Document:

exv10w22

 

EXHIBIT 10.22

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

     THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of March 31, 2006, is made and given by [PLEDGOR] (the
“Pledgor”) to WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. (the “Secured Party”), acting through its WELLS FARGO BUSINESS
CREDIT operating division.

RECITALS

     A. The Pledgor, other borrowers and the Secured Party have entered into a Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of May 7, 2002 (as the same has been and may hereafter be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) pursuant to which the
Secured Party has agreed to extend to the Pledgor certain credit accommodations.

     B. The Pledgor is the owner of the shares (the “Pledged Shares”) of stock described in Part I
of Schedule I hereto issued by the corporations named therein and of the indebtedness (together
with those items listed in Section 2(e), the “Pledged Debt”) described in Part II of Schedule I and
issued by the obligors named therein. The Pledged Debt is secured as described in said Part II of
Schedule I.

     C. The Secured Party has required that this Agreement be executed and delivered by the
Pledgor.

     D. The Pledgor finds it advantageous, desirable and in the best interests of the Pledgor to
comply with the requirement that this Agreement be executed and delivered to the Secured Party.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Secured Party to
enter into the Credit Agreement and to extend credit accommodations to the Pledgor thereunder, the
Pledgor hereby agrees with the Secured Party for the Secured Party’s benefit as follows:

     1. Defined Terms.

     (a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

     “Collateral” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.

     “Event of Default” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.

     “Lien” shall mean any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge,
encumbrance, title retention agreement or analogous instrument or device (including the
interest of the lessors under capitalized leases), in, of or on any assets or properties of
the Person referred to.

 

 

     “Obligations” shall mean (a) all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of
the Pledgor to the Secured Party of every kind, nature or description under the Credit
Agreement, including the Pledgor’s obligation on any promissory note or notes under the
Credit Agreement and any note or notes hereafter issued in substitution or replacement
thereof, (b) all liabilities of the Pledgor under this Agreement, (c) any and all other
liabilities and obligations of the Pledgor to the Secured Party of every kind, nature and
description, whether direct or indirect or hereafter acquired by the Secured Party from any
Person, absolute or contingent, regardless of how such liabilities arise or by what
agreement or instrument they may be evidenced, and in all of the foregoing cases whether due
or to become due, and whether now existing or hereafter arising or incurred.

     “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     “Pledged Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in Recital B above.

     “Pledged Shares” shall have the meaning given to such term in Recital B
above.

     “Related Collateral” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.

     “Security Interest” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.

     (b) Terms Defined in Uniform Commercial Code. All other terms used in this
Agreement that are not specifically defined herein or the definitions of which are not
incorporated herein by reference shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in Revised
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Colorado.

     (c) Singular/Plural, Etc. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise
clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular, the singular, the plural
and “or” has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “
“include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without
limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this
Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. References to Sections are references to Sections in this Pledge Agreement
unless otherwise provided.

     2. Pledge. As security for the payment and performance of all of the Obligations, the
Pledgor hereby pledges to the Secured Party and grants to the Secured Party a security interest
(the “Security Interest”) in the following, including any securities account containing a
securities entitlement with respect to the following (the “Collateral”):

     (a) The Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the Pledged Shares, and all
future, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, or other equity or investment
securities of, or partnership, membership, or joint venture interests in, each subsidiary,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Pledgor and whether or not evidenced or

 

 

represented by any stock certificate, certificated security or other instrument,
together with the certificates representing such equity interests, all options and other
rights, contractual or otherwise, in respect thereof, and all dividends, cash, instruments
and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

     (b) All additional shares of stock of any issuer of the Pledged Shares from time to
time acquired by the Pledgor in any manner, and the certificates representing such
additional shares, and all dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of
such shares.

     (c) All investment property, financial assets, securities, capital stock, other equity
interests, stock options and commodity contracts of the Pledgor, all notes, debentures,
bonds, promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness payable or owing to the Pledgor,
and all other assets now or hereafter received or receivable with respect to the foregoing.

     (d) The Pledged Debt set forth on Schedule I and the instruments evidencing the Pledged
Debt set forth on Schedule I, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property from
time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of the Pledged Debt set forth on Schedule I.

     (e) All additional debt evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or like instrument from
time to time issued by any Person payable or owing to the Pledgor, which additional debt is
owed to or acquired by the Pledgor, and the instruments evidencing such debt, and all
interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or
otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any of all of such debt.

     (f) Any and all collateral security (the “Related Collateral”) now or hereafter
securing all or any items of the Pledged Debt (including after-acquired security), and
agreements granting such security, and all rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the
Pledgor under all of the foregoing.

     (g) All securities entitlements of the Pledgor in any and all of the foregoing.

     (h) All present and future increases, profits, combinations, reclassifications, and
substitutes and replacements for all or part of the foregoing Collateral.

     (i) All proceeds of any and all of the foregoing (including proceeds that constitute
property of types described above).

     3. Delivery of Collateral. All certificates and instruments representing or evidencing
the Pledged Shares and the Pledged Debt shall be delivered to the Secured Party contemporaneously
with the execution of this Agreement. All certificates and instruments representing or evidencing
Collateral received by the Pledgor after the execution of this Agreement shall be delivered to the

 

 

Secured Party promptly upon the Pledgor’s receipt thereof along with an updated Schedule I.
All such certificates and instruments shall be held by or on behalf of the Secured Party pursuant
hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly
executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to
the Secured Party. With respect to all Pledged Shares and Pledged Debt consisting of uncertificated
securities, book-entry securities or securities entitlements, the Pledgor shall either (a) execute
and deliver, and cause any necessary issuers or securities intermediaries to execute and deliver,
control agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Secured Party covering such Pledged
Shares or Pledged Debt, or (b) cause such Pledged Shares or Pledged Debt to be transferred into the
name of the Secured Party. The Secured Party shall have the right at any time, whether before or
after an Event of Default, to cause any or all of the Collateral to be transferred of record into
the name of the Secured Party or its nominee (but subject to the rights of the Pledgor under
Section 6) and to exchange certificates representing or evidencing Collateral for certificates of
smaller or larger denominations. If the Collateral is in the possession of a bailee, the Pledgor
will join with the Secured Party in notifying the bailee of the interest of the Secured Party and
in obtaining from the bailee an acknowledgment that it hold the Collateral for the benefit of the
Secured Party. The Pledgor shall execute and deliver to the Secured Party such items of assignment
and transfer (including, without limitation, assignments of financing statements and recordable
assignments of mortgages and deeds of trust) of any Related Collateral as the Secured Party may
from time to time reasonably request.

     4. Certain Warranties and Covenants. The Pledgor makes the following warranties and
covenants:

     (a) The Pledgor has title to the Pledged Shares and the Pledged Debt and will have
title to each other item of Collateral hereafter acquired, free of all Liens except the
Security Interest and the Lien of Amatis Limited.

     (b) The Pledgor has full power and authority to execute this Pledge Agreement, to
perform the Pledgor’s obligations hereunder and to subject the Collateral to the Security
Interest created hereby.

     (c) No financing statement covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any
public office (except for any financing statements filed by the Secured Party or Amatis
Limited, and any financing statements or other documents filed or recorded by the Pledgor
with respect to its Lien on any Related Collateral).

     (d) The Pledged Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued by the issuer
thereof and are fully paid and non-assessable. The Pledged Debt has been duly authorized,
issued and delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers thereof,
and is not in default. The certificates representing the Pledged Shares and the instruments
evidencing the Pledged Debt are genuine. Neither the Pledged Shares nor the Pledged Debt
are subject to any offset or similar right or claim of the issuers thereof.

     (e) The Pledged Shares constitute 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of
the respective issuers thereof.

 

 

     (f) The Pledged Debt set forth on Schedule I constitutes all of the outstanding
indebtedness for money borrowed or for the deferred purchase price of property (other than
accounts payable on ordinary trade terms) of the respective obligors thereof owed to the
Pledgor and is outstanding in the principal amount indicated on Schedule I.

     (g) The Pledgor shall not forgive, cancel, subordinate, compromise, modify, amend or
extend the time for payment of, or waive any default under, any of the Pledged Debt, or
modify or amend, or waive any default under any agreement with respect to the Related
Collateral, or consent to or acquiesce in any of the foregoing, without in each case the
prior written consent of the Secured Party.

     5. Further Assurances. The Pledgor agrees that at any time and from time to time, at
the expense of the Pledgor, the Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments
and documents, and take all further action that may be necessary or that the Secured Party may
reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect the Security Interest or to enable the Secured
Party to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral (but
any failure to request or assure that the Pledgor execute and deliver such instruments or documents
or to take such action shall not affect or impair the validity, sufficiency or enforceability of
this Agreement and the Security Interest, regardless of whether any such item was or was not
executed and delivered or action taken in a similar context or on a prior occasion).

     6. Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc.

     (a) Subject to Section 6(d), the Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from
exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Shares
or any other stock that becomes part of the Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose
not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; provided,
however, that the Pledgor shall not exercise or refrain from exercising any such
right if such action could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
value of the Collateral or any material part thereof.

     (b) Subject to Section 6(e), the Pledgor shall be entitled to receive, retain, and use
in any manner not prohibited by the Credit Agreement or any Subordination Agreement (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) any and all interest and dividends paid in respect of the
Collateral; provided, however, that any and all

     (i) dividends paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments
and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or
in exchange for, any Collateral,

     (ii) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of
any Collateral in connection with a partial or total liquidation or dissolution or
in connection with a reduction of capital, capital surplus or paid-in-surplus, and

     (iii) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of,
or in redemption of, or in exchange for, any Collateral,

 

 

shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Secured Party to hold as, Collateral and shall,
if received by the Pledgor, be received in trust for the benefit of the Secured Party, be
segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor, and be forthwith delivered to the
Secured Party as Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement or
assignment). The Pledgor shall, upon request by the Secured Party, promptly execute all such
documents and do all such acts as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of
this Section 6(b).

     (c) The Secured Party shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered)
to the Pledgor all such proxies and other instruments as the Pledgor may reasonably request
for the purpose of enabling the Pledgor to exercise the voting and other rights that it is
entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof and to receive the dividends and
interest that it is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof.

     (d) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Secured
Party shall have the right in its sole discretion, and the Pledgor shall execute and deliver
all such proxies and other instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to give effect to
such right, to terminate all rights of the Pledgor to exercise or refrain from exercising
the voting and other consensual rights that it would otherwise be entitled to exercise
pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the
Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise or refrain from exercising
such voting and other consensual rights; provided, however, that the Secured
Party shall not be deemed to possess or have control over any voting rights with respect to
any Collateral unless and until the Secured Party has given written notice to the Pledgor
that any further exercise of such voting rights by the Pledgor is prohibited and that the
Secured Party and/or its assigns will henceforth exercise such voting rights; and
provided, further, that neither the registration of any item of Collateral
in the Secured Party’s name nor the exercise of any voting rights with respect thereto shall
be deemed to constitute a retention by the Secured Party of any such Collateral in
satisfaction of the Obligations or any part thereof.

     (e) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default:

     (i) all rights of the Pledgor to receive the dividends and interest that it
would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof
shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Secured Party
who shall thereupon have the sole right to receive and hold such dividends as
Collateral, and

     (ii) all payments of interest and dividends that are received by the Pledgor
contrary to the provisions of Section 6(e)(i) shall be received in trust for the
benefit of the Secured Party, shall be segregated from other funds of the Pledgor
and shall be forthwith paid over to the Secured Party as Collateral in the same form
as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

 

 

     7. Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Shares.

     (a) Except as may be permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Pledgor agrees that it will
not (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or grant
any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, or (ii) create or permit to exist any
Lien, upon or with respect to any of the Collateral.

     (b) The Pledgor agrees that it will (i) cause each issuer of the Pledged Shares that it
controls not to issue any stock or other securities in addition to or in substitution for
the Pledged Shares issued by such issuer, except to the Pledgor, and (ii) pledge hereunder,
immediately upon its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof,
any and all additional shares of stock or other securities of each issuer of the Pledged Shares.

     8. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. As additional security for the
Obligations, the Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Secured Party the Pledgor’s
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of
such Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time in the Secured Party’s good-faith discretion, to take
any action and to execute any instrument that the Secured Party may reasonably believe necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement (subject to the rights of the Pledgor under
Section 6 hereof), in a manner consistent with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, to
receive, indorse and collect all instruments made payable to the Pledgor representing any dividend
or other distribution in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge
for the same.

     9. Secured Party May Perform. The Pledgor hereby authorizes the Secured Party to file
financing statements with respect to the Collateral (including financing statements containing a
broader description of the Collateral than the description set forth herein). The Pledgor
irrevocably waives any right to notice of any such filing. If the Pledgor fails to perform any
agreement contained herein, the Secured Party may itself perform, or cause performance of, such
agreement, and the reasonable expenses of the Secured Party incurred in connection therewith shall
be payable by the Pledgor under Section 14 hereof.

     10. The Secured Party’s Duties. The powers conferred on the Secured Party hereunder
are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to
exercise any such powers. The Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the safekeeping of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment
substantially equal to the safekeeping which the Secured Party accords its own property of like
kind. Except for the safekeeping of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for monies
and for other properties actually received by it hereunder, the Secured Party shall have no duty,
as to any Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions,
exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not the
Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or as to the taking of any
necessary steps to preserve rights against any Persons or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral. The Secured Party will take action in the nature of exchanges, conversions,
redemption, tenders and the like requested in writing by the Pledgor with respect to any of the
Collateral in the Secured Party’s possession if the Secured Party in its reasonable judgment
determines that such action will not impair the Security Interest or the value of the Collateral,
but a failure of the Secured Party to comply with any such request shall not of itself be deemed a
failure to exercise reasonable care.

 

 

     11. Default. Each of the following occurrences shall constitute an Event of Default
under this Agreement: (a) the Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement
applicable to the Pledgor under this Agreement; (b) any representation or warranty made by the
Pledgor in this Agreement or in any financial statements, reports or certificates heretofore or at
any time hereafter submitted by or on behalf of the Pledgor to the Secured Party shall prove to
have been false or materially misleading when made; (c) any Event of Default shall occur under the
Credit Agreement; (d) the Secured Party receives at any time any information indicating that the
Secured Party’s Security Interest is not enforceable, is not perfected or in not prior to all other
security interests or other interests in the Collateral, except as otherwise agreed by the Secured
Party.

     12. Remedies upon Default. If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing:

     (a) The Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other
rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and
remedies of a secured party on default under Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial
Code as adopted in the State of Colorado (the “Code”) in effect at that time, and may,
without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or
more parcels at public or private sale, at any exchange, broker’s board or at any of the
Secured Party’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon
such other terms as the Secured Party may reasonably believe are commercially reasonable.
The Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten
days’ prior notice to the Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after
which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Secured
Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale
having been given. The Secured Party may adjourn any public or private sale from time to
time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without
further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. The Pledgor
hereby waives all requirements of law, if any, relating to the marshalling of assets which
would be applicable in connection with the enforcement by the Secured Party of its remedies
hereunder, absent this waiver. The Secured Party may disclaim warranties of title and
possession and the like.

     (b) The Secured Party may notify any Person obligated on any of the Collateral that the
same has been assigned or transferred to the Secured Party and that the same should be
performed as requested by, or paid directly to, the Secured Party, as the case may be. The
Pledgor shall join in giving such notice, if the Secured Party so requests. The Secured
Party may, in the Secured Party’s name or in the Pledgor’s name, demand, sue for, collect or
receive any money or property at any time payable or receivable on account of, or securing,
any such Collateral or grant any extension to, make any compromise or settlement with or
otherwise agree to waive, modify, amend or change the obligation of any such Person.

     (c) Any cash held by the Secured Party as Collateral and all cash proceeds received by
the Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other

 

 

realization upon all or any part of the Collateral may, in the discretion of the
Secured Party, be held by the Secured Party as collateral for, or then or at any time
thereafter be applied in whole or in part by the Secured Party against, all or any part of
the Obligations (including any expenses of the Secured Party payable pursuant to Section 14
hereof).

     13. Waiver of Certain Claims. The Pledgor acknowledges that because of present or
future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time
amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to any disposition of the Collateral permitted
hereunder. The Pledgor understands that compliance with the Securities Act may very strictly limit
the course of conduct of the Secured Party if the Secured Party were to attempt to dispose of all
or any portion of the Collateral and may also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any
subsequent transferee of the Collateral or any portion thereof may dispose of the same. There may
be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Secured Party in any attempt to dispose of
all or any portion of the Collateral under the applicable Blue Sky or other securities laws or
similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. The Secured Party may be compelled to resort to one
or more private sales to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obliged to agree, among other
things, to acquire such Collateral for their own account for investment only and not to engage in a
distribution or resale thereof. The Pledgor agrees that the Secured Party shall not incur any
liability, and any liability of the Pledgor for any deficiency shall not be impaired, as a result
of the sale of the Collateral or any portion thereof at any such private sale in a manner that the
Secured Party reasonably believes is commercially reasonable (within the meaning of Section 9-627
of the Uniform Commercial Code). The Pledgor hereby waives any claims against the Secured Party
arising by reason of the fact that the price at which the Collateral may have been sold at such
sale was less than the price that might have been obtained at a public sale or was less than the
aggregate amount of the Obligations, even if the Secured Party shall accept the first offer
received and does not offer any portion of the Collateral to more than one possible purchaser. The
Pledgor further agrees that the Secured Party has no obligation to delay sale of any Collateral for
the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such Collateral to qualify or register such
Collateral for public sale under the Securities Act, applicable Blue Sky laws and other applicable
state and federal securities laws, even if said issuer would agree to do so. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the provisions of this Section would apply if, for example, the
Secured Party were to place all or any portion of the Collateral for private placement by an
investment banking firm, or if such investment banking firm purchased all or any portion of the
Collateral for its own account, or if the Secured Party placed all or any portion of the Collateral
privately with a purchaser or purchasers.

     14. Costs and Expenses; Indemnity. The Pledgor will pay or reimburse the Secured
Party on demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including in each case all filing and recording
fees and taxes and all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and of any experts and agents)
incurred by the Secured Party in connection with the creation, perfection, protection,
satisfaction, foreclosure or enforcement of the Security Interest and the preparation,
administration, continuance, amendment or enforcement of this Agreement, and all such costs and
expenses shall be part of the Obligations secured by the Security Interest. The Pledgor shall
indemnify and hold the Secured Party harmless from and against any and all claims, losses and
liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) growing out of or resulting from this Agreement
(including enforcement of this

 

 

Agreement) or the Secured Party’s actions pursuant hereto. Any liability of the Pledgor to
indemnify and hold Secured Party harmless pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be part of the
Obligations secured by the Security Interest. The obligations of the Pledgor under this Section
shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

     15. Waivers and Amendments; Remedies. This Agreement can be waived, modified,
amended, terminated or discharged, and the Security Interest can be released, only explicitly in a
writing signed by the Secured Party. A waiver so signed shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose given. Mere delay or failure to act shall not preclude the
exercise or enforcement of any rights and remedies available to the Secured Party. All rights and
remedies of the Secured Party shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly in any order or
sequence, or concurrently, at the Secured Party’s option, and the exercise or enforcement of any
such right or remedy shall neither be a condition to nor bar the exercise or enforcement of any
other.

     16. Notices. Any notice or other communication to any party in connection with this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by manual delivery, telefacsimile transmission,
overnight courier or United States mail (postage prepaid) addressed to such party at the address
specified on the signature page hereof, or at such other address as such party shall have specified
to the other party hereto in writing. All periods of notice shall be measured from the date of
delivery thereof if manually delivered, from the date of sending thereof if sent by telefacsimile
transmission, from the first business day after the date of sending if sent by overnight courier,
or from four days after the date of mailing if mailed.

     17. Pledgor Acknowledgments. The Pledgor hereby acknowledges that (a) the Pledgor has
been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (b) the
Secured Party has no fiduciary relationship to the Pledgor, the relationship being solely that of
debtor and creditor, and (c) no joint venture exists between the Pledgor and the Secured Party.

     18. Continuing Security Interest; Assignments under Credit Agreement. This Agreement
shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force
and effect until the payment in full of the Obligations and the expiration of the obligation, if
any, of the Secured Party to extend credit accommodations to the Pledgor, (b) be binding upon the
Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the
Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Secured Party and its
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c),
the Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations
under the Credit Agreement to any other Person to the extent and in the manner provided in the
Credit Agreement, and may similarly transfer all or any portion of its rights under this Pledge
Agreement to such Persons.

     19. Termination of Security Interest. Upon payment in full of the Obligations and the
expiration of any obligation of the Secured Party to extend credit accommodations to the Pledgor,
the security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert
to the Pledgor. Upon any such termination, the Secured Party will return to the Pledgor such of
the Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof and

 

 

execute and deliver to the Pledgor such documents as the Pledgor shall reasonably request to
evidence such termination. Any reversion or return of the Collateral upon termination of this
Agreement and any instruments of transfer or termination shall be at the expense of the Pledgor and
shall be without warranty by, or recourse on, the Secured Party. As used in this Section,
“Pledgor” includes any assigns of Pledgor or whoever else may be lawfully entitled to any part of
the Collateral.

     20. Governing Law and Construction. THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO
EFFECT SHALL BE GIVEN TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN
RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE MANDATORILY GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER
THAN THE STATE OF COLORADO. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement and any other
statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby or relating hereto shall be interpreted in
such manner as to be effective and valid under such applicable law, but, if any provision of this
Agreement or any other statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby or relating hereto
shall be held to be prohibited or invalid under such applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any other statement,
instrument or transaction contemplated hereby or relating hereto.

     21. Consent to Jurisdiction. AT THE OPTION OF THE SECURED PARTY, THIS AGREEMENT MAY
BE ENFORCED IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OR COLORADO STATE COURT SITTING IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER,
COLORADO; AND THE PLEDGOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY
ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT THE PLEDGOR COMMENCES ANY
ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURED PARTY AT ITS OPTION SHALL
BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES ABOVE-DESCRIBED, OR
IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.

     22. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PLEDGOR AND THE SECURED PARTY, BY ITS
ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES 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.

     23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which

 

 

counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of
an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as
delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed
counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile also shall deliver an original executed counterpart
of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the
validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement..

     24. General. All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any
other agreement between the Pledgor and the Secured Party shall survive the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the creation and payment of the Obligations. The Pledgor waives
notice of the acceptance of this Agreement by the Secured Party. Captions in this Agreement are
for reference and convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of any
provision of this Agreement.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and
delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

[PLEDGOR]

By:                                                            

Name:

Its:

Address for Pledgor:

Address for Secured Party:

Wells Fargo Business Credit

MAC C7300 210

1740 Broadway

Denver, Colorado 80274

Telecopier: (303) 863-4904

Attention: Martin E. Tracy

 

 

SCHEDULE I

PART I

PLEDGED STOCK

 

 

PART II

PLEDGED DEBTexv10w23

 

EXHIBIT 10.23

PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

     This Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, is made by and between [NAME OF DEBTOR] having a
business location at the address set forth below next to its signature (the “Debtor”), and Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Secured Party”), acting through its Wells Fargo Business
Credit operating division, and having a business location at the address set forth below next to
its signature.

Recitals

     The Debtor and the Secured Party are parties to a Credit and Security Agreement of even date
herewith (as the same may hereafter be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the
“Credit Agreement”) setting forth the terms on which the Secured Party may now or hereafter extend
credit to or for the account of the Debtor.

     As a condition to extending credit to or for the account of the Debtor, the Secured Party has
required the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Debtor.

     ACCORDINGLY, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in the Loan Documents and
herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions. All terms defined in the Recitals hereto or in the Credit Agreement
that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them therein. In addition,
the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

     “Obligations” means each and every debt, liability and obligation of every type and
description arising under or in connection with any Loan Document (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) which the Debtor may now or at any time hereafter owe to the Secured Party,
whether such debt, liability or obligation now exists or is hereafter created or incurred
and whether it is or may be direct or indirect, due or to become due, absolute or
contingent, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated, independent, joint, several or
joint and several, and including specifically, but not limited to, the Obligations (as
defined in the Credit Agreement).

     “Patents” means all of the Debtor’s right, title and interest in and to patents or
applications for patents, fees or royalties with respect to each, and including without
limitation the right to sue for past infringement and damages therefor, and licenses
thereunder, all as presently existing or hereafter arising or acquired, including without
limitation the patents listed on Exhibit A.

     “Security Interest” has the meaning given in Section 2.

     “Trademarks” means all of the Debtor’s right, title and interest in and to: (i)
trademarks, service marks, collective membership marks, registrations and applications for
registration for each, and the respective goodwill associated with each, (ii) licenses, fees
or royalties with respect to each, (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future
infringement, dilution and damages therefor, and (iv) licenses thereunder, all

 

 

as presently existing or hereafter arising or acquired, including, without limitation, the marks
listed on Exhibit B.

     2. Security Interest. The Debtor hereby irrevocably pledges and assigns to, and
grants the Secured Party a security interest (the “Security Interest”) with power of sale to the
extent permitted by law, in the Patents and in the Trademarks to secure payment of the Obligations.
As set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Security Interest is coupled with a security interest in
substantially all of the personal property of the Debtor. This Agreement grants only the Security
Interest herein described, is not intended to and does not affect any present transfer of title of
any trademark registration or application and makes no assignment and grants no right to assign or
perform any other action with respect to any intent to use trademark application, unless such
action is permitted under 15 U.S.C. § 1060.

     3. Representations, Warranties and Agreements. The Debtor represents, warrants and
agrees as follows:

     (a) Existence; Authority. The Debtor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation, and this Agreement has
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Debtor.

     (b) Patents. Exhibit A accurately lists all Patents owned or controlled by the Debtor
as of the date hereof, or to which the Debtor has a right as of the date hereof to have
assigned to it, and accurately reflects the existence and status of applications and letters
patent pertaining to the Patents as of the date hereof. If after the date hereof, the
Debtor owns, controls or has a right to have assigned to it any Patents not listed on
Exhibit A, or if Exhibit A ceases to accurately reflect the existence and status of
applications and letters patent pertaining to the Patents, then the Debtor shall within 60
days provide written notice to the Secured Party with a replacement Exhibit A, which upon
acceptance by the Secured Party shall become part of this Agreement.

     (c) Trademarks. Exhibit B accurately lists all Trademarks owned or controlled by the
Debtor as of the date hereof and accurately reflects the existence and status of Trademarks
and all applications and registrations pertaining thereto as of the date hereof; provided,
however, that Exhibit B need not list common law marks (i.e., Trademarks for which there are
no applications or registrations) which are not material to the Debtor’s or any Affiliate’s
business(es). If after the date hereof, the Debtor owns or controls any Trademarks not
listed on Exhibit B (other than common law marks which are not material to the Debtor’s or
any Affiliate’s business(es)), or if Exhibit B ceases to accurately reflect the existence
and status of applications and registrations pertaining to the Trademarks, then the Debtor
shall promptly provide written notice to the Secured Party with a replacement Exhibit B,
which upon acceptance by the Secured Party shall become part of this Agreement.

     (d) Affiliates. As of the date hereof, no Affiliate owns, controls, or has a right to
have assigned to it any items that would, if such item were owned by the Debtor,
constitute Patents or Trademarks. If after the date hereof any Affiliate owns,
controls, or

-2-

 

has a right to have assigned to it any such items, then the Debtor shall
promptly either: (i) cause such Affiliate to assign all of its rights in such item(s) to the
Debtor; or (ii) notify the Secured Party of such item(s) and cause such Affiliate to execute
and deliver to the Secured Party a patent and trademark security agreement substantially in
the form of this Agreement.

     (e) Title. The Debtor has absolute title to each Patent and each Trademark listed on
Exhibits A and B, free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. The Debtor (i) will
have, at the time the Debtor acquires any rights in Patents or Trademarks hereafter arising,
absolute title to each such Patent or Trademark free and clear of all Liens except Permitted
Liens, and (ii) will keep all Patents and Trademarks free and clear of all Liens except
Permitted Liens.

     (f) No Sale. Except as permitted in the Credit Agreement, the Debtor will not assign,
transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Patents or Trademarks, or any interest
therein, without the Secured Party’s prior written consent.

     (g) Defense. The Debtor will at its own expense and using commercially reasonable
efforts, protect and defend the Patents and Trademarks against all claims or demands of all
Persons other than those holding Permitted Liens.

     (h) Maintenance. The Debtor will at its own expense maintain the Patents and the
Trademarks to the extent reasonably advisable in its business including, but not limited to,
filing all applications to obtain letters patent or trademark registrations and all
affidavits, maintenance fees, annuities, and renewals possible with respect to letters
patent, trademark registrations and applications therefor. The Debtor covenants that it
will not abandon nor fail to pay any maintenance fee or annuity due and payable on any
Patent or Trademark, nor fail to file any required affidavit or renewal in support thereof,
without first providing the Secured Party: (i) sufficient written notice, of at least 30
days, to allow the Secured Party to timely pay any such maintenance fees or annuities which
may become due on any Patents or Trademarks, or to file any affidavit or renewal with
respect thereto, and (ii) a separate written power of attorney or other authorization to pay
such maintenance fees or annuities, or to file such affidavit or renewal, should such be
necessary or desirable.

     (i) Secured Party’s Right to Take Action. If the Debtor fails to perform or observe
any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Section 3, and if such failure
continues for a period of ten (10) calendar days after the Secured Party gives the Debtor
written notice thereof (or, in the case of the agreements contained in subsection (h),
immediately upon the occurrence of such failure, without notice or lapse of time), or if the
Debtor notifies the Secured Party that it intends to abandon a Patent or Trademark, the
Secured Party may (but need not) perform or observe such covenant or agreement or take steps
to prevent such intended abandonment on behalf and in the name, place and stead of the
Debtor (or, at the Secured Party’s option, in the Secured Party’s own name) and may
(but need not) take any and all other actions which the Secured Party may reasonably
deem necessary to cure or correct such failure or prevent such intended abandonment.

-3-

 

     (j) Costs and Expenses. Except to the extent that the effect of such payment would be
to render any loan or forbearance of money usurious or otherwise illegal under any
applicable law, the Debtor shall pay the Secured Party on demand the amount of all moneys
expended and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements)
incurred by the Secured Party in connection with or as a result of the Secured Party’s
taking action under subsection (i) or exercising its rights under Section 6, together with
interest thereon from the date expended or incurred by the Secured Party at the Default
Rate.

     (k) Power of Attorney. To facilitate the Secured Party’s taking action under
subsection (i) and exercising its rights under Section 6, the Debtor hereby irrevocably
appoints (which appointment is coupled with an interest) the Secured Party, or its delegate,
as the attorney-in-fact of the Debtor with the right (but not the duty) from time to time to
create, prepare, complete, execute, deliver, endorse or file, in the name and on behalf of
the Debtor, any and all instruments, documents, applications, financing statements, and
other agreements and writings required to be obtained, executed, delivered or endorsed by
the Debtor under this Section 3, or, necessary for the Secured Party, after an Event of
Default, to enforce or use the Patents or Trademarks or to grant or issue any exclusive or
non-exclusive license under the Patents or Trademarks to any third party, or to sell,
assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise transfer title in or dispose of the Patents
or Trademarks to any third party. The Debtor hereby ratifies all that such attorney shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The power of attorney granted herein
shall terminate upon the termination of the Credit Agreement as provided therein and the
payment and performance of all Obligations.

     4. Debtor’s Use of the Patents and Trademarks. The Debtor shall be permitted to
control and manage the Patents and Trademarks, including the right to exclude others from making,
using or selling items covered by the Patents and Trademarks and any licenses thereunder, in the
same manner and with the same effect as if this Agreement had not been entered into, so long as no
Event of Default occurs and remains uncured.

     5. Events of Default. Each of the following occurrences shall constitute an event of
default under this Agreement (herein called “Event of Default”): (a) an Event of Default, as
defined in the Credit Agreement, shall occur; or (b) the Debtor shall fail promptly to observe or
perform any covenant or agreement herein binding on it; or (c) any of the representations or
warranties contained in Section 3 shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when
made.

     6. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and at any time thereafter,
the Secured Party may, at its option, take any or all of the following actions:

     (a) The Secured Party may exercise any or all remedies available under the Credit
Agreement.

     (b) The Secured Party may sell, assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose
of the Patents and Trademarks.

-4-

 

     (c) The Secured Party may enforce the Patents and Trademarks and any licenses
thereunder, and if Secured Party shall commence any suit for such enforcement, the Debtor
shall, at the request of Secured Party, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all
proper documents required by Secured Party in aid of such enforcement.

     7. Miscellaneous. This Agreement can be waived, modified, amended, terminated or
discharged, and the Security Interest can be released, only explicitly in a writing signed by the
Secured Party. A waiver signed by the Secured Party shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose given. Mere delay or failure to act shall not preclude the
exercise or enforcement of any of the Secured Party’s rights or remedies. All rights and remedies
of the Secured Party shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently, at the
Secured Party’s option, and the exercise or enforcement of any one such right or remedy shall
neither be a condition to nor bar the exercise or enforcement of any other. All notices to be
given to Debtor under this Agreement shall be given in the manner and with the effect provided in
the Credit Agreement. The Secured Party shall not be obligated to preserve any rights the Debtor
may have against prior parties, to realize on the Patents and Trademarks at all or in any
particular manner or order, or to apply any cash proceeds of Patents and Trademarks in any
particular order of application. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the Debtor and the Secured Party and their respective participants, successors and assigns and
shall take effect when signed by the Debtor and delivered to the Secured Party, and the Debtor
waives notice of the Secured Party’s acceptance hereof. The Secured Party may execute this
Agreement if appropriate for the purpose of filing, but the failure of the Secured Party to execute
this Agreement shall not affect or impair the validity or effectiveness of this Agreement. A
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of any financing statement signed
by the Debtor shall have the same force and effect as the original for all purposes of a financing
statement. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of Colorado without regard to
conflicts of law provisions. If any provision or application of this Agreement is held unlawful or
unenforceable in any respect, such illegality or unenforceability shall not affect other provisions
or applications which can be given effect and this Agreement shall be construed as if the unlawful
or unenforceable provision or application had never been contained herein or prescribed hereby.
All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the creation and payment of the Obligations.

THE PARTIES WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY

ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

-5-

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Patent and Trademark Security Agreement as
of the date written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	[DEBTOR]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:	 	 
	 

	 	Its:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Wells Fargo Bank, National

Association, acting through its Wells

Fargo Business Credit operating

division	 	WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, acting through its

Wells Fargo Business Credit

operating division
	MAC C7300-210
	 	 	 	 
	1740 Broadway
	 	 	 	 
	Denver, Colorado 80274

	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Pamela R. Cates
	 

	 	Its:
	 	Vice President

	 	 	 
	 
	 	 
	STATE OF COLORADO

	 	)
	 

	 	)
	CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

	 	)
	 
	 	 

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___day of March, 2006, by ___, the
___of [DEBTOR], on behalf of the corporation.

	 	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Notary Public

	 	 	 
	 
	 	 
	STATE OF COLORADO

	 	)
	 

	 	) ss.
	CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

	 	)
	 
	 	 

     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___day of March, 2006, by Pamela R.
Cates, a Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, on behalf of the national
association.

	 	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Notary Public

-6-

 

EXHIBIT A

UNITED STATES ISSUED PATENTS

	 	 	 	 	 
	Title	 	Patent Number	 	Issue Date
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 

UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATIONS

	 	 	 	 	 
	Title	 	Serial Number	 	Filing Date
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 

FOREIGN ISSUED PATENTS

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title	 	Country	 	Patent Number	 	Issue Date
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 

UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATIONS

	 	 	 	 	 
	Title	 	Serial Number	 	Filing Date
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 

A-1

 

EXHIBIT B

UNITED STATES ISSUED TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS

AND COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP MARKS

REGISTRATIONS

APPLICATIONS

COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP MARKS

UNREGISTERED MARKS

B-1

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