation of the Securities Act; and the Company has not distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities except for the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

 

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(38) Absence of Finders Fees . The Company has not incurred any liability for any finder’s fees or similar payments in connection with the transactions herein contemplated.

(39) Proprietary Trading by the Placement Agent . The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agent has informed the Company that the Placement Agent may, to the extent permitted under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, purchase and sell shares of Common Stock for its own account while this Agreement is in effect, and shall be under no obligation to purchase Securities on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by the Placement Agent in the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable); provided , that no such purchase or sales shall take place while a Placement Notice is in effect (except (i) as agreed by the Placement Agent in the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) or (ii) to the extent the Placement Agent may engage in sales of Placement Securities purchased or deemed purchased from the Company as a “riskless principal” or in a similar capacity).

(40) FINRA Matters . All of the information provided to the Placement Agent or to counsel for the Placement Agent by the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities of the Company in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to the FINRA pursuant to FINRA Conduct Rule 5110 or 5121 is true, complete and correct.

(41) Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley . The Company and the Subsidiaries and to the knowledge of the Company the officers and directors of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in their capacities as such, are, and at the Settlement Date (as defined below) and any Applicable Time will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”).

(42) M arket Capitalization . At the time the Registration Statement is declared effective, and, from and after the date hereof, commencing with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, at the time the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the Commission the Company met the then applicable requirements for the use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, including, but not limited to, General Instructions I.A and I.B of Form S-3. As of the date hereof, the Company meets the requirements for the use of Form S-3, including, but not limited to, General Instruction I.B.1 of Form S-3. The Company is not a shell company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) and has not been a shell company for at least 12 calendar months previously and if it has been a shell company at any time previously, has filed current Form 10 information (as defined in General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3) with the Commission at least 12 calendar months previously reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

(43) F CPA . Neither the Company nor any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company: (i) has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) has made any direct or indirect unlawful contribution or payment to any official of, or candidate for, or any employee of, any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign office from corporate funds; (iii) has made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment; or (iv) is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (“ OECD Convention ”), the Foreign

 

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Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ FCPA ”) or any similar law or regulation to which the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company is subject. The Company and its affiliates have each conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and the OECD Convention and any applicable similar law or regulation and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith. The foregoing representation and warranty shall also be deemed given regarding laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions similar to the FCPA.

(44) O FAC . Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or representative of the Company is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”), the United Nations Security Council (“ UNSC ”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom (“ HMT ”), or any similar sanctions imposed by any other body, governmental or other, to which the Company is subject (collectively, “other economic sanctions”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC, UNSC, the European Union, HMT or other economic sanctions.

(45) M oney Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened.

(b) Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company delivered to the Placement Agent or to counsel for the Placement Agent pursuant to the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Placement Agent as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 6. Sale and Delivery to the Placement Agent ; Settlement .

(a) Sale of Placement Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, upon the Placement Agent’s acceptance of the terms of a Placement Notice or upon receipt by the Placement Agent of an Acceptance, as the case may be, and unless the sale of the Placement Securities described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Placement Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Exchange to sell such Placement Securities up to the amount specified, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Placement Notice. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that the Placement Agent will be successful in selling Placement Securities, (ii) the Placement Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell

 

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Placement Securities for any reason other than a failure by the Placement Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such Placement Securities as required under this Section 6, and (iii) the Placement Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Securities on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by the Placement Agent in the Placement Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable).

(b) Settlement of Placement Securities . Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Placement Notice, settlement for sales of Placement Securities will occur on the second (2nd) Trading Day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “ Settlement Date ”). The Placement Agent shall notify the Company in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals set forth on Exhibit B ) of each sale of Placement Securities no later than the opening of the Trading Day immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Securities hereunder. The amount of proceeds to be delivered to the Company on a Settlement Date against receipt of the Placement Securities sold (the “ Net Proceeds ”) will be equal to the aggregate sales price received by the Placement Agent at which such Placement Securities were sold, after deduction for (i) the Placement Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof, (ii) transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales and (iii) any other amounts due and payable by the Company to the Placement Agent hereunder pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof; provided that such amounts are detailed and itemized in a written statement delivered to the Company at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Settlement Date.

(c) Delivery of Placement Securities . On or before each Settlement Date, concurrently with the receipt by the Company of the Net Proceeds due to the Company in respect of such Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Placement Securities being sold by crediting the Placement Agent’s or its designee’s account (provided the Placement Agent shall have given the Company written notice of such designee prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form. On each Settlement Date, the Placement Agent will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company on, or prior to, the Settlement Date. The Company agrees that if the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver Placement Securities on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that, in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 10(a) hereto, it will (i) hold the Placement Agent harmless against any loss, claim, suit, liability, debt, cause of action, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company and (ii) pay to the Placement Agent any commission, discount, or other compensation to which it would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.

(d) Denominations; Registration . If requested by the Placement Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Settlement Date, then in lieu of electronic transfer, certificates for the Securities shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Placement Agent shall have specified in such request. The certificates for the Securities will be made available for examination and packaging by the Placement Agent in The City of New York not later than noon (New York time) on the Business Day prior to the Settlement Date.

 

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SECTION 7. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with the Placement Agent as follows:

(a) Registration Statement Amendment . After the date of this Agreement and during any period in which a Prospectus relating to any Placement Securities is required to be delivered by the Placement Agent under the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act or similar rule), (i) the Company will notify the Placement Agent promptly of the time when any subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement, other than documents incorporated by reference, has been filed with the Commission and/or has become effective or any subsequent supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and of any comment letter from the Commission or any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (ii) the Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the Placement Agent’s request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that, in the Placement Agent’s reasonable opinion, may be necessary or advisable in connection with the distribution of the Placement Securities by the Placement Agent ( provided, however , that the failure of the Placement Agent to make such request shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Placement Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement); (iii) the Company will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, other than documents incorporated by reference, relating to the Placement Securities or a security convertible into the Placement Securities unless a copy thereof has been submitted to the Placement Agent within a reasonable period of time before the filing and the Placement Agent has not reasonably objected thereto ( provided, however , that the failure of the Placement Agent to make such objection shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Placement Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement) and the Company will furnish to the Placement Agent at the time of filing thereof a copy of any document that upon filing is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus, except for those documents available via EDGAR; and (iv) the Company will cause each amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, other than documents incorporated by reference, to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) of the Securities Act).

(b) Notice of Commission Stop Orders . The Company will advise the Placement Agent, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any other order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Placement Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement or if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of any qualification of the Securities for offering or sale and any loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, and if any such stop order is issued or any such suspension or loss occurs, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statement and Prospectus. Except to the extent such documents have been publicly filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, the Company will furnish to the Placement Agent and its counsel (at the expense of the Company) copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference therein) and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, that are filed with the Commission during any period in which a Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act (including all documents filed with the Commission during such period that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein), in each case as soon as reasonably practicable and in such quantities and at such locations as the Placement Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

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(d) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. If at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to be delivered in connection with a pending sale of the Placement Securities (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act or similar rule), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend the Registration Statement together with the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary at any such time to amend the Registration Statement together with the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Placement Agent to suspend the offering of Placement Securities during such period and the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Placement Agent such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Placement Agent may reasonably request. If at any time following the issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted, conflicts or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or included, includes or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or together with the Prospectus omitted, omits or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Placement Agent to suspend the offering of Placement Securities during such period and the Company will, subject to Section 7(a) hereof, promptly amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(e) Blue Sky and Other Qualifications . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Placement Agent, to qualify the Placement Securities for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Securities to be offered and sold, under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Placement Agent may designate and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Placement Securities have been so qualified or exempt, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification or exemption, as the case may be, in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Placement Securities (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement).

(f) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the Exchange Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Placement Agent the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

(g) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(h) Listing . During any period in which the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities is required to be delivered by the Placement Agent under the Securities Act with respect to a pending sale of the Placement Securities (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act or similar rule), the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Placement Securities to be listed on the Exchange, as applicable.

 

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(i) Filings with the Exchange . The Company will timely seek to file with the Exchange all material documents and notices required by the Exchange of companies that have securities traded on the Exchange.

(j) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during any period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act), will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act.

(k) Notice of Other Sales . During the pendency of any Placement Notice given hereunder, the Company shall provide the Placement Agent notice as promptly as reasonably possible before it offers to sell, contracts to sell, sells, grants any option to sell or otherwise disposes of any shares of Common Stock (other than Placement Securities offered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock; provided , that such notice shall not be required in connection with the (i) issuance, grant or sale of restricted stock, Common Stock, options to purchase Common Stock, or Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or other equity awards pursuant to any stock option, stock bonus or other stock or compensatory plan or arrangement described in the Prospectus, (ii) the issuance of securities in connection with an acquisition, merger or sale or purchase of assets described in the Prospectus, (iii) the issuance or sale of Common Stock pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan that the Company has in effect or may adopt from time to time, provided the implementation of such new plan is disclosed to the Placement Agent in advance, or (iv) the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of any outstanding security of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock.

(l) Change of Circumstances . The Company will, at any time during a fiscal quarter in which the Company intends to tender a Placement Notice or sell Placement Securities, advise the Placement Agent promptly after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect in any material respect any opinion, certificate, letter or other document provided to the Placement Agent pursuant to this Agreement during such fiscal quarter.

(m) Due Diligence Cooperation . The Company will cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Placement Agent or its agents in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior officers, during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as the Placement Agent may reasonably request.

(n) Disclosure of Sales . The Company will, if applicable, disclose in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in its annual report on Form 10-K the number of Placement Securities sold through the Placement Agent during the most recent fiscal quarter, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation paid or payable by the Company to the Placement Agent with respect to such Placement Securities.

(o) Representation Dates; Certificate . On or prior to the date that the Securities are first sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and:

(i) each time the Company files the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities or amends or supplements the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker, or supplement but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities;

 

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(ii) each time the Company files an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act;

(iii) each time the Company files its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; or

(iv) each time the Company files a report on Form 8-K containing amended financial information (other than an earnings release, to “furnish” information pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or to provide disclosure pursuant to Item 8.01 of Form 8-K relating to the reclassifications of certain properties as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144) under the Exchange Act (each date of filing of one or more of the documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) shall be a “ Representation Date ”);

the Company shall furnish the Placement Agent with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  D , within three (3) Trading Days of any Representation Date. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 7(o) shall be automatically waived for any Representation Date occurring at a time at which no Placement Notice is pending, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers a Placement Notice hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date; provided, however , that such waiver shall not apply for any Representation Date on which the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Placement Securities following a Representation Date when the Company relied on such waiver and did not provide the Placement Agent with a certificate under this Section 7(o), then before the Company delivers the Placement Notice or the Placement Agent sells any Placement Securities, the Company shall provide the Placement Agent with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D , dated the date of the Placement Notice.

(p) Legal Opinions . On or prior to the date that the Securities are first sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and within three (3) Trading Days after each Representation Date (excluding Representation Dates with regard to the time the Company files its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q) with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Placement Agent (i) a written opinion of K&L Gates LLP, corporate counsel to the Company (“ Company Corporate Counsel ”), or other counsel satisfactory to the Placement Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent and its counsel, dated the date that the opinion is required to be delivered, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent and its counsel, and (ii), unless waived by the Placement Agent, a written opinion of Cooley, LLP, counsel to the Placement Agent (“ Counsel to the Placement Agent ”), or other counsel satisfactory to the Placement Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent, dated the date that the opinion is required to be delivered; provided, however , that in lieu of such opinions for subsequent Representation Dates, counsel may furnish the Placement Agent with a letter (a “ Reliance Letter ”) to the effect that the Placement Agent may rely on a prior opinion delivered under this Section 7(p) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such Representation Date).

(q) Comfort Letter . On or prior to the date that the Securities are first sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and within three (3) Trading Days after each Representation Date (excluding Representation Dates with regard to the time the Company files its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q) with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D

 

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for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause its independent accountants (and any other independent accountants whose report is included in the Prospectus) to furnish the Placement Agent letters (the “ Comfort Letters ”), dated the date of the Comfort Letter is delivered, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent, (i) confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PCAOB, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings.

(r) Market Activities . The Company will not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase the Securities to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement in violation of Regulation M, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Securities to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement other than the Placement Agent; provided, however , that the Company may bid for and purchase its Common Stock in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act.

(s) Investment Company Act . The Company will conduct its affairs in such a manner so as to reasonably ensure that neither it nor its Subsidiaries will be or become, at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act, assuming no change in the Commission’s current interpretation as to entities that are not considered an investment company.

(t) Securities Act and Exchange Act . The Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and 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 Placement Securities as contemplated by the provisions hereof and the Prospectus.

(u) No Offer to Sell . Other than a free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) approved in advance in writing by the Company and the Placement Agent in its capacity as principal or agent hereunder, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Placement Agent in its capacity as such) will not, directly or indirectly, make, use, prepare, authorize, approve or refer to any free writing prospectus relating to the Securities to be sold by the Placement Agent as principal or agent hereunder.

(v) Sarbanes-Oxley Act . The Company and its Subsidiaries will use their best efforts to comply with all effective applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(w) Regulation M . If the Company has reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied with respect to the Company or the Common Stock, it shall promptly notify the Placement Agent and sales of the Placement Securities under this Agreement shall be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of each party.

SECTION 8. Payment of Expenses .

The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment and supplement thereto, (ii) the word processing, printing and delivery to the Placement Agent of this Agreement and such other

 

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documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Placement Securities to the Placement Agent, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any capital duties, stamp duties or other duties or taxes payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Securities to the Placement Agent, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Placement Securities under state securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Placement Agent in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Placement Agent of copies of any permitted Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Placement Agent to investors, (vii) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (viii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Placement Agent in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Placement Securities on the Exchange, and (x) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Placement Agent, including the fees set forth in Subsection (v) and (viii) of this Section 8, which shall not exceed $50,000 in the aggregate in connection with the execution of this Agreement and up to $10,000 per year in connection with the review and preparation of the deliverables set forth in Sections 7(o), (p) and (q).

SECTION 9. Conditions of the Placement Agent s Obligations . The obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder with respect to a Placement will be subject to the continuing accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Opinions of Company Corporate Counsel, and Counsel to the Placement Agent . On or prior to the date that Securities are first sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement the Company shall furnish to the Placement Agent the opinions, each addressed to the Placement Agent, of (i) K&L Gates LLP, corporate counsel for the Company, or other counsel satisfactory to the Placement Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent and its counsel, dated the date that the opinion is required to be delivered, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent and its counsel; and (ii), unless waived by the Placement Agent, Cooley LLP, counsel to the Placement Agent, or other counsel satisfactory to the Placement Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent dated the date that the opinion is required to be delivered.

(b) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective and shall be available for (i) all sales of Placement Securities issued pursuant to all prior Placement Notices and (ii) the sale of all Placement Securities contemplated to be issued by any Placement Notice.

(c) No Material Notices . None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any request for additional information from the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the response to which would require any post-effective amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Placement Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) the occurrence of any event that makes any material statement made in the Registration Statement or

 

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the Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any material document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or such documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and, that in the case of the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) No Misstatement or Material Omission . The Placement Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the Placement Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in the Placement Agent’s opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(e) Material Changes . Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, or disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Commission, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

(f) Representation Certificate . The Placement Agent shall have received the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(o) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 7(o).

(g) Accountant s Comfort Letters . The Placement Agent shall have received the Comfort Letters required to be delivered pursuant Section 7(q) on or before the date on which such delivery of such letter is required pursuant to Section 7(q).

(h) Approval for Listing . The Placement Securities shall either have been, solely if required under applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange, (i) approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance, or (ii) the Company shall have filed an application for listing of the Placement Securities on the Exchange at, or prior to, the issuance of any Placement Notice and the Exchange shall have approved such application.

(i) No Suspension . Trading in the Securities shall not have been suspended on the Exchange.

(j) Additional Documents . On each date on which the Company is required to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(o), counsel for the Placement Agent shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement.

(k) Securities Act Filings Made . All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 under the Securities Act to have been filed prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice hereunder shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

 

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SECTION 10. Indemnity and Contribution by the Company and the Placement Agent .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Placement Agent, its affiliates and their respective partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents and any person who controls the Placement Agent or any affiliate within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “ Agent Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any loss, expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Agent Indemnified Parties may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed or was required to file with the Commission or the Prospectus (the term Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 10(a) being deemed to include the Prospectus as of its date and as amended or supplemented by the Company), (2) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any such Registration Statement, or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or (3) any omission or alleged omission from any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus of a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except , in the case of each of clauses (1), (2) and (3), insofar as any such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, in each such case, to the extent contained in and in conformity with information furnished in writing the Placement Agent to the Company expressly for use therein (that information being limited to that described in Section 10(b) hereof). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 10(a) shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have. If any action is brought against the Agent Indemnified Parties in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the foregoing paragraph of this Section 10(a), the Placement Agent shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action, and the Company shall if it so elects, assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel and payment of expenses; provided , however , that any failure or delay to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of any obligation hereunder, except to the extent that its ability to defend is materially prejudiced by such failure or delay. The Agent Indemnified Parties 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 the Agent Indemnified Parties unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or the Company shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agent Indemnified Parties, as the case may be, to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel) 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 such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Company shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for the Agent Indemnified Parties or such controlling persons in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction (other than local counsel in any such jurisdiction) representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). Anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or action effected without its written consent.

(b) Indemnification by the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, the Company’s directors, the Company’s officers that signed the Registration Statement, and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “ Company Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any loss, expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Company Indemnified Parties may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based

 

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upon (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed or was required to file with the Commission or the Prospectus, (2) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any such Registration Statement, or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or (3) any omission or alleged omission from any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus of a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but in each case only insofar as such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in such Registration Statement, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by the Placement Agent to the Company expressly for use therein. The statements set forth in the ninth paragraph under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus (to the extent such statements relate to the Placement Agent) constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Placement Agent to the Company for the purposes of Section 5(a)(1) and this Section 10. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 10(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Placement Agent may otherwise have.

If any action is brought against the Company Indemnified Parties in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Placement Agent pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, the Company or such person shall promptly notify the Placement Agent in writing of the institution of such action and the Placement Agent shall if it so elects assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel and payment of expenses; provided , however , that any failure or delay to so notify the Placement Agent will not relieve the Placement Agent of any obligation hereunder, except to the extent that its ability to defend is materially prejudiced by such failure or delay. The Company Indemnified Parties 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 the Company Indemnified Parties unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Placement Agent in connection with the defense of such action or the Placement Agent shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company Indemnified Parties to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel) that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Placement Agent (in which case the Placement Agent shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Placement Agent and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Placement Agent shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for the Company Indemnified Parties in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction (other than local counsel in any such jurisdiction) representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). Anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, the Placement Agent shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or action effected without its written consent.

(c) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 10 in respect of any losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims referred to therein, then each applicable 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 losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and by the Placement Agent, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities, or (ii) if (but only if) the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Placement Agent in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the net proceeds from the

 

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offering of Securities (before deducting expenses) received by each of them and benefits received by the Placement Agent shall be deemed to be equal to the underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Placement Agent. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Placement Agent, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Placement Agent and the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any claim or action.

(d) The Company and the Placement Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10 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 clause (i) and, if applicable, clause (ii) of subsection (c) above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, the Placement Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities sold by the Placement Agent. 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.

SECTION 11. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent Indemnified Parties , or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the Placement Agent or any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 12. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General . The Placement Agent may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, as hereinafter specified at any time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Change, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Placement Agent, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in the Placement Securities has been suspended or limited by the Commission or the Exchange, or if trading generally on the NYSE American, the NYSE or Nasdaq has been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, the FINRA or any other governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Termination by the Company . The Company shall have the right, by giving one (1) day notice as hereinafter specified to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12(b), any outstanding Placement Notices shall also be terminated.

 

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(c) Termination by the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent shall have the right, by giving one (1) day notice as hereinafter specified to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement.

(d) Continued Force and Effect . This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Sections 12(a), (b) or (c) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties.

(e) Effectiveness of Termination . Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided , however , that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Placement Agent or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Placement Securities, such Placement Securities shall settle in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

(f) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 12, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 8 hereof, and except that, in the case of any termination of this Agreement, Section 5, Section 8, Section 10, Section 11, Section 16, Section 17 and Section 21 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 13. Notices . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Placement Agent shall be directed to the Placement Agent at JMP Securities LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, California 94111, Facsimile: (415) 835-8920, Attention: Equity Securities, with a copy to Cooley LLP, 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, Facsimile: (212) 479-6275, Attention: Daniel I. Goldberg, and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at the offices of the Company at 575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California 92626, Attention of General Counsel, with a copy to K&L Gates LLP, K&L Gates LLP, 1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor, Irvine, California 92614, Facsimile: (949) 623-4454, Attention: Michael A. Hedge.

SECTION 14. Parties . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Placement Agent, the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Agent Indemnified Parties, the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Section 10 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Placement Agent, the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from the Placement Agent shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however , that the Placement Agent may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an affiliate thereof, so long as such affiliate is a registered broker-dealer, without obtaining the Company’s consent.

SECTION 15. Adjustments for Stock Splits . The parties acknowledge and agree that all stock-related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any stock split, stock dividend or similar event effected with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 16. Governing Law and Time ; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO EASTERN TIME. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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SECTION 17. Consent to Jurisdiction . EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR THAT THE VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF (CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT IN ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COMPANY HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY (ON THE GROUNDS OF SOVEREIGNTY OR OTHERWISE) FROM THE JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

SECTION 18. Effect of Headings . The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 19. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Placement Agent, and the Placement Agent represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Placement Agent or by the Company, as the case may be, is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents and warrants that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit E hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.

SECTION 20. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) The Placement Agent is acting solely as agent and/or principal in connection with the public offering of the Securities and in connection with each transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transactions, and no fiduciary or advisory relationship between the Company or any of its respective affiliates, stockholders (or other equity holders), creditors or employees or any other party, on the one hand, and the Placement Agent and its affiliates, on the other hand, has been

 

27


or will be created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not the Placement Agent has advised or is advising the Company on other matters, and the Placement Agent has no obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;

(b) the public offering price of the Securities was not established by the Placement Agent; it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) neither the Placement Agent nor its affiliates has provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and it has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate;

(d) it is aware that the Placement Agent and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Placement Agent has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and

(e) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Placement Agent or its affiliates for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that neither the Placement Agent nor its affiliates shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, employees or creditors of Company.

SECTION 21. E ntire Agreement; Amendment; Severability; Waiver . This Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits attached hereto and Placement Notices issued pursuant hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended except pursuant to a written instrument executed by the Company and the Placement Agent. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable as written by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be given full force and effect to the fullest possible extent that it is valid, legal and enforceable, and the remainder of the terms and provisions herein shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision was not contained herein, but only to the extent that giving effect to such provision and the remainder of the terms and provisions hereof shall be in accordance with the intent of the parties as reflected in this Agreement. No implied waiver by a party shall arise in the absence of a waiver in writing signed by such party. No failure or delay in exercising any right, power, or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power, or privilege hereunder.

SECTION 22. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile or electronic transmission.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

28


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement by and between the Placement Agent and the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Peter F. Collins

  Name:  

Peter F. Collins

  Title:  

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

JMP SECURITIES LLC

 

By  

/s/ Alan Tekerlek

 

Alan Tekerlek, Managing Director, Investment Banking

Signature Page to Equity Distribution Agreement


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF PLACEMENT NOTICE

 

From:

  

[                      ]

Cc:

  

[                      ]

To:

  

[                      ]

Subject: Equity Distribution Agreement —Placement Notice

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Equity Distribution Agreement between Veritone, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and JMP Securities LLC (the “ Placement Agent ”) dated June 1, 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), I hereby request on behalf of the Company that the Placement Agent sell up to [ ] shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a minimum market price of $[ ] per share.

[ADDITIONAL SALES PARAMETERS MAY BE ADDED, SUCH AS THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE, THE TIME PERIOD IN WHICH SALES ARE REQUESTED TO BE MADE, SPECIFIC DATES THE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD ON, THE MANNER IN WHICH SALES ARE TO BE MADE BY THE PLACEMENT AGENT, AND/OR THE CAPACITY IN WHICH THE PLACEMENT AGENT MAY ACT IN SELLING SHARES (AS PRINCIPAL, AGENT, OR BOTH)]

 

A-1


EXHIBIT B

AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS FOR PLACEMENT NOTICES AND ACCEPTANCES

JMP Securities LLC

 

Name

  

Email

Aidan Whitehead, Managing Director, Trading    awhitehead@jmpsecurities.com
Alan Tekerlek, Managing Director, Investment Banking    atekerlek@jmpsecurities.com
Geoffrey Rhizor, Director, Investment Banking    grhizor@jmpsecurities.com
Andy Mertz, Managing Director, Capital Markets    amertz@jmpsecurities.com
Gil Mogavero, Chief Compliance Officer    gmogavero@jmpsecurities.com
Walter Conroy, Chief Legal Officer    wconroy@jmpsecurities.com
Veritone, Inc.   
Chad Steelberg   
Peter F. Collins   
Jeffrey B. Coyne   

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

COMPENSATION

The Placement Agent shall be paid compensation equal to:

Three percent (3.0%) of the gross proceeds from the sales of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

OFFICER CERTIFICATE

The undersigned                  and                 are the [CFO/Treasurer] and [General Counsel/Secretary], respectively, of Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”). The undersigned hereby execute this Certificate in connection with the closing held as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of that certain Equity Distribution Agreement, dated June 1, 2018 (the “ Equity Distribution Agreement ”), among the Company and JMP Securities LLC. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Equity Distribution Agreement.

The undersigned each hereby further certifies, in their respective capacities as officers of the Company, in its own capacity that:

 

  1. The representations and warranties of the Company in the Equity Distribution Agreement are true and correct, as if made on and as of the date hereof, except for those representations and warranties that speak solely as of a specific date and which were true and correct as of such date; provided , however , that such representations and warranties also shall be qualified by the disclosure included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and the Company has complied with all of its obligations and satisfied all of the conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement at or prior to the date hereof;

 

  2. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and

 

  3. Each of K&L Gates LLP and Cooley LLP is entitled to rely on this Officers’ Certificate in connection with the opinion that each firm is rendering pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

D-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed their names on this [         ] day of [         ], 200[         ].

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title: [CFO/Treasurer]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title: [General Counsel/Secretary]

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES

[None.]

Exhibit 4.4

VERITONE, INC.

Issuer

AND

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of         , 20

Debt Securities


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE(1)

 

SECTION OF

TRUST INDENTURE

ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED

   SECTION(S) OF
INDENTURE

310(a)

   7.9

310(b)

   7.8

311(a)

   7.13

311(b)

   7.13

312(a)

   5.1, 5.2(a)

312(b)

   5.2(b)

312(c)

   5.2(c)

313(a)

   5.4

313(b)

   5.4

313(c)

   5.4

313(d)

   5.4

314(a)

   5.3, 14.12

314(c)

   14.7(a)

314(e)

   14.7(b)

315(a)

   7.1

315(b)

   7.14

315(c)

   7.1

315(d)

   7.1

315(e)

   6.7

316(a)

   6.6, 8.4

316(b)

   6.4

316(c)

   8.1

317(a)

   6.2

317(b)

   4.2

318(a)

   14.9

 

(1) This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

  

Section 1.1

 

Definitions of Terms

     1  

Section 1.2

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     4  

ARTICLE II ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

  

Section 2.1

 

Designation and Terms of Securities

     5  

Section 2.2

 

Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate

     7  

Section 2.3

 

Denominations; Provisions for Payment

     7  

Section 2.4

 

Execution and Authentication

     8  

Section 2.5

 

Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     8  

Section 2.6

 

Temporary Securities

     9  

Section 2.7

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities

     10  

Section 2.8

 

Cancellation

     10  

Section 2.9

 

Benefits of Indenture

     11  

Section 2.10

 

Authenticating Agent

     11  

Section 2.11

 

Global Securities

     11  

Section 2.12

 

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

     12  

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

  

Section 3.1

 

Redemption

     12  

Section 3.2

 

Notice of Redemption

     12  

Section 3.3

 

Payment Upon Redemption

     13  

Section 3.4

 

Sinking Fund

     13  

Section 3.5

 

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     14  

Section 3.6

 

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     14  

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

  

Section 4.1

 

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     14  

Section 4.2

 

Paying Agent and Security Registrar

     14  

Section 4.3

 

Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee

     15  

Section 4.4

 

Compliance with Consolidation Provisions

     16  

ARTICLE V SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

  

Section 5.1

 

Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders

     16  

Section 5.2

 

Preservation of Information; Communications With Securityholders

     16  

Section 5.3

 

Reports by the Company

     16  

Section 5.4

 

Reports by the Trustee

     17  

ARTICLE VI REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

  

Section 6.1

 

Events of Default

     17  

Section 6.2

 

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     18  

Section 6.3

 

Application of Moneys Collected

     19  

Section 6.4

 

Limitation on Suits

     20  

Section 6.5

 

Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     20  

Section 6.6

 

Control by Securityholders

     21  

Section 6.7

 

Undertaking to Pay Costs

     21  

ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

  

Section 7.1

 

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     21  

Section 7.2

 

Certain Rights of Trustee

     22  

Section 7.3

 

Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities

     23  

 


Section 7.4

 

May Hold Securities and Otherwise Deal With the Company

     23  

Section 7.5

 

Moneys Held in Trust

     24  

Section 7.6

 

Compensation and Reimbursement

     24  

Section 7.7

 

Reliance on Officer’s Certificate

     24  

Section 7.8

 

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     24  

Section 7.9

 

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     25  

Section 7.10

 

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     25  

Section 7.11

 

Acceptance of Appointment By Successor

     26  

Section 7.12

 

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     27  

Section 7.13

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company

     27  

Section 7.14

 

Notice of Default

     27  

Section 7.15

 

Limitation of Liability

     27  

ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

  

Section 8.1

 

Evidence of Action by Securityholders

     27  

Section 8.2

 

Proof of Execution by Securityholders

     28  

Section 8.3

 

Who May be Deemed Owners

     28  

Section 8.4

 

Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded

     28  

Section 8.5

 

Actions Binding on Future Securityholders

     29  

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

  

Section 9.1

 

Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders

     29  

Section 9.2

 

Supplemental Indentures With the Consent of Securityholders

     30  

Section 9.3

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     31  

Section 9.4

 

Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures

     31  

Section 9.5

 

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     31  

ARTICLE X SUCCESSOR ENTITY

  

Section 10.1

 

Company May Consolidate, Etc.

     31  

Section 10.2

 

Successor Entity Substituted

     32  

Section 10.3

 

Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee

     32  

ARTICLE XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

  

Section 11.1

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     32  

Section 11.2

 

Application of Trust Money

     33  

ARTICLE XII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

  

Section 12.1

 

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     34  

Section 12.2

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     34  

Section 12.3

 

Covenant Defeasance

     34  

Section 12.4

 

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     35  

Section 12.5

 

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     35  

Section 12.6

 

Repayment to Company

     36  

Section 12.7

 

Reinstatement

     36  

ARTICLE XIII IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  

Section 13.1

 

No Recourse

     36  

ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

  

Section 14.1

 

Effect on Successors and Assigns

     37  

Section 14.2

 

Actions by Successor

     37  

Section 14.3

 

Surrender of Company Powers

     37  

Section 14.4

 

Notices

     37  

Section 14.5

 

Governing Law/Waiver of Jury Trial

     37  

Section 14.6

 

Treatment of Securities as Debt

     37  

 

ii


Section 14.7

 

Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     38  

Section 14.8

 

Payments on Business Days

     38  

Section 14.9

 

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     38  

Section 14.10

 

Counterparts

     38  

Section 14.11

 

Severability

     38  

Section 14.12

 

Compliance Certificates

     38  

Section 14.13

 

USA Patriot Act

     39  

Section 14.14

 

Consent to Jurisdiction and Service

     39  

Section 14.15

 

Force Majeure

     39  

 

 

iii


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of            , 20    , among Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and                    , a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”):

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “ Securities ”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the Trustee;

WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act (except as herein or any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.

Authenticating Agent ” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

Authorized Officer ,” when used with respect to the Company, means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Co-Chief Executive Officers, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of the Company.

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.

Board Resolution ” means a copy of one or more resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the Company to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and to be delivered to the Trustee.


Business Day ” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company ” means Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall also include its successors and assigns.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by one or more Authorized Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at                     ; Attention:                     . With respect to presentation for transfer or exchange, conversions or principal payment, such address shall be                     ; Attention:                     , or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Securityholders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Securityholders and the Company).

Covenant Defeasance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Default ” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Depositary ” means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.1 or 2.11.

Event of Default ” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.1, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Global Security ” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

Governmental Obligations ” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the U.S. for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the U.S., the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the U.S. that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereunder ,” and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

2


Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more Board Resolutions or one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.

Interest Payment Date ,” when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.

Legal Defeasance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof. An Officer’s Certificate given pursuant to Section 14.12 shall be signed by the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company but need not contain the statements provided for in Section 14.7.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

Outstanding ,” when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee, or delivered to the Trustee or any Paying Agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which cash or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article III provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7, unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

Paying Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity, and includes any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.7 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

Redemption Date ,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Indenture.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Securityholder ,” “ holder of Securities ,” “ registered holder ,” or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the Security Register in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

3


Security Register ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Security Registrar ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Stated Maturity ,” when used with respect to any security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.

Trustee ” means                     , and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trust Officer ” means any officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter hereunder, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

USA Patriot Act ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.13.

Voting Stock ,” as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

SECTION 1.2 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

 

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ARTICLE II

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION

AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that series from all other Securities);

(2) the principal amount of the Securities being offered and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable, any original issue discount that may apply to the Securities of that series upon their issuance, the principal amount due at maturity, and the place(s) of payment;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any, and whether the rate(s) are fixed or variable;

(5) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;

(6) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(9) the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

(10) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the certificate of authentication for such series;

(11) if other than minimum denominations of two thousand U.S. dollars ($2,000) or any integral multiple of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) in excess thereof, the minimum denominations and multiples in excess thereof in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(12) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the terms and the identity of the Depositary for such series;

 

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(13) whether the Securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other securities of the Company or any other Person or other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Company’s option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;

(14) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1;

(15) any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants (which may but shall not be required to include, among other restrictions, restrictions on the Company’s ability or the ability of the Company’s Subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue additional securities; create liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of their capital stock; redeem capital stock; in the case of such Subsidiaries, pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into sale leaseback transactions; engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates; issue or sell stock of the Company’s Subsidiaries; or effect a consolidation or merger) or financial covenants (which may include, among other financial covenants, financial covenants that require the Company and its Subsidiaries to maintain specified interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios) provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

(16) if other than U.S. dollars, the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated (including, but not limited to, foreign currency);

(17) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any, and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes, and the terms and conditions, if any, relating to the Company’s ability to redeem such Securities if the Company is required to pay such additional amounts;

(18) a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Securities of the series;

(19) any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series;

(20) the terms, if any, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of the series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities;

(21) whether the Securities of the series are secured or unsecured, and if the Securities are secured, the terms of the secured Securities;

(22) information describing any book-entry features;

(23) the identity of any guarantors and the terms of the guarantees; and

(24) any and all other terms with respect to the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any Board Resolution or supplemental indenture, but which may modify or delete any provisions of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such series), including any terms which may be required by or advisable under the laws of the U.S. or regulations thereunder or advisable (as determined by the Company) in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.

 

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Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates. A series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such Securities.

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.

The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.

SECTION 2.3 DENOMINATIONS; PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.

The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the minimum denomination of two thousand U.S. dollars ($2,000) or any integral multiple of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) in excess thereof, subject to Section 2.1(11). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the U.S. that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the United States, which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. Presentment and surrender of the Securities is required for final payment thereon.

The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.3.

Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:

(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.

 

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(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the term “ regular record date ” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Sections 2.5 and 2.11, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 2.4 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and, to the extent necessary, under its corporate seal. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.

The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been an Authorized Officer thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. To the extent a Company seal is necessary, the Company seal may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by an Authorized Officer, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.5 REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office of the Security Registrar, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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(b) Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office of the Security Registrar, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and the Security Registrar shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.

All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.

(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial repurchase or redemption of any series, but the Company and the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.6, Section 3.3(b) and Section 9.4 not involving any transfer.

(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portion thereof called for redemption, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part.

(e) Successive registrations and registrations of transfers and exchanges as aforesaid may be made from time to time as desired, and each such registration shall be noted on the register for the Securities.

(f) The Security Registrar shall provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection with the delivery by such Security Registrar of Securities upon transfer or exchange of Securities.

(g) The provisions of this Section 2.5 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.

(h) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(i) Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

SECTION 2.6 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish

 

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definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the holders), at the office of the Security Registrar, and the Trustee shall authenticate and the Security Registrar shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.7 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.

In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon a Company Request, the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code shall be met and the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the delivery of a Company Order. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.8 CANCELLATION.

All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any Paying Agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On the delivery of a Company Order at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall cancel Securities held by the Trustee in accordance with its standard procedures and applicable law and provide confirmation to the Company of such cancellation if requested by the Company. In the absence of such request, the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver evidence of cancellation to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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SECTION 2.9 BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities.

SECTION 2.10 AUTHENTICATING AGENT.

So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon a Company Request shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.

SECTION 2.11 GLOBAL SECURITIES.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.4, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of this Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.5, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.5, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary. Nothing in this Section 2.11(b) shall prohibit or render ineffective any transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Security effected in accordance with the other provisions of this Indenture.

(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary, this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such

 

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Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

SECTION 2.12 CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS.

The Company, in issuing the Securities, shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers for such Securities (if then generally in use). The Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP or ISIN number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing in the event of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1 REDEMPTION.

The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof. The provisions of this Article III may be modified, amended or replaced, in part or in their entirety, with Securities of any series, by an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof.

SECTION 3.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days (except in accordance with Articles XI and XII) before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or as otherwise established in a Board Resolution or an indenture supplemental hereto, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest

 

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accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is from a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.

In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, (i) if the Securities are in the form of Global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, or (ii) if the Securities are not in the form of Global Securities, by lot, a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $2,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by an Authorized Officer, instruct the Trustee or any Paying Agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such Paying Agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such Paying Agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 3.3 PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.3).

(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

SECTION 3.4 SINKING FUND.

If Securities of a series provide for a sinking fund as contemplated by Section 2.1, the provisions of this Section 3.4 and Sections 3.5 and 3.6 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ mandatory sinking fund payment ,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ optional sinking fund payment .” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.5. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 3.5 SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.

The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 3.6 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.

Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.5 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officer’s Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.2. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.

The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of U.S. $2,000,000 and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date). Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of U.S. $2,000,000 and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date).

SECTION 4.2 PAYING AGENT AND SECURITY REGISTRAR.

(a) So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Security Registrar ”), an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Security Registrar shall keep a register for the recordation of, and shall record, the names and addresses of holders of the Securities, the Securities held by each holder and the transfer and exchange of Securities (the “ Security Register ”). The entries in the Security Register shall be conclusive, and the parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Security Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a holder hereunder for all purposes of this Indenture. The Company may have one or more co-Security Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.

 

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The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent and Security Registrar, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them.

(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Security Registrar, Paying Agent, or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Security Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor. The Company and any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Security Registrar or co-registrar.

(c) If the Company shall appoint one or more Paying Agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;

(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

(4) that it will perform all other duties of Paying Agent as set forth in this Indenture.

(d) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

SECTION 4.3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

 

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SECTION 4.4 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

The Company will not, while any of the Securities remain Outstanding, consolidate with or merge into any other Person, in either case where the Company is not the survivor of such transaction, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article X hereof are complied with.

ARTICLE V

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY

THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 5.1 COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.3) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.

SECTION 5.2 PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of each series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Security Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten (10) days before each interest payment date with respect to any series of Securities and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of such series of Securities, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.

(b) Securityholders of any series may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders of that series or any other series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that series or any other series.

(c) The Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 5.3 REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

(a) So long as any Security is Outstanding, the Company shall furnish a copy to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any materials for which the Company has sought and received confidential treatment by the Commission; and provided further, so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR), such filings shall be deemed to have been furnished to the Trustee for purposes of this Section 5.3 without any further action required by the Company. The Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such filings have been made.

(b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of the covenants contained in this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate).

 

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SECTION 5.4 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

(a) The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the time and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, “ Event of Default ” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

(3) the Company defaults in the performance or breach of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 consecutive days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;

(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

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(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(6) certain other specified events, as may be provided for in a Board Resolution or in a supplemental indenture.

(b) In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may, and the Trustee at the request of the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding hereunder shall, declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.

(c) At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under this Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.6.

No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

SECTION 6.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.

(a) The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6.

 

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(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.

(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.6.

(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.6, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.3 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6;

SECOND: To the payment to holders of Securities of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), amounts payable upon redemption or repurchase of the Securities, and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

 

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THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to holders pursuant to this Section 6.3. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

SECTION 6.4 LIMITATION ON SUITS.

No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v) during such 60 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such holders). For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

SECTION 6.5 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7, all powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.

(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

 

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SECTION 6.6 CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Trust Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.1 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.1(c)), which requires the consent of each holder affected by such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.7 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.1 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series, in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

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(i) this subsection (b) shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer or Trust Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(iv) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

(c) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 7.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);

(c) 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 in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.4),

 

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and, if so requested, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law or as would reasonably be expected to violate or result in the loss or impairment of any attorney-client or work product privilege, the Trustee shall be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent, or attorney, and it shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide access or furnish information in the event of any litigation involving this Indenture or the Securities except pursuant to applicable rules of discovery; and provided, further, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;

(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(k) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(l) The Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any other agent of the Company, and may assume performance by any such agent of its duties, absent written notice or actual knowledge to the contrary; and

(m) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

SECTION 7.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.

(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.

(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.

(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.1, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 7.4 MAY HOLD SECURITIES AND OTHERWISE DEAL WITH THE COMPANY.

Subject to the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may buy, own, hold, sell and become the pledgee of any of the Securities or any other evidences of indebtedness or other securities, whether heretofore or hereafter created or issued, of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not

 

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Trustee, Security Registrar, Paying Agent or such other agent; and the Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, including, without limitation, secured and unsecured loans to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; and may maintain any and all other general banking and business relations with the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company with like effect and in the same manner and to the same extent as if the Trustee were not a party to this Indenture; and no implied covenant shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee in respect of any such matters.

SECTION 7.5 MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.2, 12.5, 12.6 and 12.7, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.

SECTION 7.6 COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct and except as the Company and Trustee may from time to time agree in writing. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, costs, damages, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment) and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

(b) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.6, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of such series.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(a)(4) or 6.1(a)(5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction of this Indenture.

SECTION 7.7 RELIANCE ON OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 7.8 DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SECTION 7.9 CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the U.S. or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its bank holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least one hundred million U.S. dollars ($100,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.

If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.

SECTION 7.10 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or the holders of at least 10% in the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities may petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

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(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may, upon 30 days’ notice, remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.

SECTION 7.11 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (ii) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

 

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(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 7.12 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 7.13 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

SECTION 7.14 NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs (or, the Trustee does not have notice of such Default or Event of Default until after that time, 15 days after the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default), unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.

SECTION 7.15 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Trustee is entering into this Indenture and the other documents contemplated hereby and related hereto to which it is a party solely in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture and not in its individual capacity (except as expressly stated herein) and in no case shall the Trustee (or any Person acting as successor trustee under this Indenture) be personally liable for or on account of any of the statements, representations, warranties, covenants or obligations stated to be those of the Company hereunder or thereunder, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and any person claiming by, through or under such party.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 8.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.

 

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If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

SECTION 8.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.

(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.

The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

SECTION 8.3 WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Security Registrar as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.3) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

SECTION 8.4 CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

 

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SECTION 8.5 ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 9.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series (with such ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate);

(b) to comply with Article X, including to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained or to provide for the assumption of a guarantor’s obligations to holders of the Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the guarantor’s assets;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;

(d) to add to the covenants of the Company or any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any guarantor;

(e) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;

(g) to comply with any requirements of the Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(h) to provide security for the Securities of any series or to provide for any guarantee of the Securities of any series or to confirm or evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee of or lien securing the Securities of any series when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture;

(i) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the Securities of any series or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any holder;

(j) to make any amendment to the provision of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Securities of any series; provided, however, that (1) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Securities of such series being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (2) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer Securities of such series; or

 

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(k) to conform the text of this Indenture, any guarantee of the Securities of any series or the notes to any provision of the “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” included in the prospectus forming a part of the registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission on Form S-3 on August 4, 2016 or any subsequent description of Securities contained in any prospectus supplement, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” or any subsequent description of Securities contained in any prospectus supplement was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, any guarantee of the Securities of any series or the Securities, as applicable (with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate).

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

SECTION 9.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating (or waiving any past default or compliance with) any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.1 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby,

(a) reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any modification, amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or rate of interest on, such Securities;

(c) extend the fixed maturity of such Securities;

(d) extend the time for payment of interest on such Securities;

(e) reduce the redemption or repurchase price of such Securities or change the time at which the Securities may or must be redeemed or repurchased;

(f) change the currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Securities;

(g) waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities (except as provided in Section 6.1(c));

(h) voluntarily release a guarantor of such Securities other than in accordance with this Indenture;

(i) reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities the consent of whose holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or

 

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(j) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date) of such Securities.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX or of Section 10.1, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 9.4 SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX or of Section 10.1, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.

SECTION 9.5 EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.7(a), an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that and as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions) and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Company shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE X

SUCCESSOR ENTITY

SECTION 10.1 COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or

 

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its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.1 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property and (b) in the event that the Securities of any series then Outstanding are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other securities of the Company, such entity shall, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the Securityholders of Securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such Securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock or other securities of the Company deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those Securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition.

SECTION 10.2 SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee of the obligations set forth under Section 10.1 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

(c) Nothing contained in this Article X shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).

SECTION 10.3 EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that and as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article X.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for or in the form of Security for such series and any right to receive additional amounts), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

(a) either

 

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(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and (ii) Securities for whose payment cash, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Sections 12.5 and 12.6) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

(A) have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, or

(B) will become due and payable within one year,

and the Company, in the case of (A) or (B) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Securityholders of the Securities of that series, cash in U.S. dollars, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof in such amount as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(b) in respect of clause (a)(ii), no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of certain liens to secure such borrowing);

(c) the Company or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series; and

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money towards the payment of the notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee with respect to such series under this Section 11.1 and Sections 7.6 and 7.10, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 2.10, and, if cash, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 11.2, shall survive.

SECTION 11.2 APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.

Subject to the provisions of Section 12.6, all cash and Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.1 shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the series of Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities for which payment of such cash and Governmental Obligations has been deposited with the Trustee.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and Governmental Obligations in accordance with this Article XI; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on or principal of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the cash and Governmental Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE XII

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 12.1 OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of a series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article XII.

SECTION 12.2 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.2 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series, which will thereafter be deemed to be Outstanding only for the purposes of Section 12.5 hereof and the Articles and other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.4 hereof;

(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Securities under Article 2 and Section 4.2 hereof;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article XII.

Subject to compliance with this Article XII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 12.2 with respect to a series of Securities, notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.3 hereof with respect to such series of Securities.

SECTION 12.3 COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.3 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under Section 5.3 and Article X and any additional covenants specified in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Securities of such series will thereafter be deemed not Outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed Outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in Section 5.3 or Article X and any additional covenants specified in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof with respect to Outstanding Securities of such series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

 

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SECTION 12.4 CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Securityholders of the Securities of that series, cash in U.S. dollars, Governmental Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities of such series are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of an election under Section 12.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of an election under Section 12.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; and

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 12.5 DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS .

Subject to Section 12.6 hereof, all cash and Governmental Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of a particular series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Governmental Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any cash or Governmental Obligations held by it as provided in Section 12.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.4(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 12.6 REPAYMENT TO COMPANY .

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, has become due and payable shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such Security will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may give written notice to the holder of such Security, at such holder’s address as it appears upon the Security Register, that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 12.7 REINSTATEMENT .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of the particular series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, any Security of the particular series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the cash or Governmental Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XIII

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 13.1 NO RECOURSE.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as

 

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such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 14.1 EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Trustee shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 14.2 ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

SECTION 14.3 SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor corporation.

SECTION 14.4 NOTICES.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed, as follows: Veritone, Inc., 575 Anton Blvd., Suite 900, Costa Mesa, California 92626, Attention: Secretary. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

SECTION 14.5 GOVERNING LAW/WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

SECTION 14.6 TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.

It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention.

 

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SECTION 14.7 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 14.8 PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.

SECTION 14.9 CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, such Trust Indenture Act provision shall control.

SECTION 14.10 COUNTERPARTS.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 14.11 SEVERABILITY.

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 14.12 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an Officer’s Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Company’s performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 14.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If any of the officers of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status.

 

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SECTION 14.13 USA PATRIOT ACT

The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “ USA Patriot Act ”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person or legal entity that opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as the Trustee may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 14.14 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon such party, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which such party is subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon such party in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law.

SECTION 14.15 FORCE MAJEURE

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

VERITONE, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO I NDENTURE

Exhibit 4.14

FIRST TRANCHE WARRANT B

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH MUST BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

VERITONE, INC.

 

Warrant Amount    Date of Issuance: November 25, 2016

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “ Warrant ”) certifies that, for value received, Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to Acacia Research Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Holder ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the right to purchase up to a number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) equal to the quotient that results from dividing the Warrant Amount by the then applicable Exercise Price (as defined in Section  3(b) ) (the “ Warrant Shares ”). The “ Warrant Amount ” means Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000), as adjusted from to time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. At the time of any exercise of this Warrant in accordance with Section 3(a) (each, an “ Exercise ”), the purchase price of one (1) share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the then applicable Exercise Price.

Section  1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain secured promissory note (the “ Secured Promissory Note ”), dated as of August 15, 2016, by and among Acacia Research Corporation (“ Acacia ”) and the Company.

Section  2. Term . The Holder is entitled, at any time on or after the date hereof and at or prior to the close of business on the fourth anniversary of the date hereof (the “ Termination Date ”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase all or any portion of the Warrant Shares from the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon an Uncured Material Breach of any of the Transaction Agreements by Acacia, this Warrant will be, at the Company’s written election, null and void ab initio.

 

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Section  3. Exercise .

a) Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the date hereof and on or before the Termination Date, by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto (a “ Notice of Exercise ”). Within three (3) Business Days following the date of Exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver to the Company (i) the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise, by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank, and (ii) this Warrant and/or any certificate or certificates representing this Warrant. Partial Exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the Warrant Amount available at the time of such Exercise shall have the effect of lowering the Warrant Amount by such portion. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the portions of the Warrant Amount purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within two (2) Business Days of receipt of such notice.

b) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be, if such Exercise occurs (i) after the Maturity Date, and a Next Equity Financing was not consummated, and the Company has not made an initial filing of a Registration Statement, at or prior to the Maturity Date, $4.85, (ii) if a Next Equity Financing was consummated at or prior to the Maturity Date, during the period beginning on the date of closing of such Next Equity Financing (or, if such Next Equity Financing occurred prior to the funding of the Second Tranche Loan under the Secured Promissory Note, the date hereof), and ending on (and including) the date on which the Company initially files a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a Public Offering (such date, the “ Filing Date ”), the price per share of the Equity Securities issued in such Next Equity Financing, or (iii) at any other time, (x) $8.2394 (or, if such Exercise occurs following the conversion of the entire Convertible Amount (from inception of the Secured Promissory Note) into Conversion Shares, $8.1653), in each case subject to adjustment as provided in Section  4 (the “ Exercise Price ”).

c) [Intentionally omitted.]

d) Mechanics of Exercise .

i. Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise . (a) Subject to the receipt (I) by the Company of a completed Notice of Exercise, the aggregate Exercise Price in cash in accordance with Section  3(b) , any supporting documents (including, without limitation, a stockholder representation letter) reasonably requested by the Company from the Holder in the event the transfer agent for the company, if any (the “ Transfer Agent ”), requires a letter of instruction or legal opinion to complete conversion, in whole or in part, of the Warrant and movement of any Warrant Shares, and the Warrant and/or any certificate or certificates representing this Warrant, and (II) by the Company or the Transfer Agent of any documents or paperwork required or requested by the Transfer Agent in connection with the exercise of the Warrant (including, without limitation, an instruction letter or letters prepared, executed and medallion-guaranteed by the Holder’s

 

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brokers and/or custodians) and (b) assuming the Company has not objected to the Notice of Exercise in accordance with Section  3(a) , evidence of the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Company or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, to the Holder by (x) by book-entry in the books and records of the Company, or (y) otherwise by physical delivery to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise, in the case of each of clause (x) and (y) of this sentence, by the date that is three (3) Business Days after the delivery of the last of the items and payment of the aggregate Exercise Price set forth above described in clause (a) of this sentence (such date, the “ Warrant Share Delivery Date ”). Such Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person designated as the recipient thereof in the Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Warrant has been exercised, with payment to the Company of the then applicable Exercise Price and all taxes required to be paid by the Holder, if any, pursuant to Section  3(d)(vi) prior to the issuance of such shares, having been paid.

ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise . If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the evidence representing the issued Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Amount called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant and, if such Warrants are certificated, a new certificate or certificates representing the new Warrant.

iii. [Intentionally omitted.]

iv. [Intentionally omitted.]

v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip . No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the then applicable Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses . Issuance of certificates for Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided , however , that in the event certificates for Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder (in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Section  5 ), this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise.

 

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vii. Closing of Books . The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

Section  4. Certain Adjustments .

a) Stock Dividends and Splits . If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company (x) upon exercise of this Warrant or (y) pursuant to a stock option plan or any similar employee compensation plan that is approved by the Company’s board of directors), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case, at the time of any Exercise, the then applicable Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the then applicable Warrant Amount shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section  4(a) shall become effective immediately after the effective date or payment date, as applicable, of such dividend, distribution, subdivision, or combination.

b) [Intentionally omitted.]

c) [Intentionally omitted.]

d) Fundamental Transaction . If a Fundamental Transaction occurs at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder, the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “ Alternate Consideration ”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.

 

4


For purposes hereof, “ Fundamental Transaction ” means the consummation of any transaction, or a series of related transactions, in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (i) consummates a stock sale to, or effects any merger, consolidation or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with, another Person or group of Persons, whereby, in the case of any transaction(s) under this clause (i), such other Person or group of Persons acquires more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, (ii) effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or (iii) effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, provided that in no event shall a Public Offering be deemed a Fundamental Transaction.

e) Calculations . All calculations under this Section  4 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 4, the number of shares of Common Stock or capital stock of the Company, as applicable, deemed to be outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock or, for purposes of the definition of “Fundamental Transaction”, capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding.

f) Notice to Holder .

i. Adjustment to Exercise Price . Whenever there occurs an event that would require adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to any provision of this Section  4 , the Company shall promptly mail to the Holder a notice setting forth the then applicable Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares then issuable and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. For purposes hereof, a notice delivered within ten (10) calendar days of an event resulting in an adjustment shall be deemed to have been timely delivered.

ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder . If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder at its last address or facsimile number as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption,

 

5


rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivering thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. If the Company is subject to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, at the time of any notice provided hereunder, to the extent that such notice constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

iii. Notice of Filing Date . The Company shall provide Acacia with not less than fifteen (15) Business Days’ advance notice of any Filing Date.

Section  5. Transfer of Warrant .

a) Transferability . The Holder shall not, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, transfer, assign, sell, gift-over, hedge, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Warrant and all rights hereunder, or, prior to the Company’s first Public Offering, the Warrant Shares (a “ Transfer ”), unless (i) the Holder shall have received the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or (ii) the transferee is an Affiliate of Acacia (i) which is Controlled by Acacia and (ii) at least a majority of the equity securities of which Acacia owns, directly or indirectly. The Holder further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Warrant Shares unless and until (i) the transferee has agreed in writing for the benefit of the Company to make such representations and warranties as are reasonable and customary in a private placement of securities and the undertakings set out in Section 6(d) of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis , and (ii) the Holder has (A) notified the Company of the proposed disposition, (B) furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (C) if requested by the Company, furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such disposition will not require registration under the Securities Act. The Holder agrees not to make any disposition of any of the Warrant Shares to (I) any of the Company’s competitors, as determined in good faith by the Company, or (II) without the prior consent of the board of directors of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld), any Person or group of Persons who has filed a Schedule 13D or would, as a result of acquiring any Warrant Shares from the Holder, be required to file under Schedule 13D. Any Transfer of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares in violation of the terms and conditions of this Warrant, including the immediately preceding provisions of this Section  5(a) , will be null and void ab initio . Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state security laws, any Transfer permitted under this Section  5(a) shall occur upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or

 

6


its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. In connection with any such Transfer (if made other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer does not require registration of such transferred securities under the Securities Act. Upon (i) such surrender, (ii) if required, such payment, and (iii) if required, such opinion, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

b) New Warrants . This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section  5(a) , as to any Transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

c) Warrant Register . The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “ Warrant Register ”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

Section  6 . Representations and Warranties of the Holder

a) Purchase for Own Account . This Warrant and the Warrant Shares will be acquired for investment for the Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Holder has no present intention, and upon exercise or conversion will have no intention, of selling or engaging in any public distribution of the same except pursuant to a registration or exemption. The Holder also represents that the Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Warrant Shares.

b) Disclosure of Information . The Holder has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares. The Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Holder or to which the Holder has access.

 

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c) Investment Experience . The Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares involves substantial risk. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and the Warrant Shares and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and the Warrant Shares.

d) Accredited Investor Status . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

e) The Securities Act . The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. The Holder further understands that settlement of this Warrant is to be made in shares of Common Stock and, for the elimination of doubt, the fact that the shares of Common Stock delivered on exercise of this Warrant will not be registered under the Securities Act (as defined below) will not in any way require the Company to settle this Warrant otherwise than in shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, that there is no circumstance that would require the Company to settle this Warrant in cash.

Section  7 . [Intentionally omitted.]

Section  8 . Section 6. Miscellaneous .

a) Legends . All certificates evidencing the Warrant Shares shall bear the following legend:

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

 

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b) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise . This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section  3(d)(i) .

c) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant . The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, the posting by the Holder of a bond in customary amount as the Company may reasonably require as indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

d) Authorized Shares .

i. The Company covenants that, to the extent reasonably practicable, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the applicable Public Trading Market. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

ii. Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (A) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon exercise immediately prior to such exercise of which the Company has received a Notice of Exercise, (B) take all such action as may be

 

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necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (C) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

iii. Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, in each case pursuant to Section  4 , the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e) Jurisdiction . All disputes concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be resolved in accordance with Section 14 of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis .

f) Restrictions . The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered pursuant to an effective registration statement, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

g) Nonwaiver and Expenses . No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of any of the Transaction Agreements, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h) Notices . Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with Section 17 of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis .

i) Limitation of Liability . No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

j) Remedies . The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant, and the Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

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k) Successors and Assigns . Subject to applicable securities laws and compliance with Section  5(a) , this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Warrant without the written consent of the Holder or any holder of Warrant Shares to any purchaser of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or capital stock or another acquirer of the Company or its business through a Fundamental Transaction. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any permitted Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

l) Amendment . This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

m) Severability . Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

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n) Headings . The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

o) Confidential Information . Acacia (which for purposes of this Section  8(o) will include any other permitted Holder hereof) agrees to keep confidential and not disclose, divulge or use for any purpose (other than to monitor its investment in the Company or to enforce its rights under any of the Transaction Agreements) any information obtained from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including notice of the Company’s intention to file a registration statement) that the Company believes to be confidential information, unless such confidential information (i) is known or becomes known to the public in general (other than as a result of a breach of this Section  8(o) by Acacia), (ii) is or has been independently developed or conceived by Acacia or any of its Subsidiaries without use of the Company’s confidential information or (iii) has been made known or disclosed to Acacia by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company; provided that Acacia may disclose confidential information (A) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company or to enforce its rights under any of the Transaction Agreements, (B) to any wholly owned Subsidiary of Acacia in the ordinary course of business; provided, that, with respect to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Acacia informs such Persons of the proprietary interest and nature of such confidential information and of the recipient’s obligations, as applicable, to keep such information confidential, or (C) to the extent that disclosure of such confidential information is compelled by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of applicable law, provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Acacia promptly notifies the Company of any such request or requirement, discloses only that portion of the confidential information that its legal counsel advises in writing is required to be disclosed and reasonably cooperates with any efforts by the Company to obtain an appropriate protective order or confidential treatment of such confidential information that is or is proposed to be disclosed.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

Company:
VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Peter F. Collins

  Name: Peter F. Collins
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Holder:
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Clayton J. Haynes

  Name: Clayton J. Haynes
  Title:   CFO

[Signature Page to Form of Warrant]


NOTICE OF EXERCISE

TO: VERITONE, INC.

(1) The undersigned hereby elects to exercise $                     of the Warrant Amount for Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the aggregate exercise price in full in cash for such exercise, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

(2) Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

  

 

  

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered (a) by book-entry in the books and records of the Company, or (b) by physical delivery of a certificate to the following address:

 

  

 

  
  

 

  
  

 

  

Name of Investing Entity: ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity :                                                                                                                       

Name of Authorized Signatory:                                                                                                                                                            

Title of Authorized Signatory:                                                                                                                                                              

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                       


ASSIGNMENT FORM

(To assign the foregoing warrant, execute

this form and supply required information.

Do not use this form to exercise the warrant.)

VERITONE, INC.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [            ] all of or [              ] shares of the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

                                                                                                                                                        whose address is

                                                                                                                                                                                     .

                                                                                                                       Dated:                      ,           

 

  Holder’s Signature:                                                                 
  Holder’s Address:                                                                   
                                                                                                   

Signature Guaranteed:                                                                                                       

NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company. Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing Warrant.

Exhibit 4.15

SECOND TRANCHE WARRANT

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH MUST BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

VERITONE, INC.

 

Warrant Amount    Date of Issuance: November 25, 2016

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “ Warrant ”) certifies that, for value received, Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to Acacia Research Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Holder ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the right to purchase up to a number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) equal to the quotient that results from dividing the Warrant Amount by the then applicable Exercise Price (as defined in Section  3(b) ) (the “ Warrant Shares ”). The “ Warrant Amount ” means Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000), as adjusted from to time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. At the time of any exercise of this Warrant in accordance with Section 3(a) (each, an “ Exercise ”), the purchase price of one (1) share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the then applicable Exercise Price.

Section  1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain secured promissory note (the “ Secured Promissory Note ”), dated as of August 15, 2016, by and among Acacia Research Corporation (“ Acacia ”) and the Company.

Section  2. Term . The Holder is entitled, at any time on or after the date hereof and at or prior to the close of business on the fourth anniversary of the date hereof (the “ Termination Date ”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase all or any portion of the Warrant Shares from the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon an Uncured Material Breach of any of the Transaction Agreements by Acacia, this Warrant will be, at the Company’s written election, null and void ab initio.

 

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Section  3. Exercise .

a) Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the date hereof and on or before the Termination Date, by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto (a “ Notice of Exercise ”). Within three (3) Business Days following the date of Exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver to the Company (i) the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise, by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank, and (ii) this Warrant and/or any certificate or certificates representing this Warrant. Partial Exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the Warrant Amount available at the time of such Exercise shall have the effect of lowering the Warrant Amount by such portion. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the portions of the Warrant Amount purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within two (2) Business Days of receipt of such notice.

b) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be, if such Exercise occurs (i) after the Maturity Date, and a Next Equity Financing was not consummated, and the Company has not made an initial filing of a Registration Statement, at or prior to the Maturity Date, $4.85, (ii) if a Next Equity Financing was consummated at or prior to the Maturity Date, during the period beginning on the date of closing of such Next Equity Financing (or, if such Next Equity Financing occurred prior to the funding of the Second Tranche Loan under the Secured Promissory Note, the date hereof), and ending on (and including) the date on which the Company initially files a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a Public Offering (such date, the “ Filing Date ”), the price per share of the Equity Securities issued in such Next Equity Financing, or (iii) at any other time, (x) $8.2394 (or, if such Exercise occurs following the conversion of the entire Convertible Amount (from inception of the Secured Promissory Note) into Conversion Shares, $8.1653), in each case subject to adjustment as provided in Section  4 (the “ Exercise Price ”).

c) [Intentionally omitted.]

d) Mechanics of Exercise .

i. Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise . (a) Subject to the receipt (I) by the Company of a completed Notice of Exercise, the aggregate Exercise Price in cash in accordance with Section  3(b) , any supporting documents (including, without limitation, a stockholder representation letter) reasonably requested by the Company from the Holder in the event the transfer agent for the company, if any (the “ Transfer Agent ”), requires a letter of instruction or legal opinion to complete conversion, in whole or in part, of the Warrant and movement of any Warrant Shares, and the Warrant and/or any certificate or certificates representing this Warrant, and (II) by the Company or the Transfer Agent of any documents or paperwork required or requested by the Transfer Agent in connection with the exercise of the Warrant (including, without limitation, an instruction letter or letters prepared, executed and medallion-guaranteed by the Holder’s

 

2


brokers and/or custodians) and (b) assuming the Company has not objected to the Notice of Exercise in accordance with Section  3(a) , evidence of the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Company or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, to the Holder by (x) by book-entry in the books and records of the Company, or (y) otherwise by physical delivery to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise, in the case of each of clause (x) and (y) of this sentence, by the date that is three (3) Business Days after the delivery of the last of the items and payment of the aggregate Exercise Price set forth above described in clause (a) of this sentence (such date, the “ Warrant Share Delivery Date ”). Such Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person designated as the recipient thereof in the Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Warrant has been exercised, with payment to the Company of the then applicable Exercise Price and all taxes required to be paid by the Holder, if any, pursuant to Section  3(d)(vi) prior to the issuance of such shares, having been paid.

ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise . If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the evidence representing the issued Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Amount called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant and, if such Warrants are certificated, a new certificate or certificates representing the new Warrant.

iii. [Intentionally omitted.]

iv. [Intentionally omitted.]

v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip . No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the then applicable Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses . Issuance of certificates for Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided , however , that in the event certificates for Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder (in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Section  5 ), this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise.

 

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vii. Closing of Books . The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

Section  4. Certain Adjustments .

a) Stock Dividends and Splits . If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company (x) upon exercise of this Warrant or (y) pursuant to a stock option plan or any similar employee compensation plan that is approved by the Company’s board of directors), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case, at the time of any Exercise, the then applicable Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the then applicable Warrant Amount shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section  4(a) shall become effective immediately after the effective date or payment date, as applicable, of such dividend, distribution, subdivision, or combination.

b) [Intentionally omitted.]

c) [Intentionally omitted.]

d) Fundamental Transaction . If a Fundamental Transaction occurs at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder, the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “ Alternate Consideration ”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.

 

4


For purposes hereof, “ Fundamental Transaction ” means the consummation of any transaction, or a series of related transactions, in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (i) consummates a stock sale to, or effects any merger, consolidation or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with, another Person or group of Persons, whereby, in the case of any transaction(s) under this clause (i), such other Person or group of Persons acquires more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, (ii) effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or (iii) effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, provided that in no event shall a Public Offering be deemed a Fundamental Transaction.

e) Calculations . All calculations under this Section  4 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 4, the number of shares of Common Stock or capital stock of the Company, as applicable, deemed to be outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock or, for purposes of the definition of “Fundamental Transaction”, capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding.

f) Notice to Holder .

i. Adjustment to Exercise Price . Whenever there occurs an event that would require adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to any provision of this Section  4 , the Company shall promptly mail to the Holder a notice setting forth the then applicable Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares then issuable and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. For purposes hereof, a notice delivered within ten (10) calendar days of an event resulting in an adjustment shall be deemed to have been timely delivered.

ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder . If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder at its last address or facsimile number as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption,

 

5


rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivering thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. If the Company is subject to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, at the time of any notice provided hereunder, to the extent that such notice constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

iii. Notice of Filing Date . The Company shall provide Acacia with not less than fifteen (15) Business Days’ advance notice of any Filing Date.

Section  5. Transfer of Warrant .

a) Transferability . The Holder shall not, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, transfer, assign, sell, gift-over, hedge, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Warrant and all rights hereunder, or, prior to the Company’s first Public Offering, the Warrant Shares (a “ Transfer ”), unless (i) the Holder shall have received the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or (ii) the transferee is an Affiliate of Acacia (i) which is Controlled by Acacia and (ii) at least a majority of the equity securities of which Acacia owns, directly or indirectly. The Holder further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Warrant Shares unless and until (i) the transferee has agreed in writing for the benefit of the Company to make such representations and warranties as are reasonable and customary in a private placement of securities and the undertakings set out in Section 6(d) of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis , and (ii) the Holder has (A) notified the Company of the proposed disposition, (B) furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (C) if requested by the Company, furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such disposition will not require registration under the Securities Act. The Holder agrees not to make any disposition of any of the Warrant Shares to (I) any of the Company’s competitors, as determined in good faith by the Company, or (II) without the prior consent of the board of directors of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld), any Person or group of Persons who has filed a Schedule 13D or would, as a result of acquiring any Warrant Shares from the Holder, be required to file under Schedule 13D. Any Transfer of this Warrant or any Warrant Shares in violation of the terms and conditions of this Warrant, including the immediately preceding provisions of this Section  5(a) , will be null and void ab initio . Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state security laws, any Transfer permitted under this Section  5(a) shall occur upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or

 

6


its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. In connection with any such Transfer (if made other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer does not require registration of such transferred securities under the Securities Act. Upon (i) such surrender, (ii) if required, such payment, and (iii) if required, such opinion, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

b) New Warrants . This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section  5(a) , as to any Transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

c) Warrant Register . The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “ Warrant Register ”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

Section  6 . Representations and Warranties of the Holder

a) Purchase for Own Account . This Warrant and the Warrant Shares will be acquired for investment for the Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Holder has no present intention, and upon exercise or conversion will have no intention, of selling or engaging in any public distribution of the same except pursuant to a registration or exemption. The Holder also represents that the Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Warrant Shares.

b) Disclosure of Information . The Holder has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares. The Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Holder or to which the Holder has access.

 

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c) Investment Experience . The Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and the Warrant Shares involves substantial risk. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and the Warrant Shares and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and the Warrant Shares.

d) Accredited Investor Status . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

e) The Securities Act . The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Warrant Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. The Holder further understands that settlement of this Warrant is to be made in shares of Common Stock and, for the elimination of doubt, the fact that the shares of Common Stock delivered on exercise of this Warrant will not be registered under the Securities Act (as defined below) will not in any way require the Company to settle this Warrant otherwise than in shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, that there is no circumstance that would require the Company to settle this Warrant in cash.

Section  7 . [Intentionally omitted.]

Section  8 . Section 6. Miscellaneous .

a) Legends . All certificates evidencing the Warrant Shares shall bear the following legend:

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY.

 

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b) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise . This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section  3(d)(i) .

c) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant . The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, the posting by the Holder of a bond in customary amount as the Company may reasonably require as indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it, and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

d) Authorized Shares .

i. The Company covenants that, to the extent reasonably practicable, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the applicable Public Trading Market. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

ii. Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (A) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon exercise immediately prior to such exercise of which the Company has received a Notice of Exercise, (B) take all such action as may be

 

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necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (C) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

iii. Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, in each case pursuant to Section  4 , the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e) Jurisdiction . All disputes concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be resolved in accordance with Section 14 of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis .

f) Restrictions . The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered pursuant to an effective registration statement, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

g) Nonwaiver and Expenses . No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of any of the Transaction Agreements, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h) Notices . Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with Section 17 of the Secured Promissory Note, mutatis mutandis .

i) Limitation of Liability . No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

j) Remedies . The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant, and the Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

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k) Successors and Assigns . Subject to applicable securities laws and compliance with Section  5(a) , this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Warrant without the written consent of the Holder or any holder of Warrant Shares to any purchaser of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or capital stock or another acquirer of the Company or its business through a Fundamental Transaction. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any permitted Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

l) Amendment . This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

m) Severability . Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

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n) Headings . The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

o) Confidential Information . Acacia (which for purposes of this Section  8(o) will include any other permitted Holder hereof) agrees to keep confidential and not disclose, divulge or use for any purpose (other than to monitor its investment in the Company or to enforce its rights under any of the Transaction Agreements) any information obtained from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including notice of the Company’s intention to file a registration statement) that the Company believes to be confidential information, unless such confidential information (i) is known or becomes known to the public in general (other than as a result of a breach of this Section  8(o) by Acacia), (ii) is or has been independently developed or conceived by Acacia or any of its Subsidiaries without use of the Company’s confidential information or (iii) has been made known or disclosed to Acacia by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company; provided that Acacia may disclose confidential information (A) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company or to enforce its rights under any of the Transaction Agreements, (B) to any wholly owned Subsidiary of Acacia in the ordinary course of business; provided, that, with respect to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Acacia informs such Persons of the proprietary interest and nature of such confidential information and of the recipient’s obligations, as applicable, to keep such information confidential, or (C) to the extent that disclosure of such confidential information is compelled by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of applicable law, provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Acacia promptly notifies the Company of any such request or requirement, discloses only that portion of the confidential information that its legal counsel advises in writing is required to be disclosed and reasonably cooperates with any efforts by the Company to obtain an appropriate protective order or confidential treatment of such confidential information that is or is proposed to be disclosed.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

Company:
VERITONE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Peter F. Collins

  Name: Peter F. Collins
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
Holder:
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Clayton J. Haynes

  Name: Clayton J. Haynes
  Title: CFO

[Signature Page to Form of Warrant]


NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO: VERITONE, INC.

(1) The undersigned hereby elects to exercise $             of the Warrant Amount for Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the aggregate exercise price in full in cash for such exercise, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

(2) Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered (a) by book-entry in the books and records of the Company, or (b) by physical delivery of a certificate to the following address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Investing Entity: ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity :  

 

Name of Authorized Signatory:  

 

Title of Authorized Signatory:  

 

Date:  

 


ASSIGNMENT FORM

(To assign the foregoing warrant, execute

this form and supply required information.

Do not use this form to exercise the warrant.)

VERITONE, INC.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [        ] all of or [                ] shares of the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

                                                                                                                                                                             whose address is

                                                                                                                                                                                                          .

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Dated: ______________, _______                                             

 

Holder’s Signature:  

 

Holder’s Address:  

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________________________

NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company. Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing Warrant.

Exhibit 5.1

 

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K&L GATES LLP

1 PARK PLAZA

TWELFTH FLOOR

IRVINE, CA 92614

T 949.253.0900    F 949.253.0902

klgates.com

  

June 1, 2018

Veritone, Inc.

575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100

Costa Mesa, California 92626

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time by the Company of up to an aggregate initial offering amount of $150,000,000 of the following securities (each a “ Company Security ” and collectively, or in any combination, the “ Company Securities ”):

(i) shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”);

(ii) one or more classes or series of shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”);

(iii) one or more series of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated debt or senior or subordinated convertible debt (the “ Debt Securities ”);

(iv) warrants representing the rights to purchase shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or Debt Securities (the “ Warrants ”);

(v) units comprised of one or more of the Company Securities in one or more series and in any combination (the “ Units ”); and

(vi) rights to purchase an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or Warrants (the “ Rights ”).

This opinion letter is being furnished to you in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.

The Company Securities may be issued and sold by the Company from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to applicable provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale, and as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained therein (the “ Base Prospectus ”) and any supplements to the Base Prospectus (each, together with the Base Prospectus, a


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Prospectus ”). This opinion letter is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof. We are basing this opinion on our understanding that, prior to issuing any Company Securities in connection with the Registration Statement, the Company will advise us in writing of the terms thereof and other information material thereto, will afford us an opportunity to review the operative documents pursuant to which such Company Securities are to be issued (including the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the applicable supplement to the Prospectus, as then in effect) and will file such supplement or amendment to this opinion letter (if any) as we may reasonably consider necessary or appropriate with respect to such Company Securities. However, we undertake no responsibility to monitor the Company’s future compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations of the Commission or other governmental body.

For purposes of rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined the Registration Statement, the Indenture (as hereinafter defined), the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date and as currently in effect (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), and the Company’s Bylaws as amended to date and as currently in effect (the “ Bylaws ”), and we have made such investigation of law as we have deemed appropriate. We have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinions, we have also relied on a certificate of an officer of the Company. For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) each document submitted to us is accurate and complete; (ii) each such document that is an original is authentic; (iii) each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original; and (iv) all signatures on each such document are genuine. We have further assumed the legal capacity of natural persons, and we have assumed that each party to the documents we have examined or relied on has the legal capacity or authority and has satisfied all legal requirements that are applicable to that party to the extent necessary to make such documents enforceable against that party. We have not verified any of these assumptions.

Unless otherwise provided in any Prospectus relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and a trustee to be named in the applicable supplement to the Prospectus (the “ Trustee ”), substantially in the form that is included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Any Debt Securities may be convertible into shares of Common Stock or other Company Securities. The Company Securities are to be sold pursuant to a purchase, underwriting or similar agreement in substantially the form to be filed under the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “ Warrant Agreement ”). The Rights will be issued under one or more rights agreements (each a “ Rights Agreement ”). The Units will be issued under one or more unit purchase agreements (each a “ Unit Purchase Agreement ”).

The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are limited to (i) the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”), and (ii) with respect to opinion paragraphs 3 through 6, the laws of the State of New York. We are not opining on, and we assume no responsibility for, the applicability to or effect on any of the matters covered herein of (a) any other laws; (b) the laws of any other jurisdiction; or (c) the laws of any county, municipality or other political subdivision or local governmental agency or authority.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

(1) With respect to shares of Common Stock, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve an issuance of shares of Common Stock, and certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered (or non-certificated shares of Common Stock shall have been properly issued), either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of


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the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”), upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for in such definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as applicable, or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Company Security in accordance with the terms of such Company Security or the instrument governing such Company Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors, for the consideration therefor set forth in the applicable agreement and approved by the Board of Directors, which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Common Stock, such shares of Common Stock, including the shares of Common Stock that form a part of any Units, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(2) With respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock and the terms of the shares of such series, including the adoption of a certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation fixing and determining the terms of such Preferred Stock conforming to the DGCL, the filing of a certificate or amendment, as applicable, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the payment in full of any filing fees attendant thereto, and the due reservation of any Common Stock and Preferred Stock for issuance, and certificates representing the shares of the series of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors, upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for in such definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as applicable, or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Company Security in accordance with the terms of such Company Security or the instrument governing such Company Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors, for the consideration approved by the Board of Directors, which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Preferred Stock, the shares of such series of Preferred Stock, including the shares of Preferred Stock that form a part of any Units, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(3) With respect to any series of Debt Securities, when (a) the Indenture and the applicable supplement, if any, to the Indenture have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and any Trustee named in the Prospectus relating to such series, (b) the Indenture, as then and theretofore amended or supplemented, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”), (c) the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of such series of Debt Securities, (d) the terms of such Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture, and (e) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and the applicable supplement, the Debt Securities of such series, including the Debt Securities that form a part of any Units, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

(4) With respect to Warrants to be issued under a Warrant Agreement, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve the issuance and terms of such Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and such Warrants have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Warrants, including the Warrants that form a part of any Units, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.


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(5) With respect to the Units, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve and establish the terms of the Units and to authorize and approve the issuance of the Company Securities comprising the Units, the terms of the offering and related matters, the Unit Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and the Units and/or the Company Securities comprising the Units have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors, upon payment of the consideration provided therefor in the definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement as applicable and approved by the Board of Directors, which consideration shall not be less than the aggregate par value of any Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock included in the Units, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

(6) With respect to Rights to be issued under a Rights Agreement, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve the issuance and terms of such Rights, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, the Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and such Rights have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Rights, including the Rights that form a part of any Units, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following additional assumptions:

(a) The Registration Statement and any amendment thereto (including any post-effective amendment) will have become effective under the Securities Act, and such effectiveness will not have been terminated, suspended or rescinded;

(b) A supplement to the Prospectus will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws;

(c) All Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement will be issued and sold (i) in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations and solely in the manner provided in the Registration Statement or any supplement to the Prospectus and (ii) only upon payment of the consideration fixed therefor in accordance with the terms and conditions of any applicable definitive underwriting, purchase, agency or similar agreement relating to the particular offering, including any amendment or supplement thereto (each a “ Purchase Agreement ”), and any other applicable agreement relating to the particular offering (including the Indenture, any certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), and there will not have occurred any change in law or fact affecting the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein with respect thereto;

(d) In the case of the Indenture pursuant to which any Debt Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, there will have been no addition, deletion or modification of the terms or provisions contained in the form of Indenture included as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement that would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein;


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(e) A definitive Purchase Agreement, any other applicable agreement relating to the particular offering (including any Indenture, certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the other parties thereto;

(f) In the case of any definitive Purchase Agreement, the Indenture, any certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, there will be no terms or provisions contained therein which would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein;

(g) The final terms of any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, and, when issued, the issuance, sale and delivery thereof, and the incurrence and performance of the obligations thereunder or in respect thereof in accordance with the terms thereof, and any consideration to be received for any such issuance, sale and delivery, (i) will comply with, and will not violate, (A) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, as they may be amended or supplemented hereafter, or (B) any applicable law, rule or regulation; (ii) will not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; (iii) will comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, or to which the issuance, sale and delivery of such Securities or the incurrence and performance of such obligations may be subject; and (iv) will not violate any applicable public policy or be subject to any defense in law or equity;

(h) Any Company Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Company Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created, and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise;

(i) Any Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, or purchase contract for the Units will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, and the choice of law selected by the parties to any Purchase Agreement, the Indenture, any Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, is a valid and legal provision; and

(j) That the Company will continue to be validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any offered Debt Securities and the Indenture may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion letter that (i) the Trustee will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdictions of organization; (ii) the Trustee will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture, as it may be amended or supplemented; (iii) the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; (iv) the Trustee will be in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto, with all applicable laws and regulations; (v) the Trustee will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto; and (vi) the Trustee will have been qualified under the TIA, and an appropriate Form T-1 with respect to the Trustee will have been properly filed in accordance with the TIA.


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To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Warrant Agreement, Rights Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement thereto, may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion letter that (i) each party to any such agreement other than the Company (including any applicable warrant agent, purchase contract agent or other party acting in a similar capacity with respect to any Company Securities) will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that each such other party will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated thereby; (ii) each such agreement and the applicable Company Securities will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each such other party and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of each such other party, enforceable against each such other party in accordance with their terms; (iii) each such other party will be in compliance, with respect to acting in any capacity contemplated by any such agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (iv) each such other party will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under each such agreement.

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following additional qualifications:

A. The opinions in paragraphs 3 through 6 above are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing and standards of materiality.

B. We express no opinions concerning (i) any provisions that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law, (ii) any indemnification, exculpation or contribution provisions to the extent that such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to public policy or federal or state securities laws, (iii) any waiver of the right to jury trial or forum non conveniens; (iv) any provisions relating to choice of governing law to the extent that the enforceability of any such provision is to be determined by any court other than a court of the State of New York or may be subject to constitutional limitations; (v) (a) consents to or restrictions upon judicial relief, (b) waivers of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws or waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (c) grants of set-off rights or (d) proxies, powers and trusts; (vi) any provisions that purport to require that amendments or waivers to any agreement must be in writing to be effective; (vii) any provisions that provide for liquidated damages, make-whole or other prepayment premiums or similar payments or other economic remedies to the extent a court were to determine that any such economic remedy constitutes a penalty or (viii) any provisions that relate to judgments in currencies other than U.S. dollars. We also express no opinion concerning whether a U.S. federal court would accept jurisdiction in any dispute, action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to any agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the net impact or result of any conflict of laws between or among laws of competing jurisdictions and the applicability of the law of any jurisdiction in such instance.

We assume no obligation to update or supplement any of our opinions to reflect any changes of law or fact that may occur after the date hereof.


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June 1, 2018

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the Prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving our consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Yours truly,

/s/ K&L Gates LLP

K&L Gates LLP

Exhibit 5.2

 

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K&L GATES LLP

1 PARK PLAZA

TWELFTH FLOOR

IRVINE, CA 92614

T 949.253.0900    F 949.253.0902

klgates.com

  

June 1, 2018

Veritone, Inc.

575 Anton Blvd., Suite 100

Costa Mesa, California 92626

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the proposed offering and sale from time to time by the Company of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 (the “ Shares ”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), by the Company on the date hereof, the related base prospectus (the “ Base Prospectus ”) and the prospectus relating to the Shares (together with the Base Prospectus, the “ Prospectus ”). This opinion is being furnished to you in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

You have requested our opinion as to the matters set forth below in connection with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the offering of the Shares thereunder. For purposes of rendering such opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, each as presently in effect, and records of the corporate action of the Company that provides for the issuance of the Shares, and we have made such other investigation as we have deemed appropriate. We have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinion, we have also relied on a certificate of an officer of the Company. In rendering our opinion, we have made the assumptions that are customary in opinion letters of this kind. We have not verified any of those assumptions.

Our opinion set forth below is limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and, when issued and paid for as described in the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the Prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving our consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Yours truly,

/s/ K&L Gates LLP

K&L Gates LLP

Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Veritone, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated March 9, 2018 with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Veritone, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the years then ended appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Veritone, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2017. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We were dismissed as auditors on May 18, 2018 and, accordingly, we have not performed any audit or review procedures with respect to any financial statements appearing in such Prospectus for the periods after the date of our dismissal.

/s/ Marcum LLP

Marcum LLP

Irvine, California

June 1, 2018