展品10.1
清算和發佈協議和釋放(本「協議」)於2024年5月31日(「生效日期」)之日由Ault Lending,LLC(「投資者」)和Mullen Automotive Inc.,特拉華州公司(「公司」)共同簽署,買方一起稱爲「方」)。
本和解協議及解除條款(以下簡稱“協議”)於2024年10月29日簽訂並生效(以下簡稱“生效日期。”),由Empery Asset Master Ltd.、Empery Tax Efficient, LP和Empery Tax Efficient III, LP(以下簡稱“易電行或原告”) 一方面,易電行科技有限公司 (“易電行”) 其他一方面。 Empery 和易電行 在本文件中合稱“當事人”,而且分別稱爲“方.”
鑑於,雙方 於2023年9月11日訂立了一份證券購買協議(以下簡稱“SPA”),根據該協議,每個帝國實體都收到了, 其中包括交易所權證(定義見SPA)(以下簡稱“交易所認股權證”)和普通權證(定義見SPA)(以下簡稱“認股證”);
鑑於Empery認爲易電行未能兌現交易所認購權行使請求,這促使Empery對易電行提起訴訟,稱爲 Empery Asset Master,Ltd. et al. 訴 EZGO Technologies,Ltd.,指數編號652191/2024(紐約州最高法院紐約縣)(“訴訟”);
鑑於 EZGO否認訴訟中的指控,並否認對原告在訴訟和交易所認股權證方面承擔任何責任;
鑑於爲了避免訴訟的不確定性、費用和負擔,各方希望根據本協議的條款和方式解決訴訟和彼此之間的索賠,且無一方承認或認可對其他任何一方的任何過失或責任。
現在,因此在考慮到本協議中載明的條款和協議以及其他充分和有價值的考慮的情況下,各方同意如下:
1. 修正交易所認股權證。Empery和EZGO特此同意,Empery實體持有的每張交易所認股權證應根據附件所載義務書協議的條款和條件進行修正,該附件爲EZGO與每個相關Empery實體之間的形式 附錄 A (統稱爲「附屬義務書協議」),這些附屬義務書協議應當由EZGO和相應的Empery實體同時進行簽署。儘管本協議或附屬義務書協議或交易所認股權證(根據附屬義務書協議進行修正)中包含的任何內容與此不符,在EZGO違反本協議的情況下(但不包括微不重要的違反情況),Empery可酌情通過書面通知EZGO終止本協議(但不包括下一句規定的情況),屆時附屬義務書協議也將被終止。儘管本協議或附屬義務書協議中包含的任何內容與此不符,如果本協議和附屬義務書協議按照前一句的要求終止,各方同意(i)在此類終止前,EZGO行使交易所認股權證(根據附屬義務書協議進行修正)而交付的任何認股權證股份,在訴訟和其他方面應被視爲減少交易所認股權證下潛在的認股權證股份的數量(不考慮附屬義務書協議),以及(ii) 第11條的規定和本句應當在該類終止後生效。
2. 結算付款 由EZGO。在生效日期後的五個業務日內,EZGO應向Empery的法律顧問支付美元 $10,000.00作爲與訴訟和本 協議有關而由Empery承擔的費用的單筆支付(「結算付款」)。EZGO應通過電匯向以下 帳戶支付結算付款:
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3. 關於對普通warrants中的調整所做的豁免 富國與因此相關的交易,包括更改交易所warrants(在附屬邊信中規定),以及爲此向富國發行或交付warrant股票均不應被視爲富國持有的普通warrants中的股份組合事件(如在普通warrants中定義的)或爲了普通warrants中的稀釋發行(如普通warrants中定義的)而進行。爲免疑義,富國每個實體都明確且不可撤銷地放棄,並同意不主張,在此協議中規定的交易及相關附屬邊信協議,以及爲此向富國發行或交付warrant股票的任何後續行爲中可能根據普通warrants第3節(b)和/或第3節(c)存在的調整權利。雙方同意,本協議中提及的交易及附屬邊信協議(包括邊信中規定的更改交易所warrants以及爲此向富國發行或交付warrant股票的任何後續行爲)均不應被視爲富國持有的普通warrants中的股份組合事件(如在普通warrants中定義的)或爲了富國持有的普通warrants中的稀釋發行(如在普通warrants中定義的)。爲免疑義,富國各實體均明確且不可撤銷地放棄,且同意它不會主張,在本協議中規定的交易及相關附屬邊信協議中可能存在的根據普通warrants第3節(b)和/或第3節(c)的任何調整權利,以及爲此向富國發行或交付warrant股票的任何後續行爲。
4. 相互 釋放.
(a) 起訴人對EZGO的解除根據本協議和旁觀協議的簽署(x)、EZGO支付解決付款(y)、EZGO按時發放所有可根據交易所認股權證發行的認股權證股份(z)(根據旁觀協議修訂),起訴人代表(i)自身及其現任和前任負責人、成員、股東、董事、經理、管理人員、官員、僱員、代理人、代表、合作伙伴、聯合風險投資者、顧問、受益人、繼承人、受讓人、執行人、管理人員、受託人、律師及顧問,以及(ii)以及他們的前任、後繼人、母公司、子公司、關聯公司,以及各自的現任和前任負責人、成員、股東、董事、經理、管理人員、官員、僱員、代理人、代表、合作伙伴、聯合風險投資者、顧問、受益人、繼承人、受讓人、執行人、管理人員、受託人、律師及顧問(“起訴人解除各方”),充分且不可撤銷地釋放、結算、無罪並永久解除(i) EZGO及其現任和前任負責人、成員、股東、董事、經理、管理人員、官員、僱員、代理人、代表、合作伙伴、聯合風險投資者、顧問、受益人、繼承人、受讓人、執行人、管理人員、受託人、律師及顧問,以及(ii) 其前任、後繼人、母公司、子公司、關聯公司和各自現任和前任負責人、成員、股東、董事、經理、管理人員、官員、僱員、代理人、代表、合作伙伴、聯合風險投資者、顧問、受益人、繼承人、受讓人、執行人、管理人員、受託人、律師及顧問(“EZGO被解除各方”),以適用法律允許的最大程度,解除任何和所有起訴人解除方根據或涉及起訴中主張的所有類別的索賠、反訴、投訴、訴因、各類損失、各類要求、債務或費用(包括但不限於實際發生的律師費用和費用)、留置權、合同義務、承諾、擔保、責任或損害,無論其性質、法律、衡平,或其他,不論已知或未知,懷疑或未懷疑,主張或未主張,無論是爲了衡平、宣告、金錢、禁令或任何其他類型的救濟,整個訴訟中提到的訴訟的指控和主張出現的時間起至簽署本協議日爲止;但本條款4(a)不免除任何EZGO在本協議、旁觀協議或認股權證(根據旁觀協議修訂)中規定的義務。
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(b) EZGO 原告釋放公告在執行本協議及附加信函協議後,EZGO代表(i)其自身及現任及前任主管、成員、股東、董事、經理、職員、員工、代理人、代表、合夥人、合資人、顧問、受益人、繼受人、執行人、管理人、受託人、律師及顧問,以及(ii)其每位前身、繼任人、母公司、子公司、聯屬公司和部門,及每位各自現任及前任主管、成員、股東、董事、經理、職員、員工、代理人、代表、合夥人、合資人、顧問、受益人、繼受人、執行人、管理人、受託人、律師及顧問(以下簡稱為「EZGO釋放方已完全且不可撤銷地釋放、和解、赦免和永久釋放(i)原告及其現任及前任主管、成員、股東、董事、經理、職員、員工、代理人、代表、合夥人、合資人、顧問、受益人、繼受人、執行人、管理人、受託人、律師及顧問,以及(ii)各原告的前身、繼任人、母公司、子公司、聯屬公司和部門,及各自現任及前任主管、成員、股東、董事、經理、職員、員工、代理人、代表、合夥人、合資人、顧問、受益人、繼受人、執行人、管理人、受託人、律師及顧問(以下簡稱為「原告釋放方」),展得許可之法律範圍內,免除任何及所有來自EZGO釋放方可能對原告釋放方主張的、由訴訟、反訴訟、抱怨、訴因、各種損失、要求、債務或支出(包括但不限於實際支出的律師費用和成本)、留置權、契約義務、承諾、擔保、責任或損害的任何性質的主張,不論其為法律、公平或其他性質,不論其為已知或未知、或被懷疑或不被懷疑、已主張或未主張,不論其為針對公正的、宣告的、財務的、禁制令或任何其他類型救助的主張等,始於世界之開始至本協議簽署日止;但本第4(b)條並不免除原告對本協議、附加信函協議或交易所認股權證(根據附加信函協議修改)所載義務之責任。
(c) The Plaintiff Releasing Parties and the EZGO Releasing Parties each understand and agree that the Parties’ agreement to provide these general releases is a material condition of this Agreement and to the amendment of the Exchange Warrants as provided in the Side Letter Agreements.
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(d) 原告清償方聲明他們目前對EZGO釋放方沒有其他任何類型的訴訟、索賠、投訴或要求,並且他們沒有在任何地方法院或其他法庭對EZGO釋放方提起訴訟,也不知道任何作為對EZGO釋放方可能引起任何民事或行政訴訟的事實。
(e) The EZGO Releasing Parties represent that they have no other suits, claims, complaints or demands of any kind whatsoever currently pending against the Plaintiff Released Parties with any local, state, or federal court or other tribunal, nor are they aware of any facts that would serve as the basis for any civil or administrative proceeding against the Plaintiff Released Parties.
(f) The Plaintiff Releasing Parties and EZGO Releasing Parties hereby acknowledge and waive any and all rights and protections under California Civil Code Section 1542, or any similar provision of state or federal law. The Parties each acknowledge that they have been advised by their attorneys of the contents and effects of Section 1542, which section has been duly explained and reads as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.
5. No Release for Certain Breaches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the Side Letter Agreements, the releases contained in this Agreement do not and are not intended to release any claims that either Party may have against the other Party for a breach of this Agreement, the Side Letter Agreements or the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreement).
6. Covenant Not to Sue. Each Party covenants never to institute, participate in, assist or encourage, either directly or indirectly, any suit, action, arbitration or proceeding, at law or in equity, against the EZGO Released Parties or the Plaintiff Released Parties, as applicable, arising from or related to the claims, counterclaims, complaints, causes of action, suits, losses, demands, debts or expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred), liens, liabilities or damages that are released in this Agreement. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit Empery’s right upon any breach of this Agreement, any Side Letter Agreements or the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements) to either commence an action regarding the claims asserted in the Lawsuit, or in Empery’s sole discretion, commence an action to enforce its rights under this Agreement, the Side Letter Agreements or the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements).
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7. Dismissal of the Lawsuit. Within three (3) business days following the last-occurring of (i) the execution of this Agreement, (ii) the execution of the Side Letter Agreements, and (iii) the transmittal by EZGO of the Settlement Payment pursuant to Section 2 hereof, Plaintiffs will file a stipulation discontinuing the Lawsuit without prejudice that shall be executed by counsel for Plaintiffs and EZGO.
8. No Admission of Liability. The Parties have entered into this Agreement and Side Letter Agreements solely for the purposes of avoiding the expense and inconvenience of litigation. Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the Side Letter Agreements, nor the effectuation of the settlement as set forth herein and therein, shall constitute or be construed in any manner whatsoever as an admission or concession of liability or wrongdoing, or lack of merit of any claims or defenses, on the part of either Party. This Agreement, the Side Letter Agreements, and any other evidence of the terms of this settlement, shall not be offered or received in evidence in any action or other proceeding as an admission or concession of liability or wrongdoing, or lack of merit of any claims or defenses, on the part of either Party.
9. Ownership of Claims. Each Party warrants and represents that it is the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title and interests in and to any claims, counterclaims, complaints, causes of action, suits, losses, demands, debts or expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred), liens, liabilities or damages that are the subject of this Agreement, including without limitation the releases set forth in this Agreement, and that it has not sold, assigned, granted, transferred or hypothecated any right, title or interest in any such claims, counterclaims, complaints, causes of action, suits, losses, demands, debts or expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred), liens, liabilities or damages to any other person or entity.
10. Disclosure. The Company shall (a) by the Disclosure Time, file a Current Report on Form 6-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. From and after the filing of such Form 6-K, the Company represents to Empery that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to Empery by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such Form 6-K, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, Affiliates or agents, on the one hand, and Empery or any of its Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. The Company understands and confirms that Empery shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. As used herein, “Disclosure Time” means, (i) if this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on any Trading Day, 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agent, and (ii) if this Agreement is signed between midnight (New York City time) and 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, no later than 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agent.
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11. Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to choice-of-law principles. Any suit, action, or proceeding between the Parties arising out of or related to this Agreement must be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in New York, New York, and the Parties each hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction thereof and agree to such courts as the appropriate venue, and expressly waive any objection to such jurisdiction or venue based on the doctrine of forum non conveniens. Each Party irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to being served in any suit, action or proceeding to enforce this Agreement in the manner set forth in Section 22 of this Agreement (including email delivery as set forth therein). In connection with any suit by Plaintiffs to enforce any good faith claim for the delivery of shares due under the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements), EZGO agrees that Plaintiffs shall be entitled to obtain specific performance to enforce EZGO’s obligation to deliver the shares and preliminary injunctive relief to the extent such relief directs EZGO to deliver the shares to Plaintiffs. EZGO further agrees that Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law in connection with any claim seeking to enforce this Agreement or the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements). In connection with any motion for a preliminary injunction seeking to compel delivery of shares pursuant to the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements), EZGO further agrees not to raise any objection that such an award constitutes the final relief in the action and agrees that the return of any shares issued pursuant to a preliminary injunction order shall be a sufficient remedy should a court determine at trial that Plaintiffs were not entitled to such shares. EZGO waives any right to demand an undertaking or bond in connection with any award of temporary or preliminary relief. EZGO further acknowledges and agrees that any court order directing the issuance of its shares may be implemented by EZGO’s transfer agent directly. In the event of any breach of this Agreement, the Side Letter Agreements or the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements), EZGO consents to service of process as set forth above and to respond to the complaint in any action arising out of or related to this Agreement no later than thirty (30) calendar days after service. In the event of any suit to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses.
12. No Waiver. Any failure by a Party to pursue any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that provision, or any other provision, of this Agreement. The failure of a Party to insist upon the strict performance of any term or condition in this Agreement shall not be considered a waiver or relinquishment of further compliance therewith.
13. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, the Side Letter Agreements and the Exchange Warrants (as amended pursuant to the Side Letter Agreements) contain the entire agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect thereto. In entering this Agreement and the Side Letter Agreements, no Party has relied upon any representation or warranty of the other Party that is not included in this Agreement or the Side Letter Agreements.
14. No Oral Modification. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated, except by a written instrument signed by each of the Parties hereto.
15. Saving Clause and Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable by any judicial or other competent authority, all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not in any way be impaired, provided that no Party is deprived of the material benefits of this Agreement. If owing to the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement any Party is deprived of the material benefits of this Agreement, the Parties shall substitute for the invalid or unenforceable provision, a provision that will allow such Party or Parties to enjoy such material benefits.
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16. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their current and former principals, members, shareholders, directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, representatives, partners, joint venturers, consultants, beneficiaries, heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, trustees, attorneys and advisors and shall be binding upon each of the Parties and their permitted assigns, successors, heirs, and representatives.
17. Authority to Enter Into and Understanding of Agreement. Each Party hereto represents and warrants as respects itself that: (i) the individual executing this Agreement on its behalf is duly authorized to do so; (ii) such Party is entering this Agreement of its own free will, free of any duress, undue influence or compulsion by any person or entity, and has the full authority and capacity necessary to do so; (iii) such Party is represented by counsel of its own choosing in connection with this Agreement; and (iv) such Party has read this Agreement and understands all of the terms hereof.
18. Agreement Jointly Drafted. The Parties agree that each and every provision of this Agreement and the Side Letter Agreements shall be deemed to have been simultaneously drafted by each of the Parties, and no laws or rules relating to the interpretation of contracts against the drafter of any particular clause should be applied to the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement or the Side Letter Agreements.
19. Non-Inducement. The Parties warrant that no promise or inducement has been made or offered, except as set forth herein, and that this Agreement is executed voluntarily to dispose of all claims identified in this Agreement, without reliance upon any statement or representation by any attorney, agent or other representative acting on behalf of any of the Parties.
20. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. With the exception of the Settlement Payment set forth in Section 2 hereof, each Party to this Agreement shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs arising out of or related to the Lawsuit, this Agreement and the claims released herein, and the Side Letter Agreements, and no further claim shall be made therefore.
21. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are for the sole benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns, and they will not be construed as conferring any rights (including, without limitation, any third-party beneficiary rights) to any other person.
22. Notice. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address set forth below at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address set forth below on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by an overnight courier or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.
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If to Empery: |
c/o Empery Asset Management, LP 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1205 New York, New York 10020 Attention: Brett Director E-mail: notices@emperyam.com
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP 1325 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 Direct: 212.451.2213 Facsimile: 212.451.2222 Email: TFleming@olshanlaw.com | |
If to EZGO |
EZGO Technologies Ltd. Building #A, Floor 2 Changzhou Institute of Dalian University of Technology Science and Education Town Wujin District, Changzhou City Jiangsu, China 213164 Attention: Jianhui Ye Email copies to each of the following: yejianhui@ez-go.com.cn wujingyan@ez-go.com.cn zhaozebin@ez-go.com.cn ir@ez-go.com.cn
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Sullivan & Worcester LLP 1251 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 Attention: Christopher Shields Email: cshields@sullivanlaw.com | |
23. No Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned, conveyed or otherwise transferred, in whole or in part, by either Party (other than by the operation of law in connection with a merger or sale) without express written consent of the non-assigning Party.
24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart, when executed, shall have the efficacy of a signed original. Photographic, emailed, imaged and facsimiled copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
25. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement have been inserted for reference only and are not part of this Agreement and are not to be used in any way in the construction or interpretation hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound hereby, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
EMPERY ASSET MASTER LTD. | ||
By: Empery Asset Management, LP, its authorized agent |
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/s/ Brett Director | ||
Name: | Brett Director | |
Title: | General Counsel | |
EMPERY TAX EFFICIENT, LP | ||
By: Empery Asset Management, LP, its authorized agent |
||
/s/ Brett Director | ||
Name: | Brett Director | |
Title: | General Counsel | |
EMPERY TAX EFFICIENT III, LP | ||
By: Empery Asset Management, LP, its authorized agent |
||
/s/ Brett Director | ||
Name: | Brett Director | |
Title: | General Counsel | |
EZGO TECHNOLOGIES LTD. | ||
/s/ Jianhui Ye | ||
By: Jianhui Ye | ||
Title of Authorized Signatory: Chief Executive Officer |
9