Document:

Unassociated Document

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December _____, 2011 by and among 22nd Century Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the purchaser(s) identified on the signature pages hereto (each a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(2), Section 4(6), and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to offer, issue and sell to the Purchasers (the “Offering”), and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, desire to purchase from the Company, in the aggregate, up to Two Million Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand and Five Hundred Dollars ($2,587,500) in principal amount of promissory notes (the “Convertible Notes”) at a discounted purchase price of an aggregate of Two Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,250,000), with such Convertible Notes being convertible as hereinafter provided into shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at the conversion price of $0.75 per share of Common Stock (the “Conversion Price”);

 

WHEREAS, in the event a Purchaser converts all or any portion of the Convertible Notes into shares of Company Common Stock, then at the time of such conversion of such Convertible Notes the converting Purchaser shall also receive at that time a five-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock into which the Convertible Notes purchased by such Purchaser have been then converted (the “Warrants”), with such Warrants having an exercise price equal to One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50). per share of Common Stock; and

 

WHEREAS, for purposes of this Agreement, the Convertible Notes, the Warrants and the shares of Common Stock into which the Convertible Notes are convertible and into which the Warrants are exercisable being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Securities”.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Purchasers agree as follows:

 

	
A.

	
Purchase and Sale

 

(1)           The introductory paragraphs of this Agreement are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing the Company shall issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall, severally and not jointly, purchase from the Company, the principal amount of Convertible Notes and number of Warrants set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page to this Agreement.  The Closing shall take place at the offices of Foley & Lardner LLP, One Independent Drive, Suite 1300, Jacksonville, FL 32202, on the Closing Date or at such other location or time as the parties may agree (the “Closing”).  “Closing Date” means the business day on which all of the conditions set forth in Sections H(1) and H(2) hereof are satisfied or waived, or such other date as the parties may mutually agree in writing.

 

  

  

  

 

(2)           Prior to or at the Closing, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the aggregate purchase price for the Convertible Notes and Warrants to be purchased by such Purchaser as set forth on the signature page of such Purchaser hereto (the “Investment Amount”).  Wire transfer instructions are set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.  Such funds will be held for the Purchaser’s benefit, and will be returned promptly, without interest or setoff, if this Agreement is not accepted by the Company, or the Offering is terminated pursuant to its terms by the Company.

 

(3)           The Convertible Notes to be issued to a Purchaser hereunder shall consist of the principal amount of Convertible Notes equal to (x) the Investment Amount provided by such Purchaser multiplied by (y) one hundred fifteen percent (115%).  In the event a Purchaser converts all or any portion of the Convertible Notes into shares of Company Common Stock, then at the time of such conversion of such Convertible Notes the converting Purchaser shall also receive at that time Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Convertible Notes purchased by such Purchaser have been then converted.

 

(4)           At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers a certificate stating that the representations and warranties made by the Company in Section C of this Agreement were true and correct in all material respects when made and are true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date relating to the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement as though made on and as of such Closing Date (provided, however, that representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date shall continue to be true and correct as of the Closing with respect to such date).  The foregoing obligations of the Company shall be conditions precedent to each Purchaser’s obligation to complete the purchase of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(5)           Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the purchase of the Securities by such Purchaser pursuant to the Offering is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(6)           The Purchaser understands and agrees that the Company in its sole discretion reserves the right to accept or reject this or any other subscription for Securities, in whole or in part, notwithstanding prior receipt by the Purchaser of notice of acceptance of this subscription.  The Company shall have no obligation hereunder until the Company shall execute and deliver to the subscriber an executed copy of this Agreement.  If this subscription is rejected in whole, or the Offering is terminated, all funds received from the Purchaser will be returned without interest or offset, and this Agreement shall thereafter be of no further force or effect.  If this subscription is rejected in part, the funds for the rejected portion of such subscription will be returned without interest or offset, and this Agreement will continue in full force and effect to the extent this subscription was accepted.

 

  

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B.

	
Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser

 

Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

(1)           The Purchaser has carefully read this Agreement, the term sheet attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Term Sheet”), the form of Convertible Note attached hereto as Exhibit B, and the form of Warrant attached hereto as Exhibit C (collectively the “Offering Documents”), and is familiar with and understands the terms of the Offering, and the Purchaser also acknowledges having access to and reviewed or had the opportunity to access and review all of the information regarding the Company that is publicly available on the EDGAR database of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including but not limited to portions of the Company’s publicly available documents which consist of the financial statements included therein and the sections therein entitled “Risk Factors” and “Our Business” (collectively, the “Publicly Available Information”).  The Purchaser fully understands all of the risks related to the purchase of the Securities.  The Purchaser has carefully considered and has discussed, or has the opportunity to discuss, with the Purchaser’s professional legal, tax, accounting and financial advisors, to the extent the Purchaser has deemed necessary, the suitability of an investment in the Securities for the Purchaser’s particular tax and financial situation and has determined that the Securities being purchased by the Purchaser are a suitable investment for the Purchaser.  The Purchaser recognizes that an investment in the Securities involves substantial risks, including the possible loss of the entire amount of such investment.  The Purchaser further recognizes that the Company has broad discretion concerning the use and application of the proceeds from the Offering.

 

(2)           The Purchaser acknowledges that (i) the Purchaser has had the opportunity to request copies of any documents, records and books pertaining to this investment and (ii) any such documents, records and books that the Purchaser requested have been made available for inspection by the Purchaser, the Purchaser’s attorney, accountant or other advisor(s).  The Purchaser has requested, received, reviewed and considered all information it deems relevant in making an informed decision to purchase the Securities.

 

(3)           The Purchaser and the Purchaser’s advisor(s) have had a reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company or Persons (as defined below) acting on behalf of the Company concerning the Company, the Offering and the Securities and all such questions have been answered to the full satisfaction of the Purchaser.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(4)           The Purchaser is not subscribing for Securities as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television, radio or the Internet (including without limitation, internet “blogs,” bulletin boards, discussion groups and social networking sites) or presented at any seminar, meeting or conference whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

 

  

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(5)           If the Purchaser is a natural Person, the Purchaser has reached the age of majority in the state in which the Purchaser resides.  The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for the Purchaser’s current financial needs and contingencies, is able to bear the substantial economic risks of an investment in the Securities for an indefinite period of time, has no need for liquidity in such investment and can afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

(6)           The Purchaser has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial, tax and business matters to enable the Purchaser to utilize the information made available to the Purchaser in connection with the Offering, to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and to make an informed investment decision with respect to an investment in the Securities on the terms described in the Offering Documents.  The Purchaser has independently evaluated the merits and risks of its decision to purchase the Securities pursuant to the Offering Documents, and the Purchaser confirms that it has not relied on the advice of the Company’s or any other Purchaser’s business and/or legal counsel in making its investment decision.  Such Purchaser confirms that none of such Persons has made any representations or warranties to such Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Offering Documents.

 

(7)           The Purchaser will not sell or otherwise transfer the Securities without registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.  The Purchaser acknowledges that neither the offer nor sale of the Securities has been registered under the Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state.  The Purchaser represents and warrants that the Purchaser is acquiring the Securities for the Purchaser’s own account, for investment purposes and not with a view toward resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.  The Purchaser is acquiring the Securities in the ordinary course of business.  The Purchaser has not offered or sold the Securities being acquired nor does the Purchaser have any present intention of selling, distributing or otherwise disposing of such Securities either currently or after the passage of a fixed or determinable period of time or upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any predetermined event or circumstances in violation of the Securities Act.  The Purchaser is aware that (i) the Securities are not currently eligible for sale in reliance upon Rule 144 (as defined below) and (ii) the Company has no obligation to register the Securities purchased hereunder. By making these representations herein, the Purchaser is not making any representation or agreement to hold the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(8)           The Purchaser understands that except for the piggy-back registration rights provided in Section E hereof: (i) the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, (B) the Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company an opinion of counsel, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, or (C) the Purchaser provides the Company with reasonable assurance that such Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, “Rule 144”); (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.

 

  

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(9)           The Purchaser acknowledges that any certificates or other evidence that may be issued representing the Securities shall bear any legend required by the securities laws of any state and be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially in the following form:

 

The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and neither the securities nor any interest therein may be offered, sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration under such act or an exemption from registration, which, in the opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to this corporation, is available.

Certificates evidencing the Securities shall not be required to contain such legend or any other legend (i) following any sale of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144, or (ii) if such Securities have been sold pursuant to the Registration Statement (as hereafter defined) and in compliance with the obligations set forth in Section E(6) below, or (iii) such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the Staff of the SEC), in each such case (i) through (iii) to the extent determined by the Company’s legal counsel in its sole discretion.  Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, agrees that the removal of such legend from certificates evidencing the Securities is predicated upon (i) the reliance by the Company that the Purchaser will sell such Securities pursuant to either the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including any applicable prospectus delivery requirements, or an exemption therefrom, and/or (ii) that in the context of a sale under Rule 144, if requested by the transfer agent of the Securities, the Purchaser shall have signed and delivered a representation letter relating to the Purchaser’s Securities.

(10)           If this Agreement is executed and delivered on behalf of a partnership, corporation, trust, estate or other entity:  (i) such partnership, corporation, trust, estate or other entity is duly organized and validly existing and has the full legal right and power and all authority and approval required (a) to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other instruments executed and delivered by or on behalf of such partnership, corporation, trust, estate or other entity in connection with the purchase of its Securities, and (b) to purchase and hold such Securities; (ii) the signature of the party signing on behalf of such partnership, corporation, trust, estate or other entity is binding upon such partnership, corporation, trust, estate or other entity; and (iii) such partnership, corporation, trust or other entity has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring such Securities, unless each beneficial owner of such entity is qualified as an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and has submitted information to the Company substantiating such individual qualification.

 

  

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(11)           If the Purchaser is a retirement plan or is investing on behalf of a retirement plan, the Purchaser acknowledges that an investment in the Securities poses additional risks, including the inability to use losses generated by an investment in the Securities to offset taxable income.

 

(12)           The information contained in the purchaser questionnaire in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto (the “Purchaser Questionnaire”) delivered by the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement is complete and accurate in all respects.  The Purchaser is (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”) on the basis indicated therein, or (ii) is not a U.S. Person as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”) and is a resident of the jurisdiction set forth therein.  The Purchaser is not required to be a registered broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The information contained in the selling stockholder questionnaire in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto (the “Selling Stockholder Questionnaire”) and the anti-money laundering information form in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto (the “Anti-Money Laundering Information Form”) delivered by the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement are complete and accurate in all respects.  The Purchaser will notify the Company immediately of any changes in any such information contained in such Purchaser’s Purchaser Questionnaire, Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, or Anti-Money Laundering Information Form until such time as the Purchaser has sold all of its shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and/or upon the exercise of the Warrants or, if the shares of Common Stock are registered pursuant to Section E, until the Company is no longer required to keep the Registration Statement, as defined in Section E below, effective, except to the extent that such changed information is not required under the Securities Act to be disclosed in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement.

 

(13)           The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company will have the authority to issue additional shares of Common Stock and other securities of the Company in excess of the Securities being issued in connection with the Offering, and that the Company may issue additional shares of Common Stock and other securities of the Company from time to time, which may cause dilution of the existing shares of Common Stock and a decrease in the market price of such existing shares of Common Stock.

 

  

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(14)           The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has existing contractual commitments to broker-dealers for which the Company may be required to pay a commission upon the closing of the Offering up to ten percent (10%) of some portion of the aggregate consideration received by the Company from the Offering and warrants equal to up to six percent (6%) of some portion of the aggregate consideration received by the Company from the Offering, which warrants, if any, would be exercisable for a period of five years, at an exercise price equal to $1.50 per share of Common Stock .

 

(15)           The Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire the Securities.

 

(16)           The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

 

(17)           This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Purchaser and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance its terms.

 

(18)           The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Purchaser or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Purchaser is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to the Purchaser, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(19)           The Purchaser acknowledges that any estimates or forward-looking statements included in the Company’s Publicly Available Information were prepared by the Company in good faith but that the attainment of any such estimates or forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed by the Company and should not be relied upon.

 

(20)           No oral or written representations have been made, or oral or written information furnished, to the Purchaser or its advisers, if any, in connection with the Offering which are in any way inconsistent with the information contained in the Company’s Publicly Available Information.

 

  

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(21)           Other than consideration that may be payable by the Company to broker-dealers as disclosed in Section B(14), the Purchaser has not entered into any agreement or arrangement that would entitle any broker or finder to compensation by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities to such Purchaser.

 

(22)           The Purchaser has, in connection with its purchase of the Securities, complied with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act, including the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and applicable state securities laws.

 

(23)           Each Purchaser who is not a US Person as defined in Regulation S (“US Person”) represents and warrants as follows:

 

(i)           (a) the Purchaser is not a US Person and is not acting for the account or benefit of a US Person and (b) the Purchaser is purchasing the Securities in an offshore transaction pursuant to Regulation S;

 

(ii)           the Purchaser understands that the Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred by such Purchaser except (a) (i) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144, (ii) outside the United States in a transaction complying with the provisions of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, (iii) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 (if available), or (iv) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and (b) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and other jurisdictions;

 

(iii)           the Purchaser understands and agrees that, if in the future it decides to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities or any beneficial interests in any Securities prior to the date which is twelve (12) months after the later of (a) the date when the Securities are first offered to persons (other than distributors) pursuant to Regulation S and (b) the date of closing of the Offering, it will do so only (i) in compliance with the restrictions set forth herein, (ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (iii) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 (if available) or Regulation S, and in each of such cases in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States;

 

(iv)           the Purchaser agrees to, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Securities from it of the resale restrictions referred to in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, if then applicable;

 

  

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(v)           the Purchaser acknowledges that, prior to any proposed transfer of the Securities other than pursuant to an effective registration statement, the transferee of the Securities may be required to provide certifications and other documentation relating to the non-US Person status of such transferee.

 

The Purchaser should check the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) website at <http://www.treas.gov/ofac> before making the representations contained in Sections B(24) and B(25) hereof.

 

(24)           The Purchaser represents that the amounts invested by it in the Offering were not and are not directly or indirectly derived from activities that contravene federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Federal regulations and Executive Orders administered by OFAC prohibit, among other things, the engagement in transactions with, and the provision of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals.  The lists of OFAC prohibited countries, territories, persons and entities can be found on the OFAC website at <http://www.treas.gov/ofac>.  In addition, the programs administered by OFAC (the “OFAC Programs”) prohibit dealing with individuals1 or entities in certain countries regardless of whether such individuals or entities appear on the OFAC lists.

 

(25)           To the best of the Purchaser’s knowledge, none of: (1) the Purchaser; (2) any Person controlling or controlled by the Purchaser; (3) if the Purchaser is a privately-held entity, any Person having a beneficial interest in the Purchaser; or (4) any Person for whom the Purchaser is acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a country, territory, individual or entity named on an OFAC list, or a person or entity prohibited under the OFAC Programs.  Please be advised that the Company may not accept any amounts from a prospective investor if such prospective investor cannot make the representation set forth in the preceding paragraph.  The Purchaser agrees to promptly notify the Company should the Purchaser become aware of any change in the information set forth in these representations.  The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that, by law, the Company may be obligated to “freeze the account” of the Purchaser, either by prohibiting additional subscriptions from the Purchaser, declining any redemption requests and/or segregating the assets in the account in compliance with governmental regulations.  The Purchaser further acknowledges that the Company may, by written notice to the Purchaser, suspend the redemption rights, if any, of the Purchaser if the Company reasonably deems it necessary to do so to comply with anti-money laundering regulations applicable to the Company or any of the Company’s other service providers.  These individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs.

 

 

1 These individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs.

 

  

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(26)           To the best of the Purchaser’s knowledge, none of: (1) the Purchaser; (2) any Person controlling or controlled by the Purchaser; (3) if the Purchaser is a privately-held entity, any Person having a beneficial interest in the Purchaser; or (4) any Person for whom the Purchaser is acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a senior foreign political figure,2 or any immediate family3 member or close associate4 of a senior foreign political figure, as such terms are defined in the footnotes below.

 

(27)           If the Purchaser is affiliated with a non-U.S. banking institution (a “Foreign Bank”), or if the Purchaser receives deposits from, makes payments on behalf of, or handles other financial transactions related to a Foreign Bank, the Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the Foreign Bank has a fixed address, other than solely an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities; (ii) the Foreign Bank maintains operating records related to its banking activities; (iii) the Foreign Bank is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct banking activities; and (iv) the Foreign Bank does not provide banking services to any other Foreign Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a regulated affiliate.

 

	
C.

	
Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

Except as disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Purchasers.  For purposes of this Section C, the phrase “to the knowledge of the Company” or any phrase of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the actual knowledge Joseph Pandolfino or Henry Sicignano III, as well as any other knowledge that such individuals would have possessed had they made reasonable inquiry with respect to the matters in question.

 

(1)           Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada and has full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as currently conducted.  The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the character of the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it makes qualification necessary, except where any failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or (ii) the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Offering Documents or by the agreements and instruments to be entered into in connection herewith or therewith or on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Offering Documents (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

 

2 A “senior foreign political figure” is defined as a senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branches of a foreign government (whether elected or not), a senior official of a major foreign political party, or a senior executive of a foreign government-owned corporation. In addition, a “senior foreign political figure” includes any corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, a senior foreign political figure.

 

3 “Immediate family” of a senior foreign political figure typically includes the figure’s parents, siblings, spouse, children and in-laws.

 

4A “close associate” of a senior foreign political figure is a person who is widely and publicly known to maintain an unusually close relationship with the senior foreign political figure, and includes a person who is in a position to conduct substantial domestic and international financial transactions on behalf of the senior foreign political figure.

 

  

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(2)           Capitalization.  As of the date of this Agreement, 27,909,646 shares of Common Stock of the Company and warrants and options to purchase an additional 8,651,978 shares of Common Stock of the Company are issued and outstanding.  Other than the foregoing securities of the Company, the warrants that may be issuable to Rodman & Renshaw in the event of the Closing of the Offering and as otherwise set forth above or as contemplated in this Agreement, (a) there are no other options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which the Company is a party or by which either the Company is bound or obligating the Company to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any shares of the capital stock of the Company or obligating the Company to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement and (b) the issuance and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby will not give rise to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights on behalf of any Person.

 

(3)           Issuance of Securities.  The Securities and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Securities and their issuance have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action and no further action is required by the Company in connection therewith.  The Securities and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Securities, when issued and paid for pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable securities of the Company.  The issuance of the Securities may result in the right of holders of other securities of the Company to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under such securities.

 

(4)           Authorization; Enforceability.  The Company has all corporate right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  All corporate action on the part of the Company necessary for the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company has been taken and no further action is required by the Company in connection therewith.  This Agreement has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (ii) laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, and (iii) laws, or public policy underlying such laws, relating to indemnification and contribution.

 

  

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(5)           No Conflict; Governmental and Other Consents.

 

(a)           The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance of the Securities by the Company, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the violation (i) assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each Purchaser, of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental authority to or by which the Company is bound, or (ii) of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any lease, loan agreement, mortgage, security agreement, trust indenture or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, nor result in the creation or imposition of any lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company, except in each case to the extent that any such violation, conflict or breach would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each Purchaser party hereto, no consent, approval, authorization or other order of any governmental authority or stock exchange, or other third-party is required to be obtained by the Company in connection with the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement or with the authorization, issue and sale of the Securities, except such post-Closing filings as may be required to be made with the SEC, and with any state or foreign “Blue Sky” or securities regulatory authority, or as would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

(6)           Litigation.  There are no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened legal or governmental proceedings against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers or directors, which, if adversely determined, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.  There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers or directors, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (as defined below), nor any director or officer thereof (in his or her capacity as such), is or has been the subject of any action involving a claim or violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty.

 

(7)           Financial Information.  The Company’s financial statements that appear in the public filings of the Company as filed with the SEC have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), except in the case of unaudited statements or as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto, applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated and such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

 

  

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(8)           Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the date of the Company’s most recent financial statements contained in the public filings of the Company as filed with the SEC, (i) there has not occurred any event not disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information that individually or in the aggregate has caused a Material Adverse Effect or any occurrence, circumstance or combination thereof that reasonably would be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) liabilities that would not be required to be reflected in the Company's financial statements pursuant to GAAP, or (C) obligations pursuant to the agreements with Rodman & Renshaw (iii) the Company has not (A) declared or paid any dividends, (B) amended or changed the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws  of the Company or similar corporate or limited liability company documents of its Subsidiaries, or (C) altered its method of accounting or the identity of its auditors and (iv) the Company has not made a material change in officer compensation except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

(9)           Investment Company.  The Company is not an “investment company” within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

(10)           Subsidiaries.  22nd Century Limited, LLC is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company. Hercules Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of 22nd Century Limited, LLC.  Goodrich Tobacco Company, LLC is a 96% owned Subsidiary of the Company.  For the purposes of this Agreement, “Subsidiary” shall mean any company or other entity of which at least 50% of the securities or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its other Subsidiaries.  The Company or one of its Subsidiaries has the unrestricted right to vote, and subject to limitations imposed by applicable law, to receive dividends and distributions on all capital securities of its Subsidiaries as owned by the Company or such Subsidiary.

 

(11)           Certain Fees.  Other than compensation that may payable pursuant to Section B(14) as a result of the Closing of the Offering, no brokers’, finders’ or financial advisory fees or commissions will be payable by the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(12)           No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court, or (ii) in violation of any provision of its charter or bylaws, or (iii) in violation of or default under any lease, loan agreement, mortgage, security agreement, trust indenture or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, except in each case to the extent that any such violation or default is disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information or would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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(13)           Taxes.  The Company has filed or has valid extensions of the time to file all necessary material federal, state, and foreign income and franchise tax returns due prior to the date hereof and has paid or accrued all taxes shown as due thereon, and the Company has no knowledge of any material tax deficiency which has been or might be asserted or threatened against it which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(14)           Insurance.  The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as the Company believes are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company is engaged.  The Company has no 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 without an increase in cost significantly greater than general increases in cost experienced for similar companies in similar industries with respect to similar coverage.

 

(15)             Intellectual Property Rights and Licenses.  Except as disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information, the Company owns or possesses adequate rights or licenses to use any and all information, know-how, trade secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names, software, formulae, methods, processes and other intangible properties (“Intangible Rights”) that are of a such nature and significance to its business that the failure to own or have the right to use or derivatize such items individually or in the aggregate would have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has not received any notice that it is in conflict with or infringing upon the asserted intellectual property rights of others, and neither the use of the Intangible Rights nor the operation of the Company’s businesses is infringing or has infringed upon any intellectual property rights of others.  Except as disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information, all payments have been duly made that are necessary to maintain the Intangible Rights in force.  Except as disclosed in the Company’s Publicly Available Information, no claims have been made and no claims are threatened, that oppose or challenge the validity, scope or title to any Intangible Right of the Company.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable steps to obtain and maintain in force all licenses and other permissions under Intangible Rights of third parties necessary to conduct their businesses as heretofore conducted by them, now being conducted by them or are otherwise reasonably anticipated to be conducted, and the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are not, have not been and do not anticipate being in material breach of any such license or other permission.

 

(16)           Compliance with Law; Foreign Corrupt Practices.  The Company is in compliance with all applicable laws, except for such noncompliance that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has not received any notice of, nor does the Company have any knowledge of, any violation (or of any investigation, inspection, audit or other proceeding by any governmental entity involving allegations of any violation) of any applicable law involving or related to the Company which has not been dismissed or otherwise disposed of that individually or in the aggregate would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has not received notice or otherwise has any knowledge that the Company is charged with, threatened with or under investigation with respect to, any violation of any applicable law that individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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(17)           Ownership of Property.  Except as set forth in the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Publicly Available Information, the Company has (i) good and marketable fee simple title to its owned real property, if any, free and clear of all liens, except for liens which do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) a valid leasehold interest in all leased real property, and each of such leases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, and to limitations of public policy), except as would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its other material properties and assets free and clear of all liens, except for liens which do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(18)           No Integrated Offering.  Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates or other Person acting on the Company’s behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security under circumstances that would cause the Offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act, when integration would cause the Offering not to be exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

 

(19)           No General Solicitation.  Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any Person acting on behalf of the Company, has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of “general solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act.  To the knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on its behalf has offered the Securities for sale other than to the Purchasers and certain other “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.

 

(20)           No Registration.  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by, and compliance with the covenants of, the Purchasers in Section B hereof, and other than as required under this Agreement, no registration of the Securities under the Securities Act is required in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchasers.

 

(21)            Transfer Taxes.  On the Closing Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income or similar taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Securities to be sold to each Purchaser hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company, and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been complied with.

 

  

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(22)           Environmental Matters. The Company has obtained, or has applied for, and is in compliance with and in good standing under all permits required under Environmental Laws (except for such failures that individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect) and the Company has no knowledge of any proceedings to substantially modify or to revoke any such permit.  There are no investigations, proceedings or litigation pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Company’s facilities relating to Environmental Laws or hazardous substances that individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  “Environmental Laws” shall mean all federal, national, state, regional and local laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations, in each case as amended or supplemented from time to time, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including orders, consent decrees or judgments relating to the regulation and protection of human health, safety, the environment and natural resources.

 

(23)           Publicly Available Information.  The documents constituting the Company’s Publicly Available Information, when they were filed with the SEC, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable.

 

(24)           Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser's Purchase of Securities.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that except as set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, no Purchaser is (i) an officer or director of the Company, (ii) an “affiliate” of the Company (as defined in Rule 144) or (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, a “beneficial owner” of more than 10% of the shares of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act).  The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Offering Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(25)           Employee Relations. The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and, to its knowledge, its employees are not union members.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations respecting labor, employment and employment practices and benefits, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where failure to be in compliance would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No material labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any employees of the Company.

 

(26)           Use of Proceeds.  The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

  

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D.

	
Understandings

 

Each of the Purchasers understands, acknowledges and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

(1)           No federal, state or foreign agency or authority has made any finding or determination as to the accuracy or adequacy of the Offering Documents or as to the fairness of the terms of the Offering nor any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.  In making an investment decision, the Purchasers must rely on their own examination of the Company and the terms of the Offering, including the merits and risks involved.

 

(2)           The Offering is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Sections 4(2) and 4(6) of the Securities Act and the provisions of Rule 506 of Regulation D and the provisions of Regulation S thereunder, which is in part dependent upon the truth, completeness and accuracy of the statements made by the Purchaser herein and in the Purchaser Questionnaire.

 

(3)           Notwithstanding the piggy-back registration rights provided herein, there can be no assurance that the Purchaser will be able to sell or dispose of the Securities.  It is understood that in order not to jeopardize the Offering’s exempt status under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D and Regulation S, any transferee may, at a minimum, be required to fulfill the investor suitability requirements thereunder.

 

(4)           The Securities purchased hereunder by any Purchaser who is not a US Person under Regulation S are subject to the conditions listed under Section 903(b)(3), or Category 3, of Regulation S. Under Category 3, Offering Restrictions (as defined under Regulation S) must be in place in connection with the offering and additional restrictions are imposed on resales of the Securities as described below.  Prior to six months after the later of (1) the time when the Securities are first offered to persons other than distributors in reliance upon Regulation S or (2) the date of closing of the Offering (the "Compliance Period"), each Purchaser who is not a US Person:

 

(a)           certifies that it is not a US Person and is not acquiring the securities for the account or benefit of any US Person or is a US Person who purchased securities in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act;

 

(b)           agrees to resell such Securities only in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 (if available) or Regulation S, or pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, and agrees to not engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Securities, directly or indirectly, unless in compliance with the Securities Act;

 

(c)           acknowledges that the Purchaser has been notified that it is subject to the same restrictions on offers and sales that apply to a distributor;

 

(d)           agrees that the Company will be required to refuse to register any transfer of the Securities not made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 (if available) or Regulation S, or pursuant to registration under the Securities Act; and

 

(e)           any certificates evidencing the Securities will contain a legend to the effect that transfer is prohibited except in accordance with the restrictions set forth in (b) above during the Compliance Period.

 

  

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E.

	
Piggy-Back Registration Rights

 

(1)           The shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and upon the exercise of the Warrants will have piggy-back registration rights, which means that in the event the Company files a registration statement under the Securities Act after the Closing Date of this Offering and prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes to register the resale of additional shares of Common Stock issued by or issuable by the Company pursuant to other securities subsequently sold by the Company in a future securities offering after the Closing Date of this Offering in an amount of at least Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) (such future securities offering shall not include any securities issued by the Company under its equity incentive plans), then such shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and upon the exercise of the Warrants will be included in such registration statement to the extent permitted by the SEC and any applicable underwriter.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchasers shall not have piggy-back registration rights if such shares of Common Stock are eligible for unlimited resale pursuant to Rule 144.

 

(2)           Registration Expenses.  If applicable pursuant to Section E(1), the Company shall pay all fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company, including without limitation (a) all registration and filing fees and expenses, including without limitation those related to filings with the SEC, in connection with applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, and to the OTC Bulletin Board (the “OTCBB”) in the event of the subsequent inclusion of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and upon the exercise of the Warrants in a subsequently filed registration statement, (b) printing expenses (it being understood that the Company, at its option, may provide the Purchaser with electronic copies of any prospectus or supplement), (c) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and (d) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Purchaser shall pay any and all costs, fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of its respective shares of Common Stock received upon the subsequent conversion of the Convertible Notes and upon the exercise of the Warrants and all fees and expenses of its counsel and other advisors.

 

(3)           Indemnification.

 

(a)           Indemnification by the Company.  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser, the partners, members, officers and directors of each Purchaser and each Person or entity, if any, who controls such Purchaser or any of the foregoing within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (collectively, “Losses”) to which they may become subject (under the Securities Act or otherwise) insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any material breach of this Agreement or any other Offering Document by the Company or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or arise out of any failure by the Company to fulfill any undertaking included in a registration statement and the Company will, as incurred, reimburse such Purchaser, partner, member, officer, director or controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that such Loss arises out of, or is based upon, an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in such registration statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Purchaser, partner, member, officer, director or controlling Person specifically for use in preparation of a registration statement or any breach of this Agreement by such Purchaser; provided further, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any Purchaser of registrable Securities (or any partner, member, officer, director or controlling Person of such Purchaser) to the extent that any such Loss is caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any preliminary prospectus if either (i) (A) such Purchaser failed to send or deliver a copy of the final prospectus with or prior to, or, if Rule 172 is then in effect, such Purchaser failed to confirm that a final prospectus was deemed to be delivered prior to, the delivery of written confirmation of the sale by such Purchaser to the Person asserting the claim from which such Loss resulted and (B) the final prospectus corrected such untrue statement or omission, (ii) (X) such untrue statement or omission is corrected in an amendment or supplement to the prospectus and (Y) having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with copies of the prospectus as so amended or supplemented or, if Rule 172 is then in effect, notified by the company that such amended or supplemented prospectus has been filed with the SEC, such Purchaser thereafter fails to deliver such prospectus as so amended or supplemented, with or prior to, or, if Rule 172 is then in effect, such Purchaser fails to confirm that the prospectus as so amended or supplemented was deemed to be delivered prior to, the delivery of written confirmation of the sale of a registrable Security to the Person asserting the claim from which such Loss resulted or (iii) such Purchaser sold registrable Securities in violation of such Purchaser’s covenant contained in Paragraph (6) below.

 

  

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(b)           Indemnification by Purchasers.  Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company (and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who signs the registration statement and each director of the Company), from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company (or any such officer, director or controlling Person) may become subject (under the Securities Act or otherwise), insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any material breach of this Agreement by such Purchaser or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in each case, on the Effective Date thereof, if, and to the extent, such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of such Purchaser specifically for use in preparation of the registration statement, including, without limitation the Purchaser Questionnaire, the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, and the Anti-Money Laundering Information Form, and such Purchaser will reimburse the Company (and each of its officers, directors or controlling Persons) for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that in no event shall any indemnity under this Paragraph be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of (i) the purchase price of the registrable Securities included in the registration statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation and (ii) the amount of any damages such Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission) received by such Purchaser upon the sale of such registrable Securities.

 

  

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(c)           Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it shall wish, assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof.  After notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense thereof, such Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof.  An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties.  If there exists or shall exist a conflict of interest that would make it inappropriate in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnified Party for the same counsel to represent both the Indemnified Party and such Indemnifying Party or any affiliate or associate thereof, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to retain its own counsel at the expense of such Indemnifying Party; provided, further, that no Indemnifying Party be responsible for the fees and expense of more than one separate counsel for all Indemnified Parties.  The Indemnifying Party shall not settle an action without the consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.  All reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten business days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require such Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder).

 

  

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(d)           Contribution.  If a claim for indemnification under Paragraph (5)(a) or (b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party (by reason of public policy or otherwise), then each 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, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or related to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Paragraph (5)(c), any reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Paragraph 5(d) was available to such party in accordance with its terms.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Paragraph (5)(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provision of this Paragraph (5)(d), no Purchaser shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Purchaser from the sale of the registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  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.

 

  

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(4)          Dispositions.  Each Purchaser agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement.  Each Purchaser further agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described herein, such Purchaser will discontinue disposition of such registrable Securities under the registration statement until such Purchaser’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented prospectus and/or amended registration statement, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus or registration statement.  The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this paragraph.

 

(5)          Rule 144.  Until such time as the registrable Securities are eligible for unlimited resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Company agrees with each holder of registrable Securities to:

 

(a)           comply with the requirements of Rule 144(c) under the Securities Act with respect to current public information about the Company; and

 

(b)           to file with the SEC all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time it is subject to such reporting requirements).

 

	
F.

	
Covenants of the Company

 

The Company agrees to file one or more Forms D with respect to the Securities on a timely basis as required under Regulation D under the Securities Act to claim the exemption provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D.  The Company, on or before the Closing Date, shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Securities for sale to the Purchasers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Purchasers on or prior to the Closing Date.  The Company shall make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Securities required under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States following the Closing Date.

 

	
G.

	
Further Covenants of the Company

 

(1)          The Company shall make a public announcement of the Closing of the Offering by filing with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K and issuing a press release within the time periods required under the federal securities laws.

 

  

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(2)          The Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing or press release without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, unless otherwise required by law.  The Purchaser consents to the disclosure of its name and details of its purchase in a subsequent registration statement.  The Company shall not, and shall cause each of its officers, directors, employees and agents to not, knowingly provide any Purchaser with any material nonpublic information regarding the Company from and after the issuance of the above referenced filings and press release without the express written consent of such Purchaser.

 

(3)          The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing eligibility of the Company Common Stock for quotation on the OTCBB unless it lists its shares for trading on an alternative stock exchange including at least one in the United States.

 

	
H.

	
Conditions to Closing; Termination

 

(1)           Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Purchasers to Purchase Securities.  The obligation of each Purchaser to acquire Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by such Purchaser, at or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)           The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are qualified by “materiality” or Material Adverse Effect qualifiers shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date when made and as of the Closing as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representation or warranty speaks of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date with respect to such date);

 

(b)           The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Offering Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing;

 

(c)           No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Offering Documents;

 

(d)           Since the date of execution of this Agreement, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably could have or result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e)           Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC or the OTCBB (except for any suspensions of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company) at any time since the date of execution of this Agreement, and the Common Stock shall have been at all times since such date eligible for quotation on the OTCBB;

 

  

23

  

 

(f)           The Company shall have delivered the items required to be delivered by the Company in accordance with Section A(4); and

 

(g)           This Agreement shall not have been terminated as to such Purchaser in accordance with Section H(3).

 

(2)           Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Company to sell Securities.  The obligation of the Company to sell Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company, at or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)           The representations and warranties of each Purchaser contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are qualified by “materiality” or Material Adverse Effect qualifiers, which shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of such date;

 

(b)           Each Purchaser shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Offering Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Purchaser at or prior to the Closing;

 

(c)           No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Offering Documents;

 

(d)           Each Purchaser shall have delivered its Investment Amount in accordance with Section A(2); and

 

(e)           This Agreement shall not have been terminated as to such Purchaser in accordance with Section H(3).

 

(3)           Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to Closing:

 

(a)           By written agreement of the Purchasers and the Company; and

 

(b)           By the Company or a Purchaser (as to itself but no other Purchaser) upon written notice to the other, if the Closing shall not have taken place by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on or before December 29, 2011 (with the Company reserving the right to further extend the termination date of the Offering to December 31, 2011 without further notice); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section H(3) shall not be available to any Person whose failure to comply with its obligations under this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such time.

 

  

24

  

 

In the event of a termination pursuant to Section H(3)(a), the Company shall promptly notify all non-terminating Purchasers. Upon a termination in accordance with this Section H(3), the Company and the terminating Purchaser(s) shall not have any further obligation or liability (including as arising from such termination) to the other and no Purchaser will have any liability to any other Purchaser under the Offering Documents as a result thereof.

 

	
I.

	
Miscellaneous

 

(1)          All pronouns and any variations thereof used herein shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, singular or plural, as identity of the Person or Persons may require.

 

(2)          Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered by fax prior to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day, (b) the next business day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered by fax on a day that is not a business day or later than 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day, (c) upon receipt, if sent by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid), or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice or other communication is required to be given:

 

(a)           if to the Company, to it at:

 

22nd Century Group, Inc.

9530 Main Street

Clarence, NY  14031

Fax No.: (716) 877-3064

Attention: Joseph Pandolfino

or such other address as it shall have specified to the Purchaser in writing, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Foley & Lardner LLP

3000 K Street N.W., Suite 600

Washington, D.C. 20007

Fax No.: (202) 672-5399

Attention: Thomas L. James, Esq.

  and

Foley & Lardner LLP

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI  53202

Fax No.: (414) 297-4900

Attention: Patrick Quick, Esq. and Mark Plichta, Esq.

 

  

25

  

 

(b)           if to a Purchaser, to it at its address set forth on the signature page to this Agreement, or such other address as it shall have specified to the Company in writing.

 

(3)          This Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

(4)          Failure of the Company to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or any other agreement among the Company and the Purchaser, or otherwise, or delay by the Company in exercising such right or remedy, will not operate as a waiver thereof.  No waiver by the Company will be effective unless and until it is in writing and signed by the Company.

 

(5)          This Agreement shall be enforced, governed and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as such laws are applied by the New York courts to agreements entered into and to be performed in New York by and between residents of New York, and shall be binding upon the Purchaser, the Purchaser’s heirs, estate, legal representatives, successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns.  The Company and each Purchaser hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located within County of Erie with respect to any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, 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 to such party at the address for such 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.  EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(6)          If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law.  Any provision hereof that may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions hereof.

 

  

26

  

 

(7)          The parties understand and agree that, unless provided otherwise herein, money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of the Agreement by the Company or the Purchaser and that the party against which such breach is committed shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunction and specific performance, as a remedy for any such breach.  Such remedies shall not, unless provided otherwise herein, be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for a breach by either party of the Agreement but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or equity to the party against which such breach is committed.

 

(8)          The obligations of each Purchaser under this Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser hereunder, except as may result from the actions of any such Purchaser other than through the execution hereof.  Nothing contained herein solely by virtue of being contained herein shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any similar entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(9)          This Agreement, together with the agreements and documents executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(10)          This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original, not a facsimile signature.

 

(11)          The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

(12)          This Agreement and the other Offering Documents (including any schedules and exhibits hereto and thereto) supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Purchaser, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and other Offering Documents (including any schedules and exhibits hereto and thereto) and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor any Purchaser makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters.

 

(13)          No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Purchasers holding or being obligated to purchase at least a majority of the Securities.  No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Purchaser to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any Offering Document unless the same consideration is also offered to all Purchasers who then hold the Securities.  No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

 

  

27

  

 

(14)          No Purchaser may assign any of its rights under this Agreement.

 

(15)          The representations and warranties of the parties contained herein or in any other agreements or documents executed in connection herewith shall survive the Closing.

 

(16)          Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 [Signature Pages to Follow]

 

  

28

  

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

The Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase the amount of Convertible Notes in exchange for the Investment Amount, as set forth below, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

PURCHASER

 

1.           Investment Amount:  $__________

 

2.           Face Amount of Convertible Notes Purchased:  ________ (this amount equals the Investment Amount plus 15%)

 

 

	 	 	 	 
	
Signature of Purchaser

	 	
Signature of Joint Purchaser

	 
	
(and title, if applicable)

	 	
(if any)

	 
	  	 	  	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Taxpayer Identification or Social

	 	
Taxpayer Identification or Social

	 
	
Security Number

	 	
Security Number of Joint Purchaser (if any)

	 
	  	 	  	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Name (please print as name will appear

	 	
 

	 
	
on Convertible Notes)

	 	  	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Number and Street

	 	  	 
	  	 	  	 
	 	 	 	 
	
City, State                         Zip Code

	 	
 

	 

 

 

ACCEPTED BY:

 

22ND CENTURY GROUP, INC.

 

 

	By: 	
 

	 	 	 	 
	 	
Name:  Joseph Pandolfino

	 	 	
 

	 
	 	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer

	 	 	
 

	 

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit A

 

Term Sheet

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Convertible Note

 

  

  

  

 

THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS NOTE IS CONVERTIBLE (THE “NOTE SECURITIES”) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.  THE NOTE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, UNLESS THE BORROWER (AS DEFINED BELOW) RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Original Issue Date: December _____, 2011

Principal Amount: $________________

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, 22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Borrower”), located at 9530 Main Street, Clarence, New York 14031, promises to pay to _____________________ (the “Lender”), at ________________________________, or at such other location as the Lender may designate from time to time in a written notice provided to the Borrower, the principal amount of _____________________________ DOLLARS ($______________) (the “Principal Amount”), upon the terms and conditions specified below (‘Note”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payment of the Principal Amount under this Note shall be required to the extent that the Principal Amount have been converted pursuant to Section 4 of this Note.

 

1.           Repayment.  The entire unpaid Principal Amount under this Note shall be due and payable on December _____, 2012 (the “Maturity Date”), unless the Principal Amount hereunder is converted pursuant to Section 4 below.

 

2.           Interest.  The Principal Amount of this Note is fifteen percent (15%) greater than the actual amount of funds (the “Investment Amount”) provided by the Lender to the Borrower in consideration for the issuance of this Note by the Borrower to the Lender.  This original issue discount amount of fifteen percent (15%) shall be deemed to be the imputed interest under this Note.  No additional amount of interest shall accrue or be due or payable under this Note.

 

3.           Prepayment.  Borrower may prepay all or any portion of the Principal Amount without penalty at the Borrower’s determination at any time prior to the Maturity Date and without the consent of the Lender, provided that Borrower shall provide the Lender with fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice of such prepayment, during which time Lender may convert the Principal Amount which is equal to such prepayment amount pursuant to Section 4 below.

 

4.           Conversion.

 

a.           Conversion.  At any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Lender may elect to convert all or any portion of the Principal Amount into fully paid and non-assessable whole shares of common stock of the Borrower that have identical rights, restrictions, preferences and privileges as the common stock of the Borrower outstanding as of the Original Issue Date (the “Common Stock”) by transmitting a copy of an executed notice of conversion, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to the Borrower.  Fractional shares of Common Stock shall not be issued.  The conversion price at which the Lender may convert all or any portion of the Principal Amount into shares of Common Stock shall be equal to $0.75 per share of Common Stock (the “Conversion Price”).  In the event the Company engages in a financing transaction of at least $5,000,000 in securities after the Original Issue Date and prior to the Maturity Date and in the further event the securities to be sold in such transaction are either shares of Company Common Stock with a sale price equal to or greater than $0.80 per share or debt securities which are convertible into shares of Company Common Stock with a conversion price equal to or greater than $0.80 per share of Common Stock (a “Qualified Subsequent Financing”), then the Company will have the right to mandatorily require the conversion of this Note for the Conversion Price upon fifteen (15) days prior written notice to the Lender.

 

  

  

  

 

i.           If the Borrower at any time on or after the Original Issue Date subdivides (by any capital stock split, capital stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be proportionately increased.

ii.           If the Borrower at any time on or after the Original Issue Date combines (by combination, reverse capital stock split or otherwise) its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be proportionately decreased.

b.           Warrants.  In the event all or any portion of this Note is converted into shares of Common Stock, then at that time the Lender shall receive warrants equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the number of shares of Common Stock into which this Note has been then converted (the “Warrants”).  The Warrants shall have a 5-year life with an exercise price per share of Common Stock equal to $1.50 in cash.

 

c.           Termination of Conversion Rights.  Upon (i) payment of the entire Principal Amount or (ii) the Maturity Date, all of the conversion rights provided for in this Note shall automatically and immediately terminate.

 

5.           Events of Acceleration.  The entire unpaid Principal Amount shall become immediately due and payable upon (i) the filing of a petition in bankruptcy by the Borrower, (ii) the execution by the Borrower of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (iii) the filing against the Borrower of a petition in bankruptcy or a petition for relief under the provisions of the federal bankruptcy code or another state or federal law for the relief of debtors and the continuation of such petition without dismissal for a period of ninety (90) days or more.

 

6.           Piggy-Back Registration Rights; Anti-Dilution.  The shares of Common Stock issued to the Lender upon the conversion of this Note shall have piggy-back registration rights as provided in the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated an even date herewith, between the Lender and the Borrower in the event the Borrower closes upon a Qualified Subsequent Financing.  In the event of the issuance by the Borrower to a third-party, other than under the Borrower’s existing equity incentive plans, of Common Stock for a sale price of less than the Conversion Price of this Note, then in such event the Lender shall receive full-ratchet anti-dilution protection on the conversion rights of this Note as follows:

 

  

2

  

 

(i)         If the Company shall at any time or from time to time (i) after the Original Issue Date and (ii) prior to the Maturity Date issue additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) without consideration or for consideration per share less than, or with an exercise or conversion price per share less than, the Conversion Price then in effect immediately before such issuance (a "Diluting Issuance"), other than with respect to securities issued to (a) the Company's employees, officers or directors in connection with their employment or retention of services not to exceed the number of shares of Common Stock reserved in the Company's equity incentive plans, or (b) customers or vendors in connection with bona fide business transactions, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance shall be reduced, concurrently with such Diluting Issuance, to a price (calculated to the nearest hundredth of a cent) determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately before the Diluting Issuance by a fraction:

 

(A)       the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Diluting Issuance plus the number of shares of Common Stock, or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of such security, that would have been issued if such Additional Shares had been issued at a price per share, or with an exercise or conversion price per share, equal to the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance; and

 

(B)       the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Diluting Issuance plus the number of such Additional Shares.

 

(ii)        Upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as set forth in subsection 6(i) above, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be increased to equal the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(A) the product resulting from multiplying (i) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note by (ii) the Conversion Price, in each case as in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance, by

 

(B) the adjusted Conversion Price pursuant to subsection 6(i) above.

 

(iii)       For the purpose of this Section 6, all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any outstanding convertible securities or options, warrants, or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

(iv)           The anti-dilution rights set forth in this Section 6 shall terminate upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 4.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a partial conversion, only the anti-dilution rights applicable to the portion of this Note converted shall terminate.

 

  

3

  

 

7.           Option to Participate in Future Financing.  In the next financing transaction undertaken by the Borrower immediately subsequent to the Original Issue Date, the Lender shall have the right to participate in such financing transaction by investing an amount in cash equal to three times the Investment Amount.

 

8.           Amendment and Waiver.  This Note may be amended or a provision hereof waived only in a writing signed by both the Borrower and the Lender.

 

9.           Severability.  The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision or provisions of this Note as to any person, entity, or circumstance shall not render that provision or those provisions unenforceable or invalid as to any other provisions or circumstances, and all provisions hereof, in all other respects, shall remain valid and enforceable.

 

10.           Interest Savings Clause.  If any payment made under this Note is deemed by law to be interest and if such interest amount is determined to be in excess of the then legal maximum rate, then that portion of each interest payment representing an amount in excess of the then legal maximum rate shall instead be deemed a payment of principal and applied against the Principal Amount.

 

11.           Assignment.  This Note is not assignable by the Lender without the Borrower’s written consent, which consent may be withheld in the Borrower’s sole and absolute discretion.

 

12.           Notices.  All notices, demands and/or requests of any kind to be delivered to any party in connection with this Note shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered, sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to the address set forth in this Note or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party hereto in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.  Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery,  (ii) in the case of nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent, and (iii) in the case of registered or certified mail, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

 

13.           Legal Matters.  The validity, construction, enforcement, and interpretation of this Note are governed by the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States of America, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

14.           Further Assurances.  From time to time, the Lender, at the Borrower’s reasonable request, shall execute and deliver such other instruments and do and perform such other acts in connection with the issuance and/or conversion of this Note.

 

[Signature appears on the following page.]

 

  

4

  

 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, this Note has been executed by the Borrower and delivered to the Lender as of the date first above written.

 

	 	“Borrower”	 
	 	 	 
	 	22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

a Nevada corporation

	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	 	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title:	 

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit A

22ND CENTURY GROUP, INC.

CONVERSION NOTICE

Reference is made to the Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) issued to the undersigned (the “Lender”) on December ___, 2011 by 22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC. (the “Company”).  In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the below stated portion of the Principal Amount (as defined in the Note) into shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”) of the Company as of the date specified below.

Date of Conversion: ___________________________

Principal Amount to be converted: ___________________ Dollars ($______________)

 

Conversion Price:  Seventy-Five Cents ($0.75) per share of Common Stock.

Please issue to the Lender at the address shown below the resulting number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the above-stated portion of the Principal Amount is being converted.

Authorization:

Printed Name of Lender: ___________________________________

By: _____________________________

Name:

Title:

Date: ____________________, 2012

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit C

 

Form of Warrant

 

 

  

  

  

 

THE WARRANT REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION UNDER SAID ACT AND THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER OF SUCH SECURITIES, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE MANNER CONTEMPLATED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

	
Warrant No. [___]

	
Number of Shares of Common Stock: [_____]

(subject to adjustment)

	
Date of Issuance: [_____________], 2012

	  

 

22ND CENTURY GROUP, INC.

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

(VOID AFTER [____________], 2017)

 

22nd Century Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), for value received, hereby certifies that ___________________________________ (the “Registered Holder”), is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time on or after the Date of Issuance and on or before 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date which is five (5) years immediately subsequent to the Date of Issuance (the “Exercise Period”), an aggregate of [________] shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company, at a purchase price of $1.50 per shares of Common Stock.  The shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant, and the purchase price per share of Common Stock, each as adjusted from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant, are hereinafter referred to as the “Warrant Shares” and the “Purchase Price”, respectively.

 

1.           Exercise.

 

(a)           Exercise Procedure.  The Registered Holder may, at its option, elect to exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part and at any time or from time to time during the Exercise Period, by surrendering this Warrant, with the purchase form appended hereto as Exhibit I (the “Purchase Form”) duly executed by or on behalf of the Registered Holder, at the principal office of the Company, or at such other office or agency as the Company may designate, subject to the following.

 

i.           The Registered Holder may elect to exercise this Warrant at any time or from time to time during the Exercise Period, accompanied by payment in full, in lawful money of the United States, of the Purchase Price payable in respect of the number of Warrant Shares purchased upon such exercise (a “Cash Exercise”); or

 

  

  

  

 

ii.           The Registered Holder may elect to exercise this Warrant at any time or from time to time during the Exercise Period, on a cashless basis by electing instead to receive upon exercise of this Warrant such number of Warrant Shares (the "Net Number") determined according to the following formula (a "Cashless Exercise"):

 

Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)

B

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

A= the total number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrantis then being exercised.

B= the then applicable Fair Market Value per share as determinedpursuant to Section 2(d) hereof.

C= the Purchase Price.

 

A facsimile signature of the Registered Holder on the Purchase Form shall be sufficient for purposes of exercising this Warrant, provided that the Company receives the Registered Holder’s original signature within three (3) business days thereafter.

 

(b)           Exercise Date.  Each exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered to the Company as provided in subsection 1(a) above (the “Exercise Date”).  At such time, the Person or Persons in whose name or names any certificates for Warrant Shares shall be issuable upon such exercise as provided in subsection 1(c) below shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of record of the Warrant Shares represented by such certificates.

 

(c)           Issuance of Certificates.  As soon as practicable after the exercise of this Warrant in whole or in part, the Company, at its expense, will cause to be issued in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder, or as the Registered Holder (upon payment by the Registered Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct:

 

(i)             a certificate for the number of full Warrant Shares to which the Registered Holder shall be entitled upon such exercise plus, in lieu of any fractional share to which the Registered Holder would otherwise be entitled, cash in an amount determined pursuant to Section 3 hereof; and

 

(ii)             in case such exercise is in part only, a new warrant or warrants (dated the date hereof) of like tenor, calling in the aggregate on the face or faces thereof for the number of Warrant Shares equal (without giving effect to any adjustment therein) to the number of such Warrant Shares called for on the face of this Warrant minus the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant was so exercised.

 

  

- 2 -

  

 

(d)           Provisions Related to Non-US Persons.

 

(i)             Each Registered Holder who is not a US Person (“US Person”) as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) is required to give:

 

(A) Written certification that it is not a US Person and the Warrant is not being exercised on behalf of a US Person; or

 

(B) A written opinion of counsel to the effect that the Warrant and the securities delivered upon exercise thereof have been registered under the Act or are exempt from registration thereunder.

 

(ii)             Procedures shall be implemented by the Company to ensure that the Warrant may not be exercised within the United States, and that the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant may not be delivered within the United States upon exercise, other than in offerings deemed to meet the definition of “offshore transaction” pursuant to Rule 902(h) under the Act, unless registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available.

 

2.           Adjustments.

 

(a)           Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations.  If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the date on which this Warrant was first issued (or, if this Warrant was issued upon partial exercise of, or in replacement of, another warrant of like tenor, then the date on which such original warrant was first issued) (the “Original Issue Date”) effect a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then the Purchase Price then in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased and the number of Warrant Shares shall be proportionately increased.  If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then the Purchase Price then in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares shall be proportionately decreased.  Any adjustment under this paragraph shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

(b)           Adjustment for Issuance of Additional Shares.

 

(i)           If the Company shall at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date issue additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) without consideration or for consideration per share less than, or with an exercise price or conversion price per share less than, the Purchase Price then in effect immediately before such issuance (a "Diluting Issuance"), other than with respect to securities issued to (a) the Company's employees, officers or directors in connection with their employment or retention of services, or (b) customers or vendors in connection with bona fide business transactions, then the Purchase Price in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance shall be reduced, concurrently with such Diluting Issuance, to a price (calculated to the nearest hundredth of a cent) determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately before the Diluting Issuance by a fraction:

 

  

- 3 -

  

 

(A)           the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Diluting Issuance plus the number of shares of Common Stock, or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of such security, that would have been issued if such Additional Shares had been issued at a price per share, or with an exercise or conversion price per share, equal to the Purchase Price in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance; and

 

(B)           the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Diluting Issuance plus the number of such Additional Shares.

 

(ii)           Upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as set forth in subsection 2(b)(i) above, the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant shall be increased to equal the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(A) the product resulting from multiplying (i) the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant by (ii) the Purchase Price, in each case as in effect immediately before such Diluting Issuance, by

 

(B) the adjusted Purchase Price pursuant to subsection 2(b)(i) above.

 

(iii)           For the purpose of this subsection 2(b), all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any outstanding convertible securities or options, warrants, or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

(iv)           The anti-dilution rights set forth in this Section 2 shall terminate upon exercise of this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a partial exercise, only the anti-dilution rights applicable to the Warrants being exercised shall terminate.

 

(c)           Adjustment for Reorganization.  If there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving the Company in which the shares of Common Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property  (collectively, a “Reorganization”), then, following such Reorganization, the Registered Holder shall receive upon exercise hereof the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which the Registered Holder would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such Reorganization if such exercise had taken place immediately prior to such Reorganization.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if (x) there shall occur any Reorganization in which the shares of Common Stock are converted into or exchanged for anything other than solely equity securities, and (y) the equity securities of the acquiring or surviving company is publicly traded, then, as part of such Reorganization, (i) the Registered Holder shall have the right thereafter to receive upon the exercise hereof such number of shares of equity securities of the acquiring or surviving company as is determined by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant immediately prior to such Reorganization by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value (as determined in subsection 2(d) below) per share of Common Stock as of the effective date of such Reorganization, and the denominator of which is the fair market value per share of equity securities of the acquiring or surviving company as of the effective date of such transaction, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) (using the principles set forth in subsection 2(d) to the extent applicable), and (ii) the exercise price per share of equity securities of the acquiring or surviving company shall be the Purchase Price divided by the fraction referred to in clause (B) above.  In any such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board) shall be made in the application of the provisions set forth herein with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the Registered Holder, to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section 2 (including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the Purchase Price) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any securities, cash or other property thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant.

 

  

- 4 -

  

 

(d)           The Fair Market Value per common share shall be determined as follows:

 

(i)             If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the OTC Bulletin Board or another nationally recognized trading system as of the Exercise Date, the Fair Market Value per common share shall be deemed to be the average of the high and low reported sale prices per common share thereon on the trading day immediately preceding the Exercise Date (provided that if no such price is reported on such day, the Fair Market Value per common share shall be determined pursuant to clause (ii) below).

 

(ii)           If the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the OTC Bulletin Board or another nationally recognized U.S. trading system as of the Exercise Date, the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be the amount most recently determined by the Board to represent the fair market value per share of Common Stock (including without limitation a determination for purposes of granting shares of Common Stock or options to purchase shares of Common Stock under any plan, agreement or arrangement with employees of the Company); and, upon request of the Registered Holder, the Board (or a representative thereof) shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event not later than 10 days after such request, notify the Registered Holder of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock and furnish the Registered Holder with reasonable documentation of the Board’s determination of such Fair Market Value.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board has not made such a determination within the three-month period prior to the Exercise Date, then (A) the Board shall make, and shall provide or cause to be provided to the Registered Holder notice of, a determination of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock within 15 days of a request by the Registered Holder that it do so, and (B) the exercise of this Warrant pursuant to this subsection 2(c) shall be delayed until such determination is made and notice thereof is provided to the Registered Holder.

 

(e)           Certificate as to Adjustments.  Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 2, the Company at its expense shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event not later than 10 days thereafter, compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to the Registered Holder a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment (including the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property for which this Warrant shall be exercisable and the Purchase Price) and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based.  The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the written request at any time of the Registered Holder (but in any event not later than 10 days thereafter), furnish or cause to be furnished to the Registered Holder a certificate setting forth (i) the Purchase Price then in effect and (ii) the number of Warrant Shares and the amount, if any, of other securities, cash or property which then would be received upon the exercise of this Warrant.

 

  

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3.           No Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required upon the exercise of this Warrant to issue any fractional shares of Common Stock, but shall pay the value thereof to the Registered Holder in cash on the basis of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock, as determined pursuant to subsection 2(d) above.

 

4.           Transfers, etc.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Warrant and the Warrant Shares shall not be sold or transferred unless either (i) they first shall have been registered under the Act, or (ii) such sale or transfer shall be exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and the Company shall have been furnished with an opinion of legal counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such sale or transfer is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no registration or opinion of counsel shall be required for (i) a transfer by a Registered Holder which is an entity to a wholly owned subsidiary of such entity, a transfer by a Registered Holder which is a partnership to a partner of such partnership or a retired partner of such partnership or to the estate of any such partner or retired partner, or a transfer by a Registered Holder which is a limited liability company to a member of such limited liability company or a retired member or to the estate of any such member or retired member, provided that the transferee in each case agrees in writing to be subject to the terms of this Section 4, or (ii) a transfer made in accordance with Rule 144 under the Act.

 

(b)           Any certificate that may be issued representing Warrant Shares shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

“The securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and neither the securities nor any interest therein may not be offered, sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration under such act or an exemption from registration, which, in the opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to counsel for this corporation, is available.”

The foregoing legend shall be removed from the certificates representing any Warrant Shares, at the request of the holder thereof, following any sale of such Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act (and the holder thereof has submitted a written request for removal of the legend indicating that the holder has complied with the applicable provisions of Rule 144) or at such time as the Warrant Shares are sold or transferred in accordance with the requirements of a registration statement of the Company on such form as may then be in effect.

 

  

- 6 -

  

 

(c)           The Company will maintain a register containing the name and address of the Registered Holder of this Warrant.  The Registered Holder may change its address as shown on the warrant register by written notice to the Company requesting such change.

 

(d)           Subject to the provisions of this Section 4 hereof, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant with a properly executed assignment (in the form of Exhibit II hereto) at the principal office of the Company (or, if another office or agency has been designated by the Company for such purpose, then at such other office or agency).

 

5.           No Impairment.  The Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws 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 action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Registered Holder against impairment.

 

6.           Notices of Record Date, etc.  In the event:

 

(a)           the Company shall take a record of the holders of its shares of Common Stock (or other securities at the time deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any other securities, or to receive any other right; or

 

(b)           of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

 

(c)           of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company,

 

then, and in each such above case, the Company will send or cause to be sent to the Registered Holder a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of shares of Common Stock (or such other securities at the time deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.  Such notice shall be sent at least 10 days prior to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice.

 

  

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7.           Reservation of Stock.  The Company will at all times reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon the exercise of this Warrant, such number of shares of Common Stock and other securities, cash and/or property, as from time to time shall be issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant.

 

8.           Exchange or Replacement of Warrants.

 

(a)           Upon the surrender by the Registered Holder, properly endorsed, to the Company at the principal office of the Company, the Company will, subject to the provisions of Section 4 hereof, issue and deliver to or upon the order of the Registered Holder, at the Company’s expense, a new warrant or warrants of like tenor, in the name of the Registered Holder or as the Registered Holder (upon payment by the Registered Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct, calling in the aggregate on the face or faces thereof for the number of shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash and/or property) then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

 

(b)           Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) upon delivery of an indemnity agreement (with surety if reasonably required) in an amount reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will issue, in lieu thereof, a new warrant of like tenor.

 

9.           Notices.  All notices and other communications from the Company to the Registered Holder in connection herewith shall be mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service guaranteeing next business day delivery, to the address last furnished to the Company in writing by the Registered Holder.  All notices and other communications from the Registered Holder to the Company in connection herewith shall be mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or sent via a reputable nationwide overnight delivery service guaranteeing next business day delivery, to the Company at its principal office set forth below.  If the Company should at any time change the location of its principal office to a place other than as set forth below, it shall give prompt written notice to the Registered Holder and thereafter all references in this Warrant to the location of its principal office at the particular time shall be as so specified in such notice. All such notices and communications shall be deemed delivered one business day after being sent via a reputable international overnight courier service guaranteeing next business day delivery.

 

10.           No Rights as Stockholder.  Until the exercise of this Warrant, the Registered Holder shall not have or exercise any rights by virtue hereof as a shareholder of the Company.

 

11.           Amendment or Waiver.  Any term of this Warrant may be amended or waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with the written consent of the Company and the holders of at least a majority in interest of this Warrant pursuant to the allocation of ownership set forth on Exhibit I hereto.

 

12.           Section Headings.  The section headings in this Warrant are for the convenience of the parties and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict the contractual obligations of the parties.

 

  

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13.           Governing Law.  This Warrant will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York (without reference to the conflicts of law provisions thereof).

 

14.           Facsimile Signatures. This Warrant may be executed by facsimile signature.

 

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

  

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EXECUTED as of the Date of Issuance indicated above.

 

	 	22nd Century Group, Inc.	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	  	 
	 	 	Name:  Joseph Pandolfino	 
	 	 	Title:  Chief Executive Officer	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Address:	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
9530 Main Street

Clarence, NY  14031

Fax No.: (716) 877-3064

	 

 

  

- 10 -

  

 

EXHIBIT I

 

PURCHASE FORM

 

	
To: 22nd Century Group, Inc.

	
Dated:   

	 

 

 

 

The undersigned, pursuant to the provisions set forth in the attached Warrant (No. ___), hereby irrevocably elects to purchase _______ shares of Common Stock of 22nd Century Group, Inc. covered by such Warrant.

 

The undersigned intends that payment of the Purchase Price shall be made as:

___________________ a Cash Exercise with respect to ______________Warrant Shares;

and/or

 

___________________ a Cashless Exercise with respect to _________Warrant Shares.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)  the undersigned is acquiring such shares of Common Stock for its own account for investment and not for resale or with a view to distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Securities Act"); and

 

(b)  (i) the undersigned is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and was not organized for the purposes of acquiring the Warrant or such shares of Common Stock or (ii) the undersigned is not a US Person as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act, and the Warrant is not being exercised on behalf of a US Person.  The undersigned's financial condition is such that it is able to bear the risk of holding such securities for an indefinite period of time and the risk of loss of its entire investment.  The undersigned has sufficient knowledge and experience in investing in companies similar to the Company so as to be able to evaluate the risks and merits of investment in the Company.

 

The undersigned herewith makes payment of the full Purchase Price for such shares of Common Stock at the price per share provided for in such Warrant.

 

	  	
Signature:

	  	 
	  	
Address:

	  	 
	  	  	  	 

 

 

  

  

  

 

EXHIBIT II

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers all of the rights of the undersigned under the attached Warrant (No. ____) with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock of 22nd Century Group, Inc. covered thereby set forth below, unto:

 

	
Name of Assignee

	
Address

	
No. of Shares

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  

 

The undersigned hereby agrees that it will not sell, assign or transfer the right, title and interest in and to the Warrant unless applicable federal and state securities laws have been complied with.

 

Dated:_____________________

 

Signature:________________________________

 

Signature Guaranteed:_______________________

 

By: _______________________

 

The signature should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  

- 2 -

  

 

Exhibit D

 

22nd Century Limited, LLC

Confidential Purchaser Questionnaire

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit E

Selling Stockholder Questionnaire

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit F

Anti-Money Laundering Information FormUnassociated Document

 

 Exhibit 10.1

 

 

English Translation

of

Equity Transfer Agreement

 

 

Among

 

Business Opportunity Online (Hubei )

Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Liu Yihong

 

 

Wei Yanmin

 

 

 

And

 

 

 Sou Yi Lian Mei Network Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

 

 

December 15, 2011

 

 

  

1

  

 

Equity Transfer Agreement

 

 

This Equity Transfer Agreement (“this Agreement”) is signed by the following parties on December 15, 2011 (the “Execution Date”), in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”):

 

	
Party A: 

	
Business Opportunity Online (Hubei) Network Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the PRC with its registered office at Xiao Tian Industrial Park (Building No.5 of Silver Lake Technology Industrial Park), Xiao Gan Economic Development Zone and its registered number of 420900000006806 ( “Party A”).

 

	
Party B:

	
Liu Yihong, PRC citizen, Identity No.: 441781198110075981.

 

	
Party C: 

	
Wei Yanmin, PRC citizen, Identity No.: 450322198201106587 (Party B and Party C are collectively referred to as “Transferors” or “Existing Shareholders”).

 

	
Party D: 

	
Sou Yi Lian Mei Network Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.), a limited liability company incorporated according to PRC law, with its registered capital of RMB 1,000,000  Yuan and its registered number of 110108010559459 (the “Company” or “Target Company”).

 

In this Agreement, Party A, Party B, Party C and Party D are respectively referred to as “each party” and collectively referred to as “the parties”.

 

Whereas:

 

	
A.  

	
The Company is a duly incorporated and validly exists as a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC with its registered capital of RMB 1,000,000 Yuan, which has been fully contributed. Its main business is Internet content services (except for news, publication, education, healthcare, medication, medical apparatus and BBS), advertising agency and publication service and other relevant technical support service and value – added service.

 

	
B.  

	
Party B contributes RMB 990,000 Yuan to hold 99% of the equity of the Company; Party C contributes RMB 10,000 Yuan to hold 1% of the equity of the Company; Party B and Party C collectively hold 100% of the equity of the Company.

 

	
C.  

	
Party A intends to purchase 51% of the equity interest of the Target Company respectively from Party B (50%) and Party C (1%).

 

The parties hereby agree to reach the following agreements:

 

  

2

  

 

Section 1 Definition and Interpretation

 

 

	
1.1  

	
Definition. Unless otherwise specified herein, the following terms shall have the meanings defined hereunder:

 

	
(1)  

	
“Target Equity” means 51% equity of the Target Company held by the Transferors which is to be transferred to Party A according to this Agreement.

 

	
(2)  

	
“Consideration” means the transfer price for the Target Equity.

 

	
(3)  

	
“Key Employees” means the employees of the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries listed in Appendix I.

 

	
(4)  

	
“Trade Secrets” means all the information that is relevant to (i) the know-how information and business information of the Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries, and (ii) the transfer of the Target Equity, including but not limited to the following: relevant contracts, agreements, researches and developments, exclusive information, designs, specifications, customer lists, supplier lists, partner lists, documents relevant to pricing and cost, business and marketing plans, and advices, etc.

 

	
(5)  

	
“Intellectual Property Right” means the ownership or exclusive right of the following: (i)  inventions (whether or not to be registered as patents) and relevant improvement; patents, patent applications and publication; (ii) trademarks, identifications, service marks, trade names, company name and its translation; (iii) all kinds of works involving any copyright, copyright application, registration and renewal; (iv) computer software (including data and documents) and relevant improvement and upgrade; (v) other exclusive rights; (vi) websites, name of website, domain names; and (vii) copies and carriers of the aforementioned intellectual property.

 

	
(6) 

	
“Related Party” means that in case of a legal person or non-legal person (the “Person”), (i) the entities or persons that own or substantially control the Person; (ii) the entities that are owned or substantially controlled by the Person; (iii) the entities that are owned or substantially controlled by the same entity or person with the Person; (iv) the board members, supervisor, senior officers, headmaster of the Person; and (v) the entities that are owned or substantially controlled by the above persons as listed in (iv). A Related Party in the form of legal person is also referred to as “Related Company”.

 

  

3

  

 

	
(7) 

	
“Branches and Subsidiaries” mean the companies that the Company directly or indirectly owns more than 50% equity, or substantially owns more than 50% voting right or control right in any other ways, and the branches of the Company and the aforementioned subsidiaries.

 

	
(8) 

	
“Primary Business” means the business that the Target Company and its Braches and Subsidiaries are operating as of the Closing Date and thereafter, including but not limited to the following: Internet content services (except for news, publication, education, healthcare, medication, medical apparatus and BBS), advertising agency and publication service, other relevant technical support service and value-added service.

 

	
1.2  

	
Interpretations. When interpreting this Agreement, please notice that:

 

	
(1)  

	
Sections, articles, items and paragraphs are only set up for reading convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

	
(2)  

	
 “The clauses and appendixes” means the clauses and appendixes of this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified, the phrase “this Agreement” herein shall include the appendixes to it.

 

	
(3)  

	
Unless otherwise specified, any laws herein shall include all regulations and rules promulgated under them.

 

	
(4)  

	
In the event that any terms or provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable under certain cases or in certain jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected, nor the validity and enforceability of such terms or provisions in other cases or other jurisdictions.

 

Section 2 Equity Transfer

 

	
2.1  

	
Transfer of the Target Equity. The Transferors agree to transfer to Party A, and Party A agrees to purchase from the Transferors, 51% of the equity interest of the Target Company. Party A shall become the holder of the Target Equity and enjoy the corresponding rights and obligations as a shareholder from the date on which the transfer of the Target Equity is completed (subject to the change of registration with relevant administrative bureau for industry and commerce). After the completion of the transfer of the Target Equity, the shareholding structure of the Company shall be as follows:

 

	
 

Shareholder

	
Registered Capital(RMB yuan)

	
 

Percentage

	
Business Opportunity Online (Hubei) Network Technology Co., Ltd.

	
510,000

	
51%

	
Liu Yihong

	
490,000

	
49%

	
Total

	
1,000,000

	
100%

 

  

4

  

 

	
2.2  

	
No Liabilities. Party A shall not be liable for any indebtedness and liability of the Existing Shareholders and the Target Equity which exist or generate prior to the Closing Date, and the Existing Shareholders shall be liable for the indebtedness and liabilities of the Target Equity which exist prior to the Closing Date, or arises after Closing Date due to certain causation that already exist prior to the Closing Date, whether current or potential, known or unknown, accumulated or non-accumulated, expired or undue, including but not limited to: (i) any liability, indebtedness and taxation payable relevant to the Existing Shareholders and Target Equity prior to or as of the Closing Date; (ii) any pending litigation, arbitration, administrative penalty or other legal proceedings relevant to the Target Equity prior to or as of the Closing Date; (iii) any claim, liability, obligation, liquidated damage, loss, sentence, legal action, litigation, proceedings, arbitration on the Target Equity that are brought about by any third party. In the event that Party A is involved into any litigation, arbitration, administration penalty or other legal proceedings or suffers any loss thereof, Party A will inform the Transferors in a timely manner and provide relevant reasonable assistance, and the Transferors shall be in charge of and shall deal with relevant legal proceedings, and shall indemnify Party A for any losses incurred thereby.

 

	
2.3 

	
Further actions. Notwithstanding the above, at any time after the Closing Date, the Existing Shareholders agree to facilitate the Target Company, along with its Branches and Subsidiaries, to take all reasonably necessary actions, to ensure that Party A will enjoy all relevant interest in the Target Equity after Closing Date.

 

Section 3 Consideration

 

	
3.1 

	
Consideration.

 

The Consideration for the Target Equity under this Agreement is RMB 51,600,000 Yuan (equivalent to $8,000,000 US Dollars according to an exchange rate of 6.45, which is an average figure during the period from March to November of 2011 as announced by State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and the consideration amount is in RMB and the US Dollars amount is only cited as a reference). The Consideration shall be distributed in proportion among the Transferors according to their shareholding. Party A has no obligation to pay the Transferors for the Target Equity other than the Consideration stipulated herein.

 

  

5

  

 

	
3.2 

	
Payment of Consideration.

 

The parties agree that, (1) Party A shall remit a deposit of RMB 5,000,000 Yuan (the “Deposit”) to the account designated by the Transferors within five (5) working days from execution of this Agreement; (2) Party A shall remit the rest of the Consideration to the account designated by the Transferors as of the Closing Date, and the Transferors shall provide Party A with a written receipt for the Deposit and Consideration respectively upon receipt.

 

	
3.3 

	
Performance Threshold.

 

	
(1)  

	
The Transferors shall be responsible to register the equity transfer under this Agreement with the relevant administrative bureau for industry and commerce. Meantime, Party B shall pledge the remaining 49% of the equity interest of the Target Company he holds (the “Pledged Equity”) to Party A and shall register the aforementioned pledge with the relevant administrative bureau for industry and commerce, as a guarantee for Party B’s payment of “2012 Cash Compensation” and performance of other obligations by the Transferors hereunder.

 

	
(2)  

	
The Existing Shareholders agree to ensure that the audited net profit after tax of the Target Company (the “Actual Net Profit of 2012”) in the fiscal year of 2012 reach RMB 15,800,000 Yuan (the “2012 Performance Threshold”)

 

	
(3)  

	
In the event that the Actual Net Profit of 2012 is less than 95% of the 2012 Performance Threshold, Party B agrees to compensate Party A with cash, which means, Party B shall pay Party A the amount of RMB equivalent to the shortfall between 95% of 2012 Performance Threshold and the Actual Net Profit of 2012 (which shortfall amount shall be referred to as the “2012 Cash Compensation”). The parties shall confirm in writing whether or not Party B shall compensate Party A and the amount of the compensation (if any) based on the audit report and this Agreement within fifteen (15) working days after the completion of 2012 audit of the Company. Party B shall remit full amount of the 2012 Cash Compensation to the account designated by Party A within fifteen (15) working days following the confirmation of the amount of the 2012 Cash Compensation (if any). Party A shall cancel the pledge of 49% equity and assist Party B in the change of registration within thirty (30) working days following the confirmation that Party B does not need to pay the 2012 Cash Compensation or Party A’s full receipt of the 2012 Cash Compensation.

 

  

6

  

 

	
(4)  

	
The net profit of the Target Company shall be determined by audit report issued by an independent auditor collectively designated Party A and Party B. The audit fee shall be borne by the Company.

 

                               Section 4 Closing

 

	
4.1  

	
Closing. The closing of the transactions under this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the place the parties agree within fifteen (15) working days following the satisfaction or waiver of each condition as set forth in Article 5.1 (the “Closing Date”). Party A has the right to request Party B to provide reliable evidences which are acceptable to Party A proving that all conditions set forth in Article 5.1 have been satisfied as of Closing.

 

In the event that certain conditions set forth in Article 5.1 have not been satisfied as of Closing, the parties agree to negotiate whether to conduct the Closing by Party A’s waiving of such conditions or to postpone the Closing, which shall be confirmed by Party A in writing. In the event that Party A does not agree to waive such conditions or to postpone the Closing, the parties shall negotiate to find out a solution or shall terminate this Agreement. In this event, all the fees and losses incurred by Party A in relating to negotiation and execution of this Agreement shall be borne by the Existing Shareholders and the Target Company.

 

	
4.2  

	
Delivery. The Transferors shall deliver all the software source codes and relevant documents of the Target Company, and other documents and materials that Party A reasonably shall have requested as of or prior to Closing.

 

	
4.3  

	
Remedial Measures. Notwithstanding the above, Party A shall have the right to notice the Transferors to make commitment or take remedial measures within a required period of time whenever Party A finds that there is any breach by the Transferors. In the event that the Transferors fail to take remedial measures satisfied to Party A within the required period of time, Party A shall have the right to require the Transferors to compensate for the losses incurred by it.

 

Section 5 Conditions Precedent to Closing

 

  

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5.1

	
Unless waived by Party A in writing, all the obligations of Party A under this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the fulfillment of the following conditions by Party A:

 

	
(1)  

	
This Agreement and its appendixes (if any) shall have been formally executed by the parties.

 

	
(2)  

	
The representations and warranties in section 6 of this Agreement shall be accurate, true and complete in all material respects.

 

	
(3)  

	
The financial, tax, business and legal due diligences on the Target Company conducted by Party A shall have been completed and the results of such due diligence are accepted and confirmed by Party A.

 

	
(4)  

	
The accounting firm designated by Party A shall have completed the review of the Target Company’s financial statements of fiscal year 2010 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011 to the satisfaction of Party A.

 

	
(5)  

	
This Agreement and all the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved and authorized by the shareholders and/or the board of directors of Party A (if applicable).

 

	
(6)  

	
The shareholders of the Target Company shall have signed relevant regulations and officially authorized the execution of this Agreement and the performance of transactions contemplated herein; the Existing Shareholders have waived their rights of first refusal in writing.

 

	
(7)  

	
The board of directors of Target Company and its subsidiaries shall have been elected three (3) members consisting two (2) members appointed by Party A and one (1) member appointed by Party B, and the chairman of the board shall be one of the members appointed by Party A.

 

	
(8)  

	
The Target Company shall have adopted new articles of association (specifying Party A holds 51% equity of the Company and other relevant information as required by Party A) and registered the equity transfer, modifications of articles of association and update of board of directors with administrative bureau for industry and commerce, and has obtained a new business license and provided the same to Party A.

 

	
(9)  

	
The remaining 49% of the equity interest of the Target Company of Party B shall have been pledged to Party A. The registration of the aforementioned pledge with administration bureau for industry and commerce administration shall have been completed and the notice of registration of pledge shall have been provided to Party A.

 

  

8

  

 

	
(10)  

	
There shall have no any known or rationally expected event or situation which has material adverse effect on the transactions under this Agreement as of the Closing Date. No event or change that has material adverse effect on the assets, business, finance situation and staff of the Target Company has occurred.

 

	
(11)  

	
The actions of the Transferors that shall have been taken or are to be taken to complete the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and all the certificates, papers and other documents needed for completion of the same, are to the satisfaction of Party A.

 

	
(12)  

	
Party A shall have received a PRC legal option regarding the Target Company, Target Equity and the transactions under this Agreement from a PRC lawyer, to the satisfaction of Party A.

 

	
(13)  

	
All employees of the Target Company and its subsidiaries shall have signed written labor contracts with the Company in the form and substance satisfactory to Party A; the key employees listed in Appendix I hereto shall have signed labor contracts (the term of which is no less than 2 years) and confidentiality and non-competition agreements with the Target Company, which contracts and agreements shall have been approved or confirmed by Party A.

 

	
(14)  

	
The Existing Shareholders’ execution of this Agreement and performance the obligations thereof shall have been approved by relevant governmental authorities and third parties (if necessary), and as of the Closing Date, (a) there have not been any pending or potential actions or proceedings taken by PRC governmental authorities to limit or forbid the completion of the transactions under this Agreement, (ii) there have not been any laws and regulations promulgated by any competent PRC governmental authorities which may cause the completion of this Agreement illegal.

 

Section 6 Representations and Warranties

 

	
6.1  

	
Representations and warranties of Party A:

 

	
(1)  

	
Party A is a duly incorporated and validly exists as a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC.

 

	
(2)  

	
Party A has the capacity to execute and perform this Agreement.

 

	
6.2  

	
The Representations and Warranties of the Existing Shareholders and the Target Company. The representations and warranties of the Existing Shareholders and Target Company as of the Execution Date and the Closing Date are as follows:

 

  

9

  

 

	
(1)  

	
The Target Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC; the registered capital of the Target Company has been fully contributed and has not been withdrawn or used for the purposes other than the operation of the Target Company. The Transferors have the requisite capacity and authority to execute and perform this Agreement, and has the capacity and right to transfer the Target Equity.

 

	
(2)  

	
The Primary Business of the Target Company is in accordance with its registered scope of business as stipulated in its business license, and the Target Company has not operated other types of business beyond its registered scope of business.

 

	
(3)  

	
The equity of the Target Company is free and clear of any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim, third party rights and priority rights.

 

	
(4)  

	
This Agreement consists, when executed, valid and binding obligations of the Target Company and the Existing Shareholders, enforceable against the Target Company and the Existing Shareholders in accordance with its terms.

 

	
(5)  

	
The execution and performance of this Agreement by the Target Company and the Existing Shareholders do not and will not (i) violate any laws, regulations and rules, and any relevant governmental authorities’ approvals and authorizations; (ii) conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of any terms or provisions of any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party; (iii) violate the articles of association or other constitutional documents of the Target Company, and is not subject to consent of any other person.

 

	
(6)  

	
Neither the Target Company nor any Existing shareholders have been informed of being in violation of any applicable PRC law or regulation; no governmental authorities have taken or, or to the Existing Shareholders’ best acknowledge, may take or begin to take any legal action, suit, procedure, hearing, investigation, accusation, request, inform or inquiry on any of such violation.

 

	
(7)  

	
The Target Company is not in a status of insolvency, nor has the Target Company failed to pay debt that is due, and no event which may cause liquidation or bankruptcy of the Target Company has occurred.

 

  

10

  

 

	
(8)  

	
The Target Company has obtained all valid and lawful certificates, licenses, approvals, registrations, qualifications and other authorizations which are necessary for the operation of its Primary Business and assets. To the best knowledge of the Existing Shareholders, they are not aware of any reason that would cause such authorizations to be revoked, suspended, cancelled, withdrawn or cannot be renewed upon expiration.

 

	
(9)  

	
The Target Company legally possesses and operates its assets and business which are functioning in a normal and good working condition as of the Closing Date. Except for the fair wear and tear, its assets have not damaged, broken or lost, and its business has not been adversely affected. The Company’s assets and business is free and clear of encumbrance and claims which may have adverse effect.

 

	
(10)  

	
The Existing Shareholders do not hold any equity, share, ownership interest or exclusive rights of or work in any company, partnership, corporation, trust, joint enterprise or any other entities which compete with the Target Company.

 

	
(11)  

	
All the significant documents, representations and information related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein that are owned by the Existing Shareholders, Target Company and Related Parties have been truly, accurately and fully disclosed to Party A. The documents provided to Party A do not include any misrepresentation.

 

	
(12)  

	
The Target Company has not operated business or concluded any other transactions in a way different from that in its past ordinary course of business.

 

	
(13)  

	
No agreement which has significant adverse effect on the Target Company has been executed, revised, extended or terminated by the Existing Shareholders and Target Company.

 

	
(14)  

	
Intellectual Property Right

 

	
a)  

	
As of the Closing Date, (i) the Existing Shareholders, the Target Company and the Related Parties have not infringed, theft, tort or conflicted with any third party’s intellectual property right and (ii) the board of directors, senior managers and employees of the Target Company have not been accused, sued, or have requested or received any notice claiming their infringement, theft, tort or violation of any third party’s intellectual property right.

 

  

11

  

 

	
b)  

	
As of the Closing Date, the intellectual properties of the Target Company are not subject to any injunctions, judgments, orders, verdicts, arbitrations or accusations; there are no pending or potential legal actions, litigations, proceedings, hearings, investigations, accusation or claims which challenge the legality, validity, actionability, or ownership of such intellectual properties.

 

	
(15)  

	
All the material facts related to the Target Equity have been disclosed to Party A. All information provided to Party A by the Existing Shareholders, the Target Company, the Related Parties and their representatives during or before the negotiation are true and complete.

 

	
(16)  

	
Finance and Taxation

 

	
a)  

	
The Target Company has (i) established account book, accounts and other financial records in accordance with PRC GAAP, and (ii) calculated and recorded the financial performance from the date of incorporation to the Closing Date veritably and fairly.

 

	
b)  

	
There has not been (i) any dispute, suit, administrative requirement, investigation, penalty or enforcement measure regarding taxation matters (including but not limited to tax declaration, implementation of tax policy, benefits of tax preference and payment) to which the Target Company is a party, (ii) any situation under which the aforementioned dispute, suit, administrative requirement, investigation, penalty or enforcement measure regarding taxation matters may arise. In the event that the aforementioned items arise, the Existing Shareholders shall be liable and shall fully and unconditionally indemnify the Target Company and/or Party A for all the losses.

 

	
(17)  

	
The Target Company has fully and legally contributed social insurance and housing fund for all of its employees ever since its establishment. In the event that the Target Company and/or Party A and/or Party A’s related parties suffer any loss or decrease in value due to the Target Company failure to contribute any social insurance or housing fund for its employee during the period from the establishment of the Target Company to Closing Date, the Existing Shareholders shall be liable and shall indemnify the Target Company and/or Party A and/or Party A’s related parties for all the losses occurred thereby.

 

  

12

  

 

	
(18)  

	
The Target Company has entered into written labor contracts, confidentiality and non-competition agreements with all the employees according to applicable laws and regulations. In the event that the Target Company and/or Party A and/or Party A’s related parties suffered any loss or decrease in value due to that (i) the Target Company fails to execute written labor contracts with any of its employees, or (ii) the aforementioned contracts and agreements are in violation of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the Existing Shareholders shall be reliable and shall indemnify the Target Company and/or Party A and/or Party A’s related parties for all the losses occurred thereby.

 

	
(19)  

	
As of the Closing Date, the Target Company has (i) no outstanding debt, borrowings or any other liabilities to banks, companies or other persons; (ii) made no guaranties for any person or company; (iii) not extended any loans to any entity or person except for reasonable office expenses paid in advance.

 

	
(20)  

	
As of the Closing Date, the Target Company has not been involved in any administrative investigation, penalty, suit, arbitration or dispute; there is no pending judgment, arbitration, penalty, indemnification or orders to which the Target Company is a party.

 

	
(21)  

	
Each representation and warranty set forth in this Article 6.2 shall be explained separately and independently, and unless otherwise stipulated expressly, shall not be limited by referring to any other section of this Agreement or any other items in any other agreement.

 

	
6.3 

	
Special Indemnification. Regardless whether having been disclosed to Party A in written form or not, the Existing Shareholders shall be liable and shall indemnify the Target Company and/or Party A for any loss, liability and risk occurred in related to the following issues that already existed prior to the Closing Date:

 

	
(1)  

	
Any loss, liability and risk arises at any time due to the Target Company and/or its Branches and Subsidiaries’ failure to pay housing fund for its employees;

 

	
(2)  

	
Any loss, liability or risk arises at any time due to the Target Company and/or its Branches and Subsidiaries’ failure to enter into written labor contracts with its employees; or

 

  

13

  

 

	
(3)  

	
Any loss, liability or risk arises due to the Target Company’s failure to renew ICP License at any time.

 

Section 7 Taxations and Fees

 

	
7.1  

	
Unless otherwise stipulated by relevant laws or agreed by the parties in this Agreement, each party of this Agreement shall be respectively responsible for its taxes related to the transactions under this Agreement. Party A shall be entitled to withhold any tax for the Transferors if so required by law.

 

	
7.2  

	
Each party of this Agreement shall be respectively responsible for the expenses and fees paid for negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and obtaining relevant approval, including the reasonable expenses and fees paid to its counsels, accountants and other professional persons.

 

	
7.3  

	
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the transactions under this Agreement is not closed due to that the representations and warranties of the Existing Shareholders set forth in Article 6.2 are false, incomplete, and/or misleading, all the out-of-pocket expenses and fees that Party A has spent for the negotiation, preparation, execution and other relevant issues of this Agreement shall be compensated jointly by the Target Company and the Existing Shareholders.

 

Section 8 Covenants

 

	
8.1  

	
General Covenants of the Existing Shareholders. From the Execution Date, the Existing Shareholders shall:

 

	
(1)  

	
not transfer or dispose the equity of the Target Company directly or indirectly without prior written consent of Party A;

 

	
(2)  

	
not engage in, or allow the employees of the Target Company, its Branches and Subsidiaries to engage in, any act or omission that may conflicts with the representations and warranties they mad in Article 6.2 of this Agreement;

 

	
(3)  

	
disclose to Party A in written form once being aware of any act or omission that conflicts with their representations, warranties and obligations under this Agreement;

 

	
(4)  

	
take all necessary actions to conclude the transactions under this Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) facilitate the Target Company to register the equity transfer and pledge with relevant administrative bureau for industry and commerce within five (5) days following the execution of this Agreement, (ii) ensure the aforementioned registration be completed within fifteen (15) days following the execution of this Agreement, and provide relevant documents to Party A. In the event that the Transferors fail to accomplish the aforementioned registration within ninety (90) days following the execution of this Agreement due to reasons attributable to the Transferors and/or the Company, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, and require the Existing Shareholders and the Target Company to compensate all the losses suffered by Party A.

 

  

14

  

 

	
(5)  

	
in the event that any third party claim for the Target Company, its Branches or Subsidiaries, the Target Equity or Party A after Closing due to the Existing Shareholders’ failure to perform their obligations under this Agreement or other reasons attributable to the Existing Shareholders, the Existing Shareholders shall, upon request by Party A, take relevant actions to solve the aforementioned issues and bear all the relevant expenses.

 

	
(6)  

	
ensure that the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries operate their business in strictly compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including but not limited to relevant tax laws), duly pay relevant taxes, legally enjoy tax concessions and preference; ensure that the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries will not be engaged in any act or omission that violates the relevant tax laws and regulations, or any act or omission that may have adverse effect on the operation of Target Company or its Branches or Subsidiaries;

 

	
(7)  

	
facilitate the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries to enter into written labor contracts with all of its employees. During the period that the Target Company is still under control of the Existing Shareholders, whether prior to or after Closing, if the Target Company and its Braches and Subsidiaries suffered any loss or penalty due to their failure to enter into written labor contracts with their employees, the Existing Shareholders shall compensate all the losses occurred thereby;

 

	
(8)  

	
facilitate the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries to fully pay social insurance and housing fund for its employees. During the period that the Target Company is still under control of the Existing Shareholders, whether prior to or after Closing, if the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries suffered any loss or penalty due to their failure to duly pay social insurance or housing fund for its employees, the Existing Shareholders shall compensate all the losses occurred thereby;

 

  

15

  

 

	
(9)  

	
facilitate the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries to duly withhold and pay income tax for all of its employees. During the period that the Target Company is still under control of the Existing Shareholders, whether prior to or after Closing, if the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries suffered any loss or penalty due to their failure to duly withhold and pay any income tax, the Existing Shareholders shall compensate all the losses occurred thereby;

 

	
(10)  

	
upon mutual consent of the Existing Shareholders and Party A, update the key employees listed in Appendix after Closing. So long as Party A is a shareholder of the Target Company, the Existing Shareholders shall facilitate all the aforementioned key employees to continuously enter into labor contracts and confidentiality and non-competition agreements with the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries and work for the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries on a full-time basis; and

 

	
(11)  

	
facilitate the Target Company to renew the Internet Content Provision License (“ICP License”) . During the period that the Target Company is still under control of the Existing Shareholders, whether prior to or after the Closing, if the Target Company suffered any loss or penalty due to their failure to renew the ICP License, the Existing Shareholders shall compensate all the losses occurred thereby.

 

	
8.2 

	
Non-competition. So long as Party A is a shareholder of the Target Company, without prior written consent of Party A, each of the Existing Shareholders agree not to, and shall ensure her Related Parties will not, participate in the business competing with the Target Company during the period when he/she is a shareholder of the Company and within five (5) years following her ceasing to be a shareholder of the Company, including but not limited to the following (the Company and the Target Company mentioned below include its Branches and Subsidiaries):

 

	
(1) 

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not establish, substantial control or hold equity interest in the enterprises or any other entities that compete with the Target Company in any manner. The Related Parties of the Existing Shareholders’ above activities shall be deemed as the activities of Existing Shareholders;

 

	
(2)  

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not work in the enterprises and institutions which compete with the Target Company or act as a consultant to the aforementioned entities;

 

  

16

  

 

	
(3)  

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not induce any employee leaving the Target Company, joining in the enterprises, institutions or entities which are their affiliates, and shall not induce the customers of the Target Company to terminate cooperation with the Target Company;

 

	
(4) 

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not participate in the activities that will or may compete with the Target Company, deprive, impair or damage the Target Company’s business interest or business opportunities, or obtain revenue from the above activities;

 

	
(5) 

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not induce employees, service providers, business partners, consultants or agents which have established or intend to establish labor relations, service relations or agency relations with the Target Company to terminate the aforementioned relations, directly or indirectly, or induce the aforementioned person deciding not to or refuse to establish the aforementioned relations with the Target Company, or conduct any other actions that may have similar result;

 

	
(6) 

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not use or disclose to any other person the information regarding of the suppliers, customers, products, business and operation method of the Target Company;

 

	
(7)  

	
The Existing Shareholders and their Related Parties shall not use or apply for registration any domain names, trademarks or trade names including “sooe” ,“搜易” or similar characters, or domain names, trade names, trademarks, service marks or designs similar to the aforementioned items (whether registered or not); and

 

	
(8) 

	
The Existing Shareholders hereby agree and confirm that, in the event that any Related Party of the Existing Shareholders is in violation of the above non-competition obligations, the Existing Shareholders shall indemnify Party A for the losses incurred thereby.

 

Section 9 Party A’s Protective Rights

 

	
9.1  

	
Information and Inspection Rights.  The parties agree and confirm that Party A enjoys the following information and inspection rights:

 

	
(1)  

	
Party A shall be provided with audited financial report of Target Company within ninety (90) days following the end of each fiscal year, the auditor shall be selected by Party A, and the accounting standard shall be recognized by Party A;

 

  

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(2)  

	
Party A shall be provided with unaudited monthly or quarterly financial report of Target Company within thirty (30) days after each fiscal quarter and each month;

 

	
(3)  

	
Party A shall be provided with annual budget of the next fiscal year of the Company within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year;

 

	
(4)  

	
Party A shall be provided with business plan, internal record, confidential documents and other important information of the Company at the request of Party A; and

 

	
(5)  

	
Party A shall have the right to inspect the Target Company’s equipments, financial books and record from time to time, communicate and discuss with the directors, senior managers, key employees, accountants, legal consultants and other relevant employees of the Company about the business, operation and other affairs of the Company.

 

	
9.2 

	
Pre-emptive Right.  In the event that the Target Company increases its registered capital or undertakes other actions with the same effect as increasing the registered capital, the Target Companies shall first notice Party A in writing, and Party A shall have the pre-emptive right to subscribe all or part of the newly increased registered capital or to subscribe all or part of the newly issued equities under the same conditions within thirty (30) working days following receiving the aforementioned written notice, in which case, Party B shall guarantee relevant shareholder resolutions and legal documents be passed or executed. In the event that (i) Party A doesn’t execute the aforementioned pre-emptive rights within thirty (30) working days, or determines only to subscribe part of the aforementioned registered capital or equities, or informs the Company that it will not exercise the aforementioned pre-emptive rights within the thirty (30) working day period, and (ii) Party A or its appointed director approves the aforementioned capital increase, the Company may issue the remaining increased capital or equities to the third parties as approved by Party A.

 

	
9.3 

	
Restriction of Equity Transfer of the Existing Shareholders.  Within three (3) years after the Closing, Party B shall not transfer or dispose any equity of the Target Company, including but not limited to direct or indirect transfer, donation, pledge, setting deposit or purchase right without prior written consent of Party A. Moreover, without prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall hold at least 30% equity of the Target Company after Closing, till the earlier of that (i) Party A no longer holds any equity of the Target Company, or (ii) Party A has acquired 100% equities of the Target Company.

 

  

18

  

 

	
9.4 

	
  Right of First Refusal.  Subject to Article 9.3, Party A has the right of first refusal on any equities of the Target Company held by Party B.  In the event that Party B intends to transfer all or part of the Target Company’s equities to any thirty party, Party B shall first send a written notice (the “Transfer Notice”) to Party A, indicating the amount of equity to the transferred, price, transferee’s identity and other relevant terms and conditions.  Within thirty (30) business days after receiving the Transfer Notice, Party A shall have the right to (i) refuse to approve the transfer, or (ii) approve the sale and waive the right of first refusal, and specify whether to exercise the following co-sale rights, or (iii) approve the transfer and exercise the right of first refusal to purchase all or part of the equities to be transferred.  In the event of the situation provided under Article 9.3 where Party A approves the sale and waives the right of first refusal, and subject to Article 9.5, Party B shall have the right to transfer such equities at the price and conditions not favorable than those specified in the Transfer Notice within thirty (30) working days and shall complete relevant registration within sixty (60) working days. Otherwise, such equities to be transferred shall be again subject to Party A’s rights under Article 9.3 to Article 9.5.

 

	
9.5 

	
Right of Co-Sale.  Subject to Article 9.3, in the event that Party B intends to transfer the equities of the Target Company and has obtained written consent from Party A, for the part of equities that Party A didn’t exercise the right of first refusal, Party A shall have the right to request the transferee also to purchase certain amount of the Target Company’s equity from Party A.  The amount of equity that Party A is entitled to request the transferee to purchase = the amount of equity to be transferred * the amount of equities held by Party A / the amount of equities held by Party A and Party B in the aggregate.  If the third party transferee refuses to purchase equities from Party A, Party B shall not transfer any equity to such third party.  If Party B breaches this article to transfer her equities of Target Company, Party A shall have the right to mandatorily transfer the equities held by it that was to be transferred to the third party to Party B at the same conditions and price and Party B shall not refuse.

 

	
9.6 

	
Drag Along Right.  If Party A proposes or approves to transfer all its equities of the Target Company to third party or to sell all or substantial all of the Target Company’s assets, Party A shall have the right to request Party B to vote for such deal or to direct his representative in the board to vote for the deal.  Under such circumstance, Party B shall agree with the deal and transfer his equities to the purchaser at the same price and conditions, or approve and facilitate the Company to sell the assets, and consent to execute any necessary documents and adopt any necessary action.  If Party B breaches this article, due to which Party A is not able to transfer its equities, Party A shall have the right to transfer all of its equities in the Target Company to Party B and Party B shall not refuse.

 

  

19

  

 

	
9.7  

	
In the event that the Company changes its form or is restructured into an offshore structure with consent of Party A, the protective rights of Party A as set forth in Section 9 and Party A’s rights and priority in the Company’s management system after Closing as set forth in Section 10 shall be reflected in the constitutional documents of the Company and the offshore holding company.

 

Section 10 Management System of the Company after Closing

 

	
10.1 

	
The Shareholders’ Meeting.  After Closing, shareholders’ meeting consisting of Party A and Party B is the highest authority of the Company.  The quorum of the shareholders’ meeting shall be the presence of shareholders holding at least 50% of the equities of the Company. All the parties unanimously consent and confirm that without Party A’s consent, the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries shall not, and Party B guarantees the Target Company and its Branches and Subsidiaries will not, undertake the following actions:

 

	
(1)  

	
Merger, dissolution, liquidation and bankruptcy of the Company;

 

	
(2)  

	
To approve, issue or purchase any kind of securities (including but not limited to equity, bond, stock, convertible note, etc.), warrant, option or similar rights of such securities;

 

	
(3)  

	
To decrease Company’s registered capital or other action with similar effects;

 

	
(4)  

	
To amend the articles of association or other constitutional documents of the Company;

 

	
(5)  

	
Party B transfers any Target Company’s equity or pledge such equity (except when the pledgee is Party A or any third party designated by Party A), or dispose her equities in any other manner;

 

	
(6)  

	
To sell or dispose all or part of Company’s major assets;

 

	
(7)  

	
To acquire or merge with other companies or entities, to merge into other companies or entities, to merge with other companies or entities to form a new joint venture, to set up a new subsidiary, to set up the strategic partnership with one or more entities; or to acquire other entities’ all or major assets;

 

  

20

  

 

	
(8)  

	
To declare or pay any dividend or bonus; and

 

	
(9)  

	
To change the size of board.

 

	
10.2  

	
The Board of Directors.  The parties hereby agree and confirm that the board of directors of the Company and its subsidiaries will be established and operated in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

 

	
(1) 

	
The Constitution of Board of Directors.  The board of directors of the Company shall consist of three directors, two of which shall be appointed by Party A, and the other one shall be appointed by Party B.  If any director is unseated, dead or quits, the corresponding party appointed such director shall appoint a new director and the other parties shall cooperate to complete the relevant procedures.  Under the request of Party A, the board of directors of all subsidiaries of the Company shall maintain the same structure as the Company.

 

	
(2) 

	
Term of Office.  The term of office of the directors is three (3) years, which can be extended if re-appointed.  Before such term expires, the party who appointed a director can change such director with or without a cause.

 

	
(3) 

	
The Director’s Right of Inspection.  The director appointed by Party A has the right to inspect the books, accounts, assets and facilities of the Company and its subsidiaries.  The Company shall provide the materials regarding its business and financial conditions as requested by the directors.  A director shall have the right to submit such materials to the party who appointed him or her.

 

	
(4) 

	
Chairman of the Board.  The Company and its subsidiaries shall have one chairman of the board.  If so required by Party A, the chairman shall be a director appointed by Party A.  In the event that the chairman cannot attend the board meeting, the chairman has the right to designate another director to perform his/her responsibility in such meeting.  If so required by Party A, the director appointed by Party A may take the position of legal representative of the Company and its Related Parties.

 

	
(5) 

	
Veto Rights.  The following issues shall not be approved without the consent of at least one director appointed by Party A:

 

	
a)  

	
The engagement and removal of the independent auditor and its compensation;

 

  

21

  

 

	
b)  

	
The amendment to the Company’s accounting standard and fiscal year;

 

	
c)  

	
The amendment to Company’s Primary Business;

 

	
d)  

	
Any unfair transactions beyond regular business scope;

 

	
e)  

	
The approval of or amendment to the equity incentive plan or similar documents, and any amendment to the provisions and conditions of such documents;

 

	
f)  

	
The appointment and removal of Company’s legal representative, chief executive officer, president, vice president, head of financial department and other senior managers, and approval of significant changes to the compensation and bonus of such senior managers;

 

	
g)  

	
The approval of the annual budget of the Company;

 

	
h)  

	
Setting deposit, pledge or any encumbrances on any asset of the Company;

 

	
i)  

	
Any actions that will make the Company become guarantor of a third party;

 

	
j)  

	
Any actions that will make the Company’s debts or capital expenditures exceed the amount specified in the annual budget.

 

	
(6) 

	
The Quorum and Voting Right.  The quorum of the board of directors is two out of three.  The board meeting can only be convened and the resolution can only be approved when the quorum has been reached.  Each director shall be entitled to one vote.  Any director can authorize a proxy to attend any board meeting and vote on his/her behalf.  Unless otherwise specified in Article 10.1. (5) or by applicable laws or regulations, a majority of directors that are present in a duly convened board meeting shall be entitled to pass the board resolutions.

 

	
(7) 

	
The Committees.  The board of directors of Company and its subsidiaries has the right to set up all kinds of committees at any time deemed to be appropriate (such as the compensation committee, etc.).  Party A has the right to designate at least one representative in any such committee.

 

	
10.3  

	
Financial Controller. Party A has the right to propose the candidate of the financial controller of the Company and its subsidiaries, which shall be appointed by the board of directors.

 

  

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Section 11 Default

 

	
11.1  

	
Any party failing to fully perform the obligations under this Agreement, or any party breaching the representations and warranties, or any party’s representations and warranties are false, untrue, inaccurate or incomplete, will be deemed as a breach of this Agreement.  In the event that any party breaches this Agreement, which cause all or part of this Agreement cannot be performed, the breaching party shall be liable for the liabilities of breaches and shall compensate other parties’ losses so incurred (including relevant legal costs, attorney’s fees and other reasonable fees and expenses).  If more than one party breach this Agreement, each party shall be liable for its own default.

 

	
11.2  

	
In the event that the Closing hereunder has not occurred because the precedent conditions as set forth in Article 5.1 hereof are not fully satisfied, the parties may negotiate to terminate this Agreement.  If this Agreement is so terminated, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the parties shall adopt any necessary measures and execute any necessary documents to restore the equity structure of the Company, and the Transferors shall bear the obligation to unconditionally refund the Consideration already paid by Party A (including but not limited to the Deposit) as well as compensate all the losses of Party A incurred thereby.

 

Section 12 Termination of the Agreement

 

	
12.1  

	
Besides according to other provisions hereunder, the parties can negotiate to terminate this Agreement and any and all losses incurred by such termination shall be borne by each party respectively.

 

Section 13 Confidentiality

 

	
13.1  

	
The parties of this Agreement shall keep confidential the Trade Secrets in any forms obtained from other parties during the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement, the content of this Agreement and the potential cooperation among the parties.  Each party of this Agreement shall supervise and restrict its Related Parties, employees, agents, professional consultants and so on, only to access the aforementioned information under the same confidentiality obligation on a need-to-know basis.

 

	
13.2  

	
The above restrictions shall not apply to any information:

 

	
(1)  

	
that is publicly available at the time of disclosure due to no fault of the party receiving the information;

 

	
(2)  

	
that is publicly available after disclosure due to no fault of the party receiving the information;

 

  

23

  

 

	
(3)  

	
for which the receiving party can prove that it already processes such information before disclosure not by receiving from the other parties;

 

	
(4)  

	
that any party shall disclose to relevant governmental authorities, stock exchanges and so on as required by applicable laws, or that any party shall disclose to its legal or financial consultants for normal business operation purposes; or

 

	
(5)  

	
that is disclosed to any party’s professional consultants, bank or other financing institutions.

 

	
13.3  

	
The parties of this Agreement shall cause its and its related parties’ shareholders, directors, managers and other employees to comply with the confidentiality obligations hereunder.

 

Section 14 Indemnity

 

	
14.1 

	
Indemnity

 

	
(1)  

	
The Existing Shareholders hereby agree that if Party A suffers any losses for any claim of liabilities, responsibility, obligation, liquidated damage, loss, judgment, lawsuit, procedure, arbitration, confiscation, cost and expenditure (including but not limited to litigation cost and reasonable attorney’s fees), due to Existing Shareholders’ violations, misrepresentation, breaches of this Agreement (including any Appendix hereto) or breaches any representations, warranties regarding the Existing Shareholders, Target Company and Target Equities specified in the materials, documents submitted according to this Agreement, the Existing Shareholders shall indemnify and hold harmless Party A from any losses incurred thereby.

 

	
(2)  

	
The Existing Shareholders hereby agree that, if Party A suffers any losses for any pending or potential claim from third party against the Target Equity, responsibility, obligation, liquidated damage, loss, judgment, lawsuit, procedure, arbitration, confiscation, cost and expenditure (including but not limited to the costs paid by Party A enforce this article and reasonable attorney’s fees), due to the indebtness or liabilities of the Existing Shareholders and the Target Company and/or target equities before or at the time of Closing, the Existing Shareholders shall indemnify and hold harmless Party A from any losses incurred thereby.

 

Section 15 Force Majeure

 

  

24

  

 

	
15.1  

	
The parties shall be exempted from corresponding liabilities for their failure to perform this Agreement due to force majeure.  Force majeure refers to any event, situation or state which is unforeseeable, unavoidable and unable to be reasonably controlled and which cannot be completely or partially avoided or overcome after reasonable and cautious measures so that it directly or indirectly prevents the performance of any major obligation under this Agreement, including but not limited to natural disaster, war, fire, explosion, earthquake, epidemic disease, flood and storm.  When any party under this Agreement is unable to perform the terms and conditions of this Agreement due to force majeure, the party shall notify the other party within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date when the force majeure occurs, and shall explains in detail the situations of force majeure in the notification. If there is any delay in performance or failure to perform due to force majeure, it shall not constitute default of the party, nor shall it constitute the basis for claiming any damage, compensation or punishment.  Under this circumstance, the parties shall take reasonable measures to perform the Agreement within the practical scope.  Once the event of the force majeure is removed, the affected party shall within fourteen (14) calendar days send other parties the notification about the removal of the force majeure and shall make sure the notification has been received by other parties.

 

	
15.2  

	
If this Agreement can not be performed due to force majeure and the event of the force majeure lasts for more than six (6) months, the parties can negotiate to terminate this Agreement.

 

Section 16 Notice

 

	
16.1  

	
Any notification or other documents sent out under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the addresses and/or fax numbers of relevant parties by personal delivery, by express mail or by fax.

 

	
16.2  

	
If any notification or other document is delivered by personal delivery, it shall be deemed duly sent out when the recipient receives any notification or other document; if sent out by fax, it shall be deemed duly sent out when the return code or other confirmation signal is received; if sent out by express mail, it shall be deemed duly sent out seven (7) days after it is sent out.  When proving such notification has been sent out, relevant party needs only to prove corresponding notification has been placed or sent out to the addresses of the recipients or the party has duly filled in the addresses of the recipients on the letter and has been duly mailed the notification.

 

Section 17 Miscellaneous

 

	
17.1  

	
Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by PRC laws and shall be explained and performed according to PRC laws.

 

  

25

  

 

	
17.2  

	
Dispute Resolution.  All disputes related to this Agreement or arises during the performance of this Agreement shall be resolved through good faith negotiations.  In the event the parties fail to reach an agreement on the dispute within thirty (30) calendar days after any party's request to the other parties for resolution of the dispute through negotiations, any party may submit the relevant dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration.  The dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the then effective Arbitration Rules in Beijing. The arbitration tribunal shall consist of three arbitrators. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the parties.

 

	
17.3  

	
Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution   on the date first written above.

 

	
17.4  

	
Entire Agreement. The appendix of this Agreement is an integral part of this Agreement, has the same legal effect as this Agreement and shall be binding on the parties.  In case any memorandum or agreement made prior to this Agreement conflicts with this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.  Any amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be made by the parties in writing.

 

	
17.5  

	
Waiver.  The failure or delay of any party in exercising its right or remedy specified in this Agreement and its amendments or supplements shall not constitute or be deemed as a waiver; the act of any single or partial exercise of the rights and remedies also shall not exclude the further exercise of the rights and remedies.

 

	
17.6  

	
Severability. In the event that any term or provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction under any circumstance, the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected, neither shall the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions be affected.

 

	
17.7  

	
Further Assurance. The parties shall take and sign all other action, agreements, events and documents or cause the previous actions be taken or the previous documents be signed. If at any time after Closing, further actions are necessary in order to achieve the purpose of this Agreement.  Any party to the Agreement shall take such actions under the reasonable request of other parties (including signing and delivering documents and files), but the cost shall be bore by the requesting party (except when the requesting party has the right to request compensation according to the specifications of Section 14).

 

  

26

  

 

	
17.8  

	
Announcement. The Company and the Existing Shareholders shall not make any statement or convey any information regarding any content of this Agreement to any other third party, including ( if applicable ) the termination of this Agreement and its reason without prior written approval of Party A.

 

	
17.9  

	
Language and Counterparts. This Agreement is written in Chinese and shall be binding on the parties. This Agreement can be executed in several counterparts, each party having one counterpart and every counterpart shall be deemed as an original. All the counterparts shall be the one and same instrument.

 

	
17.10  

	
Continued Effectiveness. Section 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

The following appendix is an integral part of this Agreement:

 

 

Appendix I List of Key Employees

 

 

(The following is left blank)

 

  

27

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

	
  

	
Party A: Business Opportunity Online (Hubei) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

 

 

Signature:______________

 

Title:

 

  

28

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

Party B:  Liu Yihong

 

 

Signature:_______________

 

  

29

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

	
  

	
Party C: Wei Yanmin

 

 

Signature:________________

 

  

30

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

Party D: Sou Yi Lian Mei Network Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (seal)

 

 

Signature:_________________

 

Title:

 

  

31

  

 

Appendix I  List of Key Employee

 

	
Name

	
Indentify No.

	
Title

	
Liu Dai

	
211102197702180019

	
General Manager

	
Jia Huajun

	
340403197909211012

	
Deputy General Manager

	
Li Ping

	
131127198312157018

	
Manager of Optimization Department

	
Gao Yongxian

	
640321198409210542

	
Price Bidding Supervisor

	
Liu Hongyu

	
230502197907031521

	
Sales Manager

	
Xiao Yan

	
42220219820628082X

	
Sales Manager

	
Xu Haitao

	
230521198108161710

	
Sales Manager

	
Shao Hongmei

	
340121197906303129

	
Sales Manager

	
Chu Yaqiu

	
110221197607304829

	
Senior Client Service Manager

	
Cheng Hongyu

	
210302198306040916

	
Manager of Technology Department

 

  

32

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