Securities Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

Form of Convertible Term Note	Exhibit A
Form of Warrant	Exhibit B
Form of Opinion	Exhibit C
Form of Escrow Agreement	Exhibit D

 

THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 29, 2005, by and between HOUSE OF BRUSSELS CHOCOLATES INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD., a Cayman Islands company (the “Purchaser”).

WHEREAS, the Company has authorized the sale to the Purchaser of a Secured Convertible Term Note in the aggregate principal amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000) in the form of Exhibit A hereto (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Note”), which Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) at an initial fixed conversion price of $0.88 per share of Common Stock (“Fixed Conversion Price”);

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to issue to the Purchaser a warrant in the form of Exhibit B hereto (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth therein) in connection with the Purchaser’s purchase of the Note;

WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase the Note and the Warrant on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell the Note and Warrant to the Purchaser on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises, representations, warranties and covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.  Agreement to Sell and Purchase. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3), the Company shall sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, the Note. The sale of the Note on the Closing Date shall be known as the “Offering.” The Note will mature on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Note). Collectively, the Note and Warrant and Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and upon exercise of the Warrant are referred to as the “Securities.”

 

2.  Fees and Warrant. On the Closing Date:

(a)  The Company will issue and deliver to the Purchaser the Warrant to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth therein) in connection with the Offering, pursuant to Section 1 hereof. All the representations, covenants, warranties, undertakings, and indemnification, and other rights made or granted to or for the benefit of the Purchaser by the Company are hereby also made and granted in respect of the Warrant and shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (the “Warrant Shares”).

 

(b)  Subject to the terms of Section 2(d) below, the Company shall pay to Laurus Capital Management, LLC, the manager of the Purchaser, a closing payment in an amount equal to three and six tenths percent (3.60%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Note. The foregoing fee is referred to herein as the “Closing Payment.”

(c)  The Company shall reimburse the Purchaser for its reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements (as hereinafter defined), and expenses incurred in connection with the Purchaser’s due diligence review of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 4.2) and all related matters. Amounts required to be paid under this Section 2(c) together with amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 5(b)(iv) of the Security Agreement (as defined below), will be paid on the Closing Date and shall be $52,500, plus the cost of California real estate counsel and Canadian local counsel for the Purchaser, for such expenses referred to in this Section 2(c).

(d)  The Closing Payment and the expenses referred to in the preceding clause (c) (net of deposits previously paid by the Company) shall be paid at closing out of funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as defined below) and a disbursement letter (the “Disbursement Letter”).

 

3.  Closing, Delivery and Payment.

 

3.1  Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”), shall take place on the date hereof, at such time or place as the Company and the Purchaser may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).

 

3.2  Delivery. Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, at the Closing on the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser, among other things, the Note and the Warrant and the Purchaser will deliver to the Company, among other things, the amounts set forth in the Disbursement Letter by certified funds or wire transfer.

 

4.  Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows (which representations and warranties are supplemented by the Company’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) made prior to the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Exchange Act Filings”), copies of which have been provided to the Purchaser):

 

4.1  Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as the case may be, power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and, insofar as it is or shall be a party thereto, to (1) execute and deliver (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Note and the Warrant to be issued in connection with this Agreement, (iii) the Master Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof between the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Master Security Agreement”), (iv) the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Securities dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), (v) the Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of the date hereof made by certain Subsidiaries of the Company (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Subsidiary Guaranty”), (vi) the Share Pledge Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Share Pledge Agreement”), (vii) the Funds Escrow Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the Purchaser and the escrow agent referred to therein, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Escrow Agreement”), (viii) the Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of the date hereof made by Debas Chocolate Inc. in favor of Purchaser (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Deed of Trust”) and (x) all other documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the preceding clauses (ii) through (x), collectively, the “Related Agreements”); (2) issue and sell the Note and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note (the “Note Shares”); (3) issue and sell the Warrant and the Warrant Shares; and (4) carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in all jurisdictions in which the nature or location of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so has not, or could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken individually and as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

 

4.2  Subsidiaries. Each direct and indirect Subsidiary of the Company, the direct owner of such Subsidiary and its percentage ownership thereof, is set forth on Schedule 4.2. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Subsidiary” of any person or entity means (i) a corporation or other entity whose shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation, or other persons or entities performing similar functions for such person or entity, are owned, directly or indirectly, by such person or entity or (ii) a corporation or other entity in which such person or entity owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests at such time. 

 

4.3  Capitalization; Voting Rights.

(a)  The authorized capital stock of the Company, as of the date hereof consists of 64,000,000 shares, of which 60,000,000 are shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 31,104,579 shares of which are issued and outstanding , and 4,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share of which 0 shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding. The authorized and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary of the Company is set forth on Schedule 4.3.

 

(b)  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, other than: (i) the shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plans; and (ii) shares which may be granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Related Agreements, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), proxy or stockholder agreements, or arrangements or agreements of any kind for the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any of its securities. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, neither the offer, issuance or sale of any of the Note or the Warrant, or the issuance of any of the Note Shares or Warrant Shares, nor the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby will result in a change in the price or number of any securities of the Company outstanding, under anti-dilution or other similar provisions contained in or affecting any such securities.

(c)  All issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock: (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.

(d)  The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of the Common Stock are as stated in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”). The Note Shares and Warrant Shares have been duly and validly reserved for issuance. When issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Company’s Charter, the Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of any liens or encumbrances; provided, however, that the Securities may be subject to restrictions on transfer under state and/or federal securities laws as set forth herein or as otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer is proposed.

 

4.4  Authorization; Binding Obligations. All corporate, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, action on the part of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (including their respective officers and directors) necessary for the authorization of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance of all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder and under the other Related Agreements at the Closing and, the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of the Note and Warrant has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. This Agreement and the Related Agreements, when executed and delivered and to the extent it is a party thereto, will be valid and binding obligations of each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, enforceable against each such entity in accordance with their terms, except:

(a)  as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and

 

(b)  general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal remedies.

The sale of the Note and the subsequent conversion of the Note into Note Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with. The issuance of the Warrant and the subsequent exercise of the Warrant for Warrant Shares are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.

 

4.5  Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and liabilities disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings.

 

4.6  Agreements; Action. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 or as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filings:

(a)  there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts, proposed transactions, judgments, orders, writs or decrees to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound which may involve: (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company or any such Subsidiary in excess of $100,000 (other than obligations of, or payments to, the Company or any such Subsidiary arising from purchase or sale agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business); or (ii) the transfer or license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company or any such Subsidiary (other than licenses arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or other standard products); or (iii) provisions restricting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Company’s or any such Subsidiary’s products or services; or (iv) indemnification by the Company or any such Subsidiary with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.

(b)  Since April 30, 2004 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has: (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock; (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or any other liabilities (other than ordinary course obligations) individually in excess of $50,000 or, in the case of indebtedness and/or liabilities individually less than $50,000, in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate; (iii) made any loans or advances to any person or entity not in excess, individually or in the aggregate, of $100,000, other than ordinary course advances for travel expenses; or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business.

(c)  For the purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same person or entity (including persons or entities the Company or any applicable Subsidiary of the Company has reason to believe are affiliated therewith) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsections.

 

(d)  The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls”) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

(e)  The Company makes and keep books, records, and accounts, that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets. The Company maintains internal control over financial reporting (“Financial Reporting Controls”) designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including that:

(i)    transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization;

(ii)   unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements are prevented or timely detected;

(iii)  transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and board of directors;

(iv)  transactions are recorded as necessary to maintain accountability for assets; and

(v)  the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals, and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(f)  There is no weakness in any of the Company’s Disclosure Controls or Financial Reporting Controls that is required to be disclosed in any of the Exchange Act Filings, except as so disclosed.

 

4.7  Obligations to Related Parties. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, there are no obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to officers, directors, stockholders who own greater than or equal to 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or key employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than:

(a)  for payment of salary for services rendered and for bonus payments;

 

(b)  reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(c)  for other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees (including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and each such Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable); and

(d)  obligations listed in the Company’s and each of its Subsidiary’s financial statements or disclosed in any of the Company’s Exchange Act Filings.

Except as described above or set forth on Schedule 4.7, none of the officers, directors or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, key employees or stockholders who own greater than or equal to 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any members of their immediate families, are indebted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $50,000 or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is affiliated or with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than passive investments in publicly traded companies (representing less than one percent (1%) of such company) which may compete with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as described above, no officer, director or stockholder who own greater than or equal to 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any member of their immediate families, is, directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions are contemplated between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any such person. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other person, firm or entity.

 

4.8  Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as disclosed in any Exchange Act Filing or in any Schedule to this Agreement or to any of the Related Agreements, there has not been:

(a)  any change in the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, operations or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(b)  any resignation or termination of any officer, key employee or group of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(c)  any material change, except in the ordinary course of business, in the contingent obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by way of guaranty, endorsement, indemnity, warranty or otherwise;

(d)  any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e)  any waiver by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a valuable right or of a material debt owed to it;

(f)  any direct or indirect loans made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any stockholder, employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than advances made in the ordinary course of business;

(g)  any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any key employee, officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(h)  any declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i)  any labor organization activity related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(j)  any debt, obligation or liability incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except those for immaterial amounts and for current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(k)  any sale, assignment or transfer of any patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(l)  any change in any material agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound which either individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(m)  any other event or condition of any character that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; or

(n)  any arrangement or commitment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the acts described in subsection (a) through (m) above.

 

4.9  Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to its properties and assets, and good title to its leasehold interests, in each case subject to no mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, encumbrance or charge, other than:

(a)  those resulting from taxes which have not yet become delinquent;

(b)  minor liens and encumbrances which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as in each such case, such liens and encumbrances have no effect on the lien priority of the Purchaser in such property; and

 

(c)  those that have otherwise arisen in the ordinary course of business, so long as they have no effect on the lien priority of the Purchaser therein.

All facilities, machinery, equipment, fixtures, vehicles and other properties owned, leased or used by the Company and its Subsidiaries are in good operating condition and repair and are reasonably fit and usable for the purposes for which they are being used. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all material terms of each lease to which it is a party or is otherwise bound.

 

4.10  Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on schedule 4.10

(a)  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes necessary for its business as now conducted and, to the Company’s knowledge, as presently proposed to be conducted (the “Intellectual Property”), without any known infringement of the rights of others. There are no outstanding options, licenses or agreements of any kind relating to the foregoing proprietary rights, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes of any other person or entity other than such licenses or agreements arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or standard products.

(b)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any communications alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has violated any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights or trade secrets or other proprietary rights of any other person or entity, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries aware of any basis therefor.

(c)  The Company does not believe it is or will be necessary to utilize any inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information of any of its employees made prior to their employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for inventions, trade secrets or proprietary information that have been rightfully assigned to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

4.11  Compliance with Other Instruments. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation or default of (x) any term of its Charter or Bylaws, or (y) any provision of any indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, which violation or default, in the case of this clause (y), has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of and compliance with this Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is a party, and the issuance and sale of the Note by the Company and the other Securities by the Company each pursuant hereto and thereto, will not, with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, result in any such material violation, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any such term or provision, or result in the creation of any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties. 

 

 

4.13  Tax Returns and Payments. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it. All taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, any assessments imposed, and all other taxes due and payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or before the Closing, have been paid or will be paid prior to the time they become delinquent. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been advised:

(a)  that any of its returns, federal, state, provincial or other, have been or are being audited as of the date hereof; or

(b)  of any adjustment, deficiency, assessment or court decision in respect of its federal, state, provincial or other taxes.

The Company has no knowledge of any liability for any tax to be imposed upon its properties or assets as of the date of this Agreement that is not adequately provided for.

 

 4.14  Employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any collective bargaining agreements with any of its key employees. There is no labor union organizing activity pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Filings or on Schedule 4.14, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any currently effective employment contract, deferred compensation arrangement, bonus plan, incentive plan, profit sharing plan, retirement agreement or other employee compensation plan or agreement. To the Company’s knowledge, no key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any consultant with whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has contracted, is in violation of any term of any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or to contract with, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries because of the nature of the business to be conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and to the Company’s knowledge the continued employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries of their present key employees, and the performance of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ contracts with its independent contractors, will not result in any such violation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware that any of its key employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency that would interfere with their duties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging that any such violation has occurred. Except for key employees who have a current effective employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, no key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been granted the right to continued employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any material compensation following termination of employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the Company is not aware that any officer, key employee or group of employees intends to terminate his, her or their employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have a present intention to terminate the employment of any officer, key employee or group of employees.

 

 

 4.15  Registration Rights and Voting Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is presently under any obligation, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any rights, to register any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ presently outstanding securities or any of its securities that may hereafter be issued. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 and except as disclosed in Exchange Act Filings, to the Company’s knowledge, no stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any agreement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

4.16  Compliance with Laws; Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any other applicable Canadian corporate governance law, or SEC rule or rule of the Principal Market (as hereafter defined) promulgated thereunder or any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No governmental orders, permissions, consents, approvals or authorizations are required to be obtained and no registrations or declarations are required to be filed in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Related Agreement and the issuance of any of the Securities, except such as have been duly and validly obtained or filed, or with respect to any filings that must be made after the Closing, as will be filed in a timely manner. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all material franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it, the lack of which could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

4.17  Environmental and Safety Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable statute, law or regulation relating to the environment or occupational health and safety, and to its knowledge, no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply with any such existing statute, law or regulation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, no Hazardous Materials (as defined below) are used or have been used, stored, or disposed of by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, by any other person or entity on any property owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, “Hazardous Materials” shall mean:

(a)  materials which are listed or otherwise defined as “hazardous” or “toxic” under any applicable local, state, provincial, federal and/or foreign laws and regulations that govern the existence and/or remedy of contamination on property, the protection of the environment from contamination, the control of hazardous wastes, or other activities involving hazardous substances, including building materials; or

(b)  any petroleum products or nuclear materials.

 

4.18  Valid Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and will have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws. 

 

4.19  Full Disclosure. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has provided the Purchaser with all information requested in writing by the Purchaser in connection with its decision to purchase the Note and Warrant, including all information the Company and its Subsidiaries believe is reasonably necessary to make such investment decision. Neither this Agreement, the Related Agreements, the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto nor any other document delivered by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Purchaser or its attorneys or agents in connection herewith or therewith or with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contain any untrue statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. Any financial projections and other estimates provided to the Purchaser by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries were based on the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ experience in the industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion as to future events which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, at the date of the issuance of such projections or estimates, believed to be reasonable. 

 

4.20  Insurance. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has general commercial, product liability, fire and casualty insurance policies with coverages which the Company believes are customary for companies similarly situated to the Company and its Subsidiaries in the same or similar business.

 

4.21  SEC Reports. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, the Company has filed all proxy statements, reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company has furnished the Purchaser copies of: (i) its Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB for its fiscal year ended April 30, 2004; and (ii) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for its fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2004, October 31, 2004, and January 31, 2005, and the Form 8-K filings which it has made after October 31, 2004 to date (collectively, the “SEC Reports”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, each SEC Report was, at the time of its filing, in substantial compliance with the requirements of its respective form and none of the SEC Reports, nor the financial statements (and the notes thereto) included in the SEC Reports, as of their respective filing dates, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state 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.

 

 

4.22  Listing. The Company’s Common Stock is listed for trading on a Principal Market (as hereafter defined) and satisfies and at all times hereafter will satisfy all requirements for the continuation of such listing. The Company has not received any notice that its Common Stock will be delisted from the Principal Market or that its Common Stock does not meet all requirements for listing. For purposes hereof, the term “Principal Market” means the NASD OTC Bulletin Board, NASDAQ SmallCap Market, NASDAQ National Marketing System, American Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange (whichever of the foregoing is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for the Common Stock).

 

4.23  No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security (other than a concurrent offering to the Purchaser under a Security Agreement among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company and the Purchaser dated as of the date hereof (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Security Agreement”)) under circumstances that would cause the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling the Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions, nor will the Company or any of its affiliates or Subsidiaries take any action or steps that would cause the offering of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings.

 

4.24  Stop Transfer. The Securities are restricted securities as of the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will issue any stop transfer order or other order impeding the sale and delivery of any of the Securities at such time as the Securities are registered for public sale or an exemption from registration is available, except as required by state and federal securities laws.

 

4.25  Dilution. The Company specifically acknowledges that its obligation to issue the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant is binding upon the Company and enforceable regardless of the dilution such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other shareholders of the Company. 

 

4.26  Patriot Act, etc. The Company certifies that, to the best of Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been designated, nor is or shall be owned or controlled, by a “suspected terrorist” as defined in Executive Order 13224. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Purchaser seeks to comply with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and related activities. In furtherance of those efforts, the Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants that: (i) none of the cash or property that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will pay or will contribute to the Purchaser has been or shall be derived from, or related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under United States law or Canadian law; and (ii) no contribution or payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Purchaser, to the extent that they are within the Company’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ control shall cause the Purchaser to be in violation of the United States Bank Secrecy Act, the United States International Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 or the United States International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001, or the Canadian Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. The Company shall promptly notify the Purchaser if any of these representations, warranties or covenants ceases to be true and accurate regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company shall provide the Purchaser any and all additional information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that the Purchaser deems necessary or convenient to ensure compliance with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar activities. The Company understands and agrees that if at any time it is discovered that any of the foregoing representations, warranties or covenants are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law or regulation related to money laundering or similar activities, the Purchaser may undertake appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to segregation and/or redemption of the Purchaser’s investment in the Company. The Company further understands that the Purchaser may release confidential information about the Company and its Subsidiaries and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial owners, to proper authorities if the Purchaser, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Purchaser in light of relevant rules and regulations under the laws set forth in subsection (ii) above.

 

 

4.27  ERISA. Based upon the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder: (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any Prohibited Transactions (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)); (ii) each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has met all applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA in respect of its plans; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any knowledge of any event or occurrence which would cause the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any employee benefit plan(s); (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any fiduciary responsibility for investments with respect to any plan existing for the benefit of persons other than the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s employees; and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has withdrawn, completely or partially, from any multi-employer pension plan so as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries contributes to, or maintains, any Canadian Pension Plan.

 

 

5.  Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows (such representations and warranties do not lessen or obviate the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement):

 

5.1  No Shorting. The Purchaser or any of its affiliates and investment partners has not, will not and will not cause any person or entity, to directly engage or cause or participate with any third party to directly engage in “short sales” of the Company’s Common Stock as long as the Note shall be outstanding.

 

5.2  Requisite Power and Authority. The Purchaser has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry out their provisions. All corporate action on the Purchaser’s part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. Upon their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the Related Agreements will be valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except:

(a)  as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and

(b)  as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable and legal remedies.

 

5.3  Investment Representations. The Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon the Purchaser’s representations contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, that the Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Purchaser confirms that it has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the Note and the Warrant to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares acquired by it upon the conversion of the Note and the exercise of the Warrant, respectively. The Purchaser further confirms that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, management and financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Offering, the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Purchaser or to which the Purchaser had access.

 

5.4  The Purchaser Bears Economic Risk. The Purchaser has substantial experience in evaluating and investing in private placement transactions of securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. The Purchaser must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Securities are sold pursuant to: (i) an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or (ii) an exemption from registration is available with respect to such sale.

 

 

5.5  Acquisition for Own Account. The Purchaser is acquiring the Note and Warrant and the Note Shares and the Warrant Shares for the Purchaser’s own account for investment only, and not as a nominee or agent and not with a view towards or for resale in connection with their distribution.

 

5.6  The Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest. The Purchaser represents that by reason of its, or of its management’s, business and financial experience, the Purchaser has the capacity to evaluate the merits and risks of its investment in the Note, the Warrant and the Securities and to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Related Agreements. Further, the Purchaser is aware of no publication of any advertisement in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Agreement or the Related Agreements.

 

5.7  Accredited Investor. The Purchaser represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

5.8  Legends.

(a)  The Note shall bear substantially the following legend:

“THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE OR SUCH SHARES UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO HOUSE OF BRUSSELS CHOCOLATES INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

(b)  The Note Shares and the Warrant Shares, if not issued by DWAC system (as hereinafter defined), shall bear a legend which shall be in substantially the following form until such shares are covered by an effective registration statement filed with the SEC:

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO HOUSE OF BRUSSELS CHOCOLATES INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

 

The Warrant shall bear substantially the following legend:

“THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS WARRANT AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS WARRANT OR THE UNDERLYING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO HOUSE OF BRUSSELS CHOCOLATES INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.”

6.  Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser as follows:

6.1  Stop-Orders. The Company will advise the Purchaser, promptly after it receives notice of issuance by the SEC, any state securities commission or any other regulatory authority of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending any offering of any securities of the Company, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Common Stock of the Company for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any such purpose.

6.2  Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and upon the exercise of the Warrant on the Principal Market upon which shares of Common Stock are listed (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed. The Company will maintain the listing of its Common Stock on the Principal Market, and will comply in all material respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and such exchanges, as applicable. 

6.3  Market Regulations. The Company shall notify the SEC, NASD and applicable state authorities, in accordance with their requirements, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall take all other necessary action and proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Securities to the Purchaser and promptly provide copies thereof to the Purchaser.

6.4  Reporting Requirements. The Company shall timely file with the SEC all reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and refrain from terminating its status as an issuer required by the Exchange Act to file reports thereunder even if the Exchange Act or the rules or regulations thereunder would permit such termination. 

                    

    6.6         Access to Facilities. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will permit any representatives designated by the Purchaser (or any successor of the Purchaser), upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, at such person’s expense and accompanied by a representative of the Company or any Subsidiary (provided that no such prior notice shall be required to be given and no such representative of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be required to accompany the Purchaser in the event the Purchaser believes such access is necessary to preserve or protect the Collateral (as defined in the Master Security Agreement) or following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note)), to:

(a)  visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(b)  examine the corporate and financial records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (unless such examination is not permitted by federal, state or local law or by contract) and make copies thereof or extracts therefrom; and

(c)  discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with the directors, officers and independent accountants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will provide any material, non-public information to the Purchaser unless the Purchaser signs a confidentiality agreement and otherwise complies with Regulation FD, under the federal securities laws.

6.7  Taxes.   (i) Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will promptly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all lawful taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits, property or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any such tax, assessment, charge or levy need not be paid if the validity thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto, and provided, further, that the Company and its Subsidiaries will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have attached as security therefor.

(ii)   If Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be required by law to deduct or withhold in respect of any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions and other governmental charges or withholdings, and all interest, penalties and other liabilities with respect thereto, imposed by any jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) (“Taxes”) other than, with respect to the Purchaser, any Taxes (including income, branch profits or franchise taxes) imposed on or measured by its net income (“Indemnified Taxes”) from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to the Purchaser, then:

 

(a)  the sum payable shall be increased by such additional amount (the "Additional Amount") as necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to such Additional Amount) the Purchaser receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made;

(b)  the Company or such Subsidiary shall make the appropriate deductions or withholdings and shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law;

(c)  within thirty (30) days after the date of such payment, upon the Purchaser’s request, the Company or such Subsidiary shall furnish to the Purchaser the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser;

(d)  if the Company or such Subsidiary fails to pay amounts in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the Company or such Subsidiary shall indemnify the Purchaser for any incremental Indemnified Taxes that is paid by the Purchaser as a result of the failure;

(e)  the Company will indemnify the Purchaser for the full amount of any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction and paid by the Purchaser with respect to any Additional Amount payable pursuant to paragraph (a) above and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes are correctly asserted; and

(f)  the indemnification contemplated in paragraphs (d) and (e) above shall be made within 30 days from the date the Purchaser makes written demand therefor (which demand shall identify the nature and amount of Taxes for which indemnification is being sought and shall include a copy of the relevant portion of any written assessment from the governmental authority demanding payment of such Taxes).

6.8  Insurance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries will keep its assets which are of an insurable character insured by financially sound and reputable insurers against loss or damage by fire, explosion and other risks customarily insured against by companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company and its Subsidiaries; and the Company and its Subsidiaries will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance against other hazards and risks and liability to persons and property to the extent and in the manner which the Company reasonably believes is customary for companies in similar business similarly situated as the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms. The Company, and each of its Subsidiaries, will jointly and severally bear the full risk of loss from any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the assets pledged to the Purchaser as security for their respective obligations hereunder and under the Related Agreements. At the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ joint and several cost and expense in amounts and with carriers reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall (i) keep all its insurable properties and properties in which it has an interest insured against the hazards of fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, those hazards covered by extended coverage insurance and such other hazards, and for such amounts, as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the respective Subsidiary’s including business interruption insurance; (ii) maintain a bond in such amounts as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Company’s or the respective Subsidiary’s insuring against larceny, embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation of insured’s officers and employees who may either singly or jointly with others at any time have access to the assets or funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries either directly or through governmental authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such assets; (iii) maintain public and product liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage suffered by others; (iv) maintain all such worker’s compensation or similar insurance as may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which the Company or the respective Subsidiary is engaged in business; and (v) furnish the Purchaser with (x) copies of all policies and evidence of the maintenance of such policies at least thirty (30) days before any expiration date, (y) excepting the Company’s workers’ compensation policy, endorsements to such policies naming the Purchaser as “co-insured” or “additional insured” and appropriate loss payable endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser, naming the Purchaser as loss payee, and (z) evidence that as to the Purchaser the insurance coverage shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of the Company or any Subsidiary and the insurer will provide the Purchaser with at least thirty (30) days notice prior to cancellation. The Company and each Subsidiary shall instruct the insurance carriers that in the event of any loss thereunder, the carriers shall make payment for such loss to the Company and/or the Subsidiary and the Purchaser jointly. In the event that as of the date of receipt of each loss recovery upon any such insurance, the Purchaser has not declared an event of default with respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall be permitted to direct the application of such loss recovery proceeds toward investment in property, plant and equipment that would comprise “Collateral” secured by the Purchaser’s security interest pursuant to the Master Security Agreement or such other security agreement as shall be required by the Purchaser, with any surplus funds to be applied toward payment of the obligations of the Company to the Purchaser. In the event that the Purchaser has properly declared an event of default with respect to this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements, then all loss recoveries received by the Purchaser upon any such insurance thereafter may be applied to the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Related Agreements, in such order as the Purchaser may determine. Any surplus (following satisfaction of all Company obligations to the Purchaser) shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Company or applied as may be otherwise required by law. Any deficiency thereon shall be paid by the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, to the Purchaser, on demand. 

 

 

6.9  Intellectual Property. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall maintain in full force and effect its existence, rights and franchises and all licenses and other rights to use Intellectual Property owned or possessed by it and reasonably deemed to be necessary to the conduct of its business.

6.10     Properties. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will keep its properties in good repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and from time to time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, additions and improvements thereto; and each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will at all times comply with each provision of all leases to which it is a party or under which it occupies property if the breach of such provision could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

6.11  Confidentiality. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Purchaser, unless expressly agreed to by the Purchaser or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may disclose the Purchaser’s identity and the terms of this Agreement to its current and prospective debt and equity financing sources.

 

6.12  Required Approvals. For so long as twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount of the Note is outstanding, the Company, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

(a)  (i) directly or indirectly declare or pay any dividends, other than dividends paid to the parent of the Company or the parent of any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) issue any preferred stock that is manditorily redeemable prior to the one year anniversary of Maturity Date (as defined in the Note) or (iii) redeem any of its preferred stock or other equity interests;

(b)  liquidate, dissolve or effect a material reorganization (it being understood that in no event shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries dissolve, liquidate or merge with any other person or entity (unless the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, is the surviving entity);

(c)  become subject to (including, without limitation, by way of amendment to or modification of) any agreement or instrument which by its terms would (under any circumstances) restrict the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries right to perform the provisions of this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated hereby or thereby;

(d)  materially alter or change the scope of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(e)  (i) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness (exclusive of trade debt and debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment (not in excess of eight percent (8%) of the fair market value of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets)) whether secured or unsecured other than (x) the Company’s indebtedness to the Purchaser, (y) indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.12(e) attached hereto and made a part hereof and any refinancings or replacements thereof on terms no less favorable to the Purchaser than the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, and (z) any debt incurred in connection with the purchase of assets in the ordinary course of business, or any refinancings or replacements thereof on terms no less favorable to the Purchaser than the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, so long as any lien relating thereto shall only encumber the fixed assets so purchased and no other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) cancel any debt owing to it in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate during any 12 month period; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in connection with any obligations of any other person or entity, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by the Company for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business or guarantees of indebtedness otherwise permitted to be outstanding pursuant to this clause (e); and

 

(f)  create or acquire any Subsidiary after the date hereof unless (i) such Subsidiary is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) such Subsidiary becomes a party to the Master Security Agreement, the Stock Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty (either by executing a counterpart thereof or an assumption or joinder agreement in respect thereof) and, to the extent required by the Purchaser, satisfies each condition of this Agreement and the Related Agreements as if such Subsidiary were a Subsidiary on the Closing Date.

 

6.13  Reissuance of Securities. The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing the Securities without the legends set forth in Section 5.8 above at such time as:

(a)  the holder thereof is permitted to dispose of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act; or

(b)  upon resale subject to an effective registration statement after such Securities are registered under the Securities Act.

The Company agrees to cooperate with the Purchaser in connection with all resales pursuant to Rule 144(d) and Rule 144(k) and provide legal opinions necessary to allow such resales provided the Company and its counsel receive reasonably requested representations from the Purchaser and broker, if any.

 

6.14  Opinion. On the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser an opinion acceptable to the Purchaser from the Company’s external legal counsel. The Company will provide, at the Company’s expense, such other legal opinions in the future as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Purchaser (and acceptable to the Purchaser) in connection with the conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant.

 

6.15  Margin Stock. The Company will not permit any of the proceeds of the Note or the Warrant to be used directly or indirectly to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” or to repay indebtedness incurred to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect.

 

6.16  Financing Right of First Refusal.

(a)  The Company hereby grants to the Purchaser a right of first refusal to provide any Additional Financing (as defined below) to be issued by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, subject to the following terms and conditions. From and after the date hereof, prior to the incurrence of any additional indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into the Common Stock of the Company (an “Additional Financing”), the Company and/or any Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, shall notify the Purchaser of its intention to enter into such Additional Financing. In connection therewith, the Company and/or the applicable Subsidiary thereof shall submit a fully executed term sheet (a “Proposed Term Sheet”) to the Purchaser setting forth the terms, conditions and pricing of any such Additional Financing (such financing to be negotiated on “arm’s length” terms and the terms thereof to be negotiated in good faith) proposed to be entered into by the Company and/or such Subsidiary. The Purchaser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deliver its own proposed term sheet (the “Purchaser Term Sheet”) setting forth the terms and conditions upon which the Purchaser would be willing to provide such Additional Financing to the Company and/or such Subsidiary. The Purchaser Term Sheet shall contain terms no less favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary than those outlined in Proposed Term Sheet. The Purchaser shall deliver such Purchaser Term Sheet within ten business days of receipt of each such Proposed Term Sheet. If the provisions of the Purchaser Term Sheet are at least as favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, as the provisions of the Proposed Term Sheet, the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall enter into and consummate the Additional Financing transaction outlined in the Purchaser Term Sheet. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, this Section 6.16(a) shall only apply to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of all Additional Financings consummated in such fiscal year of the Parent (after giving effect to the proposed Additional Financing) exceed $100,000.

 

(b) The Company will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, agree, directly or indirectly, to any restriction with any person or entity which limits the ability of the Purchaser to consummate an Additional Financing with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

7.  Covenants of the Purchaser. The Purchaser covenants and agrees with the Company as follows:

 

7.1  Confidentiality. The Purchaser will not disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Company, unless expressly agreed to by the Company or unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.

 

7.2  Non-Public Information. The Purchaser will not effect any sales in the shares of the Company’s Common Stock while in possession of material, non-public information regarding the Company if such sales would violate applicable securities law.

 

7.3  Limitation on Acquisition of Common Stock of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any Related Agreement or any document, instrument or agreement entered into in connection with any other transactions between the Purchaser and the Company, the Purchaser may not acquire stock in the Company (including, without limitation, pursuant to a contract to purchase, by exercising an option or warrant, by converting any other security or instrument, by acquiring or exercising any other right to acquire, shares of stock or other security convertible into shares of stock in the Company, or otherwise, and such contracts, options, warrants, conversion or other rights shall not be enforceable or exercisable) to the extent such stock acquisition would cause any interest (including any original issue discount) payable by the Company to Laurus not to qualify as “portfolio interest” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(2) of the Code, by reason of Section 881(c)(3) of the Code, taking into account the constructive ownership rules under Section 871(h)(3)(C) of the Code (the “Stock Acquisition Limitation”). The Stock Acquisition Limitation shall automatically become null and void without any notice to the Company upon the earlier to occur of either (a) the Company’s delivery to Laurus of a Notice of Redemption (as defined in the Note) or (b) the existence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) at a time when the average closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. on the Principal Market for the immediately preceding five trading days is greater than or equal to 150% of the Fixed Conversion Price (as defined in the Note).

 

 

8.  Covenants of the Company and the Purchaser Regarding Indemnification.

 

8.1  Company Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend the Purchaser, each of the Purchaser’s officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons, and principal shareholders, against any and all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Purchaser which result, arise out of or are based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or breach of any warranty by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement, any Related Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder, under any Related Agreement or any other agreement entered into by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and the Purchaser relating hereto or thereto.

 

8.2  Purchaser’s Indemnification. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and defend the Company and each of the Company’s officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons and principal shareholders, at all times against any claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or imposed upon the Company which result, arise out of or are based upon: (i) any misrepresentation by the Purchaser or breach of any warranty by the Purchaser in this Agreement or any Related Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by the Purchaser of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by the Purchaser hereunder, under any Related Agreement or any other agreement entered into by the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and the Purchaser relating hereto or thereto.

 

9.  Conversion of Convertible Note.

 

9.1  Mechanics of Conversion.

(a)  Provided the Purchaser has notified the Company of the Purchaser’s intention to sell the Note Shares and the Note Shares are included in an effective registration statement or are otherwise exempt from registration when sold: (i) upon the conversion of the Note or part thereof, the Company shall, at its own cost and expense, take all necessary action (including the issuance of an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser following a request by the Purchaser) to assure that the Company’s transfer agent shall issue shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the name of the Purchaser (or its nominee) or such other persons as designated by the Purchaser in accordance with Section 9.1(b) hereof and in such denominations to be specified representing the number of Note Shares issuable upon such conversion; and (ii) the Company warrants that no instructions other than these instructions have been or will be given to the transfer agent of the Company’s Common Stock and that after the Effectiveness Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) the Note Shares issued will be freely transferable subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and the provisions of this Agreement, and will not contain a legend restricting the resale or transferability of the Note Shares.

 

(b)  The Purchaser will give notice of its decision to exercise its right to convert the Note or part thereof by telecopying or otherwise delivering an executed and completed notice of the number of shares to be converted to the Company (the “Notice of Conversion”). The Purchaser will not be required to surrender the Note until the Purchaser receives a credit to the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker through the DWAC system (as defined below), representing the Note Shares or until the Note has been fully satisfied. Each date on which a Notice of Conversion is telecopied or delivered to the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be deemed a “Conversion Date.” Pursuant to the terms of the Notice of Conversion, the Company will issue instructions to the transfer agent accompanied by an opinion of counsel within one (1) business day of the date of the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Conversion and shall cause the transfer agent to transmit the certificates representing the Conversion Shares to the Holder by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system within three (3) business days after receipt by the Company of the Notice of Conversion (the “Delivery Date”).

(c)  The Company understands that a delay in the delivery of the Note Shares in the form required pursuant to Section 9 hereof beyond the Delivery Date could result in economic loss to the Purchaser. In the event that the Company fails to direct its transfer agent to deliver the Note Shares to the Purchaser via the DWAC system within the time frame set forth in Section 9.1(b) above and the Note Shares are not delivered to the Purchaser by the Delivery Date, as compensation to the Purchaser for such loss, the Company agrees to pay late payments to the Purchaser for late issuance of the Note Shares in the form required pursuant to Section 9 hereof upon conversion of the Note in the amount equal to the greater of: (i) $500 per business day after the Delivery Date; or (ii) the Purchaser’s actual damages from such delayed delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not owe the Purchaser any late payments if the delay in the delivery of the Note Shares beyond the Delivery Date is solely out of the control of the Company and the Company is actively trying to cure the cause of the delay. The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section in immediately available funds upon demand and, in the case of actual damages, accompanied by reasonable documentation of the amount of such damages. Such documentation shall show the number of shares of Common Stock the Purchaser is forced to purchase (in an open market transaction) which the Purchaser anticipated receiving upon such conversion, and shall be calculated as the amount by which (A) the Purchaser’s total purchase price (including customary brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (B) the aggregate principal and/or interest amount of the Note, for which such Conversion Notice was not timely honored.

 

 

10.  Registration Rights.

 

10.1  Registration Rights Granted. The Company hereby grants registration rights to the Purchaser pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. 

 

10.2  Offering Restrictions. Except as previously disclosed in the SEC Reports or in the Exchange Act Filings, or stock or stock options granted to employees or directors of the Company (these exceptions hereinafter referred to as the “Excepted Issuances”), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, prior to the full repayment or conversion of the Note (together with all accrued and unpaid interest and fees related thereto), (x) enter into any equity line of credit agreement or similar agreement or (y) issue, or enter into any agreement to issue, any securities with a variable/floating conversion and/or pricing feature which are or could be (by conversion or registration) free-trading securities (i.e. common stock subject to a registration statement).

 

11.  Miscellaneous.

 

11.1  Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a)  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

(b)  THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE COMPANY, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE PURCHASER, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE RELATED AGREEMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS; PROVIDED, THAT THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; AND FURTHER PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE PURCHASER FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO COLLECT THE OBLIGATIONS, TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL (AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT) OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS (AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT), OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE PURCHASER. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS. THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 11.9 AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE (3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID.

 

(c) THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN THE PURCHASER AND/OR THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER RELATED AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO.

11.2  Severability. Wherever possible each provision of this Agreement and the Related Agreements shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or any Related Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions thereof.

11.3  Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by the Purchaser and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent provided therein. All statements as to factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.

 

11.4  Successors. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each entity which shall be a holder of the Securities from time to time, other than the holders of Common Stock which has been sold by the Purchaser pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement. The Purchaser may not assign its rights hereunder to a competitor of the Company.

 

 

11.5  Entire Agreement; Maximum Interest. This Agreement, the Related Agreements, the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein. Nothing contained herein or in any document referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest or dividends required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum amount permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the Purchaser and thus refunded to the Company.

 

11.6  Severability. In case any provision of the Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

11.7  Amendment and Waiver.

(a)  This Agreement may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the Company and the Purchaser.

(b)  The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Purchaser under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Purchaser.

(c)  The obligations of the Purchaser and the rights of the Company under this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Company.

 

11.8  Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default or noncompliance by another party under this Agreement or the Related Agreements, shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. All remedies, either under this Agreement or the Related Agreements, by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

11.9  Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given:

(a)  upon personal delivery to the party to be notified;

(b)  when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day;

 

(c)  three (3) business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or

(d)  one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.

All communications shall be sent as follows:

 

	If to the Company, to:		House of Brussels Chocolates Inc. One Riverway, Suite 1700 Houston, Texas 77056 Attention: Robert Wesolek, Chief Financial Officer Facsimile:
			with a copy to:
			Axelrod, Smith & Kirshbaum 5300 Memorial Drive, Ste. 700 Houston, Texas 77007 Attention: Robert D. Axelrod Facsimile:  ###-###-####
	If to the Purchaser, to:		Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. c/o M&C Corporate Services Limited P.O. Box 309 GT Ugland House George Town South Church Street Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Facsimile:  ###-###-####
			with a copy to:
			John E. Tucker, Esq. 825 Third Avenue 14th Floor New York, NY 10022 Facsimile:  ###-###-####

or at such other address as the Company or the Purchaser may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance herewith.

 

11.10  Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any suit or action is instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement or any Related Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement and/or such Related Agreement, including, without limitation, such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.

 

 

11.11  Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

 

11.12  Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one agreement.

 

11.13  Broker’s Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 11.13 hereof, each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party hereto is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a result of the representation in this Section 11.13 being untrue.

 

11.14  Construction. Each party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Agreement or any Related Agreement to favor any party against the other.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

COMPANY:		PURCHASER:
HOUSE OF BRUSSELS CHOCOLATES INC.		LAURUS MASTER FUND, LTD.
By:		By:
Name:		Name:
Title:		Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORM OF OPINION¹ 

1.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

2.  Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Agreement and the Related Agreements. All corporate action on the part of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and its officers, directors and stockholders necessary has been taken for: (i) the authorization of the Agreement and the Related Agreements and the performance of all obligations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries thereunder; and (ii) the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of the Securities pursuant to the Agreement and the Related Agreements. The Note Shares and the Warrant Shares, when issued pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the Related Agreements and upon delivery shall be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non assessable.

3.  The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries of the Agreement and the Related Agreements (to which it is a party) and the consummation of the transactions on its part contemplated by any thereof, will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both:

(a)  Violate the provisions of their respective Charter or bylaws; or

(b)  Violate any judgment, decree, order or award of any court binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(c)  Violate any [insert jurisdictions in which counsel is qualified] or federal law

4.  The Agreement and the Related Agreements will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (to the extent such entity is a party thereto), and are enforceable against each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto in accordance with their respective terms, except:

(a)  as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights; and

 

_______________________

¹ Please provide corresponding opinions for the Security Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

 

(b)  general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal remedies.

5.  To such counsel’s knowledge, the sale of the Note and the subsequent conversion of the Note into Note Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with. To such counsel’s knowledge, the sale of the Warrant and the subsequent exercise of the Warrant for Warrant Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights or, to such counsel’s knowledge, rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.

6.  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in the Agreement, the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities on the Closing Date will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. To such counsel’s knowledge, neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy and security under circumstances that would cause the offering of the Securities pursuant to the Agreement or any Related Agreement to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling the Securities pursuant to Rule 506 under the Securities Act, or any applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions.

7.  There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to such counsel’s knowledge, currently threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that prevents the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into this Agreement or any Related Agreement, or to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. To such counsel’s knowledge, the Company is not a party or subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality; nor is there any action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company currently pending or which the Company intends to initiate.

8.  The terms and provisions of the Master Security Agreement and the Stock Pledge Agreement create a valid security interest in favor of the Purchaser, in the respective rights, title and interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries in and to the Collateral (as defined in each of the Master Security Agreement and the Stock Pledge Agreement). Each UCC-1 Financing Statement naming the Company or any Subsidiary thereof as debtor and the Purchaser as secured party are in proper form for filing and assuming that such UCC-1 Financing Statements have been filed with the Secretary of State of [Nevada] [Insert other jurisdictions], the security interest created under the Master Security Agreement will constitute a perfected security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code in favor of the Purchaser in respect of the Collateral that can be perfected by filing a financing statement. After giving effect to the delivery to the Purchaser of the stock certificates representing the ownership interests of each Subsidiary of the Company (together with effective endorsements) and assuming the continued possession by the Purchaser of such stock certificates in the State of New York, the security interest created in favor of the Purchaser under the Stock Pledge Agreement constitutes a valid and enforceable first perfected security interest in such ownership interests (and the proceeds thereof) in favor of the Purchaser, subject to no other security interest. No filings, registrations or recordings are required in order to perfect (or maintain the perfection or priority of) the security interest created under the Stock Pledge Agreement in respect of such ownership interests.