EX-10.18 14 dex1018.htm TERM LOAN AGREEMENT Term Loan Agreement

Exhibit 10.18

 

[LOGO OF MERRILL LYNCH]   TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of May 27, 2003, between AXTIVE CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware having its principal office at 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 4500, Dallas, TX 75202 (“Customer”), and MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware having its principal office at 222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601 (“MLBFS”).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.   ThinkSpark Corporation (f/k/a Database Consultants, Inc. d/b/a O-Corp.) and ThinkSpark, L.P. (collectively, “ThinkSpark”) and MLBFS are parties to (1) the WCMA Loan and Security Agreement dated February 19, 1999, as amended, and (2) the WCMA Reducing Revolver Loan Agreement No. 542-07C01 dated as of February 19, 1999, as amended (the “Existing Loan Agreements”).

 

B.   Concurrently herewith, Customer is purchasing, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, all of the outstanding capital stock of ThinkSpark Corporation pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 23, 2003 (the “Stock Purchase”).

 

C.   In connection with the Stock Purchase, (1) Customer has agreed, pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated of even date herewith (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”), to assume $5,000,000 of debt of ThinkSpark outstanding under the Existing Loan Agreements, and (2) MLBFS has agreed to assign to the Customer the remaining balance of the debt of ThinkSpark outstanding under the Existing Loan Agreements in return for warrants to purchase shares of common stock in Customer in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Debt Exchange Agreement and the Warrants dated as of even date herewith.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants of the parties hereto, Customer and MLBFS hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I. DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Specific Terms. In addition to terms defined elsewhere in this Loan Agreement, when used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Bankruptcy Event” shall mean any of the following: (i) a proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, liquidation, winding up or receivership law or statute shall be commenced, filed or consented to by any Credit Party; or (ii) any such proceeding shall be filed against any Credit Party and shall not be dismissed or withdrawn within sixty (60) days after filing; or (iii) any Credit Party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) any Credit Party shall generally fail to pay or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due; or (v) any Credit Party shall be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent; or (vi) any Credit Party shall take advantage of any other law or procedure for the relief of debtors or shall take any action for the purpose of or with a view towards effecting any of the foregoing; or (vii) a receiver, trustee, custodian, fiscal agent or similar official for any Credit Party or for any substantial part of any of their respective property or assets shall be sought by such Credit Party or appointed.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal holiday or other day on which the New York Stock Exchange is regularly closed.

 

“Business Guarantor” shall mean every Guarantor that is not a natural person.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean the date upon which all conditions precedent to MLBFS’ obligation to make the Loan shall have been met to the satisfaction of MLBFS.

 

“Collateral” shall have the meaning set forth in the Security Agreements dated as of even date herewith executed by ThinkSpark in favor of MLBFS.

 

“Commitment Expiration Date” shall mean May 30, 2003.

 

“Credit Party” and “Credit Parties” shall mean, individually or collectively, the Customer, all Guarantors, and all Pledgors.


“Default” shall mean either an “Event of Default” as defined in Section 3.4 hereof, or an event which with the giving of notice, passage of time, or both, would constitute such an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” shall mean an annual interest rate equal to the lesser of: (i) two percentage points over the Interest Rate; or (ii) the highest interest rate allowed by applicable law.

 

“Event of Loss” shall mean the occurrence whereby any tangible Collateral is damaged beyond repair, lost, totally destroyed or confiscated.

 

“GAAP” shall mean the generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States of America from time to time.

 

“General Funding Conditions” shall mean each of the following conditions to each loan or advance by MLBFS hereunder: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of any such loan or advance hereunder by MLBFS; (ii) there shall not have occurred and be continuing any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of any Credit Party; (iii) all representations and warranties of all of the Credit Parties herein or in any of the Loan Documents shall then be true and correct in all material respects; (iv) MLBFS shall have received this Loan Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents, duly executed and filed or recorded where applicable, all of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to MLBFS; (v) MLBFS shall have received, as and to the extent applicable, copies of invoices, bills of sale, loan payoff letters and/or other evidence satisfactory to it that the proceeds of the Loan will satisfy the Loan Purpose; and (vi) MLBFS shall have received evidence satisfactory to it as to the ownership of and the perfection and priority of MLBFS’ liens and security interests on any collateral for the Obligations furnished pursuant to any of the Loan Documents.

 

“Guarantor” shall mean each Person obligated under a guaranty, endorsement or other undertaking by which such Person guarantees or assumes responsibility in any capacity for the payment or performance of any of the Obligations.

 

“Loan” shall mean a two-year term installment loan in an amount equal to $5,000,000.00.

 

“Loan Agreement” shall mean this agreement as titled in the initial paragraph hereof and shall specifically include that number to be designated by MLBFS as the Customer’s “Loan No” in reference to this Loan Agreement, and which number and designation MLBFS shall provide to Customer upon the initial invoice generated by MLBFS. At all times thereafter, such numerical loan number shall be included and be deemed to be a part of the title of this Loan Agreement.

 

“Loan Documents” shall mean this Loan Agreement, any indenture, any guaranty of any of the Obligations and all other security and other instruments, assignments, certificates, certifications and agreements of any kind relating to any of the Obligations, whether obtained, authorized, authenticated, executed, sent or received concurrently with or subsequent to this Loan Agreement, or which evidence the creation, guaranty or collateralization of any of the Obligations or the granting or perfection of liens or security interests upon any Collateral or any other collateral for the Obligations, including any modifications, amendments or restatements of the foregoing.

 

“Loan Purpose” shall mean the purpose for which the proceeds of the Loan will be used; to wit: To restructure and settle the obligations owed by Thinkspark to MLBFS under the Existing Loan Agreements.

 

“Obligations” shall mean all liabilities, indebtedness and obligations of Customer to MLBFS, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary or joint or several, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include principal, accrued interest (including without limitation interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy), all advances made by or on behalf of MLBFS under the Loan Documents, collection and other costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of MLBFS, whether incurred before or after judgment, and all present and future liabilities, indebtedness and obligations of Customer under the Note and the Loan Documents.

 

“Person” shall mean any natural person and any corporation, partnership (general, limited or otherwise), limited liability company, trust, association, joint venture, governmental body or agency or other entity having legal status of any kind.

 

“Pledgor” shall mean each Person who at any time provides collateral, or otherwise now or hereinafter agrees to grants MLBFS a security interest in any assets as security for Customer’s Obligations.

 

“UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code of Illinois as in effect in Illinois from time to time.


1.2 Other Terms. Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Loan Agreement which are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings set forth in the UCC; and (iii) accounting terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in GAAP.

 

Article II. THE LOAN

 

2.1 Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, MLBFS hereby agrees to make the Loan to Customer for the Loan Purpose, and Customer agrees to borrow the Loan to satisfy the Loan Purpose from MLBFS. The entire proceeds of the Loan shall be disbursed on the Closing Date to MLBFS on account of the Loan Purpose.

 

2.2 Note. The Loan will be evidenced by and repayable in accordance with that certain Installment Note made by Customer payable to the order of MLBFS and issued pursuant to this Loan Agreement (the “Note”). The Note is hereby incorporated as a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.

 

2.3 Conditions of MLBFS’ Obligation. The Closing Date and MLBFS’ obligation to make the Loan on the Closing Date are subject to the prior fulfillment of each of the following conditions: (a) MLBFS shall have received a written request from Customer that the Loan be funded in accordance with the terms hereof, together with a written direction from Customer as to the method of payment and payee(s) of the proceeds of the Loan, which request and direction shall have been received by MLBFS not less than two Business Days prior to any requested funding date; (b) the Commitment Expiration Date shall not then have occurred; and (c) each of the General Funding Conditions shall then have been met or satisfied to the reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS.

 

2.4 Use of Loan Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loan shall be used by Customer solely for a Loan Purpose. Customer agrees that under no circumstances will the proceeds of the Loan be used: (a) for personal, family or household purposes of any person whatsoever, or (b) to purchase, carry or trade in securities, or repay debt incurred to purchase, carry or trade in securities, or (c) unless otherwise consented to in writing by MLBFS, to pay any amount to Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, other than Merrill Lynch Bank USA, Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co. or any subsidiary of either of them (including MLBFS and Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation).

 

Article III. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

3.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Customer represents and warrants to MLBFS that:

 

(a) Organization and Existence. Customer is a corporation, duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is qualified to do business and in good standing in each other state where the nature of its business or the property owned by it make such qualification necessary; and, where applicable, each Business Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation and is qualified to do business and in good standing in each other state where the nature of its business or the property owned by it make such qualification necessary.

 

(b) Execution, Delivery and Performance. Each Credit Party has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform the Loan Documents. The Customer holds all necessary material permits, licenses, certificates of occupancy and other governmental authorizations and approvals required in order to own or operate the Customer’s business. The execution, delivery and performance by Customer of this Loan Agreement and by each of the other Credit Parties of such of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party: (i) have been duly authorized by all requisite action, (ii) do not and will not violate or conflict with any law, order or other governmental requirement, or any of the agreements, instruments or documents which formed or govern any of the Credit Parties, and (iii) do not and will not breach or violate any of the provisions of, and will not result in a default by any of the Credit Parties under, any other agreement, instrument or document to which it is a party or is subject.

 

(c) Notices and Approvals. Except as may have been given or obtained, no notice to or consent or approval of any governmental body or authority or other third party whatsoever (including, without limitation, any other creditor) is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of such of this Loan Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party.

 

(d) Enforceability. The Loan Documents to which any Credit Party is a party are the respective legal, valid and binding obligations of such Credit Party, enforceable against it or them, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective


terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or by general principles of equity.

 

(e) Financial Statements. Except as expressly set forth in Customer’s or any Business Guarantor’s financial statements, all financial statements of Customer and each Business Guarantor furnished to MLBFS have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, are true and correct in all material respects, and fairly present the financial condition of it as at such dates and the results of its operations for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of interim unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments); and since the most recent date covered by such financial statements, there has been no material adverse change in any such financial condition or operation. All financial statements furnished to MLBFS of any Guarantor other than a Business Guarantor are true and correct in all material respects and fairly represent such Guarantor’s financial condition as of the date of such financial statements, and since the most recent date of such financial statements, there has been no material adverse change in such financial condition.

 

(f) Litigation; Compliance With All Laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(f) hereto, no litigation, arbitration, administrative or governmental proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of Customer, threatened against any Credit Party, which would, if adversely determined, materially and adversely affect (i) such Credit Party’s interest in the Collateral or the liens and security interests of MLBFS hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, or (ii) the financial condition of such Credit Party or its continued operations. Each Credit Party is in compliance in all material respects with all laws, regulations, requirements and approvals applicable to such Credit Party.

 

(g) Tax Returns. All federal, state and local tax returns, reports and statements required to be filed by any Credit Party have been filed (except if an extension of time to file has been granted by the appropriate governmental agency) with the appropriate governmental agencies and all taxes due and payable by any Credit Party have been timely paid (except to the extent that any such failure to file or pay will not materially and adversely affect (i) either the liens and security interests of MLBFS hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, (ii) the financial condition of any Credit Party, or (iii) its continued operations).

 

(h) No Default. No “Default” or “Event of Default” (each as defined in this Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents) has occurred and is continuing.

 

(i) No Outside Broker. Except for employees of MLBFS, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or one of their affiliates, Customer has not in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby directly or indirectly engaged or dealt with, and was not introduced or referred to MLBFS by, any broker or other loan arranger.

 

Each of the foregoing representations and warranties: (i) has been and will be relied upon as an inducement to MLBFS to make the Loan, and (ii) is continuing and shall be deemed remade by Customer on the Closing Date.

 

3.2 FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

(a) Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS during the term of this Loan Agreement all of the following:

 

(i) Annual Financial Statements. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of Customer, a copy of the annual audited financial statements of Customer, including in reasonable detail, a balance sheet and statement of retained earnings as at the close of such fiscal year and statements of profit and loss and cash flow for such fiscal year;

 

(ii) Interim Financial Statements. Within 60 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of Customer, a copy of the interim financial statements of Customer and each Business Guarantor for such fiscal quarter (including in reasonable detail both a balance sheet as of the close of such fiscal period, and statement of profit and loss for the applicable fiscal period);

 

(iii) A/R Agings. Within 15 days after the close of each fiscal month of Customer, a copy of the Accounts Receivable Aging of Thinkspark Corporation as of the end of such fiscal month;

 

(iv) SEC Reports. Customer shall make available, furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS not later than 10 days after the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), a copy of each 10-K, 10-Q and other report required to be filed with the SEC during the term hereof by Customer and AXTIVE CORPORATION; and

 

(v) Other Information. Such other information as MLBFS may from time to time reasonably request relating to Customer or any Credit Party.


(vi) General Agreements With Respect to Financial Information. Customer agrees that except as otherwise specified herein or otherwise agreed to in writing by MLBFS: (i) all annual financial statements required to be furnished by Customer to MLBFS hereunder will be audited by either the current independent accountants for Customer or other independent accountants reasonably acceptable to MLBFS, and (ii) all other financial information required to be furnished by Customer to MLBFS hereunder will be certified as correct in all material respects by the party who has prepared such information, and, in the case of internally prepared information with respect to Customer or any Business Guarantor, certified as correct in all material respects by their respective chief financial officer or equivalent financial officer.

 

3.3 OTHER COVENANTS

 

Customer further agrees during the term of this Loan Agreement that:

 

(a) Financial Records; Inspection. Each Credit Party (other than any Individual Guarantor) will: (i) maintain at its principal place of business complete and accurate books and records, and maintain all of its financial records in a manner consistent with the financial statements heretofore furnished to MLBFS, or prepared on such other basis as may be approved in writing by MLBFS; and (ii) permit MLBFS or its duly authorized representatives, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, to inspect its properties (both real and personal), operations, books and records.

 

(b) Taxes. Each Credit Party will pay when due all of its respective taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, howsoever designated, and all other liabilities and obligations, except to the extent that any such failure to file or pay will not materially and adversely affect either any liens and security interests of MLBFS under any Loan Documents , the financial condition of any Credit Party or its continued operations.

 

(c) Compliance With Laws and Agreements. No Credit Party will violate (i) any law, regulation or other governmental requirement, any judgment or order of any court or governmental agency or authority; (ii) any agreement, instrument or document which is material to its operations or to the operation or use of any Collateral, in each case as contemplated by the Loan Documents; or (iii) any agreement, instrument or document to which it is a party or by which it is bound, if any such violation will materially and adversely affect either any liens and security interests of MLBFS under any Loan Documents , the financial condition of any Credit Party, or its continued operations.

 

(d) No Use of Merrill Lynch Name. No Credit Party will directly or indirectly publish, disclose or otherwise use in any advertising or promotional material, or press release or interview, the name, logo or any trademark of MLBFS, MLPF&S, Merrill Lynch and Co., Incorporated or any of their affiliates, provided that Customer may include the name MLBFS if required to do so in filings made to the SEC.

 

(e) Notification By Customer. Customer shall provide MLBFS with prompt written notification of: (i) any Default; (ii) any material adverse change in the business, financial condition or operations of any Credit Party; (iii) any information which indicates that any financial statements of any Credit Party fail in any material respect to present fairly the financial condition and results of operations purported to be presented in such statements; (iv) any threatened or pending litigation involving any Credit Party; (v) any casualty loss, attachment, lien, judicial process, encumbrance or claim affecting or involving $100,000 or more of any Collateral; and (vi) any change in Customer’s outside accountants. Each notification by Customer pursuant hereto shall specify the event or information causing such notification, and, to the extent applicable, shall specify the steps being taken to rectify or remedy such event or information.

 

(f) Entity Organization. Each Credit Party which is an entity will (i) remain (A) validly existing and in good standing in the state of its organization and (B) qualified to do business and in good standing in each other state where the nature of its business or the property owned by it make such qualification necessary, and (ii) maintain all governmental permits, licenses and authorizations. Customer shall give MLBFS not less than 30 days prior written notice of any change in name (including any fictitious name) or chief executive office, place of business, or as applicable, the principal residence.

 

(g) Merger, Change in Business. Except upon the prior written consent of MLBFS, Customer shall not cause or permit any Credit Party to: (i) be a party to any merger or consolidation with, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any material stock, partnership, joint venture or other equity interest in, any Person, or sell, transfer or lease all or any substantial part of its assets; (ii) engage in any material business substantially different from its business in effect as of the date of application by Customer for credit from MLBFS, or cease operating any such material business; or (iii) cause or permit any other Person to assume or succeed to any material business or operations of such Credit Party.

 

3.4 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Loan Agreement:


(a) Failure to Pay. Customer shall fail to pay when due any amount owing by Customer to MLBFS under the Note or this Loan Agreement, or shall fail to pay when due any other Obligations, and any such failure shall continue for more than five (5) Business Days after written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to Customer.

 

(b) Failure to Perform. Any Credit Party shall default in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents (not constituting an Event of Default under any other clause of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days (i) after written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to Customer, or (ii) from Customer’s receipt of any notice or knowledge of such default from any other source.

 

(c) Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party contained in this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall at any time prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made.

 

(d) Default Under Other ML Agreement. A default or event of default by any Credit Party shall occur under the terms of any other agreement, instrument or document with or intended for the benefit of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their affiliates, and any required notice shall have been given and required passage of time shall have elapsed.

 

(e) Bankruptcy Event. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur.

 

(f) Material Impairment. Any event shall occur which shall reasonably cause MLBFS to in good faith believe that the prospect of full payment or performance by the Credit Parties of any of their respective liabilities or obligations under this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents or such Guarantor is a party has been materially impaired. The existence of such a material impairment shall be determined in a manner consistent with the intent of Section 1-208 of the UCC.

 

(g) Default Under Other Agreements. Any event shall occur which results in any default of any material agreement involving any Credit Party or any agreement evidencing any indebtedness of any Credit Party of $100,000.00 or more.

 

(h) Contested Obligation. (i) Any of the Loan Documents shall for any reason cease to be, or are asserted by any Credit Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligations of any Credit Party, enforceable in accordance with their terms; or (ii) the validity, perfection or priority of MLBFS’ first lien and security interest on any of the Collateral is contested by any Person; or (iii) any Credit Party shall or shall attempt to repudiate, revoke, contest or dispute, in whole or in part, such Credit Party’s obligations under any Loan Document.

 

(i) Judgments. A judgment shall be entered against any Credit Party in excess of $100,000 and the judgment is not paid in full and discharged, or stayed and bonded to the satisfaction of MLBFS within 30 days of the date of the judgment.

 

(j) Change in Control/Change in Management. (i) Any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, assignment or other transfer of or grant of a security interest in any ownership interest of any Credit Party which results, or if any rights related thereto were exercised would result, in any change in the identity of the individuals or entities previously in control of any Credit Party; or (ii) the owner(s) of the controlling equity interest of any Credit Party on the date hereof shall cease to own and control such Credit Party; or (iii) the Person (or a replacement who is satisfactory to MLBFS in its sole discretion) who is the chief executive officer or holds such similar position, or any senior manager of Customer on the date hereof shall for any reason cease to be the chief executive officer or senior manager of the Customer.

 

(k) Withdrawal, Death, etc. The incapacity, death, withdrawal, dissolution, or the filing for dissolution of: (i) any Credit Party; or (ii) any controlling shareholder, partner, or member of any Credit Party.

 

 

3.5 REMEDIES

 

(a) Remedies Upon Default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, MLBFS may at its sole option do any one or more or all of the following, at such time and in such order as MLBFS may in its sole discretion choose:

 

(i) Termination. MLBFS may without notice terminate its obligation to extend any credit to or for the benefit of Customer (it being understood, however, that upon the occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event all such obligations shall automatically terminate without any action on the part of MLBFS).

 

(ii) Acceleration. MLBFS may declare the principal of and interest and any premium on the Note, and all other Obligations to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such amounts shall be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of protest, notice of dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate or other notice or formality of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; provided, however, that upon the


occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event all such principal, interest, premium and other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable without any action on the part of MLBFS.

 

(b) Set-Off. MLBFS shall have the further right upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to set-off, appropriate and apply toward payment of any of the Obligations, in such order of application as MLBFS may from time to time and at any time elect, any cash, credit, deposits, accounts, financial assets, investment property, securities and any other property of Customer which is in transit to or in the possession, custody or control of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any agent, bailee, or affiliate of MLBFS or MLPF&S. Customer hereby collaterally assigns and grants to MLBFS a continuing security interest in all such property as Collateral and as additional security for the Obligations. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, MLBFS shall have all rights in such property available to collateral assignees and secured parties under all applicable laws, including, without limitation, the UCC.

 

(c) Remedies are Severable and Cumulative. All rights and remedies of MLBFS herein are severable and cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies available in the Note, the other Loan Documents, at law or in equity, and any one or more of such rights and remedies may be exercised simultaneously or successively.

 

3.6 SECURITY

 

Customer shall cause ThinkSpark to execute such security agreements as MLBFS deems necessary to secure the payment and performance of the Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

3.7 MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a) Non-Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of MLBFS in exercising any right, power or remedy pursuant to this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Neither any waiver of any provision of this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents, nor any consent to any departure by Customer therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by MLBFS. Any waiver of any provision of this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents and any consent to any departure by Customer from the terms of this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no notice to or demand on Customer shall in any case entitle Customer to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b) Disclosure. Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes MLBFS and each of its affiliates, including without limitation MLPF&S, to at any time (whether or not an Event of Default shall have occurred) obtain from and disclose to each other any and all financial and other information about Customer, provided that all such information shall be deemed confidential. Customer further irrevocably authorizes MLBFS to contact, investigate, inquire and obtain consumer reports, references and other information on Customer from consumer reporting agencies and other credit reporting services, former or current creditors, and other persons and sources (including, without limitation, any Affiliate of MLBFS) and to provide to any references, consumer reporting agencies, credit reporting services, creditors and other persons and sources (including, without limitation, Affiliates of MLBFS) all financial, credit and other information obtained by MLBFS from such third parties relating to the Customer.

 

(c) Communications. Delivery of an agreement, instrument or other document may, at the discretion of MLBFS, be by electronic transmission. Except as required by law or otherwise provided herein or in a writing executed by the party to be bound, all notices demands, requests, accountings, listings, statements, advices or other communications to be given under the Loan Documents shall be in writing, and shall be served either personally, by deposit with a reputable overnight courier with charges prepaid, or by deposit in the United States mail by certified mail return receipt required. Notices may be addressed to Customer as set forth at its address shown in the preamble hereto, or to any office to which billing or account statements are sent; to MLBFS at its address shown in the preamble hereto, or at such other address designated in writing by MLBFS. Any such communication shall be deemed to have been given upon, in the case of personal delivery the date of delivery, one Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier, two (2) Business Days after deposit in the United States by certified mail (return receipt required), or receipt of electronic transmission (which shall be presumed to be three hours after the time of transmission unless an error message is received by the sender), except that any notice of change of address shall not be effective until actually received.

 

(d) Fees, Expenses and Taxes. Customer shall upon demand pay or reimburse MLBFS for: (i) all UCC, real property or other filing, recording and search fees and expenses incurred by MLBFS in connection with the verification, perfection or preservation of MLBFS’ rights hereunder or in any Collateral or any other collateral for the Obligations; (ii) any and all


stamp, transfer, mortgage, intangible, document, filing, recording and other taxes and fees payable or determined to be payable in connection with the borrowings hereunder or the execution, delivery, filing and/or recording of the Loan Documents and any other instruments or documents provided for herein or delivered or to be delivered hereunder or in connection herewith; and (iii) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) incurred by MLBFS in connection with the administration, collection, enforcement, protection, waiver or amendment of this Loan Agreement, or under any of the other Loan Documents and such other instruments or documents, and the rights and remedies of MLBFS thereunder and all other matters in connection therewith. The obligations of Customer under this paragraph shall survive the expiration or termination of this Loan Agreement and the discharge of the other Obligations.

 

(e) Right to Perform Obligations. If Customer shall fail to do any act or thing which it has covenanted to do under this Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or any representation or warranty on the part of Customer contained in this Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents shall be breached, MLBFS may, in its sole discretion, after 5 Business Days written notice is sent to Customer (or such lesser notice, including no notice, as is reasonable under the circumstances), do the same or cause it to be done or remedy any such breach, and may expend its funds for such purpose. Any and all reasonable amounts so expended by MLBFS shall be repayable to MLBFS by Customer upon demand, with interest at the “Interest Rate” (as that item is defined in the Note) during the period from and including the date funds are so expended by MLBFS to the date of repayment, and all such amounts shall be additional Obligations. The payment or performance by MLBFS of any of Customer’s obligations hereunder shall not relieve Customer of said obligations or of the consequences of having failed to pay or perform the same, and shall not waive or be deemed a cure of any Default.

 

(f) Late Charge. Any payment required to be made by Customer pursuant to this Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents not paid within ten (10) days of the applicable due date shall be subject to a late charge in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 5% of the overdue amount, or (ii) the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Such late charge shall be payable on demand.

 

(g) Further Assurances. Customer agrees to do such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to MLBFS such additional agreements, instruments and documents as MLBFS may reasonably require or deem advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents, or to establish, perfect and maintain MLBFS’ security interests and liens upon the Collateral.

 

(h) Binding Effect. This Loan Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of MLBFS, Customer and their respective successors and assigns. MLBFS reserves the right, at any time while the Obligations remain outstanding, to sell, assign, syndicate or otherwise transfer or dispose of any or all of MLBFS’ rights and interests under the Loan Documents. MLBFS also reserves the right at any time to pool the Loan with one or more other loans originated by MLBFS or any other Person, and to securitize or offer interests in such pool on whatever terms and conditions MLBFS shall determine. Customer consents to MLBFS releasing financial and other information regarding Credit Parties, the Collateral and the Loan in connection with any such sale, pooling, securitization or other offering. Customer shall not assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of MLBFS. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to in a writing signed by MLBFS, no such consent shall in any event relieve Customer of any of its obligations under this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

(i) Interpretation; Construction. (i) Captions and section and paragraph headings in this Loan Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience, and shall not affect the interpretation hereof; (ii) no provision of this Loan Agreement shall be construed against a particular Person or in favor of another Person merely because of which Person (or its representative) drafted or supplied the wording for such provision; and (iii) where the context requires: (a) use of the singular or plural incorporates the other, and (b) pronouns and modifiers in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall be deemed to refer to or include the other genders.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Loan Agreement, the Note and, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, each of the other Loan Documents, shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Illinois, not including its conflict of law provisions.

 

(k) Severability of Provisions. Whenever possible, each provision of this Loan Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. Any provision of this Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Loan Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.


(l) Term. This Loan Agreement shall become effective when accepted by MLBFS at its office in Chicago, Illinois, and subject to the terms hereof, shall continue in effect so long thereafter as there shall be any moneys owing hereunder or under the Note, or there shall be any other Obligations outstanding. Customer hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Loan Agreement by MLBFS.

 

(m) Exhibits. The exhibits to this Loan Agreement are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof and are an integral part of this Loan Agreement.

 

(n) Counterparts. This Loan Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts which, when taken together, constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(o) Jurisdiction; Waiver. Customer acknowledges that this Loan Agreement is being accepted by MLBFS in partial consideration of MLBFS’ right and option, in its sole discretion, to enforce the Loan Documents in either the State of Illinois or in any other jurisdiction where Customer or any Collateral may be located. Customer irrevocably submits itself to jurisdiction in the State of Illinois and venue in any state or federal court in the County of Cook for such purposes, and Customer waives any and all rights to contest said jurisdiction and venue and the convenience of any such forum, and any and all rights to remove such action from state to federal court. Customer further waives any rights to commence any action against MLBFS in any jurisdiction except in the County of Cook and State of Illinois. Customer agrees that all such service of process shall be made by mail or messenger directed to it in the same manner as provided for notices to Customer in this Loan Agreement and that service so made shall be deemed to be completed upon the earlier of actual receipt or three (3) days after the same shall have been posted to Customer or Customer’s agent. Nothing contained herein shall affect the right of MLBFS to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or affect the right of MLBFS to bring any action or proceeding against Customer or its property in the courts of any other jurisdiction. Customer waives, to the extent permitted by law, any bond or surety or security upon such bond which might, but for this waiver, be required of MLBFS. Customer further waives the right to bring any non-compulsory counterclaims.

 

(p) Jury Waiver. MLBFS and Customer hereby each expressly waive any and all rights to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the parties against the other party with respect to any matter relating to, arising out of or in any way connected with the Loan, the Obligations, this Loan Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents and/or any of the transactions which are the subject matter of this Loan Agreement.

 

(q) Integration. This Loan Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, constitutes the entire understanding and represents the full and final agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior written agreements or prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements of the parties. Without limiting the foregoing, Customer acknowledges that: (i) no promise or commitment has been made to it by MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their respective employees, agents or representatives to make any Loan on any terms other than as expressly set forth herein, or to make any other loan or otherwise extend any other credit to Customer or any other party; and (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Loan Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all proposals, letters of intent and approval and commitment letters from MLBFS to Customer, none of which shall be considered a Loan Document. No amendment or modification of any of the Loan Documents to which Customer is a party shall be effective unless in a writing signed by both MLBFS and Customer.

 

(r) Survival. All representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained in the Loan Documents shall survive the signing and delivery of the Loan Documents, and all of the waivers made and indemnification obligations undertaken by Customer shall survive the termination, discharge or cancellation of the Loan Documents.

 

(s) Customer’s Acknowledgments. The Customer acknowledges that the Customer: (i) has had ample opportunity to consult with counsel and such other parties as deemed advisable prior to signing and delivering this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (ii) understands the provisions of this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all waivers contained therein; and (iii) signs and delivers this Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents freely and voluntarily, without duress or coercion.

 

3.8 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECURITY AGREEMENTS EXECUTED BY THINKSPARK AND ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, SHALL CONSTITUTE AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT (BUT NOT A NOVATION) OF THE EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS OF THINKSPARK UNDER THE EXISTING LOAN AGREEMENTS. The Existing Loan Agreements are hereby amended and restated as set forth herein.


This Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are executed under seal and are intended to take effect as sealed instruments.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan Agreement has been executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

AXTIVE CORPORATION

 

By:

 

/s/    GRAHAM C. BEACHUM II    


  

/s/    DAVID N. PILOTTE


                Signature (1)    Signature (2)

Graham C. Beachum


  

David Pilotte


                    Printed Name    Printed Name

Pres.


  

VP


Title    Title

 

Accepted at Chicago, Illinois:

MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

 

By:

 

/s/    BILL KOCOLOWSKI