defm14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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(3)
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Filing Party: |
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(4)
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Date Filed: |
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August 1, 2005
Dear Stockholders of Nuance Communications, Inc.:
We will hold a special meeting of our stockholders at our
offices located at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California
94025, on August 31, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time.
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote
upon the following proposal:
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To adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger
contemplated thereby. Upon completion of the merger, holders of
Nuance common stock will be entitled to receive
(i) 0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock, and
(ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance common stock
they hold at that time. Nuance common stock is listed on the
NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol
NUAN. ScanSoft common stock is listed on the NASDAQ
National Market under the trading symbol SSFT. |
The foregoing proposal is described in detail in the attached
notice of special meeting of stockholders and joint proxy
statement/ prospectus.
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSAL REFERRED TO ABOVE RELATING TO
THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE APPROVAL OF THE
MERGER WITH SCANSOFT, AND DETERMINED THAT SUCH PROPOSAL IS FAIR
TO AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF NUANCE AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR
THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND APPROVE THE
MERGER.
In the material accompanying this letter, you will find a notice
of special meeting of stockholders, a joint proxy statement/
prospectus relating to the actions to be taken by Nuance
stockholders at the Nuance special meeting (as well as the
actions to be taken by the ScanSoft stockholders at their
special meeting) and a proxy. The joint proxy statement/
prospectus more fully describes the merger agreement and the
proposed merger, and includes information about Nuance and
ScanSoft.
We encourage you to read the joint proxy statement/
prospectus, which includes important information about the
merger. IN ADDITION, THE SECTION ENTITLED RISK
FACTORS, BEGINNING ON PAGE 18 OF THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS, CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF RISKS THAT YOU
SHOULD CONSIDER IN EVALUATING THE MERGER.
It is important that you use this opportunity to take part in
the affairs of Nuance by voting on the business to come before
this meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING,
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR SHARES
MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Returning the proxy does not deprive you of your right to attend
the meeting and to vote your shares in person.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Charles W. Berger
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Charles W. Berger |
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Chief Executive Officer |
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THIS
TRANSACTION OR THE SECURITIES OF SCANSOFT TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT
TO THE MERGER, OR DETERMINED IF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This joint proxy statement/ prospectus is dated August 1,
2005, and is first being mailed to Nuance stockholders on or
about August 3, 2005.
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
Dear Stockholders of Nuance Communications, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of stockholders of
Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be
held on August 31, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time, at
Nuances offices located at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park,
California 94025, for the following purpose:
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(1) To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
May 9, 2005, among ScanSoft, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Nova Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of ScanSoft, and Nuance (the merger agreement) and
approve the merger contemplated thereby. Upon completion of the
merger, holders of Nuance common stock will be entitled to
receive (i) 0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock, and
(ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance common stock
they hold at that time; and |
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(2) To transact such other business as may properly come
before the special meeting or any postponement or adjournment
thereof. |
The terms of the proposed merger with ScanSoft and the related
merger agreement are more fully described in the joint proxy
statement/ prospectus attached to this notice.
The Nuance board of directors has determined that the proposal
described above relating to the adoption of the merger agreement
and the approval of the merger is advisable and in the best
interests of Nuance and its stockholders and that such proposal
is fair to Nuance and to its stockholders, and unanimously
recommends that Nuance stockholders vote FOR the
proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger.
The Nuance board of directors has fixed the close of business on
July 27, 2005 as the record date for determination of
Nuance stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Nuance special meeting and at any postponements or adjournments
thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote will be
available at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 for
10 days prior to the Nuance special meeting during ordinary
business hours.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE ON THESE IMPORTANT MATTERS.
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By Order of the Board of Directors of Nuance |
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/s/ Douglas Clark Neilsson
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Douglas Clark Neilsson |
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Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
Menlo Park, California
August 1, 2005
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE NUANCE SPECIAL
MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE NUANCE
SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement/ prospectus incorporates important
business and financial information about ScanSoft and Nuance
from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, that are not included
in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
ScanSoft will provide you with copies of this information,
without charge, upon written or oral request to:
SCANSOFT, INC.
1 Wayside Road
Burlington, MA 01803
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone Number: (781) 565-5000
Nuance will provide you with copies of this information, without
charge, upon written or oral request to:
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
1380 Willow Road
Menlo Park, California 94025
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone Number: (650) 847-0000
ANY REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION FROM EITHER COMPANY MUST BE
MADE NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 15, 2005. UPON TIMELY REQUEST,
WE WILL MAIL SUCH INFORMATION TO YOU BY FIRST CLASS MAIL BY
THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
See the section entitled Where You Can Find More
Information on page 147 of this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus for more information about the documents
referred to in this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in, or
incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/
prospectus in deciding how to vote on the respective ScanSoft
and Nuance proposals. No one has been authorized to provide you
with information that is different from that contained in, or
incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/
prospectus. This joint proxy statement/ prospectus is dated
August 1, 2005. You should not assume that the information
contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this joint
proxy statement/ prospectus is accurate as of any date other
than that date.
This joint proxy statement/ prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any
securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction
to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such
offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information
contained in this joint proxy statement/ prospectus regarding
ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition Corporation and Nova Acquisition LLC
has been provided by ScanSoft and information contained in this
joint proxy statement/ prospectus regarding Nuance has been
provided by Nuance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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v
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER OF SCANSOFT AND
NUANCE
GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Q: |
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WHY ARE SCANSOFT AND NUANCE PROPOSING THE MERGER? |
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We are proposing the merger because we believe the combination
of our two companies will result in a comprehensive portfolio of
speech applications, industry-defining technologies and
technical expertise in network speech, embedded speech and
dictation, which will allow the combined company to support
partners and customers on a global scale more effectively and
efficiently. Furthermore, after reviewing numerous strategic
alternatives for enhancing stockholder value, the boards of
directors of both ScanSoft, Inc. and Nuance Communications, Inc.
believe that the merger will: |
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1. better position the combined company to accelerate the
development and adoption of innovative speech-enabled
applications and services worldwide; |
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2. increase the rate of innovation through the exchange of
ideas and technologies among varied development teams; |
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3. better equip the combined company to compete with a
number of new, very large and well resourced
competitors; and |
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4. generate cost synergies through headcount reductions,
office site consolidations and reductions in marketing and
administrative expenses. |
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Q: |
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN PURSUANT TO THE MERGER? |
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A: |
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We are proposing a two step merger pursuant to which in the
first step, Nova Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of ScanSoft, will merge with and into Nuance, and
thereafter will cease to exist as a separate corporate entity.
After the first step merger, Nuance will be a wholly owned
subsidiary of ScanSoft. In the second step, Nuance will merge
with and into Nova Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft, and thereafter Nuance will cease to exist as a
separate corporate entity. After the second step, Nova
Acquisition LLC will be a wholly owned subsidiary of ScanSoft.
We refer to the first step merger, together with the second step
merger, herein as the merger. Pursuant to the merger
agreement, no later than 90 days following the effective
time of the merger, ScanSoft will change its corporate name to
Nuance. |
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Assuming the merger and the financing with Warburg Pincus and
its affiliates pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement had been
completed on May 9, 2005, Nuance stockholders would have
owned approximately 18% of the outstanding shares of ScanSoft
common stock immediately after the merger and financing and
ScanSoft stockholders would have owned the remaining 82% (not
including options, warrants and other convertible securities
outstanding). |
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Q: |
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WHAT STOCKHOLDER APPROVALS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE
MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
We cannot complete the merger unless, among other things, a
majority of the outstanding shares of Nuance common stock
entitled to vote at the Nuance special meeting vote to adopt the
merger agreement and approve the merger. As of July 27,
2005, Nuance directors and executive officers and one of its
significant stockholders, SRI International, were entitled to
vote approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of Nuance common
stock (not including options, warrants and other convertible
securities outstanding). These directors and executive officers
and the significant stockholder have already agreed with
ScanSoft, in a voting agreement, to vote their shares of Nuance
common stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement
and the approval of the merger. The voting agreements permit the
sale of a limited number of shares of common stock by each of
these directors and executive officers and the significant
stockholder. |
|
|
|
In addition, a majority of the votes cast at the ScanSoft
special meeting on (i) the proposal to approve the issuance
of shares of ScanSoft common stock to Nuance stockholders in the
merger and (ii) the proposal to approve the Stock Purchase
Agreement by and among ScanSoft and Warburg |
vi
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Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. and certain of its affiliated
entities (collectively, Warburg Pincus) and the
issuance of the shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to
acquire ScanSoft common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement must be voted in favor of such proposals in order to
complete the merger. Although not required to complete the
merger, ScanSoft is also soliciting the approval of its
stockholders to assume certain Nuance stock options in the
manner set forth in the merger agreement. As of July 27,
2005, ScanSoft directors, executive officers and certain
affiliates were entitled to vote approximately 16% of the
outstanding shares of ScanSoft common stock (not including
options, warrants and other convertible securities outstanding).
These directors, executive officers and affiliates have already
agreed with Nuance to vote their shares of ScanSoft common stock
in favor of the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, including the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common
stock to Nuance stockholders in the merger, the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft
common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement and the
assumption of certain Nuance stock options in the manner set
forth in the merger agreement. The voting agreements permit the
sale of a limited number of shares of common stock by ScanSoft
directors, executive officers and affiliates. |
|
Q: |
|
HOW DO THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF SCANSOFT AND NUANCE
RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
The ScanSoft board of directors unanimously recommends that
ScanSoft stockholders vote FOR the proposal to
approve the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in
connection with the merger, FOR the proposal to
approve the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft
common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, and
FOR the proposal to approve the assumption by
ScanSoft of stock options outstanding under Nuances stock
option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or less in the
manner set forth in the merger agreement (the Option
Assumption). |
|
|
|
The Nuance board of directors unanimously recommends that Nuance
stockholders vote FOR the proposal to adopt the
merger agreement and approve the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO COMPLETE THE MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
We expect to complete the merger as quickly as possible once all
the conditions to the merger, including obtaining the approvals
of ScanSoft and Nuance stockholders, are fulfilled. While we
cannot predict the exact timing, we currently expect to complete
the merger in September of 2005. |
|
Q: |
|
WHY ARE SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THE
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SHARES OF
SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE SCANSOFT COMMON
STOCK PURSUANT TO THE STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT? |
|
A: |
|
Rule 4350(i) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules requires that
listed companies obtain stockholder approval in certain
circumstances, which include: (i) when an issuance or
potential issuance of securities would result in a change of
control of the issuer as defined under the Nasdaq Marketplace
Rules, (ii) when an equity compensation arrangement is
made, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by directors or
directors affiliates, and (iii) when in connection
with the acquisition of the stock or assets of another company,
where due to the issuance of common stock or securities
convertible into common stock, the securities to be issued
represent or will represent 20% or more of the voting power or
number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance. |
|
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|
ScanSoft stockholders are being asked to approve the Stock
Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the shares of ScanSoft
common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft common stock
pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement because the acquisition
of such securities by Warburg Pincus implicates each of these
circumstances. |
vii
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|
Q: |
|
HOW MANY SHARES OF SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK WILL WARBURG PINCUS
BENEFICIALLY OWN FOLLOWING THE MERGER AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE
SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT? |
|
A: |
|
Warburg Pincus will beneficially own approximately 25% of
ScanSofts common stock following the merger and the
issuance of the shares and warrants pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement, assuming that they do not dispose of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock held by them prior to such time. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE
ISSUANCE OF THE SHARES OF SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS TO
ACQUIRE SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE STOCK PURCHASE
AGREEMENT? |
|
A: |
|
The completion of the merger is conditioned on the approval of
the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the shares of
ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft common
stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement by
ScanSofts stockholders. If the Stock Purchase Agreement
and the issuance of the shares of ScanSoft common stock and
warrants to acquire ScanSoft common stock pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement are not approved by ScanSofts
stockholders, the merger will not be consummated. Accordingly, a
vote against the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of
the shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire
ScanSoft common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
is effectively a vote against the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SCANSOFT AND
NUANCE? |
|
A: |
|
You can find more information about ScanSoft and Nuance from
reading this joint proxy statement/ prospectus and the various
sources described in this joint proxy statement/ prospectus
under the section entitled Where You Can Find More
Information on page 147. |
viii
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS
|
|
|
Q: |
|
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE SCANSOFT SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
The ScanSoft special meeting will be held at ScanSofts
offices at 1 Wayside Road, Burlington, Massachusetts on
August 31, 2005 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE SCANSOFT SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
At the ScanSoft special meeting, ScanSoft stockholders will vote
on the approval of (i) the issuance of shares of ScanSoft
common stock to Nuance stockholders in the merger, and
(ii) the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft
common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement. |
|
Q: |
|
ARE ANY OTHER MATTERS BEING VOTED UPON AT THE SCANSOFT
SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
ScanSoft stockholders are also being asked to vote to approve
the assumption by ScanSoft of options to purchase Nuance common
stock with an exercise price of $10.00 or less that are
outstanding under Nuance stock plans in the manner set forth in
the merger agreement, although receipt of such approval
regarding the assumption of options is not a condition to the
merger. |
|
Q: |
|
WHY DO I NEED TO VOTE ON THE OPTION ASSUMPTION AND WHAT WILL
NUANCE OPTIONHOLDERS RECEIVE IN THE MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
If you approve the Option Assumption, all options to purchase
Nuance common stock outstanding under the Nuance stock option
plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or less will be assumed
by ScanSoft and become options to purchase ScanSoft common stock
on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the
assumed options prior to the closing of the merger, except each
such option will be exercisable for such whole number of shares
of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest share)
equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of
shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon the exercise of such
option, by the option exchange ratio, and the
exercise price per share for the ScanSoft common stock shall be
equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest cent) of the
exercise price per share for such option, divided by the
option exchange ratio. The option exchange ratio is
defined as 0.77 (the stock consideration to be received by
Nuance stockholders in the merger for each share of Nuance
common stock), plus the quotient of (a) $2.20 (the cash
consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance common stock), divided by
(b) the average of the closing trading prices of the
ScanSoft common stock during the five trading days immediately
preceding the closing date, subject to potential adjustment for
tax purposes. |
|
|
|
The approval of ScanSofts stockholders is being sought for
the Option Assumption because ScanSofts Amended and
Restated By-Laws provide that stockholder approval is required
for ScanSoft to sell securities exercisable into common stock
with an exercise price that is fixed after the date of the
agreement. Since under the proposed treatment of the assumed
Nuance options in accordance with the merger agreement, the
option exercise price is based in part on the average of the
closing trading prices of the ScanSoft common stock during the
five trading days immediately prior to the closing date, rather
than being fixed as of the date the merger agreement was
executed, the Option Assumption requires the approval of
ScanSofts stockholders. |
|
|
|
In the event that the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft
is not obtained for the treatment of the Nuance options as
described above, all options to purchase Nuance common stock
outstanding under the Nuance stock option plans with an exercise
price of $10.00 or less will be assumed by ScanSoft, but on
different terms. Each assumed Nuance option will become an
option to acquire ScanSoft common stock and cash, except each
such assumed option will be exercisable for such number of
shares of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest
share) equal to the number of shares of Nuance common stock
issuable upon exercise of such option, multiplied by 0.77, and
an amount of cash (rounded up to the nearest cent) equal to the
number of shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon exercise
of such option, multiplied by $2.20, and the exercise price per
share for the |
ix
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ScanSoft common stock and cash shall be equal to the quotient
(rounded up to the nearest cent) of the exercise price per share
for such option, divided by 0.77. |
|
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|
Regardless of the outcome of the ScanSoft stockholder vote
regarding the assumption, all Nuance options with an exercise
price of more than $10.00, and not already fully vested, will
accelerate and become fully vested prior to the effective time
of the first step merger and shall terminate as of the effective
time of the merger if not exercised prior to the effective time
of the first step merger. |
|
|
|
As of July 27, 2005, there were options to purchase
9,729,453 shares of Nuance common stock outstanding, of
which 8,471,637 had an exercise price of $10.00 or less. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
After carefully reading and considering the information
contained in this joint proxy statement/ prospectus, please mail
your completed and signed proxy card in the enclosed
postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that your
shares may be represented at the ScanSoft special meeting. In
order to assure that we obtain your vote, please vote as
instructed on your proxy card even if you currently plan to
attend the ScanSoft special meeting and vote in person. |
|
|
|
If you sign and mail your proxy and do not indicate how you want
to vote, your proxy will be voted for the approval of the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with
the merger, for the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of
the shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire
ScanSoft common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
and for the assumption by ScanSoft of certain options to
purchase Nuance common stock that are outstanding under Nuance
stock plans in the manner set forth in the merger agreement. |
|
Q: |
|
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE EVEN AFTER RETURNING A PROXY CARD? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. If you want to change your vote, you may do so at any time
before your proxy is voted at the ScanSoft special meeting. You
can do this in one of three ways. First, you can complete and
send a proxy with a later date. Second, you can send a written
notice to the corporate secretary of ScanSoft, stating that you
would like to revoke your proxy. Third, you can attend the
ScanSoft special meeting and vote in person. Your attendance at
the ScanSoft special meeting alone will not revoke your proxy. |
|
Q: |
|
IF MY BROKER HOLDS MY SHARES IN STREET NAME, HOW
DO I VOTE MY SHARES? |
|
A: |
|
You should contact your broker. You should follow the directions
provided by your broker to vote your shares. Your broker will
not be permitted to vote on the issuance of shares of common
stock in connection with the merger, the financing contemplated
in connection with the merger, or the treatment of the Nuance
options as set forth in the merger agreement unless your broker
receives appropriate instructions from you. |
|
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|
If you have instructed your broker to vote your shares, you must
follow directions received from your broker to change those
instructions. You cannot vote shares held in street
name by returning a proxy card directly to ScanSoft or by
voting in person at the ScanSoft special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
ARE THERE RISKS I SHOULD CONSIDER IN DECIDING WHETHER TO VOTE
FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK IN
CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER AND FOR THE FINANCING CONTEMPLATED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. You should consider the risk factors set out in the section
entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 18 of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus. |
|
Q: |
|
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS? |
|
A: |
|
If you have any questions about the merger or if you need
additional copies of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus or
the enclosed proxy card, you should contact: |
SCANSOFT, INC.
1 Wayside Road
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone Number: (781) 565-5000
x
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS
|
|
|
Q: |
|
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NUANCE SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
The Nuance special meeting will be held at Nuances offices
located at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 on
August 31, 2005 at 8:00 a.m., Pacific time. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE NUANCE SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
At the Nuance special meeting, Nuance stockholders will be asked
to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement and to approve the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
After carefully reading and considering the information
contained in this joint proxy statement/ prospectus and the
other information to which you have been referred, please mail
your completed and signed proxy card in the enclosed
postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that your
shares may be represented at the Nuance special meeting. In
order to assure that we obtain your vote, please vote as
instructed on your proxy card even if you currently plan to
attend the Nuance special meeting and vote in person. |
|
|
|
If you sign and mail your proxy and do not indicate how you want
to vote, your proxy will be voted for the adoption of the merger
agreement and the approval of the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE EVEN AFTER RETURNING A PROXY CARD? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. If you want to change your vote, you may do so at any time
before your proxy is voted at the Nuance special meeting. You
can do this in one of three ways. First, you can complete and
send a proxy with a later date. Second, you can send a written
notice to the corporate secretary of Nuance stating that you
would like to revoke your proxy. Third, you can attend the
Nuance special meeting and vote in person. Your attendance at
the Nuance special meeting alone will not revoke your proxy. |
|
Q: |
|
IF MY BROKER HOLDS MY SHARES IN STREET NAME, WILL
MY BROKER VOTE MY SHARES FOR ME? |
|
A: |
|
No. You should contact your broker. You should follow the
directions provided by your broker to vote your shares. Your
broker will not vote your shares on the merger proposal unless
your broker receives appropriate instructions from you. If you
do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your shares
will be considered present at the Nuance special meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum, but will not be considered to
have been voted in favor of adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the merger. As a result, your shares will have the
effect of a vote against adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the merger if you do not give voting instructions to
your broker. |
|
|
|
If you have instructed your broker to vote your shares, you must
follow directions received from your broker to change those
instructions. You cannot vote shares held in street
name by returning a proxy card directly to Nuance or by
voting in person at the Nuance special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT WILL NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS BE ENTITLED
TO RECEIVE PURSUANT TO THE MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
If the merger is completed, Nuance stockholders will be entitled
to receive (i) 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft common stock,
and (ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance common
stock held by Nuance stockholders immediately prior to the
effective time of the merger, subject to potential adjustment as
described below. Instead of a fractional share of ScanSoft
common stock, Nuance stockholders will be entitled to receive an
amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent), without
interest, equal to the value of the fractional share that the
respective Nuance stockholder would otherwise be entitled to
receive multiplied by $4.46, which represents the closing price
of a share of ScanSoft common stock on May 6, 2005, the
business day immediately prior to the execution of the merger
agreement and announcement of the merger. |
xi
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|
All options with an exercise price of more than $10.00, and that
are not already fully vested, will accelerate and become fully
vested prior to the effective time of the first step merger, and
shall terminate as of the effective time of the first step
merger if not exercised prior to the effective time of the first
step merger. |
|
|
|
Subject to the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft, all
options to purchase Nuance common stock outstanding under the
Nuance stock option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or
less will be assumed by ScanSoft, and become options to purchase
ScanSoft common stock on the same terms and conditions as were
applicable to the assumed options prior to the closing of the
merger, except each such option will be exercisable for that
whole number of shares of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to
the nearest share) equal to the product obtained by multiplying
the number of shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon the
exercise of such option, by the option exchange
ratio, and the exercise price per share for the ScanSoft
common stock shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the
nearest cent) of the exercise price per share for such option,
divided by the option exchange ratio. The option
exchange ratio is defined as 0.77 (the stock consideration to be
received by Nuance stockholders in the merger for each share of
Nuance stock), plus (a) $2.20 (the cash consideration to be
received by Nuance stockholders in the merger for each share of
Nuance stock), divided by (b) the average of the closing
trading prices of the ScanSoft common stock during the five
trading days immediately preceding the closing date, subject to
potential adjustment as described below. |
|
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|
In the event that the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft
is not obtained for the treatment of the Nuance options as
described above, all options to purchase Nuance common stock
outstanding under the Nuance stock option plans with an exercise
price of $10.00 or less will be assumed by ScanSoft, but on
different terms. Each such option will become an option to
acquire ScanSoft common stock and cash, except each such assumed
option will be exercisable for that such number of shares of
ScanSoft common stock equal to the number of shares of Nuance
common stock issuable upon exercise of such option, multiplied
by 0.77, and an amount of cash equal to the number of shares of
Nuance common stock issuance upon exercise of such option,
multiplied by $2.20, and the exercise price per share for the
ScanSoft common stock and cash shall be equal to the quotient of
the exercise price per share for such option, divided by 0.77. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT ARE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
MERGER TO HOLDERS OF NUANCE COMMON STOCK? |
|
A: |
|
The merger is intended to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consummation
of the merger is conditioned upon receipt by ScanSoft and Nuance
of tax opinions at closing from tax counsel to both ScanSoft and
Nuance. The closing tax opinions will be given in reliance on
customary representations and assumptions as to factual matters.
In the event that the representations or assumptions are
incorrect and the ultimate facts do not support reorganization
treatment, the closing tax opinions cannot be relied upon. |
|
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|
Assuming the merger qualifies as a reorganization, the holders
of Nuance common stock will recognize gain, if any, as of the
effective time of the first step merger, but only to the extent
of the amount of the cash consideration. Nuance stockholders
will recognize gain, if any, on the shares of ScanSoft common
stock they receive when they sell such ScanSoft common stock. If
the Nuance common stock was held as a capital asset, then such
gain would be capital gain and would be long term capital gain
if the Nuance common stock was held for more than one year, as
of the effective time of the first step merger. The holding
period of the ScanSoft common stock received by a Nuance
stockholder in the merger will include the holding period of the
Nuance common stock exchanged therefore. Nuances
stockholders will not be permitted to recognize a loss in
connection with the merger. |
|
|
|
Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of
the merger to a particular stockholder will depend in part on
such stockholders circumstances. Accordingly, you should
read the summary under the caption Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences for a more
complete discussion |
xii
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of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.
You should also consult your own tax advisor with respect to
other tax consequences of the merger or any special
circumstances that may affect the tax treatment to you of the
cash or shares of ScanSoft common stock that you receive
pursuant to the first step merger, including the applicability
and effect of federal, state, local and foreign income tax and
other tax laws. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT IF THE AMOUNT OF CASH CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER WOULD
PREVENT TAX COUNSEL TO BOTH SCANSOFT AND NUANCE FROM RENDERING A
TAX OPINION TO THE EFFECT THAT FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
PURPOSES, THE MERGER WILL QUALIFY AS A
REORGANIZATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF
SECTION 368(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS
AMENDED? |
|
A: |
|
Under the merger agreement, if neither tax counsel to ScanSoft
nor tax counsel to Nuance can render the closing tax opinion
because they both reasonably determine that the merger may not
satisfy the continuity of interest requirements for a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or the continuity of interest test, then
ScanSoft (after consultation with such tax counsel) will reduce
the cash consideration and correspondingly increase the stock
consideration to the minimum extent necessary to enable the
closing tax opinion to be rendered. In addition, the option
exchange ratio will be similarly adjusted to reflect the
reduction in the cash consideration and the increase in the
stock consideration. The aggregate cash consideration will be
reduced by $1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common
stock to be issued in the merger. The continuity of interest
test requires that, after the merger, the Nuance stockholders
must continue to own a substantial part of the value of their
proprietary interests in Nuance by virtue of their ownership of
ScanSoft common stock. There is no definitive standard for
determining whether the continuity of interest test has been
met. For purposes of rendering the tax opinion, however, the
continuity of interest test will be considered satisfied if the
value, as of the effective time of the first step merger, of the
ScanSoft common stock received by the Nuance stockholders
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration, including amounts received by Nuance
stockholders exercising their dissenters or appraisal
rights. For purposes of the continuity of interest
test, tax counsel will consider the value of a share of
ScanSoft common stock to be the average of the high and low
sales prices of a share of ScanSoft common stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of the closing of the first step
merger, which we refer to as the closing date price. If less
than 40% of the total value of the merger consideration consists
of ScanSoft common stock (calculated using the closing date
price), then the aggregate cash consideration will be reduced by
$1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common stock to be
issued until the value of the common stock to be received
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration. |
|
Q: |
|
WILL NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS BE ABLE TO TRADE THE SCANSOFT COMMON
STOCK THAT THEY RECEIVE PURSUANT TO THE MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. Nuance stockholders will be able to trade the shares of
ScanSoft common stock they receive pursuant to the merger once
the stock certificates representing such shares have been
received from the exchange agent upon their surrender to the
exchange agent of the Nuance stock certificates. The shares of
ScanSoft common stock that Nuance stockholders receive pursuant
to the merger will initially be listed on the NASDAQ National
Market under the symbol SSFT. Pursuant to the merger
agreement, no later than 90 days following the effective
time of the merger, ScanSoft will change its corporate name to
Nuance and following such name change, ScanSoft will
change its trading symbol to NUAN or another symbol
mutually agreed to by Nuance and ScanSoft. Certain persons who
are deemed affiliates of Nuance will be required to comply with
Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, if they sell
their shares of ScanSoft common stock received pursuant to the
merger. |
|
Q: |
|
SHOULD I SEND IN MY NUANCE STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW? |
|
A: |
|
No. If Nuance stockholders adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger, after the merger is completed, ScanSoft will
send Nuance stockholders written instructions, including a
letter of |
xiii
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|
|
transmittal, that will explain how to exchange Nuance stock
certificates for ScanSoft common stock certificates and cash.
Please do not send in any Nuance stock certificates until you
receive these written instructions and the letter of transmittal. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
AM I ENTITLED TO APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE
MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. The stockholders of Nuance may be entitled, under certain
circumstances, to appraisal rights under Delaware law. For a
detailed discussion of dissenters rights under Delaware
law, please see The Merger Appraisal
Rights on page 81. |
|
Q: |
|
ARE THERE RISKS I SHOULD CONSIDER IN DECIDING WHETHER TO VOTE
FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE
MERGER? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. You should consider the risk factors set out in the section
entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 18 of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus. |
|
Q: |
|
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS? |
|
A: |
|
If you have any questions about the merger or if you need
additional copies of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus or
the enclosed proxy card, you should contact: |
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
1380 Willow Road
Menlo Park, California 94025
Attention: Legal Department, Douglas Clark Neilsson
Telephone Number: (650) 847-0000
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SUMMARY OF THE MERGER
The following is a summary of the information contained in this
document relating to the merger of ScanSoft and Nuance. This
summary may not contain all of the information that is important
to you. You should carefully read this entire joint proxy
statement/ prospectus and the other documents to which we refer.
In particular, you should read the annexes attached to this
joint proxy statement/ prospectus, including the merger
agreement, which is attached as Annex A and is
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/
prospectus. In addition, ScanSoft and Nuance each incorporate by
reference into this joint proxy statement/ prospectus important
business and financial information. You may obtain the
information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus without charge by following the
instructions in the section entitled Where You Can Find
More Information beginning on page 147.
The Companies
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ScanSoft, Inc. |
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1 Wayside Road |
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Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 |
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(781) 565-5000 |
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http://www.scansoft.com |
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ScanSoft offers businesses and consumers market-leading speech
and imaging solutions that facilitate the way people access,
share, manage and use information in business and in daily life.
ScanSofts products and technologies automate manual
processes and help enterprises, professionals and consumers
increase productivity, reduce costs and save time.
ScanSofts products are sold as solutions into the
financial, legal, healthcare, government, telecommunications and
automotive industries through a global network of resellers,
comprised of system integrators, independent software vendors,
value-added resellers, hardware vendors, telecommunications
carriers and distributors, and directly to businesses and
consumers through a dedicated direct sales force and its
e-commerce website (www.scansoft.com). ScanSofts common
stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol
SSFT. |
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Nuance Communications, Inc. |
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1380 Willow Road |
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Menlo Park, California 94025 |
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(650) 847-0000 |
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http://www.nuance.com |
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Nuance develops, markets and supports voice automation solutions
for conducting interactions over the telephone for a range of
industries and applications. Nuances products include
speech recognition software, which is used to recognize what a
person says, deliver responses and information and perform
transactions; text-to-speech synthesis software, which converts
information, for example, from a database, email or web page
into an audio signal for delivery over the telephone; voice
authentication software, which is used to provide secure access
to information, on a relatively secure basis, by verifying the
identity of speakers using the unique qualities of their voices;
pre-packaged speech applications, that, for instance,
efficiently route callers to specific destinations within a
company, and reduce deployment time and cost; and a
standards-based software platform designed as a foundation for
voice system deployment and management. |
Nuance seeks to actively support both emerging industry
standards as well as proprietary development environments.
Nuances software is designed to work with Voice eXtensible
Markup Language, the recognized industry standard language for
the creation of voice-driven products and services. Nuance also
offers a range of consulting, support and education services
that enable our customers and third-party resellers and channel
partners to develop voice automation applications that use
Nuances software products. Nuances common stock is
traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol
NUAN.
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Nova Acquisition Corporation |
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1 Wayside Road |
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Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 |
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(781) 565-5000 |
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Nova Acquisition LLC |
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1 Wayside Road |
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Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 |
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(781) 565-5000 |
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Nova Acquisition Corporation and Nova Acquisition LLC are wholly
owned subsidiaries of ScanSoft recently formed solely for the
purpose of effecting the merger. They have no business
operations. |
Structure of the Merger (See page 85)
We propose a two step merger pursuant to which in the first
step, Nova Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft, will merge with and into Nuance, and thereafter will
cease to exist as a separate corporate entity. After the first
step merger, Nuance will be a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft. In the second step, Nuance will merge with and into
Nova Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ScanSoft, and
thereafter Nuance will cease to exist as a separate corporate
entity. After the second step, Nova Acquisition LLC will be a
wholly owned subsidiary of ScanSoft. Pursuant to the merger
agreement, no later than 90 days following the effective time of
the merger, ScanSoft will change its corporate name to
Nuance.
The terms and conditions of the merger are contained in the
merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus. Please carefully read
the merger agreement as it is the legal document that governs
the proposed merger.
Consideration in the Merger (See page 85)
Each holder of a share of Nuance common stock, other than
stockholders who exercise their appraisal rights, will receive
the following upon effectiveness of the first step merger,
subject to potential adjustment as described below under
Reorganization for Tax Purposes; Tax Adjustment:
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$2.20 per share in cash, without interest, and |
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0.77 of a share of ScanSoft common stock. |
Reorganization for Tax Purposes; Tax Adjustment (See
pages 77 and 86)
The merger is intended to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consummation
of the merger is conditioned upon receipt by ScanSoft and Nuance
of tax opinions from counsel at closing. Assuming the merger
qualifies as a reorganization, the holders of Nuance common
stock will recognize gain, if any, only to the extent of the
amount of the cash consideration, limited however by the
stockholders total gain (which is the difference between
the fair market value of the consideration received by the
stockholder in exchange for the Nuance common stock, less the
stockholders basis in the Nuance common stock). If the
Nuance common stock was held as a capital asset then such gain
would be capital gain and would be long term capital gain if the
Nuance common stock was held for more than one year as of the
effective time of the first step merger. Nuances
stockholders will not be permitted to recognize a loss in
connection with the merger. You should also consult your own tax
advisor with respect to other tax consequences of the merger or
any special circumstances that may affect the tax treatment to
you of the cash or shares of ScanSoft common stock that you
receive pursuant to the first step merger.
Under the merger agreement, if neither tax counsel to ScanSoft
nor tax counsel to Nuance can render the closing tax opinion
because they both reasonably determine that the merger may not
satisfy the continuity of interest requirements for a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal
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Revenue Code, or the continuity of interest test,
then ScanSoft (after consultation with such tax counsel) will
reduce the cash consideration and correspondingly increase the
stock consideration to the minimum extent necessary to enable
the closing tax opinion to be rendered. In addition, the option
exchange ratio will be similarly adjusted to reflect the
reduction in the cash consideration and the increase in the
stock consideration. The aggregate cash consideration will be
reduced by $1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common
stock to be issued in the merger. The continuity of interest
test requires that, after the merger, the Nuance stockholders
must continue to own a substantial part of the value of their
proprietary interests in Nuance by virtue of their ownership of
ScanSoft common stock. There is no definitive standard for
determining whether the continuity of interest test has been
met. For purposes of rendering the tax opinion, however, the
continuity of interest test will be considered satisfied if the
value, as of the effective time of the first step merger, of the
ScanSoft common stock received by the Nuance stockholders
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration, including amounts received by Nuance
stockholders exercising their dissenters or appraisal
rights. For purposes of the continuity of interest
test, tax counsel will consider the value of a share of
ScanSoft common stock to be the average of the high and low
sales prices of a share of ScanSoft common stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of the closing of the first step
merger, which we refer to as the closing date price. If less
than 40% of the total value of the merger consideration consists
of ScanSoft common stock (calculated using the closing date
price), then the aggregate cash consideration will be reduced by
$1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common stock to be
issued until the value of the common stock to be received
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration.
Treatment of Options (See page 87)
Subject to the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft, all
options to purchase Nuance common stock outstanding under the
Nuance stock option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or
less will be assumed by ScanSoft, and become an option to
purchase ScanSoft common stock on the same terms and conditions
as were applicable to the assumed option prior to the closing of
the merger, except
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each such option will be exercisable for such whole number of
shares of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest
share) equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number
of shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon the exercise of
such option, by the option exchange ratio, and |
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the exercise price per share for the ScanSoft common stock shall
be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest cent) of the
exercise price per share for such option, divided by the
option exchange ratio. |
The option exchange ratio is defined as 0.77 (the stock
consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance stock), plus (a) $2.20 (the
cash consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance stock), divided by (b) the
average of the closing trading prices of the ScanSoft common
stock during the five trading days immediately preceding the
closing date, subject to potential adjustment as described below
under Reorganization for Tax Purposes; Tax
Adjustment.
All options with an exercise price of more than $10.00, and not
already fully vested, will accelerate and become fully vested
prior to the effective time of the first step merger, and shall
terminate as of the effective time of the first step merger if
not exercised prior to the effective time of the first step
merger.
The approval of ScanSofts stockholders is being sought for
the Option Assumption because ScanSofts Amended and
Restated By-Laws provide that stockholder approval is required
for ScanSoft to sell securities exercisable into common stock
with an exercise price that is fixed after the date of the
agreement. Since under the proposed treatment of the assumed
Nuance options in accordance with the merger agreement, the
option exercise price is based in part on the average of the
closing trading prices of the ScanSoft common stock during the
five trading days immediately prior to the closing date, rather
than being fixed as of the date the merger agreement was
executed, the Option Assumption requires the approval of
ScanSofts stockholders.
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In the event that the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft
is not obtained for the treatment of the Nuance options as
described above, each Nuance option outstanding under the Nuance
stock option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or less will
be assumed by ScanSoft and become an option to acquire ScanSoft
common stock and cash, whereby
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each such assumed option will be exercisable for such number of
shares of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest
share) equal to the number of shares of Nuance common stock
issuable upon exercise of such option, multiplied by 0.77, and
an amount of cash (rounded up to the nearest cent) equal to the
number of shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon exercise
of such option, multiplied by $2.20, and |
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the exercise price per share for the ScanSoft common stock and
cash shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest
cent) of the exercise price per share for such option, divided
by 0.77. |
Voting Requirements (See pages 44 and 48)
ScanSoft and Nuance cannot complete the merger unless ScanSoft
stockholders vote to approve (i) the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger and
(ii) the Stock Purchase Agreement by and among ScanSoft and
Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. and certain of its
affiliated entities and the issuance of the shares of ScanSoft
common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft common stock
pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement described below. We
refer to the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase
Agreement herein as the Warburg Pincus financing.
ScanSoft and Nuance also cannot complete the merger unless
Nuance stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger. ScanSoft stockholders are also being asked
to approve the treatment of Nuance options as described above,
although receipt of such approval is not a condition to the
merger.
Recommendations of the Boards of Directors Regarding the
Merger (See pages 55 and 63)
After careful consideration of numerous factors, the ScanSoft
board of directors has determined that the proposed merger is
advisable, and is fair to and in the best interests of ScanSoft
and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that ScanSoft
stockholders vote FOR the proposal to approve the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock to Nuance
stockholders in the merger, FOR the Warburg Pincus
financing contemplated in connection with the merger, and
FOR the treatment of the Nuance options in the
manner set forth in the merger agreement.
After careful consideration of numerous factors, the Nuance
board of directors has determined that the merger agreement and
the merger are advisable, and are fair to and in the best
interests of Nuance and its stockholders and unanimously
recommends that Nuance stockholders vote FOR the
proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger.
Opinions of Financial Advisors (See pages 56 and 66)
On May 9, 2005, Thomas Weisel Partners delivered its
written opinion to the ScanSoft board of directors that, as of
that date and based upon and subject to the assumptions,
considerations and limitations set forth in its opinion, the
exchange ratio in the merger agreement was fair, from a
financial point of view, to ScanSoft. The opinion of Thomas
Weisel Partners does not constitute a recommendation as to how
any ScanSoft stockholder should vote with respect to the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with
the merger.
The full text of the written opinion of Thomas Weisel Partners,
which sets forth assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the
opinion, is attached to this joint proxy statement/ prospectus
as Annex B. ScanSoft stockholders are urged to read
the opinion carefully and in its entirety. ScanSoft stockholders
should carefully consider the discussion of Thomas Weisel
Partners analysis in the section entitled Opinion of
ScanSoft Financial Advisor beginning on page 56 of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
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On May 9, 2005, Credit Suisse First Boston LLC delivered
its written opinion to the Nuance board of directors that, as of
that date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions,
considerations and limitations set forth in its opinion, the
merger consideration to be received by the holders of Nuance
common stock pursuant to the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Nuance common stock, other than
affiliates of Nuance. The opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston
does not constitute a recommendation as to how any Nuance
stockholder should vote or act with respect to the merger or any
other matter relating to the merger.
The full text of the written opinion of Credit Suisse First
Boston, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in
connection with the opinion, is attached to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus as Annex C. Nuance
stockholders are urged to, and should, read the opinion
carefully and in its entirety. Credit Suisse First Boston
provided its opinion for the information and assistance of
Nuances board of directors in connection with its
consideration of the merger. Nuance stockholders should
carefully consider the discussion of the Credit Suisse First
Boston opinion in the section entitled Opinion of Nuance
Financial Advisor beginning on page 66 of this joint
proxy statement/ prospectus.
Financing Transaction (See page 108)
Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement by and among
ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus, ScanSoft agreed to issue an
aggregate of 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft common stock for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $60 million,
at a per share price equal to $4.24, and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of its common stock,
exercisable at a price of $5.00 per share, subject to
adjustment as further described below. The warrants will be
exercisable until the earlier of (i) the fourth anniversary
of the date of issuance and (ii) the closing of a change of
control of ScanSoft. Upon completion of the merger and the
Warburg Pincus financing, Warburg Pincus is expected to
beneficially own approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of
ScanSoft common stock, assuming that they do not transfer the
shares of ScanSoft common stock beneficially owned by them prior
to such time.
The Warburg Pincus financing is designed to fund concurrent with
the closing of the merger, and is conditioned upon the
simultaneous closing of the merger. In connection with the Stock
Purchase Agreement, ScanSoft agreed to amend its preferred share
rights agreement. The effect of the amendment to the rights
agreement is to generally permit Warburg Pincus to enter into
agreements with ScanSoft and make certain acquisitions of
ScanSofts securities directly from ScanSoft without
becoming an Acquiring Person under the rights
agreement. In addition, the amendment to the rights agreement
also permits Warburg Pincus to make additional limited
acquisitions of ScanSoft common stock and other securities
convertible into or exercisable for ScanSoft common stock under
certain circumstances without becoming an Acquiring
Person under the rights agreement.
Completion and Effectiveness of the Merger (See
page 85)
ScanSoft and Nuance will complete the merger when all of the
conditions to completion of the merger are satisfied or waived.
The merger will become effective when the certificates of merger
ScanSoft and Nuance file with the State of Delaware are accepted
for filing or at a later time if so specified in the
certificates.
While ScanSoft and Nuance cannot predict the exact timing,
ScanSoft and Nuance currently expect to complete the merger in
September of 2005.
Conditions to Completion of the Merger (See page 96)
Each of ScanSofts and Nuances obligation to complete
the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number
of conditions, including:
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receipt of required approvals from ScanSoft stockholders
regarding (i) the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common
stock to Nuance stockholders in the merger and (ii) the
Warburg Pincus financing; |
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receipt of required approvals from Nuance stockholders regarding
the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger; |
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the absence of any statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, injunction or other order which has the effect of making
the merger, the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in
the merger or the Warburg Pincus financing, illegal or otherwise
prohibiting consummation of the merger, the issuance of shares
of ScanSoft common stock in the merger or the Warburg Pincus
financing; |
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expiration or termination of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and
similar merger notification laws or regulations of foreign
governmental entities in connection with the merger and the
Warburg Pincus financing; |
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the absence of any pending suit, action or proceeding asserted
by any governmental authority (i) challenging or seeking to
restrain or prohibit the consummation of the merger, the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in the merger or the
Warburg Pincus financing or (ii) seeking to require
ScanSoft or Nuance to effect an action of divestiture, and no
specified governmental authority shall have made any statement
or communication that would reasonably be construed to indicate
a governmental authority is likely to commence any such suit,
action or proceeding; |
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effectiveness of the registration statement, of which this joint
proxy statement/ prospectus is a part; |
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receipt by each company of an opinion from its legal counsel
that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the merger will
be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; provided,
however, that if the counsel to either ScanSoft or Nuance does
not render such opinion, this condition will be deemed to be
satisfied with respect to such party if counsel to the other
party renders an opinion to such party to the effect that the
merger will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
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each companys representations and warranties in the merger
agreement being true and correct, to the extent set forth in the
merger agreement, except when the failure of such
representations or warranties to be true and correct has not
resulted, and would not reasonably be expected to result in,
individually or in the aggregate with other such failures, a
material adverse change to the other party; |
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compliance in all material respects by each company with its
covenants and agreements in the merger agreement, to the extent
set forth in the merger agreement; |
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the absence of a material adverse change to each company; |
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the shares of ScanSoft common stock to be issued pursuant to the
merger being authorized for listing on the NASDAQ National
Market, subject to official notice of issuance; and |
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with respect to Nuance only, that the Warburg Pincus financing
shall have been consummated prior to or simultaneous with the
closing of the merger. |
Termination of the Merger Agreement (See page 102)
ScanSoft and Nuance may mutually agree at any time to terminate
the merger agreement without completing the merger, even after
receipt of the requisite approvals of the stockholders of
ScanSoft and Nuance. In addition, either of ScanSoft or Nuance
may, without the consent of the other, terminate the merger
agreement in any of the following circumstances:
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if the merger is not completed by January 9, 2006; |
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if any governmental order, decree or ruling enjoining or
prohibiting the merger, the stock issuance in connection with
the merger or the Warburg Pincus financing has become final and
nonappealable; |
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if the other party breaches the merger agreement in a way that
would entitle the party seeking to terminate the agreement not
to consummate the merger and, if permitted by the merger
agreement, the breaching party does not cure the breach within
30 days; |
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if the other party materially breaches its non-solicitation
provisions in the merger agreement; |
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if a material adverse change (as defined in the merger
agreement) to the other party shall have occurred since
May 9, 2005, the date of the merger agreement, and is
continuing; |
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if ScanSoft stockholders do not approve either the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock to Nuances stockholders in
the merger or the Warburg Pincus financing; or |
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if Nuance stockholders do not adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger. |
In addition, ScanSoft may, without the consent of Nuance,
terminate the merger agreement prior to the adoption of the
merger agreement and approval of the merger by Nuance
stockholders if Nuance enters into a letter of intent or similar
document accepting a third party acquisition proposal or if the
Nuance board of directors:
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withdraws or adversely modifies its unanimous recommendation
that Nuance stockholders adopt the merger agreement and approve
the merger or fails to reconfirm its recommendation of the
merger after the receipt of a written request to do so from
ScanSoft; |
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recommends a third party acquisition proposal to Nuance
stockholders; or |
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fails to recommend against a tender offer or exchange offer that
is commenced by a third party. |
Payment of Termination Fee (See page 104)
ScanSoft and Nuance have each agreed to pay the other party a
termination fee of $6.63 million if the merger agreement is
terminated under certain circumstances.
Prohibition from Soliciting Other Offers (See pages 98
and 100)
Nuance and ScanSoft have each agreed that it will not solicit or
encourage the initiation of any inquiries regarding any
acquisition proposals by third parties.
Nuance may respond to unsolicited superior acquisition proposals
in order for the Nuance board of directors to comply with its
fiduciary duties to Nuances stockholders. Nuance must
promptly notify ScanSoft if Nuance receives any other
acquisition proposals. ScanSoft may respond to unsolicited
acquisition proposals if it provides Nuance written notice of
its intention to respond.
Boards of Directors Recommendations (See page 99)
The merger agreement requires the Nuance board of directors to
unanimously recommend that its stockholders vote in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger, and
not to withdraw, amend or modify, or to propose to withdraw
amend or modify, its unanimous recommendation of the merger in a
manner adverse to ScanSoft. The merger agreement also requires
the ScanSoft board of directors to unanimously recommend that
its stockholders vote in favor of the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger, the Warburg
Pincus financing and the assumption of the Nuance options in the
merger, and not withdraw, amend or modify, or propose to
withdraw amend or modify, its unanimous recommendation of such
matters.
However, in response to a superior offer, the Nuance board of
directors may withhold, withdraw, amend or modify its
recommendation in favor of the merger and, in the case of a
superior offer that is a
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tender or exchange offer made directly to the stockholders of
Nuance, recommend that the stockholders accept the tender or
exchange offer, if:
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such superior offer has been made and has not been withdrawn; |
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the Nuance special meeting of stockholders has not occurred; |
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Nuance has delivered to ScanSoft (i) a written notice at
least five business days before effecting its change of
recommendation, which notice states that Nuance has received a
superior offer and the material terms of such offer, including
the identity of the person or persons making such offer, that
the Nuance board of directors intends to change its
recommendation and the manner in which it intends to do so or
may intend to do so, (ii) provided to ScanSoft a copy of
all written materials delivered to the person or group making
the superior offer in connection with such superior offer, and
(iii) made available to ScanSoft all materials and
information made available to the person or group making the
superior offer in connection with such superior offer (to the
extent such material and information has not been previously
furnished); |
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the Nuance board of directors has not breached any of its
non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement; and |
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the Nuance board of directors has concluded in good faith, after
receipt of advice of its legal counsel, that, in light of such
superior offer, the change of recommendation is required in
order for the Nuance board of directors to comply with its
fiduciary duties to Nuances stockholders under applicable
law. |
During the required five business day notice period, the Nuance
board of directors shall provide ScanSoft the opportunity to
make adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger, and
shall give due consideration to these alternative proposals. The
merger agreement also permits Nuance to comply with
Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2(a) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)
in connection with any third party acquisition proposal. The
merger agreement requires Nuance to submit the adoption of the
merger agreement and approval of the merger to a stockholder
vote even if the Nuance board of directors no longer recommends
adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger.
In the event that the merger agreement is terminated because
Nuances board of directors has withheld, withdrawn,
amended or modified its recommendation in favor of the merger,
or under certain other circumstances, Nuance will be required to
pay the termination fee discussed above.
Voting Agreements (See pages 105 and 106)
As a condition to ScanSoft entering into the merger agreement,
each of Nuances executive officers and directors and one
of its significant stockholders, SRI International, entered into
a voting agreement with ScanSoft in which each has agreed, among
other things, to vote his, her or its shares of Nuance common
stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the merger and against any action that would delay
or prevent the merger and against any alternative transaction.
These persons have the right, as of July 27, 2005, to vote
a total of approximately 2,950,000 shares of Nuance common
stock, or approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of Nuance
common stock (not including options, warrants and other
convertible securities). In connection with the voting
agreements, these persons have granted an irrevocable proxy
appointing members of the ScanSoft board of directors, and each
of them individually, as their sole and exclusive attorneys and
proxies to vote their shares in accordance with the terms of the
voting agreements.
As a condition to Nuance entering into the merger agreement,
each of ScanSofts executive officers, directors and
affiliates entered into a voting agreement with Nuance in which
each has agreed, among other things, to vote his or her shares
of ScanSoft common stock in favor of the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger, the Warburg
Pincus financing, and the assumption of Nuance options as
provided in the merger agreement, and against any action that
would delay or
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prevent the merger and against any alternative transaction.
These persons have the right, as of July 27, 2005, to vote
a total of 17,767,862 shares of ScanSoft common stock, or
approximately 16% of the outstanding shares of ScanSoft common
stock as of such date (not including options, warrants and other
convertible securities). In connection with the voting
agreements, these persons have granted an irrevocable proxy
appointing members of the Nuance board of directors, and each of
them individually, as their sole and exclusive attorneys and
proxies to vote their shares in accordance with the terms of the
voting agreements.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
(See page 74)
At the close of business on July 27, 2005, directors and
executive officers of ScanSoft and their affiliates beneficially
owned approximately 24% of the ScanSoft common stock.
At the close of business on July 27, 2005, directors and
executive officers of Nuance and their affiliates beneficially
owned approximately 9% of the Nuance common stock.
You should be aware that certain ScanSoft and Nuance executive
officers and directors have interests in the merger that may be
different from, or in addition to, interests of ScanSoft and
Nuance stockholders generally. These interests include, among
others:
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. William H. Janeway, one of ScanSofts directors,
is a Vice Chairman of Warburg Pincus LLC and was nominated by
Warburg Pincus to the board of directors of ScanSoft pursuant to
the terms of the Stockholders Agreement between ScanSoft and
Warburg Pincus. As such, Mr. Janeway may be deemed to have
a pecuniary interest in the ScanSoft shares held by Warburg
Pincus and the shares and warrants to be issued pursuant to the
Warburg Pincus financing. |
|
|
|
Ms. Katharine Martin, one of ScanSofts directors, and
the owner of record of 1,000 shares of ScanSoft common
stock and options to purchase an aggregate of
135,000 shares of ScanSoft common stock, is a member of
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., the law
firm representing ScanSoft in connection with the merger and the
Warburg Pincus financing and ScanSofts primary outside
corporate and securities counsel. |
|
|
|
Directors and executive officers of Nuance hold shares of
Nuances common stock and will receive the merger
consideration described above upon the effectiveness of the
first step merger. In addition, all outstanding Nuance stock
options, including those held by Nuance directors and executive
officers, with an exercise price of $10.00 or less will be
assumed by ScanSoft and become options to purchase shares of
ScanSoft common stock. |
|
|
|
The employment agreement between Nuance and Charles Berger,
Nuances President and Chief Executive Officer, entitles
him to certain benefits in the event of a change in control of
Nuance. |
|
|
|
The agreement of ScanSoft to honor the obligations of Nuance
pursuant to indemnification agreements between Nuance and its
directors and officers and to provide directors and
officers liability tail coverage for a period of six years
following the effective time of the merger. |
|
|
|
Nuance has entered into a Change of Control and Retention
Agreement with each of its officers, other than its Chief
Executive Officer, who are subject to the reporting requirements
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and three other officers
that provide for certain cash severance payments and options
accelerations in the event of a termination within
18 months after a change of control of Nuance. |
|
|
|
Continued representation of two Nuance directors on the ScanSoft
board of directors. |
|
|
|
Nuance has entered into option agreements with each of
Nuances executive officers that provide for certain
accelerations of Nuance options held by such executive officers
following a change of control of Nuance. In addition, all Nuance
stock options, including those held by Nuance directors and
officers, with an exercise price of more than $10.00 that are
not already fully vested, will accelerate and become fully
vested prior to the effective time of the merger. |
The ScanSoft and Nuance boards of directors were aware of these
interests in approving the merger. The Warburg Pincus financing
was unanimously approved by the disinterested members of the
ScanSoft
9
board. The interested member of the ScanSoft board did not
participate in any deliberations concerning the Warburg Pincus
financing.
Restrictions on the Ability to Sell ScanSoft Stock (See
page 106)
Nuance will use all commercially reasonable efforts to deliver
to ScanSoft from each person who may reasonably be deemed to be
an affiliate of Nuance an executed affiliate agreement pursuant
to which such affiliate shall agree to be bound by the
provisions of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities
Act. ScanSoft will give stop transfer instructions to its
transfer agent with respect to any ScanSoft common stock
received pursuant to the merger by any stockholder of Nuance who
may reasonably be deemed to be an affiliate. The certificates
will contain a legend stating that the shares were issued in a
transaction to which Rule 145 applies and may only be
transferred (i) in conformity with Rule 145 or
(ii) in accordance with a written opinion of counsel,
reasonably acceptable to ScanSoft, in form and substance that
such transfer is exempt from registration under the Securities
Act.
Regulatory Approvals (See page 96)
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, or the HSR Act, neither the merger nor the
Warburg Pincus financing may be consummated unless certain
filings have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, or
the FTC, and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department
of Justice, or the Antitrust Division, and certain waiting
period requirements have been satisfied. ScanSoft and Warburg
Pincus filed the appropriate notification and report forms with
respect to the Warburg Pincus financing and ScanSoft and Nuance
filed the appropriate notification and report forms with respect
to the merger with the FTC and with the Antitrust Division on
May 20, 2005 and May 23, 2005, respectively. The
waiting period with respect to the Warburg Pincus financing has
expired. The Antitrust Division has requested additional
information and documentary material in connection with its
review of the proposed merger. This request will result in an
extension of the waiting period under the HSR Act. ScanSoft
and Nuance plan to respond promptly to the Antitrust Division
request.
The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the
legality under the antitrust laws of transactions like the
proposed merger. At any time before or after the completion of
the merger, the FTC or the Antitrust Division could take any
action under the antitrust laws that it deems necessary or
advisable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin
the completion of the merger or seeking the divestiture of
substantial assets of ScanSoft or Nuance. In addition, certain
private parties, as well as state attorneys general and other
antitrust authorities, may challenge the transaction under
antitrust laws under certain circumstances.
In addition, the merger may be subject to various foreign
antitrust laws.
ScanSoft and Nuance believe that the completion of the merger
will not violate any antitrust laws. However, there can be no
assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds
will not be made, or, if such a challenge is made, that the
result will be favorable.
Listing of ScanSoft Common Stock (See page 81)
ScanSoft will use all reasonable efforts to cause the shares of
ScanSoft common stock issued pursuant to the merger to be
authorized for listing on the NASDAQ National Market. The
authorization of such shares for listing on the NASDAQ National
Market is a condition to the merger.
Appraisal Rights (See page 81)
Subject to compliance with the procedures set forth in
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or
DGCL, Nuance stockholders who do not vote in favor of the
approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the merger and
otherwise comply with the requirements of the DGCL will be
entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the merger,
whereby such stockholders may receive the fair value
of their shares in cash. Failure to take any of the steps
required under Section 262 of the
10
DGCL on a timely basis may result in a loss of those appraisal
rights. The provisions of Delaware law that grant appraisal
rights and govern such procedures are attached as
Annex H.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On May 18, 2005, Nuance received a copy of a complaint
naming it and the members of its board of directors as
defendants in a lawsuit filed on May 13, 2005 in the
Superior Court of the State of California, County of
San Mateo, by Mr. Frank Capovilla on behalf of himself
and, purportedly, the holders of Nuances common stock.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that Nuances
directors breached their fiduciary duties to Nuances
stockholders respecting the Agreement and Plan of Merger that
Nuance entered into with ScanSoft, Inc. on May 9, 2005. The
complaint seeks to declare that the Agreement and Plan of Merger
is unenforceable. The complaint also seeks an award of
attorneys and experts fees.
Nuance believes the allegations of this lawsuit are without
merit, and expects that it and its directors will vigorously
contest this action.
11
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF SCANSOFT
On October 23, 2004, ScanSofts board of directors
approved a change in ScanSofts fiscal year end from
December 31 to September 30, effective beginning
September 30, 2004. The following table presents summary
historical consolidated financial data of ScanSoft for the nine
months ended September 30, 2004 and the four most recent
years and the first six months of the current fiscal year
comparative to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The
financial data is derived from ScanSofts consolidated
financial statements. The financial data for the interim periods
presented is derived from unaudited financial statements and is
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any
other interim period or for the fiscal year as a whole. Since
the information in this table is only a summary and does not
provide all of the information contained in ScanSofts
financial statements, including related notes, you should read
ScanSofts Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and
ScanSofts consolidated financial statements, including
related notes, incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus or as previously filed by ScanSoft with the
SEC in its periodic reports. See Where You Can Find More
Information on page 147.
ScanSoft, Inc.
Condensed Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
Months | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
Ended | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
Sep. 30, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
$ |
113,691 |
|
|
$ |
89,646 |
|
|
$ |
130,907 |
|
|
$ |
135,399 |
|
|
$ |
106,619 |
|
|
$ |
62,717 |
|
|
$ |
47,961 |
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
4,648 |
|
|
|
(2,391 |
) |
|
|
(7,993 |
) |
|
|
(6,462 |
) |
|
|
6,603 |
|
|
|
(16,931 |
) |
|
|
(52,497 |
) |
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
4,082 |
|
|
|
(1,926 |
) |
|
|
(8,045 |
) |
|
|
(5,787 |
) |
|
|
6,587 |
|
|
|
(17,194 |
) |
|
|
(52,779 |
) |
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
2,139 |
|
|
$ |
(1,483 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,378 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,518 |
) |
|
$ |
6,333 |
|
|
$ |
(16,877 |
) |
|
$ |
(53,251 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share: basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
(0.34 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
105,264 |
|
|
|
101,213 |
|
|
|
103,780 |
|
|
|
78,398 |
|
|
|
67,010 |
|
|
|
49,693 |
|
|
|
42,107 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
112,812 |
|
|
|
101,213 |
|
|
|
103,780 |
|
|
|
78,398 |
|
|
|
72,796 |
|
|
|
49,693 |
|
|
|
42,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
As of | |
|
| |
|
|
Mar. 31, | |
|
Sep. 30, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents.
|
|
$ |
25,882 |
|
|
$ |
22,963 |
|
|
$ |
42,584 |
|
|
$ |
18,853 |
|
|
$ |
14,324 |
|
|
$ |
2,571 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
3,858 |
|
|
|
24,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
(29,269 |
) |
|
|
27,940 |
|
|
|
44,305 |
|
|
|
16,842 |
|
|
|
9,318 |
|
|
|
(6,484 |
) |
Total assets
|
|
|
452,690 |
|
|
|
392,653 |
|
|
|
401,940 |
|
|
|
143,690 |
|
|
|
142,070 |
|
|
|
109,480 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
33,632 |
|
|
|
45,360 |
|
|
|
48,340 |
|
|
|
725 |
|
|
|
6,143 |
|
|
|
2,172 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
309,009 |
|
|
|
301,745 |
|
|
|
303,226 |
|
|
|
119,378 |
|
|
|
114,534 |
|
|
|
87,461 |
|
12
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF NUANCE
The following table presents summary historical consolidated
financial data of Nuance for the five most recent years and the
six months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. The financial
data is derived from Nuances consolidated financial
statements. The financial data for the interim periods presented
is derived from unaudited financial statements and is not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any
other interim period or for the fiscal year as a whole. Since
the information in this table is only a summary and does not
provide all of the information contained in Nuances
financial statements, including related notes, you should read
Nuances Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and
Nuances consolidated financial statements, including
related notes, incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus or as previously filed by Nuance with the
SEC in its periodic reports. See Where You Can Find More
Information on page 147.
Nuance Communications, Inc.
Condensed Historical Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005(1) | |
|
2004(2) | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
$ |
28,114 |
|
|
$ |
29,430 |
|
|
$ |
57,877 |
|
|
$ |
55,038 |
|
|
$ |
44,085 |
|
|
$ |
39,300 |
|
|
$ |
51,818 |
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(5,990 |
) |
|
|
(3,186 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(22,287 |
) |
|
|
(73,071 |
) |
|
|
(117,781 |
) |
|
|
(29,825 |
) |
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(5,068 |
) |
|
|
(2,816 |
) |
|
|
(26,594 |
) |
|
|
(21,107 |
) |
|
|
(70,384 |
) |
|
|
(109,791 |
) |
|
|
(23,124 |
) |
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,958 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,794 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,179 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,301 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,184 |
) |
|
$ |
(110,365 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,474 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.74 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.56 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.40 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
36,025 |
|
|
|
34,947 |
|
|
|
35,487 |
|
|
|
34,471 |
|
|
|
33,666 |
|
|
|
32,480 |
|
|
|
22,717 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
Mar. 31, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
69,547 |
|
|
$ |
53,583 |
|
|
$ |
40,206 |
|
|
$ |
43,771 |
|
|
$ |
132,618 |
|
|
$ |
219,047 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
18,029 |
|
|
|
37,493 |
|
|
|
66,599 |
|
|
|
83,737 |
|
|
|
41,977 |
|
|
|
8,728 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
74,469 |
|
|
|
81,113 |
|
|
|
99,661 |
|
|
|
110,034 |
|
|
|
128,672 |
|
|
|
226,366 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
122,490 |
|
|
|
130,257 |
|
|
|
141,497 |
|
|
|
161,670 |
|
|
|
208,231 |
|
|
|
279,338 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
50,772 |
|
|
|
53,286 |
|
|
|
43,612 |
|
|
|
43,122 |
|
|
|
21,911 |
|
|
|
2,552 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
44,675 |
|
|
|
49,216 |
|
|
|
72,561 |
|
|
|
89,273 |
|
|
|
154,825 |
|
|
|
251,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Six month results for the period ended March 31, 2005 were
derived from Nuances consolidated financial statements
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC, Nuances
consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 included in its Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2004, as
filed with the SEC, and Nuances consolidated financial
statements for the three months ended March 31, 2005
included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three
months ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC. |
|
|
(2) |
Six month results for the period ended March 31, 2004 were
derived from Nuances consolidated financial statements
included its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2003, as filed with the SEC, Nuances
consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 2003 included in its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30,
2003, as filed with the SEC, and Nuances consolidated
financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
2004 included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three months ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC. |
13
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents summary unaudited pro forma
combined financial data which reflects the proposed acquisition
of Nuance by ScanSoft. The summary unaudited pro forma combined
financial data is derived from and should be read in conjunction
with the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and
related notes thereto included in this joint proxy statement/
prospectus. See Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Information on page F-1.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Mar. 31, 2005 | |
|
Sep. 30, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
$ |
146,047 |
|
|
$ |
181,414 |
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(15,683 |
) |
|
|
(55,315 |
) |
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(17,659 |
) |
|
|
(58,684 |
) |
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(19,524 |
) |
|
$ |
(59,661 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
147,434 |
|
|
|
146,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, | |
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
69,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
20,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
14,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
714,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
75,456 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
496,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
14
COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA
The following table reflects (i) the historical income
(loss) from continuing operations and book value per share of
ScanSoft common stock in comparison to the pro forma income
(loss) from continuing operations and book value per share after
giving effect to the proposed merger with Nuance; and
(ii) the historical loss from continuing operations and
book value per share of Nuance common stock in comparison with
the equivalent pro forma loss from continuing operations and
book value per share. The equivalent pro forma loss from
continuing operations and book value per share are equal to the
pro forma loss from continuing operations and book value per
share of ScanSoft, after giving effect to the proposed merger
with Nuance, multiplied by 0.77, the number of shares of
ScanSoft common stock to be issued in exchange for each share of
Nuance common stock. The comparative historical and pro forma
per share data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
pro forma combined financial statements and related notes
thereto and the historical consolidated financial statements of
ScanSoft and notes thereto, which information is incorporated by
reference into this joint proxy statement/ prospectus, and the
historical consolidated financial statements of Nuance, which
information is incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus.
The pro forma combined financial data is not necessarily
indicative of the operating results of future operations or the
actual results that would have occurred had the merger been
completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The
historical book value per common share was calculated by
dividing stockholders equity by the number of shares of
common stock outstanding at March 31, 2005. ScanSofts
pro forma combined book value per share was computed by dividing
pro forma stockholders equity by the pro forma number of
shares of ScanSoft common stock which would have been
outstanding had the merger been completed as of March 31,
2005.
ScanSoft and Nuance did not declare or pay cash dividends on
their common stock in the periods presented and they do not
intend to pay dividends on their common stock in the foreseeable
future. See Comparative Per Share Market Price Data
on page 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
Ended September 30, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
ScanSoft:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
Pro forma basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
Book value per share at March 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
$ |
2.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$ |
3.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended March 31, | |
|
Ended September 30, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Nuance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.73 |
) |
Equivalent pro forma basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.10 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
Book value per share at March 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equivalent pro forma
|
|
$ |
2.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE DATA
Nuance common stock trades on the NASDAQ National Market under
the symbol NUAN. ScanSoft common stock trades on the
NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SSFT.
The following table shows the high and low prices per share of
Nuance common stock and ScanSoft common stock each as reported
on the NASDAQ National Market on (1) May 9, 2005, the
last full trading day preceding public announcement that
ScanSoft and Nuance had entered into the merger agreement, and
(2) July 27, 2005.
The table also includes the implied high and low prices per
share of Nuance common stock on those dates. This implied high
and low price per share reflects the fluctuating value of the
ScanSoft common stock that Nuance stockholders would receive in
exchange for each share of Nuance common stock if the merger was
completed on either of these dates applying the exchange ratio
of 0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock and $2.20 of cash,
without interest, for each share of Nuance common stock
exchanged in the merger.
As of July 27, 2005, there were approximately
362 holders of record of Nuance common stock and
36,700,643 shares of Nuance common stock outstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nuance Common | |
|
ScanSoft | |
|
Implied Price per | |
|
|
Stock | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
May 9, 2005
|
|
$ |
3.24 |
|
|
$ |
3.03 |
|
|
$ |
4.64 |
|
|
$ |
4.48 |
|
|
$ |
5.77 |
|
|
$ |
5.65 |
|
July 27, 2005
|
|
$ |
4.90 |
|
|
$ |
4.76 |
|
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
4.10 |
|
|
$ |
5.43 |
|
|
$ |
5.36 |
|
The foregoing table shows only historical comparisons. These
comparisons may not provide meaningful information to you in
determining whether to adopt the merger agreement and approve
the merger. Because the number of shares of ScanSoft common
stock to be issued for each share of Nuance common stock is
fixed, changes in the market price of ScanSoft common stock will
affect the dollar value of ScanSoft common stock to be received
by Nuance stockholders pursuant to the merger. Nuance
stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for
ScanSoft common stock and to review carefully the other
information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus
or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus in considering whether to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger. See the section entitled
Where You Can Find More Information on page 147.
16
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This joint proxy statement/ prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/
prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that
involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, that,
if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the
results of ScanSoft and its consolidated subsidiaries, on the
one hand, or Nuance and its consolidated subsidiaries, on the
other, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
generally are identified by the words expects,
anticipates, believes,
intends, estimates, should,
would, strategy, plan and
similar expressions. All statements other than statements of
historical fact are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements. For example, forward-looking
statements include projections of earnings, revenues, synergies,
accretion or other financial items; any statements of the plans,
strategies and objectives of management for future operations,
including the execution of integration and restructuring plans
and the anticipated timing of filings, approvals relating to,
and the closing of, the merger or the Warburg Pincus financing;
any statements concerning proposed new products, services,
developments or industry rankings; any statements regarding
future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief
and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the
foregoing. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to
above include the difficulty of maintaining expense growth while
increasing revenues; the challenges of integration and
restructuring associated with the merger and the challenges of
achieving the anticipated synergies; the possibility that the
merger may not close or that ScanSoft or Nuance may be required
to modify some aspect of the merger in order to obtain
regulatory approval; the challenge of maintaining revenues on a
combined company basis following the merger; and other risks and
uncertainties described in the section entitled Risk
Factors and in the documents that are incorporated by
reference into this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of
these assumptions proves incorrect, results of ScanSoft and
Nuance could differ materially from the expectations in these
statements. The forward-looking statements included in this
joint proxy statement/ prospectus are made only as of the date
of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus, and neither ScanSoft
nor Nuance is under any obligation to update their respective
forward-looking statements and neither party intends to do so.
17
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below
before making your decision to approve the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock to Nuance stockholders, the Warburg Pincus
financing or the Option Assumption or to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger, as the case may be. The risks
and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing
ScanSoft and Nuance. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we do not currently believe are
important to an investor may also harm our respective business
operations. If any of the events, contingencies, circumstances
or conditions described in the following risks actually occurs,
our respective businesses, financial condition or our results of
operations could be seriously harmed. If that happens, the
trading price of ScanSoft common stock or Nuance common stock
could decline and you may lose part or all of the value of any
ScanSoft shares or Nuance shares held by you.
Risks Related to the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing
By voting to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger,
Nuance stockholders will be choosing to invest in ScanSoft
common stock. In deciding whether to adopt the merger agreement
and approve the merger, you should consider all of the
information we have included in this joint proxy statement/
prospectus and its annexes and all of the information included
in the documents ScanSoft and Nuance have incorporated by
reference into this joint proxy statement/ prospectus. See the
sections entitled Documents Incorporated by
Reference and Where You Can Find More
Information. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we do not currently believe are
important to an investor may also harm our respective business
operations. If any of the events, contingencies, circumstances
or conditions described in the following risks actually occur,
our respective businesses, financial condition or our results of
operations could be seriously harmed. If that happens, the
trading price of ScanSoft common stock or Nuance common stock
could decline and you may lose part or all of the value of any
ScanSoft shares or Nuance shares held by you.
You should pay particular attention to the following risks
relating to the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing.
|
|
|
Nuance stockholders will receive a fixed ratio of
(i) 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft common stock, and
(ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance common stock
exchanged in the merger, regardless of any changes in market
value of Nuance common stock or ScanSoft common stock before the
completion of the merger. |
Upon completion of the merger, each share of Nuance common stock
will be converted into the right to receive (i) 0.77 of a
share of ScanSoft common stock and (ii) $2.20 in cash. The
market values of ScanSoft common stock and Nuance common stock
have varied since ScanSoft and Nuance entered into the merger
agreement and will continue to vary in the future due to changes
in the business, operations or prospects of ScanSoft and Nuance,
market assessments of the merger, regulatory considerations,
market and economic considerations, and other factors. The
dollar value of ScanSoft common stock that Nuance stockholders
will receive upon completion of the merger will depend on the
market value of ScanSoft common stock at the time of completion
of the merger, which may be different from, and lower than, the
closing price of ScanSoft common stock on the last full trading
day preceding the public announcement that ScanSoft and Nuance
entered into the merger agreement, the last full trading day
prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus or
the date of the special meetings. Moreover, completion of the
merger may occur some time after the requisite stockholder
approvals have been obtained. There will be no adjustment to the
exchange ratio (except for certain tax adjustments described
below and adjustments to reflect the effect of any stock split
or other recapitalization of ScanSoft common stock or Nuance
common stock), and the parties do not have a right to terminate
the merger agreement, based upon changes in the market price of
either ScanSoft common stock or Nuance common stock.
18
|
|
|
The merger consideration may be adjusted in order for the
merger to qualify as a reorganization for tax
purposes. |
The merger is intended to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consummation
of the merger is conditioned upon receipt by ScanSoft and Nuance
of tax opinions from their respective counsel at closing to such
effect. Under the merger agreement, if neither tax counsel to
ScanSoft nor tax counsel to Nuance can render the closing tax
opinion because they both reasonably determine that the merger
may not satisfy the continuity of interest requirements for a
tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or the continuity of interest
test, then ScanSoft (after consultation with such tax
counsel) will reduce the cash consideration and correspondingly
increase the stock consideration to the minimum extent necessary
to enable the closing tax opinion to be rendered. Generally
speaking, to satisfy this test 40% of the total value of the
merger consideration must consist of ScanSoft common stock
(calculated using the closing date price). If the cash
consideration must be reduced and the stock consideration must
be increased to satisfy this test, then the merger agreement
provides that the aggregate cash consideration will be reduced
by $1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common stock to
be issued in the merger. The ScanSoft common stock may be
trading at a lower price than $1.905 at the closing, which would
effectively lower the aggregate value of the consideration
Nuance stockholders will receive in the merger.
|
|
|
Warburg Pincus will own a large percentage of the ScanSoft
common stock after consummation of the merger and the Warburg
Pincus financing, and will have significant control over matters
submitted to the vote of stockholders. |
After completion of the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing,
Warburg Pincus will beneficially own approximately 25% of the
outstanding ScanSoft common stock on a fully diluted basis.
Accordingly, Warburg Pincus would significantly influence the
outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted
to the stockholders for approval, including mergers,
consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of
ScanSofts assets. The interests of Warburg Pincus may
differ from the interests of other stockholders.
|
|
|
ScanSoft may fail to integrate successfully
ScanSofts and Nuances operations. As a result,
ScanSoft and Nuance may not achieve the anticipated benefits of
the merger, which could adversely affect the price of ScanSoft
common stock. |
ScanSoft and Nuance entered into the merger agreement with the
expectation that the merger will result in benefits to ScanSoft
and Nuance, including establishing a greater global presence,
stronger channel and partner capabilities, and ScanSofts
ability to sell complementary products and technologies to a
wider range of customers. However, these expected benefits may
not be fully realized. Failure of the combined company to meet
the challenges involved with successfully integrating the
personnel, products, technology and sales operations of the two
companies following the merger or to realize any of the other
anticipated benefits of the merger, could have a material
adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results
of operations of ScanSoft and its subsidiaries, including
Nuance. These integration efforts may be difficult and time
consuming, especially considering the highly technical and
complex nature of each companys products. The challenges
involved in this integration include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
coordinating software development operations in a rapid and
efficient manner to ensure timely release of products to market; |
|
|
|
combining product offerings and product lines quickly and
effectively; |
|
|
|
successfully managing difficulties associated with transitioning
current customers to new product lines; |
|
|
|
demonstrating to our existing and potential customers that the
merger will not result in adverse changes in customer service
standards or business focus; |
|
|
|
retaining key alliances with partners and suppliers; |
19
|
|
|
|
|
coordinating sales and marketing efforts to communicate
effectively the capabilities of the combined company; |
|
|
|
absorbing costs and delays in implementing overlapping systems
and procedures, including financial accounting systems; |
|
|
|
persuading employees that ScanSofts and Nuances
business cultures are compatible, maintaining employee morale
and retaining key employees; and |
|
|
|
overcoming potential distraction of management attention and
resources from the business of the combined company. |
The combined company may not successfully integrate the
operations and technology of ScanSoft and Nuance in a timely
manner, or at all, and the combined company may not realize the
anticipated benefits of the merger to the extent, or in the
timeframe, anticipated, which could significantly harm its
business.
|
|
|
ScanSofts operating results could be adversely
affected as a result of purchase accounting treatment, and the
corresponding impact of amortization or impairment of other
intangibles relating to its proposed merger with Nuance, if the
results of the combined company do not offset these additional
expenses. |
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States, ScanSoft will account for the merger using the purchase
method of accounting. Under purchase accounting, ScanSoft will
record the market value of its common stock, cash, and other
consideration issued in connection with the merger and the
amount of direct transaction costs as the cost of acquiring the
business of Nuance. ScanSoft will allocate that cost to the
individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including
various identifiable intangible assets such as acquired
technology, acquired trade names, and acquired customer
relationships and assumed above-market lease liabilities based
on their respective fair values. Intangible assets generally
will be amortized over a four to ten year period. The amount of
purchase price allocated to goodwill will be approximately
$109.4 million and the amount allocated to identifiable
intangible assets will be approximately $53.1 million.
Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to at
least an annual impairment analysis, which may result in an
impairment charge if the carrying value exceeds its implied fair
value. If other identifiable intangible assets were amortized in
equal quarterly amounts over a seven-year period following
completion of the merger, the amortization attributable to these
items would be approximately $1.9 million per quarter and
$7.6 million per fiscal year. As a result, purchase
accounting treatment of the merger could decrease net income for
ScanSoft in the foreseeable future, which could have a material
and adverse effect on the market value of ScanSoft common stock
following completion of the merger.
|
|
|
ScanSoft and Nuance expect to incur significant costs
associated with the merger. |
ScanSoft estimates that it will incur direct transaction costs
of approximately $6.3 million associated with the merger,
which will be included as a part of the total purchase
consideration for accounting purposes. In addition, Nuance
estimates that it will incur direct transaction costs for
accounting, investment banking and legal services of
approximately $6 million, which are expensed in the quarter
in which they are incurred. A portion of the Nuance costs will
be determined upon the closing. ScanSoft and Nuance believe the
combined entity may incur charges to operations, which currently
are not reasonably estimable, in the quarter in which the merger
is completed or the following quarters, to reflect costs
associated with integrating the two companies. There can be no
assurance that the combined company will not incur additional
material charges in subsequent quarters to reflect additional
costs associated with the merger.
|
|
|
Nuance executive officers and directors have interests
that are different from, or in addition to, interests of Nuance
stockholders generally, which may influence them to support the
merger. |
When considering the recommendation of the Nuance board of
directors regarding the merger, you should be aware of the
interests that executive officers and directors of Nuance have
in the merger that
20
are different from, or in addition to, interests of Nuance
stockholders generally. These interests include, among others:
|
|
|
|
|
existing agreements that provide, among other things, for
severance and other benefits as a result of the merger; |
|
|
|
continued representation of two Nuance directors on the ScanSoft
board of directors; |
|
|
|
continued director and executive officer indemnification and
insurance; and |
|
|
|
acceleration of certain Nuance options held by its executive
officers. |
As a result, these executive officers may be more likely to vote
to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger than if
they did not have these other interests. As of July 27,
2005, executive officers and directors and a significant
stockholder, SRI International, of Nuance, who together owned
approximately 2,950,000 shares of Nuance common stock,
which represented approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of
Nuance common stock (excluding options, warrants and other
convertible securities), have agreed to vote in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the merger.
The voting agreements permit the sale, prior to the merger
becoming effective, of a limited number of shares of common
stock held by Nuance directors and executive officers.
|
|
|
Whether or not the merger is completed, the announcement
and pendency of the proposed merger has caused disruptions in
the business of Nuance and may cause further disruptions in the
business of Nuance or disruptions in the business of ScanSoft,
which could have material adverse effects on each companys
or the combined companys business and operations. |
Whether or not the merger is completed, ScanSofts and
Nuances customers, in response to the announcement and
pendency of the merger, may delay or defer purchase decisions,
which could have a material adverse effect on the business of
each company or the combined company. In addition, current and
prospective ScanSoft and Nuance employees may experience
uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company.
This uncertainty may adversely affect ScanSofts and
Nuances ability to attract and retain key management,
sales, marketing and technical personnel. The extent of this
adverse effect could depend on the length of time prior to
completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement.
|
|
|
Failure to complete the merger could negatively impact
Nuances and ScanSofts stock price, future business
and operations. |
If the merger is not completed for any reason, both Nuance and
ScanSoft may be subject to a number of material risks, including
the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Neither Nuance nor ScanSoft would realize any anticipated
benefits from being a part of a combined company; |
|
|
|
Nuance and ScanSoft may be obligated to pay the other a fee of
$6.63 million in liquidated damages if the merger agreement
is terminated in certain circumstances; |
|
|
|
the price of Nuance or ScanSoft common stock may decline to the
extent that its current market price reflects a market
assumption that the merger will be completed; |
|
|
|
Nuance or ScanSoft may experience difficulties in attracting
strategic customers and partners who were expecting to use the
products proposed to be offered by the combined company; |
|
|
|
Nuance and ScanSoft must pay all or a portion of certain costs
relating to the merger, such as legal, accounting, financial
advisor and printing fees, even if the merger is not completed,
which costs will be substantial; and |
21
|
|
|
|
|
with respect to Nuance, Nuance may not be able to find another
buyer willing to pay an equivalent or higher price in an
alternative transaction than the price that would be paid
pursuant to the merger. |
|
|
|
Regulatory agencies, private parties, state attorneys
general and other antitrust authorities may raise challenges to
the merger on antitrust grounds. |
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, or the HSR Act, neither the merger nor the
Warburg Pincus financing may be consummated unless certain
filings have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice (the Antitrust
Division) and certain waiting period requirements have
been satisfied. ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus filed the
appropriate notification and report forms with respect to the
Warburg Pincus financing and ScanSoft and Nuance filed the
appropriate notification and report forms with respect to the
merger with the FTC and with the Antitrust Division on
May 20, 2005 and May 23, 2005, respectively. The
waiting period with respect to the Warburg Pincus financing has
expired. The Antitrust Division has requested additional
information and documentary material in connection with its
review of the proposed merger. This request will result in an
extension of the waiting period under the HSR Act until
30 days after ScanSoft and Nuance substantially
comply with the request, unless the waiting period is
terminated earlier or extended with the consent of ScanSoft and
Nuance. ScanSoft and Nuance are continuing to cooperate with the
Antitrust Division as it reviews the merger. If the request were
to be complied with and this additional 30-day period were to
run, the Antitrust Division could choose to do nothing further,
in which case the HSR Act would impose no further obstacles to
the closing of the merger, or the Antitrust Division could
choose to pursue independent legal action in order to enjoin the
closing of the merger. In addition, conditions may be imposed
upon the approval of the merger. Such conditions may jeopardize
or delay completion of the merger or may reduce the anticipated
benefits of the merger. Subject to compliance with the terms of
the merger agreement, ScanSoft may not be willing to accept such
conditions, and the merger thus may not be consummated.
Furthermore, ScanSoft and Nuance stockholders may be voting on
the matters presented at their respective stockholder meetings
before the waiting period terminates or before any challenge to
the merger on antitrust grounds is resolved. Any conditions that
must be agreed upon to obtain Antitrust Division approval of the
merger may be finalized subsequent to the stockholder votes at
the respective ScanSoft and Nuance stockholder meetings.
The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the
legality under the antitrust laws of transactions like the
merger. At any time before or after the completion of the
merger, the FTC or the Antitrust Division could take any action
under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in
the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the completion
of the merger or seeking the divestiture of substantial assets
of ScanSoft or Nuance. In addition, certain private parties, as
well as state attorneys general and other antitrust authorities,
may challenge the transaction under antitrust laws under certain
circumstances.
In addition, the merger may be subject to various foreign
antitrust laws.
Although ScanSoft and Nuance believe that the completion of the
merger will not violate any antitrust laws, there can be no
assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds
will not be made, or, if such a challenge is made, what the
result will be.
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The price of ScanSoft common stock may be affected by
factors different from those affecting the price of Nuance
common stock. |
When the merger is completed, holders of Nuance common stock
will become holders of ScanSoft common stock. ScanSofts
business differs from that of Nuance, and ScanSofts
results of operations, as well as the price of ScanSoft common
stock, may be affected by factors different from those affecting
Nuances results of operations and the price of Nuance
common stock.
22
Risks Related to ScanSoft and the Combined Company
Risks Related to ScanSofts Business
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Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from
period to period, and this may cause our stock price to
decline. |
Our revenue and operating results have fluctuated in the past
and we expect our revenue and operating results to continue to
fluctuate in the future. Given this fluctuation, we believe that
quarter to quarter comparisons of our revenue and operating
results are not necessarily meaningful or an accurate indicator
of our future performance. As a result, our results of
operations may not meet the expectations of securities analysts
or investors in the future. If this occurs, the price of our
stock would likely decline. Factors that contribute to
fluctuations in our operating results include the following:
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slowing sales by our distribution and fulfillment partners to
their customers, which may place pressure on these partners to
reduce purchases of our products; |
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volume, timing and fulfillment of customer orders; |
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rapid shifts in demand for products given the highly cyclical
nature of the retail software industry; |
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the loss of, or a significant curtailment of, purchases by any
one or more of our principal customers; |
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concentration of operations with one manufacturing partner and
ability to control expenses related to the manufacture,
packaging and shipping of our boxed software products; |
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customers delaying their purchasing decisions in anticipation of
new versions of products; |
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customers delaying, canceling or limiting their purchases as a
result of the threat or results of terrorism; |
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introduction of new products by us or our competitors; |
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seasonality in purchasing patterns of our customers, where
purchases tend to slow in the fourth fiscal quarter; |
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reduction in the prices of our products in response to
competition or market conditions; |
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returns and allowance charges in excess of recorded amounts; |
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timing of significant marketing and sales promotions; |
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write-offs of excess or obsolete inventory and accounts
receivable that are not collectible; |
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increased expenditures incurred pursuing new product or market
opportunities; |
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inability to adjust our operating expenses to compensate for
shortfalls in revenue against forecast; and |
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general economic trends as they affect retail and corporate
sales. |
Due to the foregoing factors, among others, our revenue and
operating results are difficult to forecast. Our expense levels
are based in significant part on our expectations of future
revenue, and we may not be able to reduce our expenses quickly
enough to respond to a shortfall in projected revenue.
Therefore, our failure to meet revenue expectations could
seriously harm our operating results, financial condition and
cash flows.
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We have grown, and may continue to grow, through
acquisitions, which could dilute our existing stockholders and
could involve substantial integration risks. |
As part of our business strategy, we have in the past acquired,
and expect to continue to acquire, other businesses and
technologies. In connection with past acquisitions, we issued a
substantial number of shares of our common stock as transaction
consideration. We may continue to issue equity securities for
future acquisitions that would dilute our existing stockholders,
perhaps significantly depending on the terms of the acquisition.
We may also incur debt in connection with future acquisitions,
which, if available at all, may place additional restrictions on
our ability to operate our business. Furthermore, our
acquisition of the
23
speech and language technology operations of Lernout &
Hauspie Speech Products N.V. and certain of its affiliates,
including L&H Holdings USA, Inc. (collectively, L&H),
our acquisition of the Speech Processing Telephony and Voice
Control business units from Philips, our acquisition of
SpeechWorks International, Inc., our acquisition of LocusDialog,
Inc., and our acquisition of Telelogue, Inc. required
substantial integration and management efforts. Our recently
completed acquisitions of Rhetorical Systems Ltd., ART Advanced
Recognition Technologies, Inc. and Phonetic Systems, Ltd., and
our pending acquisition of Nuance Communications will likely
pose similar, and likely greater, challenges. Acquisitions of
this nature involve a number of risks, including:
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difficulty in transitioning and integrating the operations and
personnel of the acquired businesses, including different and
complex accounting and financial reporting systems; |
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potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of
management; |
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potential difficulty in successfully implementing, upgrading and
deploying in a timely and effective manner new operational
information systems and upgrades of our finance, accounting and
product distribution systems; |
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difficulty in incorporating acquired technology and rights into
our products and technology; |
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unanticipated expenses and delays in completing acquired
development projects and technology integration; |
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management of geographically remote units both in the United
States and internationally; |
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impairment of relationships with partners and customers; |
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entering markets or types of businesses in which we have limited
experience; and |
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potential loss of key employees of the acquired company. |
As a result of these and other risks, we may not realize
anticipated benefits from our acquisitions. Any failure to
achieve these benefits or failure to successfully integrate
acquired businesses and technologies could seriously harm our
business.
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Purchase accounting treatment of our acquisitions could
decrease our net income in the foreseeable future, which could
have a material and adverse effect on the market value of our
common stock. |
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States, we have accounted for our acquisitions using the
purchase method of accounting. Under purchase accounting, we
record the market value of our common stock or other form of
consideration issued in connection with the acquisition and the
amount of direct transaction costs as the cost of acquiring the
company or business. We have allocated that cost to the
individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including
various identifiable intangible assets such as acquired
technology, acquired trade names and acquired customer
relationships based on their respective fair values. Intangible
assets generally will be amortized over a five to ten year
period. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject
to at least an annual impairment analysis, which may result in
an impairment charge if the carrying value exceeds its implied
fair value. As of March 31, 2005, we had identified
intangible assets amounting to approximately $54.4 million and
goodwill of approximately $300.8 million. We currently
anticipate that the Nuance acquisition will significantly add to
our intangible assets and goodwill. The combination of the
organizations and the associated technologies could result in an
impairment of such intangible assets or goodwill.
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We have a history of operating losses, and we may incur
losses in the future, which may require us to raise additional
capital on unfavorable terms. |
We reported a net loss of $1.0 million for the three month
period ended March 31, 2005, net income of
$2.1 million for the six month period ended March 31,
2005, and net losses of $9.4 million and $5.5 million
for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 and the
twelve month period ended December 31, 2003, respectively.
We had an accumulated deficit of $159.7 million at
March 31, 2005. If
24
we are unable to maintain profitability, the market price for
our stock may decline, perhaps substantially. We cannot assure
you that our revenues will grow or that we will maintain
profitability in the future. If we do not maintain
profitability, we may be required to raise additional capital to
maintain or grow our operations. The terms of any additional
capital, if available at all, may be highly dilutive to existing
investors or contain other unfavorable terms, such as a high
interest rate and restrictive covenants.
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Historically, a small number of product areas have
generated a substantial portion of our revenues. A significant
reduction in the revenue contribution in absolute dollars from
these product areas could seriously harm our business, results
of operations, financial condition, cash flows and stock
price. |
Sales of our dictation, document and PDF conversion products and
our digital paper management products represented approximately
23%, 18% and 8%, of our revenue, respectively, for the three
month period ended March 31, 2005, as compared to 21%, 23%
and 8%, respectively, for the comparable period in 2004. For the
six month period ended March 31, 2005, sales of our
dictation, document and PDF conversion products and our digital
paper management products represented approximately 22%, 18% and
10%, of our revenue, respectively, as compared to 19%, 27% and
8%, respectively, for the comparable period in 2004.
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We rely on a small number of distribution and fulfillment
partners, including 1450, Digital River and Ingram Micro, to
distribute many of our products, and any adverse change in our
relationship with such partners may adversely impact our ability
to deliver products. |
Our products are sold through, and a substantial portion of our
revenue is derived from, a network of over 2000 channel
partners, including value-added resellers, computer superstores,
consumer electronic stores, mail order houses, office
superstores and eCommerce Web sites. We rely on a small number
of distribution and fulfillment partners, including 1450,
Digital River and Ingram Micro to serve this network of channel
partners. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2005
and 2004, one distribution and fulfillment partner, Ingram
Micro, accounted for 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue,
respectively. For the six month period ended March 31,
2005, Ingram Micro accounted for 12% of our consolidated net
revenues, as compared to the same period in 2004 when two
distribution and fulfillment partners, Ingram Micro and Digital
River, accounted for 14% and 11% of consolidated net revenues,
respectively. A disruption in these distribution and fulfillment
partner relationships could negatively affect our ability to
deliver products, and hence our results of operations in the
short term. Any prolonged disruption for which we are unable to
arrange alternative fulfillment capabilities could have a more
sustained adverse impact on our results of operations.
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A significant portion of our accounts receivable is
concentrated among our largest customers, and non-payment by any
of them would adversely affect our financial condition. |
Although we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our
distribution and fulfillment partners financial condition
and maintain reserves for potential credit losses, we do not
require collateral or other form of security from our major
customers to secure payment. While, to date, losses due to
non-payment from customers have been within our expectations, we
cannot assure you that instances or extent of non-payment will
not increase in the future. At March 31, 2005 and
September 30, 2004, no one customer represented 10% of our
net accounts receivable. If any of our significant customers
were unable to pay us in a timely fashion, or if we were to
experience significant credit losses in excess of our reserves,
our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition
would be seriously harmed.
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Speech technologies may not achieve widespread acceptance
by businesses, which could limit our ability to grow our speech
business. |
We have invested and expect to continue to invest heavily in the
acquisition, development and marketing of speech technologies.
The market for speech technologies is relatively new and rapidly
evolving. Our ability to increase revenue in the future depends
in large measure on acceptance of speech
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technologies in general and our products in particular. The
continued development of the market for our current and future
speech solutions will also depend on the following factors:
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consumer demand for speech-enabled applications; |
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development by third-party vendors of applications using speech
technologies; and |
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continuous improvement in speech technology. |
Sales of our speech products would be harmed if the market for
speech software does not continue to develop or develops more
slowly than we expect, and, consequently, our business could be
harmed and we may not recover the costs associated with our
investment in our speech technologies.
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The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and
rapidly changing, and we may be unable to compete
successfully. |
There are a number of companies that develop or may develop
products that compete in our targeted markets. Within imaging,
we compete directly with, among others, ABBYY, Adobe, I.R.I.S.
and NewSoft. Within speech, we compete with, among others,
AT&T, Fonix, IBM, Microsoft, Nuance and Philips. In speech,
some of our partners such as Avaya, Cisco, Edify, Genesys and
Nortel develop and market products that can be considered
substitutes for our solutions. In addition, a number of smaller
companies in both speech and imaging produce technologies or
products that are in some markets competitive with our
solutions. Current and potential competitors have established,
or may establish, cooperative relationships among themselves or
with third parties to increase the ability of their technologies
to address the needs of our prospective customers.
The competition in these markets could adversely affect our
operating results by reducing the volume of the products we
license or the prices we can charge. Some of our current or
potential competitors, such as Adobe, IBM and Microsoft, have
significantly greater financial, technical and marketing
resources than we do. These competitors may be able to respond
more rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or
changes in customer requirements. They may also devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sale of their
products than we do.
Some of our customers, such as IBM and Microsoft, have developed
or acquired products or technologies that compete with our
products and technologies. These customers may give higher
priority to the sale of these competitive products or
technologies. To the extent they do so, market acceptance and
penetration of our products, and therefore our revenue, may be
adversely affected.
Our success will depend substantially upon our ability to
enhance our products and technologies and to develop and
introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products
and features that meet changing customer requirements and
incorporate technological advancements. If we are unable to
develop new products and enhance functionalities or technologies
to adapt to these changes, or if we are unable to realize
synergies among our acquired products and technologies, our
business will suffer.
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The failure to successfully implement, upgrade and deploy
in a timely and effective manner new information systems and
upgrades of our finance and accounting systems to address
certain issues identified in connection with our fiscal
2004 year-end audit could harm our business. |
In connection with their audit of our 2004 consolidated
financial statements, BDO Seidman, LLP, our independent
registered public accounting firm, advised management and our
Audit Committee of the following significant deficiencies which
do not individually or in the aggregate raise to the level of
material weakness: we lack the necessary corporate accounting
resources to ensure consistently complete and accurate reporting
of financial information which, when combined with our need to
realign and cross-train current finance and accounting
personnel, has led to a dependence on key personnel in the
organization, the loss of whom could impair our ability to
ensure consistently complete and accurate financial reporting.
In certain circumstances our accounting transactions, including
related judgments and estimates, were not
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always supported in a timely manner by a sufficiently formal
processes or sufficiently comprehensive documentation.
In the third quarter of 2003, we commenced our Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance efforts. During 2004, we
deployed Oracle 11i to process and report all of our general
accounting functions in our three major locations
(Massachusetts, Belgium and Hungary). During 2005, we are
implementing additional modules to continue to enhance the
functionality of our Oracle implementation.
Recently, three members of our finance and accounting
organization, including our controller and assistant controller,
resigned to pursue other opportunities. We are currently in the
process of augmenting current processes, repositioning current
finance and accounting personnel and recruiting additional
personnel to ensure consistently complete and accurate reporting
of financial information, to replace the three departed members
of our finance and accounting organization and to reduce our
dependence on key personnel in our finance and accounting
organization. We currently expect these efforts to extend into
the second half of fiscal 2005.
We have been and will continue to be required to devote
substantial resources to these activities during 2005. Failure
to successfully implement these systems, formalize and document
these processes and controls or hire and train qualified
personnel for our finance and accounting organization in a
timely, effective and efficient manner could result in the
disruption of our operations, our inability to comply with our
Sarbanes-Oxley obligations and the inability to report our
financial results in a timely manner, particularly given the
added requirements associated with the integration of our
recently completed acquisitions of Telelogue, Inc., Rhetorical
Systems Ltd., ART Advanced Recognition Technologies, Inc. and
Phonetic Systems Ltd., and our pending acquisition of Nuance
Communications, Inc., further accelerated filing deadlines
mandated by the SEC and the requirements of Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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A significant portion of our revenue is derived from sales
in Europe and Asia. Our results could be harmed by economic,
political, regulatory and other risks associated with these and
other international regions. |
Since we license our products worldwide, our business is subject
to risks associated with doing business internationally. We
anticipate that revenue from international operations will
represent an increasing portion of our total revenue. For the
three month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, reported
international revenues represented 36% and 33% of our
consolidated revenue, respectively. For the six month periods
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, reported international
revenues represented 35% and 32% of our consolidated revenue,
respectively. Most of these international revenues are generated
by sales in Europe and Asia. In addition, some of our products
are developed and manufactured outside the United States. A
significant portion of the development and manufacturing of our
speech products are completed in Belgium, and a significant
portion of our imaging research and development is conducted in
Hungary. In connection with the Philips acquisition, we added an
additional research and development location in Germany, and in
connection with the acquisition of Locus Dialog, we added an
additional research and development location in Montreal,
Canada. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a
variety of factors associated with international sales and
operations, including:
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changes in a specific countrys or regions economic
conditions; |
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geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism and war; |
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trade protection measures and import or export licensing
requirements imposed by the United States or by other countries; |
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compliance with foreign and domestic laws and regulations; |
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negative consequences from changes in applicable tax laws; |
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difficulties in staffing and managing operations in multiple
locations in many countries; |
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difficulties in collecting trade accounts receivable in other
countries; and |
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less effective protection of intellectual property. |
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We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates. |
Because we have international subsidiaries and distributors that
operate and sell our products outside the United States, we are
exposed to the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates or declining economic conditions in these countries. In
certain circumstances, we have entered into forward exchange
contracts to hedge against foreign currency fluctuations on
intercompany balances with our foreign subsidiaries. We use
these contracts to reduce our risk associated with exchange rate
movements, as the gains or losses on these contracts are
intended to offset any exchange rate losses or gains on the
hedged transaction. We do not engage in foreign currency
speculation. Hedges are designated and documented at the
inception of the hedge and are evaluated for effectiveness
monthly. Forward exchange contracts hedging firm commitments
qualify for hedge accounting when they are designated as a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure and they are effective in
minimizing such exposure. With our increased international
presence in a number of geographic locations and with
international revenues projected to increase in fiscal 2005, we
are exposed to changes in foreign currencies including the euro,
Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, Israeli New Shekel, and the
Hungarian forint. Changes in the value of the euro or other
foreign currencies relative to the value of the U.S. dollar
could adversely affect future revenues and operating results.
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If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our
business could be harmed. |
If any of our key employees were to leave us, we could face
substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors and could
experience a loss in productivity while any successor obtains
the necessary training and experience. Our employment
relationships are generally at-will and we have had key
employees leave us in the past. We cannot assure you that one or
more key employees will not leave us in the future. We intend to
continue to hire additional highly qualified personnel,
including software engineers and operational personnel, but we
may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain qualified
personnel in the future. Any failure to attract, integrate,
motivate and retain these employees could harm our business.
Risks Related to ScanSofts Intellectual Property and
Technology
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Unauthorized use of our proprietary technology and
intellectual property will adversely affect our business and
results of operations. |
Our success and competitive position depend in large part on our
ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property rights
protecting our products and services. We rely on a combination
of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade
secrets, confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements
to establish and protect our intellectual property and
proprietary rights. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy
aspects of our products or to obtain, license, sell or otherwise
use information that we regard as proprietary. Policing
unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we may not be
able to protect our technology from unauthorized use.
Additionally, our competitors may independently develop
technologies that are substantially the same or superior to ours
and that do not infringe our rights. In these cases, we would be
unable to prevent our competitors from selling or licensing
these similar or superior technologies. In addition, the laws of
some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to
the same extent as the laws of the United States. Although the
source code for our proprietary software is protected both as a
trade secret and as a copyrighted work, litigation may be
necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to
protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope
of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims
of infringement or invalidity. Litigation, regardless of the
outcome, can be very expensive and can divert management efforts.
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Third parties have claimed and may claim in the future
that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could
be exposed to significant litigation or licensing expenses or be
prevented from selling our products if such claims are
successful. |
From time to time, we are subject to claims that we or our
customers may be infringing or contributing to the infringement
of the intellectual property rights of others. We may be unaware
of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of
our technologies and products. If it appears necessary or
desirable, we may seek licenses for these intellectual property
rights. However, we may not be able to obtain licenses from some
or all claimants, the terms of any offered licenses may not be
acceptable to us, and we may not be able to resolve disputes
without litigation. Any litigation regarding intellectual
property is costly and time-consuming and diverts the attention
of our management and key personnel from our business
operations. In the event of a claim of intellectual property
infringement, we may be required to enter into costly royalty or
license agreements. Third parties claiming intellectual property
infringement may be able to obtain injunctive or other equitable
relief that could effectively block our ability to develop and
sell our products.
On September 9, 2004, BIS Advanced Software Systems, Ltd.
(BIS) filed an action against us in the United
States District Court for the District of Massachusetts claiming
patent infringement. Damages are sought in an unspecified
amount. In the lawsuit, BIS alleges that we are infringing
United States Patent No. 6,401,239 entitled System
and Method for Quick Downloading of Electronic Files. We
filed an Answer and Counterclaims on December 22, 2004. We
believe this claim has no merit, and we intend to defend the
action vigorously.
On August 5, 2004, Compression Labs, Inc. filed an action
against us in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas claiming patent infringement. Damages are
sought in an unspecified amount. In the lawsuit, Compression
Labs alleges that we are infringing United States Patent
No. 4,698,672 entitled Coding System for Reducing
Redundancy. We believe this claim has no merit, and we
intend to defend the action vigorously.
On July 15, 2003, Elliott Davis (Davis) filed
an action against SpeechWorks in the United States District
Court for the Western District for New York (Buffalo) claiming
patent infringement. Damages are sought in an unspecified
amount. In addition, on November 26, 2003, Davis filed an
action against ScanSoft in the United States District Court for
the Western District for New York (Buffalo) also claiming patent
infringement. Damages are sought in an unspecified amount.
SpeechWorks filed an Answer and Counterclaim to Daviss
Complaint in its case on August 25, 2003 and ScanSoft filed
an Answer and Counterclaim to Daviss Complaint in its case
on December 22, 2003. We believe these claims have no
merit, and we intend to defend the actions vigorously.
On November 27, 2002, AllVoice Computing plc filed an
action against us in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Texas claiming patent infringement. In the
lawsuit, AllVoice alleges that we are infringing United States
Patent No. 5,799,273 entitled Automated Proofreading
Using Interface Linking Recognized Words to their Audio Data
While Text is Being Changed (the 273
Patent). The 273 Patent generally discloses
techniques for manipulating audio data associated with text
generated by a speech recognition engine. Although we have
several products in the speech recognition technology field, we
believe that our products do not infringe the 273 Patent
because, in addition to other defenses, they do not use the
claimed techniques. Damages are sought in an unspecified amount.
We filed an Answer on December 23, 2002. On January 4,
2005, the case was transferred to a new judge of the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Texas for
administrative reasons. The new judge placed the action on an
accelerated track and set a trial date for later this year. We
believe that we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend
ourselves vigorously.
We believe that the final outcome of the current litigation
matters described above will not have a significant adverse
effect on our financial position and results of operations.
However, even if our defense is successful, the litigation could
require significant management time and could be costly. Should
we not prevail in these litigation matters, we may be unable to
sell and/or license certain of our technologies we consider to
be proprietary, and our operating results, financial position
and cash flows could be adversely impacted.
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Our software products may have bugs, which could result in
delayed or lost revenue, expensive correction, liability to our
clients and claims against us. |
Complex software products such as ours may contain errors,
defects or bugs. Defects in the solutions or products that we
develop and sell to our customers could require expensive
corrections and result in delayed or lost revenue, adverse
client reaction and negative publicity about us or our products
and services. Customers who are not satisfied with any of our
products may also bring claims against us for damages, which,
even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming to defend,
and could result in costly litigation and payment of damages.
Such claims could harm our reputation, financial results and
competitive position.
Risks Related to ScanSofts Corporate Structure,
Organization and Common Stock
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The holdings of our two largest stockholders may enable
them to influence matters requiring stockholder approval. |
On March 19, 2004, Warburg Pincus, a global private equity
firm, agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of our stock
held by Xerox Corporation for approximately $80 million. As
of April 30, 2005, Warburg Pincus beneficially owned
approximately 16.6% of our outstanding common stock, including
warrants exercisable for up to 3,025,732 shares of our
common stock and 3,562,238 shares of our outstanding
Series B Preferred Stock, each of which is convertible into
one share of our common stock. On May 5, 2005, ScanSoft
entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the
Securities Purchase Agreement) with Warburg Pincus
pursuant to which Warburg Pincus agreed to purchase and ScanSoft
agreed to sell an aggregate of 3,537,736 shares of ScanSoft
common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $15,000,000.64,
and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 863,236 shares of
ScanSoft common stock for an aggregate purchase price of
$107,904.50. On May 9, 2005, the sale of the shares and the
warrants pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement was
completed. In a separate transaction, ScanSoft also entered into
a Stock Purchase Agreement (the Stock Purchase
Agreement) with Warburg Pincus pursuant to which Warburg
Pincus agreed to purchase and ScanSoft agreed to sell an
aggregate of 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft common stock for
an aggregate purchase price of $59,999,998.32 and warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of ScanSoft
common stock. The closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement is
conditioned upon, among other things, the simultaneous closing
of the Nuance merger and stockholder approval. Wellington
Management Co., LLP (Wellington) is our second
largest stockholder, owning approximately 10.14% of our common
stock as of April 30, 2005. Because of their large holdings
of our capital stock relative to other stockholders, Warburg
Pincus and Wellington, acting individually or together, have a
strong influence over matters requiring approval by our
stockholders.
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The market price of our common stock has been and may
continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. |
Our stock price historically has been and may continue to be
volatile. Various factors contribute to the volatility of our
stock price, including, for example, quarterly variations in our
financial results, new product introductions by us or our
competitors and general economic and market conditions. While we
cannot predict the individual effect that these factors may have
on the market price of our common stock, these factors, either
individually or in the aggregate, could result in significant
volatility in our stock price during any given period of time.
Moreover, companies that have experienced volatility in the
market price of their stock often are subject to securities
class action litigation. If we were the subject of such
litigation, it could result in substantial costs and divert
managements attention and resources.
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Compliance with changing regulation of corporate
governance and public disclosure may result in additional
expenses. |
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate
governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, new regulations promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and Nasdaq National Market rules, are
resulting in increased general and administrative
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expenses for companies such as ours. These new or changed laws,
regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations
in many cases, and as a result, their application in practice
may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory
and governing bodies, which could result in higher costs
necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance
practices. We are committed to maintaining high standards of
corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, we
intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws,
regulations and standards, and this investment may result in
increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of
management time and attention from revenue-generating activities
to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new or
changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the
activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, our
business may be harmed.
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We have implemented anti-takeover provisions, which could
discourage or prevent a takeover, even if an acquisition would
be beneficial to our stockholders. |
Provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and
Delaware law, as well as other organizational documents could
make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if
doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These
provisions include:
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a preferred shares rights agreement; |
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authorized blank check preferred stock; |
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prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors; |
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limiting the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of
stockholders; |
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requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at meetings of our
stockholders; and |
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establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of
directors and for stockholder proposals. |
Risks Related to Nuance
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Our ability to accurately forecast our quarterly sales is
limited, most of our short term costs are relatively fixed,
certain of our costs are difficult to predict, and we expect our
business to be affected by seasonality. As a result, our
quarterly operating results are likely to fluctuate. |
Our quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the
past, and we expect that they will vary significantly from
quarter to quarter in the future. As a result, our quarterly
operating results are difficult to predict. These quarterly
variations are caused by a number of factors, including the
following:
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delays or cancellations in expected orders by customers due to
concerns about product or technical support continuation
following the close of the merger; |
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changes or projected changes in United States or international
economic and political conditions; |
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delays or cancellations in expected orders by customers who are
reducing or deferring spending or adjusting project plans; |
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delays in orders due to the complex nature of large telephony
systems and the associated implementation projects; |
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timing of product deployments and completion of project phases,
particularly for large orders and large solution projects; |
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delays in recognition of revenue for sales transactions
completed but not earned, as required by applicable accounting
principles; |
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our ability to develop, introduce, ship and support new and/or
enhanced products, such as new versions of our software platform
and applications, that respond to changing technology trends in
a timely manner; |
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our ability to manage product transitions; |
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rate of market adoption for speech technology and our products,
such as our software platform and applications; |
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changes in our selling model, including focus of certain sales
representatives on direct sales to end user customers and the
resulting potential for channel conflict; |
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unexpected customer non-renewal of maintenance contracts or
lower renewal instances than anticipated; |
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delays in the negotiation and documentation of orders,
particularly large orders and orders from large companies; |
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expenses incurred in defending and settling litigation, which
are difficult to predict and manage; |
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changes in the amount, and the timing of our expenses; |
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expenses incurred in responding to new corporate governance
requirements, particularly those relating to the testing of
internal controls; and |
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the utilization rate of our professional services personnel,
which is dependent upon acquisition of new projects as large
scale, multi-quarter projects near completion. |
Due in part to these factors, and because the market for certain
of our software is relatively new and rapidly changing, and our
business model is evolving, our ability to accurately forecast
our quarterly sales is limited. In addition, most of our costs
are relatively fixed in the short term, even though we endeavor
to manage these costs.
We do not know whether our business will grow at a rate
necessary to absorb our expenses. If we have a shortfall in
revenue in relation to our expenses, we may be unable to reduce
our expenses quickly enough to avoid lower quarterly operating
results. As a result, our quarterly operating results could
fluctuate significantly and unexpectedly from quarter to quarter.
We also expect to experience seasonality in the sales of our
products. For example, we anticipate that sales may be lower in
the first and third quarters of each year due to patterns in the
capital budgeting and purchasing cycles of our current and
prospective customers. We also expect that sales may decline
during summer months. These seasonal variations in our sales are
likely to lead to fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results. Nevertheless, it is difficult for us to evaluate the
degree to which this seasonality may affect our business.
In addition, sales of our products and related services may
decline due to customer concerns regarding the ongoing
availability of our products and technical support following the
merger.
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We depend on a limited number of orders for a substantial
portion of our revenue during any given quarter. The loss or
delay of a significant order could substantially reduce our
revenue in any given period and harm our business. |
Historically we have derived a significant portion of our
revenue in each quarter from a limited number of direct and
indirect customers. We expect that a small number of customers
with significant orders for software products and professional
services will continue to account for a substantial portion of
our revenue in any given quarter. Generally, customers who make
significant purchases from us are not expected to make
subsequent, equally large purchases in the short term. Therefore
we must attract new customers or new significant orders from
other customers in order to maintain or increase our revenues in
future quarters. If we experience delays or cancellations of
orders from a major customer, if an anticipated sale is not made
or is deferred, if our professional services team does not
complete work on large projects ratably over one or more
quarters, or if we fail to regularly obtain major new customers,
our revenue in a given quarter could be impacted negatively and
our business could be harmed.
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Historically we have depended upon third-party resellers
for a significant portion of our sales. The loss of key
third-party resellers, or a decline in third-party
resellers resale of our products and services, could limit
our ability to sustain and grow our revenue. |
The percentage of our revenue obtained through indirect sales
was 50% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Although
this percentage may decrease in the future, we intend to
continue to rely on third-party resellers for a significant
portion of our future sales. As a result, our revenues are
dependent upon the viability and financial stability of our
third-party resellers, as well as upon their continued interest
and success in selling our products. In addition, some of our
third-party resellers are thinly capitalized or otherwise
experiencing financial difficulties. The loss of a significant
third-party reseller or our failure to develop new and viable
third-party reseller relationships could limit our ability to
sustain and grow our revenue. Furthermore, expansion or changes
in the focus of our internal sales force, in an effort to
increase third-party reseller sales or replace the loss of a
significant third-party reseller, could require increased
management attention and higher expenditures.
Our contracts with third-party resellers do not require a
third-party reseller to purchase our products or services. In
fact, many of our third-party resellers also offer the products
of some of our competitors. We cannot guarantee that any of our
third-party resellers will continue to market our products or
devote significant resources to doing so. Additionally, our
resellers may have concerns regarding the ongoing availability
of our products and technical support following the merger, and,
as a result, our resellers may choose to purchase the products
of our competitors. In addition, although we are actively
working to manage potential channel conflicts and maintain
strong third-party reseller relationships, certain third-party
reseller relationships likely have been adversely affected by
the introduction of our own platform product or our direct sales
activities, which may have an unfavorable impact on revenue from
certain third-party resellers. Furthermore, we will, from time
to time, terminate or adjust some of our relationships with
third-party resellers in order to address changing market
conditions, adapt such relationships to our business strategy,
resolve disputes, or for other reasons. Any such termination or
adjustment could have a negative impact on our relationships
with third-party resellers and our business, and result in
decreased sales through third-party resellers or threatened or
actual litigation. If our third-party resellers do not
successfully market and sell our products or services for these
or any other reasons, our sales could be adversely affected and
our revenue could decline. In addition, our third-party
resellers possess confidential information concerning our
products and services, product release schedules and sales,
marketing and third-party reseller operations. Although we have
nondisclosure agreements with our third-party resellers, we
cannot guarantee that any third-party reseller would not use our
confidential information to compete with us.
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Speech software products and services generally, and our
products and services in particular, may not achieve widespread
acceptance, which could require us to modify our sales and
marketing efforts and could limit our ability to successfully
grow our business. |
The market for speech software products remains immature and is
rapidly changing. In addition, some of our products are
relatively new to the market. Our ability to increase revenue in
the future depends on the acceptance by our customers,
third-party resellers and end users of speech software solutions
generally and our products and services in particular. The
adoption of speech software products could be hindered by the
perceived costs of licensing and deploying such products, as
well as by the perceived deployment time and risks of this
relatively new technology. Furthermore, enterprises that have
invested substantial resources in existing call centers or
touch-tone-based systems may be reluctant to replace their
current systems with new products. Accordingly, in order to
achieve commercial acceptance, we may have to educate
prospective customers, including large, established enterprises
and telecommunications companies, about the uses and benefits of
speech software in general and our products in particular. We
may also need to modify or increase our sales and marketing
efforts, or adopt new marketing strategies, to achieve such
education. If these efforts fail, prove excessively costly or
unmanageable, or if speech software generally does not continue
to achieve commercial acceptance, our business would be harmed.
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The continued development of the market for our products will
depend upon the following factors, among others:
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acceptance by businesses of the benefits of speech technology; |
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widespread and successful deployment of speech software
applications; |
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end-user demand for services and solutions having a voice user
interface; |
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demand for new uses and applications of speech software
technology, including adoption of voice user interfaces by
companies that operate web-based and touch tone IVR self service
solutions; |
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adoption of industry standards for speech software and related
technologies; and |
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continuing improvements in hardware and telephony technology
that may reduce the costs and deployment time of speech software
solutions. |
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Our products and services can have a long sales and
implementation cycle and, as a result, our quarterly revenues
and operating results may fluctuate. |
The sales cycles for our products have typically ranged from
three to twelve months, depending on the size of the order and
complexity of its terms, the amount of services we are
providing, and whether the sale is made directly by us or
indirectly through a third-party reseller.
Speech products often require a significant expenditure by a
customer. Accordingly, a customers decision to purchase
our products and services typically requires a lengthy
pre-purchase evaluation. We may spend significant time educating
and providing information to prospective customers regarding the
use and benefits of our products and services. During this
evaluation period, we may expend substantial sales, technical,
marketing and management resources in such efforts. Because of
the length of the evaluation period, we are likely to experience
a delay, occasionally significant, between the time we incur
these expenditures and the time we generate revenues, if any,
from such expenditures. Furthermore, such expenditures
frequently do not result in a sale of our products. These
factors may be complicated due to customer concerns regarding
the ongoing availability of our products and technical support
following the merger.
After purchase by a customer, it may take time and resources to
complete any services we are providing and to integrate our
software with the customers existing systems. If we are
performing services that are essential to the functionality of
the software in connection with its implementation, we recognize
license and service revenues based on the percentage of services
completed, using contract accounting. In cases where the
contract specifies milestones or acceptance criteria, we may not
be able to recognize either license or service revenue until
these conditions are met. We have in the past experienced, and
may in the future experience, such delays in recognizing
revenue. Consequently, the length of our sales and
implementation cycles, the deployment process for our products,
and the terms and conditions of our license and service
arrangements often make it difficult to predict the quarter in
which revenue recognition may occur and may cause license and
service revenue and our operating results to vary significantly
from quarter to quarter.
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Our current and potential competitors, some of whom have
greater resources and experience than we have, may market or
develop products, services or technologies that may cause demand
for, and the prices of, our products to decline. |
A number of companies have developed, or are expected to
develop, products that compete with our products. Competitors
with respect to speech technologies include IBM and Microsoft.
Competitors like IBM and Microsoft may leverage their existing
business relationships with customers to induce the customers to
use their speech products and services. With respect to our
software platform, there are many vendors, including some of our
third-party resellers and channel partners, who market and sell
competing platforms for voice systems. We expect additional
competition from other companies in the platform market. We also
have competition in the professional services market, including
for applications. Our
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competitors may combine with each other, and other companies may
enter our markets, including by acquiring or entering into
strategic relationships with our competitors. For example, IBM
and Cisco Systems recently announced such a strategic
relationship. Current and potential competitors may have
established, or may establish, cooperative relationships among
themselves or with third parties to increase the abilities of
their advanced speech and language technology products,
platforms and applications to address the needs of our
prospective customers.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer
operating histories, significantly greater financial, technical,
product development and marketing resources, greater name
recognition and larger customer bases than we do. Our present or
future competitors may be able to develop products comparable or
superior to those we offer, adapt more quickly than we do to new
technologies, evolving industry trends and standards or customer
requirements, or devote greater resources than we do to the
development, promotion and sale of speech products. Accordingly,
we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets,
competition may intensify and future competition may cause us to
reduce prices or may otherwise harm our business.
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Use of our products may infringe the intellectual property
rights of others. Intellectual property infringement claims
against our customers or us could be costly to us. Such claims
could also slow our sales cycle or market adoption of our
products. |
The software industry in general, and the field of speech and
voice technologies in particular, is characterized by the
existence of a significant number of patents. Litigation and
threats of litigation based on allegations of patent
infringement and the violation of intellectual property rights
are common in software markets and appear to be increasing.
Although we attempt to avoid infringing known proprietary rights
of third parties, we do not engage in affirmative efforts to
attempt to familiarize ourselves with such third-party rights,
principally due to the costs that would be involved in such
activities. We may be subject to claims and legal proceedings
for alleged infringement, either by us or our customers, of
third-party proprietary rights, such as patents, trade secrets,
trademarks or copyrights. In addition, former employers of our
employees may assert that these employees have improperly
disclosed confidential or proprietary information to us.
We typically indemnify our customers from claims against them by
third parties that our products infringe such third
parties intellectual property rights. Any claims relating
to the infringement of third-party proprietary rights, even if
not successful or meritorious, could result in costly
litigation, divert managements attention from our business
and require us and our customers to enter into royalty or
license agreements that are costly and otherwise disadvantageous
to us. Any such claims could also require us to defend our
customer against the claim and indemnify our customer for its
damages resulting from such claim. Any of these effects could
have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
operations. Further, parties making these claims may be able to
obtain injunctions, preventing us from selling our products.
These types of claims could also slow our sales cycle and/or
market adoption generally with respect to the affected product,
which could harm our business. We have recently been sued for
patent infringement, and although we settled this case for less
than the cost of taking it through trial, the defense of the
matter was quite costly. We may be increasingly subject to
infringement claims as the number and features of our products
grow, we extend our speech application business and the speech
market grows.
We understand that holders of a substantial number of patents
have alleged that certain of their patents cover a wide range of
automated services in the call center and computer telephony
areas. We believe that one of such patent holders has sent
letters to many providers of such automated services, including
some of our customers, suggesting that a license under its
portfolio is required in order to provide such automated
services. This holder has also sued a number of such entities,
alleging patent infringement. A number of the entities against
which this holder has made such claims have entered into license
agreements with respect to the holders patents. Recently,
one of our customers notified us that one of such holders has
claimed that the customers call center operations, which
utilize our products, infringe one or more claims of the
holders patents, and has made a related indemnity claim
against us. It is possible that one or more of our other
customers, in response to an infringement claim by any of such
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patent holders, might assert indemnity rights against us,
whether or not meritorious. It is also possible that one or more
of such patent holders might make a claim against us directly,
whether or not meritorious. The costs associated with resolving
any such disputes, regardless of the legal outcome, could be
substantial and could materially and adversely affect our
operating results.
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We have a history of losses. We expect to continue to
incur losses in the near term, and we may not achieve or
maintain profitability. |
We have incurred losses aggregating approximately
$289 million since our inception, including a net loss of
approximately $4.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005. We expect to continue to spend significant
amounts to develop and enhance our products, services and
technologies and to enhance our delivery capabilities. As a
result, we will need to generate increasing revenue to achieve
profitability. No assurance can be given that we will be able to
grow our revenue. Even if we achieve profitability, we may not
be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or
annual basis. No assurances can be given that we will be
profitable or have positive cash flow at any time in the future.
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Sales to customers outside the United States have
historically accounted for a significant portion of our revenue,
exposing us to risks inherent in international
operations. |
International sales represented approximately 41% of our total
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005. We
anticipate that revenue from markets outside the United States
will continue to represent a significant portion of our total
revenue for the foreseeable future. We are subject to a variety
of risks associated with conducting business internationally,
any of which could harm our business. These risks include the
following:
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difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign
operations; |
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the difficulty in establishing and maintaining an effective
international third-party reseller network; |
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the burden of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws,
particularly with respect to tax, intellectual property and
license requirements; |
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longer sales and payment cycles than we experience in the United
States; |
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political and economic instability outside the United States; |
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import or export licensing and product certification
requirements; |
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tariffs, duties, price controls or other restrictions on foreign
currencies or trade barriers imposed by the United States or
foreign countries; |
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potential adverse tax consequences, including higher marginal
rates and withholding taxes; |
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the impact of foreign exchange translations on the expense of
our foreign operations; and |
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a limited ability, and significant costs, to enforce agreements,
intellectual property rights and other rights in most foreign
countries. |
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Our stock price may be volatile due to many factors, some
of which are outside of our control. |
Since our initial public offering in April 2000, our stock price
has been extremely volatile. During that time, the stock market
in general, and The NASDAQ National Market and the securities of
technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme
price and trading volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have
often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of individual companies. The following factors,
among others, could cause our stock price to fluctuate:
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actual or anticipated variations in ScanSofts operating
results or announcements by ScanSoft; |
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concerns regarding the ability of us and ScanSoft to bring the
merger to a close; |
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actual or anticipated variations in operating results; |
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announcements of operating results and business conditions by
our customers, suppliers or competitors; |
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announcements by our competitors relating to new customers,
technological innovations or new products or services; |
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announcements by us of new products and/or shifts in business
focus or sales and distribution models; |
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material increases in our capital expenditures, including for
infrastructure and information technology; |
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economic developments in our industry as a whole; |
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general market and economic conditions; and |
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general decline and other changes in information technology and
capital spending plans. |
Broad market fluctuations may materially and adversely affect
our stock price, regardless of our operating results.
Furthermore, our stock price may fluctuate due to variations in
our operating results.
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Any defects in, or other problems with, our products could
harm our business and result in claims against us. |
Complex software products such as ours may contain errors,
defects and bugs (collectively, errors). During the
development of any product, we may discover errors. As a result,
our products may take longer than expected to develop. In
addition, we may discover that remedies for errors may be
technologically unfeasible. Delivery of products with undetected
errors, or reliability, quality or compatibility problems, could
damage our reputation. The existence of errors, or reliability,
quality or compatibility problems, could also cause
interruptions, delays or cessations of sales to our customers.
We could, as well, be required to expend significant capital and
other resources to remedy these problems. In addition, customers
whose businesses are disrupted by these errors, or reliability,
quality or compatibility problems, could bring claims against
us, the defense of which, even if successful, would likely be
time-consuming and costly for us.
Furthermore, if any such defense was not successful, we might be
obligated to pay substantial damages, which could materially and
adversely affect our operating results.
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If we are unable to effectively manage our operations and
resources in accordance with market and economic conditions, our
business could be harmed. |
Our operations have changed significantly over time, due in part
to volatility in our business, and may continue to change in the
future. We have experienced significant growth in personnel in
the past. However, between April 2001 and September 2004, in
five separate restructuring actions, we reduced our workforce by
approximately 42%. We may be required to expand or contract our
business operations in the future to adapt to the market
environment, and as a result may need to expand or contract our
management, operational, sales, marketing, financial,
engineering or other human resources, as well as management
information systems and controls, to align with and support any
such growth or contraction. Our failure to successfully manage
these types of changes would place a substantial burden on our
business, our operations and our management team, and could
negatively impact sales, customer relationships and other
aspects of our business.
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We could be adversely impacted by the need for an increase
in our restructuring accrual for our Pacific Shores
facility. |
Our restructuring accrual is represented by a lease loss created
by our decision not to occupy our leased Pacific Shores
facility. We added $19.2 million to that restructuring
accrual in the third quarter of 2004. The accrual assumptions
for such loss are based upon estimates of real estate market
conditions and
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values. These market conditions are subject to wide
fluctuations, and market values may not improve or may decline
further, which could require an additional restructuring
accrual. We have attempted to sublease the Pacific Shores
facility, but, to date, have not been successful in those
efforts. There can be no assurances that we will be able to
sublease the facility at a lease rate approximating our estimate
of its lease value, or at all. If we are unable to sublease the
facility, we will have to record an additional restructuring
charge of up to $22 million, which represents the sublease
income we have estimated we may receive over the remaining life
of the lease of approximately eight years.
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We rely on the services of our key personnel, whose
knowledge of our business and technical expertise would be
difficult to replace. |
We rely upon the continued service and performance of a
relatively small number of key technical and senior management
personnel. Our future success will be impacted by our ability to
retain these key employees. We cannot guarantee that we will be
able to retain all our key employees, particularly given the
uncertainties perceived by such employees as a result of the
impending merger. Other than Charles Berger, our President and
Chief Executive Officer and one senior sales employee, none of
our key technical or senior management personnel have employment
agreements with us, and, as a result, they may leave with little
or no prior notice. If we lose any of our key technical and
senior management personnel, replacing them could be difficult
and costly. If we are not able to successfully and rapidly
replace such personnel, our business could be materially harmed.
We do not have life insurance policies covering any of our key
employees.
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Our failure to successfully respond to and manage rapid
change in the market for speech software could cause us to lose
revenue and harm our business. It is essential that we continue
to develop new products that achieve commercial
acceptance. |
The speech software industry remains immature and is rapidly
changing. Our future success will depend substantially upon our
ability to enhance our existing products and to develop and
introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products,
services and features that meet changing third-party reseller
and end-user requirements and incorporate technological
advancements, such as products that speed deployment and
accelerate customers return on investment, as well as
achieve commercial acceptance. Commercial acceptance of new
products and technologies we may introduce will depend on, among
other things, the ability of our services, products and
technologies to meet and adapt to the needs of our target
markets; the performance and price of our products and services
and our competitors products and services; and our ability
to deliver speech solutions, customer service and professional
services directly and through our third-party resellers. If we
are unable to develop or deploy new products and enhance
functionalities or technologies to adapt to these changes, we
may be unable to retain existing customers or attract new
customers, which could materially harm our business. In
addition, as we develop new products, sales of existing products
may decrease. If we are unable to offset a decline in revenue
from existing products with sales of new products, our business
would be adversely affected.
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Speech products are not 100% accurate, and we could be
subject to claims related to the performance of our products.
Any claims, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in
significant costs and could damage our reputation. |
Speech recognition natural language understanding and
authentication technologies, including our own, are not accurate
in every instance. Our customers, including several financial
institutions, use our products to provide important services to
their customers, including transferring funds to and from
accounts, and buying and selling securities. Any misrecognition
of voice commands or incorrect authentication of a users
voice in connection with these financial or other transactions
could result in claims against our customers or us for losses
incurred. Although our contracts usually contain provisions
designed to limit our exposure to such liability claims, a claim
brought against us based on misrecognition or incorrect
authentication, even if unsuccessful, could be time-consuming,
divert managements attention from our business operations,
result in costly litigation and harm our reputation. If any such
claim is
38
successful, we could be exposed to an award of substantial
damages and our reputation could be harmed greatly. Moreover,
existing or future laws or unfavorable judicial decisions could
limit the enforceability of limitations of liability,
disclaimers of warranty or other protective provisions contained
in many, but not all of, our contracts.
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We may incur a variety of costs to engage in future
acquisitions of companies, products or technologies, and the
anticipated benefits of those acquisitions may never be
realized. |
As a part of our business strategy, we may make acquisitions of,
or significant investments in, complementary companies, products
or technologies. For instance, in November 2000 we acquired
SpeechFront, a Canadian company. In February 2001, we acquired
certain non-exclusive intellectual property rights from a
third-party. For the year ended December 31, 2001, we
performed an impairment analysis and determined that our asset
related to the SpeechFront acquisition was impaired and the
asset was subsequently written down to its estimated fair value.
Any future acquisitions of companies or technologies would be
accompanied by risks such as:
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difficulties in assimilating the operations, personnel and
technologies of acquired companies; |
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diversion of our managements attention from ongoing
business concerns; |
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our potential inability to maximize our financial and strategic
position through the successful incorporation of acquired
technology and rights into our products and services; |
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additional expense associated with impairments of acquired
assets, such as goodwill or acquired workforce; |
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increases in the risk of claims against us, related to the
intellectual property or other activities of the businesses we
acquire; |
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maintenance of uniform standards, controls, procedures and
policies; and |
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impairment of existing relationships with employees, suppliers
and customers as a result of the integration of new management
personnel. |
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully
integrate any business, products or technologies, or related
personnel, that we might acquire in the future. Our inability to
integrate successfully any business, products, technologies or
personnel we may acquire in the future could materially harm our
business.
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We are exposed to the liquidity problems of our customers.
We may have difficulty collecting amounts owed to us. |
Certain of our customers and third-party resellers have
experienced, and may in the future experience, credit-related
issues. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of customers, but
do not require collateral. We grant payment terms to most
customers ranging from 30 to 90 days. However, in some
instances we may provide longer payment terms. Should more
customers than we anticipate experience liquidity issues, or if
payment is not received on a timely basis, we may have
difficulty collecting amounts owed to us by such customers,
particularly those located outside the United Sates, and our
business, operating results and financial condition could be
adversely impacted.
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Due to changed requirements relating to accounting
treatment for employee stock options, we may choose or be
required to change our business practices. |
We currently account for the issuance of stock options under APB
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees. The Financial Accounting Standards Board now
requires companies to include, effective for the first quarter
of fiscal 2006, ending March 31, 2006, a compensation
expense in their statement of operations relating to the
issuance of employee stock options. As a result, we could decide
to decrease the number of employee stock options that we would
grant. This could affect our ability to retain
39
existing employees or to attract qualified candidates for open
positions, and we may have to increase the cash compensation we
would have to pay to them. Issuing a number of stock options
comparable to the number we have issued in the past to new or
existing employees would adversely impact our results of
operations under the new accounting requirements, once they take
effect.
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International sales opportunities may require us to
develop localized versions of our products. If we are unable to
do so timely, our ability to grow our international revenue and
execute our international business strategy will be adversely
affected. |
International sales opportunities may require investing
significant resources in creating and refining different
language models for particular languages or dialects. These
language models are required to create versions of our products
that allow end users to speak the local language or dialect and
be understood and authenticated. If we fail to develop any
necessary localized versions of our products on a timely basis,
our ability to address international market opportunities and to
grow our international business will be adversely affected.
However, even if we expend resources to develop localized
versions of our products, there is no assurance that we will be
able to recognize sufficient revenues from these localized
versions to make them profitable.
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If the industry standards we support are not adopted as
the standards for speech software, customers may not use our
speech software products. |
The market for speech software remains immature and emerging,
and industry standards are still in a state of evolution. We may
not be competitive unless our products support changing industry
standards; otherwise, customers may choose not to use our speech
software products. The emergence of industry standards, whether
through adoption by official standards committees or widespread
usage, could require costly and time-consuming redesign of our
products. If these standards become widespread and our products
do not support them, our customers and potential customers may
not purchase our products. Multiple standards in the marketplace
could also make it difficult for us to ensure that our products
will support all applicable standards, which could in turn
result in decreased sales of our products. Furthermore, the
existence of multiple standards could chill the market for
speech software in general, until a dominant standard emerges.
Our applications, our Nuance Application Environment product and
our Nuance Voice Platform software are each designed to work, in
all material respects, with the recently adopted VoiceXML
standard. There are currently other, similar standards in
development, some of which may become more widely adopted than
VoiceXML. If VoiceXML is not widely accepted by our target
customers or if another competing standard were to become widely
adopted, then sales of our products could decline and our
business would be materially harmed. In such an event, we may
find it necessary to redesign our existing products or design
new products that are compatible with alternative standards that
are widely adopted or that replace VoiceXML. This design or
redesign could be costly and time-consuming. If a third-party
proprietary technology were to become a standard, we might be
precluded from developing products to conform to that standard
unless we are able to enter into agreements to license the
rights to develop such products. Any such license could require
us to pay substantial royalties, whether upfront or based on
sales of such products, which could materially adversely affect
our margins for such products and, as a result, our results of
operations.
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Our inability to adequately protect our proprietary
technology could harm our ability to compete. |
Our future success and ability to compete depends in part upon
our proprietary technology and our trademarks, which we attempt
to protect through reliance upon a combination of patent,
copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as with our
confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions. These
legal protections afford only limited protection, and may be
time-consuming and expensive to obtain, maintain or enforce.
Further, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third
parties from infringing or misappropriating our intellectual
property or to recover adequate compensation from any such
infringers.
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Although we have filed multiple U.S. patent applications,
we have currently only been issued a small number of patents.
There is no guarantee that we will be issued additional patents
under our current or future patent applications. Any patents
that are issued to us could be circumvented or challenged. If
challenged, a patent might be invalidated or its claims might be
substantially narrowed. Our intellectual property rights may not
be adequate to provide us with a competitive advantage and, in
any event, may not prevent competitors from entering the markets
for our products. Additionally, our competitors could
independently develop non-infringing technologies that are
competitive with, equivalent to, or superior to our technology.
Monitoring infringement and misappropriation of intellectual
property can be difficult, and there is no guarantee that we
would detect any infringement or misappropriation of our
proprietary rights. Even if we do detect infringement or
misappropriation of our proprietary rights, litigation to
enforce these rights could cause us to divert financial and
other resources away from our business operations. Further, we
license our products internationally, and the laws of some
foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the
same extent as the laws of the United States.
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Our charter and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions
which may delay or prevent a change of control of Nuance. |
Our Stockholder Rights Plan, as well as provisions of our
charter and bylaws, may make it more difficult for a third-party
to acquire, or may discourage a third-party from attempting to
acquire, control of Nuance. The plan and these provisions could
limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the
future for shares of our common stock. These provisions include:
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the division of the board of directors into three separate
classes; |
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the elimination of cumulative voting in the election of
directors; |
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prohibitions on our stockholders acting by written consent and
calling special meetings; |
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procedures for advance notification of stockholder nominations
and proposals; and |
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the ability of the board of directors to alter our bylaws
without stockholder approval. |
In addition, our board of directors has the authority to issue
up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine
the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including voting rights, of those shares without any further
vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred
stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible
financings or acquisitions or other corporate purposes, could
have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to
acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
We are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, including Section 203, which may
deter potential acquisition bids for our company. Under Delaware
law, a corporation may opt out of Section 203. We do not
presently intend to opt out of the provisions of
Section 203.
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Our headquarters are located near known earthquake fault
zones, and the occurrence of an earthquake or other natural
disaster could cause damage to our facilities and equipment,
which could require us to curtail or cease operations. |
Our headquarters are located in the San Francisco Bay Area,
near known earthquake fault zones, and are vulnerable to damage
from earthquakes. In October 1989, a major earthquake struck
this area, causing significant property damage and a number of
fatalities. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of
disasters, including fire, floods, power loss, communications
failures and similar events. If any disaster were to occur, our
ability to operate our business at our facilities could be
seriously or completely impaired.
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We rely on a continuous power supply to conduct our
operations, and an energy crisis could disrupt our operations
and increase our expenses. |
We currently do not have backup generators or alternate sources
of power in the event of a blackout, and our current insurance
does not provide coverage for any damages we, or our customers,
may suffer as a result of any interruption in our power supply.
If blackouts interrupt our power supply, we would be temporarily
unable to continue operations at our facilities. If such
interruption was lengthy or occurred repeatedly, it could
adversely affect our ability to conduct operations, which could
damage our reputation, harm our ability to retain existing
customers and to obtain new customers, and result in lost
revenue, any of which could substantially harm our business and
results of operations.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS
General
ScanSoft is furnishing this joint proxy statement/ prospectus to
ScanSoft stockholders in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the ScanSoft board of directors for use at the
special meeting of ScanSoft stockholders, including any
adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
Date, Time and Place
The special meeting will be held at the ScanSoft headquarters,
1 Wayside Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, on
August 31, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.
Purpose of the ScanSoft Special Meeting
At the ScanSoft special meeting, including any adjournment or
postponement thereof, ScanSoft stockholders will be asked:
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1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with a
two step merger pursuant to which (i) in the first step,
Nova Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft, will merge with and into Nuance Communications, Inc.,
with Nuance surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of ScanSoft
and (ii) in the second step, Nuance will merge with and
into Nova Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft, as contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated May 9, 2005, among ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition
Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC and Nuance; |
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2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2005, by and
among ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. and
certain of its affiliated entities and the issuance of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft
common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement; |
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3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the
assumption by ScanSoft of stock options outstanding under the
Nuance stock option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or
less in the manner set forth in the merger agreement; and |
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4. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the ScanSoft special meeting or any postponement or
adjournment thereof. |
A copy of the merger agreement is attached to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus as Annex A. ScanSoft
stockholders are encouraged to read the merger agreement in its
entirety.
THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SCANSOFT SPECIAL MEETING ARE
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS. ACCORDINGLY,
SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/
PROSPECTUS, AND TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE.
Record Date, Shares Entitled to Vote
Only holders of ScanSoft common stock at the close of business
on July 27, 2005, the record date for the ScanSoft special
meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the ScanSoft
special meeting. On the record date, 112,269,009 shares of
ScanSoft common stock were issued and outstanding and there were
954 holders of record. ScanSoft stockholders on the record
date are each entitled to one vote per share of ScanSoft common
stock on the proposals described above.
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Voting Procedures
You may vote in person at the ScanSoft special meeting or by
proxy. ScanSoft recommends that you vote by proxy even if you
plan to attend the special meeting and vote in person. You can
change your vote at the ScanSoft special meeting at any time
before the voting has been completed.
ScanSoft stockholders holding shares of ScanSoft common stock
directly as stockholders of record or in street name
may direct the voting of their shares without attending the
ScanSoft special meeting.
ScanSoft stockholders may vote by granting proxies or, for
shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to
their brokers or nominees.
ScanSoft stockholders of record may submit proxies by
completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card for the
ScanSoft special meeting and mailing them in the enclosed
pre-addressed postage-paid envelopes. All shares of ScanSoft
common stock represented by properly executed proxies received
in time for the ScanSoft special meeting and not revoked will be
voted at the ScanSoft special meeting, and at any adjournment or
postponement of the ScanSoft special meeting, in accordance with
the instructions contained in the proxies. Properly executed
proxies from ScanSoft stockholders holding shares directly as
stockholders of record that do not contain voting instructions
will be voted FOR the approval of the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger, FOR the
proposal to approve the Warburg Pincus financing, and FOR the
proposal to approve the assumption of Nuance options as provided
in the merger agreement.
If your broker holds your shares of ScanSoft common stock for
you in street name, you should instruct your broker
to vote your shares, following the directions your broker
provides to you. Most brokers have procedures for telephone or
Internet voting. Check the material your broker sends you or
call your account representative for more information. In the
event you do not instruct your broker how to vote any shares
held for you in street name, your shares will not be counted as
a vote cast on the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger, the
proposal to approve the Warburg Pincus financing, or the
proposal to approve the assumption of Nuance options as provided
in the merger agreement, and will therefore have no effect on
such proposals.
ScanSoft stockholders of record may also vote in person at the
special meeting by submitting their proxy cards or by filling
out a ballot at the ScanSoft special meeting.
Vote Required
Under applicable rules of the NASDAQ National Market, the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with
the merger requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast at the ScanSoft special meeting.
The proposal to approve the Warburg Pincus financing requires an
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the ScanSoft
special meeting.
The proposal to approve the assumption of Nuance options as
provided in the merger agreement requires an affirmative vote of
a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the
ScanSoft special meeting.
Quorum, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
A quorum of ScanSoft stockholders is required to have a valid
ScanSoft special meeting of stockholders. A majority of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote on the record date must be present in person or
by proxy at the ScanSoft special meeting in order for a quorum
to be established. ScanSofts transfer agent will act as
inspector of elections at the ScanSoft special meeting and will
ascertain whether a quorum is present, tabulate the votes and
determine the voting results on all matters presented to the
ScanSoft stockholders at the special meeting. If a quorum is not
present, ScanSoft expects that the ScanSoft special meeting will
be adjourned to allow additional time to obtain additional
proxies or votes, and at any subsequent reconvening of the
ScanSoft special meeting,
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all proxies will be voted in the same manner as the proxies
would have been voted at the original convening of the special
meeting, except for any proxies that have been effectively
revoked or withdrawn prior to the reconvening of the ScanSoft
special meeting.
Under the rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of
shares that are held in street name for their
clients, the beneficial owners of the shares, brokers have
discretion to vote these shares on routine matters but not on
non-routine matters. The approval of (i) the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger,
(ii) the Warburg Pincus financing, and (iii) the
assumption of Nuance options as provided in the merger agreement
are all considered non-routine matters. Accordingly, brokers
will not have discretionary voting authority to vote your shares
at the special meeting on these proposals.
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker returns a
signed and dated proxy but fails to vote on a proposal, such as
when a broker does not have discretionary voting authority and
has not received instructions from the beneficial owners of the
shares. A broker will not be permitted to vote on the share
issuance, the Warburg Pincus financing or the assumption of
Nuance options as provided in the merger agreement without
instruction from the owner of the shares of ScanSoft common
stock held by that broker. Broker non-votes count as
present for purposes of establishing a quorum described above,
but will not be counted as a vote cast on the proposal to
approve the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in
connection with the merger or the proposal to approve the
Warburg Pincus financing and will therefore have no effect on
those proposals. Broker non-votes will have the
effect of being cast against the proposal to approve the
assumption of Nuance options as provided in the merger
agreement. ScanSoft stockholders are urged to return the
enclosed proxy card marked to indicate their vote or to instruct
their broker to vote shares held in street name.
Abstentions will have the effect of being cast against the
proposal to approve assumption of Nuance options as provided in
the merger agreement, even though the stockholder so abstaining
may intend a different interpretation. Abstentions will have no
effect on the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger and the
proposal to approve the Warburg Pincus financing.
Shares Owned and Voted by ScanSoft Directors and Executive
Officers
At the close of business on July 27, 2005, directors,
executive officers and affiliates of ScanSoft owned and were
entitled to vote, in the aggregate, 17,767,862 shares of
ScanSoft common stock. These shares represent approximately 16%
of the ScanSoft common stock outstanding as of such date
(excluding options, warrants and other convertible securities).
Each of these individuals has entered into a voting agreement
with Nuance in which he or she has agreed, among other things,
to vote all shares of ScanSoft common stock beneficially owned
by him or her in favor of the approval of the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock to Nuance stockholders in
connection with the merger, the Warburg Pincus financing, and
the assumption of Nuance options as provided in the merger
agreement, against any other acquisition proposal and against
any action that would delay or prevent the merger. In connection
with and in support of the voting agreements, these persons have
granted an irrevocable proxy to an affiliate of Nuance to vote
the shares in accordance with the terms of the voting agreements.
Revoking Your Proxy
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is voted
at the ScanSoft special meeting by:
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submitting a written notice of revocation to the corporate
secretary of ScanSoft at 1 Wayside Road, Burlington,
Massachusetts 01803 bearing a later date than the proxy; |
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granting a duly executed proxy relating to the same shares and
bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier
proxy) and delivering it to the corporate secretary of
ScanSoft; or |
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by attending the ScanSoft special meeting and voting in person. |
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Simply attending the ScanSoft special meeting will not revoke a
proxy. If you do not hold your shares of ScanSoft common stock
in your own name, you may revoke a previously granted proxy by
following the revocation instructions provided by the bank,
broker or other party that is the registered owner of the shares.
Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses
ScanSoft and Nuance will share equally expenses incurred in
connection with the filing, printing and mailing of this joint
proxy statement/ prospectus. ScanSoft will be responsible for
any fees incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for the ScanSoft special meeting. In addition to solicitation by
mail, the directors, officers, employees and agents of ScanSoft
may solicit proxies from ScanSoft stockholders by telephone or
other electronic means or in person. Some of these individuals
may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in
addition to, the interests of ScanSoft stockholders generally.
See the section entitled The Merger Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing Interests of ScanSoft Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries will be requested to forward soliciting
materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by
these persons, and ScanSoft will reimburse them for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in sending proxy materials to
beneficial owners. In addition, ScanSoft has retained Georgeson
Shareholder Communications, Inc. to assist in the solicitation
of proxies, at an estimated cost of approximately $9,000, plus
reasonable expenses.
Other Matters
The ScanSoft board of directors is not aware of any other
business to be brought before the ScanSoft special meeting or
any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. If, however,
other matters are properly brought before the ScanSoft special
meeting, including any proposal to adjourn the special meeting
to allow ScanSoft additional time to solicit proxies in favor of
the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of ScanSoft
common stock in connection with the merger, the proposal to
approve the Warburg Pincus financing, or the proposal to approve
the assumption of Nuance options as provided in the merger
agreement or an adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons
appointed as proxies will have discretionary authority to vote
the ScanSoft shares represented by duly executed proxies in
accordance with their discretion and judgment.
Recommendation of the ScanSoft Board of Directors
After careful consideration, the ScanSoft board of directors has
unanimously determined it advisable and in the best interests of
ScanSoft and its stockholders that ScanSoft proceed with the
merger and that the terms of the merger agreement are fair to
ScanSoft and its stockholders, and unanimously recommends that
you vote FOR the proposal to approve the issuance of shares
of ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger, FOR the
proposal to approve the Warburg Pincus financing, and FOR the
proposal to approve the assumption of Nuance options as provided
in the merger agreement.
In considering such recommendation, ScanSoft stockholders should
be aware that some ScanSoft directors and officers have
interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition
to, those of ScanSoft stockholders generally. See the section
entitled The Merger Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing Interests of ScanSoft Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing on page 74.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS
General
Nuance is furnishing this joint proxy statement/ prospectus to
Nuance stockholders in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Nuance board of directors for use at the special
meeting of Nuance stockholders, including any adjournment or
postponement of the meeting.
Date, Time and Place
The Nuance special meeting will be held at Nuances offices
located at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, on
August 31, 2005 at 8:00 am Pacific time. Nuances
telephone number at that location is (650) 847-0000.
Purpose of the Nuance Special Meeting
At the Nuance special meeting, including any adjournment or
postponement of thereof, Nuance stockholders will be asked:
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1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger; and |
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2. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the Nuance special meeting or any postponement or
adjournment thereof. |
A copy of the merger agreement is attached to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus as Annex A. Nuance
stockholders are encouraged to read the merger agreement in its
entirety.
THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE NUANCE SPECIAL MEETING ARE
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS. ACCORDINGLY, NUANCE
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE
INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS
AND THE OTHER INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN, AND
TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
Record Date, Shares Entitled to Vote
Only holders of Nuance common stock at the close of business
July 27, 2005, the record date for the Nuance special
meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Nuance
special meeting. On the record date, 36,700,643 shares of
Nuance common stock, $0.001 par value per share, were
issued and outstanding, and there were 362 holders of
record. The common stock is the only security entitling its
holder to vote at the Nuance special meeting.
Voting Procedures
You may vote in person at the Nuance special meeting or by
proxy. Nuance recommends that you vote by proxy even if you plan
to attend the special meeting and vote in person.
Nuance stockholders of record may submit proxies by completing,
signing and dating the enclosed proxy card for the Nuance
special meeting and mailing them in the enclosed pre-addressed
postage-paid envelopes. All shares of Nuance common stock
represented by properly executed proxies received in time for
the special meeting and not revoked will be voted at the Nuance
special meeting, and at any adjournment or postponement of the
meeting, in accordance with the instructions contained in the
proxies.
Nuance stockholders holding shares of Nuance common stock
directly as stockholders of record or in street name
may direct the voting of their shares without attending the
Nuance special meeting. Nuance stockholders may vote by granting
proxies or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting
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instructions to their brokers or nominees. If your broker holds
your shares of Nuance common stock for you in street
name, you should instruct your broker to vote your shares,
following the directions your broker provides to you.
Nuance stockholders of record may also vote in person at the
Nuance special meeting by submitting their proxy cards or by
completing a ballot at the Nuance special meeting.
Quorum, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
The required quorum for the transaction of business at the
Nuance special meeting is attendance at the meeting, in person
or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the common stock issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat on the record date.
Nuance transfer agent will act as inspector of elections
at the special meeting and will ascertain whether a quorum is
present, tabulate the votes and determine the voting results on
all matters presented to the Nuance stockholders at the special
meeting. If a quorum is not present, Nuance expects that the
Nuance special meeting will be adjourned to allow additional
time to obtain additional proxies or votes, and at any
subsequent reconvening of the Nuance special meeting, all
proxies will be voted in the same manner as the proxies would
have been voted at the original convening of the special
meeting, except for any proxies that have been effectively
revoked or withdrawn prior to the reconvening of the Nuance
special meeting. Shares that are voted FOR,
AGAINST or ABSTAIN on a matter are
treated as being present at the Nuance special meeting for
purposes of establishing a quorum and are also treated as shares
entitled to vote at the Nuance special meeting with respect to
such matter. Broker non-votes (which are described below) also
will be considered to be shares present at the Nuance special
meeting for purposes of a quorum.
Broker non-votes occur when shares held by a broker for a
beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a particular
proposal, because (1) the broker does not receive voting
instructions from the beneficial owner, and (2) the broker
lacks discretionary authority to vote the shares. Under the
rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of shares
that are held in street name for their clients, the
beneficial owners of the shares, brokers have discretion to vote
these shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters.
The adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
merger at the special meeting are considered non-routine
matters. Accordingly, brokers will not have discretionary voting
authority to vote your shares at the special meeting. Although
abstentions and broker non-votes count as present
for purposes of establishing a quorum as described above, they
will not be voted on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement
and approve the merger. Consequently, an abstention and broker
non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against the
proposal. Nuance stockholders are urged to return the enclosed
proxy card marked to indicate their vote or to instruct their
broker to vote shares held in street name.
Vote Required
Each stockholder of record on the record date is entitled to one
vote for each share of common stock held by such stockholder on
that date. The affirmative votes cast by a majority of the
outstanding shares of Nuance common stock as of the record date
is required to adopt the merger agreement and approve the
merger. An abstention and broker non-vote will have the same
effect as a vote against the proposal. Properly executed proxies
that do not contain voting instructions will be voted FOR the
adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger.
Voting Electronically Via the Internet
If your shares are registered in the name of a bank or
brokerage, you may be eligible to vote your shares
electronically over the Internet or by telephone. A large number
of banks and brokerage firms are participating in the ADP
Investor Communication Services online program, which provides
eligible stockholders who receive a paper copy of the proxy
statement with the opportunity to vote via the Internet or by
telephone. If your bank or brokerage firm is participating in
ADPs program, your voting form from the bank or brokerage
firm will provide instructions. If your voting form does not
reference Internet or
48
telephone information, please complete and return the
accompanying paper proxy card in the enclosed self-addressed,
postage paid envelope.
Voting Agreements
At the close of business on July 27, 2005, each of
Nuances executive officers and directors and one of its
significant stockholders, SRI International, has agreed to vote
an aggregate of approximately 2,950,000 shares of Nuance
common stock in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger. These shares represent
approximately 8% of the Nuance common stock outstanding as of
the record date (not including options, warrants and other
convertible securities outstanding).
Each of these individuals has entered into a voting agreement
with ScanSoft in which he, she, or it has agreed, among other
things, to vote all shares of Nuance common stock beneficially
owned by him or her in favor of the merger agreement and the
merger, against any other acquisition proposal and against any
action that would delay or prevent the merger. In connection
with and in support of the voting agreements, these persons have
granted an irrevocable proxy to an affiliate of ScanSoft to vote
the shares in accordance with the terms of the voting
agreements. See Agreements Related to the
Merger Nuance Voting Agreements.
Revoking Your Proxy
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is voted
at the Nuance special meeting by:
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1. submitting a written notice of revocation to the
corporate secretary of Nuance at 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park,
California 94025 bearing a later date than the proxy; |
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2. granting a duly executed proxy relating to the same
shares and bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the
earlier proxy) and delivering it to the corporate secretary of
Nuance; or |
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3. by attending the Nuance special meeting and voting in
person. |
Attending the Nuance special meeting will not, by itself, revoke
a proxy. Please note, however, that if your shares of Nuance
common stock are held of record by a broker, bank or other
nominee and you wish to vote at the Nuance special meeting, you
must bring to the meeting a letter from the broker, bank or
other nominee, confirming your beneficial ownership of the
shares of common stock to be voted. If you do not hold your
shares of Nuance common stock in your own name, you may revoke a
previously granted proxy by following the revocation
instructions provided by the bank, broker or other party that is
the registered owner of the shares.
Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses
ScanSoft and Nuance will share equally expenses incurred in
connection with the filing, printing and mailing of this joint
proxy statement/ prospectus. The cost of soliciting proxies for
the Nuance special meeting will be borne by Nuance. In addition
to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers, employees and
agents of Nuance, without additional compensation, may solicit
proxies from Nuance stockholders by telephone or other
electronic means or in person. Some of these individuals may
have interests in the merger that are different from, or in
addition to, the interests of Nuance stockholders generally. See
the section entitled The Merger Interests of
Certain Persons in the Merger and the Warburg Pincus
Financing Interests of Nuance Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger. Following the mailing of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus, Nuance will request
brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to
forward copies of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus to
persons for whom they hold shares of Nuance common stock and to
request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such cases,
Nuance, upon the request of the record holder, will reimburse
such holder for their reasonable expenses. In addition, Nuance
has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to
assist in the solicitation of proxies, at an estimated cost of
approximately $7,000, plus reasonable expenses.
49
Other Matters
The Nuance board of directors is not aware of any other business
to be brought before the Nuance special meeting or any
adjournment or postponement of the meeting. If, however, other
matters are properly brought before the Nuance special meeting
(including any proposal to adjourn the special meeting to allow
Nuance additional time to solicit proxies in favor of the
proposal to adopt the merger agreement) or an adjournment or
postponement thereof, the persons appointed as proxies will have
discretionary authority to vote the shares of Nuance common
stock represented by duly executed proxies in accordance with
their discretion and judgment.
Recommendation of the Nuance Board of Directors
After careful consideration, the Nuance board of directors has
unanimously approved the proposal described above relating to
the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
merger, and has determined that such proposal is advisable, fair
and in the best interests of Nuance and its stockholders. The
Nuance board of directors unanimously recommends that you
vote FOR the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger.
In considering such recommendation, Nuance stockholders should
be aware that some Nuance directors and officers have interests
in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, those
of Nuance stockholders generally. See the section entitled
The Merger Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger and the Warburg Pincus Financing Interests of
Nuance Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.
50
THE MERGER
The following is a description of the material aspects of the
proposed merger and related transactions. The following
description may not contain all of the information that is
important to you. You should read this entire joint proxy
statement/ prospectus, including the section entitled
Agreements Related to the Merger, and the other
documents we refer to, carefully for a more complete
understanding of the merger and the related transactions.
Background of the Merger
Both ScanSoft and Nuance regularly evaluate strategic
opportunities, including potential mergers with other companies,
acquisitions of other companies or assets, and licensing,
marketing and development alliances.
From time to time, during the period from late 2002 until the
second half of 2004, representatives of ScanSoft attempted to
engage Nuance in discussions regarding a potential strategic
transaction between the companies. While representatives of both
companies spoke periodically, no significant discussions
materialized during that period.
During the second half of 2004 and early 2005, Paul Ricci,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ScanSoft, and Charles
Berger, Chief Executive Officer of Nuance, met on several
occasions, in person and by telephone, at the request of
Mr. Ricci. During these meetings, Mr. Ricci raised the
possibility of a business combination between ScanSoft and
Nuance. Mr. Berger and Mr. Ricci reported on these
inquiries at regular meetings of the Nuance and ScanSoft boards
of directors, respectively. During this same period, William
Janeway, a member of the ScanSoft board of directors, and Alan
Herzig, a member of the Nuance board of directors, met on
several occasions, in person and by telephone, at the request of
Mr. Janeway, during which Mr. Janeway raised the
possibility of a business combination between ScanSoft and
Nuance. After a January 17, 2005 meeting,
Messrs. Ricci and Berger agreed that ScanSoft and Nuance
would not engage in discussions concerning a business
combination until, at the earliest, the financial results for
the quarter ended December 31, 2004, for both ScanSoft and
Nuance, were available. In all of these meetings, the Nuance
representative indicated that Nuance was not presently
interested in pursuing a sale of Nuance.
On February 23, 2005, during a conversation with
Mr. Berger, a representative of a third party (referred to
as the other party for purposes of this section of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus) raised the possibility
of a business combination between the other party and Nuance, at
which time, Mr. Berger replied that Nuance was not
presently interested in pursuing a sale of Nuance.
On February 28, 2005, the ScanSoft board of directors held
a special meeting to discuss a possible business combination
with Nuance and consider: (1) the strategic benefits of the
transaction; (2) detailed financial analyses and other
information with respect to the companies presented by Thomas
Weisel Partners, ScanSofts financial advisor; (3) the
financing alternatives available to ScanSoft in order to
consummate the transaction; and (4) the impact of the
transaction on ScanSoft and its stockholders. Following this
meeting, Mr. Ricci sent a letter, dated February 28,
2005, to Mr. Berger outlining a proposal whereby ScanSoft
would acquire, through a merger, all of the outstanding stock of
Nuance for a purchase price of $5.25 per share, consisting of a
combination of cash and common stock of ScanSoft.
On February 28, 2005, Mr. Berger circulated a copy of
the February 28, 2005 ScanSoft letter to each member of the
Nuance board, Nuances legal counsel and Nuances
financial advisor, Credit Suisse First Boston, which Nuance
engaged for the potential transaction.
Between February 28, 2005 and March 3, 2005, members
of the ScanSoft board of directors and ScanSofts external
advisors contacted certain members of Nuances board of
directors and discussed the strategic benefits of a proposed
merger of ScanSoft and Nuance.
On March 1, 2005, Mr. Ricci and Mr. Berger
discussed the proposal by ScanSoft for the merger of ScanSoft
and Nuance and appropriate next steps for ScanSoft and Nuance.
51
On March 3, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
regular meeting, at which it reviewed with Nuances
financial and legal advisors the terms proposed by ScanSoft for
a merger of ScanSoft and Nuance. The Nuance board of directors
resolved to give full evaluation to the proposal by ScanSoft,
and directed Nuances management to continue discussions
with ScanSoft and to consider further Nuances prospects as
an independent company and its strategic alternatives, including
other possible business combinations. The Nuance board of
directors also instructed Nuances management to contact
the other party to ascertain whether it remained interested in a
business combination with Nuance.
After the March 3, 2005 meeting of the Nuance board of
directors, Mr. Berger contacted Mr. Ricci, indicating
that Nuance would be open to discussing a potential business
combination. Also on March 3, 2005, Mr. Berger
telephoned a representative of the other party to determine
whether the other party remained interested in a potential
acquisition of Nuance.
On March 4, 2005, Mr. Berger called Mr. Ricci to
discuss the timing of a potential business combination and the
process under which Nuance would evaluate ScanSofts
proposal, which Mr. Berger and Mr. Ricci agreed would
include a meeting between the managements of Nuance and ScanSoft
and a presentation by Mr. Ricci to the Nuance board of
directors.
On March 7, 2005, Mr. Ricci telephoned Mr. Berger
to set the dates for the meeting between the managements of
Nuance and ScanSoft and the presentation by Mr. Ricci to
the Nuance board of directors.
On March 11, 2005, representatives of Credit Suisse First
Boston contacted two additional third parties to determine
whether either one of them would be interested in a potential
acquisition of Nuance. Each of these third parties subsequently
confirmed to Credit Suisse First Boston, in late March and early
April, that it would not be interested in an acquisition of
Nuance at that time.
On March 14, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting, at which it reviewed with Nuances
financial advisors the proposed terms of a merger of ScanSoft
and Nuance, Nuances prospects as an independent company,
and Nuances present strategic alternatives.
Mr. Berger reported to the Nuance board about his separate
discussions with ScanSoft and the other party. The Nuance board
of directors resolved to have Nuance conduct a due diligence
review of ScanSoft and its business, and directed Nuances
management to consider further Nuances strategic
alternatives, including a possible business combination with the
other party and other third parties, and report back to the
Nuance board of directors concerning those alternatives.
On March 14, 2005, Mr. Ricci, members of the ScanSoft
management team and representatives of Thomas Weisel Partners
and Credit Suisse First Boston participated in a telephone
conference call during which Mr. Ricci provided an overview
of ScanSofts business, and certain due diligence matters
were discussed by the participants.
On March 16, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting at which Mr. Berger presented to the Nuance
board of directors an update on the proposed business
combination with ScanSoft and related matters and summarized
recent conversations with Mr. Ricci. Mr. Berger also
summarized recent actions taken by Nuances management
respecting Nuances strategic alternatives, including
related discussions with the other party and additional third
parties.
On March 17, 2005, Mr. Berger and members of the
Nuance management team met with representatives of the other
party to discuss the strategic fit between the two companies.
After the meeting, members of the Nuance management team and
representatives of the other party met on a number of occasions
by telephone over the course of several weeks to discuss, in
further detail, a potential acquisition of Nuance by the other
party.
On March 22, 2005, Mr. Ricci and members of the
ScanSoft management team met with Mr. Berger and members of
the Nuance management team and representatives of Credit Suisse
First Boston to discuss ScanSofts business and the
strategic benefits of the proposed business combination.
52
On March 23, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting at which Mr. Berger presented to the Nuance
board of directors an update on the proposed business
combination with ScanSoft and with respect to related matters
and summarized recent actions taken by Nuances management
respecting Nuances strategic alternatives, including
discussions with the other party.
On March 29, 2005, Mr. Ricci and certain of
ScanSofts advisors met with the Nuance board of directors
to provide a comprehensive overview of ScanSofts business,
the strategic benefits of the proposed business combination and
ScanSofts vision for the combined organization.
Mr. Ricci also discussed with the Nuance board of directors
ScanSofts potential alternatives for financing the
proposed transaction. Mr. Ricci then left the meeting of
the Nuance board of directors and the board of directors
discussed Mr. Riccis presentation. Following this
discussion, the Nuance board of directors determined that Nuance
should continue to explore a potential business combination with
ScanSoft.
On April 1, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting, at which it discussed Nuances recent
financial results and the status of various potential
transactions, in particular the proposed merger of ScanSoft and
Nuance and a potential acquisition of Nuance by the other party.
At this meeting, the Nuance board of directors authorized
Nuances management to proceed with the discussions
regarding each of these potential business combinations.
On April 7, 2005, ScanSoft and Nuance signed a mutual
non-disclosure agreement to cover their strategic discussions
and related confidential disclosures.
On April 8, 2005, Mr. Berger received a letter from
the other party indicating an interest to acquire Nuance. After
the receipt of this letter, Mr. Berger and Nuances
financial advisors engaged in several discussions with
representatives of the other party over the course of several
days. These discussions involved preliminary pricing and other
general terms of an acquisition of Nuance.
On April 8, 2005, Mr. Ricci and Mr. Berger
discussed by telephone a counter-proposal by Nuance regarding
price and other significant terms of the proposed merger of
ScanSoft and Nuance. During the remainder of April 2005 and
early May 2005, Messrs. Ricci and Berger discussed several
times by telephone the general terms and conditions of the
proposed merger of ScanSoft and Nuance.
On April 11, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting, at which it discussed the status of various
potential business combinations, in particular the proposed
business combinations with ScanSoft and with the other party,
and authorized Nuances management and financial advisors
to continue discussions, including the negotiation of pricing
and other terms, with ScanSoft and with the other party.
On April 12, 2005, the ScanSoft board of directors held a
special meeting to discuss the proposed business combination.
The board reviewed and discussed Nuances counter-proposal.
Members of the management of ScanSoft presented the strategic
rationale, projected synergies and an analysis of the financial
impact of the transaction for ScanSoft and its stockholders.
On April 19, 2005, Nuance and representatives of Credit
Suisse First Boston met with ScanSoft and Thomas Weisel Partners
to discuss an overview of Nuances business, the strategic
merits and projected synergies of a business combination and
appropriate follow on steps.
On April 22, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting, at which it discussed the status and pricing
and other terms of the proposed business combinations with
ScanSoft and with the other party, and determined that the
proposal from ScanSoft was superior from a financial point of
view. Representatives of Credit Suisse First Boston subsequently
conveyed the determination of the Nuance board of directors to
the other party and requested that the other party increase the
value of its offer for Nuance. The other party subsequently
declined to increase the value of its offer for Nuance.
During the week of April 25, 2005, Richard Palmer, Senior
Vice President of Corporate Development for ScanSoft, Doug
Neilsson, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for
Nuance, and legal counsel for each company engaged in a series
of discussions concerning the price and other significant
53
terms of the proposed business combination and conveyed a series
of proposals and counter-proposals. Mr. Berger participated
in some of these discussions.
On April 29, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting, at which Nuances management reviewed with
the board the proposed terms of the merger of ScanSoft and
Nuance. The Nuance board of directors directed Nuances
management to continue negotiations with ScanSoft.
On May 1, 2005, Nuance and its outside counsel received the
initial draft of the merger agreement from ScanSofts
outside counsel. From May 1, 2005 until May 9, 2005,
representatives of Nuance and ScanSoft and their respective
legal counsels negotiated and exchanged several drafts of the
merger agreement and related transaction agreements.
During the week of May 2, 2005, ScanSoft and Nuance
conducted reciprocal due diligence.
On May 3, 2005, the ScanSoft board of directors was
provided with an update on the status of discussions with Nuance
as part of a regular meeting of the board.
On May 4, 2005, Messrs. Ricci and Berger met to
negotiate certain remaining open points of the merger agreement.
From May 3 through May 9, 2005, the parties and their
financial and legal advisors continued to negotiate the terms of
the merger agreement and related transaction agreements, and
completed their due diligence reviews.
On May 6, 2005, the Nuance board of directors held a
special meeting at which Nuances management,
representatives of Credit Suisse First Boston and
Fenwick & West LLP, Nuances legal counsel,
discussed the findings of due diligence and the strategic
benefits of the merger and reported on the terms of the merger
agreement and related agreements. Representatives of Credit
Suisse First Boston reviewed with the members of the board the
financial analyses performed by Credit Suisse First Boston with
respect to the proposed merger consideration offered by ScanSoft.
On the morning of May 9, 2005, the ScanSoft board of
directors held a special meeting at which management and
representatives of Thomas Weisel Partners, Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich and Rosati, P.C., ScanSofts legal counsel,
and KPMG, ScanSofts accounting due diligence consultant,
discussed the findings of due diligence and the strategic
benefits of the merger and reported on the final terms of the
merger agreement and related agreements. Representatives of
Thomas Weisel Partners reviewed their financial analyses with
respect to the proposed merger and delivered an oral opinion
(subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of that date and
based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth
therein, the merger consideration payable under the merger
agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to ScanSoft.
After consideration of these presentations, the ScanSoft board
of directors unanimously approved the merger and the merger
agreement.
On the morning of May 9, 2005, the Nuance board of
directors held a special meeting at which management and
representatives of Credit Suisse First Boston and
Fenwick & West LLP discussed the findings of due
diligence and the strategic benefits of the merger and reported
on the final terms of the merger agreement and related
agreements. Representatives of Credit Suisse First Boston
delivered the oral opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston
(subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of May 9, 2005
and based upon and subject to the various assumptions,
considerations and limitations set forth in its opinion, the
merger consideration to be received by the holders of Nuance
common stock pursuant to the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Nuance common stock. After
consideration of these presentations, the Nuance board of
directors unanimously approved the merger and the merger
agreement.
Following the approval of the board of directors of each
company, ScanSoft and Nuance executed the definitive merger
agreement and issued a press release announcing the proposed
transaction on the afternoon of May 9, 2005.
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Throughout the period the merger was being negotiated,
ScanSofts management and board of directors were exploring
and evaluating potential financing alternatives for the
transaction, including an equity investment by Warburg Pincus, a
public convertible debt offering, a public secondary offering of
ScanSoft common stock and commercial bank credit facilities.
On May 5, 2005, ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus executed a
definitive agreement for Warburg Pincus to
purchase 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft common stock
for an aggregate price of $59,999,998.32, conditional upon the
closing of the merger with Nuance.
Separately, also on May 5, 2005 and independent of the
Nuance transaction, ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus executed a
definitive agreement for Warburg Pincus to
purchase 3,537,736 shares of ScanSoft common stock for
an aggregate price of $15,000,000.64. This transaction was
completed on May 9, 2005.
Consideration of the Merger by ScanSoft
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ScanSofts Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation
of the ScanSoft Board of Directors |
The ScanSoft board of directors considered a number of
alternatives for enhancing its competitive position in the
speech technology markets and increasing stockholder value. The
ScanSoft board of directors believes that the proposed merger is
in the best interests of ScanSoft and its stockholders. The
ScanSoft board of directors unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the merger and unanimously recommends that its
stockholders approve the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common
stock in connection with the merger. This decision was based on
a number of factors, including the potential benefits that the
ScanSoft board of directors believes will contribute to the
future success of the combined company. These benefits include:
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a complete product portfolio with the widest language coverage
in the speech industry; |
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network automated speech recognition, or ASR, in
46 languages, network text to speech, or TTS, in
26 languages; |
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embedded ASR in 12 languages, embedded TTS in
20 languages; |
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large vocabulary continuous dictation in 7 languages; |
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the ability to better serve the customer base of each company
with a comprehensive portfolio of technologies, applications and
expertise that will enable customers to effectively deploy
innovative speech-solutions; |
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the ability of the combined company to bring together an array
of technical resources including scientists and
engineers and a broad patent portfolio to handle
complex implementations and solve more difficult problems with
speech technology, develop new products and greater
functionality for existing products; |
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the complementary nature of the technologies of the combined
company; |
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the ability to leverage a unified sales infrastructure to expand
sales coverage and create improved opportunities for selling the
products of the combined company; |
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the ability to leverage combined technical assets and expertise
to focus on technology specific to specific verticals, increased
ability to develop applications more efficiently and
optimization of technology to improve performance; |
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increased combined technical depth in the face of
AT&Ts, Microsofts and IBMs investments in
speech technology; |
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the ability of the combined company to employ the skills and
resources of both companies management teams; and |
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the expected synergies from the combined research and
development, marketing, sales and administrative areas of the
company following the merger. |
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The ScanSoft board of directors evaluated all of the potential
benefits described above in light of their knowledge of
ScanSofts business, financial condition and prospects,
Nuances business, financial condition and prospects, and
the market for speech technology solutions. The ScanSoft board
of directors also identified and considered potentially negative
factors that could result from the merger, including the risks
posed by the necessary integration of the businesses and
operations of the two companies and the risk that the combined
company will not be able to fully realize potential synergies
and cost saving opportunities. In addition, the ScanSoft board
of directors considered a number of other factors in evaluating
the proposed merger, including presentations given by
ScanSofts management and the opinion of Thomas Weisel
Partners as financial advisor to ScanSoft. In view of the
variety of factors considered by the ScanSoft board of directors
in its evaluation of the merger, the ScanSoft board of directors
did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or
otherwise assign relative weight to the specific factors
considered in reaching its decision. In addition, individual
members of the ScanSoft board of directors may have given
different weight to different factors. While the list of
potential benefits described in this section as having been
considered by the ScanSoft board of directors is not intended to
be the complete list of all of the potential benefits
considered, it is believed to include the potential benefits
considered by the ScanSoft board of directors to be material.
The ScanSoft board of directors believes that the merger is
advisable, and is fair to and in the best interests of ScanSoft
and its stockholders, and unanimously recommends that ScanSoft
stockholders approve the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common
stock in connection with the merger.
Opinion of ScanSoft
Financial Advisor
ScanSoft retained Thomas Weisel Partners LLC (which we refer to
as Thomas Weisel Partners) to act as financial advisor to
ScanSoft in connection with the merger. On May 9, 2005,
Thomas Weisel Partners delivered its oral opinion, which was
subsequently confirmed in writing, to the ScanSoft board of
directors that, as of that date and based upon and subject to
the factors and assumptions set forth therein, the merger
consideration payable under the merger agreement was fair, from
a financial point of view, to ScanSoft.
The full text of the written opinion of Thomas Weisel Partners
is set forth as Annex B to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus and describes the assumptions made,
general procedures followed, matters considered and limits and
qualifications on the review undertaken by Thomas Weisel
Partners and is incorporated herein by reference. Thomas Weisel
Partners opinion is directed only to whether the merger
consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
ScanSoft and does not constitute a recommendation to any
ScanSoft director or stockholder as to how such director or
stockholder should vote with respect to the merger. The summary
of the opinion of Thomas Weisel Partners set forth below is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such
opinion. STOCKHOLDERS OF SCANSOFT ARE URGED TO READ THE OPINION
CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Thomas Weisel
Partners, among other things:
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reviewed certain publicly available financial data with respect
to Nuance and ScanSoft, including the consolidated financial
statements for their three most recent fiscal years and for any
subsequent interim periods to December 31, 2004, as well as
the draft interim financial statements for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005, and certain other relevant financial and
operating data relating to Nuance and ScanSoft made available to
Thomas Weisel Partners from published sources and from the
internal records of Nuance and ScanSoft; |
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reviewed the financial terms and conditions of the merger
agreement; |
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reviewed certain publicly available information concerning the
trading of, and the trading market for, Nuance common stock and
ScanSoft common stock; |
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compared Nuance and ScanSoft from a financial point of view with
certain other public companies that Thomas Weisel Partners
deemed to be relevant; |
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considered the financial terms, to the extent publicly
available, of selected recent business combinations which Thomas
Weisel Partners deemed to be comparable, in whole or in part, to
the merger; |
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reviewed and discussed with representatives of the management of
Nuance and ScanSoft certain information of a business and
financial nature regarding Nuance and ScanSoft, furnished to
Thomas Weisel Partners by Nuance and ScanSoft, including
financial forecasts and related assumptions of Nuance and
ScanSoft; |
|
|
|
made inquiries and held discussions regarding the merger and the
merger agreement and other matters related thereto with
ScanSofts counsel; and |
|
|
|
performed such other analyses and examinations as Thomas Weisel
Partners has deemed appropriate. |
For purposes of its analysis and opinion, Thomas Weisel Partners
assumed and relied upon, without assuming any responsibility for
independent verification of, the accuracy and completeness of
the information publicly available and the information supplied
or otherwise made available to, discussed with, or reviewed by
Thomas Weisel Partners. With respect to the financial
projections of ScanSoft and Nuance and the underlying analysis
concerning the potential synergies that were furnished to Thomas
Weisel Partners, or discussed with Thomas Weisel Partners by the
managements of ScanSoft or Nuance, Thomas Weisel Partners
assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith
judgments of ScanSofts and Nuances management of the
future financial performance of ScanSoft and Nuance and that
they provide a reasonable basis upon which Thomas Weisel
Partners could form its opinion. This notwithstanding, as
regards certain forecasts and/or projections with respect to
Nuance, for purposes of Thomas Weisel Partners analyses
Thomas Weisel Partners has adopted the forecasts provided by
ScanSofts management regarding revenue growth and
profitability. Thomas Weisel Partners has discussed the adjusted
forecasts with management of ScanSoft, which has acknowledged
Thomas Weisel Partners use of such adjusted forecasts in
arriving at its opinion. Thomas Weisel Partners has also assumed
that there have been no material changes in Nuances or
ScanSofts assets, financial condition, results of
operations, business or prospects since the respective dates of
their last financial statements made available to Thomas Weisel
Partners. Thomas Weisel Partners further assumed that, in all
material respects, such financial projections and synergies
would be realized in the amounts and times indicated thereby.
Thomas Weisel Partners expressed no view as to such financial
projections or synergies, or the assumptions on which they were
based. Additionally, Thomas Weisel Partners relied on ScanSoft
managements views as to the future strategic benefits of
the merger.
Thomas Weisel Partners did not make nor assume any
responsibility for making any independent valuation or appraisal
of the assets or liabilities of ScanSoft or Nuance, nor was
Thomas Weisel Partners furnished with any such appraisals, nor
did Thomas Weisel Partners evaluate the solvency or fair value
of Nuance or ScanSoft under any state or federal laws relating
to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. Thomas Weisel
Partners opinion is based on economic, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information and merger
agreement made available to Thomas Weisel Partners as of, the
date of the opinion. Thomas Weisel Partners assumed the merger
will qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. Thomas Weisel Partners did not evaluate, nor did
ScanSoft request Thomas Weisel Partners to evaluate,
alternatives to the merger or ScanSofts underlying
decision to proceed with or effect the merger. In addition,
Thomas Weisel Partners was not asked to provide an opinion with
respect to ScanSofts financing arrangements in connection
with the merger. Thomas Weisel Partners opinion does not
address ScanSofts underlying business decision to effect
the merger nor constitute a recommendation to any ScanSoft
director or stockholder as to how such director or stockholder
should vote with respect to such financing arrangements or the
merger. Furthermore, Thomas Weisel Partners expresses no opinion
as to the price or range of prices at which the shares of
ScanSoft common stock will trade at any future time.
For purposes of rendering its opinion, Thomas Weisel Partners
assumed, in all respects material to its analysis, that the
representations and warranties of each party contained in the
merger agreement are true
57
and correct, that each party will perform all the covenants and
agreements required under the merger agreement, and that all
conditions to the consummation of the merger will be satisfied
without waiver thereof. Thomas Weisel Partners also assumed that
in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or other
approvals (contractual or otherwise) for the merger, no
restrictions, including any divestiture requirements or
amendments and modifications, will be imposed that will have a
material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the
merger. Thomas Weisel Partners further assumed that the merger
will be consummated in accordance with the terms described in
the merger agreement, without any further amendments thereto or
modification thereof, and without waiver by ScanSoft of any of
the conditions to its obligations thereunder.
In connection with a presentation to the ScanSoft board of
directors on May 9, 2005, Thomas Weisel Partners advised
the ScanSoft board of directors that, in evaluating the fairness
of the merger consideration to be paid by ScanSoft, Thomas
Weisel Partners performed a variety of financial analyses with
respect to ScanSoft and Nuance. The following is a summary of
the material analyses contained in the presentation. Some of the
summaries of the financial analyses include information
presented in tabular format. The tables are not intended to
stand alone, and in order to more fully understand the financial
analyses performed by Thomas Weisel Partners, the tables must be
read together with the full text of each summary.
Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis. Thomas Weisel
Partners reviewed the daily closing prices of ScanSoft common
stock and Nuance common stock to determine the exchange ratio
and the implied merger consideration per share for each share of
Nuance common stock based upon the relative prices of these
securities for each considered time period and the closing price
per share of $4.46 of ScanSoft common stock on May 6, 2005.
Thomas Weisel Partners analyzed the exchange ratio between
ScanSoft common stock and Nuance common stock for various time
periods between May 4, 2004 and May 6, 2005. Thomas
Weisel Partners noted that the implied merger consideration per
share of Nuance common stock of $5.63 was within the range of
historical implied merger consideration per share in certain of
the periods examined as shown below:
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|
|
Exchange Ratio/ Implied Consideration per Share | |
|
|
| |
Period |
|
High | |
|
Average | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
30 Day
|
|
0.821x/ $ |
3.66 |
|
|
0.730x/ $ |
3.26 |
|
|
0.647x/ $ |
2.89 |
|
90 Day
|
|
1.007x/ $ |
4.49 |
|
|
0.789x/ $ |
3.51 |
|
|
0.647x/ $ |
2.89 |
|
180 Day
|
|
1.363x/ $ |
6.08 |
|
|
0.929x/ $ |
4.14 |
|
|
0.647x/ $ |
2.89 |
|
One Year
|
|
1.363x/ $ |
6.08 |
|
|
0.944x/ $ |
4.21 |
|
|
0.647x/ $ |
2.89 |
|
Synergies Analysis. Relying on ScanSoft managements
estimates of the estimated annual synergies resulting from the
merger, Thomas Weisel Partners estimated the present value of
the future, unlevered free cash flows resulting from such
synergies based on two methods: (i) discounted cash flow
analysis based on perpetual growth rates and
(ii) capitalization of 2006 earnings on a fully realized
basis.
The first method utilized the net present value of the implied
annual cash flows from the synergies and a terminal value in
2009 calculated based upon perpetual growth rates of free cash
flow, and adjusted for Nuances estimated net cash balance
as of March 31, 2005 (the Perpetuity Method).
For purposes of this calculation, Thomas Weisel Partners used a
range of discount rates of 12% to 16%, a range of tax rates of
30% to 40% and a perpetual growth rate of 0%. The discount rates
were based on weighted average cost of capital computations and
qualitative assessments of ScanSofts and Nuances
projected results and the synergies and risks inherent therein.
This method produced implied values of synergies ranging from a
low of $109 million, or $2.93 per share of Nuance
common stock (using a discount rate of 16% and a tax rate of
40%), to a high of $170 million, or $4.44 per share of
Nuance common stock (using a discount rate of 12% and a tax rate
of 30%).
The second method capitalized the fully realized synergy
projections from ScanSoft management at net income multiples
ranging from a low of 10x to a high of 20x projected 2006
earnings (after applying estimated tax rates ranging from 30% to
40%) (the Capitalization Method). This method
produced implied values of synergies ranging from a low of
$177 million, or $4.59 per share of Nuance common
58
stock (using a net income multiple of 10x and a tax rate of
40%), to a high of $412 million, or $9.99 per share of
Nuance common stock (using a net income multiple of 20x and a
tax rate of 30%).
Thomas Weisel Partners then utilized the value of the projected
synergies in various other analyses, as described below.
Public Company Trading Analysis. Thomas Weisel Partners
compared selected financial, market and operating information of
Nuance with corresponding data of selected publicly traded
companies with operations Thomas Weisel Partners deemed to be
similar in some respect to those of Nuance for purposes of this
analysis. In such analysis, Thomas Weisel Partners compared the
multiples of enterprise value to certain financial data of
Nuance on a stand alone basis, as well as based on the terms of
the merger, to the corresponding multiples for the selected
comparable companies. The multiples that were analyzed by Thomas
Weisel Partners were derived by (i) dividing the enterprise
value of each company (based on closing stock prices on
May 6, 2005) by its estimated 2005 and 2006 revenues and
earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA), and (ii) the closing price per share
of the common stock of each company on May 6, 2005 by its
estimated 2005 and 2006 earnings per share. In order to give
effect to the estimated operating synergies as described above,
Thomas Weisel Partners applied the median synergy value as
estimated by the Perpetual Method to the multiples derived from
the financial results of selected publicly traded companies in
order to arrive at an estimated range of values per share
inclusive of the impact of synergies. Thomas Weisel Partners
included in its review of companies the following software
companies:
|
|
|
|
|
Aspect Communications Corp. |
|
|
|
Brooktrout Inc. |
|
|
|
Comverse Technology, Inc. |
|
|
|
Interactive Intelligence Inc. |
|
|
|
InterVoice Inc. |
|
|
|
NMS Communications Corporation |
|
|
|
Openwave Systems Inc. |
|
|
|
Witness Systems, Inc. |
In addition, certain metrics for International Business Machines
Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, which are also market
participants, were reviewed by Thomas Weisel Partners but
excluded from the analysis, because each of these companies is
several times the size of each of the other companies listed.
For ScanSoft and Nuance, projections were based on ScanSoft
managements estimates for 2005 and 2006. For the
comparable companies, projections were based on publicly
available Wall Street research estimates.
Thomas Weisel Partners reviewed the multiples of enterprise
value to estimated 2005 revenue, EBITDA and net income and
estimated 2006 revenue, EBITDA and net income. Thomas Weisel
Partners noted that, because Nuance was not projected to have
positive EBITDA or net income, the valuation multiples based on
EBITDA and net income were not meaningful for Nuance, and
therefore these metrics were excluded from the analysis. Thomas
Weisel Partners noted that, based upon closing stock prices as
of May 6, 2005, the implied price per share of Nuance
common stock of $5.63 fell within the overall ranges (inclusive
of synergies) implied by both CY2005 and CY2006 revenue
multiples of prices per share of the comparable publicly-traded
companies.
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price per | |
|
Implied Price per | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share without | |
|
Share with | |
Enterprise Value as a Multiple of: |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Synergies | |
|
Synergies | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
CY2005E Revenues
|
|
|
0.8 |
x |
|
|
2.9 |
x |
|
$ |
2.29 |
|
|
$ |
5.22 |
|
|
$ |
5.59 |
|
|
$ |
8.36 |
|
CY2006E Revenues
|
|
|
0.6 |
x |
|
|
2.6 |
x |
|
$ |
2.11 |
|
|
$ |
5.12 |
|
|
$ |
5.43 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
Thomas Weisel Partners noted that no company used in the
comparable company analyses summarized above is identical to
Nuance. Thomas Weisel Partners noted that, because of the
differences
59
between the business mix, operations and other characteristics
of Nuance and the comparable public companies, Thomas Weisel
Partners believed that an appropriate use of the comparable
public company analysis would also involve qualitative judgments
concerning the differences between Nuance and the comparable
companies that would affect the public trading values of the
common stock of the companies. Accordingly, any analysis of the
fairness of the merger consideration involves complex
evaluations and judgments concerning differences in the
financial and operating characteristics of the comparable
companies and other factors in relation to the trading values of
the comparable companies.
Precedent Transactions Analysis. Thomas Weisel Partners
reviewed and analyzed the implied transaction multiples paid in
selected merger and acquisition transactions in the software
industry that Thomas Weisel Partners deemed to be similar in
some respect to the merger and compared these multiples to the
multiples implied for Nuance based on the terms of the merger.
The following table sets forth the transactions that were used
for purposes of this analysis:
|
|
|
Acquiror |
|
Target |
|
|
|
Adobe Systems, Inc.
|
|
Macromedia Inc. |
Oracle Corporation
|
|
Retek Inc. |
Infor Global Solutions
|
|
MAPICS, Inc. |
International Business Machines Corporation
|
|
Corio, Inc. |
Computer Associates International, Inc.
|
|
Netegrity, Inc. |
Symantec Corp.
|
|
Brightmail Inc. |
BMC Software Inc.
|
|
Marimba Inc. |
TIBCO Software Inc.
|
|
Staffware plc |
Pitney Bowes
|
|
Group 1 Software Inc. |
Ariba
|
|
FreeMarkets, Inc. |
Symantec Corp.
|
|
On Technology Corp. |
EMC Corp.
|
|
Documentum, Inc. |
Interwoven Inc.
|
|
iManage, Inc. |
Business Objects SA
|
|
Crystal Decisions Inc. |
PeopleSoft Inc.
|
|
J.D. Edwards & Company |
ScanSoft, Inc.
|
|
Speechworks Inc. |
To illustrate, Thomas Weisel Partners calculated the multiples
of enterprise value to actual revenue for the last twelve
months. Thomas Weisel Partners noted that the valuation multiple
for Nuance based on the terms of the merger falls within the
range found for the selected companies.
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
Enterprise Value | |
|
Enterprise Value | |
|
|
to Last Twelve | |
|
to Next Twelve | |
|
|
Months | |
|
Months | |
|
|
Revenue | |
|
Revenue | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
NUANCE TRANSACTION
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
Software Transactions
|
|
|
3.3 |
x |
|
|
3.3x |
|
Maximum
|
|
|
7.5 |
x |
|
|
6.7x |
|
Mean
|
|
|
3.4 |
x |
|
|
3.2x |
|
Median
|
|
|
3.0 |
x |
|
|
2.8x |
|
Minimum
|
|
|
1.6 |
x |
|
|
1.6x |
|
Among other factors, Thomas Weisel Partners noted that the
merger and acquisition transaction environment varies over time
because of macroeconomic factors such as interest rate and
equity market fluctuations and microeconomic factors such as
industry results and growth expectations. Thomas Weisel Partners
noted that no transaction used in the comparable transaction
analysis summarized above is identical to the terms of the
proposed merger. Accordingly, the analysis performed by Thomas
Weisel Partners involves complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating
60
characteristics of the comparable transactions and other factors
in relation to the acquisition values of the comparable
companies.
Premiums Paid Analysis. Thomas Weisel Partners analyzed
the premiums paid relative to public market pre-announcement
trading prices for a selected group of transactions that
occurred since January 1, 2002 in the technology industry
with transaction values from $100 million to
$1,000 million that it deemed to be similar in some respect
to the merger involving companies that Thomas Weisel Partners
deemed to be similar to Nuance for the purposes of this
analysis. Thomas Weisel Partners then compared these premiums to
the premium implied for Nuance based on the terms of the merger.
Thomas Weisel Partners calculated and compared the premiums paid
in these transactions based on the value of the per share
consideration received in the transaction relative to the
closing stock price of the target company one day, one week and
one month prior to the respective date of announcement of the
transaction and relative to the one week and one month average
exchange ratio premium. The premium calculations for Nuance
based on the terms of the merger were based upon an announcement
date of May 9, 2005 for the merger. Thomas Weisel Partners
noted that the premium for Nuance based on the terms of the
merger generally fall within the range found for the selected
transactions. This analysis produced the following results:
|
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|
|
Average Exchange | |
|
|
Average % Stock Premium | |
|
Ratio Premium | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Transactions Since 1/1/02 |
|
1 Day | |
|
1 Week | |
|
1 Month | |
|
1 Week | |
|
1 Month | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Nuance Transaction
|
|
|
84.6 |
% |
|
|
89.7 |
% |
|
|
99.1 |
% |
|
|
79.9 |
% |
|
|
79.9 |
% |
High
|
|
|
141.4 |
% |
|
|
138.1 |
% |
|
|
161.2 |
% |
|
|
146.7 |
% |
|
|
149.2 |
% |
3rd Quartile
|
|
|
54.3 |
% |
|
|
57.1 |
% |
|
|
53.7 |
% |
|
|
49.2 |
% |
|
|
57.3 |
% |
Mean
|
|
|
39.4 |
% |
|
|
41.3 |
% |
|
|
45.6 |
% |
|
|
40.4 |
% |
|
|
42.7 |
% |
Median
|
|
|
30.5 |
% |
|
|
34.3 |
% |
|
|
40.1 |
% |
|
|
33.6 |
% |
|
|
34.6 |
% |
1st Quartile
|
|
|
21.3 |
% |
|
|
22.5 |
% |
|
|
22.9 |
% |
|
|
21.6 |
% |
|
|
19.0 |
% |
Low
|
|
|
4.1 |
% |
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
(6.8 |
)% |
|
|
9.1 |
% |
|
|
(15.2 |
)% |
Among other factors, Thomas Weisel Partners noted that the
merger and acquisition transaction environment varies over time
because of the macroeconomic factors such as interest rate and
equity market fluctuations and microeconomic factors such as
industry results and growth expectations. Thomas Weisel Partners
noted that no transaction used in the premiums paid analysis
summarized above is identical to the merger. Accordingly, the
analysis performed by Thomas Weisel Partners involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial
and operating characteristics of the comparable transactions and
other factors in relation to the acquisition values of the
comparable companies.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Relying on ScanSoft
managements estimates of the projected financial
performance of Nuance, Thomas Weisel Partners estimated the
present value of the future stand alone, unlevered free cash
flows that could be produced by Nuance. Thomas Weisel Partners
estimated a range of theoretical values for Nuance based on the
net present value of its implied annual cash flows and a
terminal value in 2009 calculated based upon multiples of
estimated EBITDA, and adjusted for Nuances estimated net
cash balance as of March 31, 2005. Thomas Weisel Partners
used a range of discount rates from 12.0% to 16.0% and a range
of terminal EBITDA multiples from 8.0x to 12.0x relative to
estimated 2009 EBITDA. The discount rates were based on weighted
average cost of capital computations and qualitative assessments
of Nuances projected results and the risks inherent
therein. In order to give effect to the estimated operating
synergies as described above, Thomas Weisel Partners applied the
median synergy value estimated by the Perpetual Method to the
value per share of Nuance common stock derived from the
discounted cash flow analysis in order to arrive at an estimated
range of values per share inclusive of the impact of synergies.
The discounted cash flow valuation implied values of per share
of $2.34 to $3.29 per share of Nuance common stock on a
stand-alone basis and $5.63 to $6.51 per share of Nuance
common stock inclusive of synergies. Thomas Weisel Partners
noted that the
61
implied price per share of Nuance common stock of $5.63 fell
within the overall ranges (inclusive of synergies) implied by
the discounted cash flow analysis.
Contribution Analysis. Thomas Weisel Partners analyzed
the relative contributions of ScanSoft and Nuance to the pro
forma combined company with respect to a selected group of
operating and financial statistics for the estimated results for
the 2005 and 2006 fiscal years. Thomas Weisel Partners also
reviewed the pro forma ownership of the combined company, taking
into account ScanSofts outstanding options and warrants to
purchase shares of ScanSoft common stock treated under the
treasury stock method and assuming that all Nuance in the money
options are converted into shares of ScanSoft common stock. For
each of ScanSoft and Nuance, Thomas Weisel Partners utilized
ScanSoft managements estimates.
|
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
% Contribution | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Implied | |
|
Implied | |
|
Implied | |
|
|
ScanSoft | |
|
Nuance | |
|
Agg. Value | |
|
Equity Value | |
|
Ownership | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
FY 2005E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
|
80.2 |
% |
|
|
19.8 |
% |
|
$ |
130.0 |
|
|
$ |
168.1 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
% |
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
80.3 |
% |
|
|
19.7 |
% |
|
|
129.2 |
|
|
$ |
167.4 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
% |
FY 2006E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
|
82.0 |
% |
|
|
18.0 |
% |
|
$ |
115.7 |
|
|
$ |
153.8 |
|
|
|
22.5 |
% |
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
82.1 |
% |
|
|
17.9 |
% |
|
|
114.4 |
|
|
|
152.5 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
% |
To illustrate, Thomas Weisel Partners calculated the relative
revenue and gross profit contributions of ScanSoft and Nuance to
the pro forma combined company and compared the relative value
per share implied by this analysis to the relative value per
share implied for the stockholders of the companies by the
merger consideration. In order to give effect to the estimated
operating synergies as described above, Thomas Weisel Partners
applied the median synergy value as estimated by the Perpetual
Method to the value per share as derived by the contribution
analysis in order to arrive at an estimated range of values per
share inclusive of the impact of synergies. On a stand-alone
basis, Thomas Weisel Partners calculated values per share of
$4.30 to $4.96 for each share of Nuance common stock; inclusive
of synergies, Thomas Weisel Partners calculated values per share
of $7.46 to $8.11 for each share of Nuance common stock.
Pro Forma Merger Analysis. Relying on ScanSoft
managements estimates, Thomas Weisel Partners analyzed the
potential pro forma effects of the merger on ScanSofts
estimated 2006 earnings per share before amortization and
nonrecurring restructuring charges and ScanSofts earnings
per share after amortization but before nonrecurring
restructuring charges based on various assumptions regarding the
merger. Thomas Weisel Partners performed such analysis due to
the fact that several Wall Street research analysts use earnings
per share before amortization and nonrecurring charges, among
other measurements, as a valuation measurement. This analysis,
taking into account certain operating cost synergies estimated
by ScanSoft management, indicated that the merger would be
accretive to ScanSofts projected earnings per share before
amortization and nonrecurring restructuring charges in 2006. The
merger, taking into account certain operating cost synergies
estimated by ScanSoft management, would be slightly accretive to
ScanSofts projected earnings per share after amortization
but before nonrecurring restructuring charges in 2006. The
actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from
projected results and the variations may be material.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process
involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and
relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
these methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, is
not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary
description. Selecting portions of the analysis or the summary
set forth above, without considering the analysis as a whole,
could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the
opinion of Thomas Weisel Partners. In arriving at its fairness
determination, Thomas Weisel Partners considered the results of
all these constituent analyses and did not attribute any
particular weight to any particular factor or analysis
considered by it; rather, Thomas Weisel Partners made its
determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and
professional judgment after considering the results of all such
analyses. Analyses based
62
upon forecasts of future results are not necessarily indicative
of actual future results, which may be significantly more or
less favorable than suggested by such analyses. The foregoing
summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
analyses performed by Thomas Weisel Partners. As described
above, Thomas Weisel Partners opinion to the ScanSoft
board of directors was among the many factors taken into
consideration by the ScanSoft board of directors in making its
determination to approve the merger agreement. The parties to
the merger agreement determined the exchange ratio based on the
result of arms length negotiations, and Thomas Weisel
Partners was not asked to, and did not, propose any alternative
exchange ratio to the ScanSoft board of directors.
Thomas Weisel Partners is a nationally recognized investment
banking firm that is regularly engaged in the valuation of
businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions. ScanSoft retained Thomas Weisel Partners based on
these qualifications as well as its familiarity with ScanSoft.
Thomas Weisel Partners has previously acted as an underwriter in
connection with offerings of securities of each of ScanSoft and
Nuance, for which Thomas Weisel Partners received customary
underwriting compensation.
Pursuant to the terms of an engagement letter, Thomas Weisel
Partners, provided financial advisory services and an opinion
with respect to the fairness to ScanSoft of the merger
consideration payable in connection with the transaction, and
ScanSoft agreed to pay Thomas Weisel Partners a fee in
connection therewith, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the transaction. The
ScanSoft board of directors was aware of this fee structure and
took it into account in considering Thomas Weisel Partners
opinion and in approving the transaction. Whether or not the
merger is completed, ScanSoft has agreed to reimburse Thomas
Weisel Partners for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel
and other advisors, incurred in connection with its engagement
by ScanSoft, and to indemnify Thomas Weisel Partners against
liabilities, including liabilities under federal securities law,
and expenses in connection with its engagement.
Consideration of the Merger by Nuance
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Nuances Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of
the Nuance Board of Directors |
The Nuance board of directors has determined that the terms of
the merger agreement and the merger are advisable, fair to, and
in the best interests of, Nuance and its stockholders. In the
course of reaching its decision to approve the merger and to
approve and adopt the merger agreement, the Nuance board of
directors consulted with our management, Credit Suisse First
Boston and legal counsel.
The decision of the Nuance board of directors was based upon a
number of potential benefits of the transaction, including the
following:
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the ability to better serve the customer base and partners of
each company with a comprehensive portfolio of technologies,
applications and expertise that will enable customers to
effectively deploy innovative speech-solutions; |
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the belief that a merger with ScanSoft could enhance the
combined companys ability to compete with larger,
better-resourced competitors by bringing together the
speech-focused talents, resources and intellectual property of
the two companies; |
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the opportunity for each company to introduce its complementary
product lines into the customer base of the other company; |
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the greater global presence of the combined company; |
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the expected synergies and cost-saving opportunities that should
result from headcount reductions, office site consolidations and
eliminating redundant operating expenses; and |
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the belief that the merger would combine two experienced and
respected management teams, resulting in a combined management
team that is stronger than the management teams of each of the
individual companies. |
63
In addition to the potential benefits accruing to Nuance and its
stockholders from the merger, the Nuance board of directors also
considered a number of other factors in approving the merger,
including the following:
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the merger consideration relative to the current and historical
market prices of Nuance common stock, and in particular the fact
that, based on the closing price of ScanSoft common stock on
May 6, 2005, the (i) 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft
common stock, and (ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of
Nuance common stock represented a 84.73% premium over the
closing price of Nuance common stock on May 6, 2005, the
last trading day before the announcement of the proposed
transaction, a 99.7% premium over the average of the closing
prices of Nuance common stock during the month leading up to the
announcement and a 63.31% premium over the average for the
closing prices during the six months leading up to the
announcement; |
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|
the fact that part of the merger consideration will be paid in
cash provides some certainty as to the value to be received by
Nuance stockholders, while the stock portion of the merger
consideration will allow Nuance stockholders to participate in
the growth and opportunities of the combined company; |
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|
the financial analyses reviewed with the Nuance board of
directors on May 6, 2005 by Credit Suisse First Boston LLC
and the oral opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston rendered to
the Nuance board of directors on May 9, 2005, subsequently
confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of the date of the
Credit Suisse First Boston opinion, and based upon and subject
to the factors and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the
merger consideration of (i) 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft
common stock, and (ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of
Nuance common stock to be received by the holders of Nuance
common stock pursuant to the merger was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Nuance common stock, other than
affiliates of Nuance (a copy of such written opinion is attached
as Annex C to this proxy statement/ prospectus); |
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the judgment of the Nuance board of directors, based on
arms-length negotiations with ScanSoft, that the merger
consideration of (i) 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft common
stock, and (ii) $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance
common stock represented the highest price that could be
negotiated with ScanSoft; |
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the progress of negotiations with a third party that had
expressed an interest in acquiring Nuance, including without
limitation that (i) the Nuance board of directors
determined that the price proposal from the other company was
not superior to that offered by ScanSoft, and (ii) the
judgment of the Nuance board of directors that further
negotiations with the other party would not yield a substantial
improvement in terms; |
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the prospects for our business and the potential stockholder
value that could be expected to be generated if we were to
remain an independent, publicly traded company, including our
business strategy going forward, our cash reserves, the
uncertainty of being able to expand our product lines and sales
channels and continued consolidation in our industry and
increased competition, especially from competitors with greater
name recognition and financial and other resources, and the
difficulty of achieving substantial revenue growth; |
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the terms and conditions of the merger agreement including: |
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the fact that the merger agreement enables the Nuance board of
directors, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, to authorize
Nuance to participate in discussions and negotiations with and
furnish non-public information to a third party in connection
with an unsolicited bid to acquire Nuance, change its
recommendation in favor of the merger with ScanSoft, and
potentially enter into a transaction with another acquirer,
subject to certain limitations as set forth in the merger
agreement, and in certain circumstances, subject to the payment
of a termination fee of $6.63 million, which constitutes
approximately 3% of the merger consideration; |
64
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Nuance is not obligated to pay the $6.63 million
termination fee upon a termination of the merger agreement due
to the Nuance stockholders failing to approve the merger unless
prior to such termination there has been public disclosure of an
acquisition proposal and within 12 months following the
termination of the merger agreement, Nuance consummates an
acquisition or enters into an agreement providing for an
acquisition of Nuance; and |
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the limited number and nature of the conditions to
ScanSofts obligation to close the merger and the limited
risk of non-satisfaction of such conditions; |
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the intent that the stock portion of the merger consideration be
tax-free to Nuances U.S. stockholders; |
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the competitive and market environments in which Nuance and
ScanSoft operate; |
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the results of the due diligence investigation of ScanSoft
conducted by Nuances management, financial advisor,
accountants and legal counsel; |
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the Nuance board of directors own knowledge of Nuance,
ScanSoft and their respective businesses; and |
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|
the likelihood the merger will be completed on a timely basis,
including the likelihood that the merger will be approved by the
appropriate regulatory authorities. |
In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and the
merger, the Nuance board of directors also identified and
considered a number of potentially negative factors that could
result from the merger, including the following:
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the risks that the integration of the businesses, products and
personnel of the two companies will not be successfully
implemented and may require a significant amount of management
time and resources; |
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|
the risk that the potential synergies and cost-saving
opportunities identified by ScanSoft and Nuance will not be
fully realized or not fully realized in the time frame
anticipated; |
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in the event that the transaction is not consummated, the
possible negative effects of the announcement of the merger on
our relationships with customers and suppliers, employee morale
and potential loss of key employees, and the impact on our
sales, operating results and stock price, and the negative
impact that the transaction costs incurred in connection with
the proposed merger would have on our cash reserves and
operating results; |
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|
the possibility that the reactions of existing and potential
competitors to the combination of the two businesses could
adversely impact the competitive environment in which the
companies operate; |
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|
because Nuance stockholder will receive shares of ScanSoft
common stock as part of the merger consideration, the price
volatility of ScanSofts common stock which may reduce the
market price of the ScanSoft common stock that Nuance
stockholders will receive upon the closing of the merger; |
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|
the restrictions that the merger agreement imposes on actively
soliciting competing bids, and the fact we would be obligated to
pay a termination fee of $6.63 million in certain
circumstances; |
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|
the limitations that the merger agreement imposes on our ability
to operate our business until the transaction closes or is
terminated; |
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the risk of diverting managements attention from other
strategic priorities to implement merger integration
efforts; and |
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the other risks described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus in the section entitled Risk
Factors. |
65
The Nuance board of directors evaluated all of the factors
described above in light of its knowledge of Nuances
business, financial condition and prospects, ScanSofts
business, financial condition and prospects, and the market
opportunities for speech technology solutions. In view of the
variety of factors considered by the Nuance board of directors
in its evaluation of the merger, the Nuance board of directors
did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or
otherwise assign relative weight to the specific factors
considered in reaching its decision. In addition, individual
members of the Nuance board of directors may have given
different weight to different factors. The list of factors
described in this section as having been considered by the
Nuance board of directors is not intended to be the complete
list of all factors considered but is believed to include all of
the factors considered by the Nuance board of directors to be
material.
After considering all of the information and factors described
in this section, the Nuance board of directors unanimously
approved the merger, the merger agreement and the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Nuance
board of directors believes that the merger agreement and the
merger are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of
Nuance and its stockholders. The Nuance board of directors has
unanimously recommended that the Nuance stockholders
vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement and approval
of the merger.
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Opinion of Nuance Financial Advisor |
Nuance retained Credit Suisse First Boston to act as its
financial advisor in connection with the merger. In connection
with Credit Suisse First Bostons engagement, Nuance
requested that Credit Suisse First Boston evaluate the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of Nuance common
stock, other than affiliates of Nuance, of the merger
consideration to be received by the holders of Nuance common
stock in the merger. On May 6, 2005, the Nuance board of
directors met to review the proposed merger. During this
meeting, Credit Suisse First Boston reviewed with the Nuance
board of directors certain financial analyses, as described
below. On May 9, 2005, the Nuance board of directors met to
review the proposed merger and the terms of the merger
agreement. During this meeting, Credit Suisse First Boston
rendered its oral opinion to the Nuance board of directors,
subsequently confirmed in writing on May 9, 2005, that, as
of the date of its opinion and based upon and subject to the
various considerations set forth in the Credit Suisse First
Boston opinion, the merger consideration to be received by the
holders of Nuance common stock was fair, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of Nuance common stock, other than
affiliates of Nuance.
The full text of the Credit Suisse First Boston opinion, which
sets forth, among other things, assumptions made, procedures
followed, matters considered and limitations on the scope of the
review undertaken by Credit Suisse First Boston in rendering its
opinion, is attached as Annex C to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference in its
entirety. Nuance stockholders are urged to, and should, read the
Credit Suisse First Boston opinion carefully and in its
entirety. The Credit Suisse First Boston opinion addresses only
the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
Nuance common stock, other than affiliates of Nuance, of the
merger consideration to be received by the holders of Nuance
common stock in the merger as of the date of the Credit Suisse
First Boston opinion, and does not constitute a recommendation
to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act
with respect to the merger or any other matter relating to the
merger. The summary of the Credit Suisse First Boston opinion in
this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Suisse
First Boston opinion.
In connection with its opinion, Credit Suisse First Boston,
among other things,
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reviewed the merger agreement and certain related documents; |
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|
reviewed certain publicly available business and financial
information relating to Nuance and ScanSoft; |
|
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|
reviewed certain other information relating to Nuance and
ScanSoft, including financial forecasts provided to or discussed
with Credit Suisse First Boston by Nuance and ScanSoft, and met
with |
66
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|
the managements of Nuance and ScanSoft to discuss the business
and prospects of Nuance and ScanSoft; |
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|
considered certain financial and stock market data of Nuance and
ScanSoft, and compared that data with similar data for other
publicly held companies in businesses which Credit Suisse First
Boston deemed similar to those of Nuance and ScanSoft; |
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|
considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial
terms of certain other business combinations and other
transactions which have recently been effected or
announced; and |
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|
considered such other information, financial studies, analyses
and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria
which Credit Suisse First Boston deemed relevant. |
In connection with its review, Credit Suisse First Boston did
not assume any responsibility for independent verification of
any of the foregoing information and relied on such information
being complete and accurate in all material respects. With
respect to the financial forecasts for Nuance and ScanSoft that
Credit Suisse First Boston reviewed, Credit Suisse First Boston
was advised, and Credit Suisse First Boston assumed, that such
forecasts had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the
best currently available estimates and judgments of the
managements of Nuance and ScanSoft as to the future financial
performance of Nuance and ScanSoft. In addition, Credit Suisse
First Boston relied upon, without independent verification, the
assessment of the managements of ScanSoft and Nuance as to:
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their ability to retain key employees; |
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the strategic benefits and potential costs savings and other
synergies (including the amount, timing and achievability
thereof) anticipated to result from the merger; |
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|
the existing technology, products and services of Nuance and
ScanSoft and the validity of, and risks associated with, the
future technology, products and services of Nuance and ScanSoft; |
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|
their ability to integrate the businesses of Nuance and
ScanSoft; and |
In addition, Credit Suisse First Boston relied upon, without
independent verification, the assessment of the managements of
Nuance and ScanSoft as to the future ability of ScanSoft and
Nova Acquisition LLC to satisfy their financial obligations as
they become due.
Credit Suisse First Boston assumed, with Nuances consent,
that the merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization for
federal income tax purposes. Credit Suisse First Boston also
assumed, with Nuances consent, that in the course of
obtaining any necessary regulatory and third party approvals and
consents for the merger, no modification, delay, limitation,
restriction or condition will be imposed that will have an
adverse effect on Nuance or ScanSoft or the contemplated
benefits of the merger, and that the merger will be consummated
in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, without
waiver, modification or amendment of any material term,
condition or agreement contained in the merger agreement. In
addition, Credit Suisse First Boston was not requested to make,
and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the
assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Nuance or
ScanSoft, nor was Credit Suisse First Boston furnished with any
such evaluations or appraisals. The Credit Suisse First Boston
opinion addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of Nuance common stock, other than
affiliates of Nuance, of the merger consideration to be received
by the holders of Nuance common stock in the merger, and does
not address any other aspect or implication of the merger or any
other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in
connection with the merger or otherwise. The Credit Suisse First
Boston opinion is necessarily based upon information made
available to Credit Suisse First Boston as of the date of its
opinion, and upon financial, economic, market and other
conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on the date of
the Credit Suisse First Boston opinion. Credit Suisse First
Boston did not express any opinion as to what the value of
ScanSoft common stock will be when issued to holders of Nuance
common stock pursuant to the merger or the prices at which
ScanSoft common stock will trade at any time. The Credit Suisse
First Boston opinion does not address the relative merits of the
merger as compared to other business strategies that might be
available to Nuance, nor does it address the underlying business
decision of Nuance to proceed with the merger.
67
In preparing its opinion, Credit Suisse First Boston performed a
variety of financial and comparative analyses. The preparation
of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary
description. Credit Suisse First Boston believes that its
analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting
portions of its analyses and of the factors considered by it,
without considering all analyses and factors, could create a
misleading view of the processes underlying the Credit Suisse
First Boston opinion. No company or transaction used in the
analyses performed by Credit Suisse First Boston as a comparison
is identical to Nuance, ScanSoft or the contemplated merger. In
addition, Credit Suisse First Boston may have given various
analyses more or less weight than other analyses, and may have
deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other
assumptions, so that the range of valuation resulting from any
particular analysis described below should not be taken to be
Credit Suisse First Bostons view of the actual value of
Nuance or ScanSoft. The analyses performed by Credit Suisse
First Boston are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
actual future results, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than suggested by such analyses. In addition, analyses
relating to the value of businesses or assets do not purport to
be appraisals or to necessarily reflect the prices at which
businesses or assets may actually be sold. The analyses
performed were prepared solely as part of Credit Suisse First
Bostons analysis of the fairness, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of Nuance common stock, other than
affiliates of Nuance, of the merger consideration, and were
provided to the board of directors of Nuance in connection with
the delivery of the Credit Suisse First Boston opinion.
The following is a summary of material financial analyses
performed by Credit Suisse First Boston in connection with the
preparation of its opinion and reviewed with the Nuance board of
directors at a meeting of the Nuance board of directors held on
May 6, 2005. Certain of the following summaries of
financial analyses that were performed by Credit Suisse First
Boston include information presented in tabular format. In order
to understand fully the material financial analyses that were
performed by Credit Suisse First Boston, the tables should be
read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do
not constitute a complete description of the material financial
analyses.
Implied Transaction Statistics. Credit Suisse First
Boston calculated several values implied by the merger
consideration, including (i) the implied price per share of
Nuance common stock, (ii) the implied Nuance fully-diluted
equity value and (iii) the implied Nuance fully-diluted
aggregate value (calculated as fully-diluted equity value plus
net debt). Aggregate value is often also characterized as
enterprise value. Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated the
implied pro forma fully-diluted equity ownership of Nuance
stockholders in ScanSoft following the consummation of the
merger and the Warburg Pincus financings. All calculations were
based on the merger consideration of 0.77 of a share of ScanSoft
common stock and $2.20 in cash per share of Nuance common stock
and ScanSofts common stock closing share price of $4.24 on
May 4, 2005. The following table summarizes the results of
these analyses:
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Implied price per Nuance share
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$5.46 |
Implied fully-diluted Nuance equity value
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$212 million |
Implied fully-diluted Nuance aggregate value
|
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$185 million |
Implied pro forma fully-diluted equity ownership of Nuance
stockholders in ScanSoft
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19.1% |
Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated the premium of the
price per share of Nuance common stock implied by the merger
consideration over (i) the closing trading price of Nuance
common stock on May 4, 2005 and (ii) the average of
the closing trading prices of Nuance common stock over the five
and thirty trading days prior to and including May 4, 2005.
The following table summarizes the results of this analysis:
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|
Premium of Price per Share | |
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Implied by Merger | |
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|
Consideration Over Average | |
Period ending May 4, 2005 |
|
Average Closing Price | |
|
Closing Price | |
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| |
|
| |
May 4, 2005
|
|
$ |
3.05 |
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|
|
79 |
% |
Last 5 trading days
|
|
$ |
2.88 |
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|
|
90 |
% |
Last 30 trading days
|
|
$ |
2.83 |
|
|
|
93 |
% |
68
Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated certain trading
multiples for Nuance implied by Nuances common stock
closing share price of $3.05 on May 4, 2005 and the price
of $5.46 per share of Nuance common stock implied by the
merger consideration, including the implied fully-diluted
aggregate value of Nuance as a multiple of (i) revenues for
calendar year 2004 and (ii) estimated revenues for calendar
year 2005 based on two sets of Nuance forecasts prepared by
Nuance management, referred to as Nuance Case 1 and Nuance Case
2. Nuance Case 1 and Nuance Case 2 were each based on different
assumptions relating to, among other things, future growth in
licensing, maintenance and professional services revenues and
future operating expenses, in each case through 2010. Credit
Suisse First Boston also calculated the same trading multiples
for ScanSoft implied by ScanSofts common stock closing
share price of $4.24 on May 4, 2005. Estimated revenues for
ScanSoft for calendar year 2005 were based on the internal
forecasts of ScanSofts management. The following table
summarizes the results of these analyses:
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Based on Nuance | |
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Based on Price per | |
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Based on ScanSoft | |
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Closing Share Price | |
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Share Implied by | |
|
Closing Share Price | |
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on May 4, 2005 | |
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Merger Consideration | |
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on May 4, 2005 | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Multiple of implied fully-diluted aggregate value to: |
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2004 revenues
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1.5x |
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3.2x |
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2.5x |
|
|
2005 estimated revenues
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|
1.3x |
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2.8x |
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1.9x |
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|
(Nuance Case 1) |
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|
(Nuance Case 1) |
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2005 estimated revenues
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1.4x |
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3.0x |
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(Nuance Case 2) |
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(Nuance Case 2) |
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|
Nuance Historical Stock Trading Performance. Credit
Suisse First Boston analyzed the prices at which Nuance common
stock traded from April 13, 2000 (the date of Nuances
initial public offering) through May 4, 2005. Credit Suisse
First Boston noted that the high closing price of Nuance common
stock during this period was $175.00 on August 8, 2000, and
that the low closing price of Nuance common stock during this
period was $1.33 on October 14, 2002. Credit Suisse First
Boston also noted the average closing price of Nuance common
stock over various periods prior to and including May 4,
2005 as summarized below:
|
|
|
|
|
Period Prior to and Including May 4, 2005 |
|
Average Closing Price | |
|
|
| |
May 4, 2005
|
|
$ |
3.05 |
|
Last 5 trading days
|
|
$ |
2.88 |
|
Last 10 trading days
|
|
$ |
2.87 |
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Last 30 trading days
|
|
$ |
2.83 |
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Last 60 trading days
|
|
$ |
3.03 |
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Last 90 trading days
|
|
$ |
3.21 |
|
Last 180 trading days
|
|
$ |
3.73 |
|
Last 360 trading days
|
|
$ |
4.92 |
|
Nuance Discounted Cash Flow Analyses. Using a discounted
cash flow analysis, Credit Suisse First Boston calculated
various implied equity values for Nuance based on the financial
forecasts provided by Nuance management as Nuance Case 1. The
discounted cash flow analysis was based on various assumptions
provided by the management of Nuance, including assumptions
relating to revenue growth rates, operating income margins,
taxes, working capital, capital expenditures, restructuring
costs and depreciation and amortization projections. Credit
Suisse First Bostons analysis used discount rates ranging
from 21% to 25% and terminal multiples of forward net operating
profit after taxes ranging from 15.0x to 20.0x. The following
table summarizes the results of this analysis:
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|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
$ |
4.78 - $6.36 |
|
69
Credit Suisse First Boston then performed a discounted cash flow
analysis based on the financial forecasts provided by Nuance
management as Nuance Case 2 and the assumptions relating to the
same matters as described above, but assuming materially lower
year-to-year overall revenue growth rates due to assumed slower
growth rates for each of license, maintenance and professional
services revenues and assuming smaller increases in the
associated operating expenses of sales and marketing, research
and development, and general and administrative expenses. Using
this discounted cash flow analysis, Credit Suisse First Boston
calculated additional various implied equity values for Nuance.
Credit Suisse First Bostons analysis used discount rates
ranging from 21% to 25% and terminal revenue multiples ranging
from 1.0x to 2.0x. The following table summarizes the results of
this analysis:
|
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|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
$ |
2.69 - $4.00 |
|
Trading Statistics of Selected Comparable Companies.
Credit Suisse First Boston compared certain financial
information of Nuance with that of other companies in the voice
recognition and enhanced services sectors of the software and
services industries, including:
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Voice Recognition Software Vendors |
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Enhanced Services Vendors |
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ScanSoft, Inc.
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|
Verisign, Inc. |
Intervoice, Inc.
|
|
Comverse Technology, Inc. |
Brooktrout, Inc.
|
|
Openwave Systems Inc. |
Fonix Corporation
|
|
Ulticom, Inc. |
The information compared included, among other things, observed
trading multiples of (i) fully-diluted aggregate value as a
multiple of estimated revenues for calendar years 2005 and 2006
and (ii) share price as a multiple of estimated earnings
for calendar years 2005 and 2006. Estimated financial data for
the selected companies were based on consensus estimates
compiled by the Institutional Brokerage Estimate System.
Estimated financial data for Nuance were based on two sets of
financial forecasts prepared by Nuance management, Nuance Case 1
and Nuance Case 2. The following table summarizes the results of
this analysis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fully-Diluted Aggregate | |
|
Price per Share/ | |
|
|
Value/ Revenues | |
|
Earnings per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005E | |
|
2006E | |
|
2005E | |
|
2006E | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Voice recognition software companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple range
|
|
|
1.0x - 1.9x |
|
|
|
0.9x - 1.7x |
|
|
|
17.6x - 81.3x |
|
|
|
12.5x - 29.5x |
|
Enhanced services companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple range
|
|
|
2.0x - 3.7x |
|
|
|
1.7x - 3.1x |
|
|
|
20.7x - 46.4x |
|
|
|
15.6x - 31.8x |
|
Credit Suisse First Boston then calculated a range of implied
prices per share of Nuance common stock using (i) a derived
range of multiples of fully-diluted aggregate value to Nuance
Case 1 estimated revenues for calendar years 2005 and 2006 of
0.9x to 2.0x, (ii) a derived range of multiples of
fully-diluted aggregate value to Nuance Case 2 estimated
revenues for calendar years 2005 and 2006 of 0.9x to 2.0x, and
(iii) a derived range of share price to Nuance Case 1
estimated earnings for calendar year 2006 of 13.0x to 23.0x. The
following table summarizes the results of this analysis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price per | |
|
|
Nuance Share | |
|
|
| |
Multiple of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fully-diluted aggregate value to Nuance Case 1 estimated
revenues for 2005 and 2006
|
|
$ |
2.55 - $4.51 |
|
|
Fully-diluted aggregate value to Nuance Case 2 estimated
revenues for 2005 and 2006
|
|
$ |
2.42 - $3.98 |
|
|
Share price to Nuance Case 1 estimated earnings per share for
2006
|
|
$ |
2.68 - $4.74 |
|
70
Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated implied prices per
share of Nuance common stock using a derived range of share
price to Nuance Case 2 estimated earnings per share for
calendar year 2006 of 13.0x to 23.0x. The results of this
analysis were not meaningful. No company utilized as a
comparison in these analyses is identical to Nuance or ScanSoft.
Precedent Transaction Multiples. Credit Suisse First
Boston reviewed the following 35 selected precedent
transactions in the software industry under $500 million
since January 2004 and calculated several metrics for those
selected transactions for which financial information of the
target company was publicly available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcement Date | |
|
Target |
|
Acquiror |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
04/07/05 |
|
|
Concord Communications, Inc. |
|
Computer Associates International, Inc. |
|
03/22/05 |
|
|
Eidos plc |
|
SCi Entertainment Group Plc |
|
03/21/05 |
|
|
Lenel Systems International, Inc. |
|
United Technologies Corporation |
|
03/07/05 |
|
|
Marlborough Stirling Plc |
|
Vertex Data Science Limited |
|
03/01/05 |
|
|
Blue Martini Software, Inc. |
|
Multi-Channel Holdings, Inc. |
|
02/22/05 |
|
|
JDV Ltd. |
|
IWL Ltd. |
|
02/17/05 |
|
|
Financial Models Company Inc. |
|
SS&C Technologies, Inc. |
|
01/27/05 |
|
|
MAPICS, Inc. |
|
Infor Global Solutions, Inc. |
|
01/25/05 |
|
|
Corio, Inc. |
|
IBM Corp. |
|
01/24/05 |
|
|
Speedware Corp., Inc. |
|
Activant Solutions, Inc. |
|
01/18/05 |
|
|
Cedara Software Corp. |
|
Merge eFilm |
|
01/18/05 |
|
|
IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. |
|
Elekta AB |
|
01/07/05 |
|
|
Vastera Inc. |
|
JP Morgan Chase and Company |
|
01/04/05 |
|
|
Tecnomatix Technologies, Ltd |
|
UGS Corp. |
|
12/29/04 |
|
|
Financial Models Company Inc. |
|
1066821 Ontario, Inc. |
|
12/17/04 |
|
|
BHC Investments (Fiserv) Inc. |
|
Fidelity Investments |
|
12/03/04 |
|
|
i-Many, Inc. |
|
Selectica, Inc. |
|
12/01/04 |
|
|
Nassda Corporation |
|
Synopsys Inc. |
|
11/15/04 |
|
|
Digital Illusions CE AB |
|
Electronic Arts Inc. |
|
11/15/04 |
|
|
Phonetic Systems, Ltd |
|
ScanSoft, Inc. |
|
11/15/04 |
|
|
Alphameric PLC-Retail Division |
|
Torex Retail PLC |
|
11/08/04 |
|
|
Yayoi Co., Ltd. |
|
Livedoor Co., Ltd. |
|
11/08/04 |
|
|
Mosaic Software Holdings Limited |
|
S1 Corp. |
|
10/20/04 |
|
|
nCUBE Corp. |
|
C-COR Inc. |
|
10/06/04 |
|
|
Netegrity, Inc. |
|
Computer Associates International, Inc. |
|
10/06/04 |
|
|
Encoda Systems Holdings, Inc. |
|
Harris Corp. |
|
10/05/04 |
|
|
QAS Ltd. |
|
Experian, Inc. |
|
10/05/04 |
|
|
AD OPT Technologies Inc. |
|
Kronos Inc. |
|
06/29/04 |
|
|
Inet Technologies, Inc. |
|
Tektronix, Inc. |
|
04/29/04 |
|
|
Marimba, Inc. |
|
BMC Software, Inc. |
|
03/25/04 |
|
|
DigitalThink, Inc. |
|
Convergys Corp. |
|
01/29/04 |
|
|
Poorman-Douglas Corp. |
|
EPIQ systems, Inc. |
|
01/28/04 |
|
|
Sanchez Comp. Assoc., Inc. |
|
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. |
|
01/23/04 |
|
|
FreeMarkets, Inc. |
|
Ariba, Inc. |
The metrics calculated by Credit Suisse First Boston included
the fully-diluted aggregate value of each target company as a
multiple of estimated next twelve months (NTM) revenues and
last twelve months (LTM) revenues and the price per share
as a multiple of estimated next twelve months earnings and last
71
twelve months earnings. Credit Suisse First Boston Credit Suisse
First Boston derived the following information from data
observed for the selected precedent transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fully-Diluted Aggregate | |
|
Price per Share/ | |
|
|
Value/ Revenues | |
|
Earnings per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
LTM | |
|
NTM | |
|
LTM | |
|
NTM | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Multiple range
|
|
|
0.8x - 8.9x |
|
|
|
0.6x - 8.3x |
|
|
|
13.5x - 206.3x |
|
|
|
15.8x - 58.6x |
|
Credit Suisse First Boston then calculated implied prices per
Nuance share using (i) a derived range of multiples of
aggregate value to Nuance last twelve months revenues of 2.0x to
3.5x, (ii) a derived range of multiples of aggregate value
to Nuance Case 1 and Nuance Case 2 estimated next twelve months
revenues of 2.0x to 3.0x and (iii) a derived range of
multiples of price per share to estimated next twelve months
Nuance Case 1 earnings per share of 15.0x to 50.0x. The analysis
described above indicated the following range of implied prices
per share of ScanSoft common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
$ |
1.44 - $6.20 |
|
No company or transaction utilized as a comparison in this
analysis is identical to Nuance or ScanSoft or the contemplated
merger. Mathematical analysis, such as determining the mean or
the median, is not in itself a meaningful method of using
comparable market trading data.
Precedent Transaction Premiums. Credit Suisse First
Boston calculated the premium paid in 207 selected transactions
in the global technology sector over $50 million since
January 1, 2002. Premiums calculated for the selected
transactions were based on the target companys stock price
one day and thirty days prior to announcement of the relevant
transaction. Credit Suisse First Boston derived the following
information from data observed for the selected precedent
transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium Over | |
|
Premium Over | |
|
|
Stock Price One | |
|
Stock Price Thirty | |
|
|
Day Prior to | |
|
Days Prior to | |
207 Global Technology Transactions |
|
Transaction | |
|
Transaction | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
25th
Percentile
|
|
|
13.8 |
% |
|
|
16.7 |
% |
Median Premium
|
|
|
26.2 |
% |
|
|
35.4 |
% |
Mean Premium
|
|
|
34.4 |
% |
|
|
39.9 |
% |
75th
Percentile
|
|
|
43.4 |
% |
|
|
57.0 |
% |
Credit Suisse First Boston then calculated that applying
(i) a premium of 13.8% to 43.4% to the Nuance common stock
closing share price of $3.05 on May 4, 2005 and (ii) a
premium of 16.7% to 57.0% to the Nuance common stock closing
share price of $2.94 on March 23, 2005 (the date thirty
trading days prior to May 4, 2004) resulted in the
following range of implied prices per share of Nuance common
stock:
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
|
$3.43 - $4.62 |
|
Credit Suisse First Boston also reviewed 35 selected
transactions in the software industry under $500 million
since January 2004 and calculated the premium paid by the
acquiror in those transactions in which the target company was
publicly listed. Premiums calculated for the selected
transactions were based on the target companys stock price
one day and thirty days prior to announcement of the relevant
transaction. Credit Suisse First Boston derived the following
information from data observed for the selected precedent
transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium Over | |
|
Premium Over | |
|
|
Stock Price One | |
|
Stock Price Thirty | |
|
|
Day Prior to | |
|
Days Prior to | |
35 Software Transactions |
|
Transaction | |
|
Transaction | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Mean Premium
|
|
|
34 |
% |
|
|
39 |
% |
Median Premium
|
|
|
36 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
72
Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated that applying a
premium of 20% to 60% to (i) the Nuance common stock
closing share price of $3.05 on May 4, 2005 and
(ii) the Nuance common stock closing share price of $2.94
on March 23, 2005 resulted in the following range of
implied prices per share of Nuance common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
$ |
3.53 - $4.88 |
|
No company or transaction utilized as a comparison in this
analysis is identical to Nuance or ScanSoft or the contemplated
merger. Mathematical analysis, such as determining the mean or
the median, is not in itself a meaningful method of using
comparable market trading data.
Relative Contribution Analysis. Credit Suisse First
Boston analyzed the relative contributions of Nuance and
ScanSoft to the pro forma total revenues, gross profit and
operating income of the combined company, based on forecasts for
Nuance and ScanSoft for calendar years 2005 and 2006 and a
transaction in which the merger consideration would have
consisted solely of ScanSoft common stock. Forecasts for
ScanSoft were based on the internal forecasts of ScanSofts
management while forecasts for Nuance were based on the
financial forecasts provided by Nuance management as Nuance Case
1 and Nuance Case 2. Credit Suisse First Boston derived, among
other things, the exchange ratio and the price per share of
Nuance common stock implied by such relative contributions based
on the ScanSoft closing common stock share price of $4.24 on
May 4, 2005. This analysis indicated the ranges of implied
prices per share and implied exchange ratios set forth in the
table below. Credit Suisse First Boston also calculated that the
merger consideration and the ScanSoft closing common stock price
on May 4, 2005, implied an exchange ratio of 1.289x
(assuming a transaction in which the merger consideration
consisted solely of ScanSoft common stock).
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Price Per Nuance Share
|
|
|
$3.59 - $4.42 |
|
Implied Exchange Ratio
|
|
|
0.847x - 1.042x |
|
Pro Forma Earnings per Share Impact Analysis. Credit
Suisse analyzed certain pro forma effects estimated to result
from the merger, including, among other things, the estimated
effect of the merger on the estimated earnings per share for the
combined company for the 12 months period ending on
September 30, 2006 both excluding and including the
potential synergies estimated by the managements of ScanSoft and
Nuance to result from the merger. Credit Suisse First
Bostons analysis was based on the internal forecasts
provided by the management of ScanSoft and on the internal
forecasts provided by the management of Nuance as Nuance Case 1
and Nuance Case 2. Credit Suisse First Bostons analysis
also assumed the successful consummation of the Warburg Pincus
financings. Credit Suisse First Bostons analysis did not
take into account restructuring charges or non-cash accounting
charges. The following table sets forth the estimated
accretion/(dilution) to the combined companys estimated
earnings per share for the 12 months period ending on
September 30, 2006 derived from this analysis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage Accretion/ | |
|
|
(Dilution) | |
|
|
| |
Estimated pro forma earnings per share for the 12 months
period ending September 30, 2006 based on: |
|
|
|
|
|
Nuance Case I (including estimated synergies)
|
|
|
12.9 |
% |
|
Nuance Case I (excluding estimated synergies)
|
|
|
(13.5 |
)% |
|
Nuance Case II (including estimated synergies)
|
|
|
(0.2 |
)% |
|
Nuance Case II (excluding estimated synergies)
|
|
|
(26.6 |
)% |
Credit Suisse First Bostons opinion and presentation to
the Nuance board of directors was one of many factors taken into
consideration by the Nuance board of directors in making its
determination to engage in the merger. Consequently, the
analyses described above should not be viewed as determinative
of the determination of the Nuance board of directors or the
management of Nuance with respect to the value of Nuance or
whether the Nuance board of directors would have been willing to
agree to a different merger consideration.
73
The Nuance board of directors retained Credit Suisse First
Boston to act as its financial advisor in connection with the
merger. Credit Suisse First Boston was selected by the Nuance
board of directors based on Credit Suisse First Bostons
qualifications, expertise and reputation. Credit Suisse First
Boston is an internationally recognized investment banking and
advisory firm. Credit Suisse First Boston, as part of its
investment banking business, is continuously engaged in the
valuation of businesses and securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated
underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of
listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate and other purposes. Credit Suisse First
Boston and its affiliates have in the past provided investment
banking and other financial services to Nuance unrelated to the
merger for which Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates
have received compensation and Credit Suisse First Boston and
its affiliates may in the future provide investment banking and
other financial services to Nuance and ScanSoft, for which
Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates would expect to
receive compensation. In the ordinary course of its business,
Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates may acquire, hold
or sell, for their own accounts and for the accounts of
customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial
instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of
Nuance, ScanSoft and any other company that may be involved in
the Merger, as well as provide investment banking and other
financial services to such companies. Credit Suisse First Boston
and certain of its affiliates and certain of Credit Suisse First
Boston and its affiliates respective employees and certain
private investment funds affiliated or associated with Credit
Suisse First Boston hold directly or indirectly securities in
stockholders of ScanSoft, including investment funds associated
or affiliated with Warburg Pincus.
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated as of December 3,
2002, Nuance engaged Credit Suisse First Boston to provide
financial advisory services to the Nuance board of directors in
connection with strategic transactions such as the merger,
including, among other things, rendering its opinion. Pursuant
to the terms of the engagement letter, Credit Suisse First
Boston will receive a transaction fee for its services, the
total amount of which will be calculated upon consummation of
the merger in accordance with the terms of the engagement letter
and will depend upon the average closing trading price of the
ScanSoft common stock over a period prior to consummation of the
merger. If calculated based on the average closing trading price
of the ScanSoft common stock over a comparable period prior to
announcement of the proposed merger on May 9, 2005, the
Credit Suisse First Boston fee would be approximately
$3.7 million, a significant portion of which would be
contingent upon the consummation of the merger. Credit Suisse
First Boston will also receive a fee equal to 25% of the
transaction fee described above for rendering its opinion, which
fee, to the extent paid, will be credited against the
transaction fee described above. In addition, Nuance has agreed
to reimburse Credit Suisse First Boston for its out-of-pocket
expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in connection
with its engagement and to indemnify Credit Suisse First Boston
and certain related persons against certain liabilities and
expenses arising out of or in conjunction with its rendering of
services under its engagement, including liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and the Warburg
Pincus Financing
When ScanSoft and Nuance stockholders consider the
recommendation of the boards of directors of ScanSoft and Nuance
with respect to the merger and when ScanSoft stockholders
consider the recommendation of the board of directors of
ScanSoft with respect to the Warburg Pincus financing they
should be aware that some of the executive officers and
directors of ScanSoft and Nuance have interests in connection
with the merger, and that a director of ScanSoft has an interest
in connection with the Warburg Pincus financing, that are
different from, or in addition to, the interests of their
respective stockholders, as summarized below. In making their
decision to recommend the merger, the boards of directors of
ScanSoft and Nuance were aware of these interests and considered
them among the other matters described above under the sections
entitled The Merger Consideration of the
Merger by ScanSoft ScanSofts Reasons for the
Merger and Recommendation of the ScanSoft Board of
Directors on page 55 and The Merger
Consideration of the Merger by Nuance Nuances
Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Nuance Board of
Directors on page 63. In addition, in making its
74
decision to recommend the Warburg Pincus financing, the board of
directors of ScanSoft was aware of these interests and
considered them among other factors.
|
|
|
Interests of ScanSoft Directors and Executive Officers in
the Merger and the Warburg Pincus Financing |
Mr. William H. Janeway, one of ScanSofts directors,
is a Vice Chairman of Warburg Pincus LLC and was nominated by
Warburg Pincus to the board of directors of ScanSoft pursuant to
the terms of the Original Stockholders Agreement. As such,
Mr. Janeway may be deemed to have a pecuniary interest in
the ScanSoft shares held by Warburg Pincus. Before the closing
of the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing, Warburg Pincus
may be deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate,
23,242,544 shares of ScanSoft common stock or 19.8% of the
outstanding class of ScanSoft common stock which includes
(i) 15,791,338 shares of ScanSoft common stock,
(ii) warrants that are exercisable for up to an aggregate
of 3,888,968 shares of ScanSoft common stock, and
(iii) 3,562,238 shares of ScanSoft common stock
issuable upon the conversion of non-voting Series B
Preferred Stock. In addition, Mr. Janeway is the owner of
record of options to purchase an aggregate of 65,000 shares
of ScanSoft common stock.
Ms. Katharine Martin, one of ScanSofts directors, and
the owner of record of 1,000 shares of ScanSoft common
stock and options to purchase an aggregate of
135,000 shares of ScanSoft common stock, is a member of
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., the law
firm representing ScanSoft in connection with the merger and the
Warburg Pincus financing and ScanSofts primary outside
corporate and securities counsel. Wilson Sonsini will receive
customary fees in connection with services performed relating to
the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing.
In connection with the Warburg Pincus financing, Warburg Pincus
has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 14,150,943 shares of
ScanSoft common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,177,570 shares of ScanSoft common stock contingent upon
the closing of the merger and pursuant to the terms of the Stock
Purchase Agreement, such that Warburg Pincus will beneficially
own approximately 25% of the common stock of ScanSoft following
the closings of the merger and Warburg Pincus financing,
assuming that they do not transfer the shares of ScanSoft common
stock beneficially owned by them prior to such time.
Further, pursuant to a commitment letter, dated as of
May 5, 2005, Warburg Pincus agreed to enter into an
agreement to purchase $25.0 million of additional ScanSoft
common stock, if ScanSoft should so request it to do so, subject
to satisfaction of certain conditions.
|
|
|
Interests of Nuance Directors and Executive Officers in
the Merger |
Ownership of Nuance Common Stock. Nuance directors and
executive officers hold shares of Nuances common stock as
set forth in the section entitled Other
Information Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Upon the effectiveness of the first step merger, each such share
of Nuances common stock held by Nuances directors
and executive officers will be converted into the right to
receive the merger consideration described above.
Assumption of Stock Options and Accelerated Vesting. In
the merger, all outstanding Nuance stock options, including
those held by Nuance directors and executive officers, with an
exercise price of $10.00 or less will be assumed by ScanSoft and
become options to purchase shares of ScanSoft common stock. In
addition, all Nuance stock options with an exercise price of
more than $10.00, and that are not already fully vested, will
accelerate and become fully vested prior to the effective time
of the merger.
75
The following table identifies, for each Nuance director and
executive officer, as of July 15, 2005 (other than as noted
below), the number of shares of Nuance common stock owned, the
aggregate number of shares subject to outstanding options of
Nuance common stock, the aggregate number of shares subject to
outstanding vested and unvested options to purchase Nuance
common stock (determined as of September 15, 2005), the
weighted average exercise price of those respective stock
options and that persons relationship to Nuance. An
optionholder who exercises vested options at the effective time
of the merger would realize, for each option exercised, the
difference between the exercise price and the value of
0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock plus $2.20. On
July 28, 2005, the closing price of Scansoft common stock
was $4.16 per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate | |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate | |
|
Weighted | |
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Shares of | |
|
Aggregate | |
|
Aggregate | |
|
Shares | |
|
Average | |
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
Nuance | |
|
Shares | |
|
Shares | |
|
Subject | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Subject to | |
|
Subject | |
|
to | |
|
Price of | |
|
Price of | |
|
|
|
|
Stock | |
|
Options | |
|
to Vested | |
|
Unvested | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Vested | |
|
Relationship to | |
Name |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Options | |
|
Options | |
|
Options | |
|
Options | |
|
Nuance | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Berger, Charles
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,484,000 |
|
|
|
720,454 |
|
|
|
763,546 |
|
|
$ |
2.41 |
|
|
$ |
2.18 |
|
|
Executive Officer & Director |
Bergeron, Sandra
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
29,168 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Carlson, Curtis
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
8.04 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Croen, Ronald
|
|
|
330,333 |
|
|
|
1,028,236 |
|
|
|
993,232 |
|
|
|
35,004 |
|
|
$ |
6.19 |
|
|
$ |
6.31 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Federman, Irwin
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
8.04 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Herzig, Alan
|
|
|
76,333 |
|
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.78 |
|
|
$ |
6.89 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Morgenthaler, Gary
|
|
|
89,419 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
84,999 |
|
|
|
5,001 |
|
|
$ |
8.04 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Nagel, David
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
37,498 |
|
|
|
12,502 |
|
|
$ |
4.39 |
|
|
$ |
4.39 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Quigley, Phillip
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
7.12 |
|
|
$ |
7.20 |
|
|
|
Director |
|
Blasing, Karen
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
310,000 |
|
|
|
154,062 |
|
|
|
155,938 |
|
|
$ |
5.24 |
|
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Cross, Glenn
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
58,333 |
|
|
|
141,667 |
|
|
$ |
4.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.26 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Lee, Eng Yew
|
|
|
10,024 |
|
|
|
255,209 |
|
|
|
172,709 |
|
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
|
$ |
7.74 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Neilsson, Douglas Clark
|
|
|
1,944 |
|
|
|
205,000 |
|
|
|
54,166 |
|
|
|
150,834 |
|
|
$ |
6.21 |
|
|
$ |
7.87 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Sharp, R. Douglas
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
258,730 |
|
|
|
126,186 |
|
|
|
132,544 |
|
|
$ |
5.74 |
|
|
$ |
6.87 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Smith, Lynda Kate
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
208,853 |
|
|
|
141,147 |
|
|
$ |
6.10 |
|
|
$ |
6.81 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Taylor, Donna
|
|
|
14,085 |
|
|
|
316,250 |
|
|
|
239,895 |
|
|
|
76,355 |
|
|
$ |
7.26 |
|
|
$ |
8.04 |
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Stock Option Agreements with Executive Officers. Nuance
has entered into stock option agreements with each of its
executive officers, including Ronald Croen, its former President
and Chief Executive Officer, who is currently a director of
Nuance, which provide that, in the event the executive officer
is constructively terminated or terminated without cause within
one year following a change of control, the officer will receive
accelerated vesting of 50% of all of such officers then
unvested options, provided that the officer has also been
employed with Nuance for at least one year prior to any change
of control. The stock option agreements entered into with
Douglas Clark Neilsson, Nuances Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel, also provide that, if such termination
occurs after 36 months of employment, 100% of his unvested
options will vest immediately.
Employment Agreement with Nuances CEO. The
employment agreement with Charles Berger, Nuances
President and Chief Executive Officer, which was entered into in
March 2003, entitles him to certain benefits in the event of a
change in control of Nuance. If Mr. Berger is terminated by
a successor corporation without cause, or if Mr. Berger
resigns for good reason within 12 months following a change
in control, 50% of his unvested options will vest immediately.
If such termination occurs after 36 months of employment,
100% of his unvested options will vest immediately.
Change in Control and Retention Agreements. Nuance has
entered into a Change of Control and Retention Agreement (the
Retention Agreement) with each of its officers,
other than its Chief Executive Officer, who are subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act
and three other officers (the Other Officers). Under
the terms of the Retention Agreement, in the event of a
76
change of control of Nuance, each such Nuance officer will be
entitled, if terminated without cause or constructively
terminated with good reason within 18 months after the
change of control, (a) to receive a cash severance payment
equal to her or his annual salary and annual bonus (six months
of salary and annual bonus, in the case of the Other Officers),
and (b) to have accelerated the vesting of 50% of his or
her unvested options. In December 2004, the board of directors
of Nuance approved the company entering into the Retention
Agreements, all of which were ultimately entered into in
March 2005.
Indemnification. ScanSoft and Nuance directors and
officers have customary rights to indemnification against losses
incurred as a result of actions or omissions occurring prior to
the effective time of the merger. The merger agreement provides
that, for a period of six years after the completion of the
merger, ScanSoft shall, and will cause Nuance (as a wholly owned
subsidiary) to, fulfill all obligations of Nuance to indemnify
Nuance directors and officers under any indemnification
agreements between Nuance and its directors and employees, and
the limited liability operating agreement of the surviving
entity in the merger will contain provisions with respect to
exculpation and indemnification that are at least as favorable
to Nuance directors and officers as those contained in the
certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Nuance prior to the
effective time of the merger. In addition, subject to certain
limitations, for a period of six years after the effective time
of the merger, ScanSoft or the surviving entity of the merger
will agree to purchase directors and officers
liability tail coverage, on terms comparable to those applicable
to the current directors and officers of Nuance, and covering
all periods prior to the effective time of the merger.
Voting Agreements. Nuance directors and officers have
entered into voting agreements with ScanSoft in connection with
the merger. See the section entitled Agreements Related to
the Merger Nuance Voting Agreements beginning
on page 105 for a description of these agreements.
Appointment of Nuance Designees to the Board of Directors of
ScanSoft. Under the merger agreement, ScanSoft has agreed to
take all action necessary to appoint two persons designated by
Nuance and reasonably acceptable to ScanSoft to serve on the
board of directors of ScanSoft.
As a result of the interests described above under each heading,
Nuances executive officers and directors have interests in
the merger that may have made them more likely to vote to adopt,
and recommend adoption of, the merger agreement, than if they
did not hold these interests.
Board of Directors of ScanSoft Following the Merger
ScanSoft currently intends to make changes to the ScanSoft board
of directors following completion of the merger such that the
ScanSoft board of directors shall include two directors
designated by Nuance, one of whom is expected to be Charles W.
Berger, the Chief Executive Officer of Nuance and a director of
Nuance.
Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, Warburg Pincus will have the opportunity to appoint
an additional director following the closing of the merger,
provided that certain conditions regarding Warburg Pincus
share ownership continue to be maintained.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Merger
Subject to the assumptions and limitations discussed below and
in the opinions of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &
Rosati, P.C., counsel to ScanSoft, and Fenwick &
West LLP, counsel to Nuance, the following discussion sets forth
the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
merger to Nuance stockholders. This discussion is based on the
currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the
regulations thereunder, and interpretations thereof by courts
and governmental agencies, all of which are subject to change,
possibly with retroactive effect. It does not discuss all
aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be
relevant to a particular stockholder in light of such
stockholders particular circumstances (such as
stockholders who acquired shares of Nuance common stock in
connection with certain stock option or stock purchase plans or
in certain other compensatory transactions) or to a person that
may be subject to special treatment under the Internal Revenue
Code (such as a stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity, foreign
persons, financial institutions, dealers in securities or
currencies, insurance
77
companies, mutual funds, regulated investment companies, real
estate investment trusts, a stockholder who holds his or her
shares as a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy, or
a stockholder treated as a partnership or other flow-through
entity). This summary does not discuss any tax considerations
under local, state, or foreign laws or under estate, gift,
excise or other non-income tax laws. It does not discuss the tax
consequences of transactions effectuated prior or subsequent to,
or concurrently with, the merger (whether or not in connection
with the merger, including, without limitation, any transaction
in which shares of Nuance common stock are acquired or shares of
ScanSoft common stock are disposed of). This summary does not
discuss the tax consequences of the merger to holders of debt,
options, warrants or other securities of Nuance other than
stock. This summary assumes that the shares of Nuance common
stock are held as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code (generally,
assets held for investment purposes). Except as indicated, this
summary assumes that a stockholder is a citizen or resident of
the United States, a corporation or other entity treated as a
corporation created or organized in the United States, or
otherwise a person treated as a U.S. person for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
ACCORDINGLY, NUANCE STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
INCLUDING APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER IN THEIR PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
The parties intend that the merger will qualify as a
reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of
the Code. Completion of the first step merger is conditioned
upon the receipt by ScanSoft and Nuance of the closing tax
opinions. The closing tax opinions will be subject to certain
assumptions, limitations and qualifications, and will be based
upon the truth and accuracy of certain customary representations
of ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC
and Nuance. The closing tax opinions will neither bind the IRS
nor preclude the IRS from adopting a contrary position.
In order for the closing tax opinions to be rendered, the
continuity of interest test must be met. The continuity of
interest test requires that, after the merger, the Nuance
stockholders must continue to own a substantial part of the
value of their proprietary interests in Nuance by virtue of
their ownership of ScanSoft common stock. There is no definitive
standard for determining whether the continuity of interest test
has been met. For purposes of rendering the tax opinion,
however, the continuity of interest test will be considered
satisfied if the value, as of the effective time of the first
step merger, of the ScanSoft common stock received by the Nuance
stockholders constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the
aggregate merger consideration, including amounts received by
Nuance stockholders exercising their dissenters or
appraisal rights. For purposes of the continuity of
interest test, tax counsel will consider the value of a
share of ScanSoft common stock to be the average of the high and
low sales prices of a share of ScanSoft common stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of the closing of the first step
merger, which we refer to as the closing date price. If less
than 40% of the total value of the merger consideration consists
of ScanSoft common stock (calculated using the closing date
price), then the aggregate cash consideration will be reduced by
$1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common stock to be
issued in the merger, until the value of the common stock
received constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the
aggregate merger consideration.
No ruling from the IRS has been or will be requested in
connection with the merger. In addition, the tax opinions
discussed in this section are not binding on the IRS. The
Internal Revenue Service could adopt a contrary position and a
contrary position could be sustained by a court. If the IRS
successfully challenges the reorganization status of the Merger,
the tax consequences of the transaction could differ materially
from those summarized below.
As a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code, the following U.S. federal
income tax consequences will result:
|
|
|
(i) No gain or loss will be recognized by a Nuance
stockholder who receives ScanSoft common stock in exchange for
Nuance common stock, except that gain realized will be
recognized to the extent of cash received in the merger; |
78
|
|
|
(ii) The tax basis of the ScanSoft common stock received by
a Nuance stockholder in the merger will be the same as the tax
basis in the Nuance common stock exchanged therefor, increased
by the gain recognized and reduced by the cash consideration
received in the merger and the tax basis allocable to fractional
shares; |
|
|
(iii) The holding period of the ScanSoft common stock
received by a Nuance stockholder in the merger will include the
holding period of the Nuance common stock exchanged therefore; |
|
|
(iv) No gain or loss will be recognized by Nuance or
ScanSoft in the merger; and |
|
|
(v) In the case of cash received in lieu of fractional
shares, such fractional shares shall be treated as having been
issued and then immediately redeemed for cash in a separate
transaction. The sale of a fractional share generally will
result in capital gain or loss to the stockholder measured by
the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the basis of
the fractional share. Any such capital gain will be long term
capital gain if the Nuance stockholders holding period for
his or her Nuance stock is more than one year. |
The gain realized on the disposition of property is computed by
reference to the tax basis in the property disposed of and the
amount realized on the disposition, which is the sum of the cash
and the fair market value of the ScanSoft common stock received
in exchange for the Nuance common stock. Any gain realized by a
Nuance stockholder in the merger is recognized only to the
extent of the cash consideration received. Nuance stockholders
will not be permitted to recognize any loss in connection with
the merger. For this purpose, a Nuance stockholder must
calculate gain or loss separately for each identifiable block of
shares of Nuance common stock that the stockholder surrenders in
the first step merger. Because losses are not permitted to be
recognized, a Nuance stockholder cannot offset a loss realized
on one block of shares against a gain recognized on another
block of shares. In general, any gain recognized should be
capital gain and should generally be long term capital gain if
the holding period of Nuance common stock exchanged in the
merger is more than one year. In the case of an individual, the
maximum U.S. federal income tax rate on long-term capital
gain is currently 15%; otherwise, capital gains are generally
taxed at regular rates for individuals and corporations.
A Nuance stockholder who exercises appraisal or dissenter
rights with respect to a share of Nuance common stock will
generally recognized capital gain or loss measured by the
difference between the amount of cash received and the tax basis
of such Nuance common stock. Such capital or loss will be
long-term gain or loss if the shares of Nuance common stock were
held for more than one year at the time of the First Step
merger. However, the amount of cash received may be treated as a
dividend if the dissenting Nuance stockholder actually or
constructively owns ScanSoft common stock after the First Step
merger.
In order to avoid backup withholding of federal
income tax on payments to Nuance stockholders, each Nuance
stockholder must, unless an exception applies, provide the payor
with such stockholders correct taxpayer identification
number (TIN) on IRS Form W 9 (or, if
appropriate, another withholding form) and certify under
penalties of perjury that such number is correct and that such
stockholder is not subject to backup withholding. A Form W
9 will be provided to you. If a Nuance stockholder fails to
provide the correct TIN or certification, payments received may
be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability
of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the
amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment
of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
Nuance stockholders will be required to attach a statement to
their United States federal income tax returns for the year of
the merger that contains the information listed in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.368-3(b). Such statement must
include the stockholders tax basis in shares of Nuance
common stock and a description of the ScanSoft common stock
received.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY OF
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
AND DOES NOT
79
PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL
TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT THERETO. STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO
CONSULT AND RELY ON THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, FOREIGN, STATE,
LOCAL, AND OTHER APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
Accounting Treatment of the Merger
ScanSoft will account for the merger using the purchase method
of accounting in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 141, Business
Combinations. As such, the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed of Nuance will be recorded at their fair values as of
the date of the merger. Any excess of the purchase price over
the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable
intangible assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill. The
results of operations of Nuance will be included in
ScanSofts results of operations from the date of the
closing of the merger.
Regulatory Approvals
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, neither the merger nor the Warburg Pincus
financing may be consummated unless certain filings have been
submitted to the FTC and the Antitrust Division and certain
waiting period requirements have been satisfied. ScanSoft and
Warburg Pincus filed the appropriate notification and report
forms with respect to the Warburg Pincus financing and ScanSoft
and Nuance filed the appropriate notification and report forms
with respect to the merger with the FTC and with the Antitrust
Division on May 20, 2005 and May 23, 2005,
respectively. The waiting period with respect to the Warburg
Pincus financing has expired. The Antitrust Division has
requested additional information and documentary material in
connection with its review of the proposed merger. This request
will result in an extension of the waiting period under the
HSR Act until 30 days after ScanSoft and Nuance
substantially comply with the request, unless the
waiting period is terminated earlier or extended with the
consent of ScanSoft and Nuance. The Antitrust Division may
impose conditions upon its approval of the merger, which may
jeopardize or delay completion of the merger or may reduce the
anticipated benefits of the merger. Subject to compliance with
the terms of the merger agreement, ScanSoft may not be willing
to accept such conditions, and the merger thus may not be
consummated. Furthermore, ScanSoft and Nuance stockholders may
be voting on the matters presented at their respective
stockholder meetings before the waiting period terminates or
before any challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds is
resolved. Any conditions that must be agreed upon to obtain
Antitrust Division approval of the merger may be finalized
subsequent to the stockholder votes at the respective ScanSoft
and Nuance stockholder meetings.
The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the
legality under the antitrust laws of transactions like the
merger. At any time before or after the completion of the
merger, the FTC or the Antitrust Division could take any action
under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in
the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the completion
of the merger or seeking the divestiture of substantial assets
of ScanSoft or Nuance. In addition, certain private parties, as
well as state attorneys general and other antitrust authorities,
may challenge the transaction under antitrust laws under certain
circumstances.
In addition, the merger may be subject to various foreign
antitrust laws.
ScanSoft and Nuance believe that the completion of the merger
will not violate any antitrust laws. However, there can be no
assurance, however, that a challenge to the merger on antitrust
grounds will not be made, or, if such a challenge is made, what
the result will be.
Listing on the Nasdaq National Market of ScanSoft Shares
Issued Pursuant to the Merger
ScanSoft will use all reasonable efforts to cause the shares of
ScanSoft common stock to be issued in connection with the merger
to be authorized for listing on the NASDAQ National Market
before the
80
completion of the merger, subject to official notice of
issuance. The authorization of such shares for listing on the
NASDAQ National Market is a condition to the merger.
Delisting and Deregistration of Nuance Common Stock After the
Merger
When the merger is completed, Nuance common stock will be
delisted from the NASDAQ National Market and deregistered under
the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the merger agreement, no later
than 90 days following the effective time of the merger,
ScanSoft will change the corporate name to Nuance
and following such name change, ScanSoft will change its trading
symbol to NUAN or another symbol mutually agreed to
by Nuance and ScanSoft.
Restrictions on Sales of Shares of ScanSoft Common Stock
Received in the Merger
The shares of ScanSoft common stock to be issued in connection
with the merger will be registered under the Securities Act and
will be freely transferable, except for shares of ScanSoft
common stock issued to any person who is deemed to be an
affiliate of Nuance prior to the merger. Persons who
may be deemed to be affiliates of Nuance prior to
the merger include individuals or entities that control, are
controlled by, or are under common control of Nuance prior to
the merger, and may include officers and directors, as well as
principal stockholders of Nuance prior to the merger. Affiliates
of Nuance will be notified separately of their affiliate status.
Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Nuance prior to
the merger may not sell any of the shares of ScanSoft common
stock received by them in connection with the merger except
pursuant to:
|
|
|
|
|
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act
covering the resale of those shares; |
|
|
|
an exemption under paragraph (d) of Rule 145
under the Securities Act; or |
|
|
|
any other applicable exemption under the Securities Act. |
ScanSofts registration statement on Form S-4, of
which this joint proxy statement/ prospectus is a part, does not
cover the resale of shares of ScanSoft common stock to be
received in connection with the merger by persons who may be
deemed to be affiliates of Nuance prior to the merger.
Appraisal Rights
Holders of record of Nuance common stock who do not vote in
favor of adopting the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, and
who otherwise comply with the applicable provisions of
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which
we refer to throughout this joint proxy statement/prospectus as
the DGCL, will be entitled to exercise appraisal rights under
Section 262 of the DGCL. A person having a beneficial
interest in shares of Nuance common stock held of record in the
name of another person, such as a broker, bank or other nominee,
must act promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps
summarized below properly and in a timely manner to perfect
appraisal rights.
The following discussion is not a complete statement of the
law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL and is
qualified in its entirety by the full text of Section 262
of the DGCL, which is reprinted in its entirety as
Annex H and incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference. All references in
Section 262 of the DGCL and in this summary to a
shareholder, stockholder or
holder are to the record holder of the shares of
Nuance common stock as to which appraisal rights are
asserted.
Under Section 262 of the DGCL, holders of shares of Nuance
common stock who follow the procedures set forth in
Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled to have their
Nuance common stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery
and to receive payment in cash of the fair value of
these shares of Nuance common stock, exclusive of any element of
value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the
merger, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, as
determined by that court.
81
Under Section 262 of the DGCL, when a proposed merger is to
be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, as in
the case of the approval of the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
merger, by Nuance stockholders, the company, not less than
20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its
stockholders who was a stockholder on the record date for this
meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are
available, that appraisal rights are so available, and must
include in this required notice a copy of Section 262 of
the DGCL.
This joint proxy statement/ prospectus constitutes the required
notice to the holders of these shares of Nuance common stock and
the applicable statutory provisions of the DGCL are attached to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex H.
Any Nuance stockholder who wishes to exercise their appraisal
rights or who wishes to preserve their right to do so should
review the following discussion and Annex H
carefully, because failure to timely and properly comply with
the procedures specified in Annex H will result in
the loss of appraisal rights under the DGCL.
A holder of Nuance common stock wishing to exercise appraisal
rights must not vote in favor of the approval and adoption of
the merger agreement and must deliver to Nuance before the
taking of the vote on the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, at
the Nuance stockholder meeting a written demand for appraisal of
their Nuance common stock. This written demand for appraisal
must be separate from any proxy or vote abstaining from the vote
on the merger or against the merger. This demand must reasonably
inform Nuance of the identity of the stockholder and of the
stockholders intent thereby to demand appraisal of their
shares. A holder of Nuance common stock wishing to exercise
appraisal rights must be the record holder of these shares of
Nuance common stock on the date the written demand for appraisal
is made and must continue to hold these shares of Nuance common
stock through the effective date of the merger. Accordingly, a
holder of Nuance common stock who is the record holder of Nuance
common stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is
made, but who thereafter transfers these shares of Nuance common
stock prior to consummation of the merger, will lose any right
to appraisal in respect of these shares of Nuance common stock.
A proxy that is signed and does not contain voting instructions
will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, and
it will constitute a waiver of the stockholders right of
appraisal and will nullify any previously delivered written
demand for appraisal. Therefore, a stockholder who votes by
proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must vote
against the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including
the merger, or abstain from voting on the merger agreement.
Only a holder of record of Nuance common stock on the record
date for the Nuance special meeting is entitled to assert
appraisal rights for the shares of Nuance common stock
registered in that holders name. A demand for appraisal
should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of record,
fully and correctly, as the holders name appears on the
holders stock certificates, should specify the
holders mailing address and the number of shares
registered in the holders name, and must state that the
person intends to demand appraisal of the holders shares
pursuant to the merger agreement. If the shares of Nuance common
stock are held of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a
trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the demand should
be made in that capacity, and if the Nuance common stock is held
of record by more than one holder as in a joint tenancy or
tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf
of all joint holders. An authorized agent, including an agent
for one or more joint holders, may execute a demand for
appraisal on behalf of a holder of record. The agent, however,
must identify the record holder or holders and expressly
disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is
acting as agent for the holder or holders. A record holder such
as a broker who holds Nuance common stock as nominee for several
beneficial owners may exercise appraisal rights with respect to
the shares of Nuance common stock held for one or more
beneficial owners while not exercising appraisal rights with
respect to the Nuance common stock held for other beneficial
owners. In this case, the written demand should set forth the
number of shares of Nuance common stock as to which appraisal is
sought. When no number of shares of Nuance common stock is
expressly mentioned, the demand will be
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presumed to cover all Nuance common stock in brokerage accounts
or other nominee forms held by such record holder, and those who
hold shares in brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and who
wish to exercise appraisal rights under Section 262 of the
DGCL are urged to consult with their brokers to determine the
appropriate procedures for the making of a demand for appraisal
by such a nominee.
All written demands for appraisal should be sent or delivered
to Nuance Communications, 1350 Willow Road, Menlo Park,
California 94025, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Within ten days after the effective date of the merger, Nova
Acquisition LLC, or its successor in interest, which we refer to
generally as the surviving company, will notify each former
Nuance stockholder who has properly asserted appraisal rights
under Section 262 of the DGCL and has not voted in favor of
adopting the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
by the merger agreement, including the merger, of the date the
merger became effective.
Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, but
not thereafter, the surviving company or any former Nuance
stockholder who has complied with the statutory requirements
summarized above may file a petition in the Delaware Court of
Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of the
shares of Nuance common stock that are entitled to appraisal
rights. None of ScanSoft, the surviving company or Nuance is
under any obligation to and none of them has any present
intention to file a petition with respect to the appraisal of
the fair value of the shares of Nuance common stock.
Accordingly, it is the obligation of Nuance stockholders wishing
to assert appraisal rights to take all necessary action to
perfect and maintain their appraisal rights within the time
prescribed in Section 262 of the DGCL.
Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, any
former Nuance stockholder who has complied with the requirements
for exercise of appraisal rights will be entitled, upon written
request, to receive from the surviving company a statement
setting forth the aggregate number of shares of Nuance common
stock not voted in favor of adopting the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including
the merger, and with respect to which demands for appraisal have
been timely received and the aggregate number of former holders
of these shares of Nuance common stock. These statements must be
mailed within ten days after a written request therefore has
been received by the surviving company or within 10 days
after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for
appraisal under Section 262 of the DGCL, whichever is later.
If a petition for an appraisal is filed timely with the Delaware
Court of Chancery by a former Nuance stockholder and a copy
thereof is served upon the surviving company, the surviving
company will then be obligated within 20 days of service to
file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly certified
list containing the names and addresses of all former Nuance
stockholders who have demanded appraisal of their shares of
Nuance common stock and with whom agreements as to value have
not been reached. After notice to such former Nuance
stockholders as required by the Delaware Court of Chancery, the
Delaware Court of Chancery may conduct a hearing on such
petition to determine those former Nuance stockholders who have
complied with Section 262 of the DGCL and who have become
entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of
Chancery may require the former Nuance stockholders who demanded
appraisal of their shares of Nuance common stock to submit their
stock certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation
thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceeding. If any
former stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the
Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to
that former stockholder.
After determining which, if any, former Nuance stockholders are
entitled to appraisal, the Delaware Court of Chancery will
appraise their shares of Nuance common stock, determining their
fair value, exclusive of any element of value
arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger,
together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon
the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such
fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant
factors. Nuance stockholders considering seeking appraisal
should be aware that the fair value of their shares of Nuance
common stock as determined under Section 262 of the DGCL
could be more than, the same as or less than the value of the
consideration they would receive pursuant to the merger
agreement if they did not seek appraisal of their shares of
Nuance common stock.
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The costs of the appraisal action may be determined by the
Delaware Court of Chancery and levied upon the parties as the
Delaware Court of Chancery deems equitable. Upon application of
a former Nuance stockholder, the Delaware Court of Chancery may
also order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any
former Nuance stockholder in connection with an appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys fees and the fees and expenses of experts used
in the appraisal proceeding, be charged pro rata against the
value of all of the shares of Nuance common stock entitled to
appraisal.
Any holder of Nuance common stock who has duly demanded an
appraisal in compliance with Section 262 of the DGCL will
not, after the consummation of the merger, be entitled to vote
the shares of Nuance common stock subject to this demand for any
purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other
distributions on those shares of Nuance common stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record of
Nuance common stock as of a record date prior to the effective
date of the merger).
If any stockholder who properly demands appraisal of their
Nuance common stock under Section 262 of the DGCL fails to
perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, their right to
appraisal, as provided in Section 262 of the DGCL, that
stockholders shares of Nuance common stock will be
converted into the right to receive the consideration payable
with respect to those shares of Nuance common stock in
accordance with the merger agreement (without interest). A
Nuance stockholder will fail to perfect, or effectively lose or
withdraw, their right to appraisal if, among other things, no
petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the
effective date of the merger, or if the stockholder delivers to
Nuance or the surviving company, as the case may be, a written
withdrawal of their demand for appraisal. Any attempt to
withdraw an appraisal demand in this matter more than
60 days after the effective date of the merger will require
the written approval of the surviving company and, once a
petition for appraisal is filed, the appraisal proceeding may
not be dismissed as to any holder absent court approval.
Failure to follow the steps required by Section 262 of the
DGCL for perfecting appraisal rights may result in the loss of
these rights, in which event a Nuance stockholder will be
entitled to receive the consideration payable with respect to
their shares of Nuance common stock in accordance with the
merger agreement (without interest).
Consequently, any Nuance stockholder willing to exercise
appraisal rights is urged to consult with legal counsel prior to
attempting to exercise such rights.
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AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the
merger agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached
as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus
and is incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus
by reference. You should read the merger agreement in its
entirety, as it is the legal document governing this merger, and
the provisions of the merger agreement are not easily summarized.
We propose a two step merger pursuant to which in the first
step, Nova Acquisition Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft, will merge with and into Nuance, and thereafter will
cease to exist as a separate corporate entity. After the first
step merger, Nuance will be a wholly owned subsidiary of
ScanSoft. In the second step, Nuance will merge with and into
Nova Acquisition LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ScanSoft, and
thereafter Nuance will cease to exist as a separate corporate
entity. After the second step, Nova Acquisition LLC will be a
wholly owned subsidiary of ScanSoft. Pursuant to the merger
agreement, no later than 90 days following the effective
time of the merger, ScanSoft will change its corporate name to
Nuance.
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Effective Time and Timing of Closing |
The first step merger will be completed and become effective
when the certificate of merger related to the first step merger
is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
or at such later time as we may agree and as is specified in the
certificate of merger, in accordance with Delaware law. The
second step merger will be completed and become effective with
the certificate of merger related to the second step merger is
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in
accordance with Delaware law and the Delaware LLC Act. We
anticipate the effectiveness of the second step merger to occur
as promptly as practicable after the first step merger. The
first step merger and second step merger are collectively
referred to as the merger. The closing of the merger
will take place as soon as practicable after all conditions to
the merger have been satisfied or waived, or on such other date
as we may agree. We currently anticipate that we will complete
the merger as soon as practicable after the ScanSoft special
meeting and the Nuance special meeting, assuming ScanSofts
and Nuance stockholders give their requisite approvals and all
conditions to the merger have been satisfied or waived.
Upon completion of the merger, each share of Nuance common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger will be canceled and extinguished and automatically
converted into the right to receive (i) 0.77 of a share of
ScanSoft common stock and (ii) $2.20 of cash upon surrender
of the certificate representing such share of Nuance common
stock in the manner provided in the merger agreement, subject to
adjustment as described under Reorganization for Tax
Purposes; Tax Adjustment.
The exchange ratio in the merger will be adjusted to reflect
fully the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities
convertible into ScanSoft common stock or Nuance common stock),
reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification or other like
change with respect to ScanSoft common stock or Nuance common
stock having a record date on or after the date of the merger
agreement and prior to completion of the merger.
Based on the exchange ratio and the number of shares of Nuance
common stock outstanding as of May 9, 2005, a total of
approximately 28,216,295 shares of ScanSoft common stock
will be issued, and a total of approximately $80,617,988 in cash
will be paid, in connection with the merger to holders of shares
of Nuance common stock.
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Reorganization for Tax Purposes; Tax Adjustment |
The merger is intended to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consummation
of the merger is conditioned upon receipt by ScanSoft and Nuance
of tax opinions from counsel at closing to such effect. Under
the merger agreement, if neither tax counsel to ScanSoft nor tax
counsel to Nuance can render the closing tax opinion because
they both reasonably determine that the merger may not satisfy
the continuity of interest requirements for a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or the continuity of interest test, then
ScanSoft (after consultation with such tax counsel) will reduce
the cash consideration and correspondingly increase the stock
consideration to the minimum extent necessary to enable the
closing tax opinion to be rendered. In addition, the option
exchange ratio will be similarly adjusted to reflect the
reduction in the cash consideration and the increase in the
stock consideration. The aggregate cash consideration will be
reduced by $1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common
stock to be issued in the merger. The continuity of interest
test requires that, after the merger, the Nuance stockholders
must continue to own a substantial part of the value of their
proprietary interests in Nuance by virtue of their ownership of
ScanSoft common stock. There is no definitive standard for
determining whether the continuity of interest test has been
met. For purposes of rendering the tax opinion, however, the
continuity of interest test will be considered satisfied if the
value, as of the effective time of the first step merger, of the
ScanSoft common stock received by the Nuance stockholders
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration, including amounts received by Nuance
stockholders exercising their dissenters or appraisal
rights. For purposes of the continuity of interest
test, tax counsel will consider the value of a share of
ScanSoft common stock to be the average of the high and low
sales prices of a share of ScanSoft common stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of the closing of the first step
merger, which we refer to as the closing date price. If less
than 40% of the total value of the merger consideration consists
of ScanSoft common stock (calculated using the closing date
price), then the aggregate cash consideration will be reduced by
$1.905 for each additional share of ScanSoft common stock to be
issued until the value of the common stock to be received
constitutes at least 40% of the total value of the aggregate
merger consideration.
ScanSoft will not issue any fractional shares of common stock in
connection with the merger. Instead, each holder of Nuance
common stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a
fraction of a share of ScanSoft common stock will be entitled to
receive cash, without interest, in an amount equal to such
fraction multiplied by $4.46.
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Exchange of Nuance Stock Certificates for ScanSoft Stock
Certificates |
Promptly following completion of the merger, US Stock
Transfer Corporation, the exchange agent for the merger, will
mail to each record holder of Nuance common stock a letter of
transmittal and instructions for surrendering the record
holders Nuance stock certificates in exchange for the
consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger. Only those holders of Nuance common stock who properly
surrender their Nuance stock certificates in accordance with the
exchange agents instructions will receive:
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certificates representing the number of whole shares of ScanSoft
common stock to which they are entitled pursuant to the merger
agreement; |
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cash representing the cash portion of the consideration to which
they are entitled pursuant to the merger agreement; and |
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cash in lieu of any fractional share of ScanSoft common stock. |
The surrendered certificates representing Nuance common stock
will be canceled. After the effective time of the merger, each
certificate representing shares of Nuance common stock that has
not been surrendered will represent only the right to receive
each of the items, as the case may be, enumerated
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above. Following the completion of the merger, Nuance will not
register any transfers of Nuance common stock on its stock
transfer books. Holders of Nuance common stock should not send
in their Nuance stock certificates until they receive a letter
of transmittal from US Stock Transfer Corporation, the
exchange agent for the merger, with instructions for the
surrender of Nuance stock certificates.
Subject to compliance with the procedures set forth in
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or
DGCL, Nuance stockholders who do not vote in favor of the
approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the merger and
otherwise comply with the requirements of the DGCL will not
receive the merger consideration in exchange for their shares,
but instead will be entitled to appraisal rights in connection
with the merger, whereby such stockholders may receive the
appraised value of their shares of Nuance common stock held by
them in accordance with the provisions of such Section 262
of the DGCL. Failure to take any of the steps required under
Section 262 of the DGCL on a timely basis may result in a
loss of those appraisal rights.
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Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares;
Adjustments |
Holders of Nuance common stock are not entitled to receive any
dividends or other distributions on ScanSoft common stock until
the merger is completed. Such holders will not receive interest
in respect of the cash portion of the merger consideration. In
the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, reorganization, reclassification, combination,
recapitalization or other like change with respect to Nuance
common stock or ScanSoft common stock occurring after
May 9, 2005 and prior to the closing of the merger, all
calculations in the merger agreement that are based upon numbers
of shares of any class or series (or trading prices therefor)
affected by such event will be equitably adjusted to the extent
necessary to provide the same economic effect as contemplated by
the merger agreement prior to such stock split, reverse stock
split, stock dividend, reorganization, reclassification,
combination, recapitalization or other like change.
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Transfers of Ownership and Lost Stock Certificates |
If the payment of the portion of the merger consideration to
which a Nuance stockholder is entitled is to be paid to a person
other than the person in whose name the certificates surrendered
in exchange therefor are registered, it will be a condition of
payment that the certificates so surrendered be properly
endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer (including,
if requested, a medallion guarantee), and that the persons
requesting such payment will have paid to ScanSoft or any agent
designated by it any transfer or other taxes required. In the
event that any certificates representing Nuance common stock
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the holder of such
certificate may need to deliver a bond prior to receiving any
merger consideration.
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Treatment of Nuance Stock Options |
Subject to the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft, all
options to purchase Nuance common stock outstanding under the
Nuance 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, the Nuance 2000
Stock Plan and the Nuance 1998 Stock Plan with an exercise price
of $10.00 or less, and all options under the Nuance 1994
Flexible Stock Incentive Plan, regardless of exercise price,
will be assumed by ScanSoft, and become an option to purchase
ScanSoft common stock on the same terms and conditions as were
applicable to the assumed option prior to the closing of the
merger, except
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each such option will be exercisable for such whole number of
shares of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest
share) equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number
of shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon the exercise of
such option, by the option exchange ratio, and |
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the exercise price per share for the ScanSoft common stock shall
be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest cent) of the
exercise price per share for such option, divided by the
option exchange ratio. |
The option exchange ratio is defined as 0.77 (the stock
consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance stock), plus the quotient of
(a) $2.20 (the cash consideration to be received by Nuance
stockholders in the merger for each share of Nuance stock),
divided by (b) the average of the closing trading prices of
the ScanSoft common stock during the five trading days
immediately preceding the closing date, subject to potential
adjustment as described below under Reorganization for Tax
Purposes; Tax Adjustment.
The approval of ScanSofts stockholders is being sought for
the Option Assumption because ScanSofts Amended and
Restated By-Law provides that stockholder approval is required
for ScanSoft to sell securities exercisable into common stock
with an exercise price that is fixed after the date of the
agreement. Since under the proposed treatment of the assumed
Nuance options in accordance with the merger agreement, the
option exercise price is based in part on the average of the
closing trading prices of the ScanSoft common stock during the
five trading days immediately prior to the closing date, rather
than being fixed as of the date the merger agreement was
executed, the Option Assumption requires the approval of
ScanSofts stockholders.
In the event that the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft
is not obtained for the treatment of the Nuance options as
described above, each Nuance option outstanding under the Nuance
stock option plans with an exercise price of $10.00 or less will
be assumed by ScanSoft and become an option to acquire ScanSoft
common stock and cash, whereby
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each such assumed option will be exercisable for that such
number of shares of ScanSoft common stock equal to the number of
shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon exercise of such
option, multiplied by 0.77, and an amount of cash equal to the
number of shares of Nuance common stock issuance upon exercise
of such option, multiplied by $2.20, and |
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the exercise price per share for the ScanSoft common stock and
cash shall be equal to the quotient of the exercise price per
share for such option, divided by 0.77. |
All options outstanding with an exercise price of more than
$10.00, and that are not already fully vested, will accelerate
and become fully vested prior to the effective time of the first
step merger, and shall terminate as of the effective time of the
first step merger if not exercised prior to the effective time
of the first step merger.
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Treatment of Rights Under the Nuance Stock Purchase
Plan |
The Nuance employee stock purchase plan shall be terminated
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger if not
earlier terminated by its terms, and Nuance shall take no
action, pursuant to the terms of the Nuance employee stock
purchase plan, to commence any new purchase and/or offering
period. Any offering period underway under the Nuance employee
stock purchase plan that extends beyond the effective time of
the merger shall be shortened, such that (i) a new purchase
date for each such offering shall occur prior to the effective
time of the merger, (ii) Nuance common stock shall be
purchased by the Nuance employee stock purchase plan
participants in connection with such new purchase date prior to
the effective time of the merger and (iii) all
administrative actions required to transfer ownership of Nuance
common stock to such purchasing Nuance employee stock purchase
plan participants shall have been completed.
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Treatment of Unvested Nuance Common Stock |
The ScanSoft common stock consideration issued in exchange for
any shares of Nuance common stock that are unvested or subject
to a repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition
under any applicable restricted stock purchase agreement or
other agreement with Nuance will also be unvested and subject to
the same repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other
condition. The cash portion of the
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consideration payable upon conversion of any such unvested or
restricted shares of Nuance common stock will initially be
withheld and shall be paid to each such holder in accordance
with the vesting and other provisions set forth in the
applicable restricted stock agreement.
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Representations and Warranties |
The merger agreement contains generally reciprocal
representations and warranties made by each of ScanSoft, Nova
Acquisition Corporation and Nova Acquisition LLC, on the one
hand, and Nuance, on the other, regarding aspects of their
respective businesses, financial condition and structure, as
well as other facts pertinent to the merger. These
representations and warranties relate to the following subject
matters with respect to each party:
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corporate organization, qualifications to do business, corporate
standing and corporate power; |
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absence of any breach of the certificate of incorporation and
bylaws and the certificates of incorporation, bylaws and similar
organizational documents of subsidiaries; |
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ownership of subsidiary capital stock and the absence of
restrictions or encumbrances with respect to the capital stock
of any significant subsidiary; |
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capitalization; |
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corporate authorization to enter into and consummate the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the
enforceability of the merger agreement; |
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governmental and regulatory approvals required to complete the
merger; |
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absence of any conflict or violation of any applicable legal
requirements, corporate charter and bylaws, and the charter,
bylaws and similar organizational documents of subsidiaries as a
result of entering into and consummating the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement; |
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the effect of entering into and consummating the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement on material contracts; |
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filings and reports with the SEC; |
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financial statements; |
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the absence of undisclosed liabilities; |
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absence of any material adverse change or certain other changes
in each partys respective businesses between the date of
such partys last audited balance sheet and May 9,
2005, the date of the merger agreement; |
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taxes; |
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intellectual property; |
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compliance with applicable laws; |
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possession of and compliance with permits required for the
operation of business; |
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litigation; |
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payment, if any, required to be made to brokers and agents on
account of the merger; |
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transactions with affiliates; |
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employee benefit plans and labor relations; |
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real property and environmental matters; |
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existence of material contracts and absence of breaches of
material contracts; |
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accuracy of information supplied in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and the related registration statement
filed by ScanSoft with the SEC; |
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insurance policies in place; |
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approvals by the board of directors; |
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the taking of any action necessary so that the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, will
not result in the grant of any rights to any person under each
of the partys respective rights plans; and |
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the receipt of a fairness opinion. |
In addition, Nuance made representations and warranties
regarding:
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the inapplicability of certain state takeover statutes to
ScanSoft during the pendency of the merger agreement. |
In addition, ScanSoft made representations and warranties
regarding:
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the sufficiency of cash on hand at closing to pay the full
aggregate amount of the cash consideration in the merger, and
the effectiveness of the agreements entered into in connection
with the Warburg Pincus financing. |
The representations and warranties contained in the merger
agreement will not survive the merger, but they form the basis
of certain conditions to ScanSofts and Nuances
obligations to complete the merger.
Except as contemplated by the merger agreement, Nuance has
agreed that, until completion of the merger or termination of
the merger agreement, it will use commercially reasonable
efforts to (i) conduct its and its subsidiaries
business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in
substantially the same manner as previously conducted and in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and
regulations, (ii) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices pay its debts and pay or perform
other material obligations and, when due, its taxes (subject to
good faith disputes over such debts, taxes or obligations),
(iii) preserve intact in all material respects its present
business organization, (iv) keep available the services of
its present executive officers and other key employees, and
(v) preserve in the ordinary course of business its
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees,
and others with which it has business dealings. In addition,
Nuance shall promptly notify ScanSoft in writing of any material
adverse effect involving its business or operations.
Under the merger agreement, Nuance also agreed that, until the
earlier of the completion of the merger or termination of the
merger agreement, or unless ScanSoft consents in writing, Nuance
and its subsidiaries will conduct their businesses in compliance
with restrictions relating to the following:
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entering into any new line of business; |
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declaring, setting aside or paying dividends or making any other
distributions, subject to certain exceptions relating to
distributions by subsidiaries of Nuance and repurchases of
unvested shares at cost under stock option or purchase
agreements existing as of May 9, 2005 to which an employee
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purchasing, redeeming or acquiring its capital stock or the
capital stock of its subsidiaries other than repurchases of
unvested shares at cost under stock option or purchase
agreements existing as of May 9, 2005 to which an employee
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issuing, delivering, selling, authorizing or encumbering its
capital stock, or securities convertible into its capital stock,
or entering into any agreement or obligation to do the same,
subject to certain exceptions, including (i) the issuance
of shares in connection with option or warrant exercises and |
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pursuant to the Nuance employee stock purchase plan,
(ii) the granting of stock options in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices to newly hired
employees, and (iii) the granting of stock options to
purchase up to 250,000 shares of Nuance common stock in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices
to other non-executive officer employees; |
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modifying or amending its certificate of incorporation and
bylaws or the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or similar
organizational documents of its subsidiaries; |
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acquiring or agreeing to acquire by merger or consolidation
with, or by purchasing any equity or voting interest in or a
portion of the assets of, any business of any person or entity,
or otherwise acquiring any assets outside of the ordinary course
of business; |
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entering into binding agreements, agreement in principles,
letters of intent, memorandums of understanding or similar
agreements with respect to any joint venture, strategic
partnership or alliance, other than in connection with certain
customer arrangements; |
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selling, leasing, licensing, encumbering or otherwise disposing
of any property material to its business, except (i) sales
of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, (ii) the sale, lease or disposition (other
than through licensing) of property or assets which are not
material, individually or in the aggregate, to the business of
Nuance and its subsidiaries, (iii) the sale of goods or
non-exclusive licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices, and
(iv) dispositions of other immaterial assets in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices; |
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making any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person, other than employee advances
for travel, business and entertainment expenses made in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
provided such employee loans are in compliance with applicable
law; |
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making any material change in its methods or principles of
accounting since December 31, 2004, except as required by
generally accepted accounting principles or the SEC; |
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making or changing any material tax election or adopting or
changing any accounting method; |
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revaluing any of its assets, except as required by generally
accepted accounting principles or the SEC; |
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paying, discharging, settling or satisfying any claims
(including any tax claim), liabilities or obligations, or
litigation (whether or not commenced prior to May 9, 2005,
the date of the merger agreement) other than (i) in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or
the payment of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
business in accordance with their terms, or (ii) the
payment of obligations required by an agreement existing as of
May 9, 2005 in accordance with its terms; |
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knowingly waiving the benefits of, agreeing to modify in any
manner, terminating, releasing any person from or knowingly fail
to enforce any confidentiality or similar agreement to which
Nuance or any of its subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary; |
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except as required by applicable law or existing contract,
increasing the compensation of, or making severance or
termination payment to, any director or officer or other key
employee of Nuance; or making any increase in or commitment to
increase any Nuance employee benefit plan, subject to certain
exceptions; |
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waiving any stock repurchase rights, accelerating, amending or
changing the period of exercisability of any options to purchase
shares of Nuance common stock, or repricing any options or
authorizing cash payments in exchange for any option to purchase
shares of Nuance common stock; |
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entering into any employment, severance, termination or
indemnification agreement with any Nuance employee or entering
into any collective bargaining agreement, subject to certain
exceptions, including the entering into offer letters and letter
agreements in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practices with employees who are terminable at
will; |
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making any material oral or written representation or commitment
with respect to any material aspect of any Nuance employee
benefit plan that is not materially in accordance with the
existing written terms and provision of such Nuance employee
benefit plan; |
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granting any stock appreciation right, phantom stock award,
stock-related award or performance award to any person; |
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entering into any agreement with any Nuance employee, the
benefits of which are contingent or the terms of which are
materially altered in favor of the Nuance employee upon the
occurrence of a change in control; |
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granting any exclusive rights with respect to any intellectual
property of Nuance, subject to certain exceptions with respect
to custom work product; |
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entering into or renewing any contracts containing any
non-competition, exclusivity or other material restrictions on
Nuance or the combined company following the closing of the
merger, subject to certain exceptions with respect to custom
work product; |
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entering into any agreement or commitment the effect of which
would be to grant to a third party following the merger any
actual or potential right of license to any intellectual
property owned by ScanSoft or any of its subsidiaries; |
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hiring or offering to hire employees, subject to certain limited
exceptions; |
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incurring any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such indebtedness of another person or issuing or selling any
debt securities or any option to acquire any such debt
securities; |
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making any individual or series of related payments outside of
the ordinary course of business or commit to make capital
expenditures in excess of $200,000 individually and $500,000 in
the aggregate during any three month period; |
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modifying, terminating or amending in any material respect any
lease, sublease or material contract of Nuance, subject to
limited exceptions, or knowingly waiving, releasing or assigning
any material rights or claims thereunder; |
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entering into any contract outside of the ordinary course of
business, or requiring Nuance or any of its subsidiaries to pay
in excess of an aggregate of $500,000 under each
agreement; and |
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agreeing in writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing
actions. |
Except as contemplated by the merger agreement, ScanSoft has
agreed that, until completion of the merger or termination of
the merger agreement, it will use commercially reasonable
efforts to (i) conduct its and its subsidiaries
business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in
substantially the same manner as previously conducted and in all
material respects in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations, (ii) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices pay its debts and pay or perform
other material obligations and, when due, its taxes (subject to
good faith disputes over such debts, taxes or obligations),
(iii) preserve intact in all material respects its present
business organization, (iv) keep available the services of
its present executive officers and other key employees, and
(v) preserve in the ordinary course of business its
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees,
and others with which it has business dealings. In addition,
ScanSoft shall promptly notify Nuance in writing of any material
adverse effect involving its business or operations.
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Under the merger agreement, ScanSoft also agreed that, until the
earlier of the completion of the merger or termination of the
merger agreement, or unless Nuance consents in writing, ScanSoft
and its subsidiaries will conduct their businesses in compliance
with restrictions relating to the following:
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causing, permitting or proposing any amendments to its
certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of its subsidiaries that would
materially impair or adversely affect the ability of ScanSoft to
consummate the merger; |
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declaring, setting aside or paying any dividends on or make any
other distributions in respect of any ScanSoft capital stock
unless the exchange ratio is appropriately adjusted; |
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adopting a plan of liquidation or dissolution; |
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purchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring, directly or
indirectly, shares of its or its subsidiaries capital
stock for an aggregate repurchase price in excess of $5,000,000,
except repurchases of unvested shares at cost in connection with
the termination of the employment relationship with any employee
pursuant to stock option or purchase agreements in effect on
May 9, 2005, the date of the merger agreement; |
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performing any acquisition that is in excess of $15,000,000
individually or $45,000,000 in the aggregate, or that is likely
to materially delay the merger; |
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causing, permitting or proposing any material amendment to the
agreements related to the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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issue or agree to issue a material amount of its capital stock
or securities convertible into common stock, subject to limited
exceptions, including (i) pursuant to ScanSofts stock
option plans, (ii) pursuant to convertible securities
outstanding as of May 9, 2005, (iii) in conjunction
with employment or consulting arrangements, and
(iv) pursuant to the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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except as required by GAAP or the SEC, revaluing any of its
assets or making any change in accounting methods, principles or
practices; |
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adopting any resolution that is intended to treat the shares of
ScanSoft common stock issued pursuant to the merger differently
under the ScanSofts rights agreement than other
outstanding shares of ScanSoft common stock, subject to certain
exceptions; and |
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agreeing in writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing
actions. |
The merger agreement contains a number of other covenants by
Nuance and ScanSoft, including:
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Preparation of Registration Statement and Proxy
Statement. Nuance and ScanSoft agreed to promptly prepare
and file the joint proxy statement/prospectus included as part
of the registration statement, and ScanSoft agreed to promptly
prepare and file the registration statement following the
execution of the merger agreement. Both parties also agreed to
use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration
statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly as
practicable, and ScanSoft agreed to take any action required by
applicable state securities laws. Nuance agreed to furnish
information regarding Nuance and its stockholders as reasonably
required. |
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Meeting of Stockholders. Nuance agreed to take all
actions necessary to hold the Nuance special meeting to consider
and vote upon the adoption of the merger agreement and the
approval of the merger. ScanSoft agreed to take all actions
necessary to hold the ScanSoft special meeting to consider and
vote upon the approval of the issuance of shares of ScanSoft
common stock in connection with the merger, the Warburg Pincus
financing, and the assumption of the options in the merger. |
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Treatment as a Reorganization. ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition
Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC and Nuance have agreed not to,
and agreed not to permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, |
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take any action prior to or following the closing that would
reasonably be expected to cause the merger to fail to qualify as
a reorganization within Section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code. |
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Stock Exchange Listing. ScanSoft has agreed to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to authorize for listing on the
NASDAQ National Market the shares of ScanSoft common stock
issuable in connection with the merger, subject to official
notice of issuance. |
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Access to Information. Each party has agreed to afford
the other partys accountants, counsel and other identified
representatives reasonable access during normal business hours
to its properties, books, records and personnel during the
period prior to the effective time of the merger to obtain all
reasonable information concerning its business as may be
reasonably requested, except as prohibited or restricted by
applicable law or the confidentiality agreement between the
parties. |
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Public Announcements. Nuance and ScanSoft have agreed to
consult with one another before issuing any press release or
otherwise making any public statements about the merger or
related transactions, unless otherwise required by any
applicable laws or regulations. |
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Notification of Certain Matters. ScanSoft and Nuance each
agreed to give prompt notice to the other of any representation
or warranty in the merger agreement becoming untrue or
inaccurate, or any failure to comply with or satisfy in any
material respect any covenant or condition to be complied with
or satisfied under the merger agreement, in each case where the
respective party could not satisfy the closing condition with
respect to representations or warranties. |
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Affiliates. Nuance has agreed to use all commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain a letter agreement from all Nuance
stockholders who may be affiliates of Nuance or ScanSoft
pursuant to which those stockholders would, among other things,
agree not to transfer shares of ScanSoft common stock they
receive pursuant to the merger in violation of the Securities
Act and related rules and regulations. |
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Third Party Consents. Nuance has agreed to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any material consents,
waivers or approvals under any of its contracts which are
required to be obtained in connection with the consummation of
the merger. |
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Form S-8 Filing. ScanSoft has agreed to file with
the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the
shares of ScanSoft common stock issuable upon exercise of
ScanSoft stock options resulting from the assumption of Nuance
stock options in the merger. |
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Termination of 401(k) Plans and Other Plans. Nuance has
agreed to adopt resolutions to terminate its 401(k) and other
group severance, separation and salary continuation plans
effective no later than the date immediately preceding the
effective date of the merger, if so requested by ScanSoft, no
later than 5 days prior to the effective date of the merger. |
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Nuance Rights Plan. Nuance shall not redeem its rights
plan or amend, modify or terminate its rights plan, unless it is
required to do so by order of a court of competent jurisdiction
or the Nuance board has concluded, in good faith, after receipt
of advice from outside counsel, that, in light of a superior
offer with respect to it, the failure to effect such amendment,
modification or termination is reasonably likely to result in a
breach of the Nuance boards fiduciary obligations to its
stockholders under applicable law. |
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Section 16 Matters. Provided that Nuance delivers to
ScanSoft certain information, ScanSoft and Nuance have agreed to
take all such steps as may be required to cause any dispositions
of Nuance common stock resulting from the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement by each individual who is
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act with respect to Nuance to be exempt under
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. |
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Disqualified Individuals. Within five business days prior
to the closing of the merger, Nuance shall deliver to ScanSoft a
schedule which sets forth each person who Nuance reasonably
believes is, with respect to Nuance or any Nuance ERISA
affiliate, a disqualified individual within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder. |
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Spreadsheet. Nuance shall deliver to ScanSoft at or prior
to the closing of the merger a spreadsheet that sets forth
(i) the names of all holders of Nuance options and unvested
shares and their respective address and taxpayer identification
number, (ii) the number of shares of Nuance common stock
subject to Nuance options and the number of unvested shares held
by such persons, (iii) the exercise price per share in
effect for each Nuance option, (iv) the vesting status and
schedule with respect to each Nuance option and the unvested
shares held by such persons, and (v) the tax status of each
Nuance option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code. |
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Name Change and Trading Symbol |
Pursuant to the merger agreement, not later than ninety
(90) days following the closing date, ScanSoft shall change
its corporate name to Nuance, Inc. Following such
name change, ScanSoft will change its trading symbol to
NUAN or another symbol mutually agreeable to Nuance
and ScanSoft.
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Indemnification and Insurance |
The merger agreement provides that, for a period of six years
after the completion of the merger, ScanSoft shall, and will
cause Nuance (as a wholly owned subsidiary) to, fulfill all
obligations of Nuance to indemnify Nuance directors and officers
under any indemnification agreements between Nuance and its
directors and employees, and the limited liability operating
agreement of the surviving entity will contain provisions with
respect to exculpation, advancement of expenses and
indemnification that are at least as favorable to Nuance
directors and officers as those contained in the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of Nuance prior to the effective time
of the merger. In addition, subject to certain limitations, for
a period of six years after the effective time of the merger,
ScanSoft or the surviving entity of the merger will maintain
directors and officers liability tail
insurance coverage on terms comparable to those applicable to
the current directors and officers of Nuance, and covering all
periods prior to the effective time of the merger, to cover any
such liabilities.
ScanSoft and Nuance agreed that their respective chief executive
officers will work together to determine the continuing
workforce of ScanSoft after the merger (including retention
programs for any key employees), and it is contemplated that a
significant number of employees of Nuance will be offered
employment by ScanSoft. Such offers will have terms and
conditions determined by ScanSoft and consistent with standard
ScanSoft employment arrangements and will supersede any prior
employment agreements and other arrangements with such employees
in effect prior to the closing of the merger, subject to any
existing individual retention and severance agreements.
Continuing employees who are terminated involuntarily following
the closing will be eligible to participate in a severance
program mutually agreed to by the chief executive officers of
Nuance and ScanSoft (it being understood that such program is
intended to be at least as beneficial to such employees as those
of Nuances existing program or a new program agreed upon
between the chief executive officers of Nuance and ScanSoft that
is mid-way between Nuances severance program and
ScanSofts severance program). Continuing employees shall
be eligible to receive benefits consistent with ScanSofts
applicable human resource policies and in accordance with the
terms of ScanSofts employee benefit plans. Each continuing
employee shall receive credit for prior service with Nuance for
purposes of determining eligibility to participate and vesting
in ScanSoft benefit plans, including applicability of minimum
waiting periods for participation. ScanSoft will implement a
stock option grant program, in consultation with the chief
executive officer of Nuance, for the benefit of continuing
employees to effect retention goals and new hire policies.
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Board of Directors of ScanSoft Following the Merger |
The ScanSoft board of directors agreed to take all actions
necessary such that, immediately following completion of the
merger, two directors of Nuance reasonably acceptable to
ScanSoft shall become members of the ScanSoft board, one of whom
is expected to be Charles W. Berger, the Chief Executive Officer
of Nuance and a director of Nuance, and such directors shall be
nominated by the ScanSoft board for re-election to the ScanSoft
board at ScanSofts next annual meeting following the
closing of the merger.
Each of ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition Corporation, Nova Acquisition
LLC and Nuance agreed to coordinate and cooperate with one
another and use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply
with, and refrain from actions that would impede compliance
with, applicable laws, regulations and any other requirements of
any governmental entity. ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition Corporation,
Nova Acquisition LLC and Nuance also agreed, as promptly as
practicable, to make all filings and submissions required by any
governmental entity in connection with the merger and the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
following:
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those filings or submissions required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, as well as any other comparable merger
notification or control laws of any applicable jurisdiction, as
agreed by the parties; and |
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any filings required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act,
any applicable state or securities or blue sky laws
and the securities laws of any foreign country. |
Except as prohibited or restricted by applicable law or the
confidentiality agreement among the parties, each of ScanSoft,
Nova Acquisition Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC and Nuance
generally agreed to do the following:
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consult with the other with respect to the filings or
submissions described above, coordinate with the other in
preparing and exchanging information with respect to such filing
or submissions and provide the other party an opportunity to
review and comment on such filings or submissions; |
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promptly notify the other upon the receipt of any comments or
requests for amendments or supplements to any filings or
submissions made pursuant to, or information provided to comply
with, any applicable laws, regulations and any other
requirements of any governmental entity; and |
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promptly provide the other copies of any filing or submission
made with any governmental entity. |
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Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Obtain Regulatory
Approvals |
Each of ScanSoft and Nuance agreed to use all commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve any objections that may be
asserted by any governmental entity. If any proceeding is
instituted or threatened by any governmental entity with
appropriate jurisdiction under antitrust laws seeking to
restrain or impose conditions on the merger, ScanSoft and Nuance
will use all commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such
proceeding through negotiation or settlement.
ScanSoft shall not be required to litigate or contest any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding or any decree,
judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent.
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Conditions to Completion of the Merger |
The respective obligations of ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition
Corporation and Nova Acquisition LLC, on the one hand, and
Nuance, on the other, to complete the merger and the other
transactions contemplated
96
by the merger agreement are subject to the satisfaction or
waiver, by the party entitled to waive such condition, of each
of the following conditions before completion of the merger:
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the merger agreement shall have been adopted and the merger
shall have been duly approved by the stockholders of Nuance as
required under applicable law and marketplace rules; |
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both the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in the
merger and the Warburg Pincus financing shall have been duly
approved by the stockholders of ScanSoft, as required under
applicable law and marketplace rules; |
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no law, regulation or order has been enacted or issued by a
governmental entity of competent jurisdiction which is in effect
and has the effect of making the merger, the issuance of shares
of ScanSoft common stock in the merger or the Warburg Pincus
financing illegal or otherwise prohibiting completion of the
merger, the issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in the
merger or the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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the SEC has declared ScanSofts registration statement, of
which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part,
effective, and no stop order suspending its effectiveness has
been issued and no proceedings for suspension of the
registration statements effectiveness, or a similar
proceeding in respect of this joint proxy statement/prospectus,
has been initiated or threatened in writing by the SEC; |
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all waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act with respect to the merger and
the Warburg Pincus financing have expired or terminated early
and all foreign antitrust approvals required to be obtained
prior to the merger have been obtained; |
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there is no pending suit, action or proceeding asserted by any
governmental agency (i) challenging or seeking to restrain
or prohibit the consummation of the merger, the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock in the merger or the Warburg
Pincus financing or (ii) seeking to require ScanSoft or
Nuance to effect an action of divestiture, and no specified
governmental authority shall have made any statement or
communication that would reasonably be construed to indicate a
governmental authority is likely to commence any such suit,
action or proceeding; |
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ScanSoft and Nuance have each received from its respective tax
counsel an opinion to the effect that the merger will constitute
a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and such
opinions have not been withdrawn, provided that if one of their
counsels does not render such an opinion, the opinion of the
other counsel shall satisfy this condition; and |
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the shares of ScanSoft common stock to be issued pursuant to the
merger have been authorized for listing on the NASDAQ National
Market, subject to official notice of issuance. |
In addition, individually, the respective obligations of
ScanSoft, Nova Acquisition Corporation and Nova Acquisition LLC
on the one hand, and Nuance on the other, to effect the merger
and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement
are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following
additional conditions:
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the representations and warranties of the other party were true
and correct on May 9, 2005 and are true and correct as of
the date the merger is to be completed as if made at and as of
that time, except: |
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to the extent the representations and warranties of the other
party address matters only as of a particular date, then they
must be true and correct as of that date; and |
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if any of the representations and warranties are not true and
correct but the failure of such representations or warranties to
be true and correct have not resulted, and would not reasonably
be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate with
other such failures to be true and correct, a material adverse
change, as defined below, to the other party; |
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the other party has performed or complied in all material
respects with all of its agreements and covenants required by
the merger agreement to be performed or complied with by it
before completion of the merger; and |
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no material adverse change, as defined below, on the other party
has occurred since May 9, 2005 and is continuing. |
Finally, the obligations of Nuance to effect the merger and the
other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are
conditioned on the closing of the Warburg Pincus financing prior
to or simultaneously with the closing of the merger.
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Alternative Transactions Nuance |
Nuance has agreed that neither it, nor any of its subsidiaries,
nor any of the executive officers or directors of it or its
subsidiaries shall, and that it shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause all other employees and any
investment banker, attorney, accountant or other representative
retained by Nuance not to, directly or indirectly:
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solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage, knowingly
facilitate or induce the making, submission or announcement of
any acquisition proposal, as defined below; |
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participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or
furnish to any person any nonpublic information with respect to,
or take any other action to facilitate or induce any inquiries
or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or that may
reasonably be expected to lead to any acquisition proposal; |
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engage in any discussions with any person with respect to any
acquisition proposal, except as provided below; |
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approve, endorse or recommend any acquisition proposal, except
as provided below; or |
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enter into any letter of intent, agreement or commitment
regarding any acquisition proposal. |
However, if Nuance receives an unsolicited, bona fide written
acquisition proposal from a third party, then Nuance may:
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furnish nonpublic information with respect to Nuance pursuant to
a confidentiality agreement containing customary limitations and
with terms at least as restrictive as the confidentiality
agreement in place between ScanSoft and Nuance, provided that
Nuance gives concurrent written notice to ScanSoft of its
intention to furnish this information and furnishes such
nonpublic information to ScanSoft (to the extent such nonpublic
information has not been previously so furnished); and |
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engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party with
respect to the acquisition proposal, provided that it gives
ScanSoft concurrent written notice of its intention to enter
into such negotiations; |
but only if:
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the Nuance board of directors has concluded in good faith,
following the receipt of the advice of its outside legal
counsel, that such action is required for it to comply with its
fiduciary duties to its stockholders under applicable
law; and |
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the Nuance board of directors has in good faith concluded,
following the receipt of the advice of its financial advisor,
that such acquisition proposal is, or is reasonably likely to
result in, a superior offer, as defined below. |
98
An acquisition proposal means any offer or proposal
relating to any transaction or series of related transactions,
other than the merger, involving:
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any purchase or acquisition by any person or group of more than
a 15% interest in the total outstanding voting securities of
Nuance or any of its subsidiaries or any tender offer or
exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any person
or group beneficially owning 15% or more of the total
outstanding voting securities of Nuance or any of its
subsidiaries; |
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any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction involving Nuance or any of its subsidiaries; |
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any sale, lease (other than in the ordinary course of business),
exchange, transfer, exclusive or other material license outside
the ordinary course of business, acquisition or disposition of
more than 15% of the assets of Nuance (including its
subsidiaries taken as a whole); or |
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any liquidation or dissolution of Nuance. |
A superior offer means an unsolicited, bona fide
written offer made by a third party to acquire, directly or
indirectly, pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger,
consolidation or other business combination, all or
substantially all of the assets of Nuance or all of the
outstanding voting securities of Nuance and as a result of which
Nuance stockholders immediately preceding such transaction would
hold less than 50% of the equity interests in the surviving or
resulting entity of such transaction or any direct or indirect
parent or subsidiary thereof. The terms of which offer the
Nuance board of directors has in good faith concluded (following
consultation with its outside legal counsel and its financial
advisers), taking into account, among other things, all legal,
financial, regulatory and other aspects of the offer and the
person making the offer, to be more favorable to Nuance
stockholders (in their capacities as stockholders) than the
terms of the merger with ScanSoft and is reasonably capable of
being consummated.
Nuance also has agreed to notify ScanSoft as promptly as
practicable (but in no event more than 48 hours) after if
it receives any acquisition proposal (as defined above) or any
request for nonpublic information or inquiry which it reasonably
believes would lead to an acquisition proposal, and to provide
ScanSoft with oral and written notice of the material terms and
conditions of the acquisition proposal, request or inquiry, the
identity of the person or group making the proposal, request or
inquiry and a copy of all written materials provided in
connection with such acquisition proposal, request or inquiry.
Nuance has further agreed to provide ScanSoft with oral and
written notice as promptly as practicable (but in no event more
than 48 hours) setting forth all such information as is
reasonably necessary to keep ScanSoft informed in all material
respects of the status and details of any such acquisition
proposal, request or inquiry. In addition, Nuance has agreed to
provide ScanSoft with 48 hours prior notice (or such lesser
prior notice as is provided to the members of the Nuance board
of directors) of any meeting at which the Nuance board of
directors is reasonably expected to consider any acquisition
proposal.
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Nuance Board of Directors Recommendations |
The merger agreement requires the Nuance board of directors:
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to unanimously recommend that its stockholders vote in favor of
the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the
merger; and |
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not to withdraw, amend or modify, or to propose to withdraw
amend or modify, its unanimous recommendation of the merger in a
manner adverse to ScanSoft. |
However, in response to a superior offer, the Nuance board of
directors may withhold, withdraw, amend or modify its
recommendation in favor of the merger and, in the case of a
superior offer that is a tender or exchange offer made directly
to the stockholders of Nuance, recommend that the stockholders
accept the tender or exchange offer, if:
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such superior offer has been made and has not been withdrawn; |
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the Nuance special meeting of stockholders has not occurred; |
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Nuance has delivered to ScanSoft (i) a written notice at
least five business days before effecting its change of
recommendation, which notice states that Nuance has received a
superior offer and the material terms of such offer, including
the identity of the person or persons making such offer, that
the Nuance board of directors intends to change its
recommendation and the manner in which it intends to do so or
may intend to do so, (ii) provided to ScanSoft a copy of
all written materials delivered to the person or group making
the superior offer in connection with such superior offer, and
(iii) made available to ScanSoft all materials and
information made available to the person or group making the
superior offer in connection with such superior offer (to the
extent such material and information has not been previously
furnished); |
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the Nuance board of directors has not breached any of its
non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement; and |
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the Nuance board of directors has concluded in good faith, after
receipt of advice of its legal counsel, that, in light of such
superior offer, the change of recommendation is required in
order for the Nuance board of directors to comply with its
fiduciary duties to Nuances stockholders under applicable
law. |
During the required five business day notice period, the Nuance
board of directors shall provide ScanSoft the opportunity to
make adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger, and
shall give due consideration to these alternative proposals.
The merger agreement also permits Nuance to comply with
Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act in
connection with any third party acquisition proposal.
The merger agreement requires Nuance to submit the adoption of
the merger agreement and approval of the merger to a stockholder
vote even if the Nuance board of directors no longer recommends
adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger.
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Non-Solicitation ScanSoft |
ScanSoft has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that neither
it, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any of the executive
officers or directors of it or its subsidiaries shall, and that
it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its
and its subsidiaries employees, agents, investment
bankers, attorneys and other representatives not to, directly or
indirectly:
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solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage, knowingly
facilitate or induce the making, submission or announcement of
any ScanSoft acquisition proposal, as defined below; |
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participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or
furnish to any person any nonpublic information with respect to,
or take any other action to facilitate or induce any inquiries
or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or that may
reasonably be expected to lead to any ScanSoft acquisition
proposal; |
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engage in any discussions with any person with respect to any
acquisition proposal, except as provided below; |
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approve, endorse or recommend any ScanSoft acquisition proposal,
except as provided below; or |
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enter into any letter of intent, agreement or commitment
regarding any ScanSoft acquisition proposal. |
However, if ScanSoft receives an unsolicited, bona fide written
acquisition proposal from a third party, then ScanSoft may:
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furnish nonpublic information with respect to ScanSoft, provided
that prior to furnishing such information ScanSoft notifies
Nuance of its intention to furnish this information; |
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engage in negotiations with the third party with respect to the
ScanSoft acquisition proposal, provided that it provides Nuance
concurrent written notice of its intention to enter into
negotiations; and |
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enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any
contract relating to any ScanSoft acquisition proposal, provided
that ScanSoft may not enter into any such letter of intent or
contract if the terms of such transaction would be reasonably
expected to materially interfere with or materially delay the
consummation of the merger. |
A ScanSoft acquisition proposal means any offer or
proposal relating to any transaction or series of related
transactions, other than the merger, involving:
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any purchase or acquisition by any person or group of more than
a 50% interest in the total outstanding voting securities of
ScanSoft or any of its subsidiaries or any tender offer or
exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any person
or group beneficially owning 50% or more of the total
outstanding voting securities of ScanSoft or any of its
subsidiaries; |
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any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction involving ScanSoft or any of its subsidiaries where
the stockholders of ScanSoft prior to such transaction would own
less than 50% of the equity interests of the surviving entity
after such transaction; |
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any sale, lease (other than in the ordinary course of business),
exchange, transfer, exclusive or other material license outside
the ordinary course of business, acquisition or disposition of
more than 15% of the assets of ScanSoft (including its
subsidiaries taken as a whole); or |
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any liquidation or dissolution of ScanSoft. |
ScanSoft also has agreed to notify Nuance as promptly as
practicable after if it receives any ScanSoft acquisition
proposal (as defined above), request for nonpublic information
or inquiry from a third party regarding the making of a ScanSoft
acquisition proposal or as to the manner in which such third
party could proceed with the making of a ScanSoft acquisition
proposal, and to provide Nuance with oral and written notice of
the material terms and conditions of the proposal, request or
inquiry, the identity of the person or group making the
proposal, request or inquiry and a copy of such written
proposal, request or inquiry. ScanSoft has further agreed to
provide Nuance with oral and written notice as promptly as
practicable setting forth reasonable details of any material
amendments or proposed material amendments to the proposal,
request or inquiry and to keep Nuance informed, on a current
basis, of all material developments with respect to the status
of any negotiations or related discussions in connection with
such ScanSoft acquisition proposal. In addition, ScanSoft and
its subsidiaries have agreed to cease immediately all existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any third parties
with respect to any ScanSoft acquisition proposal.
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ScanSoft Board of Directors Recommendations |
The merger agreement requires that the ScanSoft board of
directors:
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unanimously recommend that its stockholders vote in favor of the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with
the merger, the Warburg Pincus financing and the assumption of
the Nuance options in the merger; and |
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not withdraw, amend or modify, or propose to withdraw amend or
modify, its unanimous recommendation of such matters. |
However, the merger agreement does not prohibit the board of
directors of ScanSoft from fulfilling its duty of candor or
disclosure to ScanSoft stockholders.
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Definition of Material Adverse Change |
Material Adverse Change, when used in connection
with an entity, means any change, event, violation, inaccuracy,
circumstance or effect (any such item, an Effect),
individually or when taken
101
together with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the
date of determination of the occurrence of the Material Adverse
Change, that (i) is or is reasonably likely to be
materially adverse to the business, assets (including intangible
assets), capitalization, financial condition or results of
operations of such entity taken as a whole with its subsidiaries
or (ii) will or is reasonably likely to materially impede
the ability of such entity to timely consummate the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement in accordance with the
terms thereof and applicable legal requirements; provided,
however, that, for purposes of clause (i) above, in no
event shall any of the following be taken into account in
determining whether there has been or will be a Material Adverse
Change respecting any entity: (A) any Effect directly
resulting from compliance with, or the taking of any action
required by, the terms and conditions of the merger agreement;
(B) any Effect directly resulting from the announcement or
pendency of the merger (including any disruption in supplier,
distributor or partner relationships, any cancellation of or
delays in customer orders, any reduction in sales or any loss of
employees directly resulting from the announcement or pendency
of the merger); (C) any change in and of itself in such
entitys stock price or trading volume; (D) any Effect
that results from changes affecting any of the industries in
which such entity operates generally (which changes in each case
do not disproportionately affect such entity in any material
respect); (E) any Effect that results from changes
affecting general United States or worldwide economic or capital
market conditions (which changes in each case do not
disproportionately affect such entity in any material respect);
(F) any Effect resulting from the payment of any amounts
due, or the provision of any other benefits, to any officers or
employees of such entity under employment contracts, employee
benefit plans, severance arrangements or other arrangements in
existence as of the date of the merger Agreement to the extent
that such payments or provisions of benefits are reflected on
the Financial Statements of such entity or disclosed in the
merger agreement or any schedule thereto; (G) any Effect
resulting from stockholder class action litigation, derivative
suits or similar claims or actions, arising from allegations of
breach of fiduciary duty or other claims relating to such
entitys entering into the merger agreement; or
(H) the failure in and of itself by such entity to meet any
internal projections or forecasts or revenue or earnings
predictions.
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Termination of the Merger Agreement |
The merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its
terms at any time, except as set forth below, prior to
completion of the merger, whether before or after the approval
of stockholders:
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by mutual written consent of ScanSoft and Nuance; |
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by ScanSoft or Nuance if the merger is not completed by
January 9, 2006, except that this right to terminate the
merger agreement is not available to any party whose action or
failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the
failure of the merger to occur on or before that date, and the
action or failure to act constitutes a breach of the merger
agreement; |
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by ScanSoft or Nuance, if there is any order of a court or other
action or inaction of any governmental entity having the effect
of permanently restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the
completion of the merger which is final and nonappealable; |
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by ScanSoft or Nuance if either the proposal for the issuance of
shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger or
the proposal for the Warburg Pincus financing fail to receive
the requisite affirmative vote by ScanSoft stockholders at the
ScanSoft special meeting or at any adjournment of that meeting,
except that the right to terminate the merger agreement is not
available to ScanSoft where the failure to obtain ScanSoft
stockholder approvals was caused by ScanSofts action or
failure to act and the action or failure to act constitutes a
material breach by ScanSoft of the merger agreement; |
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by ScanSoft or Nuance if the proposal for the adoption of the
merger agreement and approval of the merger fails to receive the
requisite affirmative vote at the Nuance special meeting or at
any adjournment of that meeting, except that this right to
terminate the merger agreement is not available to Nuance where
the failure to obtain Nuance stockholder approval was caused by |
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Nuance action or failure to act, and the action or failure
to act constitutes a material breach by Nuance of the merger
agreement; |
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by ScanSoft, if any of the following triggering
events occur with respect to Nuance: |
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the Nuance board of directors withdraws, amends or modifies, in
a manner adverse to ScanSoft, its unanimous recommendation
described in the section entitled Agreements Related to
the Merger The Merger Agreement Nuance
Board of Directors Recommendations beginning on
page 99 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
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the Nuance board of directors fails to reaffirm (publicly, if
ScanSoft requests) its recommendation that its stockholders vote
in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of
the merger within 10 business days after being requested in
writing by ScanSoft to reaffirm such recommendation; |
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the Nuance board of directors approves or recommends any
acquisition proposal of the type described in the section
entitled Agreements Related to the Merger The
Merger Agreement Alternative
Transactions Nuance beginning on page 98
of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
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Nuance shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar
document or any contract accepting any acquisition proposal of
the type described in the section entitled Agreements
Related to the Merger The Merger
Agreement Alternative Transactions
Nuance beginning on page 98 of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus; or |
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a tender or exchange offer relating to Nuance securities is
initiated by a third party and Nuance does not send to its
securityholders, pursuant to Rule 14e-2 promulgated under
the Exchange Act within 10 business days after the tender or
exchange offer is first published, sent or given, a statement
disclosing that its board of directors recommends rejection of
the tender or exchange offer; |
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by Nuance upon a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement on the part of ScanSoft in the merger
agreement or if any representation or warranty of ScanSoft has
become untrue so that the condition to completion of the merger
regarding ScanSofts representations and warranties or
covenants would not be met. However, if the breach or inaccuracy
is curable by ScanSoft by the termination date of the merger
agreement through the exercise of commercially reasonable
efforts, then Nuance may not terminate the merger agreement for
30 days after receipt of written notice from Nuance to
ScanSoft of the breach, so long as ScanSoft continues to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cure the breach during this
period. If the breach is cured during those 30 days, or if
Nuance is otherwise in material breach of the merger agreement,
Nuance may not exercise this termination right; |
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by ScanSoft upon a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement on the part of Nuance in the merger
agreement or if any representation or warranty of Nuance has
become untrue so that the condition to completion of the merger
regarding Nuance representations and warranties or
covenants would not be met. However, if the breach or inaccuracy
is curable by Nuance by the termination date of the merger
agreement through the exercise of commercially reasonable
efforts, then ScanSoft may not terminate the merger agreement
for 30 days after receipt of written notice from ScanSoft
to Nuance of the breach, so long as Nuance continues to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cure the breach during this
period. If the breach is cured during those 30 days, or if
ScanSoft is otherwise in material breach of the merger
agreement, ScanSoft may not exercise this termination right; |
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by ScanSoft or Nuance upon a material breach of the other of its
obligations regarding non-solicitation under the merger
agreement; |
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by ScanSoft, if a material adverse change to Nuance shall have
occurred since May 9, 2005 and be continuing; or |
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by Nuance, if a material adverse change to ScanSoft shall have
occurred since May 9, 2005 and be continuing. |
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Payment of Termination Fee |
Under the terms of the merger agreement, ScanSoft must pay a
termination fee of $6.63 million to Nuance if all of the
following conditions are met:
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the merger agreement has been terminated because the ScanSoft
stockholders failed to approve the issuance of shares of
ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger or the
Warburg Pincus financing at the ScanSoft special meeting or an
adjournment of that meeting; |
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because (i) the ScanSoft board shall for any reason have
withdrawn or withheld or shall have amended in a manner adverse
to Nuance the ScanSoft boards unanimous recommendation in
favor of the stock issuance in connection with the merger and
the Warburg Pincus financing, or (ii) ScanSoft shall have
failed to include in this proxy statement/prospectus the
unanimous recommendation of the ScanSoft board that holders of
ScanSoft vote in favor of the stock issuance in connection with
the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing; and |
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the ScanSoft board fails to reaffirm its recommendation that its
stockholders vote in favor of the stock issuance in connection
with the merger and the Warburg Pincus financing within 10
business days after being requested in writing by Nuance to
reaffirm such recommendation. |
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Nuance must pay a
termination fee of $6.63 million to ScanSoft if:
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a triggering event (as defined above) shall be
deemed to have occurred; or |
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if all of the following conditions are met: |
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between May 9, 2005 and the termination of the merger
agreement there has been public disclosure of an acquisition
proposal by a third party with respect to Nuance of the type
described in the section entitled Agreements Related to
the Merger The Merger Agreement
Alternative Transactions Nuance beginning on
page 98 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
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the merger agreement has been terminated on any of the following
bases: |
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the merger has not been completed by January 9,
2006; or |
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Nuance stockholders failed to adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger at the Nuance special meeting or an
adjournment of that meeting; and |
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either of the following has occurred: |
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within 12 months following termination of the merger
agreement, Nuance is the subject of an acquisition of the type
described below; or |
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within 12 months following termination of the merger
agreement, Nuance enters into an agreement contemplating an
acquisition of it in the type described below. |
In this case, the termination fee must be paid to ScanSoft
within two business days following the occurrence of any such
event.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, an acquisition of
Nuance for the purposes of these termination provisions, means
any of the following:
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a merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving Nuance
pursuant to which its stockholders immediately preceding such
transaction hold less than 60% of the aggregate equity interests
in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction, or any
direct or indirect parent thereof; |
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a sale or other disposition by Nuance of assets representing in
excess of 40% of the aggregate fair market value of its
business, immediately prior to such sale; or |
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the acquisition by any person or group, including by way of a
tender offer or an exchange offer or issuance by Nuance,
directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership or a right to
acquire beneficial ownership of shares representing in excess of
40% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of Nuance
capital stock. |
Payment of a termination fee by ScanSoft or Nuance is not in
lieu of damages incurred in the event of breach of the merger
agreement. If the party entitled to payment of the termination
fee has to make a claim against the other party to obtain such
payment and such claim results in a judgment against the other
party, the party required to pay the termination fee will also
have to pay the other partys reasonable costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and
expenses, in connection with the suit together with interest on
the unpaid termination fee.
In general, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring such
expenses whether or not the merger is consummated, except that
those expenses incurred in connection with filing the
registration statement of which this joint proxy
statement/prospectus is a part (excluding accounting and
attorney fees), including any amendments, printing and filing
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and making required
filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 or other similar foreign merger notification laws
will be shared equally by ScanSoft and Nuance.
ScanSoft Voting Agreements
The following is a summary of certain material provisions of the
ScanSoft voting agreements. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the form of voting agreement, a copy of
which is attached as Annex D to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and is incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference.
Each of James R. Arnold Jr., Steve Chambers, Peter
Hauser, Jeanne McCann, Mike Phillips, Paul Ricci, John Shagoury,
Robert Finch, Robert Frankenberg, John Freker, William Janeway,
Katharine Martin, Mark Myers, Robert Teresi and Warburg Pincus
Private Equity VIII, L.P. and certain of its affiliated entities
has entered into a voting agreement with Nuance. Each of these
ScanSoft directors, executive officers and affiliates has agreed
to vote his or her shares of ScanSoft common stock, and all
options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares of ScanSoft
common stock, (i) in favor of the approval of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
issuance of shares of ScanSoft common stock in connection with
the merger, the Stock Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the
shares of ScanSoft common stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft
common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, and the
assumption of options in connection with the merger,
(ii) against any proposal in competition with the merger as
contemplated by the merger agreement, (iii) against any
amendment to ScanSofts certificate of incorporation or
bylaws, (iv) against any action that would delay or prevent
the merger, (v) against any proposal that would result in a
breach by ScanSoft of the merger agreement and (vi) against
an election of a group of individuals to replace a majority or
more of the individuals on the board of directors of ScanSoft.
Each stockholders obligation to vote in this manner
applies whether or not the ScanSoft board of directors continues
to recommend the merger to ScanSoft stockholders. These
stockholders have the right, as of July 27, 2005, to vote a
total of 17,767,862 shares of ScanSoft common stock, or
approximately 16% of the outstanding shares of ScanSoft common
stock as of such date (not including options, warrants or other
convertible securities).
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Each stockholder has also granted the directors on the board of
directors of Nuance an irrevocable proxy to vote the shares of
ScanSoft common stock owned by such stockholder, including
additional shares of ScanSoft common stock subsequently
acquired, as described above.
The voting agreement, subject to certain exceptions, restricts
or limits the ability of each stockholder that is a party to the
agreement to sell, tender, transfer, pledge, encumber, assign or
otherwise dispose of any of his or her shares of ScanSoft common
stock, or to agree to do the foregoing, other than with
Nuances prior written consent.
Several exceptions to this restriction exist, such as
(i) the authorization to sell shares of ScanSoft common
stock pursuant to 10b5-1 plans, and (ii) the authorization
to sell not more than 20,000 shares (or, in the case of
Mike Phillips, a former executive of ScanSoft, 290,000 shares)
in the aggregate after May 9, 2005. Paul Ricci, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of ScanSoft, is further permitted to
transfer additional shares of ScanSoft common stock to ScanSoft
in order to satisfy any tax required by law to be withheld in
connection with the vesting of shares of restricted stock.
The irrevocable proxy and voting agreement will terminate upon
the earlier to occur of:
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the completion of the merger; or |
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the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its
terms. |
Nuance Voting Agreements
The following is a summary of certain material provisions of the
Nuance voting agreements. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the form of voting agreement, a copy of
which is attached as Annex E to this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus and is incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference.
Each of Charles Berger, Karen Blasing, Glenn Cross, Eng Yew Lee,
Douglas Clark Neilsson, Douglas Sharp, Lynda Kate Smith, Donna
Allen Taylor, Ronald Croen, David Nagel, Curtis Carlson, Irwin
Federman, Alan Herzig, Philip Quigley, Sandra Bergeron, Gary
Morgenthaler, and SRI International has entered into a voting
agreement with ScanSoft. Each of these Nuance directors,
executive officers and this significant stockholder has agreed
to vote his or her shares of Nuance common stock, and any and
all options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares of
Nuance common stock, (i) in favor of the merger and the
adoption and approval of the merger agreement, (ii) against
any proposal made in opposition to or in competition with the
merger, (iii) against any amendment to Nuances
certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (iv) against any
action that would delay, interfere or prevent the merger,
(v) against any proposal that would result in a breach by
Nuance of the merger agreement, and (vi) against an
election of a group of individuals to replace a majority or more
of the individuals on the Nuance board of directors. Each
stockholders obligation to vote in this manner applies
whether or not the Nuance board of directors continues to
recommend the merger to Nuance stockholders. These stockholders
have the right, as of July 27, 2005, to vote a total of
approximately 2,950,000 shares of Nuance common stock, or
approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of Nuance common
stock as of such date (not including option, warrants or other
convertible securities).
Each stockholder has also granted the directors on the board of
directors of ScanSoft an irrevocable proxy to vote the shares of
Nuance common stock owned by such stockholder, including
additional shares of Nuance common stock subsequently acquired,
as described above.
106
The voting agreement, subject to certain exceptions, restricts
or limits the ability of each stockholder that is a party to the
agreement to sell, transfer, tender pledge, encumber, assign or
otherwise dispose of any of his or her shares of Nuance common
stock, or to agree to do the foregoing, other than with
ScanSofts prior written consent. Several exceptions to
this restriction exist, such as (i) the authorization to
sell shares of ScanSoft common stock pursuant to 10b5-1 plans,
and (ii) the authorization to sell not more than
35,000 shares (or, in the case of Charles Berger, 50,000
shares) in the aggregate after May 9, 2005.
The irrevocable proxy and voting agreement will terminate upon
the earlier to occur of:
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the completion of the merger; or |
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the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its
terms. |
Affiliate Agreements
Nuance is required to use all commercially reasonable efforts to
deliver or cause to be delivered to ScanSoft from each person
who may reasonably be deemed to be an affiliate of Nuance for
purposes of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act
an executed affiliate agreement pursuant to which such affiliate
shall agree to be bound by the provision of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act in a form provided by
ScanSoft and reasonably acceptable to Nuance. ScanSoft will give
stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent with respect to
any ScanSoft common stock received pursuant to the merger by any
stockholder of Nuance who may reasonably be deemed to be an
affiliate of Nuance for purposes of Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act and there will be placed on the
certificates representing such ScanSoft common stock, or any
substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance that the
shares were issued in a transaction to which Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act applies and may only be
transferred (i) in conformity with Rule 145 or
(ii) in accordance with a written opinion of counsel,
reasonably acceptable to ScanSoft, in form and substance that
such transfer is exempt from registration under the Securities
Act.
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ADDITIONAL MATTERS BEING SUBMITTED TO A
VOTE OF SCANSOFT STOCKHOLDERS
Proposal Two Warburg Pincus Financing
Proposal No. 2 asks you to approve the Stock Purchase
Agreement and the issuance of 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft
common stock and warrants to acquire up to 3,177,570 shares
of ScanSoft common stock to Warburg Pincus pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement. Upon completion of the merger and the
Warburg Pincus financing, Warburg Pincus is expected to
beneficially own approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of
ScanSoft common stock, assuming that they do not transfer the
shares of ScanSoft common stock beneficially owned by them prior
to such time.
Simultaneously with the entering into of the Stock Purchase
Agreement on May 5, 2005, ScanSoft entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement with Warburg Pincus pursuant to
which Warburg Pincus purchased and ScanSoft sold an aggregate of
3,537,736 shares of ScanSoft common stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $15,000,000.64, and warrants to acquire an
aggregate of 863,236 shares of ScanSoft common stock for an
aggregate purchase price of $107,904.50. The warrants have an
exercise price of $5.00 per share and a term of four years.
Also on May 5, 2005, ScanSoft received a Commitment Letter
from Warburg Pincus LLC, whereby Warburg Pincus agreed to
purchase $25 million of ScanSoft common stock, if ScanSoft
should request it to do so. The commitment was provided in
connection with ScanSofts potential future acquisition
activities. The number of shares purchased will be based on the
closing price of ScanSoft common stock on the trading date prior
to the execution of the securities purchase agreement relating
to the purchase and sale of the shares. The Commitment Letter
will expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5,
2005, unless certain conditions are met. The Commitment Letter
will not be binding on Warburg Pincus if: (i) the closing
price of ScanSoft common stock on The Nasdaq National Market is
less than $3.25 per share or more than $4.75 per share
at the signing of the securities purchase agreement relating to
the purchase and sale of the shares, or (ii) if a material
adverse change to ScanSoft occurs since the date of the
Commitment Letter.
Finally, on May 5, 2005, ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus also
amended and restated the Stockholders Agreement between the
parties, as described below.
If the closing contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement
occurs, ScanSoft will be entitled to receive an aggregate of
approximately $60 million for the shares to be sold to
Warburg Pincus under the Stock Purchase Agreement. ScanSoft will
not be entitled to receive any consideration upon the sale of
the warrants to Warburg Pincus under the Stock Purchase
Agreement.
ScanSoft intends to use the net proceeds it expects to receive
from the Warburg Pincus financing to finance a portion of the
merger consideration and the costs of the merger and the
transactions contemplated thereby. The Warburg Pincus financing
will result in dilution to ScanSofts current stockholders.
The following summaries of the Stock Purchase Agreement and
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement are qualified by
reference to the complete text of the Stock Purchase Agreement
and the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, which are
incorporated by reference and attached as Annexes F and
G, respectively.
Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, ScanSoft agreed
to issue an aggregate of 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft
common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$60 million, at a per share price equal to $4.24, and
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of
its common stock, exercisable at a price of $5.00 per
share, subject to adjustment as further described below. The
warrants will be exercisable until the earlier of (i) the
fourth anniversary of the date of issuance and (ii) the
closing of a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the
warrants).
108
The number of shares subject to such warrants will be adjusted
in the event that ScanSoft issues a dividend or affects a stock
split (reverse or forward). In the case of a dividend or a
forward stock split, the exercise price in effect immediately
prior to such dividend or stock split will be proportionately
decreased and the number of shares of ScanSoft common stock
purchasable upon exercise of such warrant will be
proportionately increased. In the case of a reverse stock split,
the exercise price in effect immediately prior to such dividend
or stock split will be proportionately increased and the number
of shares of ScanSoft common stock purchasable upon exercise of
such warrant will be proportionately decreased. In the event of
a capital reorganization or reclassification of the capital
stock of ScanSoft or any consolidation or merger of ScanSoft
other than a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the
Stock Purchase Agreement), in such a way that holders of
ScanSoft common stock will be entitled to receive stock,
securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for ScanSoft
common stock, then, as a condition of such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, exercise, merger or sale,
lawful and adequate provision will be made whereby such
warrantholder will thereafter have the right to receive upon the
basis and upon the terms and conditions specified therein and in
lieu of the shares of ScanSoft common stock immediately
theretofore receivable upon the exercise of such warrant, that
number of shares of stock, securities or assets (including cash)
as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for a
number of outstanding shares of such ScanSoft common stock equal
to the number of warrant shares for which such warrant could
have been exercised immediately prior to such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, and in any such
case appropriate provision will be made with respect to the
rights and interests of such warrantholder to the end that the
provisions thereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
may be, in relation to any shares of stock, securities or assets
(including cash) thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of
such warrant. ScanSoft will not effect any such consolidation,
merger or sale, unless prior to the consummation thereof the
successor corporation (if other than ScanSoft) resulting from
such consolidation or merger or the corporation purchasing such
assets shall assume the obligation to deliver to such
warrantholder such shares of stock, securities or assets
(including cash) as such warrantholder may be entitled to
receive.
The Warburg Pincus financing is designed to fund concurrent with
the closing of the merger, and is conditioned upon the
simultaneous closing of the merger. In connection with the Stock
Purchase Agreement, ScanSoft also agreed to amend and restate
the Stockholders Agreement with Warburg Pincus, which is
summarized below. Further, ScanSoft agreed to amend its
preferred share rights agreement. The effect of the amendment to
the rights agreement is to generally permit Warburg Pincus and
its affiliates and associates to enter into agreements with
ScanSoft and make certain acquisitions of ScanSofts
securities directly from ScanSoft, including pursuant to the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement and
in connection with the Commitment Letter, without becoming an
Acquiring Person under the rights agreement. In
addition, the amendment to the rights agreement also permits
Warburg Pincus to make additional limited acquisitions of
ScanSoft common stock and other securities convertible into or
exercisable for ScanSoft common stock that are included in the
Permitted Amount (as such term is defined in the Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Annex G) without becoming an Acquiring
Person under the rights agreement.
The closing of the Warburg Pincus financing will occur
simultaneously with the closing of the merger assuming the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.
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Conditions to the Completion of the Warburg Pincus
Financing |
The obligations of ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus to complete the
Warburg Pincus financing are subject to the satisfaction or, to
the extent legally permissible, waiver of the following
conditions:
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there shall be no injunction which prohibits the consummation of
any of the transactions contemplated by the Warburg Pincus
financing; |
109
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the merger shall have closed or shall close simultaneously with
the closing of the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and under any
applicable material foreign or other antitrust laws shall have
expired or been terminated; |
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approval of the Warburg Pincus financing by the ScanSoft
stockholders; |
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the Warburg Pincus financing transaction documents (other than
the warrants, which will be delivered to Warburg Pincus within
two (2) business days following the closing of the Warburg
Pincus financing), including but not limited to the Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement (which was entered into as of
May 5, 2005), shall have been duly executed and delivered
by ScanSoft to Warburg Pincus and by Warburg Pincus to ScanSoft,
as the case may be, at or prior to the closing of the Warburg
Pincus financing; and |
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ScanSoft shall have entered into an amendment to its rights
agreement prior to the Closing, which amendment was entered into
as of May 5, 2005, such that the acquisition by Warburg
Pincus of the shares of ScanSoft and warrants to purchase shares
of ScanSoft common stock does not constitute or otherwise
trigger a Triggering Event, Distribution
Date or Shares Acquisition Date as such terms
are defined in the rights agreement, as amended. |
Each of ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus has undertaken certain
covenants in the Stock Purchase Agreement. The following
summarizes the more significant of these covenants.
Additional Listing Application. ScanSoft has agreed, to
the extent required by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, to
file a notification form for the listing of additional shares in
connection with the Warburg Pincus financing.
Fees and Expenses. ScanSoft has agreed to promptly pay
the fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of Warburg
Pincus advisors and legal counsel incurred in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and
performance of the Stock Purchase Agreement, including fees and
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to any filings under
the HSR Act.
Legal Opinion. ScanSoft has agreed to cause its legal
counsel to deliver an opinion regarding the Stock Purchase
Agreement to Warburg Pincus at the closing of the Warburg Pincus
financing.
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Representations and Warranties |
The Stock Purchase Agreement contains representations and
warranties made by ScanSoft to Warburg Pincus. The most
significant of these relate to:
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due organization and good standing of ScanSoft; |
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absence of violation by ScanSoft and certain of its subsidiaries
with their respective charter documents; |
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ownership of its subsidiaries by ScanSoft; |
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ScanSofts outstanding capital stock, options and voting
debt; |
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corporate authorization by ScanSoft to enter into the Stock
Purchase Agreement and to consummate the Warburg Pincus
financing; |
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absence of any breach of organizational documents, material
legal requirement or certain material agreements by ScanSoft as
a result of the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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third party consents required to be obtained by ScanSoft in
connection with the Warburg Pincus financing; |
110
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filing of reports by ScanSoft with the SEC; |
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financial statements of ScanSoft included in its SEC reports; |
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absence of certain material changes since December 31,
2004; and |
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no violation of Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law in connection with the Warburg Pincus financing. |
In addition, ScanSoft permitted Warburg Pincus to rely on the
representations and warranties it provided Nuance in the merger
agreement.
Warburg Pincus represents and warrants to ScanSoft as to certain
other matters, including:
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due organization and good standing of Warburg Pincus; |
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authorization of Warburg Pincus to enter into the Stock Purchase
Agreement and to consummate the Warburg Pincus financing; |
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investment intent of Warburg Pincus; |
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accredited investor status; |
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experience and sophistication in business and financial matters; |
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ScanSoft equity securities beneficially owned by Warburg Pincus; |
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absence of general solicitation for the sale of securities
issued in the Warburg Pincus financing; and |
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registration requirements for the securities issued in the
Warburg Pincus financing. |
Any provision of the Stock Purchase Agreement may be amended or
waived if the amendment or waiver is in writing and signed by
the party against whom the waiver or amendment is to be
effective.
The Stock Purchase Agreement may be terminated prior to the
closing, as follows:
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by the mutual consent of ScanSoft and Warburg Pincus; |
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upon termination of the merger agreement; or |
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by either ScanSoft or Warburg Pincus if the closing does not
occur by February 1, 2006 (provided that the right to
terminate shall not be available if the merger agreement is
still in effect). |
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The Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement |
Appointment of Warburg Pincus Nominee(s) to the ScanSoft
Board. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, ScanSoft agreed, beginning on the closing date of the
Stock Purchase Agreement and ending on the later of (i) the
date that Warburg Pincus and their affiliates fail to
beneficially own at least 25,000,000 shares of ScanSoft
common stock or (ii) the date that the Warburg Pincus
percentage of beneficial ownership of the ScanSoft common stock
is less than the quotient of (x) two (2) divided by
(y) the then authorized number of directors of ScanSoft, to
take such action as is necessary to nominate and elect a second
member to the ScanSoft board to be designated by Warburg Pincus
Private Equity VIII, L.P. and approved by a majority of the
board of directors of ScanSoft. Warburg Pincus Private Equity
VIII, L.P. will only have the ability to designate the second
member of the ScanSoft board of directors upon the closing of
the Warburg Pincus financing. Mr. Janeway is Warburg
Pincus designee pursuant to the Original Stockholders
Agreement and has served on the ScanSoft board since April 2004.
111
Management Rights. If Warburg Pincus is not represented
on the ScanSoft board, then they will be entitled to consult
with and advise ScanSoft management on significant business
issues, examine the books and records of ScanSoft and receive
copies of all notices, minutes, consents and other written
material ScanSoft provides to its directors, subject to certain
limitations.
Standstill Period. Warburg Pincus has made certain
covenants in connection with the Amended and Restated
Stockholders Agreement during a standstill period which is the
four year period ending on May 9, 2009, whereby Warburg
Pincus has agreed to not take certain actions without the prior
written consent of ScanSoft or the ScanSoft board, including but
not limited to the following:
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acquire, offer, seek or propose to acquire, or agree to acquire,
directly or indirectly, by purchase or otherwise, any shares of
voting stock of ScanSoft except for an amount equal to the
Permitted Amount (as such term is defined in the Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Annex G); |
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make or in any way participate, directly or indirectly, in any
solicitation of proxies (as such terms
are used in the rules of the SEC) to vote or seek to advise or
influence any person or entity with respect to the voting of
ScanSofts voting stock (other than in the capacity as a
member of the ScanSoft board in a manner consistent with his or
her fiduciary duties); |
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make any public announcement or submit a proposal to offer any
extraordinary transaction involving ScanSoft or any of its
securities or assets; |
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form, join or in any way participate in a Section 13(d)
group (as defined in the Exchange Act) in connection with any of
the foregoing; |
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otherwise seek to control or influence the management or
ScanSoft board of directors or policies of ScanSoft; or |
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direct or instruct their representatives, associates or
affiliates to do any of the foregoing. |
Transfer Restrictions and ScanSofts Right of First
Refusal. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, Warburg Pincus has agreed to certain restrictions on
transfer, including:
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restrictions relating to transferring their voting stock in
connection with a proxy solicitation that is opposed to the
recommendation of the ScanSoft board; |
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restrictions on transferring more than five percent (5%) of
their voting stock in connection with a third party tender offer
or an exchange offer which the ScanSoft board has not
recommended; or |
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transferring more than five percent (5%) of their voting stock
to a competitor of ScanSoft that has not been approved by the
ScanSoft board unless Warburg Pincus complies with certain
rights of first refusal which Warburg Pincus has granted to
ScanSoft. |
Demand Registration Rights. Warburg Pincus has been
granted demand registration rights under the Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement which would allow them to
request ScanSoft to effect a registration on Form S-3 of
the registerable securities owned by them, and all such expenses
of registration shall be borne by ScanSoft. Warburg Pincus
cannot transfer such registration rights without ScanSofts
prior written consent.
Indemnification. Further, ScanSoft has agreed to
indemnify Warburg Pincus and their officers, directors and
partners, legal counsel and accountants and each person
controlling Warburg Pincus for certain specified statements or
omissions made in connection with the registration of the
registerable securities.
Amendment and Waiver. Any provision of Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement may be amended or waived if the
amendment or waiver is in writing and signed by the party
against whom the waiver or amendment is to be effective.
112
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes
cast on this proposal is required to approve the Stock Purchase
Agreement and the issuance of the shares of ScanSoft common
stock and warrants to issue ScanSoft common stock pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Rule 4350(i)(1)(B) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules requires
that listed companies obtain stockholder approval in certain
circumstances. The circumstances include: (i) when an
issuance or potential issuance of securities would result in a
change of control of the issuer, (ii) when an equity
compensation arrangement is made, pursuant to which stock may be
acquired by directors, and (iii) in connection with the
acquisition of the stock or assets of another company, where due
to the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into
common stock, the securities to be issued represent or will
represent 20% or more of the voting power or number of shares of
common stock outstanding before the issuance. ScanSoft
stockholders are being asked to approve the Stock Purchase
Agreement and the issuance of the shares of ScanSoft common
stock and warrants to acquire ScanSoft common stock pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement because the acquisition of such
securities by Warburg Pincus implicates each of these events.
Approval of this proposal is a condition to the effectiveness of
the merger. In addition, the issuance of ScanSoft common stock
and warrants to acquire ScanSoft common stock to Warburg Pincus
under the Stock Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby under this Proposal No. 2 are
conditioned upon the approval of the merger and related matters
by the stockholders of ScanSoft and Nuance contained in
Proposal Nos. 1 for each and the closing of the
merger. Therefore, if the merger is not approved by the
stockholders of either Nuance or ScanSoft or if the merger is
not consummated, then neither ScanSoft nor Warburg Pincus will
be obligated to complete the Warburg Pincus financing.
THE SCANSOFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND
THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS TO
ACQUIRE SCANSOFT COMMON STOCK TO WARBURG PINCUS PURSUANT TO THE
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
Proposal Three Option Assumption
Proposal No. 3 asks you to approve the assumption of
outstanding stock options to purchase Nuance common stock
pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. Stockholder
approval is needed to satisfy a condition of ScanSofts
bylaws, as described below. If stockholders approve this
proposal, stock options outstanding (i) under the Nuance
2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, the Nuance 2000 Stock Plan
and the 1998 Stock Plan with an exercise price of $10.00 or less
and (ii) all stock options outstanding under the Nuance
1994 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan, will become options to
purchase ScanSoft common stock, with the number of shares
subject to the option and the exercise price adjusted by the
option exchange ratio as set forth in the merger
agreement.
The terms of the merger agreement provide that, if approved by
ScanSoft stockholders, all options to purchase Nuance common
stock outstanding under the Nuance 2001 Nonstatutory Stock
Option Plan, the Nuance 2000 Stock Plan and the Nuance 1998
Stock Plan with an exercise price of $10.00 or less and all
options outstanding under the Nuance 1994 Flexible Stock
Incentive Plan, regardless of exercise price, will be assumed by
ScanSoft, and become options to purchase ScanSoft common stock
on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the
assumed options prior to the closing of the merger, except each
such option will be exercisable for such whole number of shares
of ScanSoft common stock (rounded down to the nearest share)
equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of
shares of Nuance common stock issuable upon the exercise of such
option, by the option exchange ratio, and the
exercise price per
113
share for the ScanSoft common stock shall be equal to the
quotient (rounded up to the nearest cent) of the exercise price
per share for such option, divided by the option exchange
ratio. The option exchange ratio is defined as 0.77 (the
stock consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance stock), plus (a) $2.20 (the
cash consideration to be received by Nuance stockholders in the
merger for each share of Nuance stock), divided by (b) the
average of the closing trading prices of the ScanSoft common
stock during the five trading days immediately preceding the
closing date, subject to potential adjustment for tax purposes.
Regardless of the outcome of the ScanSoft stockholder vote
regarding the assumption, all Nuance options with an exercise
price of more than $10.00, and not already fully vested, will
accelerate and become fully vested prior to the effective time
of the merger and shall terminate as of the effective time of
the merger if not exercised prior to the effective time of the
first step merger.
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Need for Stockholder Approval |
The approval of ScanSofts stockholders is being sought for
the Option Assumption because of the provision in
ScanSofts bylaws stating that stockholder approval is
required to sell securities exercisable into common stock with
an exercise price that is fixed after the date of the agreement.
Since the option exchange ratio, and therefore the
option exercise price, will not be determined until the closing
date rather than the date the merger agreement was executed,
stockholder approval is required under this provision of
ScanSofts bylaws.
In the event that the approval of the stockholders of ScanSoft
is not obtained for the treatment of the Nuance options as
described above, each Nuance option outstanding prior to the
closing subject to the vote will be assumed by ScanSoft, but on
different terms. Each such option will become an option to
acquire ScanSoft common stock and cash, except each such assumed
option will be exercisable for that number of shares of ScanSoft
common stock equal to the number of shares of Nuance common
stock issuable upon exercise of such option immediately prior to
the closing multiplied by 0.77, and an amount of cash equal to
the number of shares of Nuance common stock issuance upon
exercise of such option immediately prior to the closing
multiplied by $2.20, and the exercise price per share for the
ScanSoft common stock and cash shall be equal to the quotient of
the exercise price per share for such option immediately prior
to the closing, divided by 0.77.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and
entitled to vote at the ScanSoft special meeting is required to
approve the assumption of certain options to purchase Nuance
common stock pursuant to Proposal No. 3.
THE SCANSOFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN OPTIONS TO PURCHASE
NUANCE COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT.
114
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF SCANSOFT
The following selected consolidated financial data should be
read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and the consolidated financial statements of ScanSoft and
related notes thereto included in ScanSoft annual reports,
quarterly reports and other information on file with the SEC.
The financial data for the interim periods presented is derived
from unaudited financial statements and is not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim
period or for the fiscal year as a whole. See Where You
Can Find More Information on page 147.
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Six Months Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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Nine Months Ended | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Sep. 30, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
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2002 | |
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2001 | |
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2000 | |
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(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenues:
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Product licenses
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$ |
84,763 |
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$ |
67,320 |
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$ |
95,765 |
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|
$ |
128,681 |
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|
$ |
101,524 |
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|
$ |
55,509 |
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|
$ |
41,977 |
|
Professional services(2)
|
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|
28,928 |
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|
18,010 |
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33,187 |
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Related parties
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4,316 |
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1,955 |
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6,718 |
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|
5,095 |
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7,208 |
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|
|
5,984 |
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Total revenue
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113,691 |
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|
|
89,646 |
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|
|
130,907 |
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|
|
135,399 |
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|
106,619 |
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|
|
62,717 |
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47,961 |
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Costs and Expenses:
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Cost of revenue:
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Cost of product licenses(1)
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9,983 |
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8,045 |
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10,348 |
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26,123 |
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16,419 |
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12,849 |
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12,692 |
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Cost of professional services(1)
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19,270 |
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|
12,637 |
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22,949 |
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Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets
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5,508 |
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|
5,851 |
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|
8,431 |
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|
|
10,516 |
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|
|
9,470 |
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|
|
14,192 |
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|
11,569 |
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Total cost of revenue
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|
|
34,761 |
|
|
|
26,533 |
|
|
|
41,728 |
|
|
|
36,639 |
|
|
|
25,889 |
|
|
|
27,041 |
|
|
|
24,261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
78,930 |
|
|
|
63,113 |
|
|
|
89,179 |
|
|
|
98,760 |
|
|
|
80,730 |
|
|
|
35,676 |
|
|
|
23,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development(1)
|
|
|
19,236 |
|
|
|
18,087 |
|
|
|
26,162 |
|
|
|
33,938 |
|
|
|
27,633 |
|
|
|
13,968 |
|
|
|
14,967 |
|
|
Sales and marketing(1)
|
|
|
38,126 |
|
|
|
34,351 |
|
|
|
49,134 |
|
|
|
48,706 |
|
|
|
32,990 |
|
|
|
18,562 |
|
|
|
18,287 |
|
|
General and administrative(1)
|
|
|
13,259 |
|
|
|
9,625 |
|
|
|
17,807 |
|
|
|
16,258 |
|
|
|
10,678 |
|
|
|
6,749 |
|
|
|
8,824 |
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets
|
|
|
1,648 |
|
|
|
1,519 |
|
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
2,297 |
|
|
|
1,682 |
|
|
|
13,328 |
|
|
|
11,017 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
494 |
|
|
|
1,301 |
|
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring and other charges, net
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
|
1,428 |
|
|
|
801 |
|
|
|
3,693 |
|
|
|
1,041 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,811 |
|
|
Acquired in-process research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
74,282 |
|
|
|
65,504 |
|
|
|
97,172 |
|
|
|
105,222 |
|
|
|
74,127 |
|
|
|
52,607 |
|
|
|
76,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
4,648 |
|
|
|
(2,391 |
) |
|
|
(7,993 |
) |
|
|
(6,462 |
) |
|
|
6,603 |
|
|
|
(16,931 |
) |
|
|
(52,497 |
) |
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
429 |
|
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
354 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(566 |
) |
|
|
(486 |
) |
|
|
(340 |
) |
|
|
(793 |
) |
|
|
(369 |
) |
|
|
(166 |
) |
|
|
(620 |
) |
|
Other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(307 |
) |
|
|
718 |
|
|
|
(141 |
) |
|
|
1,003 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(306 |
) |
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
Sep. 30, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
4,082 |
|
|
|
(1,926 |
) |
|
|
(8,045 |
) |
|
|
(5,787 |
) |
|
|
6,587 |
|
|
|
(17,194 |
) |
|
|
(52,779 |
) |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
|
1,943 |
|
|
|
(443 |
) |
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
(269 |
) |
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
(317 |
) |
|
|
472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
2,139 |
|
|
$ |
(1,483 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,378 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,518 |
) |
|
$ |
6,333 |
|
|
$ |
(16,877 |
) |
|
$ |
(53,251 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
(0.34 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
|
|
|
105,264 |
|
|
|
101,213 |
|
|
|
103,780 |
|
|
|
78,398 |
|
|
|
67,010 |
|
|
|
49,693 |
|
|
|
42,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
|
|
|
112,812 |
|
|
|
101,213 |
|
|
|
103,780 |
|
|
|
78,398 |
|
|
|
72,796 |
|
|
|
49,693 |
|
|
|
42,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Excludes stock-based compensation expense as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product licenses
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Cost of professional services
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
769 |
|
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
587 |
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,354 |
|
|
$ |
494 |
|
|
$ |
1,301 |
|
|
$ |
330 |
|
|
$ |
103 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
As a result of the Speechworks acquisition in August 2003,
professional services became a material component of
ScanSofts business. As a result of the acquisition, and
ScanSofts implementation of Oracle in January 2004,
ScanSoft began to separately track and disclose professional
services revenues and cost of revenue. Prior to 2004, it did not
separately disclose professional services revenue and cost of
revenue as they were immaterial and it is not practical to
reclassify these revenues and associated costs, retrospectively. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
As of | |
|
| |
|
|
Mar. 31, | |
|
Sep. 30, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
25,882 |
|
|
$ |
22,963 |
|
|
$ |
42,584 |
|
|
$ |
18,853 |
|
|
$ |
14,324 |
|
|
$ |
2,571 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
3,858 |
|
|
|
24,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
(29,269 |
) |
|
|
27,940 |
|
|
|
44,305 |
|
|
|
16,842 |
|
|
|
9,318 |
|
|
|
(6,484 |
) |
Total assets
|
|
|
452,690 |
|
|
|
392,653 |
|
|
|
401,940 |
|
|
|
143,690 |
|
|
|
142,070 |
|
|
|
109,480 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
33,632 |
|
|
|
45,360 |
|
|
|
48,340 |
|
|
|
725 |
|
|
|
6,143 |
|
|
|
2,172 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
309,009 |
|
|
|
301,745 |
|
|
|
303,226 |
|
|
|
119,378 |
|
|
|
114,534 |
|
|
|
87,461 |
|
116
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF NUANCE
The following selected consolidated financial data should be
read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and the consolidated financial statements of Nuance and related
notes thereto included in Nuance annual reports, quarterly
reports and other information on file with the SEC. The
financial data for the interim periods presented is derived from
unaudited financial statements and is not necessarily indicative
of the results to be expected for any other interim period or
for the fiscal year as a whole. See Where You Can Find
More Information on page 147.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005(2) | |
|
2004(3) | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License
|
|
$ |
11,570 |
|
|
$ |
14,301 |
|
|
$ |
26,409 |
|
|
$ |
28,207 |
|
|
$ |
26,783 |
|
|
$ |
20,759 |
|
|
$ |
37,551 |
|
Service
|
|
|
8,188 |
|
|
|
7,746 |
|
|
|
15,806 |
|
|
|
14,266 |
|
|
|
8,191 |
|
|
|
10,861 |
|
|
|
9,324 |
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
8,356 |
|
|
|
7,383 |
|
|
|
15,662 |
|
|
|
12,565 |
|
|
|
9,111 |
|
|
|
7,680 |
|
|
|
4,943 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
28,114 |
|
|
|
29,430 |
|
|
|
57,877 |
|
|
|
55,038 |
|
|
|
44,085 |
|
|
|
39,300 |
|
|
|
51,818 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
396 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
641 |
|
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
Service(1)
|
|
|
5,920 |
|
|
|
4,888 |
|
|
|
10,460 |
|
|
|
9,982 |
|
|
|
7,680 |
|
|
|
11,970 |
|
|
|
8,608 |
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
1,263 |
|
|
|
1,594 |
|
|
|
2,634 |
|
|
|
2,548 |
|
|
|
3,374 |
|
|
|
4,022 |
|
|
|
2,091 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue
|
|
|
7,350 |
|
|
|
6,658 |
|
|
|
13,490 |
|
|
|
12,900 |
|
|
|
11,695 |
|
|
|
16,267 |
|
|
|
10,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
20,764 |
|
|
|
22,772 |
|
|
|
44,387 |
|
|
|
42,138 |
|
|
|
32,390 |
|
|
|
23,033 |
|
|
|
41,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing(1)
|
|
|
13,909 |
|
|
|
13,432 |
|
|
|
26,727 |
|
|
|
28,179 |
|
|
|
39,712 |
|
|
|
39,125 |
|
|
|
34,072 |
|
Research and development(1)
|
|
|
6,353 |
|
|
|
7,915 |
|
|
|
14,504 |
|
|
|
15,310 |
|
|
|
14,153 |
|
|
|
18,779 |
|
|
|
20,160 |
|
General and administrative(1)
|
|
|
6,562 |
|
|
|
4,570 |
|
|
|
11,037 |
|
|
|
11,533 |
|
|
|
13,393 |
|
|
|
13,487 |
|
|
|
9,978 |
|
Acquired in-process research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Amortization of goodwill and workforce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,911 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
Non-cash compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
928 |
|
|
|
5,321 |
|
|
|
4,862 |
|
Restructuring charges and asset impairments
|
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
19,737 |
|
|
|
9,375 |
|
|
|
37,275 |
|
|
|
62,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
26,754 |
|
|
|
25,958 |
|
|
|
72,078 |
|
|
|
64,425 |
|
|
|
105,461 |
|
|
|
140,814 |
|
|
|
70,891 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(5,990 |
) |
|
|
(3,186 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(22,287 |
) |
|
|
(73,071 |
) |
|
|
(117,781 |
) |
|
|
(29,825 |
) |
Interest and other income, net
|
|
|
922 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
|
1,180 |
|
|
|
2,687 |
|
|
|
7,990 |
|
|
|
6,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before provision of income taxes
|
|
|
(5,068 |
) |
|
|
(2,816 |
) |
|
|
(26,594 |
) |
|
|
(21,107 |
) |
|
|
(70,384 |
) |
|
|
(109,791 |
) |
|
|
(23,124 |
) |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(415 |
) |
|
|
(1,806 |
) |
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
574 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,958 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,794 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,179 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,301 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,184 |
) |
|
$ |
(110,365 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,474 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.74 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.56 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.40 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
36,025 |
|
|
|
34,947 |
|
|
|
35,487 |
|
|
|
34,471 |
|
|
|
33,666 |
|
|
|
32,480 |
|
|
|
22,717 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
(1) |
Excludes stock-based compensation expense as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Cost of professional services
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
192 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
423 |
|
|
|
2,436 |
|
|
|
2,293 |
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
|
|
1,171 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
720 |
|
|
|
1,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
73 |
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
928 |
|
|
$ |
5,321 |
|
|
$ |
4,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Six month results for the period ended March 31, 2005 were
derived from Nuances consolidated financial statements
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC,
Nuances consolidated financial statements for the nine
months ended September 30, 2004 included in its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
September 30, 2004, as filed with the SEC, and
Nuances consolidated financial statements for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 included in its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC. |
|
(3) |
Six month results for the period ended March 31, 2004 were
derived from Nuances consolidated financial statements
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the SEC,
Nuances consolidated financial statements for the
nine months ended September 30, 2003 included in its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
September 30, 2003, as filed with the SEC, and
Nuances consolidated financial statements for the three
months ended March 31, 2004 included in its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
69,547 |
|
|
$ |
53,583 |
|
|
$ |
40,206 |
|
|
$ |
43,771 |
|
|
$ |
132,618 |
|
|
$ |
219,047 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
18,029 |
|
|
|
37,493 |
|
|
|
66,599 |
|
|
|
83,737 |
|
|
|
41,977 |
|
|
|
8,728 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
74,469 |
|
|
|
81,113 |
|
|
|
99,661 |
|
|
|
110,034 |
|
|
|
128,672 |
|
|
|
226,366 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
122,490 |
|
|
|
130,257 |
|
|
|
141,497 |
|
|
|
161,670 |
|
|
|
208,231 |
|
|
|
279,338 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
50,772 |
|
|
|
53,286 |
|
|
|
43,612 |
|
|
|
43,122 |
|
|
|
21,911 |
|
|
|
2,552 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
44,675 |
|
|
|
49,216 |
|
|
|
72,561 |
|
|
|
89,273 |
|
|
|
154,825 |
|
|
|
251,991 |
|
118
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected unaudited pro forma combined financial data should
be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma combined
financial statements and related notes thereto, the historical
consolidated financial statements of ScanSoft, incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and the
historical consolidated financial statements of Nuance,
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus or as filed by ScanSoft, or Nuance,
respectively, with the SEC. Please see Notes to Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements beginning on page F-9,
and Where You Can Find More Information on
page 147.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Mar. 31, 2005 | |
|
Sep. 30, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Product licenses
|
|
$ |
99,585 |
|
|
$ |
121,121 |
|
Professional services
|
|
|
32,735 |
|
|
|
39,918 |
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
13,727 |
|
|
|
18,420 |
|
Revenue, related parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
146,047 |
|
|
|
181,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product licenses
|
|
|
10,741 |
|
|
|
11,504 |
|
|
Cost of professional services and maintenance
|
|
|
26,561 |
|
|
|
32,630 |
|
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
8,097 |
|
|
|
12,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue
|
|
|
45,399 |
|
|
|
56,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
100,648 |
|
|
|
124,728 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
29,403 |
|
|
|
44,490 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
78,186 |
|
|
|
106,078 |
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets
|
|
|
6,040 |
|
|
|
6,358 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
2,113 |
|
|
|
2,560 |
|
|
Restructuring and other charges, net
|
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
20,557 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
116,331 |
|
|
|
180,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(15,683 |
) |
|
|
(55,315 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
860 |
|
|
|
673 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(2,521 |
) |
|
|
(3,716 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(315 |
) |
|
|
(326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(17,659 |
) |
|
|
(58,684 |
) |
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
1,865 |
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(19,524 |
) |
|
$ |
(59,661 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
Weighted average common shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
147,434 |
|
|
|
146,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
69,844 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
20,720 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
14,133 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
714,925 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
75,456 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
496,895 |
|
119
OTHER INFORMATION OF NUANCE
Information Regarding Directors of Nuance
Nuances board of directors is currently comprised of nine
directors, who are divided into three classes with overlapping
three-year terms. A director serves in office for a three year
term, and until his or her respective successor is duly elected
and qualified or his or her earlier death or resignation. Any
additional directorships resulting from an increase in the
number of directors will be distributed among the three classes
so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of
one-third of Nuances directors. Nuances directors
may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Nuances common
stock. Irwin Federman, a director of Nuance since 1995, has
informed Nuance that he will retire from the board of directors
effective the date of the meeting.
The following table sets forth the name, age and current
employment, as of April 15, 2005, of each of the nominees
and each other director of Nuance whose term of office continues
after the meeting. Information as to the stock ownership of each
director and all current directors and executive officers of
Nuance as a group is set forth below under Other
Information Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director | |
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
|
Since | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Class I Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald Croen
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Chairman of the board of directors of Nuance |
|
|
1995 |
|
|
David Nagel
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Consultant |
|
|
2004 |
|
Class II Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Curtis Carlson
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
President and CEO of SRI International |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
Alan Herzig
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
Consultant |
|
|
1994 |
|
|
Philip Quigley
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
Chairman and CEO (Retired), Pacific Telesis Group |
|
|
2000 |
|
Class III Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Berger
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
President and CEO of Nuance |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
Sandra Bergeron
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Executive Vice President of McAfee, Inc. |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Gary Morgenthaler
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
General Partner of Morgenthaler Ventures |
|
|
1997 |
|
Class II Directors of Nuance Whose Terms Expire in
2005
Curtis Carlson has served as one of Nuances
directors since 1998. Dr. Carlson has been President and
Chief Executive Officer of SRI International since 1998. From
1996 to 1998, he served as Executive Vice President of Ventures
and Licensing of the Sarnoff Corporation, an information
technology company and one of SRIs two wholly-owned
subsidiaries. Prior to that position, he served as a Technical
Director at RCA Laboratories. Dr. Carlson also serves as a
director of several private companies. He holds a Ph.D. and an
M.S. from Rutgers University and a B.S. from Worcester
Polytechnic Institute.
Alan Herzig has served as one of Nuances directors
since 1994. He presently acts as a consultant and as an
independent director. He was President and Chief Executive
Officer of SRI Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of SRI
International, from 1997 until December 2002. From 1994 to 1997,
he served in the Office of the Chairman of SRI International.
From 1987 to 1994, he served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Robert Fleming Pacific, Inc., the
U.S. investment banking arm of Robert Fleming &
Co., a U.K.-based merchant bank. From 1981 to 1987, he served as
a Managing Director of L.F. Rothschild Unterberg Towbin, an
investment bank. Mr. Herzig also serves on the board of
directors of Sarnoff Corporation, a subsidiary of SRI
International, and one privately held company. He holds a B.A.
from Yale University.
120
Philip Quigley has served as one of Nuances
directors since 2000. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Quigley served
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Telesis
Group, a communications company, and Vice Chairman of SBC
Communications, Inc., a telecommunications company. From 1987 to
1994, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Pacific Bell, a telecommunications company. From 1986 to 1987,
he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of PacTel Corporation. From 1982 to 1986, he served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of PacTel Cellular
Corporation. Mr. Quigley serves as a director of Wells
Fargo Bank & Co., SRI International and several other
privately held companies. He has also served on the boards of
Pacific Telesis, SBC Communications, Inc. and the United Way. He
holds a B.S. from California State University, Los Angeles.
Class III Directors of Nuance Whose Terms Expire In
2006
Charles Berger joined Nuance as President and Chief
Executive Officer in March 2003. He became a director of Nuance
in May 2003. He has more than 25 years experience in high
technology companies. Mr. Berger was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Vicinity, Inc., a provider of
location-based technology and solutions, from December 2001 to
December 2002. He was Chairman and CEO of AdForce, LLC, a
provider of centralized, outsourced ad management and delivery
services, from 1997 to June 2001. He was Chairman and CEO of
Radius, Inc., a developer of graphic and video products for
Macintosh computers, from 1993 to 1997. Between 1977 and 1993,
Mr. Berger held management and senior executive positions
at a number of market-leading companies, including Sun
Microsystems, Apple Computer, ROLM and Memorex.
Mr. Berger serves as a director of Tier Technology,
which provides technology solutions to state and local
governments, and Sonicwall, Inc., a provider of Internet
security solutions. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration
from Bucknell University, for which he currently serves as a
Trustee, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Sandra Bergeron became a Director of Nuance in March
2005. Ms. Bergeron has served as the Executive Vice
President of Corporate Development and Strategic Research of
McAfee, Incorporated (formerly Network Associates, Inc.) since
November 2001. She has been employed with McAfee, which offers
computer security solutions, and a predecessor company, in
various management capacities since 1995. Prior to joining the
predecessor of McAfee, she was employed by Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation and A.C. Neilsen, a division of D&B,
from 1990 to 1995. Ms. Bergeron holds a B.B.A. in
Information Systems from Georgia State University and an M.B.A.
from Xavier University.
Gary Morgenthaler has served as one of Nuances
directors since 1997. Mr. Morgenthaler has been a general
partner at Morgenthaler Ventures, a venture capital firm, since
1989. He also serves as Chairman of Versata, Inc., and as a
director of Catena Networks, Inc., Crossbow Technology, Inc.,
Terawave Communications, Inc., Westwave Communications, Inc.,
and Yotta Networks, Inc. Mr. Morgenthaler was a co-founder
and past Chairman of Illustra Information Technologies, Inc.,
and served as a director on Illustras board until it was
acquired by Informix in 1995. He served as Chairman of Ingres
Corporation (formerly Relational Technology) until its sale in
1990, and was a founder of that company in 1980. Between 1984
and 1988, he was Chief Executive Officer of Ingres. Earlier,
Mr. Morgenthaler was with McKinsey & Company,
Tymshare, Inc., and Stanford Universitys Institute for
Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences. He holds an A.B.
from Harvard University.
Class I Directors of Nuance Whose Terms Expire in
2007
Ronald Croen, a co-founder of Nuance, served as
Nuances President and Chief Executive Officer from 1994 to
March 2003. He has served as one of Nuances directors
since 1995, and currently serves as Chairman of the board of
directors. From 1993 to 1994, Mr. Croen served as a
consultant to SRI International. From 1989 to 1993, he was an
independent management consultant in Paris, France. Prior to
that position, he served in various positions at The Ultimate
Corp., including Managing Director of European Operations and
Vice President and General Counsel. He holds a J.D. from the
University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. from Tufts
University.
121
David Nagel, became a Director of Nuance in December
2004. He presently acts as a consultant and independent
director. Mr. Nagel served as the President, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of PalmSource, Inc., a provider
of operating system software platforms for smart mobile devices,
from December 2001 to May 2005. From September 2001 to December
2001, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Platform Solutions
Group at Palm, Inc. (now palmOne Inc.), which sells smart mobile
devices. Prior to joining Palm, from April 1996 to September
2001, Mr. Nagel was chief technology officer of AT&T
Corp., a communications service provider, President of AT&T
Labs, a corporate research and development unit of AT&T, and
Chief Technology Officer of Concert, a partnership between
AT&T and British Telecom. Prior to his tenure with AT&T,
from 1988 to 1996, he held various positions at Apple Computer,
a manufacturer of personal computing devices, the last of which
was Senior Vice President, Research and Development.
Mr. Nagels earlier positions at Apple Computer
included General Manager and Vice President, Apple Soft, and
Vice President, Advanced Technology. Before joining Apple, he
was head of human factors research at Ames Research Center. He
serves as a director of Tessera Inc., a provider of chip
packaging technology. Mr. Nagel has a B.S. and an M.S. in
engineering and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the
University of California, Los Angeles.
There are no family relationships among any of Nuances
directors or officers.
Nuance Director Independence
The Nuance board of directors has determined that each of the
directors presently serving on the board of directors, other
than Mr. Berger, who is Nuances President and Chief
Executive Officer, and Mr. Croen, who served as
Nuances President and Chief Executive Officer through
March 2003, is independent, as defined by Nasdaq
Rule 4200(a)(15).
Nuance Board of Directors Meetings and Attendance at Meetings
of Stockholders
The Nuance board of directors held a total of seven meetings
during 2004. In addition, the Nuance board of directors approved
certain matters by unanimous written consent. During 2004, no
present director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number
of meetings held by the board of directors or of the aggregate
number of meetings of each committee of the board of directors
upon which such director served. Only Dr. Vinton Cerf,
a former director, was unable, due to pre-existing conflicts, to
attend 75% of the Nuance board of directors meetings.
The Nuance board of directors policy with respect to
director attendance at each annual meeting of stockholders is
that all directors who do not have pre-existing conflicts are
required to attend. All of the members of the board of
directors, other than Dr. Cerf, attended Nuances 2004
meeting of stockholders.
Nuance Committees and Related Governance Matters
The Nuance board of directors has three standing committees: the
Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; and the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee. The board of directors has
determined that each member of each committee of the board of
directors is independent, as defined by Nasdaq
Rule 4200(a)(15). Each of these committees has a written
charter adopted by the board of directors. A copy of each
charter can be found on Companys website at www.nuance.com
by clicking Investor and then Corporate
Governance.
The Nuance Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Herzig,
Federman and Quigley. Mr. Federman is the Chairman of the
committee. Each member of the Audit Committee is an audit
committee financial expert, as defined by SEC rules, is
financially literate and financially sophisticated within the
meaning of Nasdaq rules, and otherwise meets the Nasdaq
requirements for audit committee members. The Audit Committee
approves the appointment of Nuances independent auditors,
reviews the scope and results of annual audits and other
accounting-related services, evaluates Nuances internal
control functions and approves the fees to be paid to the
accounting firms that provide services to Nuance, whether audit,
audit related, tax or other services. The Audit Committee held a
total of six meetings during 2004. If the merger
122
is not approved by Nuance or ScanSoft stockholders, Nuance
expects to appoint David Nagel, a director and audit
committee financial expert, to the Audit Committee upon
the retirement of Irwin Federman.
The Nuance Compensation Committee consists of
Messrs. Quigley and Herzig. Mr. Herzig is the Chairman
of the committee. The Compensation Committee makes
recommendations concerning, and reviews and approves, new
equity-based compensation plans of Nuance and any amendments to
such plans in effect. It also approves all matters concerning
executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee held
a total of two meetings during 2004. If the merger is not
approved by Nuance or ScanSoft stockholders, it is expected that
Ms. Bergeron will join the Compensation Committee after the
meeting.
The Nuance Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which
was established in 2004, consists of Messrs. Carlson and
Herzig. This committee makes recommendations, and approves
matters, relating to Nuances corporate governance
obligations and actions, reviews and approves, as appropriate,
each of Nuances related party transactions, and considers
and approves nominations for directors of Nuance, whether made
by management, a stockholder of Nuance or the committee itself.
If the merger is not approved by Nuance or ScanSoft
stockholders, it is expected that Ms. Bergeron will join
this committee after the meeting.
Nuance Director Candidates
The Nuance Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will
consider candidates properly submitted by stockholders of Nuance
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the
procedures set forth in Nuances Certificate of
Incorporation, and any policy adopted by this committee with
respect to any person recommended for nomination by a
stockholder, as well as candidates recommended by directors and
management, for nomination to the board of directors. To date,
Nuance has not received any such recommendations from
stockholders. Stockholders may recommend candidates for
nomination to the board of directors by writing to Nuance
Communications, Inc., 1380 Willow Street, Menlo Park,
California 94025, Attn: General Counsel.
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the full name and address of the candidate; |
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the number of shares of Nuances common stock beneficially
owned by the candidate; |
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a certification that the candidate consents to being named in
the proxy statement and intends to serve on the board of
directors if elected; and |
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|
|
biographical information, including work experience during the
past five years, other board positions, and educational
background, such as provided under Other
Information Information Regarding Directors of
Nuance, above. |
The goal of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is
to assemble a board of directors that offers a variety of
perspectives, knowledge and skills derived from high-quality
business and professional experience. The committee considers
candidates by first evaluating the current members of the board
of directors who intend to continue in service, balancing the
value of continuity of service with that of obtaining new
perspectives, skills and experience. If the committee determines
that an opening exists, the committee identifies the desired
skills and experience of a new nominee, including the need to
satisfy SEC and Nasdaq rules. The committee generally will
evaluate each candidate based on the extent to which the
candidate contributes to the range of talent, skill and
expertise appropriate for the board of directors generally, as
well as the candidates integrity, business acumen,
diversity, availability, independence of thought, and overall
ability to represent the interests of Nuances
stockholders. The committee does not assign specific weights to
particular criteria, and no particular criterion is necessarily
applicable to all prospective nominees. Although the committee
uses these and other criteria as appropriate to evaluate
potential nominees, the committee has no stated minimum criteria
for nominees. The committee intends to evaluate candidates
recommended by stockholders and candidates recommended by
directors and management in accordance with the same criteria.
123
In October 2004, Nuance retained the services of a director
search firm to assist it in identifying potential candidates for
openings on its board of directors. This firm identified Sandra
Bergeron, who joined the board of directors in March 2005.
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors of
Nuance
Nuance stockholders may communicate with the Nuance board of
directors in writing by mailing written communications to Nuance
Communications, Inc., 1380 Willow Street, Menlo Park, California
94025, Attn: General Counsel. Correspondence may be addressed to
the board of directors as a whole, or to individual directors.
The General Counsel will review all such correspondence and
provide regular summaries to the board of directors or to
individual directors, as relevant. He will also retain copies of
such correspondence for at least six months, and make copies of
such correspondence available to the board of directors or
individual directors upon request. Any correspondence relating
to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will be
handled in accordance with Nuances policy regarding
accounting complaints and concerns.
Code of Ethics/Code of Conduct of Nuance
Nuance has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics that applies to all of Nuances employees,
including our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer and controller. This Code,
which meets the requirements of NASDAQ rules, covers a variety
of topics, ranging from accounting and SEC reporting matters, to
conflicts of interest and use of company resources, to
employment and harassment policies. This Code is posted on
Nuances website at www.nuance.com, and may be found
by first highlighting Company Info, clicking on
Investor Relations, and then clicking on
Corporate Governance. Nuance intends to satisfy the
disclosure requirement under Form 8-K regarding any
amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code by
posting such information on Nuances website, at the
address and location specified above.
Nuance Director Compensation
Non-employee directors of Nuance (Outside Directors)
receive an annual retainer fee of $15,000, paid quarterly. Board
of directors members also receive a board of directors meeting
attendance fee and a committee meeting attendance fee of $1,000,
which is paid for each board of directors and committee meeting
attended. Nuance also pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee
and of the Compensation Committee an additional annual retainer
fee of $7,500. Nuance reimburses each director for the
reasonable expenses the director incurs in attending any board
of directors or committee meeting.
Options are granted to Outside Directors under Nuances
2000 Stock Plan (the Stock Plan), which was approved
by Nuances stockholders in 2000. New Outside Directors are
granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of
Nuances common stock when they are first elected to the
board of directors. Nuance grants all Outside Directors options
to purchase 20,000 shares of Nuances common
stock on an annual basis. Any newly elected Outside Director
will receive such annual grant, when made, beginning one year
after he or she joins the board of directors.
Each option granted to directors under the Stock Plan contain
the following provisions: the exercise price per share of
Nuances common stock is 100% of the fair market value of
the Nuances common stock on the date the option is
granted; the term of the option may be no more than ten years
from the date of grant; the option will vest monthly, and will
be fully vested one year from the grant date; the option may be
exercised only while the Outside Director remains a director or
within ninety days after the date he or she ceases to be a
director or service provider of Nuance; upon a proposed
liquidation or dissolution of Nuance, the option will terminate
immediately prior to such action; and, in the event of a merger
or sale of substantially all of Nuances assets, the option
may be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the
successor corporation. The board of directors may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the Stock Plan, subject to
any required stockholder approval.
124
Nuance Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee of Nuance are
Mr. Quigley and Mr. Herzig. Neither of the members of
the Compensation Committee is currently or has been, at any time
since the formation of Nuance, an officer or employee of Nuance.
During 2004, no executive officer of Nuance (i) served as a
member of the compensation committee (or other board committee
performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such
committee, the board of directors) of another entity, one of
whose executive officers served on Nuances Compensation
Committee, (ii) served as a director of another entity, one
of whose executive officers served on Nuances Compensation
Committee, or (iii) served as a member of the compensation
committee (or other board committee performing similar functions
or, in the absence of any such committee, the board of
directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers
served as a director of Nuance.
Executive Officers of Nuance
Nuances executive officers, and their ages and positions
with Nuance, as of April 15, 2005, are as follows:
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Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
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| |
|
|
Charles Berger
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51 |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Karen Blasing
|
|
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49 |
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Glenn Cross
|
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48 |
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Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Services |
Eng Yew Lee
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Vice President, Technical Services |
Douglas Clark Neilsson
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|
|
57 |
|
|
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
Douglas Sharp
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Vice President, Engineering |
Lynda Kate Smith
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer |
Donna Allen Taylor
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer |
Charles Berger joined Nuance as President and Chief
Executive Officer in March 2003. He became a director of Nuance
in May 2003. He has more than 25 years experience in high
technology companies. Mr. Berger was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Vicinity, Inc., a provider of
location-based technology and solutions, from December 2001 to
December 2002. He was Chairman and CEO of AdForce, LLC, a
provider of centralized, outsourced ad management and delivery
services, from 1997 to June 2001. He was Chairman and CEO of
Radius, Inc., a developer of graphic and video products for
Macintosh computers, from 1993 to 1997. Between 1977 and 1993,
Mr. Berger held management and senior executive positions
at a number of market-leading companies, including Sun
Microsystems, Apple Computer, ROLM and Memorex.
Mr. Berger serves as a director of Tier Technology,
which provides technology solutions to state and local
governments, and Sonicwall, Inc., a provider of Internet
security solutions. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration
from Bucknell University, for which he currently serves as a
Trustee, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Karen Blasing has served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Nuance since April 2002. She joined Nuance
from Counterpane Internet Security, Inc., where she served as
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 2000 to
April 2002. Ms. Blasing worked at Informix Corporation (now
Ascential Corp.) from November 1992 to April 2000. During her
eight year tenure at Informix, she held a number of senior
management positions, including Vice President, Corporate
Business Development, Finance, Vice President, Corporate
Controller and Director of Financial Planning and Reporting. She
holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Business Administration
and Finance from the University of Montana and an M.B.A. from
the University of Washington.
Glenn Cross has served as Senior Vice President of Global
Sales and Services of Nuance since July 2004. Prior to joining
Nuance, Mr. Cross held the position of Senior Vice
President Global Sales and
125
Customer Service at Activcard, Inc., an enterprise software and
security firm, from September 2003 to February 2004. From August
2001 to May 2003, he served as Senior Vice President, Sales and
Service and Business Development, for Palm, Inc. (now PalmOne,
Inc.), a seller of smart mobile devices. Before joining Palm, he
was with Sun Microsystems, Inc. from 1996 to August 2001,
serving as Vice President, Sales for its iPlanet and Sun
Software and Technology divisions from January 1999 to August
2001. Mr. Cross also managed sales activities at Lotus/IBM,
Adobe and other technology companies. He holds a B.A. in
Economics from Florida Southern College.
Eng Yew Lee has served as Vice President, Technical
Services of Nuance since February 2000. From 1998 to February
2000, he served as Nuances Director of Technical Services.
From 1995 to 1998, he served as Director of Server Technologies
Support at Oracle Corporation. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Lee
held a variety of manager positions with Oracle in the United
States and the United Kingdom. He holds a M.S. in Business
Systems Analysis and Design from the City University of London,
England, and a B.S. from London University.
Douglas Clark Neilsson has served as Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel of Nuance since January 2004. In
2003, Mr. Neilsson was in private practice in the Silicon
Valley, providing legal services to private and public
companies. During 2001 and 2002, he served as Special Counsel at
the Palo Alto, California office of Gray Cary Ware Freidenrich.
From 1979 through 2000, Mr. Neilsson was in private
practice in the Silicon Valley, including over ten years as a
partner in the San Jose, California office of Gibson
Dunn & Crutcher, and acted as General Counsel for two
public companies. He received a B.A. from UCLA and a J.D. from
the UCLA School of Law.
Douglas Sharp has served as Vice President of Engineering
of Nuance since May 2003. Previously, he was Nuances Vice
President of Software Engineering from 1999 to May 2003. Prior
to joining Nuance in 1998, he held key positions in AT&T
Researchs Speech Processing Software & Technology
Research Group, Bell Labs Research, and Nortels Speech
Recognition Research Groups. With more than 15 years
experience in interactive voice technologies for
telecommunications, Mr. Sharp has been granted four speech
technology patents. He holds a Bachelors in Mathematics, with a
minor in Computer Science, from McGill University.
Lynda Kate Smith has served as Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer of Nuance since December 2001. From 1998 to
December 2001, she served as Vice President of Worldwide
Marketing at Genesys (a subsidiary of Alcatel) and as a member
of the companys executive committee. From 1996 to 1998,
Ms. Smith worked with Lockheed Martin Telecommunications
and American Eurocopter, a joint venture between Daimler Benz
and Aerospatiale. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of
Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business and a B.A. from
Simpson College.
Donna Allen Taylor has served as Vice President, Human
Resources and Chief People Officer of Nuance since January 2000.
From 1996 to December 1999, she served as Vice President of
Human Resources of The Vantive Corporation, a worldwide customer
asset management applications software company. From 1995 to
1996, she served as a senior consultant of Post Associates, an
organizational consulting firm. From 1993 to 1995, she served as
a Corporate Human Resources Director of Intel Corporation. Prior
to that position, Ms. Taylor held several senior Human
Resource management positions with various divisions of Digital
Equipment Corporation, a computer hardware, software and
services company. She holds a B.F.A. from Kansas University.
126
Executive Officer Compensation of Nuance
The following table shows information concerning compensation
paid for services to Nuance during 2002, 2003 and 2004 as to the
Chief Executive Officer of Nuance and as to each of the five
other most highly compensated executive officers of Nuance whose
salary plus bonus exceed $100,000, one of whom was not serving
as such as of the end of 2004 (each a Named Executive
Officer, and together the Named Executive
Officers).
Summary Compensation Table
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Annual Compensation | |
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Long Term | |
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All Other | |
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| |
|
Compensation | |
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Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
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Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
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Bonus ($) | |
|
Options (#)(5) | |
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($)(6) | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
Charles Berger(1)
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2004 |
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|
|
284,131 |
|
|
|
140,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,056 |
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|
President and Executive Officer |
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2003 |
|
|
|
207,291 |
|
|
|
140,239 |
|
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
7,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rodwin Hamlin(2)
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|
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2004 |
|
|
|
227,491 |
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|
|
109,111 |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
5,924 |
|
|
Senior Vice President of |
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2003 |
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225,000 |
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161,075 |
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|
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|
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9,931 |
|
|
Global Sales and Services |
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2002 |
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|
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225,000 |
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|
|
150,000 |
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|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
3,095 |
|
Karen Blasing(3)
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|
|
2004 |
|
|
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220,000 |
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|
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68,376 |
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|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
10,924 |
|
|
Vice President and |
|
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2003 |
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|
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220,000 |
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|
|
92,246 |
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|
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30,000 |
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|
|
9,922 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
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|
2002 |
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|
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165,000 |
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|
|
77,000 |
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|
|
150,000 |
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|
|
5,824 |
|
Lynda K. Smith
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|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
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61,460 |
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|
|
75,000 |
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|
|
6,346 |
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|
Vice President, Marketing |
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|
2003 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
84,560 |
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|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
5,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
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60,000 |
|
|
|
|
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|
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4,700 |
|
Donna Allen Taylor
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|
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2004 |
|
|
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200,000 |
|
|
|
61,460 |
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|
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40,000 |
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7,740 |
|
|
Vice President, |
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2003 |
|
|
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200,000 |
|
|
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84,560 |
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|
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45,000 |
|
|
|
3,499 |
|
|
Human Resources |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
196,250 |
|
|
|
60,568 |
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|
|
60,000 |
|
|
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2,959 |
|
Douglas Clark Neilsson(4)
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|
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2004 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
30,870 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
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|
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7,764 |
|
|
Vice President and |
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2003 |
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|
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General Counsel |
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2002 |
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(1) |
Mr. Berger became an executive officer of Nuance in April
2003. |
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(2) |
Mr. Hamlin served as an executive officer of Nuance from
August 2002 to July 2004. His compensation for 2004 includes his
severance payments in 2004. |
|
(3) |
Ms. Blasing became an executive officer of Nuance in April
2002. |
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(4) |
Mr. Neilsson became an executive officer of Nuance in
January 2004. |
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(5) |
Number of shares of common stock of Nuance underlying options. |
|
(6) |
Consists of premiums paid by Nuance for medical, dental, vision
and life insurance. |
127
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Nuance Stock Option Grants and Exercises |
The following table shows, as to each Named Executive Officer,
information concerning stock options granted during 2004. The
exercise price of each option is equal to the fair market value
of Nuances common stock on the date of grant. Except as
otherwise specified in the section titled Other
Information Nuance Employment Contracts, Termination
of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements, and
subject to acceleration of vesting as specified in that section,
each option vests as to 25% of the shares subject to the option
after one year from the vesting commencement date and vests as
to 1/48th of the shares subject to the option monthly over the
succeeding three years. The options have a maximum term of ten
years from the option grant date, subject to earlier termination
in the event of the optionees cessation of service with
Nuance. The percentage of total options granted is based on an
aggregate of approximately 1,996,000 option shares granted to
Nuances employees during 2004.
The table sets forth hypothetical gains or option
spreads that would exist for the options at the end of
their respective 10-year terms based on assumed annualized rates
of compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the
dates the options were granted to the end of the option terms.
These assumed rates are mandated by the rules of the SEC, and do
not represent Nuances prediction of its stock price
performance. Actual gains, if any, on option exercises are
dependent on the future performance of the common stock of
Nuance.
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Option Grants During Last Fiscal Year |
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Individual Grants | |
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Potential Realizable Value | |
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Number of | |
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% of Total | |
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at Assumed Annual Rates | |
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Securities | |
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Options | |
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Per Share | |
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of Stock Price Appreciation | |
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Underlying | |
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Granted in | |
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Exercise | |
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for Option Term | |
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Options | |
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Last Fiscal | |
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Price | |
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Expiration | |
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Name |
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Granted | |
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Year | |
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($/Share) | |
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Date | |
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5% ($) | |
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10% ($) | |
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| |
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| |
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Charles Berger
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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President and |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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Rodwin Hamlin
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
% |
|
$ |
8.10 |
|
|
|
1/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
254,702 |
|
|
$ |
645,401 |
|
|
Senior Vice President of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Sales and Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen Blasing
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
3.76 |
% |
|
$ |
8.10 |
|
|
|
1/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
382,053 |
|
|
$ |
968,199 |
|
|
Vice President, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lynda Kate Smith
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
3.76 |
% |
|
$ |
8.10 |
|
|
|
1/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
382,053 |
|
|
$ |
968,199 |
|
|
Vice President, Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donna Allen Taylor
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
% |
|
$ |
8.10 |
|
|
|
1/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
203,762 |
|
|
$ |
516,373 |
|
|
Vice President, Human Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas Clark Neilsson
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
6.51 |
% |
|
$ |
7.87 |
|
|
|
1/06/2014 |
|
|
$ |
643,222 |
|
|
$ |
1,630,558 |
|
|
Vice President and General Counsel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Grants in Fiscal Year 2005 |
In January 2005, Nuance made its regular annual grant of options
to executive officers who had been with the company for more
than one year. The 2005 annual grants were made to Charles
Berger (300,000 shares), Karen Blasing (75,000 shares), Eng Yew
Lee (30,000 shares), Douglas Clark Neilsson (75,000 shares),
Douglas Sharp (75,000 shares), Lynda Kate Smith (50,000 shares)
and Donna Allen Taylor (25,000 shares).
128
The following table shows, as to each Named Executive Officer,
information concerning stock options exercised during 2004 and
year-end option values. The values shown represent the
difference between the aggregate fair market value of a share of
Nuances common stock, based on the closing price of the
common stock on December 31, 2004, of $4.14 per share,
and the exercise price per share, multiplied by the number of
shares issuable upon exercise of the option. These values have
not been, and may never be, realized.
|
|
|
Nuance Aggregate Option Exercises In 2004 and Year-End
Option Values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise | |
|
Realized | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Charles Berger
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,029,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,323,000 |
|
|
President and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rodwin Hamlin
|
|
|
95,000 |
|
|
$ |
169,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Global Sales and Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen Blasing
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
93,750 |
|
|
|
141,250 |
|
|
$ |
23,513 |
|
|
$ |
27,788 |
|
|
Vice President, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lynda Kate Smith
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
139,583 |
|
|
|
160,417 |
|
|
$ |
78,374 |
|
|
$ |
92,626 |
|
|
Vice President, Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donna Allen Taylor
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
91,250 |
|
|
$ |
35,269 |
|
|
$ |
41,681 |
|
|
Vice President, Human Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas Clark Neilsson
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
97,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Vice President and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Counsel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nuance Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control Arrangements
|
|
|
Employment Agreements of Nuance |
Nuance entered into an Executive Employee Agreement with Charles
Berger, Nuances President and CEO, in March 2003. The
agreement provides that Mr. Berger will serve as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Nuance for a one-year term, with
such term to be extended automatically from year-to-year unless
the agreement is terminated by Nuance or Mr. Berger. The
agreement further provides that Mr. Berger will be elected
to the Board. The agreement provides for a base annual salary of
$275,000, and an option to purchase up to 900,000 shares of
Nuances common stock, which option vests as to 25% of the
shares on his one-year anniversary with Nuance, and vests
monthly thereafter over three years. The agreement also provides
for an additional option to purchase up to 300,000 shares
of Nuances common stock, which option vests as to
112,500 shares 18 months after the commencement of
Mr. Bergers employment with Nuance and monthly
thereafter over 30 months, subject to acceleration should
Nuance meet certain financial performance standards. The
agreement also provides that, while an employee, Mr. Berger
is eligible for an annual target cash bonus of $137,500. The
actual bonus payout may range from 0% to 150% of such amount
(provided that a cash bonus of no less than $101,336 was
guaranteed for 2003), based on Mr. Bergers
achievement of certain performance criteria as agreed upon by
the Board and Mr. Berger. The agreement provides for
certain benefits in the event of a Change in Control
of Nuance (as defined in the agreement). In the event of a
Change of Control, if Mr. Berger is terminated by a
successor corporation without Good Cause or resigns
for Good Reason (each as defined in the
129
agreement) within twelve months following such Change in
Control, 50% of Mr. Bergers unvested options will
vest upon the date of termination. If such termination occurs
after 36 months of employment, 100% of any unvested options
granted in 2003 will vest upon the date of termination. The
agreement also provides for certain severance benefits arising
out of the termination of Mr. Bergers employment,
such that, upon either nonrenewal of the agreement by Nuance,
termination of Mr. Berger by Nuance without Good Cause, or
termination by Mr. Berger for Good Reason, Mr. Berger
is entitled to such severance benefits. Such severance benefits
include the payment of a sum equal to twelve months of
Mr. Bergers current base salary, and a sum equal to
Mr. Bergers unpaid earned or guaranteed, whichever is
higher, bonus for 2003. Such severance benefits also include
continuation of coverage under Nuances benefit plans for
twelve months from the date of termination or, alternatively,
reimbursement for all premiums paid by Mr. Berger to
maintain health coverage under COBRA for twelve months from the
date of termination. Furthermore, in the event of any such
nonrenewal or termination, Mr. Bergers options are to
vest as to 1/48th of the shares subject to such options for each
month of employment and vesting of any of the non-vested
options, on the date of non-renewal or termination, will
accelerate by 12 months.
No changes were made to Mr. Bergers agreement during
2004. In May 2005, Nuance modified the Agreement as follows with
respect to 2005: (1) the target variable compensation
opportunity was raised to $178,750, 65% of
Mr. Bergers base salary of $275,000; and (2) the
variable compensation amount is based on
(a) Mr. Bergers achievement of specified
management objectives, as determined by Nuances
Compensation Committee (20% of target); (b) Nuance
achieving specified quarterly revenue goals (40% of target);
(c) Nuance achieving specified quarterly expense goals (20%
of target); and (d) the merger with ScanSoft being
consummated and Mr. Berger being deemed, by the
Compensation Committee, as having made a positive contribution
to the transition process (20% of target). Mr. Berger was
also granted an option to acquire 300,000 shares of
Nuances common stock in January 2005.
|
|
|
Change in Control Arrangements of Nuance |
Nuance has entered into stock option agreements with all of its
executive officers which provide that, in the event the
executive officer is constructively terminated or terminated
without cause within one year following a Change of Control (as
defined in the agreements), the officer will receive accelerated
vesting of 50% of all of the officers then unvested
options, provided that the officer has also been employed with
Nuance for at least one year prior to any change of control. The
stock option agreements entered into with Douglas Clark
Neilsson, Nuances Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel, also provide that, if such termination occurs after
36 months of employment, 100% of his unvested options will
vest immediately.
Pursuant to Mr. Bergers Employment Agreement (as more
fully described above), he is entitled to certain benefits in
the event of a Change in Control of Nuance. If Mr. Berger
is terminated by a successor corporation Without Cause, or if
Mr. Berger resigns for Good Reason within twelve months
following a Change in Control, 50% of his unvested options will
vest immediately. If such termination occurs after
36 months of employment, 100% of his unvested options will
vest immediately.
Nuance has entered into a Change of Control and Retention
Agreement (the Retention Agreement) with each of its
officers, other than its Chief Executive Officer, who are
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the
Exchange Act and three other officers the Other
Officers). Under the terms of the Retention Agreement, in
the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the
Retention Agreements) of Nuance, each such officer will be
entitled, if terminated without Cause (as defined in the
Retention Agreements) or constructively terminated with Good
Reason (as defined in the Retention Agreements) within
18 months after the Change of Control, (a) to receive
a cash severance payment equal to her or his annual salary and
annual bonus (six months of salary and annual bonus, in the case
of the Other Officers), and (b) to have accelerated the
vesting of 50% of his or her unvested options. In December 2004,
the board of directors of Nuance approved the company entering
into the Retention Agreements, all of which were ultimately
entered into in March 2005.
130
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information known to Nuance with
respect to the beneficial ownership of Nuances common
stock, as of April 15, 2005 (except as specifically noted
otherwise), by (i) each person or entity owning
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
Nuances common stock, (ii) each of the Named
Executive Officers, (iii) each of Nuances directors,
and (iv) all of Nuances directors and executive
officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC,
and generally includes voting or investment power with respect
to the applicable securities. Except as otherwise indicated, and
subject to applicable community property laws, to Nuances
knowledge, the persons named below have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of Nuances
common stock held by them. For the purposes of calculating the
percentage ownership, as of April 15, 2005,
36,158,576 shares of Nuances common stock were issued
and outstanding. Shares of Nuances common stock subject to
options or warrants that were exercisable as of April 15,
2005, or within 60 days of April 15, 2005, are deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of the person or entity holding such options or
warrants, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage ownership of any other person or entity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of Nuance | |
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
Beneficially Owned | |
|
|
| |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
5% Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chilton Investment Co, Inc.(1)
|
|
|
2,536,928 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
% |
|
1266 East Main Street 7th floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stamford, Connecticut 06902 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SRI International(2)
|
|
|
2,335,580 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
% |
|
333 Ravenswood Avenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Menlo Park, California 94025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cisco Systems, Inc.(3)
|
|
|
1,919,000 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
170 West Tasman Drive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Jose, California 95134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sandra Bergeron(4)
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ronald Croen(5)
|
|
|
1,300,323 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
% |
Curtis Carlson(6)
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Irwin Federman(7)
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan Herzig(8)
|
|
|
181,333 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gary Morgenthaler(9)
|
|
|
166,419 |
|
|
|
* |
|
David Nagel(10)
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Philip Quigley(11)
|
|
|
157,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Charles Berger(12)
|
|
|
665,445 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
Karen Blasing(13)
|
|
|
138,125 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Rod Hamlin(14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Lynda Kate Smith(15)
|
|
|
194,099 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Donna Allen Taylor (16)
|
|
|
243,667 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Douglas Clark Neilsson (17)
|
|
|
46,834 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) (18)
|
|
|
3,657,209 |
|
|
|
9.35 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
This ownership information is as of December 31, 2004, and
was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by
Chilton Investments on February 14, 2005. |
131
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Consists of shares held by Technology Venture Management, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SRI. The board of directors of SRI
has voting and dispositive authority with respect to the shares
held by Technology Venture Management. From time to time, the
board of directors of SRI delegates such voting and dispositive
authority to Samuel Armacost, Curtis Carlson, one of
Nuances directors, and Alan Herzig, one of Nuances
directors. Each of these individuals disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest therein. |
|
|
(3) |
This ownership information is as of December 31, 2004, and
was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by
Cisco Systems on February 14, 2005. |
|
|
(4) |
All shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes 330,333 shares held by Mr. Croen and
969,990 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(6) |
All shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 40,000 shares held by Mr. Federman and
80,000 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 72,333 shares held by Mr. Herzig,
4,000 shares held by the Herzig Family Foundation and
105,000 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes 42,385 shares held by Mr. Morganthaler,
44,034 shares held by the Morgenthaler Family Partnership
and 80,000 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
|
(10) |
All shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
April 15, 2005. |
|
(11) |
Includes 7,000 shares held by Philip J & Teresa
Quigley Family Trust and 150,000 shares subject to options
exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
(12) |
Includes 4,000 shares held by Mr. Berger and
661,455 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
(13) |
All shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
April 15, 2004. |
|
(14) |
Mr. Hamlin resigned his position with Nuance in July 2004. |
|
(15) |
Includes 4,000 shares held by Ms. Smith and
190,099 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2005. |
|
(16) |
Includes 14,085 shares held by Ms. Taylor and
229,582 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2004. |
|
(17) |
Includes 793 shares held by Mr. Neilsson and
46,041 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days of April 15, 2004. |
|
(18) |
Includes 3,053,871 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of April 15, 2004. |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The following is a description of transactions since the
beginning of 2004, or any currently proposed transaction, to
which Nuance has been or will be a party, in which the amount
involved in the transaction exceeds $60,000 and in which any
director, executive officer, or holder of more than 5% of
Nuances capital stock had or will have a direct or
indirect material interest.
Nuance has entered into indemnification agreements with all of
its existing executive officers and directors and plans to enter
into an indemnification agreement with each of its new executive
officers and directors. Nuance also maintains directors
and officers liability insurance under which directors and
officers are insured against expenses incurred and losses
suffered by them as a result of claims brought against them for
acts in such capacities.
Nuance has entered into certain agreements with its executive
officers, providing for the acceleration of vesting, in certain
circumstances, of the officers options upon a change of
control of Nuance. See Other Information
Nuance Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control Arrangements above.
132
Nuance entered into an employment agreement, in 2003, with
Charles Berger, Nuances President and Chief Executive
Officer. This Agreement was renewed, with certain modifications,
in 2004 and 2005. See Other Information Nuance
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control Arrangements above.
Nuance Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information, as of
December 31, 2004, about Nuances common stock that
may be issued upon the exercise of options granted to employees,
consultants or members of the board of directors under all of
Nuances existing equity compensation plans, including the
1994 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan, 1998 Stock Plan, 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), 2000 Stock
Plan, and 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available for | |
|
|
|
|
Per Share | |
|
Future Issuance | |
|
|
Number of Shares to be | |
|
Weighted Average | |
|
Under Equity Compensation | |
|
|
Issued Upon Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Plans (Excluding Shares | |
|
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Reflected in Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(#)(a) | |
|
Options ($)(b) | |
|
(#)(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
|
|
|
1994 plan |
|
|
|
79,376 |
|
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 plan |
|
|
|
1,768,824 |
|
|
$ |
9.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 plan |
|
|
|
6,400,049 |
|
|
$ |
5.81 |
|
|
|
1,583,761 |
|
|
|
|
ESPP |
|
|
|
2,523,977 |
|
|
$ |
3.78 |
|
|
|
466,805 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
|
|
|
2001 plan |
|
|
|
1,227,228 |
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
|
110,513 |
|
Total
|
|
|
All plans |
|
|
|
11,999,454 |
|
|
$ |
5.71 |
|
|
|
2,161,079 |
|
Nuances 2000 Stock Plan provides that the number of shares
of Nuances common stock reserved under the plan will
automatically be increased on the first day of each year,
beginning in 2001, in an amount equal to the lesser of
(a) 4,000,000 shares, (b) 6% of the number of
shares of Nuances common stock outstanding on the last day
of the preceding year, or (c) any lesser amount determined
by the board of directors. The ESPP provides that the number of
shares of Nuances common stock reserved under the plan
will automatically be increased on the first day of each year,
beginning in 2001, in an amount equal to the lesser of
(a) 1,500,000 shares, (b) 2% of the number of
shares of Nuances common stock outstanding on the last day
of the preceding year, or (c) any lesser amount determined
by the board of directors.
A description of Nuances 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option
Plan is set forth on Page F-23 of the footnotes to Nuances
Consolidated Financials Statements for its Last Fiscal Year,
which are a part of Nuances Annual Report on
Form 10-K for that year.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any
of Nuances previous or future filings under the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this joint proxy
statement/prospectus or future filings made by the Nuance under
those statutes, the Report of the Compensation Committee, Report
of the Audit Committee and Performance Graph set forth below
shall not be deemed filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference into any of those prior filings or
into any future filings made by Nuance with the SEC under those
statutes.
133
Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Nuance
The Compensation Committee of the board of directors of Nuance
establishes the general compensation policies and programs of
Nuance, as well as the compensation plans and specific
compensation levels for all of Nuances executive officers,
including Nuances Chief Executive Officer, whose
compensation is also subject to the additional approval of
Nuances board of directors. It also administers
Nuances employee stock benefit plans for all of
Nuances executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, and with respect to each grant of options or securities
to any employee in excess of 50,000 shares. The
Compensation Committee is currently composed of independent,
non-employee directors who have no interlocking relationships,
each as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and
NASDAQ.
The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation of the
executive officers, including that of the Chief Executive
Officer (collectively, the Executive Officers),
should be influenced by Nuances performance. The
Compensation Committee establishes the salaries and variable
compensation of all of the Executive Officers by considering
(i) Nuances financial performance for the past year,
(ii) the achievement of certain objectives related to the
particular Executive Officers area of responsibility,
(iii) the achievement of Nuances financial objectives
for the upcoming year, particularly revenue, in the case of
variable compensation, and (iv) the salaries and variable
compensation of executive officers in similar positions at
similarly-sized technology companies. The Compensation Committee
believes that the salaries and variable compensation
opportunities of the Executive Officers in 2004 were comparable
to those of similarly-sized technology businesses.
In addition to salary and variable compensation, the
Compensation Committee, from time to time, grants options to
purchase Nuances common stock to Executive Officers. The
Compensation Committee thus views option grants as an important
component of its long-term, performance-based compensation
philosophy. Since the value of an option bears a direct
relationship to Nuances stock price, the Compensation
Committee believes that options motivate Executive Officers to
manage Nuance in a manner which will also benefit stockholders.
As such, options are granted at the current market price of
Nuances common stock on the date of grant. One of the
principal factors considered in granting options to an Executive
Officer is the Executive Officers ability to influence
Nuances long-term growth and profitability.
Nuances Chief Executive Officer, Charles Berger, joined
Nuance in March 2003. His initial compensation arrangements were
weighted toward equity incentives, in the form of stock options,
rather than toward salary and variable compensation, to more
closely align his compensation with the performance of
Nuances common stock. Consistent with this goal, his
salary for 2005 remains at $275,000 and his variable
compensation for 2005 is based, in part, on Nuance achieving
certain revenue and expense objectives for the year. Under his
variable compensation arrangement, which sets target variable
compensation at 65% of this base salary, or $178,750, if Nuance,
in 2005, achieves specified quarterly revenue and expense goals
for each quarter, he will be entitled to variable compensation
payments aggregating $107,250. Mr. Berger may earn up to an
additional $71,500 in variable compensation based on
(1) his performance, as determined by the Compensation
Committee, against specified management objectives and
(2) the merger with ScanSoft being consummated and
Mr. Berger being deemed, by the Compensation Committee, as
having made a positive contribution to the transition process.
Consistent with the Committees view of using stock options
as a motivator for Nuances Executive Officers,
Mr. Berger was granted options, in early 2005, when Nuance
made its annual grants to selected Executive Officers, for
300,000 shares of Nuances common stock.
|
|
|
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Nuance |
|
|
Alan Herzig |
|
Philip Quigley |
134
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of
Nuance
The Audit Committee of Nuances board of directors is
responsible for providing an independent, objective review of
Nuances accounting functions and internal controls. The
Audit Committee is governed by a written charter first adopted
and approved by the board of directors of Nuance in January
2000, and was last amended in November 2002. Each of the members
of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined by
Rule 4200(a)(15) of NASDAQs listing standards.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include appointing,
compensating and overseeing the work of Nuances
independent accountants. The Audit Committee also, as
appropriate, engages in the following activities, and, in that
process, consults with Nuances management and its
independent auditors concerning such activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Reviewing, on a continuing basis, the adequacy of Nuances
system of internal controls; |
|
|
|
Pre-approving audit and non-audit services by the independent
auditors; |
|
|
|
Reviewing Nuances external audit and the annual audited
financial statements and quarterly unaudited financial
statements; |
|
|
|
Reviewing, approving and monitoring Nuances code of
business conduct and ethics and standards of business
conduct; and |
|
|
|
Reviewing legal matters, compliance with employee benefit plans,
and related party transactions. |
The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the board
of directors of Nuance that Nuances financial statements
be included in Nuances annual report. The Audit Committee
took a number of steps in making this recommendation for 2004.
First, the Audit Committee discussed throughout 2004 with
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Nuances independent
auditors for 2004, those matters Deloitte & Touche LLP
communicated to the Audit Committee pursuant to Statement on
Auditing Standards board of directors Standard No. 61, as
amended (Communications with Audit Committees),
including information concerning the audit. These communications
and discussions are intended to assist the Audit Committee in
overseeing the financial reporting and disclosure process.
Second, the Audit Committee discussed Deloitte & Touche
LLPs independence with Deloitte & Touche LLP and
received a letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding
independence as required by the Independence Standards board of
directors Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees). This discussion and disclosure
informed the Audit Committee of Deloitte & Touche
LLPs independence, and assisted the Audit Committee in
evaluating such independence. Finally, the Audit Committee
reviewed and discussed, with Companys management and
Deloitte & Touche LLP, as appropriate, Nuances
audited consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2004
and 2003, and consolidated statements of operations, cash flows
and stockholders equity for the three years ended
December 31, 2004. Based on the discussions with
Deloitte & Touche LLP concerning the audit, the
independence discussions, and the financial statement review,
and additional matters deemed relevant and appropriate by the
Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of
directors of Nuance that Nuances Annual Report on
Form 10-K include such financial statements.
|
|
|
Audit Committee of Nuance |
|
|
Irwin Federman |
|
Alan Herzig |
|
Phil Quigley |
135
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return to
stockholders on Nuances common stock with the cumulative
total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index (NASDAQ
Index) and the SIC Code Index for the Prepackaged Software
Industry (the SIC Code Index). The graph assumes
that $100 was invested on April 13, 2000, the date of
Nuances initial public offering, in Nuances common
stock, the NASDAQ Index and the SIC Code Index, including
reinvestment of dividends. No dividends have been declared or
paid on Nuances common stock. Historical stock price
performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price
performance.
COMPARISON OF 56 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET
(U.S.) INDEX
AND A PEER GROUP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
04/13/00 |
|
|
12/31/00 |
|
|
12/31/01 |
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Nuance Communications, Inc.
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
|
127.07 |
|
|
|
|
26.81 |
|
|
|
|
7.31 |
|
|
|
|
22.51 |
|
|
|
|
12.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIC Code Index
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
|
71.11 |
|
|
|
|
62.33 |
|
|
|
|
43.86 |
|
|
|
|
53.77 |
|
|
|
|
59.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ Market Index
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
|
67.14 |
|
|
|
|
53.26 |
|
|
|
|
36.82 |
|
|
|
|
55.06 |
|
|
|
|
57.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
$100 invested on 4/13/00 in stock or index including
reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. |
136
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SCANSOFT
COMMON STOCK AND NUANCE COMMON STOCK
The following is a description of the material differences
between the rights of holders of ScanSoft common stock and the
rights of holders of Nuance common stock. While we believe that
this description covers the material differences between the
two, this summary may not contain all of the information that is
important to you. This summary is not intended to be a complete
discussion of the certificates of incorporation and bylaws of
ScanSoft and Nuance and it is qualified in its entirety by
applicable Delaware law as well as by ScanSofts and
Nuances respective certificates of incorporation and
bylaws. You should carefully read this entire joint proxy
statement/prospectus and the other documents we refer to for a
more complete understanding of the differences between being a
stockholder of ScanSoft and being a stockholder of Nuance.
ScanSoft and Nuance have filed with the SEC their respective
certificates of incorporation and bylaws and will send copies of
these documents to you upon your request. See the section
entitled Where You Can Find More Information on
page 147.
ScanSoft and Nuance are both Delaware corporations. The rights
of each companys stockholders are generally governed by
the law of the State of Delaware and each companys
certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Upon completion of the
merger, stockholders of Nuance will be entitled to become
stockholders of ScanSoft, and the ScanSoft certificate of
incorporation and bylaws will govern the rights of former Nuance
stockholders. No changes to the ScanSoft certificate of
incorporation or bylaws will be adopted in connection with the
merger.
The following is only a summary comparison of the material
rights of a Nuance stockholder to the material rights of a
ScanSoft stockholder arising from the governing organizational
instruments of these companies. The following summary is not
intended to be a complete discussion of the respective
certificates of incorporation and bylaws of ScanSoft and Nuance.
We encourage you to read carefully the certificates of
incorporation and bylaws of ScanSoft and Nuance. The
identification of specific differences is not meant to indicate
that other equally or more significant differences do not exist.
For information on how to obtain these documents, see the
section entitled Where You Can Find More
Information. You are encouraged to obtain and read these
documents along with this entire joint proxy/prospectus, as this
summary may not contain all of the information important to you.
If your shares are held by a broker or other financial
intermediary in street name rather than directly by
you as a person whose name is entered on the share register of
either ScanSoft or Nuance, you must rely on procedures
established by that broker or financial intermediary in order to
assert your rights as a stockholder against either ScanSoft or
Nuance, as applicable.
Authorized Capital Stock
ScanSofts amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of
320,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of:
|
|
|
|
|
280,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share; and |
|
|
|
40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share, 100,000 shares of which have been
designated as Series A Participating Preferred Stock. The
rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A
Participating Preferred Stock are described further in
ScanSoft Rights Plan below. |
Nuances restated certificate of incorporation authorizes
the issuance of 255,000,000 shares of capital stock
consisting of:
|
|
|
|
|
250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share; and |
|
|
|
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share, 250,000 shares of which have been
designated as Series A Preferred Stock. The rights,
preferences and privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock
are described further in Nuance Rights Plan below. |
137
Board of Directors
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation provides that the
number of directors comprising the ScanSoft board of directors
shall be fixed, and may be changed from time to time, by an
amendment to ScanSofts bylaws that has been duly adopted
by the ScanSoft board of directors or by the ScanSoft
stockholders. ScanSofts bylaws provide that the number of
directors comprising the ScanSoft board of directors shall be
determined by resolution of the ScanSoft board of directors or
the ScanSoft stockholders. The ScanSoft board of directors
currently has eight members.
Nuances certificate of incorporation provides that the
number of directors comprising the Nuance board of directors
shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted
from time to time by Nuances board of directors.
Nuances board of directors is divided into three classes,
each with overlapping three year terms. Nuances bylaws
provide that the authorized number of directors will be eight,
and this number may be changed by an amendment to the
certificate or incorporation or by an amendment to the bylaws
adopted by the Nuance board of directors or the Nuance
stockholders. The Nuance board of directors currently has eight
members.
Removal of Directors
ScanSofts bylaws provide that any director, or the entire
ScanSoft board of directors, may be removed, with or without
cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled
to vote at an election of directors.
Nuances bylaws provided that any director, or the entire
Nuance board of directors, may be removed, with cause, by the
holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an
election of directors.
Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors
ScanSofts bylaws provide that vacancies on the ScanSoft
board of directors and newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though
less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and the
directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual
election and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Nuances bylaws provide that vacancies on the Nuance board
of directors and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by
a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a
quorum, or by the sole remaining director.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation provides that no
action required to be taken or that may be taken at any annual
or special meeting of the ScanSoft stockholders may be taken
without a meeting, and that the power of the ScanSoft
stockholders to consent in writing without a meeting to the
taking of action is specifically denied.
Nuances certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide
that stockholders of Nuance may not take any action by written
consent without a duly called annual or special meeting of
stockholders.
ScanSofts bylaws provide that special meetings of the
ScanSoft board of directors may be called at any time by the
chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or a majority
of the members of the board of directors than in office.
ScanSofts bylaws provide that special meetings of the
ScanSoft stockholders may only be called by the board of
directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive
officer or the secretary, acting at the request in writing of a
majority of the ScanSoft board of directors.
Nuances bylaws provide that special meetings of the Nuance
board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at
any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice
president, the secretary or any two directors. Nuances
bylaws provide that the annual meeting of Nuances
stockholders will be held each year on a date and at a time
designated by the board of directors. Nuances bylaw
138
provides a special meeting of the Nuance stockholders may be
called at any time by the board of directors, or by the chairman
of the board, or by the president, or so long as the corporation
is subject to the provisions of Section 2115 of the
California General Corporation Law, by one or more stockholders
holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than
ten percent (10%) of the votes at that meeting.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and
Proposals
ScanSofts bylaws provide that for nominations or other
proposals to be properly brought by a stockholder before any
stockholder meeting the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in writing to ScanSofts Secretary. To be
timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the
Secretary at the principal executive offices of ScanSoft
(a) not later than the close of business on the 90th
calendar day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one
hundred and 120th calendar day, prior to the first anniversary
of the preceding years annual meeting, or (b) not
later than the close of business on the 45th calendar day, nor
earlier than the close of business on the seventy-fifth 75th
calendar day, prior to the first anniversary of the date on
which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the
preceding years annual meeting, whichever period described
in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence occurs first;
provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is
advanced more than 30 calendar days prior to, or delayed by more
than 60 calendar days after, the anniversary of the preceding
years annual meeting, and in respect of nominations to be
brought before a special meeting, where permitted, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than
the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such
meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of
(i) the 90th calendar day prior to such meeting,
and(ii) the 10th calendar day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. If the
Chairman of the meeting determines that business was not
properly brought before the meeting, such person shall so
declare to the meeting and any such business not properly
brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Nuances bylaws provide that for nominations or other
business to be properly brought before a stockholders meeting by
a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to Nuances Secretary. To be timely, a
stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of Nuance not later than the
close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of
business on the 120th day prior to the meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that less than 95 days notice of
the meeting is given to stockholders, notice by the stockholder
to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of
business on the seventh day following the day on which the
notice of meeting was mailed. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment of a stockholders meeting
commence a new time period for the giving of a
stockholders notice as described above.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation may be amended as
provided by Delaware law; provided, however, that
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation may not be amended
in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers,
preferences or special rights of ScanSofts Series A
Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or
more of the outstanding shares of ScanSofts Series A
Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.
Nuances certificate of incorporation may be amended as
provided by Delaware law; provided, however, that
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation may not be amended
in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred
Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a
single class.
139
Amendment of Bylaws
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation provides that the
ScanSoft board of directors is expressly authorized to make,
repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of ScanSofts
bylaws. ScanSofts bylaws provide that, except for
Section 7 of Article VII (Prohibitions on Toxics),
ScanSofts bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or
new bylaws adopted by ScanSoft stockholders and the ScanSoft
board of directors.
Nuances certificate of incorporation provides that the
Nuance board of directors is expressly authorized to make,
alter, amend or repeal Nuances bylaws. Nuances
bylaws provide that Nuances bylaws may be adopted, amended
or repealed by the Nuance stockholders and the Nuance board of
directors.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such
corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise.
The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and,
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe that such persons conduct was
unlawful.
Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise,
against any liability asserted against such person and incurred
by such person in any such capacity, arising out of such
persons status as such, whether or not the corporation
would otherwise have the power to indemnify such person against
liability under Section 145.
Each of ScanSoft and Nuances certificates of incorporation
contains a provision eliminating the personal liability of its
directors to the company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
ScanSofts certificate of incorporation further provides
that ScanSoft is authorized to provide, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, indemnification for its agents
through bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, with
respect to actions for breach of duty to ScanSoft, it
stockholders and others. Nuances certificate of
incorporation provides that Nuance may indemnify to the fullest
extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made
a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he,
his testator or intestate is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of Nuance or any predecessor of Nuance or
serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer,
employee or agent at the request of Nuance or any predecessor to
Nuance. The bylaws of ScanSoft generally provide for the
mandatory indemnification of, and payment of expenses incurred
by, its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law unless the proceedings were initiated by the
director or officer that was not authorized by the board of
directors. The bylaws of Nuance generally provide for the
indemnification of, and payment of expenses incurred by its
directors, officers, employees and agents to fullest extent
permitted by applicable law. ScanSoft and Nuance have also
entered into indemnification agreements with their respective
directors and officers.
In addition, in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement and upon completion of the merger, ScanSoft has
agreed, as permitted by law, to fulfill and honor the
obligations of Nuance pursuant to any indemnification agreements
between Nuance and its directors, officers, employees and
agents. Subject to the limitations contained in the merger
agreement, ScanSoft has also agreed for a period of six
140
years after the effective time of the merger, to maintain
directors and officers liability insurance covering
those persons who were covered by Nuance directors and
officers liability insurance policy as of May 9,
2005, on comparable terms to those applicable as of May 9,
2005 to Nuance directors and officers and covering all periods
prior to the effective time of the merger.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of ScanSoft pursuant to the provisions described above,
or otherwise, ScanSoft has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
Stockholder Rights Plan
Under General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, every
corporation may create and issue rights entitling the holders of
such rights to purchase from the corporation shares of its
capital stock of any class or classes, subject to any provisions
in its certificate of incorporation. The price and terms of such
shares must be stated in the certificate of incorporation or in
a resolution adopted by the board of directors for the creation
and issuance of such rights.
On October 23, 1996, the ScanSoft board of directors
adopted a resolution creating a series of preferred stock
designated as Series A Participating Preferred Stock and
declaring a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for
each outstanding share of ScanSoft common stock with each right
entitling the registering holder to purchase one one-thousandth
of a share of ScanSofts Series A Participating
Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $27.50, subject to
adjustment. Each share of ScanSoft common stock issued in
connection with the merger will have one right attached.
The rights under ScanSofts rights agreement currently are
attached to and trade only together with outstanding
certificates representing ScanSoft common stock. The rights will
separate from ScanSoft common stock and be represented by
separate and distinct certificates approximately 10 days
after someone acquires or commences a tender offer for 20% or
more of the outstanding ScanSoft common stock. After the rights
separate from ScanSofts common stock, certificates
representing the rights will be mailed to record holders of
ScanSoft common stock. Once distributed, the rights certificates
alone will represent the rights.
The rights will expire upon the earlier of October 23,
2006, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by ScanSoft.
If an acquiror (which could be a person or group) obtains 20% or
more of ScanSoft common stock, then each right will entitle the
holder to purchase a number of shares of ScanSoft common stock
having a then current market value equal to two times the
exercise price.
Each right will entitle the holder to purchase a number of
shares of common stock of the acquiring entity having a then
current market value of twice the purchase price if an acquiror
obtains, or commences a tender or exchange offer to obtain, 20%
or more of ScanSoft common stock and any of the following occurs:
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ScanSoft merges into another entity; |
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an acquiring entity merges into ScanSoft; or |
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ScanSoft sells more than 50% in the aggregate of its assets or
earning power. |
Under ScanSofts rights agreement, any rights that are or
were owned by an acquiror or its affiliates of more than 20% of
ScanSofts outstanding common stock will be null and void.
ScanSofts rights agreement provides that after an acquiror
obtains 20% or more of ScanSofts outstanding common stock,
but less than 50% of ScanSofts outstanding common stock,
the ScanSoft board of directors may, at its option, exchange all
or part of the then outstanding and exercisable rights
141
(other than rights owned by the acquiror or its affiliates) for
ScanSoft common stock. In such an event, the exchange ratio will
be one common share per right, adjusted to reflect any stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
At its option, the ScanSoft board of directors may redeem all of
the outstanding rights under the ScanSoft rights agreement at
any time on or prior to the close of business on the earlier of
(1) the fifth day (or such later date as may be determined
by the ScanSofts board of directors) after public
announcement that an entity has acquired beneficial ownership of
20% or more of ScanSofts common stock or
(2) October 23, 2006. The redemption price under
ScanSofts rights agreement is $0.001 per right. The
right to exercise the rights will terminate upon the action of
the ScanSoft board of directors ordering the redemption of the
rights and the only right of the holders of the rights will be
to receive the redemption price.
Holders of rights will have no rights as stockholders of
ScanSoft, including without limitation the right to vote or
receive dividends, simply by virtue of holding the rights.
The provisions of ScanSofts rights agreement may be
amended by the board of directors prior to the date 10 days
after any person acquires 20% or more of ScanSofts common
stock without approval of the holders of the rights. However,
after the date any person acquires 20% or more of
ScanSofts common stock, the rights agreement may not be
amended in any manner that would adversely affect the interests
of the holders of the rights, excluding any interests of the
acquiror.
The rights issued under ScanSofts rights agreement are
designed to protect and maximize the value of the outstanding
equity interests in ScanSoft in the event of an unsolicited
attempt by an acquiror to take over ScanSoft in a manner or on
terms that are not approved by the ScanSoft board of directors.
The rights are designed to deter unfair tactics, including a
gradual accumulation of shares in the open market of a 20% or
greater position, followed by a merger or a partial or two-tier
tender offer that does not treat all ScanSoft stockholders
equally.
Subject to the restrictions described above, the rights may be
redeemed by ScanSoft at $0.001 per right at any time prior
to the time when the rights separate from the common stock.
Accordingly, the rights should not interfere with any merger or
business combination approved by the ScanSoft board of
directors, including the merger. The rights are not intended to
prevent a takeover of ScanSoft. However, the rights may have the
effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an
acquisition of ScanSoft deemed undesirable by the ScanSoft board
of directors. The rights will cause substantial dilution to a
person or group that attempts to acquire ScanSoft on terms or in
a manner not approved by the ScanSoft board of directors, except
pursuant to an offer conditioned upon redemption of the rights.
On December 10, 2002, the Nuance board of directors adopted
a resolution creating a series of preferred stock designated as
Series A Preferred Stock and declaring a dividend of one
right for each share of Nuance common stock outstanding on
January 3, 2003, with each right representing the right to
purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Nuances
Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $22.00,
subject to adjustment.
The rights under Nuances rights agreement currently are
attached to and trade only together with outstanding
certificates representing Nuance common stock. The rights will
separate from Nuance common stock and be represented by separate
and distinct certificates approximately 10 days after
someone acquires or commences a tender offer for 15% or more of
the outstanding Nuance common stock. After the rights separate
from Nuances common stock, certificates representing the
rights will be mailed to record holders of Nuance common stock.
Once distributed, the rights certificates alone will represent
the rights.
The rights will expire upon the earlier of December 9,
2012, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by Nuance.
142
If an acquiror (which could be a person or group) obtains 15% or
more of Nuance common stock, then each right will entitle the
holder to purchase a number of shares of Nuance common stock
having a then current market value equal to two times the
exercise price.
Each right will entitle the holder to purchase a number of
shares of common stock of the acquiring entity having a then
current market value of twice the purchase price if an acquiror
obtains, or commences a tender or exchange offer to obtain, 15%
or more of Nuance common stock and any of the following occurs:
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Nuance merges into another entity; |
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an acquiring entity merges into Nuance; |
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Nuance sells more than 50% in the aggregate of its assets or
earning power. |
Under Nuances rights agreement, any rights that are or
were owned by an acquiror or its affiliates of more than 15% of
Nuances outstanding common stock will be null and void.
Nuances rights agreement provides that after an acquiror
obtains 15% or more of Nuances outstanding common stock,
but less than 50% of Nuances outstanding common stock, the
Nuance board of directors may, at its option, exchange all or
part of the then outstanding and exercisable rights (other than
rights owned by the acquiror or its affiliates which have become
null and void) for Nuance common stock. In such an event, the
exchange ratio will be one common share per right, adjusted to
reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
In such an event, the exchange ratio is one share common stock
or one one-thousandth of a preferred share per right, subject to
adjustment.
At its option, the Nuance board of directors may redeem all of
the outstanding rights under the Nuance rights agreement at any
time on or prior to (i) the time that an acquiror obtains
15% or more of Nuances outstanding common stock or the
occurrence of certain self-dealing transactions between an
acquiror and Nuance, or (2) the close of business on
December 9, 2012. The redemption price under Nuances
rights agreement is $0.001 per right. The right to exercise
the rights will terminate upon the action of the Nuance board of
directors ordering the redemption of the rights and the only
right of the holders of the rights will be to receive the
redemption price.
Until a right is exercised, holders of rights will have no
rights as stockholders of Nuance, including without limitation
the right to vote or receive dividends, simply by virtue of
holding the rights.
The provisions of Nuances rights agreement provide that
until the rights become non-redeemable, Nuance may, except with
respect to the redemption price, amend the rights agreement in
any manner.
The merger between Nuance and ScanSoft will not cause the rights
to become exercisable.
143
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of ScanSoft common stock offered by
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and certain federal income
tax consequences of the merger will be passed upon for ScanSoft
by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, Palo Alto, California.
Fenwick & West LLP, Mountain View, California will pass
upon certain federal income tax consequences of the merger for
Nuance.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of ScanSoft, Inc. as of
September 30, 2004 and for the nine months then ended,
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on
the report of BDO Seidman, LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of ScanSoft, Inc. as of
December 31, 2003 and for the two year period ended
December 31, 2003 incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K/T for the year ended September 30, 2004 have
been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting.
The audited historical financial statements of SpeechWorks
International, Inc. filed on Form 8-K/A dated
August 27, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on
the report, which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to
ScanSofts restatement of SpeechWorks International,
Inc.s financial statements as described in Note 16 to
the financial statements, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The combined balance sheets of Philips Speech Processing
Telephony and Voice Control (a division of Royal Philips
Electronics N.V.) as of December 31, 2001 and
September 29, 2002 and the related combined statements of
operations and comprehensive loss, changes in the net investment
of the Philips Group and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and the nine-month period ended
September 29, 2002 filed on Form 8-K/A dated
March 24, 2003 have been incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus in reliance on the report of KPMG
Accountants N.V., an independent registered public accounting
firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing
and accounting.
The audited consolidated financial statements of Rhetorical
Group PLC as of and for the nine months ended September 30,
2004 and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003
filed on Form 8-K/A dated February 18, 2005 have been
incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus in
reliance on the report of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The audited historical financial statements of ART Advanced
Recognition Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and
2003, and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2004 filed on Form 8-K/A dated
April 8, 2005 have been incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus in reliance on the report of Kost Forer
Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young
Global, an independent registered public accounting firm, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The audited historical financial statements of Phonetic Systems
Ltd. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003,
and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2004 filed on Form 8-K/A dated
April 18, 2005 have been incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus in reliance on the report of Kost Forer
Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young
Global, an independent registered public accounting firm, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
144
The consolidated financial statements, the related financial
statement schedules, and managements report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by
reference from Nuances Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates documents by
reference that are not included in or delivered with this
document. The SEC allows ScanSoft and Nuance to
incorporate by reference the information that it
files with it, which means that ScanSoft and Nuance can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those
documents. Documents that are incorporated by reference contain
important information about ScanSoft and Nuance and their
finances.
All documents filed by ScanSoft and Nuance under
section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after
the date hereof and before the date of the ScanSoft special
meeting of stockholders and the Nuance special meeting of
stockholders are incorporated by reference into and are a part
of this joint proxy statement/prospectus from the date of filing
of each such document.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
document or that ScanSoft or Nuance has referred to you. Neither
ScanSoft nor Nuance has authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different.
The following documents, which were filed by ScanSoft with the
SEC, are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus:
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1. ScanSofts registration statement on Form 8-A,
as filed with the SEC on October 20, 1995; |
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2. ScanSofts registration statement on
Form 8-A/A, as filed with the SEC on May 17, 2005; |
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3. ScanSofts transitional annual report on
Form 10-K/T for the transition period from January 1,
2004 to September 30, 2004, as filed with the SEC on
January 6, 2005; |
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4. ScanSofts quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC
on February 9, 2005; |
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5. ScanSofts quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on
May 10, 2005; |
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6. ScanSofts definitive proxy statement, as filed
with the SEC on January 28, 2005; |
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7. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K/A, as
filed with the SEC on March 24, 2003, reporting under
Items 2 and 7; |
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8. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K/A, as
filed with the SEC on August 27, 2004, reporting under
Items 4.02 and 9.01; |
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9. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on October 26, 2004, reporting under
Items 4.01, 5.03 and 9.01; |
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10. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on November 2, 2004, reporting under
Items 1.01 and 9.01; |
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11. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on November 18, 2004, reporting under
Items 1.01, 8.01 and 9.01; |
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12. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on December 10, 2004, reporting under
Items 2.01 and 9.01; |
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13. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on February 1, 2005, reporting under
Items 2.01 and 9.01; |
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14. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on February 7, 2005, reporting under
Items 2.01 and 9.01; |
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15. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on February 17, 2005, reporting under
Item 1.01; |
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16. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K/A, as
filed with the SEC on February 18, 2005, reporting under
Item 9.01; |
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17. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on March 17, 2005, reporting under
Item 3.02; |
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18. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on March 17, 2005, reporting under
Items 1.01 and 9.01; |
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19. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K/A, as
filed with the SEC on April 8, 2005, reporting under
Item 9.01; |
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20. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K/A, as
filed with the SEC on April 18, 2005, reporting under
Item 9.01; |
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21. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on May 9, 2005, reporting under
Item 1.01; |
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22. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on May 10, 2005, reporting under
Items 1.01, 3.02, 3.03 and 9.01; |
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23. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on May 17, 2005, reporting under
Items 1.01, 8.01 and 9.01; |
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24. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as
filed with the SEC on June 23, 2005, reporting under
Item 8.01; and |
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25. ScanSofts current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on July 22, 2005, reporting under Items 2.05
and 5.02. |
The following documents, which were filed by Nuance with the
SEC, are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus:
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1. Nuances registration statement on Form 8-A,
as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2002; |
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2. Nuances annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC
on March 16, 2005; |
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3. Nuances quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on
May 10, 2005; |
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4. Nuances definitive proxy statement, as filed with
the SEC on May 2, 2005; |
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5. Nuances current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on March 29, 2005, reporting under
Items 1.01 and 5.02; |
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6. Nuances current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on May 9, 2005, reporting under
Items 2.02, 8.01 and 9.01; |
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7. Nuances current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on May 11, 2005, reporting under
Items 1.01 and 9.01; |
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8. Nuances current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on May 24, 2005, reporting under
Item 8.01; and |
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9. Nuances current report on Form 8-K, as filed
with the SEC on June 24, 2005, reporting under
Item 8.01. |
146
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated in this document by reference will be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in
this document or any other subsequently filed document that is
deemed to be incorporated in this document by reference modifies
or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or
superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
The documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus are available from ScanSoft and Nuance upon
request. ScanSoft and Nuance will provide a copy of any and all
of the information that is incorporated by reference in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus (not including exhibits to the
information unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus) to any
person, without charge, upon written or oral request. Any
request for documents should be made by August 15, 2005 to
ensure timely delivery of the documents.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
ScanSoft has filed a registration statement on Form S-4
under the Securities Act with the SEC with respect to ScanSoft
common stock to be issued to Nuance stockholders pursuant to the
merger. This joint proxy statement/prospectus constitutes the
prospectus of ScanSoft filed as part of the registration
statement. This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the registration
statement because certain parts of the registration statement
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC. The registration statement and its exhibits are available
for inspection and copying as set forth below.
In addition, ScanSoft and Nuance file annual, quarterly and
current reports, proxy and information statements and other
information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Copies of these
reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
SEC at:
Judiciary Plaza
Room 1024
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
ScanSoft and Nuance may be inspected at:
The National Association of Securities Dealers
1735 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Copies of these materials can also be obtained by mail at
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference room. The SEC maintains a Website that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information regarding each
of us. The address of the SEC web site is http://www.sec.gov.
You may also obtain these documents by requesting them in
writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the
following addresses:
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Requests for documents relating to ScanSoft should be
directed to:
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Requests for documents relating to Nuance should be directed
to:
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ScanSoft, Inc.
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Nuance Communications, Inc.
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Investor Relations
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Legal Department
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1 Wayside Road
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1380 Willow Road
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Burlington, Massachusetts 01803
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Menlo Park, California 94025
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(781) 565-5000
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(650) 847-0000
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147
ScanSoft stockholders should call Richard Mack at
(781) 565-5000 with any questions about the merger.
Nuance stockholders should call Douglas Clark Neilsson of the
Nuance legal department at (650) 847-7083 with any
questions about the merger.
Information on ScanSoft Web Site
Information on any ScanSoft Internet web site is not part of
this document and you should not rely on that information in
deciding whether to approve the share issuance, the Warburg
Pincus financing or the Option Assumption unless that
information is also in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or
in a document that is incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus.
Information on Nuance Web Site
Information on any Nuance Internet web site is not part of this
document and you should not rely on that information in deciding
whether to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger,
unless that information is also in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus or in a document that is incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE
SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, OR
THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY, IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY
PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER OR PROXY SOLICITATION IN SUCH
JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES PURSUANT
TO THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED INTO THIS
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BY REFERENCE OR IN OUR AFFAIRS
SINCE THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
WITH RESPECT TO NUANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES WAS PROVIDED BY
NUANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WITH RESPECT TO SCANSOFT
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES WAS PROVIDED BY SCANSOFT AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
148
SCANSOFT, INC
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
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Introduction to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements
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F-2 |
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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of March 31,
2005
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F-4 |
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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
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F-5 |
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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the Six
Months Ended March 31, 2005
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F-7 |
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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
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F-9 |
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F-1
Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements
On May 9, 2005, ScanSoft, Inc., Nova Acquisition
Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC and Nuance Communications, Inc
signed a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger. Under the
terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of Nuance
common stock will be converted into the right to receive
0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock. Additionally, each
Nuance stockholder will receive $2.20 of cash per share of
Nuance common stock owned.
Concurrently ScanSoft agreed, conditioned upon the closing of
the merger, to issue to Warburg Pincus aggregate of
14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft common stock for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $60,000,000 at a per share price
equal to $4.24, and warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,177,570 shares of its common stock, exercisable at a
price of $5.00 per share.
The merger, which is expected to close in the third calendar
quarter of 2005, is contingent upon the fulfillment of specified
conditions, including all required regulatory approvals, the
adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the merger
by Nuance stockholders, the approval of the issuance of shares
of ScanSoft common stock in connection with the merger by
ScanSoft stockholders and the approval of the financing
transaction to be consummated in connection with the merger by
ScanSoft stockholders. The merger will be a tax-free event and
will be accounted for as a purchase of a business.
On February 1, 2005, ScanSoft, Inc. (ScanSoft
or the Company) acquired all of the outstanding
capital stock of Phonetic Systems Ltd., an Israeli corporation
(Phonetic). The consideration consisted of cash
payments to be rendered in the following installments:
(1) seventeen million and six hundred forty four thousand
dollars ($17,644,000) paid at closing, (2) seventeen
million and five hundred thousand dollars ($17,500,000) to be
paid in February 2007, and (3) up to an additional thirty
five million ($35,000,000) upon the achievement of certain
milestones. The total initial purchase price of approximately
$36,103,000 includes the sum of the first installment, the
present value of the second installment ($15,649,000 assuming an
annual market rate of interest of 5.75%), estimated transaction
costs of $2,440,000, and warrants to purchase up to
750,000 shares of ScanSoft common stock valued at
approximately $370,000 in accordance with Emerging Issues Task
Force (EITF) Issue No. 99-12; Determination of the
Measurement Date for the Market Price of Acquirer Securities
Issued in a Purchase Business Combination (EITF
99-12). The merger is a taxable event and has been
accounted for as a purchase of a business.
On January 21, 2005, ScanSoft acquired all of the
outstanding capital stock of ART Advanced Recognition
Technologies, Inc. (ART). The consideration
consisted of cash payments to be rendered in two installments:
(1) ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to be paid at
closing, and (2) sixteen million four hundred fourteen
thousand dollars ($16,414,000) to be paid in December 2005 plus
interest of 4%. The total initial purchase price of $27,967,000
includes the sum of the first and second installment payments
totaling $26,414,000 and estimated transaction costs of
$1,553,000. The merger is a taxable event and has been accounted
for as a purchase of a business.
On December 6, 2004, ScanSoft, acquired Rhetorical Systems
Ltd. through the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital
stock of Rhetorical Group PLC (collectively,
Rhetorical). The consideration consisted of cash
payments equal to 2,758,000 Pounds Sterling ($5,360,000) and
449,437 shares of ScanSofts common stock valued at
approximately $1,672,000 in accordance with EITF 99-12. The
total initial purchase price of approximately $8,477,000 also
includes the cash payments, the common shares, and estimated
transaction costs of $1,445,000. The acquisition is a taxable
event and has been accounted for as a purchase of a business.
On June 15, 2004, ScanSoft acquired all of the outstanding
stock of Telelogue, Inc. (Telelogue) in exchange for
cash consideration consisting of $2,206,000 less certain
expenses, of which $500,000 was placed in escrow to cover
certain indemnification obligations, and a contingent payment of
up to $2,000,000 in cash to be paid, if at all, on or about
July 31, 2005, upon the achievement of certain performance
goals. These milestones were not met and no contingent payment
will be made. The total initial purchase price of approximately
$3,396,000 also includes transaction costs of $893,000 and debt
assumed of $297,000. The merger is a taxable event and has been
accounted for as a purchase of a business.
F-2
The following tables show summary unaudited pro forma combined
financial information as if ScanSoft, Telelogue, Rhetorical,
ART, Phonetic and Nuance had been combined as of January 1,
2004 for statement of operations purposes and as of
March 31, 2005 for balance sheet purposes. Telelogue,
Rhetorical, ART, and Phonetic are included in ScanSofts
consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2005,which are
included in ScanSofts Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2005.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information of Nuance
is based on estimates and assumptions, which are preliminary and
have been made solely for purposes of developing such pro forma
information. The estimated pro forma adjustments arising from
the proposed acquisition of Nuance are derived from the
estimated purchase price and estimated fair values of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. The average per share fair
value of ScanSoft common stock for purposes of accounting for
the merger is $4.10, and was calculated in accordance with EITF
Issue No. 99-12. Accordingly, the final purchase price will
be determined based on the total shares of Nuance common stock
outstanding on the date of the closing, after applying the
exchange ratio of 0.77, multiplied by $4.10. As of
April 30, 2005, Nuance had 36,175,069 common shares
outstanding. Accordingly, the final stock-related purchase price
is expected to differ from the estimated purchase price
reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial information,
primarily as a result of the actual number of shares of common
stock that will be issued prior to the completion of the merger
based on the exercise of stock options. The total estimated
purchase price of approximately $219,116,000 includes the
estimated issuance of the common shares, estimated cash payment
of $2.20 per common share outstanding, the fair value of
the stock options assumed, and estimated transaction costs of
$6,331,000. The final determination of purchase price, fair
value of assets and liabilities and resulting goodwill may
differ significantly from that reflected in the pro forma
statement of operations and balance sheet.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information of
ScanSoft, Nuance, Phonetic, ART, Rhetorical, and Telelogue is
based on estimates and assumptions, which have been made solely
for purposes of developing such pro forma information. The
estimated pro forma adjustments arising from the recently
completed acquisitions of Phonetic, ART and Rhetorical are
derived from their respective preliminary purchase price
allocations.
The historical financial information of Nuance, Phonetic, ART,
Rhetorical, and Telelogue for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and six months ended March 31, 2005
have been derived from the unaudited financial statements of the
respective companies.
The pro forma data are presented for illustrative purposes only
and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results or
financial position that would have occurred if each transaction
had been consummated as of January 1, 2004, for statements
of operations purposes, or March 31, 2005, for balance
sheet purposes, respectively, nor are the data necessarily
indicative of future operating results or financial position.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and
related notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the
historical consolidated financial statements of ScanSoft,
Nuance, Phonetic, Art and Rhetorical, and related notes thereto,
and ScanSofts Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
in Form 10-K/T for the nine months ended September 30,
2004, incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/
prospectus or as filed by ScanSoft with the SEC, and the
historical consolidated financial statements of Nuance
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/
prospectus or as filed by Nuance with the SEC. See the section
entitled Where You Can Find More Information on
page 147.
F-3
SCANSOFT, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
ScanSoft(A) | |
|
Nuance(B) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
ASSETS |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
25,882 |
|
|
$ |
69,547 |
|
|
|
(25,585 |
)(1) |
|
$ |
69,844 |
|
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
2,691 |
|
|
|
18,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,720 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
45,540 |
|
|
|
9,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,612 |
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
954 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
5,713 |
|
|
|
4,864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
80,780 |
|
|
|
101,512 |
|
|
|
(25,585 |
) |
|
|
156,707 |
|
|
Long-term marketable securities
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
300,818 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,707 |
(2) |
|
|
413,525 |
|
|
Other intangible assets, net
|
|
|
54,390 |
|
|
|
477 |
|
|
|
52,623 |
(2) |
|
|
107,490 |
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
9,944 |
|
|
|
3,742 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,686 |
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,109 |
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
5,591 |
|
|
|
5,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
452,690 |
|
|
$ |
122,490 |
|
|
$ |
139,745 |
|
|
$ |
714,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
13,715 |
|
|
$ |
1,511 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
15,226 |
|
|
Accrued compensation
|
|
|
11,221 |
|
|
|
2,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,065 |
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
15,539 |
|
|
|
4,983 |
|
|
|
6,331 |
(3) |
|
|
26,853 |
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
16,418 |
|
|
|
7,378 |
|
|
|
(369 |
)(4) |
|
|
23,427 |
|
|
Note payable
|
|
|
27,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,895 |
|
|
Deferred acquisition payment
|
|
|
16,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,414 |
|
|
Deferred payment obligation for technology license
|
|
|
2,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,825 |
|
|
Restructuring accrual
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
10,327 |
|
|
|
(480 |
)(5) |
|
|
10,189 |
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
5,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
110,049 |
|
|
|
27,043 |
|
|
|
5,482 |
|
|
|
142,574 |
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
507 |
|
|
|
(25 |
)(4) |
|
|
592 |
|
Long-term notes payable, net of current portion
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
Deferred tax liability
|
|
|
3,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,085 |
|
Deferred acquisition payment
|
|
|
15,649 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,649 |
|
Long-term restructuring accrual
|
|
|
12,497 |
|
|
|
50,228 |
|
|
|
(8,923 |
)(5) |
|
|
53,802 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
2,246 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
143,681 |
|
|
|
77,815 |
|
|
|
(3,466 |
) |
|
|
218,030 |
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
4,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,631 |
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
6 |
(6) |
|
|
151 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
480,341 |
|
|
|
332,666 |
|
|
|
(139,508 |
)(6) |
|
|
673,499 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost
|
|
|
(11,176 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,176 |
) |
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
(4,881 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,314 |
)(6) |
|
|
(10,195 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(332 |
) |
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
(900 |
)(6) |
|
|
(332 |
) |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(159,683 |
) |
|
|
(288,927 |
) |
|
|
288,927 |
(6) |
|
|
(159,683 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
309,009 |
|
|
|
44,675 |
|
|
|
143,211 |
|
|
|
496,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
452,690 |
|
|
$ |
122,490 |
|
|
$ |
139,745 |
|
|
$ |
714,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
As reported in ScanSofts Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as
filed with the SEC. |
|
|
|
(B) |
|
Derived from Nuances Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as filed with the
SEC. |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements.
F-4
SCANSOFT, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
ScanSoft(A) | |
|
Telelogue(B) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Rhetorical(C) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
ART(D) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Phonetic(E) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Nuance(F) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | |
Product licenses
|
|
$ |
95,765 |
|
|
$ |
295 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,411 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,460 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,208 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
19,002 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
)(7) |
|
$ |
121,121 |
|
Professional services
|
|
|
27,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,918 |
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
5,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,922 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,420 |
|
Revenue, related parties
|
|
|
1,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
130,907 |
|
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,797 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,564 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
181,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product licenses
|
|
|
10,348 |
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
(20 |
)(7) |
|
|
11,504 |
|
|
Cost of professional services and maintenance
|
|
|
22,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,630 |
|
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
8,431 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
552 |
(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
161 |
(12) |
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
3,152 |
(8) |
|
|
12,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue
|
|
|
41,728 |
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
552 |
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
9,998 |
|
|
|
3,132 |
|
|
|
56,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Margin
|
|
|
89,179 |
|
|
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,328 |
|
|
|
(552 |
) |
|
|
3,313 |
|
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
|
31,566 |
|
|
|
(3,152 |
) |
|
|
124,728 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
26,162 |
|
|
|
839 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,289 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,490 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
66,941 |
|
|
|
1,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,095 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,898 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,512 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,386 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,078 |
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets
|
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55 |
(20) |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
116 |
(18) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
647 |
(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
663 |
(12) |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
2,831 |
(8) |
|
|
6,358 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
1,301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
1,139 |
(9) |
|
|
2,560 |
|
|
Restructuring and other charges, net
|
|
|
801 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,557 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
97,172 |
|
|
|
2,085 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
3,580 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
4,323 |
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
8,874 |
|
|
|
663 |
|
|
|
58,558 |
|
|
|
3,970 |
|
|
|
180,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(7,993 |
) |
|
|
(2,199 |
) |
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(2,259 |
) |
|
|
(116 |
) |
|
|
(995 |
) |
|
|
(1,199 |
) |
|
|
(5,561 |
) |
|
|
(824 |
) |
|
|
(26,992 |
) |
|
|
(7,122 |
) |
|
|
(55,315 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
429 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
(113 |
)(16) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(197 |
)(13) |
|
|
1,046 |
|
|
|
(576 |
)(10) |
|
|
673 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(340 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(492 |
)(17) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(675 |
)(14) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(2,206 |
)(11) |
|
|
(3,716 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(141 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(281 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(8,045 |
) |
|
|
(2,200 |
) |
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(2,201 |
) |
|
|
(116 |
) |
|
|
(908 |
) |
|
|
(1,804 |
) |
|
|
(5,525 |
) |
|
|
(1,696 |
) |
|
|
(26,230 |
) |
|
|
(9,904 |
) |
|
|
(58,684 |
) |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(458 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(9,378 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,200 |
) |
|
$ |
(55 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,201 |
) |
|
$ |
(116 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,010 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,804 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,525 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,696 |
) |
|
$ |
(25,772 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,904 |
) |
|
$ |
(59,661 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
Weighted average common shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted
|
|
|
103,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
449 |
(19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,006 |
(6) |
|
|
146,235 |
|
F-5
|
|
(A) |
Derived from ScanSofts Annual Report on Form 10-K/T
for the transition period from January 1, 2004 to
September 30, 2004, as filed with the SEC. |
|
|
|
(B) |
|
Derived from Telelogues unaudited financial information
for the period from January 1, 2004 through June 15,
2004 (date of acquisition). |
|
(C) |
|
Derived from Rhetoricals audited financial statements for
the period from January 1, 2004 through September 30,
2004. |
|
(D) |
|
Derived from ARTs unaudited financial statements for the
period from January 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. |
|
(E) |
|
Derived from Phonetics unaudited financial statements for
the period from January 1, 2004 through September 30,
2004. |
|
(F) |
|
Derived from Nuances unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
included in its in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three months ended September 30, 2004, as filed with
the SEC. |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements.
F-6
SCANSOFT, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2005
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
ScanSoft(A) | |
|
Rhetorical(B) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
ART(C) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Phonetic(D) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Nuance(E) | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | |
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product licenses
|
|
$ |
84,763 |
|
|
$ |
186 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,678 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
393 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
11,570 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
)(7) |
|
$ |
99,585 |
|
Professional services
|
|
|
24,394 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,735 |
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
4,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,727 |
|
Revenue, related parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
113,691 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,114 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
146,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product licenses
|
|
|
9,983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
)(7) |
|
|
10,741 |
|
|
Cost of professional services and maintenance
|
|
|
19,270 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,561 |
|
|
Cost of revenue from amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
5,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
245 |
(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
72 |
(12) |
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
2,104 |
(8) |
|
|
8,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue
|
|
|
34,761 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
402 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
7,350 |
|
|
|
2,099 |
|
|
|
45,399 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Margin
|
|
|
78,930 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,219 |
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
20,764 |
|
|
|
(2,104 |
) |
|
|
100,648 |
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
19,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,403 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
51,385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,186 |
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets
|
|
|
1,648 |
|
|
|
1,863 |
|
|
|
25 |
(18) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
286 |
(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
295 |
(12) |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
1,885 |
(8) |
|
|
6,040 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
759 |
(9) |
|
|
2,113 |
|
|
Restructuring and other charges, net
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
74,282 |
|
|
|
1,863 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
7,377 |
|
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
26,754 |
|
|
|
2,644 |
|
|
|
116,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
4,648 |
|
|
|
(1,688 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(586 |
) |
|
|
(531 |
) |
|
|
(6,396 |
) |
|
|
(367 |
) |
|
|
(5,990 |
) |
|
|
(4,748 |
) |
|
|
(15,683 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
(46 |
)(16) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(110 |
)(13) |
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
(384 |
)(10) |
|
|
860 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(566 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(182 |
)(17) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(300 |
)(14) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1,471 |
)(11) |
|
|
(2,521 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(307 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(149 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(315 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
4,082 |
|
|
|
(1,695 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(630 |
) |
|
|
(759 |
) |
|
|
(6,184 |
) |
|
|
(777 |
) |
|
|
(5,068 |
) |
|
|
(6,603 |
) |
|
|
(17,659 |
) |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
|
1,943 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
2,139 |
|
|
$ |
(1,695 |
) |
|
$ |
(25 |
) |
|
$ |
(662 |
) |
|
$ |
(759 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,184 |
) |
|
$ |
(777 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,958 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,603 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,524 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
105,264 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164 |
(19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,006 |
(6) |
|
|
147,434 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
112,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164 |
(19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,006 |
(6) |
|
|
147,434 |
|
F-7
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Derived from ScanSofts unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the six months ended March 31, 2004 included
in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months
ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC. |
|
(B) |
|
Derived from Rhetoricals unaudited financial statements
for the period from October 1, 2004 through
December 6, 2004 (date of acquisition) |
|
(C) |
|
Derived from ARTs unaudited financial statements for the
period from October 1, 2004 through January 21, 2005
(date of acquisition) |
|
(D) |
|
Derived from Phonetics unaudited financial statements for
the period from October 1, 2004 through February 1,
2005 (date of acquisition) |
|
(E) |
|
Derived from Nuances consolidated financial statements
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC,
Nuances unaudited consolidated financial statements for
the nine months ended September 30, 2004 included in its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
September 30, 2004, as filed with the SEC, and
Nuances unaudited consolidated financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 included in its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC. |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements.
F-8
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Pro forma adjustments reflect only those adjustments which are
factually determinable and do not include the impact of
contingencies which will not be known until the later of the
closing of the transactions or the resolution of the contingency.
Nuance and Warburg Pincus Financing
To record the fair value of the assets to be acquired and the
liabilities to be assumed of Nuance, subject to adjustment
pending the completion of a post-closing review of the purchased
assets, the pro forma information assumes that ScanSoft will
issue 27,854,803 shares of its common stock valued at
approximately $114,093,000 (based on the average per share fair
value of ScanSoft common stock for purposes of accounting for
the merger in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles of approximately $4.10) as consideration for the
acquisition of Nuance. The shares are based upon the outstanding
shares of Nuance common stock at April 30, 2005, of
36,175,069. The pro forma adjustments include assumed cash
payment of $79,585,000 associated with the payment of
$2.20 per common share outstanding on the date of closing.
In addition, the pro forma adjustments include the fair value of
the stock options outstanding at April 30, 2005 with an
exercise price less than or equal to $10.00, in accordance with
FIN 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving
Stock Compensation An Interpretation of APB Opinion
No. 25. ScanSoft also has accounted for $6,331,000 for
anticipated transaction fees, which include legal and accounting
fees, investment bankers fees, fees related to the valuation of
Nuances intellectual property, and due diligence fees.
The acquisition of Nuance by ScanSoft is expected to give rise
to the consolidation and elimination of certain Nuance and
ScanSoft personnel and duplicate facilities. The pro forma
adjustments do not include any amounts which may be recorded in
accordance with Emerging Issue Task Force No. 95-3,
Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase
Business Combination as ScanSoft does not expect that a
final integration plan will be established until just prior to
or immediately after the closing of the transaction. However,
ScanSoft, along with its financial advisors Thomas Weisel
Partners, has prepared a preliminary analysis of the
restructuring activities. ScanSoft estimates full year operating
synergies of approximately $20 million to $25 million
resulting from these actions.
The proposed Warburg Pincus financing, whereby ScanSoft has
agreed to issue an aggregate of 14,150,943 shares of ScanSoft
common stock for approximately $60,000,000, and warrants to
purchase 3,177,570 shares of its common stock, exercisable
at a price of $5.00 per share, is contingent upon the closing of
the merger and the proceeds of the Warburg Pincus financing will
be used to finance the cash portion of the merger consideration.
As a result, the pro forma adjustments include the proceeds of
the Warburg Pincus financing and the related issuance of common
shares.
In connection with the acquisition, ScanSoft will assume lease
obligations associated with office space against which Nuance
has taken a restructuring charge. As of March 31, 2005,
Nuances balance sheet reflected a restructuring accrual of
$60,555,000. In accordance with SFAS 141, Business
Combinations, ScanSoft has discounted to fair value the
future payments at an implied interest rate of 5.75%, but has
not re-evaluated the Nuance sublease and utility expense
assumptions. Subsequent to closing, ScanSoft will reassess this
liability to determine if it represents fair value.
ScanSoft believes that certain restructuring actions are an
integral component of the acquisition plan to enable the
benefits of the combined companies to be optimized and the
benefits of the acquisition to be realized. ScanSoft expects to
complete these restructuring efforts within one year of the
closing.
F-9
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of the estimated consideration and preliminary
purchase price allocation for the Nuance acquisition is as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Purchase Consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
79,585 |
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
114,093 |
|
|
Employee Stock Options
|
|
|
19,107 |
|
|
Transaction Costs
|
|
|
6,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Estimated Purchase Consideration
|
|
$ |
219,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets
|
|
$ |
95,512 |
|
|
Property & Equipment
|
|
|
3,742 |
|
|
Restricted Cash
|
|
|
11,109 |
|
|
Other Assets
|
|
|
5,650 |
|
|
Identifiable Intangible Assets
|
|
|
53,100 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
112,707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets Acquired
|
|
|
281,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
(26,194 |
) |
|
Long-Term Liabilities
|
|
|
(41,824 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities Assumed
|
|
|
(68,018 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation
|
|
|
5,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
219,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets acquired primarily relate to cash and cash
equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivable.
Current liabilities assumed primarily relate to accounts
payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, and a restructuring
accrual.
ScanSoft believes that the $53,100,000 of value ascribed to
identifiable intangible assets will be allocated to completed
and core technology, customer relationships (including license
agreements) and tradenames.
Pro forma adjustments include the following:
|
|
|
(1) Adjustment to cash and cash equivalents related to the
payment of $2.20 per common share outstanding upon closing,
totaling an estimated $79,585,000, and payment of Nuances
estimated transaction costs, totaling $6,000,000. These
disbursements are offset by cash received of $60,000,000 related
to the proposed Warburg Pincus financing. |
|
|
(2) Adjustment to eliminate Nuances historical
intangible balance of $477,000, and record the assumed
intangibles and goodwill totaling $53,100,000 and $109,357,000,
respectively. |
|
|
(3) Adjustment to record estimated transaction costs,
totaling $6,331,000. |
|
|
(4) Adjustment of $369,000 and $25,000 to reduce current
and long-term deferred revenue to the fair value of the related
obligations. These adjustments represent a 5% decrease from
Nuances historical carrying value attributable to
estimated selling expenses. |
F-10
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
(5) Adjustments of $480,000 and $8,923,000 to reduce the
current and long-term lease-related restructuring accruals,
respectively, to fair value. The difference between the
undiscounted and discounted payments will be recorded as
non-cash interest expense over the remaining lease term. |
|
|
(6) Adjustment to eliminate Nuances historical equity
balances. |
|
|
Adjustment to record common stock of $28,000 and Additional Paid
in Capital of $114,065,000 related to the estimated issuance of
27,854,803 shares of ScanSoft common stock at a value of
$4.10. |
|
|
Adjustment to record Additional Paid in Capital of $19,107,000
and deferred compensation of $5,314,000, related to the
estimated issuance of vested and unvested employee stock
options, respectively, in accordance with the merger agreement.
These stock options were accounted for in accordance with
FIN 44. The stock options were valued using the
Black-Scholes model. The assumptions used in the valuation
included a ScanSoft current stock price of $4.10, risk free
interest rate of 3.8%, volatility of 55%, and an expected life
of 3.5 years. Upon closing, ScanSoft will recalculate the
value of the stock options issued and record the fair value of
the issuances as a component of the purchase consideration. The
actual fair value will deviate from the estimated fair value due
to the actual number of shares issued. The deferred compensation
adjustment represents the estimated intrinsic value of the
unvested stock options on the date of closing and will be
expensed ratably over an estimated life of three and a half
years, in accordance with APB 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees. |
|
|
An adjustment to record common stock of $14,000 and Additional
Paid in Capital of $59,986,000 related to the proposed issuance
of 14,150,943 shares of common stock, to Warburg Pincus. |
|
|
(7) Adjustment to eliminate intercompany product license
revenue and cost of product license revenue totaling $20,000 and
$5,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the
six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. |
|
|
(8) Adjustment to record amortization expense of $6,293,000
and $4,195,000 for the identifiable intangible assets associated
with the Nuance acquisition offset by an adjustment to eliminate
amortization expense of $310,000 and $206,000 related to
intangible assets of Nuances existing prior to the
acquisition for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
and the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, as
if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2004. The
allocation of the purchase price to tangible and identifiable
intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is
preliminary pending collection of data to evaluate estimates of
future revenues and earnings to determine a discounted cash flow
valuation of certain intangibles that meet the separate
recognition criteria of SFAS No. 141. ScanSofts
preliminary assessment is that the weighted average useful life
of the acquired identifiable intangible assets will be
approximately seven years. The acquired identifiable
intangible assets will be amortized using the straight-line
method. |
|
|
An increase in the amount of identifiable intangible assets or a
change in the allocation between the acquired identifiable
intangible assets and goodwill for the Nuance acquisition of
$1,000,000 would result in a change in pro forma amortization
expense of approximately $106,000 and $71,000 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2004 and the six months ended
March 31, 2005, respectively. An increase in the weighted
average useful life of the acquired identifiable intangible
assets of one year would result in a decrease in pro forma
amortization expense of approximately $907,000 and $606,000 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the six months
ended March 31, 2005, respectively. A decrease in the
weighted average useful life of the acquired identifiable
intangible assets of one year would result in an increase in pro
forma amortization expense of approximately $1,323,000 and
$881,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and
the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. |
F-11
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
(9) Adjustment to record stock-based compensation expense
related to the unvested employee stock options that are to be
issued in connection with the merger (discussed in
(6) above). We have assumed a useful life of
3.5 years, and will expense the deferred compensation
ratably over the useful life in accordance with APB 25 and
FIN 44, totaling approximately $1,519,000 per year. As
a result, the Company recorded an increase in stock-based
compensation expense $1,139,000 and $759,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004 and the six months ended
March 31, 2005, respectively. |
|
|
(10) Adjustment to reduce interest income by $553,000 and
$369,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and
the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, in
connection with the acquisition related payment of $79,585,000,
and the estimated payment of Nuances transaction costs,
offset by cash received of $60,000,000, related to the Warburg
Pincus financing. |
|
|
(11) Adjustment of $2,206,000 and $1,471,000 to record
non-cash interest expense at an annual rate of 5.75%, for the
nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the six months
ended March 31, 2005, respectively, related to the fair
value adjustment made in purchase accounting for the
restructuring accrual (detailed at (6) above). |
These adjustments are preliminary and are subject to future
adjustment pending the completion of a post-closing review of
the purchased assets and assumed liabilities.
Phonetic
The Phonetic historical financial statements, included in
ScanSofts Current Report on Form 8-K/ A filed with
the SEC on April 18, 2005, is incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
|
(12) Adjustment to record amortization expense of $824,000
and $367,000 for the identifiable intangible assets associated
with the Phonetic acquisition for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and the six months ended March 31,
2005, respectively, as if the acquisition had occurred on
January 1, 2004. The allocation of the purchase price to
tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed is preliminary pending collection of data to
evaluate estimates of future revenues and earnings to determine
a discounted cash flow valuation of certain intangibles that
meet the separate recognition criteria of
SFAS No. 141. ScanSofts preliminary assessment
is that the weighted average useful life of the acquired
identifiable intangible assets will be six years. The
acquired identifiable intangible assets will be amortized using
the straight-line method. |
|
|
An increase in the amount of identifiable intangible assets or a
change in the allocation between the acquired identifiable
intangible assets and goodwill for the Phonetic acquisition of
$100,000 would result in a change in pro forma amortization
expense of approximately $12,900 and $8,600 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004 and the six months ended
March 31, 2005, respectively. An increase in the weighted
average useful life of the acquired identifiable intangible
assets from 6 years to 7 years would result in a
decrease in pro forma amortization expense of approximately
$144,000 and $96,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and the six months ended March 31,
2005, respectively. A decrease in the weighted average useful
life of the acquired identifiable intangible assets from
6 years to 5 years would result in an increase in pro
forma amortization expense of approximately $136,800 and $91,200
for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the six
months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. |
|
|
(13) Adjustment to reduce interest income by $197,000 and
$110,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and
the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, related
to the initial cash payment of $17,500,000 for the Phonetic
acquisition. |
|
|
(14) Adjustment of $675,000 and $300,000 to record non-cash
interest expense at an annual rate of 5.75%, for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004 and the six months ended
March 31, 2005, |
F-12
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
respectively, related to the note payable of $17,500,000 entered
into with the former shareholders of Phonetic. |
ART
The ART historical financial statements, included in
ScanSofts Current Report on Form 8-K/ A filed with
the SEC on April 8, 2005, is incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
|
(15) Adjustment to record amortization expense of
$1,199,000 and $531,000 for the identifiable intangible assets
associated with the ART acquisition for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and the six months ended March 31,
2005, respectively, as if the acquisition had occurred on
January 1, 2004. The allocation of the purchase price to
tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed is preliminary pending collection of data to
evaluate estimates of future revenues and earnings to determine
a discounted cash flow valuation of certain intangibles that
meet the separate recognition criteria of
SFAS No. 141. ScanSofts preliminary assessment
is that the weighted average useful life of the acquired
identifiable intangible assets will be six years. The
acquired identifiable intangible assets will be amortized using
the straight-line method. |
|
|
An increase in the amount of identifiable intangible assets or a
change in the allocation between the acquired identifiable
intangible assets and goodwill for the ART acquisition of
$100,000 would result in a change in pro forma amortization
expense of approximately $12,750 and $8,500 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004 and the six months ended
March 31, 2005, respectively. An increase in the weighted
average useful life of the acquired identifiable intangible
assets from 6 years to 7 years would result in a
decrease in pro forma amortization expense of approximately
$193,500 and $129,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and the six months ended March 31,
2005, respectively. A decrease in the weighted average useful
life of the acquired identifiable intangible assets from
6 years to 5 years would result in an increase in pro
forma amortization expense of approximately $208,500 and
$139,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and
the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. |
|
|
(16) Adjustment to reduce interest income of $113,000 and
$46,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and
the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, related
to the initial cash payment of $10,000,000 for the ART
acquisition. |
|
|
(17) Adjustment to record interest expense of $492,000 and
$182,000 at an annual rate as defined in the acquisition
agreement, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30,
2004 and the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively,
in connection with the deferred payment for acquisitions of
$16,414,000 entered into with the former shareholders of ART. |
Rhetorical
The Rhetorical historical financial statements, included in
ScanSofts Current Report on Form 8-K/ A filed with
the SEC on February 18, 2005, is incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
|
(18) Adjustment to record amortization expense of $141,000
and $31,000 for the identifiable intangible assets associated
with the acquisition of Rhetorical, offset by an adjustment to
eliminate amortization expense of $25,000 and $6,000 related to
intangible assets of Rhetorical existing prior to the
acquisition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
and the six months ended March 31, respectively. |
|
|
(19) Adjustment of 449,000 and 164,000 to common shares
outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
and the six months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, to
record the impact of the common shares issued in connection with
the acquisition of Rhetorical. |
F-13
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
Restructuring activities associated with the Phonetic
acquisition resulted in severance costs, related to former
Phonetic employees, of approximately $596,000. These costs have
been accrued in purchase accounting in accordance with EITF
No. 95-3, Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with
a Purchase Business Combination and are included in current
liabilities. |
Telelogue
The Telelogue historical financial statements were included in
ScanSofts Current Report on Form 8-K/ A filed with
the SEC on August 27, 2004.
|
|
|
(20) Adjustment to record amortization expense of $55,000
for the identifiable intangible assets associated with the
Telelogue acquisition and an adjustment to eliminate charges
related to the accretion of dividends on convertible preferred
stock of $375,000 for the period January 1, 2004 to
June 15, 2004 (date of acquisition). |
F-14
Annex A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
SCANSOFT, INC.
NOVA ACQUISITION CORPORATION
NOVA ACQUISITION LLC
and
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Dated as of May 9, 2005
A-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A-2
A-3
A-4
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A
|
|
Form of Nova Voting Agreement |
|
|
Exhibit B
|
|
Form of Saturn Voting Agreement |
|
|
A-5
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made and entered into as of
May 9, 2005 (the Agreement), by and
among ScanSoft, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Saturn), Nova Acquisition Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturn
(Sub I), Nova Acquisition LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Saturn (Sub II and with
Sub I, the Subs), and Nuance
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Nova).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Saturn, Sub I and Nova have
each determined that it is in the best interests of their
respective stockholders for Saturn to acquire Nova through the
statutory merger of Sub I with and into Nova (the First
Step Merger) and, in furtherance thereof, have
approved the First Step Merger.
WHEREAS, as soon as practicable following the First Step Merger,
Saturn shall cause Nova to merge with and into Sub II (the
Second Step Merger and, taken together with
the First Step Merger, the Integrated Merger
or the Merger). The Integrated Merger is
intended to constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code). Saturn and Nova
intend that the First Step Merger and the Second Step Merger
will constitute integrated steps in a single plan of
reorganization within the meaning of Treas. Reg.
§§1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3, which plan of reorganization
the parties adopt by executing this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Nova (the Nova
Board) has unanimously (i) determined that the
Merger is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of,
Nova and its stockholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
the transactions contemplated by the Nova Voting Agreements (as
defined below) (collectively, the
Transactions), and (iii) determined,
subject to the terms of this Agreement, to recommend that the
stockholders of Nova approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Saturn (the Saturn
Board) has unanimously (i) determined that the
Merger is in the best interests of Saturn and its stockholders,
(ii) approved this Agreement and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the transactions
contemplated by the Saturn Voting Agreements (as defined below),
and (iii) determined, subject to the terms of this
Agreement, to recommend that the stockholders of Saturn approve
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, as a
condition and inducement to Saturns willingness to enter
into this Agreement, certain stockholders of Nova are entering
into Voting Agreements in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the Nova Voting
Agreements).
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, as a
condition and inducement to Novas willingness to enter
into this Agreement, certain stockholders of Saturn are entering
into Voting Agreements in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit B (the Saturn Voting
Agreements).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and
representations set forth herein, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
1.1 The Integrated
Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in
Section 1.2) and subject to and upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (Delaware
Law), Sub I shall be merged with and into Nova, the
separate corporate
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existence of Sub I shall cease and Nova shall continue as the
surviving corporation. The surviving corporation after the First
Step Merger is hereinafter referred to as the Interim
Surviving Corporation. As soon as practicable after
the Effective Time, and subject to and upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of
The Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the LLC
Act) and Delaware Law, the Interim Surviving
Corporation shall be merged with and into Sub II, the
separate corporate existence of the Interim Surviving
Corporation shall cease, and Sub II shall continue as the
surviving entity and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturn. The
surviving entity after the Second Step Merger is hereinafter
referred to as the Final Surviving Entity.
1.2 Effective Time;
Closing. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated
pursuant to Article VII hereof, the closing of the
First Step Merger (the Closing) will take
place as promptly as practicable after the execution and
delivery hereof by the parties hereto, and following
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article VI hereof, at the offices of Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, 650 Page
Mill Road, Palo Alto, California, unless another time or place
is mutually agreed upon in writing by Saturn and Nova. The date
upon which the Closing actually occurs shall be referred to
herein as the Closing Date. On the Closing
Date, the parties hereto shall cause the First Step Merger to be
consummated by filing a Certificate of Merger with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware (the First Step
Certificate of Merger), in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law (the time of the
acceptance of such filing by the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware or such later time as may be mutually agreed in
writing by Nova and Saturn and specified in the First Step
Certificate of Merger shall be referred to herein as the
Effective Time). As soon as practicable after
the Effective Time, Saturn shall cause the Second Step Merger to
be consummated by filing a Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Second
Step Certificate of Merger, and with the First Step
Merger Certificate, the Certificates of
Merger), in accordance with the applicable provisions
of Delaware Law and the LLC Act (the time of the acceptance of
such filing by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
or such later time as may be mutually agreed in writing by Nova
and Saturn and specified in the Second Step Certificate of
Merger shall be referred to herein as the Second Step
Merger Effective Time).
1.3 Effect of the
Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the First
Step Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of
Delaware Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, except as otherwise
agreed to pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all of the
property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Nova and
Sub I shall vest in the Interim Surviving Corporation, and all
debts, liabilities and duties of Nova and Sub I shall become the
debts, liabilities and duties of the Interim Surviving
Corporation. At the Second Step Merger Effective Time, the
effect of the Second Step Merger shall be as provided in the
applicable provisions of Delaware Law and the LLC Act. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto,
at the Second Step Merger Effective Time, except as otherwise
agreed to pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all of the
property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the
Interim Surviving Corporation and Sub II shall vest in the
Final Surviving Entity, and all debts, liabilities and duties of
the Interim Surviving Corporation and Sub II shall become
the debts, liabilities and duties of the Final Surviving Entity.
1.4 Organizational
Documents.
(a) As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the First Step
Merger and without any action on the part of Sub I or Nova, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Interim Surviving
Corporation shall be amended and restated to read the same as
the Certificate of Incorporation of Sub I, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time until thereafter amended
in accordance with Delaware Law and such Certificate of
Incorporation; provided, however, that as of the
Effective Time the Certificate of Incorporation shall provide
that the name of the Interim Surviving Corporation is
Nova, Inc.
(b) As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the First Step
Merger and without any action on the part of Sub I or Nova, the
Bylaws of the Interim Surviving Corporation shall be amended and
restated to read the same as the Bylaws of Sub I, as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time until thereafter
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amended in accordance with Delaware Law, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Interim Surviving Corporation and such
Bylaws; provided, however, that all references in such
Bylaws to Sub I shall be amended to refer to Nova,
Inc.
(c) As of the Second Step Merger Effective Time, by virtue
of the Second Step Merger and without any action on the part of
Sub II or the Interim Surviving Corporation, the
Certificate of Formation of Sub II as in effect immediately
prior to the Second Step Merger Effective Time shall be the
Certificate of Formation of the Final Surviving Entity until
thereafter amended in accordance with the LLC Act and such
certificate of formation; provided, however, that as of
the Second Step Merger Effective Time, the certificate of
formation shall provide that the name of the Final Surviving
Entity is Nova, LLC.
(d) As of the Second Step Merger Effective Time, by virtue
of the Second Step Merger and without any action on the part of
Sub II or the Interim Surviving Corporation, the Limited
Liability Company Agreement of Sub II as in effect
immediately prior to the Second Step Merger Effective Time shall
be the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Final
Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with the
LLC Act and such Limited Liability Company Agreement;
provided, however, that as of the Second Step Merger
Effective Time, the Limited Liability Agreement shall provide
that the name of the Final Surviving Entity is Nova,
LLC.
1.5 Directors/ Managers and
Officers.
(a) Directors/ Managers. The initial
directors of the Interim Surviving Corporation shall be the
directors of Sub I as of immediately prior to the Effective
Time, until their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed and qualified. The initial directors of the Final
Surviving Entity shall be the directors of Sub II as of
immediately prior to the Second Step Merger Effective Time,
until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed
and qualified.
(b) Officers. The initial officers of the
Interim Surviving Corporation shall be the officers of Sub I as
of immediately prior to the Effective Time. The initial officers
of the Final Surviving Entity shall be the officers of
Sub II as of immediately prior to the Second Step Merger
Effective Time.
1.6 Effect on Capital
Stock.
(a) Conversion of Nova Common Stock. At the
Effective Time, each share of Nova common stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the Nova Common
Stock), issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time (other than any shares of Nova Common Stock
to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(c) and any
Dissenting Shares, as defined in Section 1.7), will
be canceled and extinguished and automatically converted into
the right to receive, upon surrender of the certificate(s)
representing such Nova Common Stock in the manner provided in
Section 1.8 (or in the case of a lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, upon delivery of an affidavit, and bond,
if required, in the manner provided in Section 1.10),
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(i) cash, without interest, in an amount equal to
$2.20 per share (the Per Share Cash
Portion, and the aggregate of the Per Share Cash
Portion for all shares of Nova Common Stock, the Cash
Consideration); and |
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(ii) 0.77 of a share (the Per Share Stock
Portion, and the aggregate of the Per Share Stock
Portion for all shares of Nova Common Stock, the Stock
Consideration, and the Stock Consideration with the
Cash Consideration, the Merger Consideration)
of a validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of
Saturn common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
Saturn Common Stock). |
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, if the condition to the obligations of each party to
effect the Merger set forth in Section 6.1(e) (the
Tax Opinion Condition) is not satisfied
because tax counsel to Saturn and Nova both reasonably determine
that the First Step Merger and the Second Step Merger, taken
together, may not satisfy the continuity of interest
requirements under applicable U.S. federal income tax
principles relating to reorganizations under
Section 368(a) of the Code (the Continuity of
Interest Test), then Saturn (after consultation with
such counsel) shall reduce the Cash Consideration and
correspondingly increase the Stock Consideration to the minimum
extent
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necessary to enable the Tax Opinion Condition to be satisfied
(it being understood that the aggregate increase in the value of
the Stock Consideration as determined pursuant to this paragraph
using the Threshold Price shall equal the aggregate reduction in
the Cash Consideration). Solely for purposes of determining
whether the Continuity of Interest Test has been satisfied, the
value of a share of Saturn Common Stock shall be the average of
the reported high and low sales prices of a share of Saturn
Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the Closing Date,
but the Cash Consideration shall be reduced to the minimum
extent necessary to enable the Tax Opinion Condition to be
satisfied using the Threshold Price (as defined below) for each
additional share of Saturn Common Stock to be issued. The
Threshold Price shall mean $1.905.
(c) Cancellation of Treasury and Saturn-Owned
Shares. All Nova Common Stock held by Nova or owned by
Sub I, Sub II, Saturn or any direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Nova or of Saturn immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished without
any conversion thereof.
(d) Capital Stock of Subs.
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(i) At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of Sub I (the Sub I Common
Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into one validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Interim Surviving Corporation.
Each certificate evidencing ownership of shares of Sub I Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
evidence ownership of such shares of capital stock of the
Interim Surviving Corporation. |
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(ii) At the Second Step Merger Effective Time, each share
of common stock of the Interim Surviving Corporation that is
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Second Step
Merger Effective Time shall be cancelled and extinguished
without any conversion thereof. |
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(iii) At the Second Step Merger Effective Time, each
membership interest of Sub II issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Second Step Merger Effective Time shall
be converted into and exchanged for the applicable corresponding
interest of the Final Surviving Entity. Each membership interest
certificate of Sub II, if any, evidencing ownership of any
such interest shall continue to evidence the applicable
corresponding interest in the Final Surviving Entity. |
(e) Stock Options. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any
holder of outstanding options to purchase Nova Common Stock
(each a Nova Option) pursuant to the Nova
2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, the Nova 2000 Stock Plan,
the Nova 1998 Stock Plan and the Nova 1994 Flexible Stock
Incentive Plan (collectively the Nova Stock
Plans):
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(i) Subject to the approval of Saturns stockholders
at the Saturn Stockholders Meeting (as defined in
Section 5.2(b)) in accordance with Saturns
Bylaws, each Nova Option (other than those granted under the
Nova ESPP (as defined below)), whether vested or unvested, that
is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
(A) under the Nova Stock Plans other than the Nova 1994
Flexible Stock Incentive Plan and has an exercise price per
share of Nova Common Stock of $10.00 or less, and (B) under
the Nova 1994 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan regardless of the
exercise price (each, an Assumed Nova
Option), will be assumed by Saturn and such Assumed
Nova Option shall become an option to acquire shares of Saturn
Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as were
applicable to such Assumed Nova Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time, except that (1) such Assumed Nova Option
shall be exercisable for that number of whole shares of Saturn
Common Stock equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest
whole number of shares of Saturn Common Stock) obtained by
multiplying the number of shares of Nova Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise of such Assumed Nova Option immediately prior
to the Effective Time by the Option Exchange Ratio (as defined
herein), and (2) the per share exercise price for the
shares of Saturn Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such
Assumed Nova Option shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up
to the nearest whole cent) obtained by dividing the exercise
price per share of Nova Common Stock for which the Assumed Nova
Option was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time
by the Option Exchange Ratio. The Option Exchange
Ratio shall mean the sum of |
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the Per Share Stock Portion and the quotient of (a) the Per
Share Cash Portion divided by (b) the average of the
closing trading prices of Saturn Common Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market (Nasdaq) during the
five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of the
Closing (it being understood that the Per Share Cash Portion and
the Per Share Stock Portion as may be modified by
Section 1.6(b) shall be used in calculating the
Option Exchange Ratio). |
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(ii) In the event Saturn stockholder approval is not
obtained for the Option Assumption (as defined in
Section 5.2(b)), each Assumed Nova Option will be
assumed by Saturn and such Assumed Nova Option shall become an
option to acquire shares of Saturn Common Stock and cash, on the
same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Assumed
Nova Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that
(1) such Assumed Nova Option shall be exercisable for
(A) that number of whole shares of Saturn Common Stock
equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number
of shares of Saturn Common Stock) obtained by multiplying the
number of shares of Nova Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of such Assumed Nova Option immediately prior to the Effective
Time by the Per Share Stock Portion (as adjusted pursuant to
Section 1.6(b)), and (B) that amount of cash
(rounded up the nearest whole cent) obtained by multiplying the
number of shares of Nova Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of such Nova Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by
the Per Share Cash Portion (as adjusted pursuant to
Section 1.6(b)), and (2) the per share exercise
price for the shares of Saturn Common Stock and cash issuable
upon exercise of such Assumed Nova Option shall be equal to the
quotient (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) obtained by
dividing the exercise price per share of Nova Common Stock for
which the Assumed Nova Option was exercisable immediately prior
to the Effective Time by the Per Share Stock Portion. |
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(iii) As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date
(but in any event, within 30 days following the Closing
Date), Saturn shall issue to each holder of an Assumed Nova
Option a document evidencing the foregoing assumption of such
Assumed Nova Option, which form of assumption notice shall be
subject to the reasonable review and approval of Nova. |
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(iv) Each Nova Option (other than those granted under the
Nova ESPP), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time with an exercise price
per share of Nova Common Stock of more than $10.00 (each a
Terminated Nova Option) shall be fully vested
prior to the Effective Time and shall terminate as of the
Effective Time. Nova shall take all reasonable actions (but not
including the payment of cash or non-cash consideration without
Saturns consent) necessary to cause the termination of all
outstanding Terminated Nova Options that remain unexercised
prior to the Effective Time so that all Terminated Nova Options
terminate at or prior to the Effective Time. |
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(v) Nova shall cause the termination, effective immediately
prior to the Effective Time, of all Nova Stock Plans. |
(f) Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Nova shall
take all actions necessary pursuant to the terms of the Nova
2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Nova
ESPP) in order to shorten each currently ongoing
purchase and/or offering period under the Nova ESPP which
extends beyond the Effective Time (the Current
Offerings) such that (i) a new purchase date for
each such Current Offering shall occur prior to the Effective
Time, (ii) Nova Common Stock shall be purchased by the Nova
ESPP participants in connection with such new purchase date
prior to the Effective Time and (iii) all administrative
actions required to transfer ownership of Nova Common Stock to
such purchasing Nova ESPP participants shall have been
completed. The Nova ESPP shall terminate immediately prior to
the earlier of (i) the Effective Time, or (ii) the
date upon which the Nova ESPP terminates by its terms.
Subsequent to the date of this Agreement, Nova shall take no
action, pursuant to the terms of the Nova ESPP, to commence any
new purchase and/or offering period. Prior to the date of the
termination of the Nova ESPP, Nova shall provide Saturn with
evidence that the Nova ESPP will be terminated pursuant to duly
adopted resolutions of the Nova Board (it being understood that
Saturn shall be provided a form of such resolutions a reasonable
time prior to adoption).
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(g) Unvested Shares. If any shares of Nova
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
are unvested or are subject to a repurchase option, risk of
forfeiture or other condition under any applicable restricted
stock purchase agreement or other agreement with Nova
(Unvested Shares), then the Stock
Consideration issued in exchange for such Unvested Shares shall
also be unvested and subject to the same repurchase option, risk
of forfeiture or other condition. The Cash Consideration payable
upon conversion of any Unvested Share shall initially be
withheld and shall be paid to each such holder in accordance
with the vesting and other provisions set forth in the
applicable restricted stock purchase agreement.
1.7 Dissenting Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, shares of Nova Common Stock that are outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by
stockholders who shall have not voted in favor of the Merger and
who shall have demanded properly in writing appraisal for such
shares of Nova Common Stock in accordance with Section 262
of Delaware Law (collectively, the Dissenting
Shares) shall not be converted into, or represent the
right to receive, the portion of the Merger Consideration
payable for such shares of Nova Common Stock. Such stockholders
shall be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of
such shares of Nova Common Stock held by them in accordance with
the provisions of such Section 262, except that all
Dissenting Shares held by stockholders who shall have failed to
perfect or who effectively shall have withdrawn or lost their
rights to appraisal of such shares of Nova Common Stock under
such Section 262 shall thereupon be deemed to have been
converted into, and to have become exchangeable for, as of the
Effective Time, the right to receive the portion of the Merger
Consideration payable for such shares of Nova Common Stock,
without any interest thereon, upon surrender, in the manner
provided in Section 1.8, of the certificate or
certificates that formerly evidenced such shares of Nova Common
Stock (or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate, upon delivery of an affidavit, and bond, if
required, in the manner provided in Section 1.10).
(b) Nova shall give Saturn (i) prompt notice of any
demands for appraisal received by Nova, withdrawals of such
demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to Delaware
Law and received by Nova and (ii) the opportunity to direct
all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for
appraisal under Delaware Law. Nova shall not, except with the
prior written consent of Saturn (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), or except as may be required
by Delaware Law, make any payment with respect to any demands
for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such demands.
1.8 Surrender of
Certificates.
(a) Paying Agent. Prior to the Effective
Time, Saturn shall select a bank or trust company reasonably
acceptable to Nova to act as agent (the Paying
Agent) for the holders of Nova Common Stock to receive
the cash and shares of Saturn Common Stock to which holders of
Nova Common Stock shall become entitled pursuant to this
Article I. As of the Effective Time, Saturn shall
deposit with the Paying Agent the cash and shares of Saturn
Common Stock to which such holders shall become entitled
pursuant to this Article I. Any cash deposited with
the Paying Agent shall be invested by the Paying Agent as
directed by Saturn; provided, that no such investment or
loss thereon shall affect the amounts payable to holders of Nova
Common Stock pursuant to this Article I.
(b) Payment Procedures. As promptly as
practicable after the Effective Time, Saturn shall cause the
Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record (as of the
Effective Time) of a certificate or certificates (the
Certificates), which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented the outstanding shares of Nova Common
Stock converted into the right to receive the portion of the
Merger Consideration payable for such shares of Nova Common
Stock, (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form (which
(x) shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk
of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent, (y) shall
contain such other provisions as Saturn may reasonably specify
and (z) shall be subject to the review and reasonable
approval of Nova prior to the Effective Time) and
(ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
Certificates in exchange for the portion of the Merger
Consideration payable upon surrender of said Certificates. Upon
surrender of Certificates for cancellation to the Paying Agent
or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by
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Saturn, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed
and validly executed in accordance with the instructions
thereto, the holders of such Certificates formerly representing
Nova Common Stock shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor the portion of the Merger Consideration payable for
such shares of Nova Common Stock, and the Certificates so
surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until so surrendered,
outstanding Certificates shall be deemed from and after the
Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, to evidence only the
ownership of the respective portion of the Merger Consideration
to which such person is entitled by virtue thereof. As promptly
as practicable following surrender of any such Certificates, the
Paying Agent shall deliver to the record holders thereof,
without interest, the portion of the Merger Consideration to
which such holder is entitled upon surrender of said
Certificates.
(c) Payments with respect to Unsurrendered Nova
Common Stock; No Liability. At any time following the
180th day after the Effective Time, the Final Surviving Entity
shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it
any funds or shares of Saturn Common Stock which had been made
available to the Paying Agent and not disbursed to holders of
Nova Common Stock (including all interest and other income
received by the Paying Agent in respect of all funds made
available to it), and, thereafter, such holders shall be
entitled to look to the Final Surviving Entity (subject to
abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws) only as
general creditors thereof with respect to any portion of the
Merger Consideration that may be payable upon due surrender of
the Certificates held by them. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
none of Saturn, the Final Surviving Entity nor the Paying Agent
shall be liable to any former holder of Nova Common Stock for
any portion of the Merger Consideration delivered in respect of
such Nova Common Stock to a public official pursuant to any
abandoned property, escheat or other similar law.
(d) Transfers of Ownership. If the payment of
the portion of the Merger Consideration to which such holder is
entitled is to be paid to a person other than the person in
whose name the Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor are
registered, it will be a condition of payment that the
Certificates so surrendered be properly endorsed and otherwise
in proper form for transfer (including, if requested by Saturn
or the Paying Agent, a medallion guarantee), and that the
persons requesting such payment will have paid to Saturn or any
agent designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by
reason of the payment of a portion of the Merger Consideration
to a person other than the registered holder of the Certificates
surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of Saturn or any
agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable.
(e) Required Withholding. Each of the Paying
Agent, Saturn and the Final Surviving Entity shall be entitled
to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable or
otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder
or former holder of Nova Common Stock such amounts as may be
required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under the Code or
under any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law or under
any other applicable legal requirement. To the extent such
amounts are so deducted or withheld, such amounts shall be
treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been
paid to the person to whom such amounts would otherwise have
been paid.
1.9 No Further Ownership
Rights in Nova Common Stock. Payment of the Merger
Consideration shall be deemed to have been paid in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to Nova Common Stock, and
there shall be no further registration of transfers on the
records of the Final Surviving Entity of Nova Common Stock which
were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If,
after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the
Final Surviving Entity for any reason, they shall be canceled
and exchanged as provided in this Article I.
1.10 Lost, Stolen or
Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any
Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the
Paying Agent shall pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the holder thereof, the portion of the Merger
Consideration payable with respect thereto; provided,
however, that Saturn or the Paying Agent may, in its
discretion and as a condition precedent to the payment of such
portion of the Merger Consideration, require the owner of such
lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such
reasonable and customary amount as it
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may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against Saturn, the Final Surviving Entity or the Paying Agent
with respect to the Certificates alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed.
1.11 Adjustments. In
the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities
convertible into Nova Common Stock, whether directly or
indirectly), reorganization, reclassification, combination,
recapitalization or other like change with respect to Nova
Common Stock or Saturn Common Stock occurring after the date of
this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time, all references
in this Agreement to specified numbers of shares of any class or
series affected thereby, and all calculations provided for that
are based upon numbers of shares of any class or series (or
trading prices therefor) affected thereby, shall be equitably
adjusted to the extent necessary to provide the parties the same
economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such
stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
reorganization, reclassification, combination, recapitalization
or other like change.
1.12 Fractional
Shares. No fraction of a share of Saturn Common Stock
will be issued by virtue of the Merger, but in lieu thereof each
holder of shares of Nova Common Stock who would otherwise be
entitled to a fraction of a share of Saturn Common Stock shall,
upon surrender of such holders Certificates, receive from
Saturn and amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent),
without interest, equal to the product of: (i) such
fraction, multiplied by (ii) $4.46.
1.13 Tax Effect. The
Integrated Merger is intended to constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Saturn and Nova intend that the
First Step Merger and the Second Step Merger will constitute
integrated steps in a single plan of reorganization
within the meaning of Treas. Reg. §1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3,
which plan of reorganization the parties adopt by executing this
Agreement. None of the parties hereto will take any action that
would be reasonably expected to cause the Integrated Merger to
fail to qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
1.14 Taking of Necessary
Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Final
Surviving Entity with full right, title and possession to all
assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
Nova and the Subs, the officers and directors of Nova and the
Subs will take all such lawful and necessary action.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NOVA
Nova hereby represents and warrants to Saturn and the Subs,
subject only to such exceptions as are specifically disclosed in
writing in the disclosure schedule supplied by Nova to Saturn
(which such exceptions shall reference the specific section and,
if applicable, subsection number of this Article II
to which it applies, and any information disclosed in any such
section or subsection shall be deemed to be disclosed only for
purposes of such section or subsection, except to the extent it
is reasonably apparent that the disclosure contained in such
section or subsection contains enough information regarding the
subject matter of other representations and warranties contained
in this Article II so as to qualify or otherwise
apply to such other representations and warranties), dated as of
the date hereof and certified by a duly authorized officer of
Nova (the Nova Disclosure Letter), as follows:
2.1 Organization; Standing
and Power; Charter Documents; Subsidiaries.
(a) Organization; Standing and Power. Nova
and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined below) (i) is a
corporation or other organization duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its incorporation or organization, (ii) has the
requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted,
and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties
makes such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in
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such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or to be in
good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change to
Nova. For purposes of this Agreement,
Subsidiary, when used with respect to any
party, shall mean any corporation or other organization, whether
incorporated or unincorporated, at least a majority of the
securities or other interests of which having by their terms
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors or others performing similar functions with respect to
such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly
owned or controlled by such party or by any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by such party and one or more of its
Subsidiaries.
(b) Charter Documents. Nova has delivered or
made available to Saturn: (i) a true and correct copy of
the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of
Designations) and Bylaws of Nova, each as amended to date
(collectively, the Nova Charter Documents)
and (ii) the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, or
like organizational documents (collectively, Subsidiary
Charter Documents), of each of its
Significant Subsidiaries (as defined
Rule 1.02 of Regulation S-X of the SEC), and each such
instrument is in full force and effect. Nova is not in violation
of any of the provisions of the Nova Charter Documents and each
Significant Subsidiary of Nova is not in violation of its
respective Subsidiary Charter Documents.
(c) Subsidiaries. Novas Form 10-K
filed with the SEC on March 16, 2005 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004 includes all the Subsidiaries of
Nova which are Significant Subsidiaries. All the outstanding
shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests
in, each such Significant Subsidiary have been validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Nova, a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Nova, or Nova and another
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Nova, free and clear of all pledges,
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances, options and security
interests of any kind or nature whatsoever, but excluding any
licenses (collectively, Liens), including any
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of
such capital stock or other ownership interests, except for
restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws, except as
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Change to Nova. Other than the Subsidiaries of Nova, neither
Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any capital stock of, or
other equity or voting interests of any nature in, or any
interest convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for, capital
stock of, or other equity or voting interests of any nature in,
any other person. No assets or liabilities that are material,
individually or in the aggregate, to Nova are held by any
Subsidiary of Nova that is not a Significant Subsidiary.
2.2 Capital Structure.
(a) Capital Stock. The authorized capital
stock of Nova consists of: (i) 250,000,000 shares of
Nova Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share and
(ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the Nova Preferred
Stock), of which 250,000 shares have been
designated as Series A Preferred Stock, all of which will
be reserved for issuance upon exercise of preferred stock
purchase rights (the Nova Rights) issuable
pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated as of December 10,
2002 by and between Nova and Mellon Investor Services LLC (the
Nova Rights Agreement), a true and complete
copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.7 to Novas
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) on
December 13, 2002. At the close of business on
April 30, 2005: (i) 36,175,069 shares of Nova
Common Stock were issued and outstanding, excluding shares of
Nova Common Stock held by Nova in its treasury and
228,752 shares issued after April 30, 2005 pursuant to
the ESPP, (ii) 1,082,372 shares of Nova Common Stock
were issued and held by Nova in its treasury, and (iii) no
shares of Nova Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. No
shares of Nova Common Stock are owned or held by any Subsidiary
of Nova. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Nova
are, and all shares of capital stock of Nova which may be issued
as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement will be, when
issued, duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights.
Section 2.2(a) of the Nova Disclosure Letter sets
forth a list of each holder of Unvested Shares and (a) the
name of the holder of such Unvested Shares, (b) the number
of Unvested Shares held by such holder, (c) the repurchase
price of such Unvested Shares, (d) the date on which such
Unvested Shares was purchased or granted, (e) the
applicable vesting schedule pursuant to which Novas right
of repurchase or forfeiture lapses, and (f) the extent to
which
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such Nova right of repurchase or forfeiture has lapsed as of the
date hereof. Upon consummation of the Merger, (A) the
shares of Saturn Common Stock issued in exchange for any
Unvested Shares will, without any further act of Saturn, the
Subs, Nova or any other person, become subject to the
restrictions, conditions and other provisions contained in the
contract relating to such Unvested Shares and (B) Saturn
will automatically succeed to and become entitled to exercise
Novas rights and remedies under any such contract without
modification. There are no commitments or agreements of any
character to which Nova is bound obligating Nova to waive (in
whole or in part) its right of repurchase or forfeiture with
respect to any Unvested Shares as a result of the Merger
(whether alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or
subsequent events).
(b) Stock Options. As of the close of
business on April 30, 2005: (i) 10,034,188 shares
of Nova Common Stock were subject to issuance pursuant to
outstanding Nova Options under the Nova Stock Plans,
(ii) 3,104,507 shares of Nova Common Stock were
reserved for future issuance under the Nova Stock Plans, and
(iii) 466,805 shares of Nova Common Stock were
reserved for future issuance under the Nova ESPP.
Section 2.2(b) of the Nova Disclosure Letter sets
forth a list of each outstanding Nova Option issued other than
pursuant to the Nova ESPP, and (a) the particular Nova
Stock Plan (if any) pursuant to which such Nova Option was
granted, (b) the name of the holder of such Nova Option,
(c) the number of shares of Nova Common Stock subject to
such Nova Option, (d) the exercise price of such Nova
Option, (e) the date on which such Nova Option was granted,
(f) the applicable vesting schedule, and the extent to
which such Nova Option was vested and exercisable as of
April 30, 2005, and (g) the date on which such Nova
Option expires. All shares of Nova Common Stock subject to
issuance under the Nova Stock Plans and the Nova ESPP, upon
issuance in accordance with the terms and conditions specified
in the instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, would be
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Except as set forth on Section 2.2(b) of the Nova
Disclosure Letter, there are no commitments or agreements of any
character to which Nova is bound obligating Nova to accelerate
the vesting of any Nova Option or Unvested Shares as a result of
the Merger (whether alone or upon the occurrence of any
additional or subsequent events). There are no outstanding or
authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit
participation or other similar outstanding or authorized equity
compensation rights with respect to Nova. The treatment of Nova
Options in accordance with this Agreement is permitted under the
terms of the Nova Stock Plans and does not require the consent
of the holders thereof.
(c) Voting Debt. No bonds, debentures, notes
or other indebtedness of Nova or any of its Subsidiaries
(i) having the right to vote on any matters on which
stockholders may vote (or which is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having such right) or (ii) the
value of which is any way based upon or derived from capital or
voting stock of Nova, is issued or outstanding as of the date
hereof (collectively, Voting Debt).
(d) Other Securities. Except as otherwise set
forth in Section 2.2(d) of the Nova Disclosure
Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no securities, options,
warrants, calls, rights, contracts, commitments, agreements,
instruments, arrangements, understandings, obligations or
undertakings of any kind to which Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound
obligating Nova or any of its Subsidiaries to (including on a
deferred basis) issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock, Voting
Debt or other voting securities of Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries, or obligating Nova or any of its Subsidiaries to
issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, call, right, contract, commitment, agreement,
instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or
undertaking. All outstanding shares of Nova Common Stock, all
outstanding Nova Options, and all outstanding shares of capital
stock of each Subsidiary of Nova have been issued and granted in
compliance in all material respects with (i) all applicable
securities laws and all other applicable Legal Requirements (as
defined below) and (ii) all requirements set forth in
applicable material Contracts (as defined below). Except for
Unvested Shares, there are not any outstanding Contracts of Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries to (i) repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of, or other
equity or voting interests in, Nova or any of its Subsidiaries
or (ii) dispose of any shares of the capital stock of, or
other equity or voting interests in, any of its Subsidiaries.
Nova is not a
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party to any voting agreement with respect to shares of the
capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Nova, other
than the Nova Voting Agreements and the irrevocable proxies
granted pursuant to the Nova Voting Agreements, there are no
irrevocable proxies and no voting agreements, voting trusts,
rights plans, anti-takeover plans or registration rights
agreements with respect to any shares of the capital stock of,
or other equity or voting interests in, Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement,
Contract shall mean any written, oral or
other agreement, contract, subcontract, settlement agreement,
lease, binding understanding, instrument, note, option,
warranty, purchase order, license, sublicense, insurance policy,
benefit plan or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any
nature, as in effect as of the date hereof or as may hereinafter
be in effect. For purposes of this Agreement, Legal
Requirements shall mean any federal, state, local,
municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution,
principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, order,
edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued,
enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into
effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity (as
defined in Section 2.3(c)).
2.3 Authority;
Non-Contravention; Necessary Consents.
(a) Authority. Nova has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of Nova and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of Nova are necessary to
authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby, subject only to the necessary approval and adoption of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by
Novas stockholders and the filing of the Certificates of
Merger pursuant to Delaware Law. The affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Nova Common
Stock is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of
Nova capital stock necessary to approve and adopt such matters.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Nova and,
assuming due execution and delivery by Saturn and the Subs,
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Nova,
enforceable against Nova in accordance with its terms.
(b) Non-Contravention. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Nova does not, and the performance
of this Agreement by Nova and the consummation of the Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (i) conflict
with or violate the Nova Charter Documents or any Subsidiary
Charter Documents of any Subsidiary of Nova, (ii) subject
to obtaining the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the
approval of the Merger by Novas stockholders as
contemplated in Section 5.2(a) and compliance with
the requirements set forth in Section 2.3(c),
conflict with or violate any applicable Legal Requirement in any
material respect applicable to Nova or any of its Subsidiaries
or by which Nova or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties is bound or affected, or (iii) result
in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or impair Novas rights or alter the rights or obligations
of any third party under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or
result in the creation of a Lien on any of the properties or
assets of Nova or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Nova
Material Contract (as defined in Section 2.16)
(other than Nova IP Agreements (as defined in
Section 2.8(e))), except, in the case of
clause (iii) of this sentence, as would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Nova.
Section 2.3(b) of the Nova Disclosure Letter lists
all consents, waivers and approvals under any Nova Material
Contracts required to be obtained in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which, if
individually or in the aggregate, are not obtained, would result
in a material loss of benefits to Nova, Saturn or the Final
Surviving Entity as a result of the Merger.
(c) Necessary Consents. No consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with any supranational, national, state, municipal, local
or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or instrumentality, or any quasi-governmental or
private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing or
other governmental or quasi-governmental authority (a
Governmental Entity) is required to be
obtained or
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made by Nova in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger and other
transactions contemplated hereby, except for: (i) the
filing of the Certificates of Merger with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware and appropriate documents with the
relevant authorities of other states in which Nova and/or Saturn
are qualified to do business, (ii) the filing of the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement (as defined in
Section 2.17) with the SEC in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act) and the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.17),
(iii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended (the HSR Act) and any foreign
antitrust laws, (iv) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may
be required under applicable federal, foreign and state
securities (or related) laws, and (v) such other consents,
authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which if
not obtained or made would not materially adversely affect Nova
or Saturn or the ability of the parties hereto to consummate the
Merger within the time frame in which the Merger would otherwise
be consummated in the absence of the need for such consent,
approval, order, authorization, registration, declaration or
filings. The consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings set forth in
(i) through (iv) are referred to herein as the
Necessary Consents.
2.4 SEC Filings; Financial
Statements.
(a) SEC Filings. Nova has filed all required
registration statements, prospectuses, reports, schedules,
forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits and
all other information incorporated by reference) required to be
filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 2002. Nova has
made available to Saturn all such registration statements,
prospectuses, reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents in the form filed with the SEC. All such required
registration statements, prospectuses, reports, schedules,
forms, statements and other documents (including those that Nova
may file subsequent to the date hereof) are referred to herein
as the Nova SEC Reports. As of their
respective dates, the Nova SEC Reports (i) were prepared in
accordance and complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, as the
case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder
applicable to such Nova SEC Reports and (ii) did not at the
time they were filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing
prior to the date of this Agreement then on the date of such
filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
None of Novas Subsidiaries is required to file any forms,
reports or other documents with the SEC.
(b) Financial Statements. Each of the
consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any
related notes thereto) contained in the Nova SEC Reports (the
Nova Financials), including each Nova SEC
Report filed after the date hereof until the Closing:
(i) complied as to form in all material respects with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto,
(ii) was prepared in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited interim financial
statements, as may be permitted by the SEC on
Form 10-Q, 8-K or any successor form under the
Exchange Act), and (iii) fairly presented in all material
respects the consolidated financial position of Nova and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and
the consolidated results of the Nova operations and cash flows
for the periods indicated. The balance sheet of Nova contained
in the Nova SEC Reports as of December 31, 2004 is
hereinafter referred to as the Nova Balance
Sheet. As of April 30, 2005, Novas
consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(calculated in accordance with the accounting policies described
in Novas Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 16, 2005 for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004) were as set forth on Section 2.4(b) of the
Nova Disclosure Letter.
2.5 No Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as otherwise set forth in
Section 2.5 of the Nova Disclosure Letter, neither
Nova nor its Subsidiaries has any liability, indebtedness,
obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement
of any type, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured,
unmatured or other (whether or not required to be reflected in
the Nova Financials), which individually or
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in the aggregate (i) has not been reflected in the Nova
Balance Sheet or the footnotes related thereto, (ii) has
not arisen in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices since the Nova Balance Sheet,
(iii) (a) arose before the date of the Nova Balance
Sheet, (b) arose in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, (c) were not required by
GAAP to be on the Nova Balance Sheet, and (d) were not
material to Nova in amount, individually or in the aggregate, or
(iv) arose before the date of the Nova Balance Sheet
pursuant to the express terms of Nova Material Contracts and
were not required by GAAP to be on the Nova Balance Sheet.
2.6 Absence of Certain
Changes or Events. Since the date of the Nova Balance
Sheet through the date hereof, except as set forth on
Section 2.6 of the Nova Disclosure Letter, each of
Nova and its Subsidiaries has conducted its respective business
only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and there has not been: (i) any Material Adverse
Change to Nova, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend on, or other distribution (whether in
cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of Novas or
any of its Subsidiaries capital stock, or any purchase,
redemption or other acquisition by Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries of any of Novas capital stock or any other
securities of Nova or its Subsidiaries or any options, warrants,
calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other securities
except for repurchases from Nova Employees (as defined in
Section 2.13(a)) following their termination
pursuant to the terms of their pre-existing stock option or
purchase agreements, (iii) any split, combination or
reclassification of any of Novas or any of its
Subsidiaries capital stock; (iv) with respect to any
individual, any granting by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries of
any material increase in compensation or fringe benefits, except
for normal increases of cash compensation in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice (other than to members
of the Nova Board or executive officers of Nova), or any payment
by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries of any bonus, except for
bonuses made in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice (other than to members of the Nova Board or
executive officers of Nova), or any granting by Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries of any material increase in severance or
termination pay or any entry by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries
into, or material modification or amendment of, any currently
effective employment, severance, termination or indemnification
agreement or any agreement the benefits of which are contingent
or the terms of which are materially altered upon the occurrence
of a transaction involving Nova of the nature contemplated
hereby, (v) entry by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries into
any licensing or other agreement with regard to the acquisition
or disposition of any material Intellectual Property (as defined
in Section 2.8(j)) other than licenses, distribution
agreements, advertising agreements, sponsorship agreements or
merchant program agreements entered into in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice, (vi) any
material change by Nova in its accounting methods, principles or
practices, except as required by concurrent changes in GAAP or
by the SEC, (vii) any material revaluation by Nova of any
of its assets, including, without limitation, writing down the
value of capitalized inventory or writing off notes or accounts
receivable other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (viii) any communication
from Nasdaq with respect to the delisting of the Nova Common
Stock, (ix) any cancellation by Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries of any debts or waiver of any claims or rights of
material value, (x) any sale, transfer or other disposition
outside of the ordinary course of business of any properties or
assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) by Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries, or (xi) any agreement, whether
in writing or otherwise, to take any action described in this
section by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries.
2.7 Taxes.
(a) Definition. For the purposes of this
Agreement, the term Tax or, collectively,
Taxes shall mean (i) any and all
federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges, duties, impositions and liabilities,
including taxes based upon or measured by gross receipts,
income, profits, sales, use and occupation, and value added, ad
valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture,
employment, excise and property taxes, together with all
interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such
amounts, (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts
of the type described in clause (i) of this
Section 2.7(a) as a result of being a member of an
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any
period, and (iii) any liability for the payment of any
amounts of the type described in clauses (i) or
(ii) of this Section 2.7(a) as a result of any
express or implied obligation
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to indemnify any other person or as a result of any obligations
under any agreements or arrangements with any other person with
respect to such amounts and including any liability for taxes of
a predecessor entity.
(b) Tax Returns and Audits.
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(i) Nova and each of its Subsidiaries have prepared and
timely filed all material required federal, state, local and
foreign returns, estimates, information statements and reports
and any amendments thereto (Tax Returns)
relating to any and all Taxes concerning or attributable to
Nova, its Subsidiaries or their respective operations, and such
Tax Returns, as of the time of filing were true and correct in
all material respects and have been completed in accordance with
applicable law. |
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(ii) Nova and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all
material Taxes required to be paid. With respect to their
employees, Nova and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid or
withheld all federal and state income taxes, Federal Insurance
Contribution Act, Federal Unemployment Tax Act and other
material Taxes required to be paid or withheld. Furthermore, any
such amounts withheld by Nova and each of its Subsidiaries with
respect to their employees have been timely paid over to the
appropriate Taxing authority. |
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(iii) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has been
delinquent in the payment of any material Tax, nor is there any
material Tax deficiency outstanding, assessed or proposed
against Nova or any of its Subsidiaries, nor has Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries executed any waiver of any statute of
limitations on or extending the period for the assessment or
collection of any material Tax. |
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(iv) No audit or other examination of any Tax Return of
Nova or any of its Subsidiaries is presently in progress, nor
has Nova or any of its Subsidiaries been notified of any request
for such an audit or other examination. No adjustment relating
to any Tax Return filed by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries has
been proposed formally or, to the knowledge of Nova, informally
by any Tax authority to Nova, any of its Subsidiaries or any
representative thereof. Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries
has been notified of any claim made by an authority in a
jurisdiction where Nova or its Subsidiaries do not file Tax
Returns that Nova or any of its Subsidiaries are or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. |
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(v) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
liabilities for unpaid Taxes (other than such liabilities,
including without limitation any penalties or interest thereon,
that are immaterial to Nova), which have not been accrued or
reserved on the Nova Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP, and
neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any
liability for Taxes since the date of the Nova Balance Sheet
other than in the ordinary course of business. |
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(vi) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has
(a) ever been a member of an affiliated group (within the
meaning of Code §1504(a)) filing a consolidated federal
income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which
was Nova), (b) ever been a party to any Tax sharing,
indemnification or allocation agreement, nor does Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries owe any amount under any such agreement and
(c) any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than
Nova or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treas. Reg.
§ 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local
or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or
otherwise and (d) ever been a party to any joint venture,
partnership or other agreement that, to the knowledge of Nova,
could be treated as a partnership for Tax purposes. |
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(vii) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has
constituted either a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation in a distribution of stock
intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under
Section 355 of the Code (x) in the two years prior to
the date of this Agreement or (y) in a distribution that
otherwise could constitute part of a plan or
series of related transactions within the meaning of
Section 355(e) of the Code in conjunction with the Merger. |
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(viii) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged
in a reportable transaction under Treas. Reg.
§ 1.6011-4(b) or in a transaction that is the same as
or substantially similar to one of the |
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types of transactions that the Internal Revenue Service has
determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and identified by
notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a
listed transaction, as set forth in Treas. Reg.
§ 1.6011-4(b)(2). |
2.8 Intellectual
Property. Except as set forth in Section 2.8 of the
Nova Disclosure Letter:
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(a) To the knowledge of Nova, (i) the operation of the
business of Nova and each of its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted, including their products and services, does not
infringe or misappropriate in any material respect the
Intellectual Property (defined below) of any third party or
constitute unfair competition or unfair trade practices under
the laws of any jurisdiction, and (ii) Nova and its
Subsidiaries own or possess sufficient rights to all material
Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of
their businesses as currently conducted. |
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(b) Neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries have received
any written notice from any third party as of the date hereof,
and, to the knowledge of Nova, there is no other assertion or
pending threat from any third party, that the operation of the
business of Nova or any of its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted, or any of their products or services, infringes or
misappropriates the Intellectual Property of any third party or
constitutes unfair competition or unfair trade practices under
the laws of any jurisdiction. Neither Nova nor any its
Subsidiaries have brought or have been a party to any suits,
arbitrations or other adversarial proceedings with respect to a
third partys Intellectual Property that remain unresolved. |
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(c) To the knowledge of Nova, as of the date hereof, no
person is infringing or misappropriating any material
Intellectual Property owned or exclusively licensed by Nova or
any of its Subsidiaries. Neither Nova nor any its Subsidiaries
have brought or have been a party to any suits, arbitrations or
other adversarial proceedings with respect to their Intellectual
Property against any third party that remain unresolved. |
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(d) Nova and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any
judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or any
Federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic
or foreign, or any arbitrator, which restricts or impairs the
use of any material Intellectual Property of Nova and its
Subsidiaries. The Intellectual Property owned or exclusively
licensed by Nova is free and clear of any Liens. |
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(e) To the knowledge of Nova, Nova and each of its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with,
and have not breached in any material respect any term of any
contracts, licenses or other agreements in which Nova and its
Subsidiaries have granted or received any Intellectual Property
(Nova IP Agreements). To the knowledge of
Nova, all third parties to such Nova IP Agreements are in
compliance in all material respects with, and have not breached
in any material respect, any of their terms. |
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(f) The Merger will not result in any breach of or
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of
time or both would become a default) under, or impair
Novas rights or obligations or alter the rights or
obligations of any third party under, or give to others any
rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any of the properties
or assets of Nova or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any
material Nova IP Agreements. The Merger will not result in the
obligation for Nova or its Subsidiaries to pay any
consideration, royalties or other amounts to any third party in
excess of those amounts otherwise owed by Nova or its
Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Merger. |
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(g) The Merger will not, as a result of any contracts,
licenses or other agreements entered into by Nova, result in:
(i) Saturn or its Subsidiaries (other than the Subs, but
only to the extent existing prior to the Merger), being bound by
any material non-compete, exclusivity obligation or other
restriction on the operation of its business, or
(ii) Saturn or its Subsidiaries (other than the Subs, but
only to the extent existing prior to the Merger) granting to any
third party any rights or licenses to any material Intellectual
Property of Saturn or any affiliate of Saturn (including without
limitation a covenant not to sue). |
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(h) To the knowledge of Nova, no Governmental Entity,
university, college, other educational institution or research
center has any claim or right in or to any product or
Intellectual Property owned or exclusively licensed by Nova.
Nova has not entered into any agreement granting any such rights. |
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(i) Nova does not incorporate into, combine with, or
distribute in conjunction with any of its products or services
any software that is subject to any copyleft or
other obligation or condition under any open source
or similar license, such as the GNU Public License (GPL), that
requires or conditions the distribution of such product or
services on the disclosure, licensing or distribution of any
Nova source code. |
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(j) Intellectual Property shall mean any
or all of the following and all rights in, arising out of, or
associated therewith: (a) all United States, international
and foreign patents and applications therefor and all reissues,
divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and
continuations-in-part thereof; (b) all inventions (whether
patentable or not), invention disclosures, improvements, trade
secrets, proprietary information, know how, technology,
technical data and customer lists, and all documentation
relating to any of the foregoing; (c) all copyrights,
copyrights registrations and applications therefor, and all
other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world;
(d) domain names, uniform resource locators, and other
names and locators associated with the Internet, (e) all
computer software, including all source code, object code,
firmware, development tools, files, records and data, and all
media on which any of the foregoing is recorded; (f) all
industrial designs and any registrations and applications
therefor throughout the world; (g) all trade names, logos,
common law trademarks and service marks, trademark and service
mark registrations and applications therefor throughout the
world; (h) all databases and data collections and all
rights therein throughout the world; (i) all moral and
economic rights of authors and inventors, however denominated,
throughout the world, and (j) any similar or equivalent
rights to any of the foregoing anywhere in the world. |
2.9 Compliance;
Permits.
(a) Compliance. Neither Nova nor any of its
Subsidiaries is, in any material respect, in conflict with, or
in default or in violation of any applicable Legal Requirement
applicable to Nova or any of its Subsidiaries or by which Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses
or properties is, or Nova believes is reasonably likely to be,
bound or affected, except, in each case, or in the aggregate,
for conflicts, violations and defaults that would not have a
Material Adverse Change to Nova. As of the date hereof, no
investigation or review by any Governmental Entity is pending
or, to the knowledge of Nova, has been threatened in a writing
delivered to Nova or any of its Subsidiaries, against Nova or
any of its Subsidiaries. There is no judgment, injunction, order
or decree binding upon Nova or any of its Subsidiaries which has
or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of
prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by Nova and its
Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except as would not have a
Material Adverse Change to Nova.
(b) Permits. Nova and its Subsidiaries hold,
to the extent legally required, all permits, licenses,
variances, clearances, consents, commissions, franchises,
exemptions, orders, authorizations and approvals from
Governmental Entities (Permits) that are
required for the operation of the business of Nova
(collectively, Nova Permits), except where
the failure to hold such Permits would not have a Material
Adverse Change to Nova. As of the date hereof, no suspension or
cancellation of any of the Nova Permits is pending or, to the
knowledge of Nova, threatened. Nova and its Subsidiaries are in
compliance with the terms of the Nova Permits, except as would
not have a Material Adverse Change to Nova.
2.10 Litigation.
Except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.10 of the
Nova Disclosure Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no
material claims, suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to
the knowledge of Nova, threatened against Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries, before any court, governmental department,
commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any
arbitrator.
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2.11 Brokers and
Finders Fees; Fees and Expenses. Except for fees
payable to Credit Suisse First Boston pursuant to an engagement
letter dated December 3, 2002, a copy of which has been
provided to Saturn, Nova has not incurred, nor will it incur,
directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or
finders fees or agents commissions or any similar
charges in connection with this Agreement or any transaction
contemplated hereby, and Nova has not entered into any
indemnification agreement or arrangement with any person in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby. An itemized good faith estimate of the fees and expenses
of any accountant, broker, financial advisor, consultant, legal
counsel or other person retained by Nova in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby incurred or to
be incurred by Nova in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (including any agreement or
understanding with respect to such agreement or understanding,
whether written or oral) is set forth in
Section 2.11 of the Nova Disclosure Letter,
and all such fees are, and shall be, reasonable and customary in
nature.
2.12 Transactions with
Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Nova SEC Reports,
since the date of Novas last proxy statement filed with
the SEC, no event has occurred as of the date hereof that would
be required to be reported by Nova pursuant to Item 404 of
Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
Section 2.12 of the Nova Disclosure Letter
identifies each person who is an affiliate (as that
term is used in Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities
Act) of Nova as of the date hereof.
2.13 Employee Benefit
Plans.
(a) Schedule. Section 2.13(a) of
the Nova Disclosure Letter contains an accurate and complete
list of (i) each material plan, program, policy, practice,
contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for
compensation, severance, termination pay, deferred compensation,
performance awards, stock or stock-related awards, fringe
benefits or other employee benefits or remuneration of any kind,
whether written or unwritten or otherwise, funded or unfunded,
including without limitation, each employee benefit
plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(ERISA) which is or has been maintained,
contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by Nova or any
Subsidiary of Nova or any other person or entity under common
control with Nova or any Subsidiaries within the meaning of
Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code and
the regulations issued thereunder (each a Nova ERISA
Affiliate) for the benefit of any current or former or
retired employee, consultant or director of Nova or any Nova
ERISA Affiliate (each a Nova Employee), or
with respect to which Nova or any Nova ERISA Affiliate has or
may have any liability or obligation (collectively, the
Nova Employee Plans), and (ii) each
material management, employment, severance, consulting,
relocation, repatriation, expatriation, visa, work permit or
other similar agreement, contract or understanding between Nova
or any Nova ERISA Affiliate and any Nova Employee (each a
Nova Employee Agreement), except to the
extent a Nova Employee Agreement provides for
at-will employment and does not provide for
severance payments or benefits or is an agreement with a Nova
Employee who provides services outside of the United States. As
of the date hereof, neither Nova nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate
has any plan or commitment to establish any new Nova Employee
Plan or Nova Employee Agreement, to modify any Nova Employee
Plan or Nova Employee Agreement (except to the extent required
by law or to conform any such Nova Employee Plan or Nova
Employee Agreement to the requirements of any applicable law, in
each case as previously disclosed to Saturn in writing, or as
required by this Agreement), or to adopt or enter into any Nova
Employee Plan or Nova Employee Agreement.
(b) Documents. Nova has provided or made
available to Saturn correct and complete copies of: (i) all
documents embodying each Nova Employee Plan and each Nova
Employee Agreement including (without limitation) all amendments
thereto and all related trust documents, administrative service
agreements, group annuity contracts, group insurance contracts,
and policies pertaining to fiduciary liability insurance
covering the fiduciaries for each Nova Employee Plan;
(ii) the most recent annual actuarial valuations, if any,
prepared for each Nova Employee Plan; (iii) the three
(3) most recent annual reports (Form Series 5500
and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto), if
any, required under ERISA or the Code in connection with each
Nova Employee Plan; (iv) if the Nova Employee Plan is
funded, the most recent annual and periodic accounting of Nova
Employee Plan assets; (v) the most recent summary plan
description together with the summary(ies) of material
modifications thereto, if any,
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required under ERISA with respect to each Nova Employee Plan;
(vi) all Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
determination, opinion, notification and advisory letters, and
all applications and correspondence to or from the IRS or the
Department of Labor (DOL) with respect to any
such application or letter; (vii) all communications
material to any Nova Employee or Nova Employees relating to any
Nova Employee Plan and any proposed Nova Employee Plans, in each
case, relating to any amendments, terminations, establishments,
increases or decreases in benefits, acceleration of payments or
vesting schedules or other events which would result in any
material liability to Nova; (viii) all material
correspondence to or from any Governmental Entity relating to
any Nova Employee Plan; (ix) all model COBRA forms and
related notices (or such forms and notices as required under
comparable law); (x) the three (3) most recent plan
years discrimination tests for each Nova Employee Plan; and
(xi) all registration statements, annual reports
(Form 11-K and attachments thereto) and prospectuses
prepared in connection with each Nova Employee Plan. As used in
this Agreement, COBRA shall mean the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as
amended and as codified in Section 4980B of the Code and
Section 601 et. seq. of ERISA.
(c) Employee Plan Compliance. Except as would
not result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova, Nova and its
Nova ERISA Affiliates have performed all obligations required to
be performed by them under, are not in default or violation of,
and have no knowledge of any default or violation by any other
party to each Nova Employee Plan, and each Nova Employee Plan
has been established and maintained in accordance with its terms
and in compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, orders,
rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA or the
Code. Any Nova Employee Plan intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust intended to
qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code has obtained
determination letters from the IRS with respect to all Tax law
changes prior to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2001 to the effect that such Nova Employee
Plan is qualified Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively,
of the Code, and no such determination letter has been revoked
(or has revocation been threatened). No prohibited
transaction, within the meaning of Section 4975 of
the Code or Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA, and not
otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA, has occurred
with respect to any Nova Employee Plan. There are no actions,
suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for
benefits), or, to the knowledge of Nova, threatened or
reasonably anticipated (other than routine claims for benefits)
against any Nova Employee Plan or against the assets of any Nova
Employee Plan. Each Nova Employee Plan can be amended,
terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Effective Time in
accordance with its terms, without material liability to Saturn,
Nova or any of its Nova ERISA Affiliates (other than ordinary
administration expenses). There are no audits, inquiries or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Nova or any Nova
ERISA Affiliates, threatened by the IRS or DOL, or any other
Governmental Entity with respect to any Nova Employee Plan.
Neither Nova nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate is subject to any
penalty or tax with respect to any Nova Employee Plan under
Section 502(i) of ERISA or Sections 4975 through 4980
of the Code. Nova and each Nova ERISA Affiliate have timely made
all contributions and other payments required by and due under
the terms of each Nova Employee Plan, in all material respects.
(d) No Pension or Welfare Plans. Neither Nova
nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained, established,
sponsored, participated in, or contributed to, any (i) Nova
Employee Plan which is an employee pension benefit
plan, within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA
(Pension Plan) and is subject to
Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code,
(ii) Pension Plan which is a multiemployer
plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA,
(iii) multiple employer plan as defined in
ERISA or the Code, or (iv) a funded welfare
plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code.
No Nova Employee Plan provides health benefits that are not
fully-insured through an insurance contract.
(e) No Post-Employment Obligations. Except as
set forth in Section 2.13(e) of the Nova Disclosure
Letter, no Nova Employee Plan provides, or reflects or
represents any liability to provide post-termination or retiree
welfare benefits to any person for any reason, except as may be
required by COBRA or other applicable statute, and neither Nova
nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate has ever represented, promised or
contracted (whether in oral or written form) to any Nova
Employee (either individually or to
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Nova Employees as a group) or any other person that such Nova
Employee(s) or other person would be provided with
post-termination or retiree welfare benefits, except to the
extent required by statute.
(f) Health Care Compliance. Neither Nova nor
any Nova ERISA Affiliate has, prior to the Effective Time and in
any material respect, violated any of the health care
continuation requirements of COBRA, the requirements of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or
any similar provisions of state law applicable to Nova Employees.
(g) Executive Loans. To the knowledge of
Nova, neither Nova nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate has violated
Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(SOX).
(h)Effect of Transaction.
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(i) Except as set forth on Section 2.13(h)(i)
of the Nova Disclosure Letter, the execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional
or subsequent events) constitute an event under any Nova
Employee Plan or Nova Employee Agreement that will or may result
in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise),
acceleration, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting,
distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to fund
benefits with respect to any Nova Employee. |
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(ii) Except as set forth on
Section 2.13(h)(ii)of the Nova Disclosure Letter, no
payment or benefit which will or may be made by Nova or its Nova
ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Nova Employee could not
reasonably be deductible under 280G of the Code. There is no
contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to which Nova or any of
its Nova ERISA Affiliates is a party or by which it is bound to
compensate any Nova Employee for excise taxes paid pursuant to
Section 4999 of the Code. |
(i) Employment Matters. Except as would not
result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova, Nova: (i) is
in compliance with all applicable foreign, federal, state and
local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment,
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and
wages and hours, in each case, with respect to Nova Employees;
(ii) has withheld and reported all amounts required by law
or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to
wages, salaries and all other payments to Nova Employees, and
(iii) is not liable for any payment to any trust or other
fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any
Governmental Entity, with respect to unemployment compensation
benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for
Nova Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the
normal course of business and consistent with past practice).
Except as would result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova,
neither Nova nor any Nova ERISA Affiliate has or reasonably
anticipates any direct or indirect liability with respect to any
misclassification of any person as an independent contractor
rather than as an employee, or with respect to any employee
leased from another employer.
(j) Labor. No work stoppage or labor strike
against Nova or any Nova ERISA Affiliate is pending, or to the
knowledge of Nova, threatened or reasonably anticipated. Nova
does not know of any activities or proceedings of any labor
union to organize any Nova Employees. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.13(j), there are no actions, suits,
claims, labor disputes or grievances pending, or, to the
knowledge of Nova, threatened or reasonably anticipated relating
to any labor, safety or discrimination matters involving any
Nova Employee, including, without limitation, charges of unfair
labor practices or discrimination complaints, which, if
adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova. Neither Nova nor
any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any unfair labor
practices within the meaning of the National Labor Relations
Act. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.13(j), Nova
is not presently, nor has it been in the past, a party to, or
bound by, any collective bargaining agreement or union contract
with respect to Nova Employees and no collective bargaining
agreement is being negotiated by Nova or any Nova ERISA
Affiliate with respect to Nova Employees. Neither Nova nor any
of its Subsidiaries have incurred any material liability or
material obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar state or
local law which remains unsatisfied.
A-24
2.14 Title to
Properties.
(a) Properties. Neither Nova nor any of its
Subsidiaries owns any real property. Section 2.14 of
the Nova Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all real
property currently leased, subleased, licensed, used or occupied
by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries, the name of the lessor, the
date of the lease and each amendment thereto and the aggregate
annual rental and/or other fees payable under any such lease.
All leases material to Nova (including, without limitation, the
Redwood City Lease (as defined below)) are in full force and
effect, are valid and effective in accordance with their
respective terms, and there is not, under any of such leases,
any existing material default or material event of default (or
event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute a material default) by Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries. With respect to that certain Triple Net Building
Lease dated as of May 5, 2000 by and between Pacific Shores
Development, LLC, as landlord, and Nova, as tenant (the
Redwood City Lease), Nova has satisfied and
performed all of Novas obligations to pay for the
construction of the Tenant Improvements, as such
term is defined in the Redwood City Lease, in accordance with
the terms and provisions of the Redwood City Lease.
(b) Valid Title. Nova and each of its
Subsidiaries has good and valid title to, or, in the case of
leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all
of its tangible properties and assets, real, personal and mixed,
used or held for use in its business, free and clear of any
Liens except for Liens imposed by law in respect of obligations
which are owed with respect to Taxes that are not yet due, being
contested in good faith, or for which an adequate reserve has
been provided for on the Nova Financials, except for such Liens
which are not material in character, amount or extent, and which
do not materially detract from the value, or materially
interfere with the present use, of the property subject thereto
or affected thereby, and except for Liens with respect to
properties and assets that are immaterial to Nova and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
2.15 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Hazardous Material. Except as would not
result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova or its Subsidiaries,
no underground storage tanks and no amount of any substance that
has been designated by any Governmental Entity or by applicable
federal, state or local law to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous
or otherwise a danger to health or the environment, including
PCBs, asbestos, petroleum, urea-formaldehyde and all substances
listed as hazardous substances pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980,
as amended, or defined as a hazardous waste pursuant to the
United States Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as
amended, and the regulations promulgated pursuant to said laws,
but excluding office and janitorial supplies, (a
Hazardous Material) are present, as a result
of the actions of Nova or any of its Subsidiaries or any
affiliate of Nova, or, to the knowledge of Nova, as a result of
any actions of any third party or otherwise, in, on or under any
property, including the land and the improvements, ground water
and surface water thereof, that Nova or any of its Subsidiaries
has at any time owned, operated, occupied or leased.
(b) Hazardous Materials Activities. Except as
would not result in a Material Adverse Change to Nova:
(i) neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has
transported, stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released
or exposed its employees or others to Hazardous Materials in
violation of any law in effect on or before the Closing Date and
(ii) neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has disposed
of, transported, sold, used, released, exposed its employees or
others to or manufactured any product containing a Hazardous
Material (collectively, Hazardous Materials
Activities) in violation of any rule, regulation,
treaty or statute promulgated by any Governmental Entity in
effect prior to or as of the date hereof to prohibit, regulate
or control Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous Material
Activity.
2.16 Contracts.
(a) Material Contracts. For purposes of this
Agreement, Nova Material Contract shall mean:
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(i) any material contracts (as such term is
defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC) with respect to Nova and its Subsidiaries; |
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(ii) any agreement of indemnification or any guaranty of
third parties other than any agreement of indemnification
entered into in connection with the sale or license of services
or hardware or software products in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(iii) any Contract containing any covenant
(A) limiting in any respect the right of Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business, to make use of
any Intellectual Property or compete with any person in any line
of business, (B) granting any exclusive rights,
(C) granting any person Most Favored Nations or
similar status, or (D) otherwise restricting the right of
Nova and its Subsidiaries to sell, distribute or manufacture any
products or services or to purchase or otherwise obtain any
software, components, parts or subassemblies in a manner that
would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the business of Nova; |
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(iv) any Contract relating to the disposition or
acquisition by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of
this Agreement of a material amount of assets not in the
ordinary course of business or pursuant to which Nova or any of
its Subsidiaries has any material ownership interest in any
other person or other business enterprise other than Novas
Subsidiaries; |
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(v) any dealer, distributor or joint marketing agreement,
under which Nova or any of its Subsidiaries have continuing
obligations or costs in excess of $100,000 per year, to
jointly market any product, technology or service, and which may
not be canceled without penalty upon notice of ninety
(90) days or less; or any agreement pursuant to which Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries have jointly developed or have
continuing obligations to jointly develop any product or
Intellectual Property that will not be exclusively owned by Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries, or any joint venture agreement; |
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(vi) any Contract to license or provide source code to any
third party for any product or technology that is material to
Nova and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than any such
Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; |
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(vii) any Contract (A) containing any support or
maintenance obligation on the part of Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (B) containing any service
obligation or cost to deliver services on the part of Nova or
any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $250,000 after the date
hereof, other than those obligations that are terminable by Nova
or any of its Subsidiaries on no more than ninety (90) days
notice without liability or financial obligation to Nova or its
Subsidiaries after or with respect to such termination (but
excluding any Nova Employee Agreement); |
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(viii) any Contract to sell or distribute any of
Novas products, services or technology, except agreements
with distributors or sales representative in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice; |
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(ix) any mortgages, indentures, guarantees, loans or credit
agreements, security agreements or other Contracts relating to
the borrowing of money or extension of credit, other than
accounts receivables and payables in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(x) (A) any settlement agreement entered into within
five (5) years prior to the date of this Agreement relating
to Intellectual Property, and (B) any settlement agreement
not relating to Intellectual Property entered into within two
(2) years prior to the date of this Agreement, other than
(I) releases immaterial in nature or amount entered into
with former employees or independent contractors of Nova in the
ordinary course of business in connection with the cessation of
such employees or independent contractors employment
with Nova or (II) settlement agreements for cash only that
do not exceed $50,000 as to each such settlement; |
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(xi) any other agreement, contract or commitment that
requires payments by or obligations of Nova or any Subsidiary
after the date hereof in excess of $250,000 or that requires
payments to Nova or any Subsidiary after the date hereof in
excess of $500,000 in any individual case not described in
clauses (i) through (x) above; |
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(xii) any Nova IP Agreement (other than non-exclusive
out-bound licenses of Novas or its Subsidiaries
software products or services, or immaterial in-bound licenses,
entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices); or |
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(xiii) any Contract, or group of Contracts with a person
(or group of affiliated persons), the termination or breach of
which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Change to Nova. |
(b) Schedule. Section 2.16(b) of
the Nova Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all Nova
Material Contracts to which Nova or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or is bound by as of the date hereof which are described
in Sections 2.16(a)(i) through 2.16(a)(xiii)
hereof. A Nova Material Contract shall be deemed to
include any oral or written amendment or modification to any
such Nova Material Contract. Nova has made available to Saturn
an accurate and complete copy of each Nova Material Contract.
(c) No Breach. All Nova Material Contracts
are valid and in full force and effect except to the extent they
have previously expired in accordance with their terms or if the
failure to be in full force and effect, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Change to Nova. Neither Nova nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of Nova, the other party
thereto, has violated any provision of, or committed or failed
to perform any act which, with or without notice, lapse of time
or both would constitute a breach or default under the
provisions of, any Nova Material Contract, except in each case
for those breaches and defaults which, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Change to Nova.
2.17 Disclosure. None
of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of
Nova for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
registration statement on Form S-4 (or similar successor
form) to be filed with the SEC by Saturn in connection with the
issuance of Saturn Common Stock in the Merger (including
amendments or supplements thereto) (the Registration
Statement) will, at the time the Registration
Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of
the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of
Nova for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC as part of
the Registration Statement (the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement), will, at the time the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement is mailed to the stockholders of Saturn, at the time
of the Saturn Stockholders Meeting (as defined in
Section 5.2(b)) or as of the Effective Time, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation or warranty is
made by Nova with respect to statements made or incorporated by
reference therein about Saturn supplied by Saturn for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement.
2.18 Board Approval.
The Nova Board has, by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous
vote at a meeting of all Directors duly called and held and not
subsequently rescinded or modified in any way (the Nova
Board Approval) (i) determined that the Merger is
fair to, and in the best interests of, Nova and its stockholders
and declared this Agreement and the Merger to be advisable,
(ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and
(iii) recommended that the stockholders of Nova approve and
adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and directed that
such matter be submitted to Novas stockholders at the Nova
Stockholders Meeting.
2.19 Fairness
Opinion. The Nova Board has received a written opinion
from Credit Suisse First Boston, dated as of May 9, 2005,
in customary form to the effect that, as of such date, the
Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
Nova stockholders, and has delivered to Saturn a copy of such
opinion.
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2.20 Takeover
Statutes. The Nova Board has taken all actions so that
the restrictions contained in Section 203 of the Delaware
Law applicable to a business combination (as defined
in such Section 203), and any other similar applicable
Legal Requirement, will not apply to Saturn during the pendency
of this Agreement, including the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
2.21 Insurance. Nova
and each of its Subsidiaries maintain insurance policies
(including fire and casualty, general liability, business
interruption, product liability and sprinkler and water damage
insurance policies) and/or fidelity bonds covering its assets,
business, equipment, properties, operations, and the Nova
Employees (collectively, the Insurance
Policies). Section 2.21 of the Nova
Disclosure Letter lists all such Insurance Policies and includes
for each such Insurance Policy, the amount of the annual premium
and the maximum coverage amounts per incident and per year.
There is no claim by Nova or any of its Subsidiaries pending
under any of the Insurance Policies as to which coverage has
been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such
policies or bonds. All premiums due and payable under all such
Insurance Policies have been paid, and Nova and each of its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, is otherwise in compliance
with the terms of such Insurance Policies. Nova has not made any
untrue statement about itself or its business in any application
for insurance. All Insurance Policies remain in full force and
effect, and neither Nova nor any of its Subsidiaries has
knowledge of any threatened termination of, or premium increase
with respect to, any such Insurance Policies.
2.22 Rights Plan.
Nova has taken all necessary action so that (i) Saturn
shall not be an Acquiring Person under the Nova
Rights Agreement solely by virtue of the entering into of this
Agreement and the performance of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, and (ii) the entering into of
this Agreement and the Merger and the performance of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the grant of
any rights to any person under the Nova Rights Agreement or
enable or require the Nova Rights to be exercised, distributed
or triggered.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SATURN AND THE SUBS
Saturn and the Subs hereby represent and warrant to Nova,
subject only to such exceptions as are specifically disclosed in
writing in the disclosure schedule supplied by Saturn to Nova
(which such exceptions shall reference the specific section and,
if applicable, subsection number of this Article III
to which it applies, and any information disclosed in any such
section or subsection shall be deemed to be disclosed only for
purposes of such section or subsection, except to the extent it
is reasonably apparent that the disclosure contained in such
section or subsection contains enough information regarding the
subject matter of other representations and warranties contained
in this Article III so as to qualify or otherwise
apply to such other representations and warranties), dated as of
the date hereof and certified by a duly authorized officer of
Saturn (the Saturn Disclosure Letter), as
follows:
3.1 Organization; Standing
and Power; Charter Documents; Subsidiaries.
(a) Organization; Standing and Power. Saturn
and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation or other
organization duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation
or organization, (ii) has the requisite power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified
or licensed and in good standing to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where
the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Change to Saturn.
(b) Charter Documents. Saturn has delivered
or made available to Nova (i) a true and correct copy of
the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of
Designations) and Bylaws of Saturn, each as amended to date
(collectively, the Saturn Charter Documents)
and (ii) the Subsidiary Charter Documents of each of its
Significant Subsidiaries, and each such instrument is in full
force and effect.
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Saturn is not in violation of any of the provisions of the
Saturn Charter Documents and each Significant Subsidiary of
Saturn is not in violation of its respective Subsidiary Charter
Documents.
(c) Subsidiaries. Exhibit 21 to
Saturns Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2004 includes all the Subsidiaries
of Saturn which are Significant Subsidiaries. All the
outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity or
voting interests in, each such Significant Subsidiary have been
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned by Saturn, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Saturn, or Saturn
and another wholly-owned Subsidiary of Saturn, free and clear of
all Liens, including any restriction on the right to vote, sell
or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other ownership
interests, except for restrictions imposed by applicable
securities laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Change to Saturn. Other than the
Subsidiaries of Saturn, neither Saturn nor any of its
Subsidiaries owns any capital stock of, or other equity or
voting interests of any nature in, or any interest convertible,
exchangeable or exercisable for, capital stock of, or other
equity or voting interests of any nature in, any other person.
No assets or liabilities that are material, individually or in
the aggregate, to Saturn are held by any Subsidiary of Saturn
that is not a Significant Subsidiary.
3.2 Capital Structure.
(a) Capital Stock. The authorized capital
stock of Saturn consists of: (i) 280,000,000 shares of
Saturn Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share and
(ii) 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of which 100,000 shares have been
designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the Saturn
Series A Preferred Stock), all of which will be
reserved for issuance upon exercise of preferred stock purchase
rights (the Saturn Rights) issuable pursuant
to the Preferred Shares Rights Agreement dated as of
October 23, 1996 and amended and restated as of
March 15, 2004 by and between Saturn and U.S. Stock
Transfer Corporation (the Saturn Rights
Agreement), a true and complete copy of which is filed
as Exhibit 1 to Saturns Registration Statement on
Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 19, 2004, and of
which 15,000,000 shares have been designated as
Series B Preferred Stock (the Saturn Series B
Preferred Stock, and together with the Saturn
Series A Preferred Stock, the Saturn Preferred
Stock). At the close of business on April 30,
2005: (i) 106,637,095 shares of Saturn Common Stock
were issued and outstanding, excluding shares of Saturn Common
Stock held by Saturn in its treasury,
(ii) 2,801,434 shares of Saturn Common Stock were
issued and held by Saturn in its treasury, and
(iii) 3,562,238 shares of Saturn Series B
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. No shares of Saturn
Common Stock are owned or held by any Subsidiary of Saturn. All
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Saturn are, and
all shares of capital stock of Saturn which may be issued as
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement will be, when
issued, duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(b) Stock Options. As of the close of
business on April 30, 2005: (i) 18,588,087 shares
of Saturn Common Stock were subject to issuance pursuant to
outstanding options to purchase Saturn Common Stock
(Saturn Options) under the stock option,
stock award, stock appreciation or phantom stock plans of Saturn
(the Saturn Stock Option Plans),
(ii) 7,568,257 shares of Saturn Common Stock were
reserved for future issuance under the Saturn Stock Option Plans
and (iii) 1,147,111 shares of Saturn Common Stock were
reserved for future issuance under Saturns 1995 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the Saturn ESPP). All
shares of Saturn Common Stock subject to issuance under the
Saturn Stock Option Plans and the Saturn ESPP, upon issuance in
accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the
instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, would be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. There
are no commitments or agreements of any character to which
Saturn is bound obligating Saturn to accelerate the vesting of
any Saturn Option as a result of the Merger (whether alone or
upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events).
There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation,
phantom stock, profit participation or other similar outstanding
or authorized equity compensation rights with respect to Saturn.
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(c) Voting Debt. No Voting Debt of Saturn is
issued or outstanding as of the date hereof.
(d) Other Securities. Except as otherwise set
forth in Section 3.2 of the Saturn Disclosure
Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no securities, options,
warrants, calls, rights, contracts, commitments, agreements,
instruments, arrangements, understandings, obligations or
undertakings of any kind to which Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound
obligating Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries to (including on a
deferred basis) issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock, Voting
Debt or other voting securities of Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries, or obligating Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries to
issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, call, right, contract, commitment, agreement,
instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or
undertaking. All outstanding shares of Saturn Common Stock, all
outstanding Saturn Options, and all outstanding shares of
capital stock of each Subsidiary of Saturn have been issued and
granted in compliance in all material respects with (i) all
applicable securities laws and all other applicable Legal
Requirements and (ii) all requirements set forth in
applicable material Contracts. Except for shares of Saturn
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
that are unvested or are subject to a repurchase option, risk of
forfeiture or other condition under any applicable restricted
stock purchase agreement or other agreement with Saturn, there
are not any outstanding Contracts of Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries to (i) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting
interests in, Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries or
(ii) dispose of any shares of the capital stock of, or
other equity or voting interests in, any of its Subsidiaries.
Saturn is not a party to any voting agreement with respect to
shares of the capital stock of, or other equity or voting
interests in, Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the
knowledge of Saturn, other than the Saturn Voting Agreements and
the irrevocable proxies granted pursuant to the Saturn Voting
Agreements, there are no irrevocable proxies and no voting
agreements, voting trusts, rights plans, anti-takeover plans or
registration rights agreements with respect to any shares of the
capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, Saturn
or any of its Subsidiaries.
(e) Capitalization of the Subs. The
authorized capital stock of Sub I consists of 1,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which
1,000 shares are issued and outstanding. Saturn is the sole
stockholder of Sub I and is the legal and beneficial owner of
all 1,000 issued and outstanding shares. Saturn is the sole
member of Sub II. Sub I and Sub II were formed by
counsel to Saturn at the direction of Saturn on May 5,
2005, solely for purposes of effecting the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. Except as contemplated by this
Agreement, the Subs do not hold, nor have they held, any
material assets or incurred any material liabilities nor have
the Subs carried on any business activities other than in
connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
3.3 Authority; Non-Contravention; Necessary
Consents.
(a) Authority. Each of Saturn and the Subs
has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Saturn and the Subs and no other corporate or other proceedings
on the part of Saturn or the Subs are necessary to authorize the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, subject
only to (i) the approval of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement by Saturns stockholders, and
(ii) the approval of this Agreement and the approval of the
Merger by Saturn as Sub Is sole stockholder and
Sub IIs sole member and (iii) the filing of the
Certificates of Merger pursuant to Delaware Law. This Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by Saturn and the Subs and,
assuming due execution and delivery by Nova, constitutes the
valid and binding obligation of Saturn, enforceable against
Saturn and the Subs in accordance with its terms.
(b) Non-Contravention. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Saturn and the Subs does not, and
the performance of this Agreement by Saturn and the consummation
of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby will not:
(i) conflict with or violate the Saturn Charter Documents,
the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Sub I, the
organizational documents of Sub II or any other
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Subsidiary Charter Documents of any Subsidiary of Saturn,
(ii) subject to compliance with the requirements set forth
in Section 3.3(c), conflict with or violate any
applicable Legal Requirement in any material respect applicable
to Saturn, the Subs or any of Saturns other Subsidiaries
or by which Saturn, the Subs or any of Saturns other
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is bound or
affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a
default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or impair Saturns rights or
alter the rights or obligations of any third party under, or
give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a
Lien on any of the properties or assets of Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Saturn Material Contract (as
defined in Section 3.16) (other than Saturn IP
Agreements (as defined in Section 3.8(e))), except,
in the case of clause (iii) of this sentence, as would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Saturn. Section 3.3(b) of the Saturn Disclosure
Letter lists all consents, waivers and approvals under any of
Saturns or any of its Subsidiaries Contracts
required to be obtained in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, which, if individually or
in the aggregate, are not obtained, would result in a material
loss of benefits to Nova, Saturn or the Final Surviving Entity
as a result of the Merger.
(c) Necessary Consents. No consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with any Governmental Entity is required to be obtained
or made by Saturn in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger and other
transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) the
Necessary Consents and (ii) such other consents,
authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which if
not obtained or made would not be materially adversely affect
Saturn, the Subs or Nova or the ability of the parties hereto to
consummate the Merger within the time frame in which the Merger
would otherwise be consummated in the absence of the need for
such consent, approval, order, authorization, registration,
declaration or filings.
3.4 SEC Filings; Financial
Statements.
(a) SEC Filings. Saturn has filed all
required registration statements, prospectuses, reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including
exhibits and all other information incorporated by reference)
required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1,
2002. Saturn has made available to Nova all such registration
statements, prospectuses, reports, schedules, forms, statements
and other documents in the form filed with the SEC. All such
required registration statements, prospectuses, reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including
those that Saturn may file subsequent to the date hereof) are
referred to herein as the Saturn SEC Reports.
As of their respective dates, the Saturn SEC Reports
(i) were prepared in accordance and complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable to such Saturn SEC
Reports and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if
amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this
Agreement then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. None of Saturns
Subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports or other
documents with the SEC.
(b) Financial Statements. Each of the
consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any
related notes thereto) contained in the Saturn SEC Reports (the
Saturn Financials), including each Saturn SEC
Report filed after the date hereof until the Closing:
(i) complied as to form in all material respects with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto,
(ii) was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may
be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
interim financial statements, as may be permitted by the SEC on
Form 10-Q, 8-K or any successor form under the Exchange
Act), and (iii) fairly presented in all material respects
the consolidated financial position of Saturn and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and
the consolidated results of Saturns operations and cash
flows for the periods indicated. The balance sheet of Saturn
contained in the Saturn SEC Reports as of December 31, 2004
is hereinafter referred to as the Saturn Balance
Sheet. As of April 30, 2005, Saturns
consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(calculated in accordance
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with the accounting policies described in Saturns
Form 10-KT filed with the SEC on January 6, 2005 for
the transition period from January 1, 2004 to
September 30, 2004) were as set forth on
Section 2.4(b) of the Saturn Disclosure Letter.
3.5 No Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as otherwise set forth in
Section 3.5 of the Saturn Disclosure Letter, neither
Saturn nor its Subsidiaries has any liability, indebtedness,
obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement
of any type, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured,
unmatured or other (whether or not required to be reflected in
the Saturn Financials), which individually or in the aggregate
(i) has not been reflected in the Saturn Balance Sheet or
the footnotes related thereto, (ii) has not arisen in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices since
the Saturn Balance Sheet, (iii) (a) arose before the
date of the Saturn Balance Sheet (b) arose in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices (c) were
not required by GAAP to be on the Saturn Balance Sheet and
(d) were not material to Saturn in amount individually or
in the aggregate, or (iv) arose before the date of the
Saturn Balance Sheet pursuant to the express terms of Saturn
Material Contracts and were not required by GAAP to be on the
Saturn Balance Sheet.
3.6 Absence of Certain
Changes or Events. Since the date of the Saturn Balance
Sheet through the date hereof, except as set forth on
Section 3.6 of the Saturn Disclosure Letter, Saturn
has conducted its business only in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and there has not been:
(i) any Material Adverse Change to Saturn, (ii) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend on, or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in
respect of, any of Saturns or any of its
Subsidiaries capital stock, or any purchase, redemption or
other acquisition by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries of any of
Saturns capital stock or any other securities of Saturn or
its Subsidiaries or any options, warrants, calls or rights to
acquire any such shares or other securities except for
repurchases from Employees following their termination pursuant
to the terms of their pre-existing stock option or purchase
agreements, (iii) any split, combination or
reclassification of any of Saturns or any of its
Subsidiaries capital stock, (iv) with respect to any
individual, any granting by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries of
any material increase in compensation or fringe benefits, except
for normal increases of cash compensation in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice (other than to members
of the Saturn Board or executive officers of Saturn), or any
payment by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries of any bonus,
except for bonuses made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice (other than to members of the
Saturn Board or executive officers of Saturn), or any granting
by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries of any material increase in
severance or termination pay or any entry by Saturn or any of
its Subsidiaries into, or material modification or amendment of,
any currently effective employment, severance, termination or
indemnification agreement or any agreement the benefits of which
are contingent or the terms of which are materially altered upon
the occurrence of a transaction involving Saturn of the nature
contemplated hereby, (v) entry by Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries into any licensing or other agreement with regard
to the disposition of any material Intellectual Property other
than licenses, distribution agreements, advertising agreements,
sponsorship agreements or merchant program agreements entered
into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (vi) any material change by Saturn in its
accounting methods, principles or practices, except as required
by concurrent changes in GAAP or by the SEC, (vii) any
material revaluation by Saturn of any of its assets, including,
without limitation, writing down the value of capitalized
inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivable other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (viii) any communication from Nasdaq with respect
to the delisting of the Saturn Common Stock, (ix) any
cancellation by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries of any debts
or waiver of any claims or rights of material value,
(x) any sale, transfer or other disposition outside of the
ordinary course of business of any properties or assets (real,
personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) by Saturn or any of
its Subsidiaries, or (xi) any agreement, whether in writing
or otherwise, to take any action described in this section by
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries.
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3.7 Taxes.
(a) Tax Returns and Audits.
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(i) Saturn and each of its Subsidiaries have prepared and
timely filed all material required Tax Returns relating to any
and all Taxes concerning or attributable to Saturn, its
Subsidiaries or their respective operations, and such Tax
Returns, as of the time of filing were true and correct in all
material respects and have been completed in accordance with
applicable law. |
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(ii) Saturn and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid
all material Taxes required to be paid. With respect to their
employees, Saturn and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid
or withheld all federal and state income taxes, Federal
Insurance Contribution Act, Federal Unemployment Tax Act and
other material Taxes required to be paid or withheld.
Furthermore, any such amounts withheld by Saturn and each of its
Subsidiaries with respect to their employees have been timely
paid over to the appropriate Taxing authority. |
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(iii) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has been
delinquent in the payment of any material Tax, nor is there any
material Tax deficiency outstanding, assessed or proposed
against Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries, nor has Saturn or any
of its Subsidiaries executed any waiver of any statute of
limitations on or extending the period for the assessment or
collection of any material Tax. |
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(iv) No audit or other examination of any Tax Return of
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries is presently in progress, nor
has Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries been notified of any
request for such an audit or other examination. No adjustment
relating to any Tax Return filed by Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries has been proposed formally or, to the knowledge of
Saturn, informally by any Tax authority to Saturn, any of its
Subsidiaries or any representative thereof. Neither Saturn nor
any of its Subsidiaries has been notified of any claim made by
an authority in a jurisdiction where Saturn or its Subsidiaries
do not file Tax Returns that Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries
are or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. |
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(v) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
liabilities for unpaid Taxes (other than such liabilities,
including without limitation any penalties or interest thereon,
that are immaterial to Saturn), which have not been accrued or
reserved on the Saturn Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP,
and neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any
liability for Taxes since the date of the Saturn Balance Sheet
other than in the ordinary course of business. |
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(vi) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has
(a) ever been a member of an affiliated group (within the
meaning of Code §1504(a)) filing a consolidated federal
income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which
was Saturn), (b) ever been a party to any Tax sharing,
indemnification or allocation agreement, nor does Saturn or any
of its Subsidiaries owe any amount under any such agreement and
(c) any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treas. Reg.
§ 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local
or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or
otherwise and (d) ever been a party to any joint venture,
partnership or other agreement that to the knowledge of Saturn
could be treated as a partnership for Tax purposes. |
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(vii) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has
constituted either a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation in a distribution of stock
intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under
Section 355 of the Code (x) in the two years prior to
the date of this Agreement or (y) in a distribution that
otherwise could constitute part of a plan or
series of related transactions within the meaning of
Section 355(e) of the Code in conjunction with the Merger. |
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(viii) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has
engaged in a reportable transaction under Treas. Reg.
§ 1.6011-4(b) or in a transaction that is the same as
or substantially similar to one of the types of transactions
that the Internal Revenue Service has determined to be a tax
avoidance transaction and identified by notice, regulation, or
other form of published guidance as a listed transaction, as set
forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.6011-4(b)(2). |
A-33
3.8 Intellectual
Property. Except as set forth in Section 3.8
of the Saturn Disclosure Letter:
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(a) To the knowledge of Saturn, (i) the operation of
the business of Saturn and each of its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted, including their products and services, does not
infringe or misappropriate in any material respect the
Intellectual Property of any third party or constitute unfair
competition or unfair trade practices under the laws of any
jurisdiction, and (ii) Saturn and its Subsidiaries own or
possess sufficient rights to all material Intellectual Property
used in or necessary for the operation of their businesses as
currently conducted. |
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(b) Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries have
received any written notice from any third party as of the date
hereof, and, to the knowledge of Saturn, there is no other
assertion or pending threat from any third party, that the
operation of the business of Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries
as currently conducted, or any of their products or services,
infringes or misappropriates the Intellectual Property of any
third party or constitutes unfair competition or unfair trade
practices under the laws of any jurisdiction. Neither Saturn nor
any its Subsidiaries have brought or have been a party to any
suits, arbitrations or other adversarial proceedings with
respect to a third partys Intellectual Property that
remain unresolved. |
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(c) To the knowledge of Saturn, as of the date hereof, no
person is infringing or misappropriating any material
Intellectual Property owned or exclusively licensed by Saturn or
any of its Subsidiaries. Neither Saturn nor any its Subsidiaries
have brought or have been a party to any suits, arbitrations or
other adversarial proceedings with respect to their Intellectual
Property against any third party that remain unresolved. |
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(d) Saturn and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any
judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or any
Federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic
or foreign, or any arbitrator, which restricts or impairs the
use of any material Intellectual Property of Saturn or its
Subsidiaries. The Intellectual Property owned or exclusively
licensed by Saturn is free and clear of any Liens. |
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(e) To the knowledge of Saturn, Saturn and each of its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with,
and have not breached in any material respect any term of any
contracts, licenses or other agreements in which Saturn and its
Subsidiaries have granted or received any Intellectual Property
(Saturn IP Agreements). To the knowledge of
Saturn, all third parties to such Saturn IP Agreements are in
compliance in all material respects with, and have not breached
in any material respect, any of their terms. |
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(f) The Merger will not result in any breach of or
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of
time or both would become a default) under, or impair
Saturns rights or obligations or alter the rights or
obligations of any third party under, or give to others any
rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any of the properties
or assets of Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any
material Saturn IP Agreements. The Merger will not result in the
obligation for Saturn or its Subsidiaries to pay any
consideration, royalties or other amounts to any third party in
excess of those amounts otherwise owed by Saturn or its
Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Merger. |
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(g) The Merger will not, as a result of any contracts,
licenses or other agreements entered into by Saturn, result in:
(i) Saturn or its Subsidiaries (other than the Subs, but
only to the extent existing prior to the Merger), being bound by
any material non-compete, exclusivity obligation or other
restriction on the operation of its business, or
(ii) Saturn or its Subsidiaries (other than the Subs, but
only to the extent existing prior to the Merger) granting to any
third party any rights or licenses to any material Intellectual
Property of Saturn or any affiliate of Saturn (including without
limitation a covenant not to sue). |
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(h) To the knowledge of Saturn, no Governmental Entity,
university, college, other educational institution or research
center has any claim or right in or to any product or
Intellectual Property |
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owned or exclusively licensed by Saturn. Saturn has not entered
into any agreement granting any such rights. |
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(i) Saturn does not incorporate into, combine with, or
distribute in conjunction with any of its products or services
any software that is subject to any copyleft or
other obligation or condition under any open source
or similar license, such as the GNU Public License (GLP), that
requires or conditions the distribution of such product or
services on the disclosure, licensing or distribution of any
Saturn source code. |
3.9 Compliance;
Permits.
(a) Compliance. Neither Saturn nor any of its
Subsidiaries is, in any material respect, in conflict with, or
in default or in violation of any applicable Legal Requirement
applicable to Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries or by which
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
businesses or properties is, or Saturn believes is reasonably
likely to be, bound or affected, except, in each case, or in the
aggregate, for conflicts, violations and defaults that would not
have a Material Adverse Change to Saturn. As of the date hereof,
no investigation or review by any Governmental Entity is pending
or, to the knowledge of Saturn, has been threatened in a writing
delivered to Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries, against Saturn
or any of its Subsidiaries. There is no judgment, injunction,
order or decree binding upon Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries
which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of
prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Saturn or any
of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by Saturn or
any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by Saturn and
its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except as would not
have a Material Adverse Change to Saturn.
(b) Permits. Saturn and its Subsidiaries
hold, to the extent legally required, all Permits that are
required for the operation of the business of Saturn
(collectively, Saturn Permits), except where
the failure to hold such Permits would not have a Material
Adverse Change to Saturn. As of the date hereof, no suspension
or cancellation of any of the Saturn Permits is pending or, to
the knowledge of Saturn, threatened. Saturn and its Subsidiaries
are in compliance with the terms of the Saturn Permits, except
as would not have a Material Adverse Change to Saturn.
3.10 Litigation.
Except as set forth in Section 3.10 of the Saturn
Disclosure Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no material
claims, suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to the
knowledge of Saturn, threatened against Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries, before any court, governmental department,
commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any
arbitrator.
3.11 Brokers and
Finders Fees. Except for fees payable to Thomas
Weisel Partners LLC pursuant to an engagement letter dated
February 16, 2005, a copy of which has been provided to
Nova, Saturn has not incurred, nor will it incur, directly or
indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or
agents commissions or any similar charges in connection
with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, and
Saturn has not entered into any indemnification agreement or
arrangement with any person in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. An itemized good faith
estimate of the fees and expenses of any accountant, broker,
financial advisor, consultant, legal counsel or other person
retained by Saturn in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby incurred or to be incurred by
Saturn in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including any agreement or understanding
with respect to such agreement or understanding, whether written
or oral) is set forth in Section 3.11 of the Saturn
Disclosure Letter, and all such fees are, and shall be,
reasonable and customary in nature.
3.12 Transactions with
Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Saturn SEC
Reports, since the date of Saturns last proxy statement
filed with the SEC, no event has occurred as of the date hereof
that would be required to be reported by Saturn pursuant to
Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
Section 3.12 of the Saturn Disclosure Letter
identifies each person who is an affiliate (as that
term is used in Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities
Act) of Saturn as of the date hereof.
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3.13 Saturn Employee Benefit
Plans.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
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(i) Saturn Employee shall mean any
current or former or retired employee, consultant or director of
Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate. |
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(ii) Saturn Employee Agreement shall
mean each management, employment, severance, consulting,
relocation, repatriation, expatriation, visa, work permit or
other similar agreement, contract or understanding between
Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate and any Saturn Employee,
except to the extent a Saturn Employee Agreement provides for
at-will employment and does not provide for
severance payments or benefits. |
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(iii) Saturn Employee Plans shall mean
each plan, program, policy, practice, contract, agreement or
other arrangement providing for compensation, severance,
termination pay, deferred compensation, performance awards,
stock or stock-related awards, fringe benefits or other employee
benefits or remuneration of any kind, whether written or
unwritten or otherwise, funded or unfunded, including without
limitation, each employee benefit plan, within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or has been
maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by
Saturn or any Subsidiary of Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate
for the benefit of a Saturn Employee, or with respect to which
Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate has or may have any
liability or obligation. |
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(iv) Saturn ERISA Affiliate shall mean
any Saturn Subsidiary or other person or entity under common
control with Saturn or any Saturn Subsidiaries within the
meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the
Code and the regulations issued thereunder. |
(b) Documents. Saturn has provided or made
available to Nova correct and complete copies of: (i) all
documents embodying each Saturn Employee Plan and each Saturn
Employee Agreement including (without limitation) all amendments
thereto and all related trust documents, administrative service
agreements, group annuity contracts, group insurance contracts,
and policies pertaining to fiduciary liability insurance
covering the fiduciaries for each Saturn Employee Plan;
(ii) the most recent annual actuarial valuations, if any,
prepared for each Saturn Employee Plan; (iii) the three
(3) most recent annual reports (Form Series 5500
and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto), if
any, required under ERISA or the Code in connection with each
Saturn Employee Plan; (iv) if the Saturn Employee Plan is
funded, the most recent annual and periodic accounting of Saturn
Employee Plan assets; (v) the most recent summary plan
description together with the summary(ies) of material
modifications thereto, if any, required under ERISA with respect
to each Saturn Employee Plan; (vi) all IRS determination,
opinion, notification and advisory letters, and all applications
and correspondence to or from the IRS or the DOL with respect to
any such application or letter; (vii) all communications
material to any Saturn Employee or Saturn Employees relating to
any Saturn Employee Plan and any proposed Saturn Employee Plans,
in each case, relating to any amendments, terminations,
establishments, increases or decreases in benefits, acceleration
of payments or vesting schedules or other events which would
result in any material liability to Saturn; (viii) all
correspondence to or from any Governmental Entity relating to
any Saturn Employee Plan; (ix) all model COBRA forms and
related notices (or such forms and notices as required under
comparable law); (x) the three (3) most recent plan
years discrimination tests for each Saturn Employee Plan; and
(xi) all registration statements, annual reports
(Form 11-K and attachments thereto) and prospectuses
prepared in connection with each Saturn Employee Plan. Neither
Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate has any plan or commitment
to establish any new Saturn Employee Plan or Saturn Employee
Agreement, to modify any Saturn Employee Plan or Saturn Employee
Agreement (except to the extent required by law or to conform
any such Saturn Employee Plan or Saturn Employee Agreement to
the requirements of any applicable law, in each case as
previously disclosed to Nova in writing, or as required by this
Agreement), or to adopt or enter into any Saturn Employee Plan
or Saturn Employee Agreement
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(c) Saturn Employee Plan Compliance. Except
as would not result in a Material Adverse Change to Saturn,
Saturn and its Saturn ERISA Affiliates have performed all
obligations required to be performed by them under, are not in
default or violation of, and have no knowledge of any default or
violation by any other party to each Saturn Employee Plan, and
each Saturn Employee Plan has been established and maintained in
accordance with its terms and in compliance with all applicable
laws, statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not
limited to ERISA or the Code. Any Saturn Employee Plan intended
to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and each
trust intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code
(i) has obtained a determination letter or opinion from the
IRS with respect to all Tax law changes prior to the Economic
Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to the effect
that such Saturn Employee Plan is qualified under
Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code, and
no such determination letter has been revoked (or has revocation
been threatened). No prohibited transaction, within
the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or
Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA, and not otherwise exempt
under Section 408 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to
any Saturn Employee Plan. There are no actions, suits or claims
pending (other than routine claims for benefits), or, to the
knowledge of Saturn, threatened or reasonably anticipated (other
than routine claims for benefits) against any Saturn Employee
Plan or against the assets of any Saturn Employee Plan. Each
Saturn Employee Plan can be amended, terminated or otherwise
discontinued after the Effective Time in accordance with its
terms, without material liability to Nova, Saturn or any of its
Saturn ERISA Affiliates (other than ordinary administration
expenses). There are no audits, inquiries or proceedings pending
or, to the knowledge of Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliates,
threatened by the IRS or DOL, or any other Governmental Entity
with respect to any Saturn Employee Plan. Neither Saturn nor any
Saturn ERISA Affiliate is subject to any penalty or tax with
respect to any Saturn Employee Plan under Section 502(i) of
ERISA or Sections 4975 through 4980 of the Code. Saturn and
each Saturn ERISA Affiliate have timely made all contributions
and other payments required by and due under the terms of each
Saturn Employee Plan, in all material respects.
(d) No Pension or Welfare Plans. Neither
Saturn nor any Saturn ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained,
established, sponsored, participated in, or contributed to, any
(i) Saturn Employee Plan which is a Pension Plan and is
subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the
Code, (ii) Pension Plan which is a multiemployer
plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA,
(iii) multiple employer plan as defined in
ERISA or the Code, or (iv) a funded welfare
plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code.
No Saturn Employee Plan provides health benefits that are not
fully-insured through an insurance contract.
(e) No Post-Employment Obligations. Except as
set forth in Section 3.13(e) of the Saturn
Disclosure Letter, no Saturn Employee Plan provides, or reflects
or represents any liability to provide post-termination or
retiree welfare benefits to any person for any reason, except as
may be required by COBRA or other applicable statute, and
neither Saturn nor any Saturn ERISA Affiliate has ever
represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or written
form) to any Saturn Employee (either individually or to Saturn
Employees as a group) or any other person that such Saturn
Employee(s) or other person would be provided with
post-termination or retiree welfare benefits, except to the
extent required by statute.
(f) Health Care Compliance. Neither Saturn
nor any Saturn ERISA Affiliate has, prior to the Effective Time
and in any material respect, violated any of the health care
continuation requirements of COBRA, the requirements of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or
any similar provisions of state law applicable to its Saturn
Employees.
(g) Executive Loans. To the knowledge of
Saturn and any Saturn ERISA Affiliate, neither Saturn nor any
Saturn ERISA Affiliate has violated Section 402 of SOX.
(h) Effect of Transaction.
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(i) Except as set forth on Section 3.13(h)(i)
of the Saturn Disclosure Letter, the execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional
or subsequent events) constitute an event under any Saturn
Employee Plan or Saturn Employee Agreement that will or may
result in any payment (whether of |
A-37
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severance pay or otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of
indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits or
obligation to fund benefits with respect to any Saturn Employee. |
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(ii) Except as set forth on Section 3.13(h)(ii)
of the Saturn Disclosure Letter, no payment or benefit which
will or may be made by Saturn or its Saturn ERISA Affiliates
with respect to any Saturn Employee could not reasonably be
deductible under 280G of the Code. There is no contract,
agreement, plan or arrangement to which Saturn or any of its
Saturn ERISA Affiliates is a party or by which it is bound to
compensate any Saturn Employee for excise taxes paid pursuant to
Section 4999 of the Code. |
(i) Employment Matters. Except as would not
result in a Material Adverse Change to Saturn, Saturn:
(i) is in compliance with all applicable foreign, federal,
state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting
employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment and wages and hours, in each case, with respect to
Saturn Employees; (ii) has withheld and reported all
amounts required by law or by agreement to be withheld and
reported with respect to wages, salaries, and all other payments
to Saturn Employees; and (iii) is not liable for any
payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by
or on behalf of any Governmental Entity, with respect to
unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other
benefits or obligations for Saturn Employees (other than routine
payments to be made in the normal course of business and
consistent with past practice). Except as would not result in a
Material Adverse Change to Saturn, neither Saturn nor any Saturn
ERISA Affiliate has or reasonably anticipates any direct or
indirect material liability with respect to any
misclassification of any person as an independent contractor
rather than as an employee, or with respect to any employee
leased from another employer.
(j) Labor. No work stoppage or labor strike
against Saturn or any Saturn ERISA Affiliate is pending or, to
the knowledge of Saturn, threatened or reasonably anticipated.
Saturn does not know of any activities or proceedings of any
labor union to organize any Saturn Employees. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.13(j), there are no actions,
suits, claims, labor disputes or grievances pending, or, to the
knowledge of Saturn, threatened or reasonably anticipated
relating to any labor, safety or discrimination matters
involving any Saturn Employee, including, without limitation,
charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints,
which, if adversely determined, would, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change to Saturn.
Neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any
unfair labor practices within the meaning of the National Labor
Relations Act. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.13(j), Saturn is not presently, nor has
it been in the past, a party to, or bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement or union contract with respect to Saturn
Employees and no collective bargaining agreement is being
negotiated with respect to Saturn Employees. Neither Saturn nor
any of its Subsidiaries have incurred any material liability or
material obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar state or
local law which remains unsatisfied.
3.14 Title to
Properties.
(a) Properties. Neither Saturn nor any of its
Subsidiaries owns any real property. Section 3.14 of
the Saturn Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all real
property currently leased, subleased, licensed, used or occupied
by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries, the name of the lessor,
the date of the lease and each amendment thereto and the
aggregate annual rental and/or other fees payable under any such
lease. All leases material to Saturn are in full force and
effect, are valid and effective in accordance with their
respective terms, and there is not, under any of such leases,
any existing material default or event of material default (or
event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute a material default) by Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(b) Valid Title. Saturn and each of its
Subsidiaries has good and valid title to, or, in the case of
leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all
of its tangible properties and assets, real, personal and mixed,
used or held for use in its business, free and clear of any
Liens except for Liens imposed by law in respect of obligations
which are owned with respect to Taxes that are not yet due,
being contested in good faith, or for which an adequate reserve
has been provided for on the Saturn Financials,
A-38
except for such Liens which are not material in character,
amount or extent, and which do not materially detract from the
value, or materially interfere with the present use, of the
property subject thereto or affected thereby, and except for
Liens with respect to properties and assets that are immaterial
to Saturn and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
3.15 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Hazardous Material. Except as would not
result in a Material Adverse Change to Saturn or its
Subsidiaries, no underground storage tanks and no amount of any
substance that has been designated by any Governmental Entity or
by applicable federal, state or local law to be a Hazardous
Material are present, as a result of the actions of Saturn or
any of its Subsidiaries or any affiliate of Saturn, or, to the
knowledge of Saturn, as a result of any actions of any third
party or otherwise, in, on or under any property, including the
land and the improvements, ground water and surface water
thereof, that Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries has at any time
owned, operated, occupied or leased.
(b) Hazardous Materials Activities. Except as
would not result in a Material Adverse Change to Saturn:
(i) neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has
transported, stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released
or exposed its employees or others to Hazardous Materials in
violation of any law in effect on or before the Closing Date and
(ii) neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries has
conducted any Hazardous Material Activities in violation of any
rule, regulation, treaty or statute promulgated by any
Governmental Entity in effect prior to or as of the date hereof
to prohibit, regulate or control Hazardous Materials or any
Hazardous Material Activity.
3.16 Contracts.
(a) Material Contracts. For purposes of this
Agreement, Saturn Material Contract shall
mean:
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(i) any material contracts (as such term is
defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC) with respect to Saturn and its Subsidiaries; |
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(ii) any agreement of indemnification or any guaranty of
third parties other than any agreement of indemnification
entered into in connection with the sale or license of services
or hardware or software products in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(iii) any Contract containing any covenant
(A) limiting in any respect the right of Saturn or any of
its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business, to make use
of any Intellectual Property or compete with any person in any
line of business, (B) granting any exclusive rights,
(C) granting any person Most Favored Nations or
similar status, or (D) otherwise restricting the right of
Saturn and its Subsidiaries to sell, distribute or manufacture
any products or services or to purchase or otherwise obtain any
software, components, parts or subassemblies in a manner that
would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the business of Saturn; |
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(iv) any Contract relating to the disposition or
acquisition by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries after the date
of this Agreement of a material amount of assets not in the
ordinary course of business or pursuant to which Saturn or any
of its Subsidiaries has any material ownership interest in any
other person or other business enterprise other than
Saturns Subsidiaries; |
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(v) any dealer, distributor or joint marketing agreement,
under which Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries have continuing
obligations or costs in excess of $250,000 per year, to
jointly market any product, technology or service, and which may
not be canceled without penalty upon notice of ninety
(90) days or less; or any agreement pursuant to which
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries have jointly developed or have
continuing obligations to jointly develop any product or
Intellectual Property that will not be exclusively owned by
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries, or any joint venture
agreement; |
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(vi) any Contract to license or provide source code to any
third party for any product or technology that is material to
Saturn and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than any
such Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; |
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(vii) any Contract (A) containing any support or
maintenance obligation on the part of Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (B) containing any service
obligation or cost to deliver services on the part of Saturn or
any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 after the date
hereof, other than those obligations that are terminable by
Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries on no more than ninety
(90) days notice without liability or financial obligation
to Saturn or its Subsidiaries after or with respect to such
termination (but excluding any Saturn Employee Agreement); |
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(viii) any Contract to sell or distribute any of
Saturns products, services or technology, except
agreements with distributors or sales representative in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
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(ix) any mortgages, indentures, guarantees, loans or credit
agreements, security agreements or other Contracts relating to
the borrowing of money or extension of credit, other than
accounts receivables and payables in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(x) (A) any settlement agreement entered into within
five (5) years prior to the date of this Agreement relating
to Intellectual Property, and (B) any settlement agreement
not relating to Intellectual Property entered into within two
(2) years prior to the date of this Agreement, other than
(I) releases immaterial in nature or amount entered into
with former employees or independent contractors of Saturn in
the ordinary course of business in connection with the cessation
of such employees or independent contractors
employment with Saturn or (II) settlement agreements for
cash only that do not exceed $50,000 as to each such settlement; |
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(xi) any Saturn IP Agreement (other than non-exclusive
out-bound licenses of Saturns or its Subsidiaries
software products or services, or immaterial in-bound licenses,
entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices); or |
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(xii) any Contract, or group of Contracts with a person (or
group of affiliated persons), the termination or breach of which
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Change
to Saturn. |
(b) Schedule. Section 3.16(b) of
the Saturn Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all Saturn
Material Contracts to which Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party or is bound by as of the date hereof which are described
in Sections 3.16(a)(i) through 3.16(a)(xii)
hereof. A Saturn Material Contract shall be
deemed to include any oral or written amendment or modification
to any such Saturn Material Contract. Saturn has made available
to Nova an accurate and complete copy of each Saturn Material
Contract.
(c) No Breach. All Saturn Material Contracts
are valid and in full force and effect except to the extent they
have previously expired in accordance with their terms or if the
failure to be in full force and effect, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Change to Saturn. Neither Saturn nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of Saturn, the other party
thereto, has violated any provision of, or committed or failed
to perform any act which, with or without notice, lapse of time
or both would constitute a breach or default under the
provisions of, any Saturn Material Contract, except in each case
for those breaches and defaults which, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Change to Saturn.
3.17 Disclosure. None
of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of
Saturn or the Subs for inclusion or incorporation by reference
in the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration
Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of
the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of
Saturn and the Subs for inclusion or incorporation by reference
in the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement, will, at the time the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement is mailed to the stockholders of
Nova, at the time of the Nova Stockholders Meeting (as
defined in Section 5.2(a)) or as of the Effective
Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
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omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
The Prospectus/ Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation or warranty is
made by Saturn with respect to statements made or incorporated
by reference therein about Nova supplied by Nova for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement.
3.18 Board Approval.
The Saturn Board has, by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous
vote at a meeting of all Directors duly called and held and not
subsequently rescinded or modified in any way (the
Saturn Board Approval) (i) determined
that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Saturn
and its stockholders and declared this Agreement and the Merger
to be advisable, and (ii) approved this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and
(iii) recommended that the stockholders of Saturn approve
the Stock Issuance, the Financing and the Option Assumption (as
such terms are defined in Section 5.2(b)).
3.19 Fairness
Opinion. The Saturn Board has received a written opinion
from Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, dated as of May 9, 2005,
in customary form to the effect that, as of such date, the
Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Saturn stockholders, and has delivered to Nova a copy of
such opinion.
3.20 Insurance.
Saturn and each of its Subsidiaries maintain insurance policies
(including fire and casualty, general liability, business
interruption, product liability and sprinkler and water damage
insurance policies) and/or fidelity bonds covering its assets,
business, equipment, properties, operations, and the Saturn
Employees (collectively, the Saturn Insurance
Policies). Section 3.20 of the Saturn
Disclosure Letter lists all such Insurance Policies and includes
for each such Insurance Policy, the amount of the annual premium
and the maximum coverage amounts per incident and per year.
There is no claim by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries pending
under any of the Insurance Policies as to which coverage has
been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such
policies or bonds. All premiums due and payable under all such
Insurance Policies have been paid, and Saturn and each of its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, is otherwise in compliance
with the terms of such Insurance Policies. Saturn has not made
any untrue statement about itself or its business in any
application for insurance. All Insurance Policies remain in full
force and effect, and neither Saturn nor any of its Subsidiaries
has knowledge of any threatened termination of, or premium
increase with respect to, any such Insurance Policies.
3.21 Rights Plan.
Saturn has taken all necessary action so that (i) Nova
shall not be an Acquiring Person under the Saturn
Rights Agreement and (ii) the entering into of this
Agreement and the Merger and the performance of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not result in the grant of any rights
to any person under the Saturn Rights Agreement or enable or
require the Saturn Rights to be exercised, distributed or
triggered.
3.22 Cash
Consideration. Saturn will have sufficient cash at
Closing to pay the full aggregate amount of the Cash
Consideration and, after doing so, will have sufficient cash to
fund its operations and pay its liabilities and obligations in
the ordinary course for at least twelve (12) months after
the Closing. Each of the Stock Purchase Agreements, dated as of
May 5, 2005, by and among Saturn and Warburg Pincus Private
Equity VIII, L.P. and related entities (the Warburg
Entities) is valid and in full force and effect as of
the date hereof, and Saturn has taken all steps necessary in
order for the condition contained therein related to the
amendment to the Saturn Rights Plan to be satisfied. The
purchase by the Warburg Entities of (i) an aggregate of
3,537,736 shares of Saturn Common Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $15,000,000.64, and (ii) warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 863,236 shares of Saturn Common
Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $107,904.50 has been
consummated.
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ARTICLE IV
CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME
4.1 Conduct of Business by
Nova.
(a) Ordinary Course. During the period from
the date hereof and continuing until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the
Effective Time, Nova shall and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or to the extent that Saturn shall otherwise
consent in writing, use commercially reasonable efforts to
(i) carry on its business in the usual, regular and
ordinary course, in substantially the same manner as heretofore
conducted and in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable laws and regulations, (ii) in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, pay its debts
and pay or perform other material obligations and, when due, pay
its Taxes (subject to good faith disputes over such debts, Taxes
or obligations), (iii) preserve intact in all material
respects its present business organization, (iv) keep
available the services of its present executive officers and
other key employees (as reasonably determined by Nova), and
(v) preserve in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice its relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees, and others with which it has business
dealings. In addition, except as prohibited by applicable law,
Nova shall promptly notify in writing Saturn of any material
adverse effect involving its business or operations.
(b) Required Consent. In addition, without
limiting the generality of Section 4.1(a), except as
permitted by the terms of this Agreement, as required by
applicable law, or as set forth on Schedule 4.1(b)
of the Nova Disclosure Letter, without the prior written consent
of Saturn, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
during the period from the date hereof and continuing until the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its
terms or the Effective Time, Nova shall not do any of the
following, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to do
any of the following:
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(i) Enter into any new line of business; |
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(ii) Declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any
other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities
or property) in respect of any capital stock or split, combine
or reclassify any capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for any capital stock, other than (A) any such
transaction by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of it that remains a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of it after consummation of such
transaction, in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and (B) repurchases of unvested shares at
cost in connection with the termination of the employment
relationship with any employee pursuant to stock option or
purchase agreements in effect on the date hereof; |
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(iii) Purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or the capital stock
of its Subsidiaries, except repurchases of unvested shares at
cost in connection with the termination of the employment
relationship with any employee pursuant to stock option or
purchase agreements in effect on the date hereof; |
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(iv) Issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise
encumber any shares of capital stock, Voting Debt or any
securities convertible into shares of capital stock or Voting
Debt, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire
any shares of capital stock or Voting Debt or any securities
convertible into shares of capital stock or Voting Debt, or
enter into other agreements or commitments of any character
obligating it to issue any such securities or rights, except
that (X) Nova may issue shares of Nova Common Stock (and
the Nova Rights issuable upon the issuance of such shares):
(1) upon the exercise of Nova Options, warrants or other
rights of Nova existing on the date hereof in accordance with
their present terms; or (2) pursuant to the Nova ESPP; and
(Y) Nova may, in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices, grant Nova Options (other than
those granted under the Nova ESPP) to purchase shares of Nova
Common Stock to any newly hired employees of Nova, and may, in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices, grant Nova Options (other than those granted under
the Nova ESPP) to purchase up to 250,000 shares of Nova
Common Stock (in the aggregate) to non-executive |
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officer employees of Nova in connection with Novas 2005
annual review, in both cases with an exercise price at least
equal to the then fair market value of the Nova Common Stock; |
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(v) Cause, permit or propose any amendments to the Nova
Charter Documents or any of the Subsidiary Charter Documents of
Novas Subsidiaries; |
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(vi) Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity or voting
interest in or a portion of the assets of, or by any other
manner, any business or any person or division thereof, or
otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets outside of the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
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(vii) Enter into any binding agreement, agreement in
principle, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or
similar agreement with respect to any joint venture, strategic
partnership, alliance or similar arrangement; provided,
however, that this clause (vii) shall not prohibit Nova
from entering into, in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice (i) original equipment
manufacturer agreements, (ii) agreements with end-user
customers or (iii) agreements with distributors or sales
representatives; |
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(viii) Sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose
of any properties or assets except (A) sales of inventory
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (B) the sale, lease or disposition (other than
through licensing) of property or assets which are not material,
individually or in the aggregate, to the business of Nova and
its Subsidiaries, (C) the sale of goods or non-exclusive
licenses of Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of
business and in a manner consistent with past practice or
(D) dispositions of other immaterial assets in the ordinary
course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice; |
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(ix) Make any loans, advances or capital contributions to,
or investments in, any other person, other than employee
advances for travel and entertainment expenses or draws against
commissions under existing employee agreements made in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices
provided such employee advances are in compliance with
applicable law; |
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(x) Except as required by GAAP or the SEC as concurred in
by its independent auditors, make any material change in its
methods or principles of accounting since the date of the Nova
Balance Sheet; |
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(xi) Make or change any material Tax election or adopt or
change any accounting method, enter into any closing agreement,
settle or compromise any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes
or consent to any extension or waiver of any limitation period
with respect to any claim or assessment for Taxes; |
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(xii) Except as may be required by GAAP or the SEC, revalue
any of its assets or make any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices; |
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(xiii) (A) Pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any
material claims (including any Tax claim), liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), or litigation (whether or not
commenced prior to the date of this Agreement) other than the
payment, discharge, settlement or satisfaction for money, of
claims, liabilities, obligations or litigation (x) in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or the
payment of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
business in accordance with their terms; or (y) which is
required by an existing agreement on the date hereof in
accordance with its terms, or (B) knowingly waive the
benefits of, agree to modify in any manner, terminate, release
any person from or knowingly fail to enforce any confidentiality
or similar agreement to which Nova or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or of which Nova or any of its Subsidiaries is a
beneficiary; |
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(xiv) Except as set forth on
Section 4.1(b)(xiv) of the Nova Disclosure Letter,
take any of the following actions: (1) increase in any
manner the amount of compensation or fringe benefits of, pay any
bonus to or grant severance or termination pay to any Nova
Employee or director of Nova or any Subsidiary of Nova
(2) make any increase in or commitment to increase any Nova
Employee Plan |
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(including any severance plan), adopt or amend or make any
commitment to adopt or amend any Nova Employee Plan or make any
contribution, other than regularly scheduled contributions, to
any Nova Employee Plan, (3) waive any stock repurchase
rights, accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability
of Nova Options or Unvested Shares, or reprice any Nova Options
or authorize cash payments in exchange for any Nova Options,
(4) enter into any employment, severance, termination or
indemnification agreement with any Nova Employee or enter into
any collective bargaining agreement, (other than corporate
indemnification agreements with new hires or promoted existing
employees replacing persons in positions currently with
indemnification agreements in place, offer letters and letter
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice with employees who are terminable
at will or employee agreements with employees who
provide services outside of the United States if consistent with
past practice and customary in such foreign locations),
(5) make any material oral or written representation or
commitment with respect to any material aspect of any Nova
Employee Plan that is not materially in accordance with the
existing written terms and provision of such Nova Employee Plan,
(6) grant any stock appreciation right, phantom stock
award, stock-related award or similar equity compensation
performance award (whether payable in cash, shares or otherwise)
to any person (including any Nova Employee), (7) enter into
any agreement with any Nova Employee the benefits of which are
(in whole or in part) contingent or the terms of which are
materially altered in favor of the Nova Employee upon the
occurrence of a transaction involving Nova of the nature
contemplated hereby; |
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(xv) Grant any exclusive rights with respect to any
Intellectual Property of such party, other than the grant of
exclusive rights to custom work product created pursuant to
agreements under which Nova provides professional services
entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided that
the grant of such exclusive rights does not extend beyond such
custom work product to any Intellectual Property that is used by
Nova in any Nova products or services and such custom work
product is not necessary for any Nova products or services (such
permitted agreements, Nova Custom Work
Contracts); |
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(xvi) Enter into or renew any Contracts containing, or
otherwise subject the Final Surviving Entity or Saturn to, any
non-competition, exclusivity or other similar material
restrictions on Nova or the Final Surviving Entity or Saturn, or
any of their respective businesses, following the Closing,
provided that the foregoing shall not restrict Nova from
entering into or renewing any Nova Custom Work Contracts; |
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(xvii) Enter into any agreement or commitment the effect of
which would be to grant to a third party following the Merger
any actual or potential right or license to any Intellectual
Property owned by Saturn or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
the Final Surviving Entity); |
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(xviii) Hire or offer to hire employees, other than
employees to (A) fill the open positions described on
Section 4.1(b)(xviii) of the Nova Disclosure Letter
and (B) replace (1) any existing employees of Nova
critical to the continuing operations of Nova (as reasonably
determined by Nova) who leave Novas employ after the date
hereof or (2) any employees hired pursuant to
clause (A) of this sentence who leaves Novas
employ after the date hereof; |
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(xix) Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell
any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights
to acquire any debt securities of Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person,
enter into any keep well or other agreement to
maintain any financial statement condition of any other person
or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any
of the foregoing; |
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(xx) Make or commit to make (A) any individual or
series of related payments outside of the ordinary course of
business, or (B) any capital expenditures in excess of
$200,000 individually and $500,000 in the aggregate during any
three month period; |
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(xxi) Modify, terminate or amend in any material respect
any lease, sublease or Nova Material Contract (other than
modifications, terminations or amendments in the ordinary course
of business |
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consistent with past practices with respect to Nova Material
Contracts, so long as the subject matter of any such Nova
Material Contract (including, without limitation, Nova Material
Contracts with customers, resellers, suppliers or service
providers) being so modified, terminated or amended is within
the scope of the ordinary course of Novas business), or
release or assign or knowingly waive any material rights or
claims thereunder; |
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(xxii) Enter into any Contract outside of the ordinary
course of business (except as expressly permitted by this
Section 4.1(b)), or any Contract requiring Nova or
any of its Subsidiaries to pay specified sums in excess of an
aggregate of $500,000 under such Contract; |
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(xxiii) Agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the
actions described in (i) through (xxii) above. |
4.2 Conduct of Business by
Saturn.
(a) Ordinary Course. During the period from
the date hereof and continuing until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the
Effective Time, Saturn shall and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or to the extent that Nova shall otherwise
consent in writing, and except for such actions as would not be
reasonably likely to cause a material adverse effect on
Saturns business or its ability to consummate the Merger,
use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) carry on its
business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted and in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and
regulations, (ii) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, pay its debts and pay or perform
other material obligations and, when due, pay its Taxes (subject
to good faith disputes over such debts, Taxes or obligations),
(iii) preserve intact in all material respects its present
business organization, (iv) keep available the services of
its present executive officers and other key employees (as
reasonably determined by Saturn), and (v) preserve in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice its
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees,
and others with which it has business dealings. In addition,
except as prohibited by applicable law, Saturn shall promptly
notify in writing Nova of any material adverse effect involving
its business or operations.
(b) Required Consent. In addition, without
limiting the generality of Section 4.2(a), except as
permitted by the terms of this Agreement, as required by
applicable law, or as set forth on Section 4.2(b) of the
Saturn Disclosure Letter, without the prior written consent of
Nova, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, during
the period from the date hereof and continuing until the earlier
of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or
the Effective Time, Saturn shall not do any of the following,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the
following:
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(i) cause, permit or propose any amendments to the Saturn
Charter Documents or any of the Subsidiary Charter Documents of
Saturns Subsidiaries that would materially impair or
adversely affect the ability of Saturn to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, |
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(ii) issue or agree to issue a material amount of its
capital stock or securities convertible into its capital stock
(other than pursuant to the Saturn Stock Option Plans, pursuant
to convertible securities outstanding on the date hereof, in
conjunction with employment or consulting arrangements, pursuant
to the Financing, and pursuant to the agreements set forth on
Section 4.2(b)(ii) of the Saturn Disclosure Letter); |
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(iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make
any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity
securities or property) in respect of any Saturn capital stock
other than dividends paid in Saturn Common Stock if the Per
Share Stock Portion shall be appropriately adjusted, |
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(iv) adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution, |
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(v) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, shares of its capital stock or the capital stock of
its Subsidiaries for an aggregate repurchase price in excess of
$5,000,000, except repurchases of unvested shares at cost in
connection with the termination of the employment |
A-45
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relationship with any employee pursuant to stock option or
purchase agreements in effect on the date hereof; |
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(vi) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity or voting
interest in all or a portion of the assets of, or by any other
manner, any business or any person or division thereof, if
either the consideration to be paid is in excess of $15,000,000
individually or $45,000,000 in the aggregate, or if such
acquisition is likely to materially delay the Merger; |
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(vii) except as required by GAAP or the SEC, revalue any of
its assets or make any change in accounting methods, principles
or practices; |
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(viii) cause, permit or propose any material amendment or
modification to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
May 5, 2005, by and among Saturn and the Warburg Entities,
relating to the purchase at or immediately prior to the Closing
by the Warburg Entities of an aggregate of
14,150,943 shares of Saturn Common Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $59,999,998.32, and (ii) warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of Saturn Common
Stock, or take any action that would cause the condition stated
therein related to the amendment of the Saturn Rights Agreement
to not be satisfied; |
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(ix) adopt any resolution pursuant to Section 3(c) of
the Saturn Rights Agreement that is intended to treat the shares
of Saturn Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger differently
under the Saturn Rights Agreement than other outstanding shares
of Saturn Common Stock for purposes of the issuance of Saturn
Rights in respect of such shares of Saturn Common Stock;
provided, however, that nothing in this
clause (ix) shall in any manner whatsoever limit the
ability of Saturn to treat differently under the Saturn Rights
Agreement shares of Saturn Common Stock beneficially owned by an
Acquiring Person, as such term is defined in the
Saturn Rights Agreement; or |
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(x) Agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the
actions described in 4.2(b)(i) through 4.2(b)(ix) above. |
During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing
until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to its terms or the Effective Time, Saturn shall notify Nova if
it intends to enter into discussions with respect to the
transaction described in Section 4.2(b)(ii) of the
Saturn Disclosure Letter and shall provide Nova with the
material terms of such transaction prior to effecting such
transaction.
4.3 Procedures for Requesting
Consent. If either Nova or Saturn desire to take an
action which would be prohibited pursuant to
Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 without the
written consent of the other party, such party may request, and
such other party may grant, such consent by email or facsimile
from the persons identified on Schedule 4.3 hereof.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement; Registration Statement. As promptly as
practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Saturn and
Nova shall prepare, and file with the SEC, the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement relating to the necessary approvals of the
stockholders of Nova and Saturn, and Saturn will prepare and
file with the SEC the Registration Statement. Saturn and Nova
shall provide each other with such information concerning it
that may be required or appropriate for inclusion in the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement, or
in any amendments or supplements thereto. Each of Saturn and
Nova will respond to any comments from the SEC, will use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as
promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the
Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to
consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Each of Saturn and Nova will notify the other promptly upon the
receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff in connection
with the filing of, or amendments or supplements to, the
Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus/ Proxy
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Statement. Whenever any event occurs which is required to be set
forth in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement and/or the Registration Statement, Saturn or Nova, as
the case may be, will promptly inform the other of such
occurrence and cooperate in filing with the SEC or its staff,
and/or mailing to stockholders of Saturn or Nova, such amendment
or supplement. Each of Saturn or Nova shall cooperate and
provide the other (and its counsel) with a reasonable
opportunity to review and comment on any amendment or supplement
to the Registration Statement and Prospectus/ Proxy Statement
prior to filing such with the SEC, and will provide each other
with a copy of all such filings made with the SEC. Each of
Saturn and Nova will cause the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement to be
mailed to its respective stockholders at the earliest
practicable time after the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC. Saturn shall also use all commercially
reasonable efforts to take any action required to be taken by it
under any applicable state securities laws in connection with
the issuance of Saturn Common Stock and assumption of the
Assumed Nova Options pursuant to the Merger, and Nova shall
furnish any information concerning Nova and the holders of Nova
Common Stock as may be reasonably requested in connection with
any such action.
5.2 Meetings of Stockholders;
Board Recommendations.
(a) Nova Stockholders Meeting. Promptly
after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the
Securities Act, Nova will take all action necessary in
accordance with Delaware Law and the Nova Charter Documents to
call, hold and convene a meeting of its stockholders (the
Nova Stockholders Meeting) to consider
the adoption and approval of this Agreement and approval of the
Merger (the Required Nova Stockholder
Approval) to be held as promptly as practicable (and
in any event within 60 days) after the declaration of
effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Nova
Stockholders Meeting may also present for consideration by
the Novas stockholders: (i) the annual election of
directors; and (ii) the ratification of independent
auditors. Nova will use all commercially reasonable efforts to
hold the Nova Stockholders Meeting on the same date as the
Saturn Stockholders Meeting (as defined below). Nova will
use all commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its
stockholders proxies in favor of the adoption and approval of
this Agreement and the approval of the Merger, and will take all
other action necessary or advisable to secure the vote or
consent of its stockholders required by the rules of Nasdaq or
Delaware Law to obtain such approvals. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Nova may adjourn or
postpone the Nova Stockholders Meeting to the extent
necessary to ensure that any necessary supplement or amendment
to the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement is provided to its
stockholders in advance of a vote on the Merger and this
Agreement or, if as of the time for which the Nova
Stockholders Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth
in the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement) there are insufficient
shares of Nova Common Stock represented (either in person or by
proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business
of such Nova Stockholders Meeting. Nova shall ensure that
the calling, notice, convening and conduct of the Nova
Stockholders Meeting, and that all proxies solicited by it
in connection with the Nova Stockholders Meeting, are
solicited and done in compliance with Delaware Law, the Nova
Charter Documents, the rules of Nasdaq and all other applicable
Legal Requirements. Nothing in this Section 5.2(a)
shall preclude the Nova Board from complying with
Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) or Item 1012(a) of
Regulation M-A under the Exchange Act with regard to an
Acquisition Proposal (except that the Nova Board shall not be
permitted to make a Change of Recommendation except as
specifically provided in Section 5.4(d)).
(b) Saturn Stockholders Meeting.
Promptly after the Registration Statement is declared effective
under the Securities Act, Saturn will take all action necessary
in accordance with Delaware Law and the Saturn Charter Documents
to call, hold and convene a meeting of its stockholders (the
Saturn Stockholders Meeting) to
consider the issuance of Saturn Common Stock in connection with
the Merger (the Stock Issuance) and the
$59,999,998.32 financing contemplated to be received by Saturn
immediately prior to or simultaneously with the Effective Time
(the Financing, and together with the
approval for the Stock Issuance, the Required Saturn
Stockholder Approval), as well as the assumption of
the Nova Options in accordance with
Section 1.6(e)(i) (the Option
Assumption), to be held as promptly as practicable
(and in any event within 60 days) after the declaration of
effectiveness of the
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Registration Statement. Saturn will use all commercially
reasonable efforts to hold the Saturn Stockholders Meeting
on the same date as the Nova Stockholders Meeting. Saturn
will use all commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its
stockholders proxies in favor of the Stock Issuance, the Option
Assumption and the Financing and will take all other action
necessary or advisable to secure the vote or consent of its
stockholders required by the rules of Nasdaq or Delaware Law to
obtain such approvals. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, Saturn may adjourn or postpone the
Saturn Stockholders Meeting to the extent necessary to
ensure that any necessary supplement or amendment to the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement is provided to its stockholders in
advance of a vote on the Stock Issuance, the Option Assumption
and Financing or, if as of the time for which the Saturn
Stockholders Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth
in the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement) there are insufficient
shares of Saturn Common Stock represented (either in person or
by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the
business of such Saturn Stockholders Meeting. Saturn shall
ensure that the calling, notice, convening and conduct of the
Saturn Stockholders Meeting, and that all proxies
solicited by it in connection with the Saturn Stockholders
Meeting, are solicited and done in compliance with Delaware Law,
the Saturn Charter Documents, the rules of Nasdaq and all other
applicable Legal Requirements.
(c) Subject to the terms of Section 5.4(d):
(i) the Nova Board shall unanimously recommend that
Novas stockholders vote in favor of and adopt and approve
this Agreement and approve the Merger at the Nova
Stockholders Meeting; (ii) the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement shall include (A) the fairness opinion referred
to in Section 2.19 and (B) a statement to the
effect that the Nova Board has unanimously recommended that
Novas stockholders vote in favor of and adopt and approve
this Agreement at the Nova Stockholders Meeting; and
(iii) neither the Nova Board nor any committee thereof
shall withdraw, amend, change or modify, or propose or resolve
to withdraw, amend, change or modify in a manner adverse to
Saturn, the unanimous recommendation of the Nova Board that
Novas stockholders vote in favor of and adopt and approve
this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, said
recommendation of the Nova Board shall be deemed to have been
modified in a manner adverse to Saturn if said recommendation
shall no longer be unanimous.
(d) The Saturn Board shall unanimously recommend that
Saturns stockholders vote in favor of the Stock Issuance,
the Option Assumption and the Financing at the Saturn
Stockholders Meeting; (ii) the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement shall include (A) the fairness opinion referred
to in Section 3.19 and (B) a statement to the
effect that the Saturn Board has unanimously recommended that
Saturns stockholders vote in favor of the Stock Issuance,
the Option Assumption and the Financing at the Saturn
Stockholders Meeting; and (iii) neither the Saturn
Board nor any committee thereof shall withdraw, amend, change or
modify, or propose or resolve to withdraw, amend, change or
modify in a manner adverse to Nova, the unanimous recommendation
of the Saturn Board that Saturns stockholders vote in
favor of the Stock Issuance, the Option Assumption and the
Financing. For purposes of this Agreement, said recommendation
of the Saturn Board shall be deemed to have been modified in a
manner adverse to Nova if said recommendation shall no longer be
unanimous.
5.3 Confidentiality; Access
to Information.
(a) The parties acknowledge that Saturn and Nova have
previously executed a letter agreement, dated as of
April 7, 2005 (the Confidentiality
Agreement), which Confidentiality Agreement will
continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
(b) Nova and Saturn shall afford the other and the
others accountants, counsel, advisors and other
representatives reasonable access during normal business hours,
upon reasonable notice, to its properties, books, records and
personnel during the period prior to the Effective Time to
obtain all information concerning the business, including the
status of product development efforts, properties, financial
positions, results of operations and personnel, as the other may
reasonably request.
(c) No information or knowledge obtained by Saturn or Nova
in any investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3
will affect or be deemed to modify any representation or
warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations
of the parties to consummate the Transactions.
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5.4 No Solicitation.
(a) No Solicitation by Nova. Neither Nova nor
any of its Subsidiaries nor any of the executive officers and
directors of Nova or its Subsidiaries shall, and Nova shall use
its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all other employees
and any investment banker, attorney, accountant and other
advisor or representative retained by Nova or any of its
Subsidiaries (collectively, Representatives)
not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate,
seek, knowingly encourage, knowingly facilitate or induce any
inquiry with respect to, or the making, submission or
announcement of, any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in
Section 5.4(k)(i)) with respect to Nova or any
Subsidiary, (ii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any nonpublic
information with respect to, or take any other action to
facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any
Acquisition Proposal with respect to Nova or any Subsidiary,
(iii) engage in discussions with any person with respect to
any Acquisition Proposal with respect to Nova or any Subsidiary,
except as to the existence of these provisions,
(iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal
with respect to Nova or any Subsidiary (except to the extent
specifically permitted pursuant to Section 5.4(d)),
or (v) enter into any letter of intent or similar document
or any contract, agreement or commitment contemplating or
otherwise relating to any Acquisition Proposal or transaction
contemplated thereby with respect to Nova or any Subsidiary.
Nova and its Subsidiaries will immediately cease any and all
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any third
parties conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal.
(b) Notification by Nova of Unsolicited Acquisition
Proposals.
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(i) As promptly as practicable (but in no event more than
48 hours) after receipt of any Acquisition Proposal or any
request for nonpublic information or inquiry which it reasonably
believes would lead to an Acquisition Proposal, Nova shall
provide to Saturn oral and written notice of the material terms
and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry,
and the identity of the person or group making any such
Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry and a copy of all
written materials provided in connection with such Acquisition
Proposal, request or inquiry. Nova shall provide to Saturn as
promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 48 hours
thereafter) oral and written notice setting forth all such
information as is reasonably necessary to keep Saturn informed
in all material respects of the status and details (including
material amendments or proposed material amendments) of any such
Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry and shall promptly
provide to Saturn a copy of all written materials subsequently
provided in connection with such Acquisition Proposal, request
or inquiry. |
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(ii) Nova shall provide Saturn with 48 hours prior
notice (or such lesser prior notice as is provided to the
members of the Nova Board) of any meeting at which the Nova
Board is reasonably expected to consider any Acquisition
Proposal. |
(c) Superior Offers for Nova. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in
Section 5.4(a), in the event that Nova or any
Subsidiary receives an unsolicited, bona fide written
Acquisition Proposal from a third party that the Nova Board has
in good faith concluded (following the receipt of the advice of
its financial advisor), is, or could reasonably likely result
in, a Superior Offer (as defined in
Section 5.4(k)(iii)), it may then take the following
actions (but only if and to the extent that the Nova Board
concludes in good faith, following the receipt of advice of its
outside legal counsel, that such action is required in order for
the Nova Board to comply with its fiduciary duties to
Novas stockholders under applicable law):
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(i) Furnish nonpublic information to the third party making
such Acquisition Proposal, provided that (A)
(1) concurrently with furnishing any such nonpublic
information to such party, its gives Saturn written notice of
its intention to furnish nonpublic information and (2) it
receives from the third party an executed confidentiality
agreement containing customary limitations on the use and
disclosure of all nonpublic written and oral information
furnished to such third party on its behalf, the terms of which
are at least as restrictive as the terms contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement and (B) contemporaneously with
furnishing any such nonpublic information to such third party,
Nova |
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furnishes such nonpublic information to Saturn (to the extent
such nonpublic information has not been previously so
furnished); and |
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(ii) Engage in discussions or negotiations with the third
party with respect to the Acquisition Proposal, provided
that concurrently with entering into negotiations with such
third party, Nova gives Saturn written notice of the its
intention to enter into negotiations with such third party. |
(d) Changes of Recommendation of Nova Board.
In response to the receipt of a Superior Offer, the Nova Board
may withhold, withdraw, amend or modify its unanimous
recommendation in favor of the Merger, and, in the case of a
Superior Offer that is a tender or exchange offer made directly
to its stockholders, may recommend that its stockholders accept
the tender or exchange offer (any of the foregoing actions,
whether by the Nova Board or a committee thereof, a
Change of Recommendation), if all of the
following conditions in clauses (i) through (v) are
met:
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(i) A Superior Offer with respect to Nova has been made and
has not been withdrawn; |
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(ii) The Nova Stockholders Meeting has not occurred; |
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(iii) Nova shall have (A) provided to Saturn at least
five (5) days written notice which shall state
expressly (1) that Nova has received a Superior Offer,
(2) the material terms and conditions of the Superior Offer
and the identity of the person or group making the Superior
Offer, and (3) that the Nova Board intends to effect a
Change of Recommendation and the manner in which it intends to
do so, (B) provided to Saturn a copy of all written
materials delivered to the person or group making the Superior
Offer in connection with such Superior Offer, and (C) made
available to Saturn all materials and information made available
to the person or group making the Superior Offer in connection
with such Superior Offer (to the extent such material and
information has not been previously so furnished); |
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(iv) The Nova Board has concluded in good faith, after
receipt of advice of its outside legal counsel, that, in light
of such Superior Offer, the Change of Recommendation is required
in order for the Nova Board to comply with its fiduciary duties
to Novas stockholders under applicable law; and |
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(v) It shall not have breached any of the provisions set
forth in this Section 5.4. |
During the five (5) day period set forth in
clause (iii) above, the Nova Board shall provide Saturn the
opportunity to make, and shall give due consideration to,
adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, and alternative proposals in
connection therewith.
(e) Continuing Obligation to Call, Hold and Convene
Stockholders Meetings; No Other Vote.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the obligation of Nova and Saturn to call, give
notice of, convene and hold the Nova Stockholders Meeting
and Saturn Stockholders Meeting, respectively, shall not
be limited or otherwise affected by the commencement,
disclosure, announcement or submission to Nova of any
Acquisition Proposal with respect to it, or by any Change of
Recommendation. Nova shall not submit to the vote of its
stockholders any Acquisition Proposal, or propose to do so.
(f) Compliance with Tender Offer Rules.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Nova
Board from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position
contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) or
Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A under the Exchange Act
with regard to an Acquisition Proposal; provided that
Nova shall not effect a Change of Recommendation unless
specifically permitted pursuant to the terms of
Section 5.4(d).
(g) No Solicitation by Saturn. Neither Saturn
nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of the executive officers
and directors of Saturn or its Subsidiaries shall, and Saturn
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all other
employees and its Representatives not to, directly or
indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, seek, encourage,
knowingly facilitate or induce any inquiry with respect to, or
the making, submission or announcement of, any Saturn
Acquisition Proposal (as defined in
Section 5.4(k)(ii)) with respect to Saturn or any
Subsidiary, (ii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any
A-50
person any nonpublic information with respect to, or take any
other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead
to, any Saturn Acquisition Proposal with respect to Saturn or
any Subsidiary, (iii) engage in discussions with any person
with respect to any Saturn Acquisition Proposal with respect to
Saturn or any Subsidiary, except as to the existence of these
provisions, or (iv) enter into any letter of intent or
similar document or any contract, agreement or commitment
contemplating or otherwise relating to any Saturn Acquisition
Proposal. Saturn and its Subsidiaries will immediately cease any
and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations with
any third parties conducted heretofore with respect to any
Saturn Acquisition Proposal.
(h) Notification by Saturn of Unsolicited Saturn
Acquisition Proposals.
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(i) As promptly as practicable (but in no event more than
48 hours) after receipt of any Saturn Acquisition Proposal
or any request for nonpublic information or inquiry which it
reasonably believes would lead to a Saturn Acquisition Proposal,
Saturn shall provide to Nova oral and written notice of the
material terms and conditions of such Saturn Acquisition
Proposal, request or inquiry, and the identity of the person or
group making any such Saturn Acquisition Proposal, request or
inquiry and a copy of all written materials provided in
connection with such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry.
Saturn shall provide to Nova as promptly as practicable (but in
no event more than 48 hours thereafter) oral and written
notice setting forth all such information as is reasonably
necessary to keep Nova informed in all material respects of the
status and details (including material amendments or proposed
material amendments) of any such Saturn Acquisition Proposal,
request or inquiry and shall promptly provide to Nova a copy of
all written materials subsequently provided in connection with
such Saturn Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry. |
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(ii) Saturn shall provide Nova with 48 hours prior
notice (or such lesser prior notice as is provided to the
members of the Saturn Board) of any meeting at which the Saturn
Board is reasonably expected to consider any Saturn Acquisition
Proposal. |
(i) Unsolicited Offers for Saturn.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 5.4(g), in the event that Saturn or any
Subsidiary receives an unsolicited, bona fide written Saturn
Acquisition Proposal from a third party, it may then take the
following actions:
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(i) Furnish nonpublic information to the third party making
such Saturn Acquisition Proposal, provided that
concurrently with furnishing any such nonpublic information to
such party, Saturn provides Nova written notice of its intention
to furnish nonpublic information; |
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(ii) Engage in negotiations with the third party with
respect to the Acquisition Proposal, provided that
concurrently with entering into negotiations with such third
party, Saturn provides Nova written notice of its intention to
enter into negotiations with such third party; and |
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(iii) Enter into any letter of intent or similar document
or any contract, agreement or commitment contemplating or
otherwise relating to any Saturn Acquisition Proposal;
provided, however, that Saturn may not enter into any
such letter of intent, document, contract, agreement or
commitment if the terms of such transaction would be reasonably
expected to materially interfere with or materially delay the
consummation of the Merger. |
(j) Exception to Saturn Non-Solicitation. It
is expressly agreed and understood that Saturn may, and may
cause its Representatives to, take any action otherwise
prohibited by Section 5.4(g) with respect to the
matter set forth on Section 5.4(j) of the Saturn
Disclosure Letter.
(k) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
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(i) Acquisition Proposal, shall mean any
offer or proposal, relating to any transaction or series of
related transactions involving: (A) any purchase or
acquisition by any person or group (as defined under
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder) of more than a fifteen percent (15%)
interest in the total outstanding voting securities of Nova or
any of its Subsidiaries or any tender offer or exchange offer
that if consummated would result in any person or |
A-51
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group beneficially owning fifteen percent (15%) or more of the
total outstanding voting securities of Nova any of its
Subsidiaries, or any merger, consolidation, business combination
or similar transaction involving Nova or any of its
subsidiaries, (B) any sale, lease (other than in the
ordinary course of business), exchange, transfer, exclusive
license or other material license outside the ordinary course of
business, acquisition or disposition of more than fifteen
percent (15%) of the assets of Nova (including its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole), or (C) any liquidation or dissolution of
Nova; |
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(ii) Saturn Acquisition Proposal, shall
mean any offer or proposal, relating to any transaction or
series of related transactions involving: (A) any purchase
or acquisition by any person or group (as defined
under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder) of more than a fifty percent (50%)
interest in the total outstanding voting securities of Saturn or
any of its Subsidiaries or any tender offer or exchange offer
that if consummated would result in any person or group
beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
outstanding voting securities of Saturn any of its Subsidiaries,
or any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction involving Saturn or any of its subsidiaries wherein
the equity interests held by stockholders of Saturn immediately
prior to such transaction would represent less than fifty
percent (50%) of the equity interests of the surviving entity
immediately after such transaction, (B) any sale, lease
(other than in the ordinary course of business), exchange,
transfer exclusive license or other material license outside the
ordinary course of business, acquisition or disposition of more
than fifteen percent (15%) of the assets of Saturn (including
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole), or (C) any liquidation
or dissolution of Saturn. |
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(iii) Superior Offer, shall mean an
unsolicited, bona fide written offer made by a third party to
acquire, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a tender offer,
exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business
combination, all or substantially all of the assets of Nova or a
majority of the total outstanding voting securities of Nova and
as a result of which the equity interests held by stockholders
of Nova immediately preceding such transaction would represent
less than fifty percent (50%) of the equity interests in the
surviving or resulting entity of such transaction or any direct
or indirect parent or Subsidiary thereof, on terms that the Nova
Board has in good faith concluded (following the receipt of
advice of its outside legal counsel and its financial adviser),
taking into account, among other things, all legal, financial,
regulatory and other aspects of the offer and the person making
the offer, to be more favorable, from a financial point of view,
to Novas stockholders (in their capacities as
stockholders) than the terms of the Merger and is reasonably
capable of being consummated. |
5.5 Public Disclosure.
(a) Saturn and Nova shall consult with each other, and to
the extent practicable, agree, before issuing any press release
or otherwise making any public statement with respect to the
Transactions, this Agreement or, except for as necessary to
effect Novas rights under Section 5.4(d), an
Acquisition Proposal or Saturn Acquisition Proposal, and shall
not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement prior to such consultation and (to the extent
practicable) agreement, except as may be required by law or any
listing agreement with a national securities exchange or Nasdaq,
in which case reasonable efforts to consult with the other party
will be made prior to such release or public statement. The
parties have agreed to the text of the joint press release
announcing the signing of this Agreement.
(b) Saturn and Nova shall consult with the other before
issuing any press release or otherwise making any public
statement with respect to its earnings or results of operations,
and shall not issue any such press release or make any such
public statement prior to such consultation.
5.6 Reasonable Efforts;
Notification.
(a) Other than taking any action permitted by
Section 5.4(d) and subject to the limitations set
forth in Section 5.9, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement each of the parties
agrees to use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done,
and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all
things necessary, proper
A-52
or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most
expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the following: (i) the
taking of all reasonable acts necessary to cause the conditions
precedent set forth in Article VI to be satisfied,
(ii) the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions,
waivers, consents, approvals, orders and authorizations from
Governmental Entities and the making of all necessary
registrations, declarations and filings (including
registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental
Entities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may
be necessary to avoid any suit, claim, action, investigation or
proceeding by any Governmental Entity, (iii) the obtaining
of all consents, approvals or waivers from third parties
required as a result of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement, (iv) the defending of any suits, claims,
actions, investigations or proceedings, whether judicial or
administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, including seeking to
have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any
court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed, and
(v) the execution or delivery of any additional instruments
reasonably necessary to consummate the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby, and to fully carry out the
purposes of, this Agreement. In connection with and without
limiting the foregoing, Nova and the Nova Board shall, if any
state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or
becomes applicable to the Merger or this Agreement, use all
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Merger may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated
by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such
statute or regulation on the Merger and this Agreement.
(b) Nova shall give prompt notice to Saturn upon becoming
aware that any representation or warranty made by it contained
in this Agreement has become untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect, or of any failure of Nova to comply with or
satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement, in each case, such that the conditions set forth in
Article VI would not be satisfied; provided,
however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the
parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties
under this Agreement. Nova will notify Saturn of any actions,
suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or
threatened in writing against, relating to or involving or
otherwise affecting such party or any of its Subsidiaries that
relate to the consummation of the Merger.
(c) Saturn shall give prompt notice to Nova upon becoming
aware that any representation or warranty made by it contained
in this Agreement has become untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect, or of any failure of Saturn to comply with or
satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement, in each case, such that the conditions set forth in
Article VI would not be satisfied; provided,
however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the
parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties
under this Agreement. Saturn will notify Nova of any actions,
suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or
threatened in writing against, relating to or involving or
otherwise affecting such party or any of its Subsidiaries that
relate to the consummation of the Merger.
5.7 Third Party Consents and
Notices.
(a) As soon as practicable following the date hereof, Nova
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any
consents, waivers and approvals under any of its or its
Subsidiaries respective Contracts required to be obtained
in connection with the consummation of the Transactions,
including those set forth on Section 2.3(b) of Nova
Disclosure Letter.
(b) As soon as practicable following the date hereof, Nova
shall deliver any notices required under any of its or its
Subsidiaries respective Contracts that are required to be
provided in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.
(c) Nova shall give all notices and other information
required to be given to the Nova Employees, any collective
bargaining unit representing any group of Nova Employees, and
any applicable government authority under the WARN Act, the
National Labor Relations Act, as amended, the Code, COBRA and
other applicable law in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
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5.8 Indemnification.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Saturn shall, and
shall cause the Final Surviving Entity to, fulfill and honor in
all respects the obligations of Nova pursuant to any
indemnification agreements between Nova and its directors,
officers, employees and agent (the Indemnified
Parties) in effect on the date hereof and listed on
Nova Disclosure Letter. The Limited Liability Operating
Agreement of the Final Surviving Entity will contain provisions
with respect to exculpation and indemnification that are at
least as favorable to the Indemnified Parties as those contained
in Nova Charter Documents as in effect on the date hereof, which
indemnification provisions will not be amended, repealed or
otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years from the
Effective Time, and such exculpation provisions will not be
amended, repealed or otherwise modified at any time after the
date hereof, in any manner that would adversely affect the
rights thereunder of individuals who, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, were employees or agents of Nova, unless such
modification is required by applicable law.
(b) At any time prior to the Closing, Nova may purchase,
for a price (which shall in no event exceed the Cap Amount
regardless of any amounts credited against premium payments
previously paid by Nova) not to exceed the amount set forth on
Section 5.8(b) of the Nova Disclosure Letter (the
Cap Amount), directors and
officers liability tail coverage (for a period of six
(6) years following the Effective Time), covering those
persons who are currently covered by Novas directors
and officers liability insurance policy, on terms
comparable to those applicable to the current directors and
officers of Nova, and covering all periods prior to the
Effective Time (the Tail Coverage). Following
the Closing, in the event Nova shall not have purchased the Tail
Coverage, Saturn shall (or shall cause the Final Surviving
Entity to) purchase the Tail Coverage, provided that in
no event shall Saturn or the Final Surviving Entity be required
to expend in the aggregate in connection with the purchase of
such Tail Coverage an amount in excess of the Cap Amount and, in
the event a comparable level of directors and
officers liability Tail Coverage is not readily available
for the Cap Amount, Saturn (or the Final Surviving Entity, as
the case may be) shall only be obligated to purchase such Tail
Coverage as may be purchased for the Cap Amount.
(c) This Section 5.8 is intended for the
irrevocable benefit of, and to grant third party rights to, the
Indemnified Parties and shall be binding on all successors and
assigns of Saturn, Nova and the Final Surviving Entity. Each of
the Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to enforce the
covenants contained in this Section 5.8.
5.9 Regulatory
Filings.
(a) Each of Saturn and Nova shall promptly after the
execution of this Agreement apply for or otherwise seek, and use
all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, all consents and
approvals required to be obtained by it for the consummation of
the Merger. Without limiting the generality or effect of the
foregoing, each of Saturn and Nova shall, as soon as
practicable, make any initial filings required under the HSR Act
and as promptly as practicable make any other additional filings
required by any other applicable Antitrust Laws (as defined
herein). The parties shall consult and cooperate with one
another, and consider in good faith the views of one another, in
connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations,
memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or
submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto in connection with
proceedings under or relating to the HSR Act or any foreign or
other Antitrust Law; provided, that with respect to any
such analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs,
arguments, opinions or proposals, each of Saturn and Nova need
not supply the other (or its counsel) with copies (or in case of
oral presentations, a summary) to the extent that any law,
treaty, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity applicable
to such party requires such party or its subsidiaries to
restrict or prohibit access to any such properties or
information.
(b) Each party will notify the other promptly upon the
receipt of: (i) any comments from any officials of any
Governmental Entity in connection with any filings made pursuant
hereto, and (ii) any request by any officials of any
Governmental Entity for amendments or supplements to any filings
made pursuant to, or information provided to comply in all
material respects with, any applicable Legal Requirements.
Whenever any event occurs that is required to be set forth in an
amendment or supplement
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to any filing made pursuant to Section 5.9(a), each
party will promptly inform the other of such occurrence and
cooperate in filing with the applicable Governmental Entity such
amendment or supplement.
(c) Each of Saturn and Nova shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be
asserted by any Governmental Entity with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR Act,
the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the
Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, Council
Regulation 139/2004 of the European Commission, and any
other federal, state or foreign statutes, rules, regulations,
orders or decrees that are designed to prohibit, restrict or
regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization
or restraint of trade (collectively, Antitrust
Laws). Each of Saturn and Nova shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as may be
required to cause the expiration of the notice periods under the
HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws with respect to such
transactions as promptly as practicable after the execution of
this Agreement. If any proceeding is instituted or threatened by
any Governmental Entity with appropriate jurisdiction under
Antitrust Laws seeking to restrain or impose conditions upon or
alter the Merger, Saturn and Nova shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve such proceeding through
negotiation or settlement. In addition, Saturn and Nova shall
respond diligently to all inquiries for additional information
required by law or governmental regulation, including any
second request for information pursuant to the
Antitrust Laws.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any administrative or judicial action or proceeding
is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging any
transaction contemplated by this Agreement as violative of any
Antitrust Law, it is expressly understood and agreed that Saturn
shall not have any obligation to litigate or contest any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding or any decree,
judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of
this Agreement, nothing in this Section 5.9 shall
limit a partys right to terminate the Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.1(a) so long as such party has until
such date complied with its obligations under this
Section 5.9.
5.10 Employee Matters.
(a) After the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date,
the Chief Executive Officers of Saturn and Nova shall work
together to determine the continuing workforce of Saturn and any
Subsidiary of Saturn after the Merger (including retention
programs for any key employees), and it is contemplated that a
significant number of employees of Nova and its Subsidiaries
will be offered employment by Saturn and/or one of its
Subsidiaries prior to the Closing (the Offered
Employees), with such employment to be effective on
the first business day following the Effective Time (the
Offer). Nova will assist Saturn with its
efforts to enter into an offer letter with Offered Employees
prior to the Closing Date. Such Offers (i) will have terms
and conditions determined by Saturn and consistent with standard
Saturn employment arrangements and (ii) will supersede any
prior employment agreements and other arrangements with such
employees in effect prior to the Closing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Saturn shall assume and agrees to comply with the
terms of each of the Nova Employees individual retention
and severance agreements (the Employment
Agreements), if any, in effect as of the date hereof
and as are set forth on Section 5.10 of the Nova
Disclosure Letter. Each Offered Employee who delivers an
executed Offer to Saturn no later than the date specified in the
Offer shall be referred to herein as a Continuing
Employee. Continuing Employees who are terminated
involuntarily following the Closing will be eligible to
participate in a severance program mutually agreed to by the
Chief Executive Officers of Nova and Saturn (it being understood
that such program is intended to be at least as beneficial to
such employees as those of Novas existing program or a new
program agreed upon between the Chief Executive Officers of
Saturn and Nova that is mid-way between Novas severance
program and Saturns severance program). Continuing
Employees shall be eligible to receive benefits consistent with
Saturns applicable human resource policies and in
accordance with the terms of Saturns employee benefit
plans; provided, however, that such benefits shall be no
less favorable than the benefits offered to similarly situated
Saturn employees. Each Continuing Employee shall receive credit
for prior service with Nova for purposes of determining
eligibility to
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participate and vesting in Saturn benefit plans, including
applicability of minimum waiting periods for participation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Saturn shall not be required to
provide any coverage, benefits, or credit inconsistent with the
terms of Saturn benefit plans or under circumstances in which
such coverage, benefits or credit would result in a duplication
of benefits. Saturn will implement a stock option grant program,
in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer of Nova, for
the benefit of Continuing Employees to effect retention goals
and new hire policies.
(b) Prior to the Closing Date, Nova may amend each Assumed
Nova Option to provide that the term of each Assumed Nova Option
shall be extended so the holder thereof whose employment is
involuntarily terminated without cause by Nova or Saturn may
exercise the Assumed Nova Option until the six month anniversary
of the termination date of such holders employment;
provided, that prior to taking any such action, Nova and
its advisors shall consult with Saturn and its advisors
regarding the tax and accounting implications of taking such
action, and Nova shall not take any such action if, in the
reasonable judgment of Nova and Saturn and their respective
advisors, such action shall cause material adverse tax
consequences to the holders thereof (whether pursuant to
Section 409A of the Code or otherwise), or if in the
reasonable judgment of Saturn and its advisors after
consultation with Nova and its advisors, material adverse
accounting or tax consequences to Saturn or any of its
Subsidiaries.
5.11 Termination of Certain
Benefit Plans. Effective no later than the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, Nova and its ERISA
Affiliates, as applicable, shall each terminate any and all
group severance, separation and salary continuation plans (other
than the Employment Agreements), and any and all plans intended
to include a Code Section 401(k) arrangement (unless Saturn
provides written notice to Nova that such 401(k) plans shall not
be terminated) (collectively for purposes of this
Section 5.11, Nova Terminated Employee
Plans). Unless Saturn provides such written notice to
Nova, no later than five (5) business days prior to the
Closing Date, Nova shall provide Saturn with evidence that such
Nova Terminated Employee Plan(s) have been terminated (effective
no later than the day immediately preceding the Closing Date)
pursuant to resolutions of the Nova Board. The form and
substance of such resolutions shall be subject to advance
reasonable review and approval of Saturn (which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Nova also shall take
such other actions in furtherance of terminating such Nova
Employee Plan(s) as Saturn may reasonably require.
5.12 Form S-8
Filing. Within one (1) business day after the
Closing Date, Saturn shall file with the SEC a registration
statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form) covering the
shares of Saturn Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Saturn
Stock Options resulting from the assumption of Nova Options in
accordance with Section 1.6(e) and use commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement for so long as such Assumed Nova Option
remains outstanding.
5.13 Spreadsheet.
Nova shall prepare and deliver to Saturn, at or prior to the
Closing, a spreadsheet in a form to be supplied by Saturn to
Nova, which spreadsheet shall be dated as of the Closing Date
and shall set forth, as of the Closing Date and immediately
prior to the Effective Time, (i) the names of all holders
of Nova Options and Unvested Shares and their respective
addresses and where available, taxpayer identification numbers,
(ii) the number of shares of Nova Common Stock subject to
Nova Options and the number of Unvested Shares held by such
persons, (iii) the exercise price per share in effect for
each Nova Option immediately prior to the Effective Time,
(iv) the vesting status and schedule with respect to each
Nova Option and the Unvested Shares held by each holder thereof
(including the vesting commencement date and repurchase price
payable per share with respect to each such Unvested Share), and
(v) the Tax status of each Nova Option under
Section 422 of the Code (such spreadsheet is referred to
throughout as the Spreadsheet). A draft of
the Spreadsheet shall be provided by Nova to Saturn not later
than two (2) business days prior to the Closing Date;
provided that Saturn has provided Nova with the form of
such Spreadsheet not later than ten business days prior to the
Closing Date.
5.14 Section 16
Matters. Provided that Nova delivers to Saturn the
Section 16 Information (as defined below) in a timely
fashion, Saturn and Nova shall take all such steps as may be
required (to the extent permitted under applicable law) to cause
any disposition of Nova Common Stock (including
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derivative securities with respect to Nova Common Stock)
resulting from the transactions contemplated by
Article I of this Agreement by each Nova Insider to
be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act. Section 16 Information shall mean
information regarding Nova Insiders, the number of shares of
Nova Common Stock held by each such Nova Insider, and the number
and description of Nova Options held by each such Nova Insider.
Nova Insiders shall mean those individuals
who are subject to the reporting requirement of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act with respect to Nova.
5.15 Disqualified
Individuals. Five (5) business days prior to the
Closing Date, Nova shall, as and to the extent necessary,
deliver to Saturn a schedule which sets forth each person who
Nova reasonably believes is, with respect to Nova or any Nova
ERISA Affiliate, a disqualified individual within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder, as of the date such schedule is
delivered to Saturn.
5.16 Section 83(b)
Elections. Nova shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the delivery to Saturn at or prior to the
Closing of a true, correct and complete copy of each election
statement under Section 83(b) of the Code filed by each
person who acquired Unvested Shares, together with evidence of
timely filing of such election statement with the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center.
5.17 Board of
Directors. The Saturn Board will take all actions
necessary such that effective immediately following the
Effective Time, two (2) directors of Nova reasonably
acceptable to Saturn shall become members of the Saturn Board
(the Nova Designated Directors), and such
directors shall be nominated by the Saturn Board for re-election
to the Saturn Board at Saturns next annual
stockholders meeting following the Closing.
5.18 Nasdaq Listing.
Prior to the Effective Time, Saturn agrees to use all reasonable
efforts to authorize for listing on Nasdaq the shares of Saturn
Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger, subject to
official notice of issuance.
5.19 Nova Affiliates;
Restrictive Legend. Nova will use all commercially
reasonable efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to
Saturn, as promptly as practicable on or following the date
hereof, from each person who may reasonably be deemed to be an
affiliate of Nova for purposes of Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act an executed affiliate agreement
pursuant to which such affiliate shall agree to be bound by the
provision of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act
in a form provided by Saturn and reasonably acceptable to Nova.
Saturn will give stop transfer instructions to its transfer
agent with respect to any Saturn Common Stock received pursuant
to the Merger by any stockholder of Nova who may reasonably be
deemed to be an affiliate of Nova for purposes of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act and there will be placed on
the certificates representing such Saturn Common Stock, or any
substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance that the
shares were issued in a transaction to which Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act applies and may only be
transferred (i) in conformity with Rule 145 or
(ii) in accordance with a written opinion of counsel,
reasonably acceptable to Saturn, in form and substance that such
transfer is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
5.20 Treatment as
Reorganization. None of Saturn, Sub I, Sub II
or Nova shall, and they shall not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, take any action prior to or following the
Closing that would reasonably be expected to cause the Merger to
fail to qualify as a reorganization with the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
5.21 Sub Compliance.
Saturn shall cause Sub I and Sub II to comply with all of
their respective obligations under or relating to this
Agreement. Sub I and Sub II shall not engage in any
business which is not in connection with the Merger.
5.22 Name Change. Not
later than ninety (90) days following the Closing Date,
Saturn will change its corporate name to Nova.
Following such name change, Saturn will change its trading
symbol to that of Nova or another symbol mutually agreed to by
Nova and Saturn.
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5.23 Auditors
Consent. Nova shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause its independent public accountants to deliver a
letter dated not more than five (5) days prior to the date
on which the Registration Statement shall become effective and
addressed to itself and Saturn and their respective Boards of
Directors in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Saturn and customary in scope and substance for agreed-upon
procedures letters delivered by independent public accountants
in connection with registration statements and prospectus/proxy
statements similar to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus/ Proxy Statement.
5.24 Nova Rights
Plan. Nova shall not redeem the Nova Rights or amend or
modify (including by delay of the Distribution Date
thereunder) or terminate the Nova Rights Agreement prior to the
Effective Time unless, and only to the extent that: (i) it
is required to do so by order of a court of competent
jurisdiction or (ii) the Nova Board has concluded in good
faith, after receipt of advice of its outside legal counsel,
that, in light of a Superior Offer with respect to it, the
failure to effect such amendment, modification or termination is
reasonably likely to result in a breach of the Nova Boards
fiduciary obligations to its stockholders under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
6.1 Conditions to Obligations
of Each Party to Effect the Merger. The respective
obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:
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(a) Stockholder Approval. The matters subject
to the Required Nova Stockholder Approval and the Required
Saturn Stockholder Approval shall have been approved by the
requisite vote necessary under applicable law and the Nasdaq
Marketplace Rules. |
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(b) No Order. No Governmental Entity of
competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and which has the
effect of making the Merger, the Stock Issuance or the Financing
illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger, the
Stock Issuance or the Financing. |
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(c) HSR Act. All applicable waiting periods
under the HSR Act and under any applicable material foreign or
other Antitrust Laws shall have expired or been terminated in
connection with the Merger and the Financing. |
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(d) Registration Statement Effective; Prospectus/
Proxy Statement. The SEC shall have declared the
Registration Statement effective. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof
shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose, and
no similar proceeding in respect of the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement, shall have been initiated or threatened in writing by
the SEC. |
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(e) No Governmental Restriction. There shall
not be pending, and no Specified Governmental Authority shall
have made, authorized or approved any statement or communication
(or shall have taken, initiated, authorized or approved any
other action) that would reasonably be construed to indicate
that a Governmental Entity is likely to commence or is seriously
considering the commencement of, any suit, action or proceeding:
(i) challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the
consummation of the Merger, the Stock Issuance or the Financing
or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the effect of which restraint or prohibition if obtained would
cause the condition set forth in Section 6.1(e) to
not be satisfied or (ii) seeking to require Saturn or any
Subsidiary or affiliate to effect a Divestiture.
Specified Governmental Representative shall
mean any official or representative of any Governmental Entity;
provided, however, that in the case of the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department
of Justice, Specified Governmental Representative shall not
include any official or representative below the level of:
(a) with respect to |
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the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Director of the Bureau
of Competition; and (b) with respect to the
U.S. Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General for
the Antitrust Division. Divestiture shall
mean (1) the sale, license or other disposition or holding
separate (through the establishment of a trust or otherwise) of
any assets or categories of assets of Saturn or any of its
affiliates or Nova, (2) the imposition of any limitation or
restriction on the ability of Saturn or any of its affiliates to
freely conduct their business or Novas business or own
such assets, or (3) the holding separate of the interests
of the Final Surviving Entity or any limitation or regulation on
the ability of Saturn or any of its affiliates to exercise full
rights of ownership of the Final Surviving Entity. |
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(f) Tax Opinions. Saturn and Nova shall have
received a written opinion from Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation and
Fenwick & West LLP, respectively, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Saturn and Nova, respectively, to the
effect that the Merger will constitute a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and such opinions
shall not have been withdrawn; provided, however, that if
the counsel to either Saturn or Nova does not render such
opinion, this condition shall nonetheless be deemed to be
satisfied with respect to such party if counsel to the other
party renders an opinion to such party to the effect that the
Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Nova and Saturn shall deliver
to tax counsel, and tax counsel shall be entitled to rely upon,
reasonable and customary tax representations in connection with
rendering such opinions. |
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(g) Nasdaq Listing. The shares of Saturn
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have been authorized for
listing on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance. |
6.2 Additional Conditions to
Obligations of Nova. The obligation of Nova to
consummate and effect the Merger shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing,
exclusively by Nova:
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(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of Saturn and the Subs in this
Agreement, disregarding all qualifications and exceptions
contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse
Change, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of this
Agreement, and shall be true and correct on and as of the
Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were
made on and as of such date (except for representations and
warranties which address matters only as to a specified date,
which representations and warranties shall be true and correct
with respect to such specified date), except where the failure
of such representations or warranties to be true and correct (as
of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date) have
not resulted in, and would not reasonably be expected to result
in, individually or in the aggregate with other such failures to
be true and correct, a Material Adverse Change to Saturn. Nova
shall have a received a certificate to such effect signed on
behalf of Saturn by a duly authorized officer of Saturn. |
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(b) Agreements and Covenants. Saturn and the
Subs shall have performed or complied in all material respects
with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to
be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing
Date, and Nova shall have received a certificate to such effect
signed on behalf of Saturn by a duly authorized officer of
Saturn. |
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(c) Material Adverse Change. No Material
Adverse Change to Saturn and its Subsidiaries shall have
occurred since the date of this Agreement and be continuing, and
Nova shall have received a certificate to such effect signed on
behalf of Saturn by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of Saturn. |
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(d) Closing of Financing. The purchase by the
Warburg Entities of (a) an aggregate of
14,150,943 shares of Saturn Common Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $59,999,998.32 and (b) warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of Saturn Common
shall have been consummated prior to or simultaneously with the
Effective Time. |
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6.3 Additional Conditions to
the Obligations of Saturn and the Subs. The obligations
of Saturn and the Subs to consummate and effect the Merger shall
be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date
of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived,
in writing, exclusively by Saturn:
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(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of Nova in this Agreement,
disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein
relating to materiality or Material Adverse Change, shall be
true and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement, and
shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date as
though such representations and warranties were made on and as
of such date (except for representations and warranties which
address matters only as to a specified date, which
representations and warranties shall be true and correct with
respect to such specified date), except where the failure of
such representations or warranties to be true and correct (as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date) have not
resulted in, and would not reasonably be expected to result in,
individually or in the aggregate with other such failures to be
true and correct, a Material Adverse Change to Nova. Saturn
shall have a received a certificate to such effect signed on
behalf of Nova by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer of Nova. |
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(b) Agreements and Covenants. Nova shall have
performed or complied in all material respects with all
agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing
Date, and Saturn shall have received a certificate to such
effect signed on behalf of Nova by the Chief Executive Officer
and the Chief Financial Officer of Nova. |
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(c) Material Adverse Change. No Material
Adverse Change to Nova and its Subsidiaries shall have occurred
since the date of this Agreement and be continuing, and Saturn
shall have received a certificate to such effect signed on
behalf of Nova by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of Nova. |
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 Termination. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, and the Merger may be abandoned, notwithstanding any
requisite approvals by the stockholders of Nova or Saturn:
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(a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the Nova
Board and the Saturn Board; |
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(b) by either Nova or Saturn if the Effective Time shall
not have occurred on or before January 9, 2006 (the
End Date) for any reason; provided,
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any
party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause
of or resulted in the failure of the Effective Time to occur on
or before such date and such action or failure to act
constitutes a breach of this Agreement; |
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(c) by either Nova or Saturn if a Governmental Entity of
competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order, decree or
ruling or taken any other action, in any case having the effect
of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger, Stock Issuance or Financing, which order, decree,
ruling or other action is final and nonappealable; |
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(d) by either Nova or Saturn if the Required Nova
Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained by reason of
the failure to obtain the required vote at the Nova
Stockholders Meeting or at any adjournment thereof;
provided, however, that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 7.1(d) shall not be
available to Nova where the failure to obtain Required Nova
Stockholder Approval shall have been caused by the action or
failure to act of Nova and such action or failure to act
constitutes a material breach by Nova of this Agreement; |
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(e) by either Nova or Saturn if the Required Saturn
Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained by reason of
the failure to obtain the required vote at the Saturn
Stockholders Meeting or at any adjournment thereof;
provided, however, that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 7.1(e) shall not be
available to Saturn where the failure to obtain the Required
Saturn Stockholder Approval shall have been caused by the action
or failure to act of Saturn and such action or failure to act
constitutes a material breach by Saturn of this Agreement; |
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(f) by Nova, upon a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement on the part of Saturn set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Saturn shall
have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set
forth in Section 6.2(a) or
Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied as of the time
of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty
shall have become untrue, provided, however, that if such
inaccuracy in Saturns representations and warranties or
breach by Saturn is curable by Saturn through the exercise of
its commercially reasonable efforts, then Nova may not terminate
this Agreement under this Section 7.1(f) for
30 days after delivery of written notice from Nova to
Saturn of such breach, provided Saturn commences promptly
and continues to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to
cure such breach (it being understood that Nova may not
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.1(f) if it shall have materially breached
this Agreement or if such breach by Saturn is cured during such
30-day period); |
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(g) by Saturn, upon a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Nova set forth in
this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Nova
shall have become untrue, in either case such that the
conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) or
Section 6.3(b) would not be satisfied as of the time
of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty
shall have become untrue, provided, however, that if such
inaccuracy in Novas representations and warranties or
breach by Nova is curable by Nova through the exercise of its
commercially reasonable efforts, then Saturn may not terminate
this Agreement under this Section 7.1(g) for
30 days after delivery of written notice from Saturn to
Nova of such breach, provided Nova commences promptly and
continues to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure
such breach (it being understood that Saturn may not terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(g) if it
shall have materially breached this Agreement or if such breach
by Nova is cured during such 30-day period); |
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(h) by Saturn, upon a material breach by Nova of its
obligations under Section 5.4; |
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(i) by Nova, upon a material breach by Saturn of its
obligations under Section 5.4; |
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(j) by Saturn, if a Material Adverse Change to Nova shall
have occurred and be continuing since the date hereof; |
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(k) by Nova, if a Material Adverse Change to Saturn shall
have occurred be continuing since the date hereof; |
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(l) by Saturn if a Triggering Event (as defined below)
shall have occurred. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
Triggering Event shall be deemed to have
occurred if: (i) the Nova Board or any committee thereof
shall for any reason have withdrawn or withheld, or shall have
amended, changed, qualified or modified in a manner adverse to
Saturn the Nova Boards or committees unanimous
recommendation in favor of, the adoption and approval of the
Agreement or the Merger or transactions contemplated hereby (it
being understood that the taking of a neutral position or no
position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal beyond the
Acquisition Proposal Assessment Period, as defined below,
shall be considered an adverse modification); (ii) Nova
shall have failed to include in the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement
the unanimous recommendation of the Nova Board that holders of
Nova Common Stock vote in favor of and adopt and approve this
Agreement; (iii) the Nova Board or any committee thereof
shall have approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal;
(iv) Nova shall have entered into any letter of intent or
similar document or any Contract accepting any Acquisition
Proposal (other than any confidentiality agreement required to
be entered into pursuant to
Section 5.4(c)(i)(A)(2)); (v) a tender or
exchange offer relating to securities of Nova shall have |
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been commenced by a person unaffiliated with Saturn and Nova
shall not have sent to its securityholders pursuant to
Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, within ten
(10) business days (such ten (10) business day period,
the Acquisition Proposal Assessment
Period) after such tender or exchange offer is first
published sent or given, a statement disclosing that the Nova
Board recommends rejection of such tender or exchange offer; or
(vi) the Nova Board shall have failed to reaffirm its
approval or recommendation of this Agreement as promptly as
practicable (but in any event within ten (10) business
days) after receipt of a written request to do so from Saturn. |
7.2 Notice of Termination;
Effect of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement
under and in accordance with Section 7.1 will be
effective immediately upon (or, if the termination is pursuant
to Section 7.1(f) or Section 7.1(g) and
the proviso therein is applicable, 30 days after) the
delivery of written notice of the terminating party to the other
parties hereto. In the event of the termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement
shall be of no further force or effect and there shall be no
liability to any party hereunder in connection with the
Agreement or the Transactions, except (i) as set forth in
Section 5.3(a), this Section 7.2,
Section 7.3 and Article VIII, each of
which shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and
(ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability
for any intentional or willful breach of, or any intentional
misrepresentation made in this Agreement. No termination of this
Agreement shall affect the obligations of the parties contained
in the Confidentiality Agreement, all of which obligations shall
survive termination of this Agreement in accordance with their
terms.
7.3 Fees and Expenses.
(a) General. Except as set forth in this
Section 7.3, all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses
whether or not the Merger is consummated; provided,
however, that Nova and Saturn shall share equally
(i) all fees and expenses, other than attorneys and
accountants fees and expenses which fees shall be paid for
by the party incurring such expense, incurred in relation to the
printing and filing (with the SEC) of the Prospectus/ Proxy
Statement (including any preliminary materials related thereto)
and the Registration Statement (including financial statements
and exhibits) and any amendments or supplements thereto and
(ii) any filing fees for premerger notification and reports
forms under the HSR Act and similar applicable laws of other
jurisdictions, in each case pursuant to Section 5.9.
(b) Special Payments.
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(i) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Nova
or Saturn, as applicable, pursuant to
Sections 7.1(b), 7.1(d) or 7.1(l),
Nova shall promptly, but in no event later than two
(2) business days after the date of such termination, pay
(or cause to be paid) Saturn a fee equal to Six Million Six
Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($6,630,000)) in immediately
available funds (the Nova Termination Fee);
provided, that in the case of termination under
Section 7.1(b) or 7.1(d): (A) such
payment shall be made only if following the date hereof and
prior to the termination of this Agreement, there has been
public disclosure of an Acquisition Proposal with respect to
Nova and (1) within twelve (12) months following the
termination of this Agreement an Acquisition (as defined in
Section 7.3(b)(v)) of Nova is consummated or
(2) within twelve (12) months following the
termination of this Agreement Nova enters into an agreement
providing for an Acquisition of Nova, and (B) such payment
shall be made promptly, but in no event later than two
(2) business days after the occurrence of any such event. |
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(ii) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Nova
or Saturn (A) pursuant to Section 7.1(e), and
(B) (i) because the Saturn Board shall for any reason have
withdrawn or withheld, or shall have amended, changed, qualified
or modified in a manner adverse to Nova the Saturn Boards
unanimous recommendation in favor of the Stock Issuance and the
Financing, or (ii) Saturn shall have failed to include in
the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement the unanimous recommendation of
the Saturn Board that holders of Saturn Common Stock vote in
favor of the Stock Issuance and the Financing at the Saturn
Stockholders Meeting, Saturn shall promptly, but in |
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no event later than two (2) business days after the date of
such termination, pay (or cause to be paid) Nova a fee equal to
Six Million Six Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($6,630,000)) in
immediately available funds (the Saturn Termination
Fee); provided, that such payment shall be made
only if following the date hereof and prior to the termination
of this Agreement, the Saturn Board shall have failed to
reaffirm its approval or recommendation of the matters subject
to the Required Saturn Stockholder Approval as promptly as
practicable (but in any event within ten (10) business
days) after receipt of a written request to do so from Nova from
time to time. |
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(iii) Each of Saturn and Nova acknowledges that the
agreements contained in this Section 7.3(b) are an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, the other party
hereto would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if Nova
or Saturn fails to pay in a timely manner the amounts due
pursuant to this Section 7.3(b), and, in order to
obtain such payment, the other makes a claim that results in a
judgment against the party failing to so pay, the failing party
shall pay to the others reasonable costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) in
connection with such suit, together with interest on the amounts
set forth in this Section 7.3(b) at the prime rate
of Citibank, N.A. in effect on the date such payment was
required to be made. Payment of the fees described in this
Section 7.3(b) shall not be in lieu of damages
incurred in the event of breach of this Agreement. |
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(iv) Each of Saturn and Nova acknowledges that (1) the
damages that would result from a termination described in
Section 7.3(b)(i) and Section 7.3(b)(ii)
above are difficult to accurately calculate; and
(2) accordingly, the amount fixed as the Nova Termination
Fee and the Saturn Termination Fee, as applicable, are
reasonable estimates of the actual damages that would result
from such a termination described in
Section 7.3(b)(i) and Section 7.3(b)(ii)
above. |
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(v) For the purposes of this Section 7.3(b)
only, Acquisition, with respect to a party
hereto, shall mean any of the following transactions (other than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement): (i) a
merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the
party pursuant to which equity interests of the stockholders of
the party immediately preceding such transaction would represent
less than sixty percent (60%) of the aggregate equity interests
in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction or any
direct or indirect parent thereof, (ii) a sale or other
disposition by the party of assets representing in excess of
forty percent (40%) of the aggregate fair market value of the
partys business immediately prior to such sale, or
(iii) the acquisition by any person or group (including by
way of a tender offer or an exchange offer or issuance by the
party or such person or group), directly or indirectly, of
beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership
of shares representing in excess of forty percent (40%) of the
voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of
the party. |
7.4 Amendment.
Subject to applicable law, this Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto at any time by execution of an instrument in
writing specifying such amendment signed on behalf of each of
Saturn and Nova, at any time before or after approval of the
matters presented in connection with the Merger by the
stockholders of Saturn and Nova; provided, after any such
approval, no amendment shall be made which by law or in
accordance with the rules of any relevant stock exchange
requires further approval by such stockholders without actually
attaining such further stockholder approval.
7.5 Extension;
Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any
party hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend
the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such
party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant
hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained
herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Delay in
exercising any right under this Agreement shall not constitute a
waiver of such right. For purposes of this
Section 7.5, Saturn, Sub I and Sub II will be
deemed to be one party.
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ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Non-Survival of
Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of Nova, Saturn, Sub I and Sub II contained in
this Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and
documents contemplated hereby shall terminate and be of no
further force or effect at, and as of, the Effective Time, and
only the covenants and agreements in this Agreement and the
other agreements, certificates and documents contemplated hereby
that by their terms survive the Effective Time shall survive the
Effective Time.
8.2 Notices. All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed given or made as follows (a) on the
date of delivery, if delivered personally or by commercial
delivery service, or (b) on the date of confirmation of
receipt, if sent via telecopy (receipt confirmed) to the parties
at the following addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such other
address or telecopy numbers for a party as shall be specified by
like notice):
(a) if to Saturn, Sub I or Sub II, to:
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ScanSoft, Inc. |
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9 Centennial Drive |
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Peabody, MA 01960 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Telephone No.: (978) 977-2000 |
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Telecopy No.: (978) 977-2412 |
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with a copy to: |
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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |
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Professional Corporation |
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650 Page Mill Road |
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Palo Alto, California 94304 |
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Attention: Larry W. Sonsini, Esq. |
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Katharine
A. Martin, Esq. |
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Telephone No.: (650) 493-9300 |
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Telecopy No.: (650) 493-6811 |
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and |
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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |
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Professional Corporation |
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12 East 49th Street, 30th Floor |
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New York, New York 10017 |
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Attention: Robert Sanchez, Esq. |
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Adam
M. Dinow, Esq. |
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Telephone No.: (212) 999-5800 |
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Telecopy No.: (212) 999-5899 |
(b) if to Nova, to:
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Nuance Communications, Inc. |
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1350 Willow Road |
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Menlo Park, CA 94025 |
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Attention: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and
General Counsel |
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Telephone No.: (650) 847-7000 |
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Telecopy No.: (650) 847-7900 |
A-64
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with a copy to: |
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Fenwick & West LLP |
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Silicon Valley Center |
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801 California Street |
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Mountain View, California 94041 |
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Attention: Gordon K. Davidson, Esq. |
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Mark
A. Leahy, Esq. |
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Telephone No.:(650) 988-8500 |
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Telecopy No.:(650) 938-5200 |
8.3 Interpretation;
Knowledge.
(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to Exhibits,
such reference shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. When a reference is made in this Agreement
to Articles or Sections, such reference shall be to an Article
or Section, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. Unless otherwise indicated the words
include, includes and
including when used herein shall be deemed in each
case to be followed by the words without limitation.
The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When reference
is made herein to the business of an entity, such
reference shall be deemed to include the business of all direct
and indirect subsidiaries of such entity. Reference to the
subsidiaries of an entity shall be deemed to include all direct
and indirect subsidiaries of such entity. Where a reference is
made to a law, such reference is to such law, as amended, and
all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the
context requires otherwise.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
knowledge means with respect to a party
hereto, with respect to any matter in question, that any of the
officers, members of the Disclosure Committee, or the direct
reports of the General Counsel of such party has actual
knowledge of such matter.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
material as it relates to any person shall
refer to such person and any of such persons Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
Material Adverse Changewhen used in
connection with an entity, means any change, event, violation,
inaccuracy, circumstance or effect (any such item, an
Effect), individually or when taken together
with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of
determination of the occurrence of the Material Adverse Change,
that (i) is or is reasonably likely to be materially
adverse to the business, assets (including intangible assets),
capitalization, financial condition or results of operations of
such entity taken as a whole with its subsidiaries or
(ii) will or is reasonably likely to materially impede the
ability of such entity to timely consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof and applicable legal requirements; provided,
however, that, for purposes of clause (i) above, in no
event shall any of the following be taken into account in
determining whether there has been or will be a Material Adverse
Change respecting any entity: (A) any Effect directly
resulting from compliance with, or the taking of any action
required by, the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
(B) any Effect directly resulting from the announcement or
pendency of the Merger (including any disruption in supplier,
distributor or partner relationships, any cancellation of or
delays in customer orders, any reduction in sales or any loss of
employees directly resulting from the announcement or pendency
of the Merger); (C) any change in and of itself in such
entitys stock price or trading volume; (D) any Effect
that results from changes affecting any of the industries in
which such entity operates generally (which changes in each case
do not disproportionately affect such entity in any material
respect); (E) any Effect that results from changes
affecting general United States or worldwide economic or capital
market conditions (which changes in each case do not
disproportionately affect such entity in any material respect);
(F) any Effect resulting from the payment of any amounts
due, or the provision of any other benefits, to any officers or
employees of such entity under employment contracts, employee
benefit plans, severance arrangements or other arrangements in
existence as of the date hereof to the extent that such payments
or provisions of benefits are reflected on the financial
statements of such entity or disclosed in this Agreement or any
schedule hereto; (G) any Effect resulting from shareholder
A-65
class action litigation, derivative suits or similar claims or
actions, arising from allegations of breach of fiduciary duty or
other claims relating to such entitys entering into this
Agreement; or (H) the failure in and of itself by such
entity to meet any internal projections or forecasts or revenue
or earnings predictions.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
person shall mean any individual, corporation
(including any non-profit corporation), general partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint
venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability
company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise,
association, organization, entity or Governmental Entity.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
business day shall mean each day that is not
a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which Saturn or Nova is
closed for business or banking institutions located in Boston,
Massachusetts or San Francisco, California are authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close, and the term
day when not immediately preceded by the word
business shall mean a calendar day.
(g) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise
requires: (i) words of any gender include each other
gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number also
include the plural or singular number, respectively; and
(iii) the terms hereof, herein,
hereunder and derivative or similar words refer
to this entire Agreement.
8.4 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all
of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been
signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party,
it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
8.5 Entire Agreement; Third
Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the documents
and instruments and other agreements among the parties hereto as
contemplated by or referred to herein (a) constitute the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, it being understood that
the Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect and shall survive any termination of this Agreement; and
(b) are not intended to confer, and shall not be construed
as conferring, upon any other person any rights or remedies
hereunder, except as specifically provided in
Section 5.8.
8.6 Severability. In
the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the
application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and
effect and the application of such provision to other persons or
circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the
intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to
replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement
with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the
extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of
such void or unenforceable provision.
8.7 Other Remedies; Specific
Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, any
and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be
deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy
conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the
exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the
exercise of any other remedy and nothing in this Agreement shall
be deemed a waiver by any party of any right to specific
performance or injunctive relief. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to seek an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are
entitled at law or in equity.
8.8 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws
that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of
conflicts of law thereof. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably
submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State
of Delaware and the Federal courts of the United States of
America
A-66
located within Newcastle County in the State of Delaware solely
in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the
provisions of this Agreement and of the documents referred to in
this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert,
as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the
interpretation or enforcement hereof or thereof, that it is not
subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not
be brought or is not maintainable in said courts or that the
venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement or
any such document may not be enforced in or by such courts, and
the parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims with
respect to such action or proceeding shall be heard and
determined in such a Delaware State or Federal court. The
parties hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction
over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of
such dispute and agree that mailing of process or other papers
in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner
provided in Section 8.2 or in such other manner as
may be permitted by applicable law, shall be valid and
sufficient service thereof. With respect to any particular
action, suit or proceeding, venue shall lie solely in Newcastle
County, Delaware.
8.9 Rules of
Construction. The parties hereto agree that they have
been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution
of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any
law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that
ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed
against the party drafting such agreement or document.
8.10 Assignment. No
party may assign or delegate, in whole or in part, by operation
of law or otherwise, either this Agreement or any of the rights,
interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written
approval of the other parties, and any such assignment without
such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to
the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
8.11 Waiver of Jury
Trial. EACH OF SATURN, NOVA, SUB I AND SUB II
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT,
TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE ACTIONS OF SATURN, NOVA, SUB I OR SUB II IN THE
NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
A-67
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement and Plan of Merger to be executed by their duly
authorized respective officers as of the date first written
above.
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NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Charles W. Berger |
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NOVA ACQUISITION CORPORATION |
[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
A-68
Annex B
THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC
May 9, 2005
Board of Directors
Saturn, Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Nova, a Delaware corporation
(Seller), and Saturn, a Delaware corporation
(Buyer), have entered into a Merger Agreement dated
May 9, 2005 (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to
which Seller will be merged with and into Buyer, which will be
the surviving entity (the Merger). Pursuant to the
Merger, as described in the Merger Agreement and as further
described to us by management of Buyer, we understand that each
outstanding share of the common stock, $0.001 par value per
share, of Seller (Seller Common Stock), other than
shares held by Dissenting Shareholders (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), will be converted into and exchangeable for
0.77 share of the common stock, $0.001 par value per
share, of Buyer (Buyer Common Stock) and $2.20 in
cash (the Consideration). The terms and conditions
of the Merger are set forth in detail in the Merger Agreement.
You have asked for our opinion as investment bankers as to
whether the Consideration to be paid by Buyer pursuant to the
Merger is fair to Buyer from a financial point of view, as of
the date hereof. We were not retained to, nor did we advise
Buyer with respect to, alternatives to the Merger or
Buyers underlying decision to proceed with or effect the
Merger. In addition, we were not asked to provide our opinion
with respect to the Companys financing arrangement in
connection with the merger. Our opinion, therefore, is limited
solely to an analysis of the Consideration for the Merger as set
forth in the Merger Agreement.
In connection with our opinion, we have, among other things:
(i) reviewed certain publicly available financial data with
respect to Seller and Buyer, including the consolidated
financial statements for their three most recent fiscal years
and for any subsequent interim periods to December 31,
2004, as well as the draft interim financial statements for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005, and certain other relevant
financial and operating data relating to Seller and Buyer made
available to us from published sources and from the internal
records of Seller and Buyer; (ii) reviewed the financial
terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement;
(iii) reviewed certain publicly available information
concerning the trading of, and the trading market for, Seller
Common Stock and Buyer Common Stock; (iv) compared Seller
and Buyer from a financial point of view with certain other
public companies which we deemed to be relevant;
(v) considered the financial terms, to the extent publicly
available, of selected recent business combinations which we
deemed to be comparable, in whole or in part, to the Merger;
(vi) reviewed and discussed with representatives of the
management of Seller and Buyer certain information of a business
and financial nature regarding Seller and Buyer, furnished to us
by them, including financial forecasts and related assumptions
of Seller and Buyer; (vii) made inquiries and held
discussions regarding the Merger and the Merger Agreement and
other matters related thereto with Buyers counsel; and
(viii) performed such other analyses and examinations as we
have deemed appropriate.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any
obligation independently to verify the foregoing information,
whether publicly available or provided by Buyer or Seller, and
have relied on such information being accurate and complete in
all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts
for Seller provided to us by each of Sellers and
Buyers management, and for Buyer provided to us by
Buyers management, upon their advice and with your consent
we have assumed for purposes of our opinion that the forecasts
have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
available estimates and judgments of each companys
management at the time of preparation as to the future financial
performance of Seller and Buyer and that they provide a
reasonable basis upon which we can form our opinion. This
notwithstanding, as regards certain forecasts and/or projections
with respect to Seller for purposes of our
B-1
analyses, we have adopted the forecasts provided by Buyers
management, which are based on more conservative assumptions
than those made by management of Seller, regarding revenue
growth and profitability. We have discussed the adjusted
forecasts with management of Buyer, which has acknowledged our
use of such adjusted forecasts in arriving at our opinion. We
have also assumed that there have been no material changes in
Sellers or Buyers assets, financial condition,
results of operations, business or prospects since the
respective dates of their last financial statements made
available to us. We have relied on advice of counsel and
independent accountants to Buyer as to all legal and financial
reporting matters with respect to Buyer, the Merger and the
Merger Agreement. We have assumed that the Merger will be
consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and all other
applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations. In
addition, we have not assumed responsibility for making an
independent evaluation, appraisal or physical inspection of any
of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Seller
or Buyer, nor have we been furnished with any such appraisals.
Finally, our opinion is based on economic, monetary and market
and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made
available to us as of, the date hereof. Accordingly, although
developments and/or conditions arising or events occurring after
the date hereof may have an effect on this opinion, we have not
assumed any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm this
opinion.
We have further assumed with your consent that the Merger will
be consummated in accordance with the terms described in the
Merger Agreement, without any further amendments thereto or
modification thereof, and without waiver by Buyer of any of the
conditions to its obligations thereunder.
We have acted as financial advisor to Buyer in connection with
the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, including
rendering this opinion, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. In the ordinary
course of our business, we actively trade the equity securities
of Seller and Buyer for our own account and for the accounts of
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities. We have also acted as an
underwriter in connection with offerings of securities of each
of Seller and Buyer.
Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, it is our
opinion as investment bankers that, as of the date hereof, the
Consideration to be paid by Buyer pursuant to the Merger is fair
to Buyer from a financial point of view.
This opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Buyer to
assist the Board in its consideration of the Merger and is not a
recommendation to the Board or to any shareholder as to how the
Board or such shareholder should vote with respect to the
Merger. Further, this opinion addresses only the financial
fairness of the Consideration to Buyer and does not address the
relative merits of the Merger or of any alternatives to the
Merger, Buyers underlying decision to proceed with or
effect the Merger, or any aspect of the Merger other than the
fairness to Buyer of the Consideration. This opinion may not be
used or referred to by Buyer, or quoted or disclosed by Buyer or
any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors to
any person in any manner, without our prior written consent,
which consent is hereby given to the inclusion of this opinion
in the Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the
Merger. In furnishing this opinion, we do not admit that we are
experts within the meaning of the term experts as
used in the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, nor do we admit that this opinion
constitutes a report or valuation within the meaning of
Section 11 of the Securities Act.
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Very truly yours, |
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THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC |
B-2
Annex C
May 9, 2005
Board of Directors
Nuance Communications, Inc.
1380 Willow Road
Menlo Park, California 94025
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of
common stock, par value $0.001 per share (Company
Common Stock), of Nuance Communications, Inc. (the
Company), other than affiliates of the Company, of
the Merger Consideration (as defined below) to be received by
such holders, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 9, 2005 (the Merger
Agreement), by and among Scansoft, Inc. (the
Acquiror), Nova Acquisition Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Acquiror (Merger Sub I),
Nova Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Acquiror
(Merger Sub II), and the Company. The Merger
Agreement provides for, among other things, (i) the merger
of Merger Sub I with and into the Company (the First Step
Merger) pursuant to which the Company will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Acquiror and each share of Company
Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive
(a) 0.77 of a share of common stock (the Stock
Consideration), par value $0.001 per share
(Acquiror Common Stock), of Acquiror, and
(b) $2.20 in cash (the Cash Consideration and,
together with the Stock Consideration, the Merger
Consideration) and (ii) the subsequent merger of the
Company, as the surviving corporation of the First Step Merger,
with and into Merger Sub II (the Second Step
Merger and, together with the First Step Merger, the
Merger).
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Merger
Agreement and certain related documents, as well as certain
publicly available business and financial information relating
to the Company and the Acquiror. We have also reviewed certain
other information relating to the Company and the Acquiror,
including financial forecasts provided to or discussed with us
by the Company and the Acquiror, and have met with the
managements of the Company and the Acquiror to discuss the
business and prospects of the Company and the Acquiror. We have
also considered certain financial and stock market data of the
Company and the Acquiror, and we have compared that data with
similar data for other publicly held companies in businesses we
deemed similar to those of the Company and the Acquiror, and we
have considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial
terms of certain other business combinations and other
transactions which have recently been effected or announced. We
also considered such other information, financial studies,
analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market
criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any
responsibility for independent verification of any of the
foregoing information and have relied on such information being
complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to
the financial forecasts for the Company and the Acquiror that we
have reviewed, we have been advised, and we have assumed, that
such forecasts have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
managements of the Company and the Acquiror as to the future
financial performance of the Company and the Acquiror. In
addition, we have relied upon, without independent verification,
the assessment of the managements of the Acquiror and the
Company as to (i) their ability to retain key employees,
(ii) the strategic benefits and potential cost savings and
other synergies (including the amount, timing and achievability
thereof) anticipated to result from the Merger, (iii) the
existing technology, products and services of the Company and
the Acquiror and the validity of, and risks associated with, the
future technology, products and services of the Company and the
Acquiror, and (iv) their ability to integrate the
businesses of the Company and the Acquiror. We also have relied,
without independent verification, on the assessment of the
managements of the Company and the Acquiror with respect to the
future ability of the Acquiror and
C-1
Merger Sub II to satisfy their financial obligations as
they become due. We have assumed, with your consent, that the
Merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization for federal
income tax purposes. We also have assumed, with your consent,
that in the course of obtaining any necessary regulatory and
third party approvals and consents for the Merger, no
modification, delay, limitation, restriction or condition will
be imposed that will have an adverse effect on the Company or
the Acquiror or the contemplated benefits of the Merger and that
the Merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms of
the Merger Agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment
of any material term, condition or agreement therein. In
addition, we have not been requested to make, and have not made,
an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or the
Acquiror, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluations
or appraisals. Our opinion addresses only the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of Company Common Stock,
other than affiliates of the Company, of the Merger
Consideration to be received by such holders in the First Step
Merger, and does not address any other aspect or implication of
the Merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding
entered into in connection with the Merger or otherwise. Our
opinion is necessarily based upon information made available to
us as of the date hereof and upon financial, economic, market
and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the
date hereof. We are not expressing any opinion as to what the
value of Acquiror Common Stock will be when issued to holders of
Company Common Stock pursuant to the First Step Merger or the
prices at which Acquiror Common Stock will trade at any time.
Our opinion does not address the relative merits of the Merger
as compared to other business strategies that might be available
to the Company, nor does it address the underlying business
decision of the Company to proceed with the Merger.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection
with the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a
significant portion of which is contingent upon the consummation
of the First Step Merger. We will also receive a fee for
rendering this opinion. In addition, the Company has agreed to
indemnify us for certain liabilities and other items arising out
of our engagement. From time to time, we and our affiliates have
in the past provided the Company investment banking and other
financial services for which we and our affiliates have received
compensation and in the future we and our affiliates may provide
investment banking and other financial services to the Company
and the Acquiror, for which we and our affiliates would expect
to receive compensation. We are a full service securities firm
engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well
as providing investment banking and other financial services. In
the ordinary course of business, we and our affiliates may
acquire, hold or sell, for their own accounts and the accounts
of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial
instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of the
Company, the Acquiror and any other company that may be involved
in the Merger, as well as provide investment banking and other
financial services to such companies. We and certain of our
affiliates and certain of our and their respective employees and
certain private investment funds affiliated or associated with
us may hold securities in stockholders of the Acquiror.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the
Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its
consideration of the Merger and does not constitute a
recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder
should vote or act on any matter relating to the Merger.
C-2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that,
as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration to be received
by the holders of Company Common Stock in the First Step Merger
is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, other
than affiliates of the Company.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC |
C-3
Annex D
SCANSOFT VOTING AGREEMENT
This Voting Agreement (Agreement) is made and
entered into as of May 9, 2005, by and between Nuance
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Nova), and the undersigned stockholder
(Stockholder) of ScanSoft, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (Saturn).
RECITALS
A. Saturn, Nova Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturn
(Sub I), Nova Acquisition LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Saturn (Sub II and together with
Sub I, the Subs), and Nova have entered
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May , 2005 (the
Merger Agreement), which provides for
(i) the merger of Sub I with and into Nova (the
First Step Merger), with Nova being the
surviving corporation (the Interim Surviving
Corporation), and (ii) the subsequent merger of
the Interim Surviving Corporation with and into Sub II (the
Second Step Merger and, taken together with
the First Step Merger, the Merger), with
Sub II being the surviving entity. Pursuant to the Merger,
all outstanding capital stock of Nova shall be converted into
the right to receive cash and common stock of Saturn.
B. Stockholder is the holder of record and the beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act)) of such number of shares of the outstanding
capital stock of Saturn, and such number of shares of capital
stock of Saturn issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options and warrants, as is indicated on the signature page of
this Agreement.
C. In consideration of the execution of the Merger
Agreement by Nova, Stockholder (in his or her capacity as such)
has agreed to vote the Shares (as defined below) and such other
shares of capital stock of Saturn over which Stockholder has
voting power, so as to facilitate consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
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1. Certain Definitions. Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. For all purposes of
and under this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings: |
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1.1 Expiration Date shall mean the
earlier to occur of (i) such date and time as the Merger
Agreement shall have been validly terminated pursuant to its
terms, or (ii) such date and time as the Merger shall
become effective in accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth in the Merger Agreement. |
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1.2 Person shall mean any individual,
any corporation, limited liability company, general or limited
partnership, business trust, unincorporated association or other
business organization or entity, or any governmental authority. |
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1.3 Shares shall mean: (i) all
securities of Saturn (including all shares of Saturn Common
Stock and all options, warrants and other rights to acquire
shares of Saturn Common Stock) Owned by Stockholder as of the
date of this Agreement, and (ii) all additional securities
of Saturn (including all additional shares of Saturn Common
Stock and all additional options, warrants and other rights to
acquire shares of Saturn Common Stock) of which Stockholder
acquires Ownership during the period commencing with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement until the Expiration
Date. Stockholder shall be deemed to
Own or to have acquired
Ownership of a security if
Stockholder: (i) is the record owner of such security; or
(ii) is the beneficial owner (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of such
security. |
D-1
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1.4 Transfer. A Person shall be deemed
to have effected a Transfer of a security if
such Person directly or indirectly (i) sells, tenders,
pledges, encumbers, hypothecates, grants an option with respect
to, transfers, assigns or otherwise disposes of such security or
any interest therein, or (ii) enters into an agreement,
arrangement, understanding or commitment, whether or not in
writing, to effect any of the foregoing, or (iii) reduces
such Persons Ownership of such security. |
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2. Transfer of Shares. |
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2.1 Restriction on Transfer of Shares. Subject to
Section 2.2, Stockholder shall not, during the term of this
Agreement, directly or indirectly: (i) cause or permit any
Transfer of any or all of the Shares or any interest therein;
(ii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney with respect
to any Shares not Transferred or deposit any Shares not
Transferred into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement
with respect to any Shares not Transferred, or (iii) take
any action that would make any representation or warranty of
Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the
effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from performing
any of Stockholders obligations under this Agreement (it
being understood that nothing contained in this Agreement shall
be deemed to restrict the ability of Stockholder to exercise
(but not Transfer) any Saturn Options held by Stockholder prior
to the Expiration Date). Stockholder further agrees with and
covenants to Nova that Stockholder shall not request that Saturn
register the Transfer of any certificate or uncertificated
interest representing any of the Shares, unless such Transfer is
made in compliance with this Agreement. Stockholder agrees that,
in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to
herein, Saturn may issue appropriate stop transfer
instructions to its transfer agent. |
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2.2 Permitted Transfers. Section 2.1 shall not
prohibit (i) a Transfer of Shares expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, (ii) sales of
Shares by Stockholder in connection with 10b5-1 plans of Saturn
currently in effect, (iii) pledges in effect as of the date
hereof and disclosed on Schedule 2.2 hereto, (iv) a
Transfer or Transfers by Stockholder of not more than
20,000 Shares in the aggregate after the date hereof, or
(v) a Transfer of Shares by Stockholder: (A) if
Stockholder is an individual, to any member of
Stockholders immediate family or to a trust established
for the benefit of Stockholder and/or for the benefit of one or
more members of Stockholders immediate family or upon the
death of Stockholder or (B) if Stockholder is a partnership
or limited liability company, to one or more partners or members
of Stockholder or to an affiliated corporation under common
control with Stockholder, provided that a Transfer
referred to in clause (v) shall be permitted only if, as a
precondition to such transfer, the transferee of such Shares
agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
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3. Agreement to Vote Shares. Until the
Expiration Date, at every meeting of stockholders of Saturn
called with respect to any of the following, and at every
adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or
approval by written consent of stockholders of Saturn with
respect to any of the following, Stockholder shall vote, to the
extent not voted by the Person(s) appointed under the Proxy (as
defined in Section 4 hereof), the Shares Owned by
Stockholder: |
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3.1 in favor of (i) the approval of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Stock
Issuance, the Financing and the Option Assumption, and
(ii) the Proxy and any action required in furtherance
thereof; |
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3.2 against approval of any proposal made in opposition to,
or in competition with, consummation of the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
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3.3 against any amendment to Saturns certificate of
incorporation or bylaws; |
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3.4 against any other action that is intended, or could
reasonably be expected to, impede, interfere with, delay,
postpone, discourage or adversely affect the Merger or any of
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
D-2
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3.5 against any proposal that would result in a breach by
Saturn of the Merger Agreement; and |
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3.6 against the election of a group of individuals to
replace a majority or more of the individuals on the Board of
Directors of Saturn as of the date of this Agreement. |
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In all other matters, the Shares shall be voted by and in a
manner determined by Stockholder in Stockholders sole
discretion. |
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Prior to the Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not enter into
any agreement or understanding with any Person to vote or give
instructions in any manner inconsistent with the terms of this
Section 3. |
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4. Irrevocable Proxy. Concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, Stockholder agrees to deliver to
Nova a proxy in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
Proxy), which shall be irrevocable to the fullest
extent permissible by applicable law, with respect to the Shares. |
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5. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of
Stockholder. |
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5.1 Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Nova
that, as of the date hereof and at all times until the
Expiration Date, (i) Stockholder is and will be the
beneficial owner of the shares of Saturn Common Stock (unless
otherwise Transferred in accordance with this Agreement), and
the options, warrants and other rights to purchase shares of
Saturn Common Stock, set forth on signature page of this
Agreement, with full power to vote or direct the voting of the
Shares; (ii) the Shares are and will be, unless otherwise
Transferred in accordance with this Agreement, free and clear of
any liens, pledges, security interests, claims, options, rights
of first refusal, co-sale rights, charges or other encumbrances
of any kind or nature (other than pursuant to the terms of
restricted stock agreements as in effect on the date hereof and
except for applicable restrictions on transfer under applicable
securities laws or under this Agreement and except for
applicable community property laws); (iii) Stockholder does
not Own any securities of Saturn other than the shares of Saturn
Common Stock, and options, warrants and other rights to purchase
shares of Saturn Common Stock, set forth on the signature page
of this Agreement; (iv) with respect to the Shares,
Stockholder has and will have full power and authority to make,
enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement and the
Proxy (unless such Shares are otherwise Transferred in
accordance with this Agreement) and to perform
Stockholders obligations hereunder and thereunder;
(v) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Stockholder will not violate any agreement or court
order to which the Shares are subject, including, without
limitation, any voting agreement or voting trust; and
(vi) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of Stockholder, enforceable against Stockholder in
accordance with its terms, subject to: (A) laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of
debtors; and (B) rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. |
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5.2 Stockholder agrees that it will not bring, commence,
institute, maintain, prosecute, participate in or voluntarily
aid any action, claim, suit or cause of action, in law or in
equity, in any court or before any governmental entity, which
(a) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the
operation of any provision of this Agreement or (b) alleges
that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Stockholder, either alone or together with the other Saturn
voting agreements and proxies to be delivered in connection with
the execution of the Merger Agreement, or the approval of the
Merger Agreement by the board of directors of Saturn, breaches
any fiduciary duty of the board of directors of Saturn or any
member thereof; provided, that Stockholder may defend
against, contest or settle any such action, claim, suit or cause
of action brought against Stockholder that relates solely to
Stockholders capacity as a director or officer of Saturn. |
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6. Additional Documents. Stockholder and Nova
hereby covenant and agree to execute and deliver any additional
documents reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the
purpose and intent of this Agreement. |
D-3
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7. Legending of Shares. If so requested by
Nova, Stockholder hereby agrees that the Shares shall bear a
legend stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to an
irrevocable proxy. |
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8. Termination. This Agreement shall
terminate automatically and be of no further force or effect as
of the Expiration Date. |
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9. Fiduciary Duties. Each Stockholder is
signing this Agreement solely in such Stockholders
capacity as an owner of his, her or its respective Shares, and
nothing herein shall affect, limit, prohibit, prevent or
preclude such Stockholder from taking or not taking any action
in his or her capacity as an officer or director of Saturn, to
the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement. |
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10. Miscellaneous. |
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10.1 Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of any
condition or any breach of any term or provision set forth in
this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed
by each party hereto. The waiver of a condition or any breach of
any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or
be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent
breach of any term or provision of this Agreement. |
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10.2 Severability. In the event that any provision
of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will
continue in full force and effect and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted
so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The
parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable
provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable
provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the
economic, business and other purposes of such void or
unenforceable provision. |
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10.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. Except as provided
or required herein, neither party may assign or delegate, in
whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, either this
Agreement or any of the rights, interests, or obligations
hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party,
and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall
be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. |
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10.4 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified,
amended, altered or supplemented, except upon the execution and
delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties
hereto. A copy of such written agreement shall be provided to
Saturn promptly following execution thereof. |
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10.5 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as
otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly
conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not
exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or
equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one
remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy and
nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver by any party
of any right to specific performance or injunctive relief. The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties
shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. |
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10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern
under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof. The
parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the
Federal courts of the United States of America located within
Newcastle County in the State of Delaware solely in respect of
the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this
Agreement and of the documents referred to in this Agreement,
and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense
in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or |
D-4
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enforcement hereof or thereof, that it is not subject thereto or
that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is
not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may
not be appropriate or that this Agreement or any such document
may not be enforced in or by such courts, and the parties hereto
irrevocably agree that all claims with respect to such action or
proceeding shall be heard and determined in such a Delaware
State or Federal court. The parties hereby consent to and grant
any such court jurisdiction over the Person of such parties and
over the subject matter of such dispute and agree that mailing
of process or other papers in connection with any such action or
proceeding in the manner provided in Section 10.8 or
in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law,
shall be valid and sufficient service thereof. With respect to
any particular action, suit or proceeding, venue shall lie
solely in Newcastle County, Delaware. |
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10.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Proxy
and the other agreements referred to in this Agreement set forth
the entire agreement and understanding of Nova and Stockholder
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and
supersede all prior discussions, agreements and understandings
between Nova and Stockholder, both oral and written, with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. |
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10.8 Notices. All notices and other communications
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed given or made as
follows (i) on the date of delivery, delivered personally
or by commercial delivery service, or (ii) on the date of
confirmation of receipt, if sent via telecopy (receipt
confirmed) to the parties at the following addresses or telecopy
numbers (or at such other address or telecopy numbers for a
party as shall be specified by like notice): |
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(a)
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if to Nova, to: |
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Nuance Communications, Inc.
1350 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Attention: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and
General Counsel
Telephone No.:(650) 847-7000
Telecopy No.: (650) 847-7900 |
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with a copy to: |
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Fenwick & West LLP
Silicon Alley Center
801 California Street
Mountain View, California 94041
Attn: Gordon
Davidson, Esq. Mark
Leahy, Esq.
Telephone No.: (650) 988-8500
Telecopy No.: (650) 938-5200 |
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if to Stockholder, to the address for notice set forth on the
last page hereof, |
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of
change of address shall only be effective upon receipt.
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10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and
delivered to the other party, it being understood that both
parties need not sign the same counterpart. |
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10.10 Effect of Headings. The section headings
herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
D-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Voting
Agreement to be duly executed on the date and year first above
written.
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STOCKHOLDER: |
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(Print Stockholder Name) |
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Telephone |
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Facsimile No. |
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Shares Owned: |
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shares
of Saturn Common Stock |
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shares
of Saturn Common Stock |
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issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants or
other rights |
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Address: |
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**** VOTING AGREEMENT ****
D-6
EXHIBIT A
IRREVOCABLE PROXY
The undersigned stockholder of Saturn, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (Saturn), hereby irrevocably (to
the fullest extent permitted by law) appoints the directors on
the Board of Directors of Nova, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Nova), and each of them, as the sole and
exclusive attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote and exercise
all voting and related rights (to the full extent that the
undersigned is entitled to do so) with respect to all of the
shares of capital stock of Saturn that now are or hereafter may
be beneficially owned by the undersigned, and any and all other
shares or securities of Saturn issued or issuable in respect
thereof on or after the date hereof (collectively, the
Shares) in accordance with the terms of this
Proxy. The Shares beneficially owned by the undersigned
stockholder of Saturn as of the date of this Proxy are listed on
the final page of this Proxy. Upon the execution of this Proxy
by the undersigned, any and all prior proxies given by the
undersigned with respect to any Shares are hereby revoked and
the undersigned hereby agrees not to grant any subsequent
proxies with respect to the Shares until after the Expiration
Date (as defined below).
This Proxy is irrevocable (to the fullest extent permitted by
law), is coupled with an interest and is granted pursuant to
that certain Voting Agreement of even date herewith by and
between Nova and the undersigned stockholder (the
Voting Agreement), and is granted in
consideration of Nova entering into that certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and
among Saturn, Subs and Nova, which provides for (i) the
merger of Sub I with and into Nova (the First Step
Merger), with Nova being the surviving corporation
(the Interim Surviving Corporation), and
(ii) the subsequent merger of the Interim Surviving
Corporation with and into Sub II (the Second Step
Merger and, taken together with the First Step Merger,
the Merger), with Sub II being the
surviving entity. This Proxy shall terminate, and be of no
further force and effect, automatically upon the Expiration
Date. As used herein, the term Expiration
Date shall mean the earlier to occur of (i) such
date and time as the Merger Agreement shall have been validly
terminated pursuant to its terms, or (ii) such date and
time as the Merger shall become effective in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
The attorneys and proxies named above, and each of them, are
hereby authorized and empowered by the undersigned, at any time
prior to the Expiration Date, to act as the undersigneds
attorney and proxy to vote the Shares, and to exercise all
voting, consent and similar rights of the undersigned with
respect to the Shares (including, without limitation, the power
to execute and deliver written consents) at every annual,
special, adjourned or postponed meeting of stockholders of
Saturn and in every written consent in lieu of such meeting:
(i) in favor of (A) the approval of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Stock
Issuance, the Financing and the Option Assumption, and
(B) the Proxy and any action required in furtherance
thereof; (ii) against approval of any proposal made in
opposition to, or in competition with, consummation of the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; (iii) against any amendment to Saturns
certificate of incorporation or bylaws; (iv) against any
other action that is intended, or could reasonably be expected
to, impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or
adversely affect the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (v) against any
proposal that would result in a breach by Saturn of the Merger
Agreement; and (vi) against the election of a group of
individuals to replace a majority or more of the individuals on
the Board of Directors of Saturn as of the date of this
Agreement.
The attorneys and proxies named above may not exercise this
Proxy to vote, consent or act on any other matter except as
provided above. The undersigned stockholder may vote the Shares
on all other matters.
Any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned other than
with respect to any Shares sold in open market transactions and
in accordance with Section 2 of the Voting Agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
D-7
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Signature of Stockholder: |
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Print Name of Stockholder: |
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Shares beneficially owned: |
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shares
of Saturn Common Stock |
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shares
of Saturn Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options, warrants or other rights |
Dated: May , 2005
D-8
Annex E
NUANCE VOTING AGREEMENT
This Voting Agreement (Agreement) is made and
entered into as of May 9, 2005, by and between ScanSoft,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (Saturn), and
the undersigned stockholder (Stockholder) of
Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Nova).
RECITALS
A. Saturn, Nova Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturn
(Sub I), Nova Acquisition LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Saturn (Sub II and together with
Sub I, the Subs), and Nova have entered
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May , 2005 (the
Merger Agreement), which provides for
(i) the merger of Sub I with and into Nova (the
First Step Merger), with Nova being the
surviving corporation (the Interim Surviving
Corporation), and (ii) the subsequent merger of
the Interim Surviving Corporation with and into Sub II (the
Second Step Merger and, taken together with
the First Step Merger, the Merger), with
Sub II being the surviving entity. Pursuant to the Merger,
all outstanding capital stock of Nova shall be converted into
the right to receive cash and common stock of Saturn.
B. Stockholder is the holder of record and the beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act)) of such number of shares of the outstanding
capital stock of Nova, and such number of shares of capital
stock of Nova issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options
and warrants, as is indicated on the signature page of this
Agreement.
C. In consideration of the execution of the Merger
Agreement by Saturn, Stockholder (in his or her capacity as
such) has agreed to vote the Shares (as defined below) and such
other shares of capital stock of Nova over which Stockholder has
voting power, so as to facilitate consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
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1. Certain Definitions. Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. For all purposes of
and under this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings: |
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1.1 Expiration Date shall mean the
earlier to occur of (i) such date and time as the Merger
Agreement shall have been validly terminated pursuant to its
terms, or (ii) such date and time as the Merger shall
become effective in accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth in the Merger Agreement. |
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1.2 Person shall mean any individual,
any corporation, limited liability company, general or limited
partnership, business trust, unincorporated association or other
business organization or entity, or any governmental authority. |
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1.3 Shares shall mean: (i) all
securities of Nova (including all shares of Nova Common Stock
and all options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares of
Nova Common Stock) Owned by Stockholder as of the date of this
Agreement, and (ii) all additional securities of Nova
(including all additional shares of Nova Common Stock and all
additional options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares
of Nova Common Stock) of which Stockholder acquires Ownership
during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement until the Expiration Date. Stockholder shall be
deemed to Own or to have acquired
Ownership of a security if
Stockholder: (i) is the record owner of such security; or
(ii) is the beneficial owner (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of such
security. |
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1.4 Transfer. A Person shall be deemed
to have effected a Transfer of a security if
such Person directly or indirectly (i) sells, tenders,
pledges, encumbers, hypothecates, grants an option with respect
to, transfers, assigns or otherwise disposes of such security or
any interest therein, or (ii) enters into an agreement,
arrangement, understanding or commitment, whether or not in
writing, to effect any of the foregoing, or (iii) reduces
such Persons Ownership of such security. |
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2. Transfer of Shares. |
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2.1 Restriction on Transfer of Shares. Subject to
Section 2.2, Stockholder shall not, during the term of this
Agreement, directly or indirectly: (i) cause or permit any
Transfer of any or all of the Shares or any interest therein;
(ii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney with respect
to any Shares not Transferred or deposit any Shares not
Transferred into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement
with respect to any Shares not Transferred, or (iii) take
any action that would make any representation or warranty of
Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the
effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from performing
any of Stockholders obligations under this Agreement (it
being understood that nothing contained in this Agreement shall
be deemed to restrict the ability of Stockholder to exercise
(but not Transfer) any Nova Options held by Stockholder prior to
the Expiration Date). Stockholder further agrees with and
covenants to Saturn that Stockholder shall not request that Nova
register the Transfer of any certificate or uncertificated
interest representing any of the Shares, unless such Transfer is
made in compliance with this Agreement. Stockholder agrees that,
in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to
herein, Nova may issue appropriate stop transfer
instructions to its transfer agent. |
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2.2 Permitted Transfers. Section 2.1 shall not
prohibit (i) a Transfer of Shares expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, (ii) sales of
Shares by Stockholder in connection with 10b5-1 plans of Nova
currently in effect, (iii) pledges in effect as of the date
hereof and disclosed on Schedule 2.2 hereto, (iv) a
Transfer or Transfers by Stockholder of not more than
20,000 Shares in the aggregate after the date hereof, or
(v) a Transfer of Shares by Stockholder: (A) if
Stockholder is an individual, to any member of
Stockholders immediate family or to a trust established
for the benefit of Stockholder and/or for the benefit of one or
more members of Stockholders immediate family or upon the
death of Stockholder or (B) if Stockholder is a partnership
or limited liability company, to one or more partners or members
of Stockholder or to an affiliated corporation under common
control with Stockholder, provided that a Transfer
referred to in clause (v) shall be permitted only if, as a
precondition to such transfer, the transferee of such Shares
agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
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3. Agreement to Vote Shares. Until the
Expiration Date, at every meeting of stockholders of Nova called
with respect to any of the following, and at every adjournment
or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by
written consent of stockholders of Nova with respect to any of
the following, Stockholder shall vote, to the extent not voted
by the Person(s) appointed under the Proxy (as defined in
Section 4 hereof), the Shares Owned by Stockholder: |
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3.1 in favor of (i) the approval of the Merger and the
adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement, (ii) each of
the other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as the
Merger Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time,
and (iii) the Proxy and any action required in furtherance
thereof; |
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3.2 against approval of any proposal made in opposition to,
or in competition with, consummation of the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
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3.3 against any amendment to Novas certificate of
incorporation or bylaws; |
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3.4 against any other action that is intended, or could
reasonably be expected to, impede, interfere with, delay,
postpone, discourage or adversely affect the Merger or any of
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
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3.5 against any proposal that would result in a breach by
Nova of the Merger Agreement; and |
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3.6 against the election of a group of individuals to
replace a majority or more of the individuals on the Board of
Directors of Nova as of the date of this Agreement. |
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In all other matters, the Shares shall be voted by and in a
manner determined by Stockholder in Stockholders sole
discretion. |
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Prior to the Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not enter into
any agreement or understanding with any Person to vote or give
instructions in any manner inconsistent with the terms of this
Section 3. |
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4. Irrevocable Proxy. Concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, Stockholder agrees to deliver to
Saturn a proxy in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the Proxy), which
shall be irrevocable to the fullest extent permissible by
applicable law, with respect to the Shares. |
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5. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of
Stockholder. |
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5.1 Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Saturn
that, as of the date hereof and at all times until the
Expiration Date, (i) Stockholder is and will be the
beneficial owner of the shares of Nova Common Stock (unless
otherwise Transferred in accordance with this Agreement), and
the options, warrants and other rights to purchase shares of
Nova Common Stock, set forth on signature page of this
Agreement, with full power to vote or direct the voting of the
Shares; (ii) the Shares are and will be, unless otherwise
Transferred in accordance with this Agreement, free and clear of
any liens, pledges, security interests, claims, options, rights
of first refusal, co-sale rights, charges or other encumbrances
of any kind or nature (other than pursuant to the terms of
restricted stock agreements as in effect on the date hereof and
except for applicable restrictions on transfer under applicable
securities laws or under this Agreement and except for
applicable community property laws); (iii) Stockholder does
not Own any securities of Nova other than the shares of Nova
Common Stock, and options, warrants and other rights to purchase
shares of Nova Common Stock, set forth on the signature page of
this Agreement; (iv) with respect to the Shares,
Stockholder has and will have full power and authority to make,
enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement and the
Proxy (unless such Shares are otherwise Transferred in
accordance with this Agreement) and to perform
Stockholders obligations hereunder and thereunder;
(v) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Stockholder will not violate any agreement or court
order to which the Shares are subject, including, without
limitation, any voting agreement or voting trust; and
(vi) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of Stockholder, enforceable against Stockholder in
accordance with its terms, subject to: (A) laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of
debtors; and (B) rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. |
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5.2 Stockholder agrees that it will not bring, commence,
institute, maintain, prosecute, participate in or voluntarily
aid any action, claim, suit or cause of action, in law or in
equity, in any court or before any governmental entity, which
(a) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the
operation of any provision of this Agreement or (b) alleges
that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Stockholder, either alone or together with the other Nova voting
agreements and proxies to be delivered in connection with the
execution of the Merger Agreement, or the approval of the Merger
Agreement by the board of directors of Nova, breaches any
fiduciary duty of the board of directors of Nova or any member
thereof; provided, that Stockholder may defend against,
contest or settle any such action, claim, suit or cause of
action brought against Stockholder that relates solely to
Stockholders capacity as a director or officer of Nova. |
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6. Additional Documents. Stockholder and
Saturn hereby covenant and agree to execute and deliver any
additional documents reasonably necessary or desirable to carry
out the purpose and intent of this Agreement. |
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7. Legending of Shares. If so requested by
Saturn, Stockholder hereby agrees that the Shares shall bear a
legend stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to an
irrevocable proxy. |
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8. Termination. This Agreement shall
terminate automatically and be of no further force or effect as
of the Expiration Date. |
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9. Fiduciary Duties. Each Stockholder is
signing this Agreement solely in such Stockholders
capacity as an owner of his, her or its respective Shares, and
nothing herein shall affect, limit, prohibit, prevent or
preclude such Stockholder from taking or not taking any action
in his or her capacity as an officer or director of Nova, to the
extent permitted by the Merger Agreement. |
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10. Miscellaneous. |
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10.1 Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of any
condition or any breach of any term or provision set forth in
this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed
by each party hereto. The waiver of a condition or any breach of
any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or
be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent
breach of any term or provision of this Agreement. |
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10.2 Severability. In the event that any provision
of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will
continue in full force and effect and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted
so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The
parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable
provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable
provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the
economic, business and other purposes of such void or
unenforceable provision. |
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10.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. Except as provided
or required herein, neither party may assign or delegate, in
whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, either this
Agreement or any of the rights, interests, or obligations
hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party,
and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall
be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. |
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10.4 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified,
amended, altered or supplemented, except upon the execution and
delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties
hereto. A copy of such written agreement shall be provided to
Nova promptly following execution thereof. |
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10.5 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as
otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly
conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not
exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or
equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one
remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy and
nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver by any party
of any right to specific performance or injunctive relief. The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties
shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. |
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10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern
under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof. The
parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the
Federal courts of the United States of America located within
Newcastle County in the State of Delaware solely in respect of
the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this
Agreement and of the documents referred to in this Agreement,
and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense
in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or
enforcement hereof or thereof, that it is not subject thereto or
that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is
not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may
not be |
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appropriate or that this Agreement or any such document may not
be enforced in or by such courts, and the parties hereto
irrevocably agree that all claims with respect to such action or
proceeding shall be heard and determined in such a Delaware
State or Federal court. The parties hereby consent to and grant
any such court jurisdiction over the Person of such parties and
over the subject matter of such dispute and agree that mailing
of process or other papers in connection with any such action or
proceeding in the manner provided in Section 10.8 or
in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law,
shall be valid and sufficient service thereof. With respect to
any particular action, suit or proceeding, venue shall lie
solely in Newcastle County, Delaware. |
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10.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Proxy
and the other agreements referred to in this Agreement set forth
the entire agreement and understanding of Saturn and Stockholder
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and
supersede all prior discussions, agreements and understandings
between Saturn and Stockholder, both oral and written, with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. |
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10.8 Notices. All notices and other communications
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed given or made as
follows (i) on the date of delivery, delivered personally
or by commercial delivery service, or (ii) on the date of
confirmation of receipt, if sent via telecopy (receipt
confirmed) to the parties at the following addresses or telecopy
numbers (or at such other address or telecopy numbers for a
party as shall be specified by like notice): |
(a) if to Saturn, to:
ScanSoft,
Inc.
9
Centennial Drive
Peabody,
MA 01960
Attention:
General Counsel
Telephone
No.: (978) 977-2000
Telecopy
No.: (978) 977-2412
with
a copy to:
Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Professional
Corporation
650
Page Mill Road
Palo
Alto, California 94304-1050
Attention:Katherine
A. Martin
Robert
Sanchez
Tel.: (650) 493-9300
Fax: (650) 493-6811
(b) if to Stockholder, to the address for notice set forth
on the last page hereof,
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of
change of address shall only be effective upon receipt.
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10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one
and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or
more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered
to the other party, it being understood that both parties need
not sign the same counterpart. |
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10.10 Effect of Headings. The section headings
herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
E-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Voting
Agreement to be duly executed on the date and year first above
written.
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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Telephone |
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Facsimile No. |
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Shares Owned: |
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shares
of Nova Common Stock |
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shares
of Nova Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options, warrants or other rights |
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Address: |
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E-6
EXHIBIT A
IRREVOCABLE PROXY
The undersigned stockholder of Nova, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (Nova), hereby irrevocably (to
the fullest extent permitted by law) appoints the directors on
the Board of Directors of Saturn, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Saturn), and each of them, as the sole and
exclusive attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote and exercise
all voting and related rights (to the full extent that the
undersigned is entitled to do so) with respect to all of the
shares of capital stock of Nova that now are or hereafter may be
beneficially owned by the undersigned, and any and all other
shares or securities of Nova issued or issuable in respect
thereof on or after the date hereof (collectively, the
Shares) in accordance with the terms of this
Proxy. The Shares beneficially owned by the undersigned
stockholder of Nova as of the date of this Proxy are listed on
the final page of this Proxy. Upon the execution of this Proxy
by the undersigned, any and all prior proxies given by the
undersigned with respect to any Shares are hereby revoked and
the undersigned hereby agrees not to grant any subsequent
proxies with respect to the Shares until after the Expiration
Date (as defined below).
This Proxy is irrevocable (to the fullest extent permitted by
law), is coupled with an interest and is granted pursuant to
that certain Voting Agreement of even date herewith by and
between Saturn and the undersigned stockholder (the
Voting Agreement), and is granted in
consideration of Saturn entering into that certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and
among Saturn, Subs and Nova, which provides for (i) the
merger of Sub I with and into Nova (the First Step
Merger), with Nova being the surviving corporation
(the Interim Surviving Corporation), and
(ii) the subsequent merger of the Interim Surviving
Corporation with and into Sub II (the Second Step
Merger and, taken together with the First Step Merger,
the Merger), with Sub II being the
surviving entity. This Proxy shall terminate, and be of no
further force and effect, automatically upon the Expiration
Date. As used herein, the term Expiration
Date shall mean the earlier to occur of (i) such
date and time as the Merger Agreement shall have been validly
terminated pursuant to its terms, or (ii) such date and
time as the Merger shall become effective in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
The attorneys and proxies named above, and each of them, are
hereby authorized and empowered by the undersigned, at any time
prior to the Expiration Date, to act as the undersigneds
attorney and proxy to vote the Shares, and to exercise all
voting, consent and similar rights of the undersigned with
respect to the Shares (including, without limitation, the power
to execute and deliver written consents) at every annual,
special, adjourned or postponed meeting of stockholders of Nova
and in every written consent in lieu of such meeting:
(i) in favor of (A) the approval of the Merger and the
adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement, (B) each of
the other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as the
Merger Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time,
and (C) the Proxy and any action required in furtherance
thereof; (ii) against approval of any proposal made in
opposition to, or in competition with, consummation of the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; (iii) against any amendment to Novas
certificate of incorporation or bylaws; (iv) against any
other action that is intended, or could reasonably be expected
to, impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or
adversely affect the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (v) against any
proposal that would result in a breach by Nova of the Merger
Agreement; (vi) against the election of a group of
individuals to replace a majority or more of the individuals on
the Board of Directors of Nova as of the date of this Agreement.
The attorneys and proxies named above may not exercise this
Proxy to vote, consent or act on any other matter except as
provided above. The undersigned stockholder may vote the Shares
on all other matters.
Any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the undersigned other than
with respect to any Shares sold in open market transactions and
in accordance with Section 2 of the Voting Agreement.
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Signature of Stockholder: |
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Print Name of Stockholder: |
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Shares beneficially owned: |
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shares
of Nova Common Stock |
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shares
of Nova Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options, warrants or other rights |
Dated: May , 2005
****IRREVOCABLE PROXY****
E-8
Annex F
STOCK PURCHASE
AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 5, 2005
by and among
SCANSOFT, INC.
and
the Purchasers identified on Exhibit A hereto
F-1
Annex F
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page | |
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Article I PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK |
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F-3 |
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Section 1.1 |
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Purchase and Sale of Common Stock |
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F-3 |
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Section 1.2 |
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Purchase Price and Closing |
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F-3 |
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Section 1.3 |
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Delivery |
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F-3 |
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Section 1.4 |
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Reservation of Warrant Shares |
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F-3 |
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Article II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
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F-4 |
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Section 2.1 |
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Representations and Warranties of the Company |
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F-4 |
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Section 2.2 |
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Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers |
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F-8 |
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Article III COVENANTS |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.1 |
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Public Disclosure |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.2 |
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Fees and Expenses |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.3 |
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Further Assurances |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.4 |
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Additional Listing Application |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.5 |
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Closing of Project Edison |
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F-10 |
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Section 3.6 |
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Legal Opinion |
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F-10 |
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Article IV CONDITIONS |
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F-10 |
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Section 4.1 |
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Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of each Party to Close
and Purchase or Sell the Shares |
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F-10 |
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Section 4.2 |
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Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Purchasers to
Close and to Purchase the Shares |
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F-11 |
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Section 4.3 |
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Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Close
and to Sell the Shares |
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F-11 |
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Article V CERTIFICATE LEGEND |
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F-11 |
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Section 5.1 |
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Legend |
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F-11 |
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Article VI TERMINATION |
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F-12 |
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Section 6.1 |
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Termination |
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F-12 |
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Section 6.2 |
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Effect of Termination |
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F-12 |
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Article VII MISCELLANEOUS |
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F-12 |
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Section 7.1 |
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Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
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F-12 |
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Section 7.2 |
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Entire Agreement; Amendment |
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F-13 |
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Section 7.3 |
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Notices, etc |
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F-13 |
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Section 7.4 |
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Delays or Omissions |
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F-13 |
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Section 7.5 |
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Titles; Subtitles |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.6 |
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Successors and Assigns |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.7 |
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No Third Party Beneficiaries |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.8 |
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Survival |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.9 |
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Counterparts |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.10 |
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Severability |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.11 |
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SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.12 |
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Consents |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.13 |
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Construction of Agreement |
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F-14 |
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Section 7.14 |
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Variations of Pronouns |
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F-14 |
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F-2
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this
Agreement) is entered into as of May 5,
2005, by and among ScanSoft, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), and the purchasers identified on
Exhibit A hereto (the
Purchasers), for the purchase and sale by the
Purchasers of shares of the Companys Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share (the Common
Stock).
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK
Section 1.1 Purchase
and Sale of Common Stock. Upon the following terms and
conditions, the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchasers,
and the Purchasers shall, severally and not jointly, purchase
from the Company: (a) an aggregate of
14,150,943 shares of Common Stock (collectively, the
Shares) in the amounts set forth opposite
their respective names on Exhibit A, at a price per
Share equal to $4.24 (the Per Share Purchase
Price), and for an aggregate purchase price of
$59,999,998.32 (the Purchase Price); and
(b) warrants (the Warrants) to purchase
an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of Common Stock (the
Warrant Shares) with an exercise price of
$5.00 per share in the amounts set forth opposite their
respective names on Exhibit A. The Company and the
Purchasers are executing and delivering this Agreement in
accordance with and in reliance upon the exemption from
securities registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act), and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, including Regulation D
(Regulation D), and/or upon such other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the
investments to be made hereunder.
Section 1.2 Purchase
Price and Closing. The Company agrees to issue and sell
to the Purchasers and, in consideration of and in express
reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants, terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchasers agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase the Shares. The closing
of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the
Closing) shall take place at the offices of
the Company located at 9 Centennial Drive, Peabody,
Massachusetts, as soon as practicable following the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IV, or at
such other time and place or on such date as the Purchasers and
the Company may agree upon (such date is hereinafter referred to
as the Closing Date). At the Closing, the
entire Purchase Price shall be paid by the Purchasers in cash,
by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to an account
designated in writing by the Company against the issuance by the
Company of the Shares and Warrants.
Section 1.3 Delivery.
At the Closing or as promptly thereafter as is practicable (but
in no event more than five (5) Business Days after the
Closing Date or two (2) Business Days after the Closing
Date in the case of the Warrants), the Company shall deliver to
the Purchasers (a) certificates representing the portion of
the Shares purchased by such Purchaser (it being understood that
the Purchasers shall be record holders of the Shares on the
Closing Date), and (b) one or more warrants in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B
to acquire an aggregate of 3,177,570 shares of Common
Stock. For purposes hereof, the term Business
Day shall mean a day other than Saturday, Sunday or a
federal holiday in which the New York Stock Exchange is closed
for trading.
Section 1.4 Reservation
of Warrant Shares. The Company has authorized and has
reserved and covenants to continue to reserve a number of its
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock equal to the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock necessary to permit
the exercise of the Warrants, so long as the Warrants are
outstanding. Any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Warrants (and such shares when issued) are herein
referred to as the Warrant Shares. The
Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are sometimes
collectively, individually, or in some combination thereof,
referred to herein as the Securities.
F-3
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 2.1 Representations
and Warranties of the Company. The Purchasers shall be
entitled to rely on the representations and warranties made by
the Company in connection with that certain Agreement and Plan
of Merger (Agreement and Plan of Merger) to
be entered into by the Company in connection with Project
Edison (a draft of which Agreement and Plan of Merger has
been provided to the Purchasers), and each such representation
and warranty is incorporated herein by reference and hereby made
by the Company as of the date it shall be made pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, subject only to such exceptions
and qualifications to which it is subject pursuant to the terms
of the Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the date it is made.
The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers a copy of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger and such exceptions and
qualifications promptly after the execution of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger. In addition, the Company hereby represents and
warrant to the Purchasers, subject only to such exceptions as
are specifically disclosed in writing in the disclosure schedule
supplied by the Company to the Purchasers (which such exceptions
shall reference the specific section and, if applicable,
subsection number of this Section 2.1 to which it applies,
and any information disclosed in any such section or subsection
shall be deemed to be disclosed only for purposes of such
section or subsection, except to the extent it is readily
apparent that the disclosure contained in such section or
subsection contains enough information regarding the subject
matter of other representations and warranties contained in this
Section 2.1 so as to clearly qualify or otherwise clearly
apply to such other representations and warranties), dated as of
the date hereof and certified by a duly authorized officer of
the Company (the Disclosure Letter), as
follows:
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(a) Organization; Standing and Power. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation
or other organization duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, (ii) has the requisite power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted and (iii) is
duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business
in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where
the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Change to the Company. For
purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiary, when
used with respect to any party, shall mean any corporation or
other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, at
least a majority of the securities or other interests of which
having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the Board of Directors or others performing similar functions
with respect to such corporation or other organization is
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such party or by
any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such party and one or
more of its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term Material Adverse Change when used in
connection with an entity, means any change, event, violation,
inaccuracy, circumstance or effect (any such item, an
Effect), individually or when taken together
with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of
determination of the occurrence of the Material Adverse Change,
that (i) is or is reasonably likely to be materially
adverse to the business, assets (including intangible assets),
capitalization, financial condition or results of operations of
such entity taken as a whole with its subsidiaries or
(ii) will or is reasonably likely to materially impede the
ability of such entity to timely consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with the
terms thereof and applicable legal requirements. |
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(b) Charter Documents. The Company is not in
violation of any of the provisions of the Company Charter
Documents and each Significant Subsidiary of the Company is not
in violation of its respective Subsidiary Charter Documents. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term: (i) Company
Charter Documents shall mean (A) a true and
correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (including any
Certificate of Designations) and Bylaws of the Company, each as
amended to date; (ii) Significant
Subsidiary shall have the meaning provided by
Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission;
(iii) Subsidiary Charter Documents shall
mean the certificate |
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of incorporation and bylaws, or like organizational documents of
a Subsidiary; and (iv) Commission shall
mean the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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(c) Subsidiaries. Exhibit 21 to the
Companys transition report on Form 10-K/ T for the
period beginning January 1, 2004 and ending
September 30, 2004 includes all the Subsidiaries of the
Company which are Significant Subsidiaries. All the outstanding
shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests
in, each such Significant Subsidiary have been validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the
Company, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, or the
Company and another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, free
and clear of all Liens, including any restriction on the right
to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or
other ownership interests, except for restrictions imposed by
applicable securities laws, except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Change to the Company or a
Material Adverse Change to such Subsidiary. Other than the
Subsidiaries of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries owns any capital stock of, or other equity or
voting interests of any nature in, or any interest convertible,
exchangeable or exercisable for, capital stock of, or other
equity or voting interests of any nature in, any other person.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term Lien
shall mean pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances,
options and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever. |
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(d) Capital Stock. The authorized capital
stock of the Company consists of:
(i) 280,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share and (ii) 40,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which
100,000 shares have been designated as Series A
Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred
Stock), all of which will be reserved for issuance
upon exercise of preferred stock purchase rights (the
Rights) issuable pursuant to the Preferred
Shares Rights Agreement dated as of October 23, 1996 and
amended and restated as of March 15, 2004 by and between
the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation (the
Rights Agreement), a true and complete copy
of which is filed as Exhibit 1 to the Companys
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
Commission on March 19, 2004, and of which
15,000,000 shares have been designated as Series B
Preferred Stock (the Series B Preferred
Stock, and together with the Series A Preferred
Stock, the Preferred Stock). At the close of
business on the date hereof: (i) 106,637,095 shares of
Common Stock were issued and outstanding, excluding shares of
Common Stock held by the Company in its treasury, (ii) no
shares of Common Stock were issued and held by the Company in
its treasury, and (iii) 3,562,238 shares of
Series B Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. No
shares of Common Stock are owned or held by any Subsidiary of
the Company. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company are, and each share of capital stock of the Company
which may be issued as contemplated or permitted by the
Transaction Documents will be, when issued, duly authorized and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
any preemptive rights, free and clear of all Liens. |
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(e) Stock Options. As of the close of
business on the date hereof: (i) 18,588,087 shares of
Common Stock are subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding
options to purchase Common Stock (Company
Options) under the stock option, stock award, stock
appreciation or phantom stock plans of the Company (the
Stock Option Plans), and
(ii) 7,568,257 shares of Common Stock are reserved for
future issuance under the Stock Option Plans. As of the same
date, 1,147,111 shares of Common Stock are reserved for
future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plans.
Included in the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the
Company are 868,151 shares that are subject to outstanding
restricted stock agreements with certain employees of the
Company. All shares of the Common Stock subject to issuance
under the Company Options, upon issuance in accordance with the
terms and conditions specified in the instruments pursuant to
which they are issuable, would be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. There are no commitments
or agreements of any character to which the Company is bound
obligating the Company to accelerate the vesting of any Company
Option as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby
(whether alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or
subsequent events). There are no outstanding or |
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authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit
participation or other similar rights with respect to the
Company. |
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(f) Voting Debt. No Voting Debt of the
Company is issued or outstanding as of the date hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term Voting
Debt shall mean any bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(i) having the right to vote on any matters on which
stockholders may vote (or which is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having such right) or (ii) the
value of which is any way based upon or derived from capital or
voting stock of the Company. |
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(g) Other Securities. There are no
securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, contracts,
commitments, agreements, instruments, arrangements,
understandings, obligations or undertakings of any kind to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
any of them is bound obligating the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to (including on a deferred basis) issue, deliver
or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
shares of capital stock, Voting Debt or other voting securities
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or
enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right,
contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement,
understanding, obligation or undertaking. All outstanding shares
of Common Stock, all outstanding Company Options, and all
outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of the
Company have been issued and granted in compliance in all
material respects with (i) all applicable securities laws
and all other applicable Legal Requirements and (ii) all
requirements set forth in applicable material Contracts. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term: (A) Legal
Requirements shall mean any federal, state, local,
municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution,
principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, order,
edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued,
enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into
effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity; (B)
Contract shall mean any written, oral or
other agreement, contract, subcontract, settlement agreement,
lease, binding understanding, instrument, note, option,
warranty, purchase order, license, sublicense, insurance policy,
benefit plan or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any
nature, as in effect as of the date hereof or as may hereinafter
be in effect; and (C) Governmental Entity
shall mean any supranational, national, state, municipal, local
or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or instrumentality, or any quasi-governmental or
private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing or
other governmental or quasi-governmental authority. |
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(h) Authority. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the
Stockholders Agreement), the Warrants, and
the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby and
thereby which are executed by the Company or to which the
Company is a party (all of the foregoing agreements and
documents, including this Agreement, are collectively referred
to herein as the Transaction Documents). The
execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Company and no other corporate or other proceedings on the
part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of the Transaction Documents or to consummate the
transactions contemplated thereby, subject only to: (i) the
approval of the issuance of the Shares and the Warrants by the
Companys stockholders; (ii) the filing of a proxy
statement with the Commission in accordance with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act), (iii) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may
be required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
HSR Act) and any foreign antitrust
laws, (iv) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may
be required under applicable federal, foreign and state
securities (or related) laws and the rules and regulations of
the Nasdaq Stock Market (clauses (i) (iv), the
Necessary Consents). The Transaction
Documents have been, or will be upon the Closing, duly executed
and delivered by the Company |
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(other than the Warrants, which will be delivered within two
(2) Business Days of the Closing) and, assuming due
execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, constitutes
the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
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(i) NonContravention. The execution and
delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company does not,
and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will
not: (i) conflict with or violate the Company Charter
Documents or any other Subsidiary Charter Documents of any
Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) subject to compliance with
the requirements set forth in Section 2.1(h), conflict with
or violate any material Legal Requirement applicable to the
Company or any of the Companys other Subsidiaries or by
which the Company or any of the Companys other
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is bound or
affected, (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a
default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or materially impair the
Companys rights or alter the rights or obligations of any
third party under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the
creation of a Lien on any of the properties or assets of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any material
Contract of the Company, or (iv) trigger anti-dilution
rights or other rights to acquire additional equity securities
of the Company. Neither the execution or delivery by the Company
of the Transaction Documents nor the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated thereby, shall constitute, result in
or otherwise trigger a Triggering Event,
Distribution Date, or Shares Acquisition
Date, in each case, as defined in the Rights Plan. |
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(j) Necessary Consents. No consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with any Governmental Entity or any other person is
required to be obtained or made by the Company in connection
with the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
except for (i) certain of the Necessary Consents and
(ii) such other consents, authorizations, filings,
approvals and registrations which if not obtained or made would
not be material to the Company or materially adversely affect
the ability of the parties hereto to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. |
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(k) Commission Filings. The Company has filed
all required registration statements, prospectuses, reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including
exhibits and all other information incorporated by reference)
required to be filed by it with the Commission since
January 1, 2002. All such required registration statements,
prospectuses, reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents (including those that the Company may file subsequent
to the date hereof) are referred to herein as the SEC
Reports. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports
(i) were prepared in accordance and complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder applicable to such SEC
Reports and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if
amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this
Agreement then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. |
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(l) Financial Statements. Each of the
consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any
related notes thereto) contained in the SEC Reports (the
Company Financials), including each SEC
Report filed after the date hereof until the Closing:
(i) complied as to form in all material respects with
applicable securities laws and regulations thereunder,
(ii) was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may
be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
interim financial statements, as may be permitted by the
Commission on Form 10-Q, 8-K or any successor form under
the Exchange Act), and (iii) fairly presented in all
material respects the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the respective
dates thereof and the consolidated results of the Companys
operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The balance
sheet of the Company |
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contained in the SEC Reports as of December 31, 2004 is
hereinafter referred to as the Company Balance
Sheet. |
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(m) No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the
Company nor its Subsidiaries has any liability, indebtedness,
obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement
of any type, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured,
unmatured or other (whether or not required to be reflected in
the Company Financials), which individually or in the aggregate
(i) has not been reflected in the Company Balance Sheet, or
(ii) has not arisen in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices since the Company Balance Sheet. |
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(o) Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
Since the date of the Company Balance Sheet, the Company has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and there has not been:
(i) any Material Adverse Change to the Company,
(ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend on, or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) in respect of, any of the Companys or any of its
Subsidiaries capital stock, or any purchase, redemption or
other acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
any of the Companys capital stock or any other securities
of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any options, warrants,
calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other securities
except for repurchases from employees following their
termination pursuant to the terms of their pre-existing stock
option or purchase agreements, (iii) any split, combination
or reclassification of any of the Companys or any of its
Subsidiaries capital stock, (iv) entry by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries into any licensing or other agreement
with regard to the disposition of any material intellectual
property other than licenses, distribution agreements,
advertising agreements, sponsorship agreements or merchant
program agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, (v) any material
change by the Company in its accounting methods, principles or
practices, except as required by concurrent changes in GAAP or
by the Commission, (vi) any material revaluation by the
Company of any of its assets, including, without limitation,
writing down the value of capitalized inventory or writing off
notes or accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice, (vii) any
communication from the Nasdaq Stock Market with respect to the
delisting of the Common Stock, (viii) any cancellation by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any debts or waiver of
any claims or rights of material value, (ix) any sale,
transfer or other disposition outside of the ordinary course of
business of any properties or assets (real, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible) by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (x) any agreement, whether in writing or
otherwise, to take any action described in this section by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(q) Section 203. The Board of Directors
of the Company has heretofore take all necessary action to
approve, and has approved, for purposes of Section 203 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (including any successor
statute thereto Section 203) the
Purchasers becoming, together with their affiliates and
associates, an interested stockholder within the
meaning of Section 203, such that, as of the date hereof
and from and after the Closing, Section 203 will not be
applicable to any business combination within the
meaning of Section 203 that may take place between one or
more of the Purchasers and/or their respective affiliates and
associates, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
otherwise. |
Section 2.2 Representations
and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each of the Purchasers
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the
Company with respect solely to itself and not with respect to
any other Purchasers:
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(a) Organization and Standing of the
Purchasers. If such Purchaser is an entity, such
Purchaser is a corporation, limited liability company or
partnership duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization. |
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(b) Authorization and Power. Such Purchaser
has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform
the Transaction Documents and to purchase the Shares being sold
to it hereunder. |
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The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction
Documents by such Purchasers and the consummation by it of the
transactions contemplated thereby have been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate or other action, and no further consent
or authorization of such Purchasers or its Board of Directors,
stockholders, or partners, as the case may be, is required. The
Transaction Documents constitute, or shall constitute when
executed and delivered, valid and binding obligations of such
Purchaser enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with
their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or
similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement
of creditors rights and remedies or by other equitable
principles of general application. |
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(c) Acquisition for Investment. Such
Purchaser is acquiring the Securities solely for its own account
and not with a view to or for sale in connection with the
distribution thereof. Such Purchaser does not have a present
intention to sell any of the Securities, nor a present
arrangement (whether or not legally binding) or intention to
effect any distribution of any of the Securities to or through
any person or entity. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it
(i) has such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters such that such Purchaser is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the
Company, (ii) is able to bear the financial risks
associated with an investment in the Securities, and
(iii) has been given full access to such records of the
Company and the Subsidiaries and to the officers of the Company
as it has deemed necessary or appropriate to conduct its due
diligence investigation. |
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(d) Restricted Securities. Such Purchaser
understands that the Securities have not been, and will not be,
registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific
exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act
which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of
the investment intent and the accuracy of such Purchasers
representations as expressed herein. Such Purchaser understands
that the Securities are restricted securities under
applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that,
pursuant to these laws, such Purchaser must hold the Securities
indefinitely unless they are registered with the Commission and
qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such
registration and qualification requirements is available. Such
Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from
registration or qualification is available, it may be
conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited
to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the
Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company which
are outside of such Purchasers control, and which the
Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
Such Purchaser understands that no United States federal or
state agency or any government or governmental agency has passed
upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities. |
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(e) No General Solicitation. Such Purchaser
acknowledges that the Securities were not offered to such
Purchaser by means of any form of general or public solicitation
or general advertising, or publicly disseminated advertisements
or sales literature, including (i) any advertisement,
article, notice or other communication published in any
newspaper, magazine, or similar media, or broadcast over
television or radio, or (ii) any seminar or meeting to
which such Purchaser was invited by any of the foregoing means
of communications. |
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(f) Equity Owned. The Purchasers own of
record an aggregate of 12,253,602 shares of the
Companys Common Stock, 3,562,238 shares of the
Companys Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to
acquire an aggregate of 3,425,732 shares of the
Companys Common Stock and the Purchasers have entered into
a Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire an aggregate of
3,537,736 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase
an aggregate of 863,236 shares of Common Stock. Except as
set forth above, the Purchasers do not beneficially own (in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) any other shares of the Companys
Common Stock (other than Company Common Stock underlying Company
Options issued to William Janeway that are either currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of
this Agreement). |
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(g) Accredited Investor. Such Purchaser is an
accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of
Regulation D promulgated under the Act. |
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.1 Public
Disclosure. The parties shall consult with each other,
and to the extent practicable, agree, before issuing any press
release or otherwise making any public statement with respect to
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other
than as may be required in any filing with the Commission or the
Companys listing agreement with the Nasdaq Stock Market,
as advised by counsel to the Company.
Section 3.2 Fees
and Expenses. Following the Closing, the Company shall
promptly pay the fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
the Purchasers advisors and legal counsel incurred in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement, including fees and
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to any filings under
the HSR Act, upon receipt of an invoice for such. The Company
shall promptly pay the fees and reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses of the Purchasers advisors and legal counsel
incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation,
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement in the
event the Closing does not occur prior to the date set forth in
Section 6.1 upon receipt of an invoice for such; provided,
however, that the right to payment of such fees and expenses
shall not be available to the Purchasers or any of them,
if the an action or failure to act by a Purchaser has been a
principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to
occur on or before such date, and such action or failure to act
constitutes a breach of this Agreement.
Section 3.3 Further
Assurances. From and after the date of this Agreement,
upon the request of the Purchasers or the Company, the Company
and each Purchaser shall execute and deliver such instruments,
documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or
desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the
intent and purposes of this Agreement. The Company agrees to use
its commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken
all action and to do or cause to be done all things necessary,
proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
the Transaction Documents, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof and thereof, including all actions and things necessary
to cause all conditions set forth in Article IV to be
satisfied (other than the taking of any action with respect to
Project Edison, which efforts will be governed by
the Agreement and Plan of Merger).
Section 3.4 Additional
Listing Application. To the extent required by the rules
of the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Companys listing
agreement with the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Company will file a
notification form for the listing of additional shares in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.5 Closing
of Project Edison. Both the Company and the Purchasers
shall be obligated to consummate the Closing simultaneously with
the closing of the transaction known as Project
Edison.
Section 3.6 Legal
Opinion. At the Closing, the Company shall cause its
outside legal counsel to deliver an opinion to the Purchasers in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS
Section 4.1 Conditions
Precedent to the Obligations of each Party to Close and Purchase
or Sell the Shares. The respective obligations of any
party to this Agreement to proceed with the Closing shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of
the following conditions:
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(a) No Injunction. No statute, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall
have been enacted, entered, or promulgated by any court or
governmental authority of competent |
F-10
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jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. |
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(b) Project Edison. The business combination
transaction known to the parties as Project Edison
shall have closed or shall close simultaneously with the Closing. |
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(c) Governmental Approvals. All applicable
waiting periods under the HSR Act and under any applicable
material foreign or other Antitrust Laws shall have expired or
been terminated. |
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(d) Stockholder Approval. If required under
Rule 4350(i) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, the Company
shall have received the requisite approval of its stockholders
to issue the Shares, the Warrants and/or the Warrant Shares. |
Section 4.2 Conditions
Precedent to the Obligation of the Purchasers to Close and to
Purchase the Shares. The obligations of the Purchasers
to purchase the Shares from the Company at the Closing shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of
each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in
writing, exclusively by the Purchasers:
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(a) Delivery of Transaction Documents. The
other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party
(other than the Warrants, which will be delivered within two
(2) Business Days of the Closing Date) shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company to the Purchasers. |
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(b) Amendment of Rights Plan. Prior to the
Closing, the Company shall have entered into an agreement with
U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation to amend that certain
Preferred Shares Rights Agreement dated as of October 23,
1996 and amended and restated as of March 15, 2004 by and
between the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation
(the Rights Plan) in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit E to permit the
acquisition by the Purchasers of the Securities so that such
acquisition does not constitute or otherwise trigger a
Triggering Event, Distribution Date or
Shares Acquisition Date. |
Section 4.3 Conditions
Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Close and to Sell
the Shares. The obligation of the Company to sell the
Shares to the Purchasers shall be subject to the satisfaction at
or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively
by the Company:
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(a) Delivery of Transaction Documents. The
other Transaction Documents to which the Purchasers are party
shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Purchasers to
the Company. |
ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATE LEGEND
Section 5.1 Legend.
(a) Each certificate representing the Shares and the
Warrant Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a
legend substantially in the following form (in addition to any
legend required by applicable state securities or blue
sky laws) until such legend may be removed as provided in
subsection (b) below:
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THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR
IF APPLICABLE, STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED
IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY
TO SCANSOFT, INC. THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. |
F-11
(b) The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing
any of the Shares or Warrant Shares, without the legend set
forth above, if at such time, prior to making any transfer of
any such Securities, such holder thereof shall give written
notice to the Company describing the manner and terms of such
transfer and removal as the Company may reasonably request;
provided that such legends shall not be removed and such
proposed transfer will not be effected until: (i) such
shares of Common Stock are registered under the Securities Act,
or (ii) such holder provides the Company with an opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Company to the effect that a public
sale, assignment or transfer of the shares of Common Stock may
be made without registration under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities or blue sky laws. In the
case of any proposed transfer under this Section 5.1, the
Company shall in no event be required, in connection therewith,
to qualify to do business in any state where it is not then
qualified or to take any action that would subject it to tax or
to general service of process in any state where it is not then
subject. The restrictions on transfer contained in this
Section 5.1 shall be in addition to, and not by way of
limitation of, any other restrictions on transfer contained in
any other section of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
Section 6.1 Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing Date by (a) the mutual written consent of the
Company and the Purchasers, (b) any party if the agreement
and plan of merger relating to Project Edison is
terminated in accordance with its terms, (c) any party if
the Closing Date has not occurred by February 1, 2006 (the
End Date), or (d) any party if the
agreement and plan of merger relating to Project
Edison is not signed by the parties thereto by
August 5, 2005; provided that the End Date shall be
extended if the agreement and plan of merger relating to
Project Edison has not been terminated in accordance
with its terms and until such termination, provided further,
however, that the right to terminate pursuant to this
Section 6.1 shall not be available to any party whose
action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or
resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or before
such date, and such action or failure to act constitutes a
breach of this Agreement.
Section 6.2 Effect
of Termination. In the event of a termination by the
Company or the Purchasers, written notice thereof shall
forthwith be given to the other party and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be terminated without
further action by any party. If this Agreement is terminated as
provided in Section 6.1 herein, this Agreement shall become
void and of no further force or effect, except for
Section 3.2, this Section 6.2 and Article VII
herein, which shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Nothing in this Section 6.2 shall be deemed to release the
Company or any Purchaser from any liability for any breach of
this Agreement, or to impair the rights of the Company or such
Purchaser to compel specific performance by the other of its
obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws
of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the principles
of conflicts of laws. Any legal action or other legal proceeding
relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement may be brought or otherwise commenced in any
state or federal court located in the State of Delaware. Each
party hereto agrees to the entry of an order to enforce any
resolution, settlement, order or award made pursuant to this
Section 7.1 by the state and federal courts located in the
State of Delaware and in connection therewith hereby waives, and
agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense, or
otherwise, any claim that such resolution, settlement, order or
award is inconsistent with or violative of the laws or public
policy of the laws of the State of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction.
F-12
Section 7.2 Entire
Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents constitute the full and entire
understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to
the subjects hereof and thereof. Any previous agreements among
the parties relative to the specific subject matter hereof,
including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are superseded
by this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any provision
hereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated
other than by a written instrument signed by the party against
who enforcement of any such amendment, change, waiver, discharge
or termination is sought.
Section 7.3 Notices,
etc. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be effective upon receipt and shall be
in writing and may be delivered in person, by telecopy,
electronic mail, express delivery service or U.S. mail, in
which event it may be mailed by first-class, certified or
registered, postage prepaid, addressed, to the party to be
notified, at the respective addresses set forth below, or at
such other address which may hereinafter be designated in
writing:
(a) If to the Purchasers, to:
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Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. |
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Warburg Pincus Netherlands Private Equity VIII, C.V. I |
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Warburg Pincus Germany Private Equity VIII, K.G. |
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c/o Warburg Pincus LLC |
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466 Lexington Avenue |
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New York, NY 10017 |
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Attention: Jeffrey A. Harris |
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Fax No. 212-878-6139 |
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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
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787 Seventh Avenue |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Attention: Michael A. Schwartz, Esq. |
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Fax No. 212-728-9267 |
(b) If to the Company, to:
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ScanSoft, Inc. |
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9 Centennial Drive |
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Peabody, MA 01960 |
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Attention: Chief Executive Officer |
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Phone: 978-977-2000 |
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Fax: 978-977-2436 |
with a copy to:
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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |
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650 Page Mill Road |
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Palo Alto, CA 94304 |
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Attention: |
Katharine A. Martin, Esq. |
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Robert D. Sanchez, Esq. |
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Fax No. 650-493-6811 |
Section 7.4 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 or default of any other party under this Agreement
shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be
construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or any
acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach or default
thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach
or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default
theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that
any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character
of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver of
any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in
writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically
set
F-13
forth in writing, and that all remedies, either under this
Agreement, by law or otherwise, shall be cumulative and not
alternative.
Section 7.5 Titles;
Subtitles. The titles of the Articles and Sections of
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no
way define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this
Agreement or the intent of any of its provisions.
Section 7.6 Successors
and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and
be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the parties
hereto.
Section 7.7 No
Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended
for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
permitted successors and assigns and is not for the benefit of,
nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person.
Section 7.8 Survival.
The representations and warranties of the Company and the
Purchasers contained herein shall not survive the Closing.
Section 7.9 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
Section 7.10 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be judicially
determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 7.11 SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT IRREPARABLE
DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS AGREEMENT WERE NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS
SPECIFIC INTENT OR WERE OTHERWISE BREACHED. IT IS ACCORDINGLY
AGREED THAT THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN INJUNCTION OR
INJUNCTIONS, WITHOUT BOND, TO PREVENT OR CURE BREACHES OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND TO ENFORCE SPECIFICALLY THE
TERMS AND PROVISIONS HEREOF, THIS BEING IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER
REMEDY TO WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED BY LAW OR EQUITY, AND ANY
PARTY SUED FOR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
DEFENSE THAT A REMEDY IN DAMAGES WOULD BE ADEQUATE.
Section 7.12 Consents.
Any permission, consent, or approval of any kind or character
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective
only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
Section 7.13 Construction
of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be
construed against either party as the drafter thereof.
Section 7.14 Variations
of Pronouns. All pronouns and all variations thereof
shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter,
singular or plural, as the context in which they are used may
require.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature pages to
follow]
F-14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized
officers as of the date first above written.
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WARBURG PINCUS PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, L.P. |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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WARBURG PINCUS NETHERLANDS PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, C.V. I |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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F-15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized
officers as of the date first above written.
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WARBURG PINCUS GERMANY PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, K.G. |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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F-16
EXHIBIT A
SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS
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Aggregate | |
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Shares of | |
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Purchase Price | |
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Warrant | |
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Common Stock | |
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for Common | |
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Shares | |
Name |
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Purchased | |
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Stock | |
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Acquired | |
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Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P.
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13,713,679 |
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$ |
58,145,998.96 |
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3,079,383 |
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Warburg Pincus Netherlands Private Equity VIII, C.V. I
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397,500 |
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$ |
1,685,400.00 |
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89,258 |
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Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, K.G
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39,764 |
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$ |
168,599.36 |
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8,929 |
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Total:
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14,150,943 |
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$ |
59,999,998.32 |
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3,177,570 |
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F-17
Annex G
AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (the
Agreement) is made as of May 5, 2005 by
and between ScanSoft,
Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the Company), and
Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P., Warburg Pincus
Netherlands Private Equity VIII C.V. I, and Warburg Pincus
Germany Private Equity VIII, K.G. (collectively, the
Purchasers).
RECITALS
A. The Purchasers Beneficially Own an aggregate of
18,841,572 shares of Voting Stock of the Company;
B. The Purchasers are purchasing an additional
3,537,736 shares of Company Common Stock and warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 863,236 shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement
dated as of May 5, 2005 (the Securities Purchase
Agreement) and an additional 14,150,944 shares of
Company Common Stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,177,570 shares of Company Common Stock (together with the
warrants mentioned above, the Warrants)
pursuant to a separate Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
May 5, 2005 (the Stock Purchase
Agreement);
C. The Purchasers have made certain requests, including the
appointment of an additional representative to the Board of
Directors of the Company (the Board);
D. The Board has determined that it is in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders to (i) issue
and sell the shares of Company Common Stock and the Warrants to
the Purchaser and (ii) appoint an additional designee of
the Purchasers to the Board;
E. The Company and the Purchasers are parties to that
certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2004
(the Prior Agreement); and
F. The Company and the Purchasers desire to amend and
restate the rights and obligations set forth in the Prior
Agreement, in each case as set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises
set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the parties hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Certain
Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms, for all purposes of this Agreement, shall have
the meanings specified in this Section 1:
Additional Director Board Appointment Period
shall mean the period beginning on the date of the closing
contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement and ending on the
later of (i) the date that the Purchasers shall cease to
Beneficially Own at least 25,000,000 shares of Voting Stock
(as adjusted from time to time for any stock dividends,
combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like) or
(ii) the date that the Purchasers percentage
Beneficial Ownership of the Voting Stock is less than the
quotient of (x) two (2) divided by (y) the then
authorized number of directors of the Company.
Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations promulgated under
the Exchange Act; provided, however, that for
purposes of this Agreement, the Purchasers and their Affiliates,
on the one hand, and the Company and its Affiliates, on the
other, shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of one
another.
G-1
Beneficially Own, Beneficially
Owned, or Beneficial Ownership
shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules
and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Closing Date shall have the meaning ascribed
to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Company Common Stock shall mean shares of the
Common Stock of the Company, $0.001 par value.
Company Competitor shall mean any person or
entity (or any Affiliates of such a person or entity) that
(i) conducts material activities and operations consisting
of providing speech technology primarily for use in
telephony-network based services, mobile or embedded platforms,
or desktop or server-based dictation software applications,
(ii) develops and licenses software that incorporates
document capture or image processing technology, (iii) has
filed a statement on Schedule 13D pursuant to
Rule 13d-1(a) with the SEC that indicates under Item 4
of such Schedule that the person has acquired or holds the
securities with a purpose or effect of changing or influencing
control of the Company, or in connection with or as a
participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, or
(iv) to the Purchasers knowledge after a written
request, intends to file a statement on Schedule 13D with
the SEC indicating under Item 4 of such Schedule that the
person has acquired or holds the securities with a purpose or
effect of changing or influencing control of the Company, or in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction having
that purpose or effect.
Controlled Fund shall mean any fund of which
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC is a general partner.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Offer shall mean a bona fide
exchange offer subject to the provisions of Rule 13e-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Fair Market Value means, as of any date of
determination, (i) in the case of Company Common Stock, the
average of the closing sale prices of Company Common Stock
during the 5 trading days immediately preceding such date of
determination on the principal U.S. or foreign securities
exchange on which such Company Common Stock is listed or, if
such Company Common Stock is not listed or primarily traded on
any such exchange, the average of the closing sale prices or the
closing bid quotations of such security during the 5 day
period preceding such date of determination on Nasdaq or any
comparable system then in use or, if no such quotations are
available, the fair market value of such security as of such
date of determination as determined in good faith by the Company
and the holders of a majority in interest of the shares of
Company Common Stock then held by the Purchasers and
(ii) in the case of property other than cash or a security,
the fair market value of such property on such date of
determination as determined in good faith by the Company and the
holders of a majority in interest of the shares of Company
Common Stock then held by the Purchasers; provided,
however, that if such parties are unable to reach
agreement as to the fair market value of such security pursuant
to clause (i) above or such property pursuant to
clause (ii) above within a reasonable period of time, the
fair market value shall be determined in good faith by an
independent investment banking firm selected jointly by the
Company and the holders of a majority in interest of the shares
of Company Common Stock then held by the Purchasers or, if that
selection cannot be made within 15 days, by an independent
investment banking firm selected by the American Arbitration
Association in accordance with its rules. All costs and expenses
of such independent investment banking firm shall be borne 50%
by the Company and 50% by the Purchasers, pro rata based on the
number of shares of Company Common Stock then held by each.
Form S-3 means such form under the
Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor
or similar registration form under the Securities Act
subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits inclusion or
incorporation of substantial information by reference to other
documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
Holder means any person owning of record
Registrable Securities that have not been sold to the public or
any transferee or assignee of record of such Registrable
Securities to which the registration rights conferred by this
Agreement have been transferred or assigned in accordance with
Section 5.8 hereof.
G-2
Permitted Amount shall mean the sum of
(i) up to a maximum of 5% of the issued and outstanding
Voting Stock of the Company as calculated immediately following
the Closing Date, and (A) if the closing contemplated by
the Stock Purchase Agreement (the Second
Closing) and the closing of the transaction that is a
condition to the closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement
(together with the Second Closing, the Combined
Closing) are consummated, up to a maximum of 5% of the
issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Company (which 5%
shall include any shares of Voting Stock acquired between the
Closing Date and the Combined Closing) as calculated immediately
following the Combined Closing and (B) if the closing
contemplated by the securities purchase agreement (the
Second Securities Purchase Agreement)
attached as Annex A to that letter dated May 5, 2005
from the Purchasers to the Company (the Third
Closing) and the closing of the transaction that is a
condition to the closing of the Second Securities Purchase
Agreement (together with the Third Closing, the Second
Combined Closing) are consummated, up to a maximum of
5% of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Company
(which 5% shall include any shares of Voting Stock acquired
between the Closing Date and the Second Combined Closing) as
calculated immediately following the Second Combined Closing,
and (ii) any number of shares of Voting Stock acquired
directly from the Company after the date of this Agreement
pursuant to an agreement with the Company (except that for
purposes of calculating the Maximum Permitted Amount
as defined in that certain Amendment to the Amended and Restated
Preferred Shares Rights Agreement dated May 5, 2005 between
the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, as may be
amended from time to time, the calculation of the Permitted
Amount shall exclude: (i) the shares of Company Common
Stock and warrants to acquire Company Common Stock issued on the
Closing Date to the Purchasers; (ii) the shares of Company
Common Stock and warrants to acquire Company Common Stock issued
on the closing date of the Second Closing to the Purchasers; and
(iii) the shares Company Common Stock issued or issuable
upon the exercise of the warrants issued to the Purchasers on
the Closing Date and the closing date of the Second Closing).
Register, registered and
registration refer to a registration effected
by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance
with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such registration statement or document.
Registrable Securities means (a) shares
of Company Common Stock (i) held by the Purchasers on the
day immediately following the Closing Date and the closing
contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement or
(ii) acquired pursuant to open market purchases following
the Closing Date, and (b) any Company Common Stock issued
as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant,
right or other security which is issued as) a dividend or other
distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in
replacement of, any Company Common Stock, warrant, right or
other security held by the Purchasers. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Registrable Securities shall not include any
securities of the Company sold by any person to the public
either pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities
Act or Rule 144.
Registration Expenses shall mean all expenses
incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 5.1 and
5.2 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration and
filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, Blue Sky fees and expenses and the
expense of any special audits incidental to or required by any
such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular
employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by
the Company, and all underwriting discounts and commissions).
Representatives shall mean the directors,
officers, employees and independent contractors, agents or
advisors (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants,
and investment bankers) of the specified party or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 as
promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule
that may be promulgated by the SEC.
SEC or Commission means
the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal
agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
G-3
Securities Act means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and
the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be
in effect from time to time.
Selling Expenses means all underwriting
discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer rates
applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and, except as
set forth in the definition of Registration Expenses
above, all fees and reimbursement of counsel for the Holders.
Shelf Registration Period shall mean the
period beginning immediately following the closing contemplated
by the Stock Purchase Agreement (or if such closing does not
occur or has not occurred by such date, the date that is nine
(9) months following the Closing Date) and ending at
12:00 a.m. New York City time on the
365th
day after the effectiveness of any registration statement filed
pursuant to the terms of Section 5.3, as such period may be
extended.
Single Director Board Appointment Period
shall mean the period beginning on April 8, 2004 and ending
on the date that the Purchasers cease to Beneficially Own at
least 10,000,000 shares of Voting Stock (as adjusted from
time to time for any stock dividends, combinations, splits,
recapitalizations and the like).
Standstill Period shall mean the four
(4) year period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at
12:00 a.m. New York City time on the fourth anniversary of
the Closing Date.
Subsidiaries shall mean each corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, association, joint
venture or other business entity of which any party or any of
its Affiliates owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of
the stock or other equity interest entitled to vote on the
election of the members of the board of directors or similar
governing body.
Third Party Tender Offer shall mean a bona
fide public tender offer subject to the provisions of
Regulation 14D when first commenced within the meaning of
Rule 14d-2(a) of the rules and regulations under the
Exchange Act, by a person or 13D Group (which is not made by and
does not include any of the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company) to purchase or exchange for cash or other consideration
any Voting Stock and which consists of an offer to acquire more
than 10% of the Voting Power of the Company.
13D Group means any group of persons formed
for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of
Voting Stock which would be required under Section 13(d) of
the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, to file a statement on Schedule 13D pursuant to
Rule 13d-1(a) or Schedule 13G pursuant to
Rule 13d-1(c) with the SEC as a person within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act if such
group Beneficially Owned Voting Stock representing more than 5%
of any class of Voting Stock then outstanding.
Voting Power shall mean the number of votes
entitled to then be cast by the Voting Stock of the Company at
any election of directors of the Company, provided that,
for the purpose of determining Voting Power, each share of
Preferred Stock of the Company, if any (the Preferred
Stock), shall be deemed to be entitled to the number
of votes equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock
into which such share of Preferred Stock could then be converted.
Voting Stock shall mean shares of the Company
Common Stock and any other securities of the Company having the
ordinary power to vote in the election of members of the Board
of Directors of the Company and any securities convertible,
exchangeable for or otherwise exercisable to acquire voting
securities.
2. Appointment of
Purchasers Nominee(s) to the Board. The Company
hereby agrees that (a) until the expiration of the Single
Director Board Appointment Period, the Board shall take such
action as may be necessary to appoint one (1) member of the
Board who shall be designated by the holders of a majority in
interest of the shares of Company Common Stock then held by the
Purchasers, and (b) not later than two (2) business
days following the Closing Date and until the expiration of the
Additional Director Board Appointment Period, the Board shall
take such action as may be necessary to appoint a second member
of the Board who shall be designated by Warburg Pincus Private
Equity VIII, L.P. Each
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nominee so designated shall be reasonably acceptable to, and
approved by a majority of the Board, which acceptance and
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld (such nominees from
time to time so designated, each a Purchaser
Nominee, and collectively, the Purchaser
Nominees. The Company shall, throughout the Single
Director Board Appointment Period and the Additional Director
Board Appointment Period, as applicable, nominate and take such
action as may be necessary to cause the Purchaser Nominee(s) to
be elected or appointed to the Board. If at any time during the
Single Director Board Appointment Period or the Additional
Director Board Appointment Period, as applicable, there shall
occur a vacancy in the Board seat previously occupied by a
Purchaser Nominee by reason of resignation, removal, death or
incapacity, then such vacancy shall be filled by another
Purchaser Nominee designated in accordance with this
Section 2.
3. Covenants of the
Purchasers.
3.1 Standstill.
During the Standstill Period, the Purchasers, Warburg
Pincus & Co., and Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, shall
not, without the prior written consent of the Company or its
Board of Directors:
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(a) acquire, offer, seek or propose to acquire, or agree to
acquire, directly or indirectly (including acquiring beneficial
ownership as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
by purchase or otherwise, any Voting Stock of the Company or
direct or indirect rights to acquire any Voting Stock of the
Company, or of any successor to or person in control of the
Company, or any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or
division of the Company or of any such successor or controlling
person, provided, however, that the Purchasers, Warburg
Pincus & Co., and Warburg Pincus Partners LLC may
acquire in one or more transactions an aggregate number of
shares of Voting Stock equal to the Permitted Amount; |
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(b) make, or in any way participate, directly or
indirectly, in any solicitation of
proxies to vote (as such terms are used in the rules
of the SEC), or seek to advise or influence any person or entity
with respect to the voting of any Voting Stock of the Company
(other than in such Purchasers Representatives
capacities as a member of the Companys Board of Directors
in a manner consistent with his or her fiduciary duties); |
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(c) make any public announcement with respect to, or submit
a proposal for or offer of (with or without conditions)
(including to the Companys Board of Directors), any
extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its
securities or assets; |
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(d) form, join or in any way participate in a 13D Group in
connection with any of the foregoing; |
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(e) otherwise act or seek to control or influence the
management or Board of Directors or policies of the Company,
whether alone or in concert with others (other than in such
Purchasers Representatives capacities as a member of
the Companys Board of Directors in a manner consistent
with his or her fiduciary duties); |
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(f) take any action that could reasonably be expected to
require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the
possibility of any of the events described in clauses (a)
through (e) above; |
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(g) request the Company or any of its Representatives,
directly or indirectly, to amend or waive any provision of this
Section 3.1 in a manner that would require public
disclosure; or |
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(h) direct or instruct any of their respective
Subsidiaries, Representatives or Affiliates to take any such
action. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, at any time during the
Standstill Period,
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(i) any person or 13D Group (other than any person or 13D
Group which includes the Purchasers, their respective
Subsidiaries or Representatives) acquires beneficial ownership
of Voting Stock of the Company representing 40% or more of the
then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; |
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(ii) any person or 13D Group (other than any person or 13D
Group which includes the Purchasers, their respective
Subsidiaries or Representatives) announces or commences a tender
or exchange offer to acquire Voting Stock of the Company which,
if successful, would result in such person or 13D Group owning,
when combined with any other Voting Stock of the Company owned
by such person or 13D Group, 50% or more of the then outstanding
Voting Stock of the Company; |
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(iii) the Company enters into, or resolves to enter into,
any merger, sale or other business combination transaction
pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock would
be converted into cash and/or securities and/or property of
another person or 13D Group (other than any person or 13D Group
which includes the Purchasers, their respective Subsidiaries or
Representatives) or 50% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock as of immediately prior to such transaction would
be owned by persons other than the then current holders of
shares of Common Stock and any person or 13D Group which
includes the Purchasers, their respective Subsidiaries or
Representatives; |
then, except as otherwise provided herein, the Standstill Period
shall be suspended and tolled during the pendency of any such
event with respect to the Purchasers, their respective
Subsidiaries and Representatives and the provisions of
subparagraphs (a) through (g) shall not be
applicable to the Purchasers, their respective Subsidiaries and
Representatives during the pendency of any such event. For the
avoidance of doubt, the Standstill Period shall resume and be
extended by an amount of time equal to the time during which
such event was pending, and the provisions of
subparagraphs (a) through (g) shall resume to be
applicable to the Purchasers, their respective Subsidiaries and
Representatives in event that the provisions of (i) through
(iii) cease to be applicable, such as, for example and
without limitation, disposition of the Voting Stock of the
Company to below 40% by the person or 13D Group, withdrawal of
the tender or exchange offer by the person or 13D Group, or
termination of merger, sale or other business combination
transaction.
3.2 Transfer
Restrictions. The Purchasers shall not (and shall not
permit any Affiliate to), directly or indirectly:
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(a) Sell, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, sell any
option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract
to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase,
transfer the economic risk of ownership of, or otherwise dispose
of (each, a Transfer) any Voting Stock or
Voting Power to any person or group that is conducting, is
participating or has participated in a solicitation of proxies
in opposition to the recommendation or proposal of the Board, or
has proposed or otherwise solicited stockholders of the Company
for approval of one or more stockholder proposals; |
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(b) Transfer five percent (5%) or more of the Voting Stock
or Voting Power (in one or a series of transactions) in response
to a Third Party Tender Offer or an Exchange Offer with respect
to which the Board shall not have recommended that stockholders
of the Company accept such offer, unless prior to such Transfer,
the Purchasers have complied with the provisions of
Section 3.3 below; or |
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(c) Transfer five percent (5%) or more of the Voting Stock
or Voting Power (in one or a series of transactions that have
not been approved by a majority of the Board) to a Company
Competitor who has made a bona fide written offer to acquire
such securities, unless prior to such Transfer, the Purchasers
have complied with the provisions of Section 3.3 below. |
3.3 The Companys Right
of First Refusal.
(a) Prior to the Purchasers effecting any Transfer of
Voting Stock or Voting Power that is subject to the restrictions
set forth in Section 3.2, the Company shall have a first
refusal right to purchase such Voting Stock or Voting Power on
the following terms and conditions:
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(i) The Purchasers shall give prior notice (the
Transfer Notice) to the Company in writing of
such intention, specifying the name of the proposed purchaser or
transferee, the amount of Voting Stock or Voting Power proposed
to be the subject of such Transfer, the proposed price therefor
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the other material terms upon which such disposition is proposed
to be made (including, if any, a copy of a bona fide written
offer). |
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(ii) The Company shall have the right, exercisable by
written notice given by the Company to the Purchasers within
(i) 72-hours with respect to a Transfer addressed in
Section 3.2(b) above, and (ii) twenty
(20) business days with respect to a Transfer addressed in
Sections 3.2(a) or (c) above, after receipt of such
Transfer Notice (the Response Notice), to
purchase all or any portion of the Voting Stock or Voting Power
specified in such Transfer Notice for cash at the price per
share specified in the Transfer Notice or, if consideration
other than cash is specified in the Transfer Notice, in an
amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such non-cash
consideration. |
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(iii) If the Company exercises its right of first refusal
hereunder, the closing of the purchase of the Voting Stock or
Voting Power with respect to which such right has been exercised
shall take place within thirty (30) calendar days after the
Company gives the Response Notice to the Purchasers or, if
later, within five (5) business days of the determination
of the Fair Market Value of any non-cash consideration. Upon
exercise of its right of first refusal, the Company and the
Purchasers shall be legally obligated to consummate the purchase
and sale contemplated thereby and shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to secure any approvals required in
connection therewith. |
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(iv) If the Company does not exercise its right of first
refusal hereunder within the time specified for such exercise in
subparagraph (ii) above with respect to all of the
Voting Stock or Voting Power specified in such Transfer Notice,
the Purchasers shall be free, during the period of ninety
(90) calendar days following the expiration of such time
for exercise, to Transfer or tender for Transfer the Voting
Stock or Voting Power specified in such Transfer Notice with
respect to which the Company has not exercised its first refusal
rights to the proposed purchaser or transferee specified in such
Transfer Notice and on terms not materially less favorable to
the Purchasers than the terms specified in such Transfer Notice.
After the expiration of such 90-day period, except as otherwise
provided herein, the Purchasers may not Transfer the Voting
Stock or Voting Power specified in such Transfer Notice without
first complying with the provisions of this Section 3.3. |
(b) The Company may assign its right of first refusal under
this Section 3.3 to any other person or persons;
provided, however, that the Company shall be
liable for the timely performance of any obligations in this
Section 3.3 by such assignee.
3.4 Other Transfers.
Except as provided in this Section 3, this Agreement does
not, and is not intended to, restrict the Purchasers ability to
Transfer any Voting Stock or Voting Power.
4. Prohibited
Transfer. Any purchase which causes the Purchasers to be
in violation of the terms of Section 3 above
(Prohibited Transfer) shall not be effected
by the Company and shall be voidable at the option of the
Company by their giving written notice to the transferor, his
transferee and the Purchasers. Each certificate representing
Voting Stock held by the Purchasers shall be endorsed by the
Company with a legend reading as follows:
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THE SHARES EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO A STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER HEREOF (A
COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY), AND NO TRANSFER
OF THE SHARES EVIDENCED HEREBY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE EXCEPT IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS THEREOF. |
5. Registration
Rights.
5.1 Demand
Registration.
(a) Subject to the conditions of this Section 5.1, if
the Company shall receive a written request from the Holders
holding not less than a majority of the Registrable Securities
then outstanding that the Company file a registration statement
with respect to all or part of the Registrable Securities under
the Securities Act with an anticipated aggregate offering price
of at least $10,000,000, then the Company shall,
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within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt thereof, give
written notice of such request to all Holders, and, subject to
the limitations of this Section 5.1, use its commercially
reasonable efforts to effect, as expeditiously as reasonably
possible, the registration under the Securities Act of all
Registrable Securities that all Holders request to be registered
pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement (a
Demand Registration).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall
furnish to the Holders requesting a registration statement
pursuant to this Section 5.1, a certificate signed by the
President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that
in the Boards good faith judgment it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such a
registration statement to be filed in the near future, the
Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period
of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the
request of the Holders specified in Section 5.1(a);
provided, however, that the Company may not utilize this
right more than twice in any twelve-month period.
(c) The Company shall not be required to effect or take any
action to effect a registration pursuant to this
Section 5.1:
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(i) prior to the commencement of the Shelf Registration
Period; |
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(ii) after the Company has effected three Demand
Registrations pursuant to this Section 5.1, and such
registrations have been declared or ordered effective (which,
for the avoidance of doubt, shall mean that the registrations
shall have been effective for an aggregate of ninety
(90) calendar days, or until all Registrable Securities
covered thereby have been sold, if earlier); |
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(iii) if the Holders making the request provided for in
Section 5.1(a) propose to dispose of Registrable Securities
that could be disposed of in a single ordinary brokerage
transaction under the quantity limitation of
Rule 144; or |
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(iv) if the Holders making the request provided for in
Section 5.1(a) propose to dispose of Registrable Securities
that may be registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request
made pursuant to Section 5.2 below. |
5.2 Form S-3
Registration. If at any time following the commencement
of the Shelf Registration Period, the Company shall receive from
the Holders holding not less than a majority of the Registrable
Securities then outstanding a written request that the Company
effect a registration on Form S-3 and any related
qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the
Registrable Securities owned by such Holders, the Company will:
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(a) within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of
such notice, give written notice of the proposed registration,
and any related qualification or compliance, to all other
Holders of Registrable Securities; and |
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(b) as soon as reasonably practicable, effect such
registration (a S-3 Registration) and all
such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and
as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all
or such portion of such Holders Registrable Securities as
are specified in such request, together with all or such portion
of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders
joining in such request as are specified in a written request
given within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of
such written notice from the Company; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such
registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this
Section 5.2, (i) if Form S-3 is not available to
the Company for such offering, (ii) if the aggregate
proceeds from the sale of Registrable Securities proposed to be
sold pursuant to a Form S-3 registration statement will not
exceed $10,000,000, (iii) if, the Company has effected two
S-3 Registrations pursuant to this Section 5.2, and such
registrations have been declared or ordered effective (which,
for the avoidance of doubt, shall mean that the registrations
shall have been effective for an aggregate of ninety
(90) calendar days, or until all Registrable Securities
covered thereby have been sold, if earlier), or (iv) if the
Holders propose to dispose of Registrable Securities that could
be disposed of in a single ordinary brokerage transaction under
the quantity limitation of Rule 144. |
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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall
furnish to the Holders requesting a registration statement
pursuant to this Section 5.2, a certificate signed by the
President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that
in the Boards good faith judgment it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such a
registration statement to be filed in the near future, the
Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period
of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the
request of the Holders specified in this Section 5.2;
provided, however, that the Company may not utilize this
right more than twice in any twelve-month period. |
Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall
be counted as demands for registration effected pursuant to
Section 5.1, and in no event shall the Company be required
to effect more than two (2) S-3 Registrations.
5.3 Shelf
Registration. During the Shelf Registration Period, if
the Company shall receive from the Holders holding not less than
a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding a
written request that the Company effect a registration on
Form S-3 with respect to all or part of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Purchasers, the Company will as soon as
reasonably practicable, effect such registration (a
Shelf Registration Statement) and all such
qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as
would permit or facilitate the distribution of all or such
portion of such Holders Registrable Securities as are
specified in such request exclusively to partners, limited
partners, retired partners, retired limited partners, members,
retired members and stockholders of such Holders; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect
any such registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to
this Section 5.3, if Form S-3 is not available to the
Company for such offering. The Company shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement effective, current and available for use by the
Purchasers during the Shelf Registration Period. While the Shelf
Registration Statement remains in effect, the Company may at any
time and from time to time deliver to the Holders written notice
to the effect that distributions may not be effected under the
Shelf Registration Statement for a period of time (a
Blackout Period) because of the existence of
material facts not disclosed or incorporated by reference in
such Shelf Registration Statement and in the then-current
prospectus included therein; provided, however,
that the duration of any Blackout Period shall not exceed ninety
(90) days. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Holders
shall refrain from distributing Registrable Securities under
such Shelf Registration Statement until the Holders have
received notice from the Company to the effect that such
distributions may then be effected. The Company shall as
promptly as reasonably possible update the Shelf Registration
Statement and the prospectus included therein in order to permit
Registrable Securities to be distributed, and the Shelf
Registration Period shall automatically be extended by the
aggregate number of days during which the Holders were
instructed to refrain from distributing Registrable Securities
during all Blackout Periods, without duplication.
5.4 Expenses of
Registration. Except as specifically provided herein,
all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any
registration effected pursuant to Section 5.1,
Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 herein shall be borne by
the Company. All Selling Expenses incurred in connection with
any registrations effected pursuant to Section 5.1 or
Section 5.2 shall be borne by the holders of the securities
so registered pro rata on the basis of the number of
shares so registered. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay for expenses of any registration proceeding
begun, the request of which has been subsequently withdrawn by
the Holders initiating such registration unless a majority of
the Holders of Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their
right to one Demand Registration or S-3 Registration, as the
case may be, pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 5.2
(in which event such right shall be forfeited by all Holders of
Registrable Securities). If such Holders are required to pay the
Registration Expenses, such expenses shall be borne by the
holders of securities (including Registrable Securities)
initiating such registration in proportion to the number of
shares for which registration was requested.
5.5 Underwriting. If
the Company determines in its sole discretion that the
registration statement under which the Company gives notice
under Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 will be for an
underwritten offering, the Company shall so advise the Holders
of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right of any such
Holder to be included in such registration shall be conditioned
upon such Holders participation in such underwriting and
the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in
the underwriting to the
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extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute
their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall
enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the
underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by
the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in
this Agreement, if the managing underwriter determines in good
faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number
of shares to be underwritten (including Registrable Securities),
the number of shares that may be included in the underwriting
shall be allocated first to requesting Holders on a pro rata
basis based on the total number of Registrable Securities then
held by all such requesting Holders, then to any other
shareholders on a pro rata basis based on the number of shares
of Company Common Stock then held by such other shareholders. If
any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting,
such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company and the managing underwriter, delivered at least ten
(10) business days prior to the effective date of the
registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or
withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn
from the registration. For any Holder that is a partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation,
the partners, limited partners, retired partners, retired
limited partners, members, retired members and stockholders of
such Holder, or the estates and family members of any such
partners, limited partners, retired partners, retired limited
partners, members, retired members and any trusts for the
benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be
collectively a single Holder, and any pro
rata reduction with respect to such Holder shall
be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying
registration rights owned by all entities and individuals
included in such Holder, as defined in this sentence.
5.6 Furnishing
Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 above that the selling Holders shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves,
the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method
of disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect
the registration of their Registrable Securities.
5.7 Indemnification.
(a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each
Holder, each of its officers, directors and partners, legal
counsel, and accountants and each person controlling such Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act,
with respect to which registration, qualification or compliance
has been effected pursuant to Section 5, and each
underwriter, if any, and each person who controls within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act any
underwriter, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages, and
liabilities (or actions, proceedings or settlements in respect
thereof) arising out of or based on (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any prospectus, offering circular, or other
document, including any related registration statement,
notification or the like, incident to any such registration,
qualification or compliance, (ii) any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of the
Securities Act or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable
to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of
the Company in connection with any such registration,
qualification or compliance, and will reimburse each such
Holder, each of its officers, directors, partners, legal
counsel, and accountants and each person controlling such
Holder, each such underwriter and each person who controls any
such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and
defending or settling any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based on any
untrue statement or omission based upon written information
furnished to the Company by such Holder or underwriter. It is
agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 5.7(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the
Company.
(b) Each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by
such Holder are included in the securities as to which such
registration, qualification or compliance is being effected,
indemnify the Company, each of its directors and officers, legal
counsel and accountants, and each underwriter, if any, of the
Companys
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securities covered by such a registration statement, each person
who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act, each other such Holder
and each of its officers and directors, and each person
controlling such other Holder, against all claims, losses,
damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising
out of or based on (i) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact by such Holder contained in
any such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular
or other document, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission
to state therein by such Holder a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse the Company and such Holders,
directors, officers, legal counsel, accountants, persons,
underwriters or control persons for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or
defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission is made in such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Holder; provided, however, that the
obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement
is effected without the consent of such Holder; and provided
that in no event shall any indemnity under this
Section 5.7(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering
received by such Holder.
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this
Section 5.7 (the Indemnified Party)
shall give notice to the party required to provide
indemnification (the Indemnifying Party)
promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of
any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit
the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or
any litigation resulting therefrom; provided, however,
that legal counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct
the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom,
shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may
participate in such defense at such partys expense; and,
provided further, however, that the failure of any
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this
Section 5.7(c), to the extent such failure is not
prejudicial. Consent by the Indemnifying Party to entry of any
judgment or entry into any settlement shall not bind the
Indemnified Party without the Indemnified Partys written
consent, unless such settlement includes as an unconditional
term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to the
Indemnified Party of a release from all liability with respect
to such claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall
furnish such information regarding itself or the claim in
question as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request in
writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with
defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 5.7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be unavailable to an Indemnified Party with respect to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense referred to herein, then the
Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified
Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable
by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one
hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the
Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party
and to parties relative intent, knowledge, access to
information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omissions.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the
provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the
underwriting agreement entered into in connection with an
underwritten public offering of the Companys securities
are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in
the underwriting agreement shall control.
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5.8 Transfer or Assignment of
Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company to
register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 5
may not be transferred or assigned by a Holder without the prior
written consent of the Company.
5.9 Amendment of Registration
Rights. Any provision of this Section 5 may be
amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable
Securities then outstanding. Any amendment or waiver effected in
accordance with this Section 5.9 shall be binding upon each
Holder and the Company.
6. Management Rights.
6.1 For so long as any Purchaser
owns 1,000,000 shares of Voting Stock, the Company
covenants that:
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(a) if any Purchaser is not represented on the Board, such
Purchaser shall be entitled to consult with and advise
management of the Company on significant business issues,
including managements proposed annual operating plans, and
management will meet with the Purchaser regularly during each
year at the Companys facilities at mutually agreeable
times for such consultation and advice and to review progress in
achieving said plans; |
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(b) each Purchaser may examine the books and records of the
Company and inspect its facilities and may request information
at reasonable times and intervals concerning the general status
of the Companys financial condition and operations,
provided that access to highly confidential proprietary
information and facilities need not be provided; and |
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(c) if any Purchaser is not represented on the Board, the
Company shall, concurrently with delivery to the Board, give a
representative of such Purchaser copies of all notices, minutes,
consents and other material that the Company provides to its
directors, except that the representative may be excluded from
access to any material or meeting or portion thereof if the
Board determines in good faith, upon advice of counsel, that
such exclusion is reasonably necessary to preserve the
attorney-client privilege, to protect highly confidential
proprietary information, or for other similar reasons, provided
that, upon reasonable notice, at a scheduled meeting of the
Board or such other time, if any, as the Board may determine in
its sole discretion, such representative may address the Board
with respect to such Purchasers concerns regarding
significant business issues facing the Company. |
7. Miscellaneous.
7.1 Governing Law;
Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of Delaware without giving effect to the principles of
conflicts of laws. Any legal action or other legal proceeding
relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement may be brought or otherwise commenced in any
state or federal court located in the State of Delaware. Each
party hereto agrees to the entry of an order to enforce any
resolution, settlement, order or award made pursuant to this
Section 7.1 by the state and federal courts located in the
State of Delaware and in connection therewith hereby waives, and
agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense, or
otherwise, any claim that such resolution, settlement, order or
award is inconsistent with or violative of the laws or public
policy of the laws of the State of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction.
7.2 Successors and
Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon, the successor and assigns of the parties hereto.
7.3 Entire Agreement;
Amendment. This Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement,
the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrants constitute
the full and entire understanding and agreement between the
parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof. Any
previous agreements among the parties relative to the specific
subject matter hereof, including but not limited to the Prior
Agreement, are superseded by this Agreement. Neither this
Agreement nor any provision hereof may be amended,
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changed, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a
written instrument signed by the party against who enforcement
of any such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination
is sought.
7.4 Notices, etc. All
notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be effective upon receipt and shall be in writing and may
be delivered in person, by telecopy, electronic mail, express
delivery service or U.S. mail, in which event it may be
mailed by first-class, certified or registered, postage prepaid,
addressed, to the party to be notified, at the respective
addresses set forth below, or at such other address which may
hereinafter be designated in writing:
(a) If to the Purchasers, to:
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Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. |
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Warburg Pincus Netherlands Private Equity VIII, C.V. I |
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Warburg Pincus Germany Private Equity VIII, K.G. |
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c/o Warburg Pincus LLC |
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466 Lexington Avenue |
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New York, NY 10017 |
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Attention: Jeffrey A. Harris |
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Fax No. 212-878-6139 |
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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
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787 Seventh Avenue |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Attention: Michael A. Schwartz, Esq. |
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Fax No. 212-728-9267 |
(b) If to the Company, to:
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ScanSoft, Inc. |
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9 Centennial Drive |
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Peabody, MA 01960 |
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Attention:Chief Executive Officer |
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Phone: 978-977-2000 |
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Fax: 978-977-2436 |
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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |
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650 Page Mill Road |
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Palo Alto, CA 94304 |
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Attention: |
Katharine A. Martin, Esq. |
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Robert D. Sanchez, Esq. |
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Fax No. 650-493-6811 |
7.5 Severability. If
any provision of this Agreement shall be judicially determined
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any
way be affected or impaired thereby.
7.6 Titles and
Subtitles. The titles of the Articles and Sections of
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no
way define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this
Agreement or the intent of any of its provisions.
7.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
7.8 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 or default of any other party under this Agreement
shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be
construed to be a waiver of any such breach or
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default, or any acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach
or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any
single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach
or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further
agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind
or character of any breach or default under this Agreement, or
any waiver of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement
must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent
specifically set forth in writing, and that all remedies, either
under this Agreement, by law or otherwise, shall be cumulative
and not alternative.
7.9 Consents. Any
permission, consent, or approval of any kind or character under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective only
to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
7.10 SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT IRREPARABLE
DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS AGREEMENT WERE NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS
SPECIFIC INTENT OR WERE OTHERWISE BREACHED. IT IS ACCORDINGLY
AGREED THAT THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN INJUNCTION OR
INJUNCTIONS, WITHOUT BOND, TO PREVENT OR CURE BREACHES OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND TO ENFORCE SPECIFICALLY THE
TERMS AND PROVISIONS HEREOF, THIS BEING IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER
REMEDY TO WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED BY LAW OR EQUITY, AND ANY
PARTY SUED FOR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
DEFENSE THAT A REMEDY IN DAMAGES WOULD BE ADEQUATE.
7.11 Construction of
Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be
construed against either party as the drafter thereof.
7.12 Section References.
Unless otherwise stated, any reference contained herein to a
Section or subsection refers to the provisions of this Agreement.
7.13 Variations of
Pronouns. All pronouns and all variations thereof shall
be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter,
singular or plural, as the context in which they are used may
require.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amended and
Restated Stockholders Agreement to be duly executed and
delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the
day and year first written above.
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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PURCHASERS |
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WARBURG PINCUS PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, L.P. |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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WARBURG PINCUS NETHERLANDS PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, C.V. I |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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WARBURG PINCUS GERMANY PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, K.G. |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, |
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By: |
Warburg Pincus & Co., |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey A. Harris
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G-16
Annex H
Delaware General Corporation Law
Section 262. Appraisal rights.
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who
holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand
pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with
respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares
through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who
has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this
section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or
consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to
§ 228 of this title shall be entitled to an
appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the
stockholders shares of stock under the circumstances
described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
As used in this section, the word stockholder means
a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a
member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words
stock and share mean and include what is
ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or
membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and
the words depository receipt mean a receipt or other
instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in
one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a
corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of
any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a
merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to
§ 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to
§ 251(g) of this title),
§ 252, § 254,
§ 257, § 258,
§ 263 or § 264 of this title:
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(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this
section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect
thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of
stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national
securities exchange or designated as a national market system
security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of
record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no
appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of
the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did
not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the
surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of
§ 251 of this title. |
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(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this
subsection, appraisal rights under this section shall be
available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a
constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by
the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
§§ 251, 252, 254,
257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title
to accept for such stock anything except: |
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a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or
resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository
receipts in respect thereof; |
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b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository
receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or
depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts
at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be
either listed on a national securities exchange or designated as
a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
or held of record by more than 2,000 holders; |
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c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a.
and b. of this paragraph; or |
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d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository
receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a.,
b. and c. of this paragraph. |
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(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware
corporation party to a merger effected under
§ 253 of this title is not owned by the parent
corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights
shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware
corporation. |
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of
incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be
available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as
a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation,
any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of
incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this
section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is
practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
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(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which
appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be
submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the
corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record
date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal
rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or
(c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or
all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall
include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder
electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholders
shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of
the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for
appraisal of such stockholders shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the
identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends
thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholders
shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation
shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to
take such action must do so by a separate written demand as
herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of
such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting
corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent
corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not
voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of
the date that the merger or consolidation has become
effective; or |
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(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to
§ 228 or § 253 of this title,
then, either a constituent corporation before the effective date
of the merger or consolidation, or the surviving or resulting
corporation within ten days thereafter, shall notify each of the
holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent
corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval
of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are
available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock
of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such
notice a copy of this section. Such notice may, and, if given on
or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of
the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to
appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of
mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or
resulting corporation the appraisal of such holders
shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs
the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the
stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such
holders shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders
of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either
(i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second
notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation
notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of
such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal
rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or
(ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such
a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days
after such effective date; provided, however, that if such
second notice is sent more than 20 days following the
sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be
sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and
who has demanded appraisal of such holders shares in
accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary
or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the
corporation that is required to give either notice that such
notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima
facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of
determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice,
each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date
that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the
notice is given, |
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provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be
such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice
is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
the notice is given. |
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation
or any stockholder who has complied with subsections
(a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to
appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery
demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such
stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within
60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw
such stockholders demand for appraisal and to accept the
terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within
120 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the
requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon
written request, shall be entitled to receive from the
corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the
consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of
shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and
with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received
and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written
statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days
after such stockholders written request for such a
statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation
or within 10 days after expiration of the period for
delivery of demands for appraisal under
subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder,
service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or
resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after
such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in
which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the
names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded
payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the
value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or
resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the
surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be
accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in
Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the
time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by
registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting
corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the
addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1
or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the
hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the
City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court
deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by
publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs
thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall
determine the stockholders who have complied with this section
and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may
require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for
their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery
for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal
proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such
direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such
stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an
appraisal, the Court shall appraise the shares, determining
their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from
the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or
consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In
determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account
all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest,
the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate
of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would
have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the
proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting
corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the
appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit
discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial
upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the
stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name
appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section
and who has submitted such stockholders certificates of
stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may
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participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally
determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal
rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of
the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or
resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto.
Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct.
Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case
of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of
holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender
to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock.
The Courts decree may be enforced as other decrees in the
Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or
resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any
state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the
Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in
the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court
may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any
stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees
and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata
against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights
as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be
entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive
payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of
record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the
merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition
for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in
subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder
shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a
written withdrawal of such stockholders demand for an
appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation,
either within 60 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation as provided in
subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the
written approval of the corporation, then the right of such
stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery
shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of
the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms
as the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to
which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been
converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall
have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the
surviving or resulting corporation.
H-4
[NUANCE LOGO]
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Special Meeting of Stockholders August 31, 2005
The undersigned stockholder of Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation, (the Company) acknowledges receipt of the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus dated August 1, 2005, and appoints Chuck Berger and Karen
Blasing, or either of them, as the proxies and attorneys-in-fact, each with full
power of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned to vote and
otherwise represent all of the shares registered in the name of the undersigned
at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on August 31,
2005, at 8:00 A.M. (Pacific Time), at the Companys offices, 1350 Willow Road,
Menlo Park, California 94025, and any adjournment thereof, with the same effect
as if the undersigned were present and voting such shares, on the following
matters and in the following manner:
TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND
DATE THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
[NUANCE LOGO]
C/O MELLON INVESTORS
235 MONTGOMERY STREET
23rd FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
VOTE BY INTERNET WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM
Use the Internet to transmit your
voting instructions and for electronic
delivery of information up until 11:59
P.M. Eastern Time on August 30, 2005.
Have your proxy card in hand when you
access the web site and follow the
instructions to obtain your records and
to create an electronic voting
instruction form.
VOTE BY PHONE 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit
your voting instructions up until 11:59
P.M. Eastern Time on August 30, 2005.
Have your proxy card in hand when you
call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and
return it in the postage-paid envelope
we have provided or return it to Nuance
Communications, Inc., c/o ADP,
51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
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NUCOMM
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KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR item 1.
VOTE ON MERGER
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1.
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To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
May 9, 2005 among Scansoft, Inc., Nova Acquisition
Corporation, Nova Acquisition LLC and the Company,
and to approve the merger contemplated thereby.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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2. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The shares represented by this proxy, when properly executed, will be
voted in accordance with the specification made by the undersigned
stockholder(s). If no specification is made, the shares represented by this
proxy will be voted for proposal 1, and for or against such other matters
as may properly come before the meeting as the proxyholders deem advisable.
Sign exactly as your name(s) appear on the stock certificate.
A corporation is requested to sign its name by its President or
other authorized officer, with the office held designated.
Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. are requested to so
indicate when signing. If stock is registered in two names, both
should sign.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date
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Signature (Joint Owners) Date |