Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, dated November 30, 2023, by and between the Company and NEC
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
Certain portions of this Exhibit were redacted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this Registration Rights Agreement), dated as of November 30, 2023, is by and between NEC Corporation, a corporation registered under the laws of Japan (NEC or the Seller) and Aviat Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Aviat or the Company). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Definitive Agreement (defined below).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into pursuant to the Master Sale of Business Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2023, by and among the Seller and Aviat (the Definitive Agreement);
WHEREAS, in partial consideration for the sale of the Assets at Completion, as contemplated by the Definitive Agreement, on the date hereof, the Company issued to NEC 736,750 shares of Common Stock (the Stock Consideration).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
Board means the board of directors of the Company.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, any federal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of Texas are authorized or required to be closed by law or governmental action.
Common Stock means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor governmental agency.
Company Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c)(i).
Effectiveness Period has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
Final Lock-Up Expiration Date means the second anniversary of the day immediately following the Completion Date.
Indemnified Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
Indemnifying Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date means the first anniversary of the day immediately following the Completion Date.
Lock-Up Restrictions has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).
Losses has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
Managing Underwriter means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the lead book-running manager(s) of such Underwritten Offering.
Other Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c)(i).
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
Piggyback Underwritten Offering has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
Registrable Securities shall mean (a) the Stock Consideration and (b) any securities issued or issuable with respect to the Stock Consideration by way of distribution or in connection with any reorganization or other recapitalization, merger, consolidation or otherwise; provided, however, that a Registrable Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security has become effective under the Securities Act and such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Registrable Security is disposed of under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the legend on any certificate or book-entry notation representing such Registrable Security restricting transfer of such Registrable Security has been removed, or (iii) such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of in a transaction in which the Transferors rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the Transferee pursuant this Registration Rights Agreement; and provided, further, that any security that has ceased to be a Registrable Security shall not thereafter become a Registrable Security and any security that is issued or distributed in respect of securities that have ceased to be Registrable Securities shall not become a Registrable Security.
Registration Rights Agreement has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
Registration Expenses means all expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Article II, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, road show expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees) incurred in connection with complying with state securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., and fees of transfer agents and registrars, but excluding any Selling Expenses.
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Registration Statement means any registration statement of the Company filed or to be filed with the Commission under the Securities Act, including the related prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, and including pre- and post-effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
Section 2.2 Maximum Number of Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c).
Section 2.4 Maximum Number of Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time. References to any rule under the Securities Act shall be deemed to refer to any similar or successor rule or regulation.
Seller Requested Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c).
Selling Expenses means all (a) underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable to the sale of Registrable Securities, (b) transfer taxes allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities, (c) costs or expenses related to any roadshows conducted in connection with the marketing of any Shelf Underwritten Offering, and (d) fees and expenses of counsel engaged by the Seller (subject to Article III).
Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
Shelf Underwritten Offering has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
Shelf Underwritten Offering Request has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
Suspension Period has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Transfer means any offer, sale, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, entry into any contract to sell, grant of an option to purchase, short sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest or other disposition, direct or indirect, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise. Transfer, when used as a verb, and Transferee and Transferor have correlative meanings.
Underwritten Offering means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement) in which shares of Common Stock are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public.
Underwritten Offering Filing means (a) with respect to a Shelf Underwritten Offering, a preliminary prospectus supplement (or prospectus supplement if no preliminary prospectus supplement is used) to the Shelf Registration Statement relating to such Shelf Underwritten Offering, and (b) with respect to a Piggyback Underwritten Offering, (i) a preliminary prospectus supplement (or prospectus supplement if no preliminary prospectus supplement is used) to an effective shelf Registration Statement (other than the Shelf Registration Statement) in which Registrable Securities could be included and Seller could be named as a selling security holder without the filing of a post-effective amendment thereto (other than a post-effective amendment that becomes effective upon filing) or (ii) a Registration Statement (other than the Shelf Registration Statement), in each case relating to such Piggyback Underwritten Offering.
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WKSI means a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Shelf Registration.
(a) Within 30 days prior to the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, the Company shall file a Registration Statement (the Shelf Registration Statement) under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities by the Seller from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 under the Securities Act and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become or be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, including by filing an automatic shelf registration statement that becomes effective upon filing with the Commission in accordance with Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act to the extent the Company is then a WKSI. Following the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall notify the Seller of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.
(b) The Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or, if Form S-3 is not then available to the Company, on Form S-1 or such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of such Registrable Securities and shall contain a prospectus in such form as to permit the Seller to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar rule adopted by the Commission then in effect) at any time beginning on the effective date for such Registration Statement. The Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to and requested by the Seller.
(c) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another Registration Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities by the Seller until all of the Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1 (the Effectiveness Period).
(d) When effective, the Shelf Registration Statement (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements are made).
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Section 2.2 Underwritten Shelf Offering Requests.
(a) In the event that the Seller elects to dispose of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering and either (i) such Underwritten Offering covers the disposition of at least fifty percent (50%) of the number of shares constituting the Stock Consideration, or (ii) Seller reasonably expects gross proceeds of at least $15 million from such Underwritten Offering, the Company shall, at the request (a Shelf Underwritten Offering Request) of the Seller, enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company with the underwriter or underwriters selected pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the Managing Underwriter of such Underwritten Offering and/or the Seller in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (a Shelf Underwritten Offering); provided, however, that the Company shall have no obligation to facilitate or participate in more than two Shelf Underwritten Offerings.
(b) The Company shall propose three or more nationally prominent firms of investment bankers reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the Managing Underwriter or as other underwriters in connection with such Shelf Underwritten Offering from which the Seller shall select the Managing Underwriter and the other underwriters. The Seller shall determine the pricing of the Registrable Securities offered pursuant to any Shelf Underwritten Offering and the applicable underwriting discounts and commissions and determine the timing of any such Shelf Underwritten Offering, subject to Section 2.3.
(c) If the Managing Underwriter of the Shelf Underwritten Offering shall inform the Company and the Seller in writing of its belief that the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included by the Company or any other Persons having registration rights with respect to such offering, when added to the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be offered by the Seller, would materially adversely affect such offering, then the Company shall include in the applicable Underwritten Offering Filing, to the extent of the total number of Registrable Securities that the Company is so advised can be sold in such Shelf Underwritten Offering without so materially adversely affecting such offering (the Section 2.2 Maximum Number of Shares), Registrable Securities in the following priority:
(i) First, all Registrable Securities that the Seller requested to be included therein (the Seller Requested Securities);
(ii) Second, to the extent that the number of Seller Requested Securities is less than the Section 2.2 Maximum Number of Shares, the Common Stock requested to be included by the Company; and
(iii) Third, to the extent that the number of Seller Requested Securities and the shares of Common Stock requested to be included by the Company is less than the Section 2.2 Maximum Number of Shares, the Common Stock requested to be included by any other Persons having registration rights with respect to such offering, pro rata among such other Persons based on the number of Common Stock each requested to be included.
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(d) The Company shall propose three or more nationally prominent firms of investment bankers reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the Managing Underwriter or as other underwriters in connection with such Shelf Underwritten Offering from which the holders of more than 50% of the Registrable Securities to be so offered shall select the Managing Underwriter and the other underwriters. The Seller shall determine the pricing of the Registrable Securities offered pursuant to any Shelf Underwritten Offering and the applicable underwriting discounts and commissions and determine the timing of any such Shelf Underwritten Offering, subject to Section 2.3.
Section 2.3 Delay and Suspension Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may (i) delay filing or effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or effecting a Shelf Underwritten Offering or (ii) suspend the Sellers use of any prospectus that is a part of a Shelf Registration Statement upon written notice to the Seller whose Registrable Securities are included in such Shelf Registration Statement (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material non-public information regarding the Company) (in which event the Seller shall discontinue sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement but may settle any then-contracted sales of Registrable Securities), in each case for a period of up to 90 days, if the Board determines (A) that such delay or suspension is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders generally due to a pending financing or other transaction involving the Company, including a proposed sale of Common Stock pursuant to a Company Registration, (B) that such registration or offering would render the Company unable to comply with applicable securities laws or (C) that such registration offering would require disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential (any such period, a Suspension Period); provided, however, that in no event shall any Suspension Periods collectively exceed an aggregate of 180 days in any twelve-month period.
Section 2.4 Piggyback Registration Rights.
(a) Subject to Section 2.4(c), if the Company at any time proposes to file an Underwritten Offering Filing for an Underwritten Offering of shares of Common Stock for its own account or for the account of any other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights (a Piggyback Underwritten Offering), it will give written notice of such Piggyback Underwritten Offering to the Seller, which notice shall be held in strict confidence by the Seller and shall include the anticipated filing date of the Underwritten Offering Filing and, if known, the number of shares of Common Stock that are proposed to be included in such Piggyback Underwritten Offering, and of the Sellers rights under this Section 2.4(a). Such notice shall be given promptly (and in any event at least ten days before the filing of the Underwritten Offering Filing or two Business Days before the filing of the Underwritten Offering Filing in connection with a bought or overnight Underwritten Offering); provided, that if the Piggyback Underwritten Offering is a bought or overnight Underwritten Offering and the Managing Underwriter advises the Company that the giving of notice pursuant to this Section 2.4(a) would adversely affect the offering, no such notice shall be required (and the Seller shall have no right to include Registrable Securities in such bought or overnight Underwritten Offering). The Seller shall then have four Business Days (or one Business Day in the case of a bought or overnight Underwritten Offering) after the date on which the Seller received notice pursuant to this Section 2.4(a) to request inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Piggyback Underwritten Offering (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by the Seller and such other information as is reasonably required to effect the inclusion of such Registrable Securities). If no request for inclusion from the Seller is received within such period, the Seller shall have no further
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right to participate in such Piggyback Underwritten Offering. Subject to Section 2.4(c), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in the Piggyback Underwritten Offering all Registrable Securities that the Company has been so requested to include by the Seller; provided, however, that if, at any time after giving written notice of a proposed Piggyback Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.4(a) and prior to the execution of an underwriting agreement with respect thereto, the Company or such other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights, as applicable, shall determine for any reason not to proceed with or to delay such Piggyback Underwritten Offering, the Company shall give written notice of such determination to the Seller (which the Seller will hold in strict confidence) and (i) in the case of a determination not to proceed, shall be relieved of its obligation to include any Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Underwritten Offering (but not from any obligation of the Company to pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith), and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay, shall be permitted to delay inclusion of any Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in including the shares of Common Stock to be sold for the Companys account or for the account of such other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights, as applicable.
(b) The Seller shall have the right to withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any Piggyback Underwritten Offering at any time prior to the execution of an underwriting agreement with respect thereto by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw. The Seller may deliver written notice (an Opt-Out Notice) to the Company requesting that the Seller not receive notice from the Company of any proposed Piggyback Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that the Seller may later revoke any such Opt-Out Notice in writing. Following receipt of an Opt-Out Notice from the Seller (unless subsequently revoked), the Company shall not, and shall not be required to, deliver any notice to the Seller pursuant to this Section 2.4 and the Seller shall no longer be entitled to participate in any Piggyback Underwritten Offering.
(c) If the Managing Underwriter of the Piggyback Underwritten Offering shall inform the Company of its belief that the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Underwritten Offering, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be offered by the Company or such other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights (and any other shares of Common Stock requested to be included by any other Persons having registration rights on parity with the Seller with respect to such offering), would materially adversely affect such offering, then the Company shall include in such Piggyback Underwritten Offering, to the extent of the total number of securities which the Company is so advised can be sold in such offering without so materially adversely affecting such offering (the Section 2.4 Maximum Number of Shares), shares of Common Stock in the following priority:
(i) First, if the Piggyback Underwritten Offering is for the account of the Company, all shares of Common Stock that the Company proposes to include for its own account (the Company Securities) or, if the Piggyback Underwritten Offering is for the account of any other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights, all shares of Common Stock that such Persons propose to include (the Other Securities); and
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(ii) Second, if the Piggyback Underwritten Offering is for the account of the Company, to the extent that the number of Company Securities is less than the Section 2.4 Maximum Number of Shares, the shares of Common Stock requested to be included by the Seller and holders of any other shares of Common Stock requested to be included by Persons having rights of registration on parity with the Seller with respect to such offering, pro rata among the Seller and such other holders based on the number of shares of Common Stock each requested to be included and, if the Piggyback Underwritten Offering is for the account of any other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights, to the extent that the number of Other Securities is less than the Section 2.4 Maximum Number of Shares, the shares of Common Stock requested to be included by the Seller, to the Seller.
(d) The Company or other Persons who have or have been granted registration rights, as applicable, shall select the underwriters in any Piggyback Underwritten Offering and shall determine the pricing of the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to any Piggyback Underwritten Offering, the applicable underwriting discounts and commissions and the timing of any such Piggyback Underwritten Offering.
Section 2.5 Participation in Underwritten Offerings.
(a) In connection with any Underwritten Offering contemplated by Section 2.2 or Section 2.4, the underwriting agreement into which the Seller and the Company shall enter into shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities (subject to Article III) and other rights and obligations as are customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company. The Seller shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding the Sellers authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law.
(b) Any participation by the Seller in a Piggyback Underwritten Offering shall be in accordance with the plan of distribution of the Company.
(c) In connection with any Piggyback Underwritten Offering in which the Seller has the right to include Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Seller agrees (i) to supply any information reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement and/or any other documents relating to such registered offering and (ii) to execute and deliver any agreements and instruments being executed by all holders on substantially the same terms reasonably requested by the Company or the Managing Underwriter, as applicable, to effectuate such registered offering, including, without limitation, underwriting agreements (subject to Section 2.5(a)), custody agreements, lock-ups, hold back agreements pursuant to which the Seller agrees not to sell or purchase any securities of the Company for the same period of time following the registered offering as is agreed to by the Company and the other participating holders, powers of attorney and questionnaires.
(d) If the Company or Managing Underwriter, as applicable, requests that the Seller take any of the actions referred to in paragraph (ii) of Section 2.5(c), the Seller shall take such action promptly but in any event within three (3) Business Days following the date of such request.
Section 2.6 Registration Procedures.
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(a) In connection with its obligations under this Article II, the Company will, to the extent the Seller is exercising registration rights under this Article II:
(i) promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement;
(ii) furnish to the Seller such number of conformed copies of such Registration Statement and of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including without limitation all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such Registration Statement (including without limitation each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents, as such seller may reasonably request;
(iii) if applicable, use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each seller thereof shall reasonably request, to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect, and to take any other action which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by such seller, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (iii) be obligated to be so qualified or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(iv) in connection with an Underwritten Offering, use all commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Seller a copy of any auditor comfort letters or customary legal opinions, in each case that have been provided to the Managing Underwriter in connection with the Underwritten Offering;
(v) promptly notify the Seller, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, and at the request of any such seller promptly prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;
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(vi) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, and shall furnish to each such seller at least the Business Day prior to the filing thereof a copy of any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or prospectus;
(vii) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
(viii) cause all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement to be listed on any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed; and
(ix) enter into such customary agreements and take such other actions as the Seller shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
(b) The Seller agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Securities that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(a)(v), the Seller will forthwith discontinue the Sellers disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until the Sellers receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.6(a)(v) as filed with the Commission or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of such Registration Statement may be resumed, and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Companys expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in the Sellers possession of the prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this Section 2.6(b).
Section 2.7 Cooperation by the Seller. The Company shall have no obligation to include Registrable Securities of the Seller in any Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering if the Seller has failed to timely furnish such information that the Company determines, after consultation with its counsel, is reasonably required in order for any registration statement or prospectus supplement, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.
Section 2.8 Restrictions on Public Sale . The Seller agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities for a period of up to 60 days following completion of an Underwritten Offering of equity securities by the Company; provided that (a) the Company gives written notice to the Seller of the date of the commencement and termination of such period with respect to any such Underwritten Offering and (b) the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction generally imposed by the underwriters of such public sale or distribution on the Company or on the officers or directors or any other shareholder of the Company on whom a restriction is imposed; provided further, that this Section 2.8 shall not apply to the Seller that has delivered (and not revoked) an Opt-Out Notice to the Company.
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Section 2.9 Expenses. The Company shall be responsible for all Registration Expenses incident to its performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Article II. The Seller shall pay its pro rata share of all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder.
ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
Section 3.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Seller, its officers and directors and each Person (if any) that controls the Seller within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) (Losses) caused by, arising out of, resulting from or related to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made), provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply to that portion of such Losses caused by, or arising out of, any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement or any such omission or alleged omission, to the extent such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Seller expressly for use therein.
Section 3.2 Indemnification by the Seller. The Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and directors and each Person (if any) that controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all Losses caused by, arising out of, resulting from or related to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or prospectus relating to Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made), only to the extent such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Seller expressly for use in any Registration Statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus.
Section 3.3 Indemnification Procedures. In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, such Person (the Indemnified Party) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the Indemnifying Party) in writing (provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article III, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice), and the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such proceeding and, unless in the reasonable
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opinion of outside counsel to the Indemnified Party a conflict of interest between the Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party may exist in respect of such claim, to assume the defense thereof jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to the extent that it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party that it so chooses, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that (a) if the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, (b) if such Indemnified Party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the Indemnifying Party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Party which are not available to the Indemnifying Party or (c) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct then, in any such case, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no more than one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in each jurisdiction, except to the extent any Indemnified Party or Parties reasonably shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to such party or parties which are not available to the other Indemnified Parties or to the extent representation of all Indemnified Parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct) and the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
Section 3.4 Contribution.
(a) If the indemnification provided for in this Article III is unavailable to an Indemnified Party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities in respect of which indemnity is to be provided hereunder, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall to the fullest extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such party in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company (on the one hand) and the Seller (on the other hand) shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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(b) The Company and the Seller agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Article III were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 3.4(a). The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in Section 3.4(a) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article III, the Seller shall not be liable for indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Article III for any amount in excess of the net proceeds of the offering received by the Seller, less the amount of any damages which the Seller 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.
ARTICLE IV
RULE 144
With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the resale of the Registrable Securities without registration, the Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:
(a) make and keep public information regarding the Company available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;
(b) file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and
(c) so long as the Seller owns any Registrable Securities, furnish (i) to the extent accurate, forthwith upon request, a written statement of the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and (ii) unless otherwise available via the Commissions EDGAR filing system, to the Seller forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed as the Company may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing the Company to sell any such securities without registration.
ARTICLE V
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER; LEGENDS; TRANSFER OF RIGHTS
Section 5.1 Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) The Seller agrees that, prior to the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, without the prior written consent of the Company, it will not directly or indirectly Transfer any Stock Consideration or any right or economic interest pertaining thereto, including the right to vote or consent on any matter (the foregoing restrictions are hereinafter referred to as the Lock-Up Restrictions). On the first day following the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, one-twelfth of the Stock Consideration shall be thereafter released from the Lock-Up Restrictions, and one-twelfth of the Stock Consideration on each one month anniversary of such day following the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, such that the Stock Consideration shall be released in full from the Lock-Up
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Restrictions on the Final Lock-Up Expiration Date; provided further that nothing in this Agreement shall restrict the Seller from transferring (for value or otherwise) any or all of the Stock Consideration issued to it to one or more (but not more than three) of the Sellers wholly-owned subsidiaries (a Permitted Transferee) at any time, provided that such transfer is in accordance with Section 5.1(e).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lock-Up Restrictions shall not apply to any Transfer pursuant to any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Company.
(c) Each certificate or book-entry notation representing the Stock Consideration (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of Section 5.1(d)) bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS, SET FORTH IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2023, BY AND AMONG THE HOLDER THEREOF AND THE COMPANY, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
(d) Upon expiration of the Lock-Up Restrictions with respect to each share of Stock Consideration, the legend on any shares of Stock Consideration covered by this Agreement shall be removed if (i) such shares of Stock Consideration are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement, (ii) a registration statement covering the resale of such shares of Stock Consideration is effective under the Securities Act and the Seller delivers to the Company a representation letter agreeing that such shares of Stock Consideration will be sold under such effective registration statement, (iii) if such shares of Stock Consideration may be sold by the Seller free of restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(b) under the Securities Act, or (iv) such shares of Stock Consideration are being sold, assigned or otherwise transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; provided, that with respect to clause (iii) or (iv) above, the Seller has provided all necessary documentation and evidence (which may include an opinion of counsel) as may reasonably be required by the Company to confirm that the legend may be removed under applicable securities law. The Company shall cooperate with the Seller to effect removal of the legend on such shares pursuant to this Section 5.1(d) as soon as reasonably practicable after delivery of notice from the Seller that the conditions to removal are satisfied (together with any documentation required to be delivered by such holder pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence). The Company shall bear all direct costs and expenses associated with the removal of a legend pursuant to this Section 5.1(d); provided, that the Seller shall be responsible for all legal fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Seller with respect to delivering the legal opinion to the Company.
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(e) The rights of any holder of Registrable Securities hereunder may be transferred or assigned in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities to a Permitted Transferee; provided that such Permitted Transferee shall not have the right to transfer or assign any rights hereunder in connection with any subsequent transfer or transfers of any Registrable Securities to any person other than a Permitted Transferee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such rights may only be transferred or assigned if all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (x) such transfer or assignment is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (y) the Company is given written notice by the applicable holder of such transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the amount of Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned; and (z) such transferee or assignee executes and delivers to the Company an agreement to be bound by this Registration Rights Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions in this Section 5.1) in the same ways as the Seller.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.1 Termination. This Registration Rights Agreement shall terminate, and the parties shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder on (a) the fifth anniversary of the date hereof or (b) on such earlier date on which either (i) the Seller, together with the Sellers Affiliates, owns less than 3% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, or (ii) on or after the Final Lock-up Expiration Date, all Registrable Securities owned by the Seller and its Affiliates may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Section 6.2 Severability. If any provision of this Registration Rights Agreement shall be determined to be illegal and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.
Section 6.3 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Registration Rights Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws that would direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
(b) THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANOTHER IN ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN RELATION TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. FURTHER, NOTHING HEREIN SHALL DIVEST A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION OF THE RIGHT AND POWER TO GRANT A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, TO GRANT TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, OR TO COMPEL SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF ANY DECISION OF AN ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL MADE PURSUANT TO THIS PROVISION.
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Section 6.4 Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement shall apply to any and all shares of capital stock of the Company or any successor or assignee of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution for the Stock Consideration, by reason of any stock dividend, split, reverse split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise in such a manner and with such appropriate adjustments as to reflect the intent and meaning of the provisions hereof and so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the capital stock of the Company as so changed.
Section 6.5 Binding Effects; Benefits of Agreement. This Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns and the Seller and its successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits or obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred, by operation of law or otherwise, by the Seller without the prior written consent of the Company.
Section 6.6 Notices. All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if (a) personally delivered or sent by telecopier, (b) sent by nationally recognized overnight courier or (c) sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
(d) | If to the Company, to: |
Aviat Networks, Inc.
200 Parker Drive, Suite C100A
Austin, Texas 78728
Attention: General Counsels Office
Email: [ ]
with copies to:
Vinson & Elkins LLP
200 W 6th St., Ste 2500
Austin, Texas 78701
Attention: Michael Gibson; Katherine Frank
Telephone: [ ]
Email: [ ]
(e) | If to the Seller, to: |
NEC Corporation
7-1, Shiba 5-chome Minato-ku,
Tokyo 108-8001 Japan
marked for the attention of Senior Director, Wireless Solutions Division,
Telecom Service Business Unit ([ ])
with copies to:
Allen & Overy Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho
JP Tower 22F, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-7022, Japan
marked for the attention of Nick Wall ([ ]) and Taro Nakashima ([ ])
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or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to such other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such communication shall be deemed to have been received (i) when delivered, if personally delivered or sent by telecopier, (ii) the next Business Day after delivery, if sent by nationally recognized, overnight courier and (iii) on the third (3rd) Business Day following the date on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted, if sent by first-class mail.
Section 6.7 Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the Seller. No course of dealing between the Company and the Seller or any delay in exercising any rights hereunder will operate as a waiver of any rights of any party to this Agreement. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and will not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
Section 6.8 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings of the parties in connection therewith.
Section 6.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute but one agreement.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed by its undersigned duly authorized representative as of the date first written above.
AVIAT NETWORKS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Peter A. Smith | |
Name: | Peter Smith | |
Title: | CEO |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
NEC CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Yukio Hioki | |
Name: Yukio Hioki | ||
Title: General Manager, Wireless Solutions Division |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENT