-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DSHnsPl/xHbzfp8j5Gx50ms42a/54wyMEUoUfBbeT70v4cLll1o/dytY0zpRNVr2 d95C+VJCeMhLLEYR+1Ye4g== 0000950130-00-003043.txt : 20000523 0000950130-00-003043.hdr.sgml : 20000523 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950130-00-003043 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 20FR12G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000522 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BID COM INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001079171 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 20FR12G SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-30677 FILM NUMBER: 640768 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6725 AIRPORT RD STE 201 STREET 2: MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO CITY: CANADA L4V 1V2 BUSINESS PHONE: 9056727469 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6725 AIRPORT RD STE 201 STREET 2: MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO CITY: CANADA L4V 1V2 20FR12G 1 FORM 20FR12G SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 20-F [ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR [ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from __________ to __________. Commission File No. 001-14835 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Not Applicable (Translation of Registrant's name into English) ONTARIO, CANADA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 6725 Airport Road, Suite 201 Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1V2 (Address of principal executive offices) Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act. None Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. Common Shares Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. 52,646,718 Common Shares as of December 31, 1999 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ______ Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 X Item 18 ______ EXCHANGE RATES The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, certain exchange rates based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such rates are the number of U.S. dollars per one Canadian dollar and are the inverse of the rates quoted by the Federal Reserve Board of New York for Canadian Dollars per U.S. $1.00. On May 18, 2000, the exchange rate was US$1.00 = Cdn$1.5007. Certain financial information presented in this annual report has been translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of Cdn$1.444 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in New York City on December 31, 1999 for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Year Ended December 31, Rate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 - ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Last Day of year $.7323 $.7301 $.6999 $.6504 $.6925 Average(1) during .7286 .7332 .7221 .6740 .6744 year High during year .7527 .7513 .7487 .7105 .6925 Low during year .7023 .7235 .6945 .6341 .6439 (1) The average rate is the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the year. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This Registration Statement includes forward-looking statements, regarding among other items: . our future capital needs . our ability to further develop our business to business relationships and revenues . our ability to develop appropriate alliances . acceptance of our products and services . competitive factors . new products and technological changes . our marketing and sales plans . our expectations about the markets for our online products and services . the acceptance of the Internet and/or online auctions as a viable commercial medium . the validity of our patent and protection of our proprietary technology . geographic expansion of our business We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of the factors described in the "Risks Factors" section beginning on page 14, including, among others: . the timing of our future capital needs and our ability to raise additional capital when needed . uncertainty about the acceptance of the Internet and/or online auctions as a viable commercial medium . uncertainty of market acceptance of our products and services . our ability to compete with other online auction businesses and e-commerce enablers . failure to timely develop or license new technologies . delays in the issuance of, or the failure to obtain, patents for certain proprietary technologies . problems with important vendors and business partners on whom we rely . our inability, directly and/or through our marketing and advertising alliances, to attract a sufficient number of customers to our Web site . our inability to attract and retain key personnel . risk of system failure or interruption . implementation and enforcement of government regulations . problems which may arise in connection with the acquisition or integration of new businesses, products, services, technologies or other strategic relationships We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements contained in this annual report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not transpire. Trademarks or trade names of Bid.Com used in this annual report include: BID.COM(TM); POWERED BY BID.COM(TM); BID.COM(TM), THE ONLINE AUCTION(TM); INTERNET LIQUIDATORS(TM); BID BUDDY(TM); SEARCH BUDDY(TM); and EXPERIENCE ENGINE(TM). 2 PART I ITEM 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this annual report to "dollars" or "$" are references to Canadian dollars. Our financial statements are expressed in Canadian dollars. Except as otherwise noted, certain financial information presented in this annual report has been translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of Cdn$1.444 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in New York City on December 31, 1999 for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such translations should not be construed as representations that the Canadian dollars represent, or have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars at that or any other rate. Overview We are a global provider of on-line dynamic pricing solutions for the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. Our dynamic pricing "powered by Bid.com" solutions include ascending price auctions, live or real- time Dutch (declining price) auctions, requests for proposal/quote auctions and fixed price formats together with related consulting, research, training and implementation services. We offer business-to-consumer auction services at our Web site www.bid.com. We also provide our auction technology and related services to business customers to enable them to conduct online auctions and other ecommerce product and service offerings. Our auctions run on our proprietary e-commerce platform which we believe is state-of-the-art. Our platform has a scaleable transactional backbone and an efficient delivery system. In March 1999, we received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering our process for conducting Dutch auctions over electronic distribution channels. We believe that our capability within the Dutch auction sector is a key point of differentiation in the online marketplace. We believe this differentiation will grow in significance as more online shoppers and businesses become familiar with the Dutch auction format.. Through our business-to-consumer auctions, we sell a broad range of products at prices that usually are lower than those charged by traditional retailers. We sell primarily brand name, front-line products under manufacturers warranty, including: . computer hardware and software . jewelry . consumer electronics . collectible sports and entertainment cards and other memorabilia . toys, games and sporting goods . travel and entertainment products and services From the commencement of our business operations in 1995 through 1998, we focussed our activities primarily on business-to-consumer auctions. Beginning in 1999, we began to shift our primary business focus to business-to-business auctions and related services. We have entered into auction enabling agreements in several industry sectors including electronic media, travel, wireless communications, automotive, heavy machinery and art and antiquities. Although during 1999 a substantial majority of our revenues were derived from business-to - -consumer auctions and related services, we anticipate that during 2000 and in future years, an increasingly larger percentage of our revenues will be generated by technology, services and products we will provide to customers in the business-to-business market. Industry Background The Internet International Data Corporation has estimated that the number of web users worldwide grew from 19 million in 1995, to over 200 million by the end of 1999, and is on track to reach 1 billion people by 2005. We believe that Internet growth will result from a number of factors, including: . the large and growing use of personal computers in the workplace and home; 3 . increasing reliance on the Internet by the business-to-business sector; . advances in the performance and speed of personal computers and modems; . improvements in network infrastructure; and . easier and cheaper access to the Internet and increased awareness of the Internet among businesses and consumers. Jupiter Communications LLC estimates that the number of US households with an online service will grow from 32 million in 1999 to 57 million in 2002, representing a penetration rate of over 50%. It is anticipated that online users will continue to grow as communications, cable and computer related companies begin to offer access to the Internet through home television sets via Web TV or cable. Several large communications companies have begun selling high speed online access and Internet phone service over existing broadband cable lines. Cable modems have the advantage of delivering data faster than telephone modems. In addition, a cable modem is always connected, which eliminates the need for a user to dial up access to the Internet. Forrester Research Inc. estimates that the number of homes in North America accessing the Internet with cable modems will grow from about 700,000 by the end of 1999 to approximately 13.6 million by the end of 2002. We believe that a significant opportunity exists for online business-to- business and business-to-consumer trade. In April 2000, Forrester Research estimated that global internet trade will reach $656 billion in 2000 and $6.9 trillion by 2004. Forrester estimates that the US will account for approximately 75% of business-to-business trade in 2000, and 46% by 2004 as international growth accelerates. While business-to-consumer sales were first to gain widespread adoption among US households, online business-to-business sales have recently surpassed it as companies reengineer their sales processes. In two years, an overwhelming majority of US firms will be transacting business on the Internet. According to Forrester, more than 90% of firms described plans to buy and sell on the Internet, which should result in total business e-commerce revenues of $2.7 trillion by 2004. This growth will be accelerated by the rapid development of e-marketplaces - new models for conducting e-commerce, including auctions, aggregators, bid systems, and exchanges. The Internet offers many data management and multimedia features which enable businesses and consumers to search for products by category or brand. In addition, the Internet allows businesses and consumers to access a wealth of information, including reviews and competitive pricing and audio and video presentations which, enhance static catalog formats. Vendors can more easily obtain demographic and behavioral data about their customers, providing them with greater direct marketing opportunities and the ability to offer a more personalized experience. Internet retailers also offer consumers the convenience of home shopping and 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operations, available to any location, foreign or domestic, that has access to the Internet. Internet Auctions We believe that online auctions have a number of characteristics that make the sale of goods via the Internet particularly attractive as compared to traditional distributors, vendors and retail stores or to static priced online stores and catalogs. The primary advantage is that customers are empowered to set their own price for a purchase. Online auctions represent a dynamically changing sales format that leverages the unique characteristics of the Internet, such as interactivity and the sense of community built by customers competitively bidding in an exciting auction environment. Online auctions also provide immediate feedback to distributors, vendors and other e-tailers regarding price-points that are attractive to customers. This constitutes an efficient market model that enables supply and demand functions to move to equilibrium in real-time, and provides online auctioneers the opportunity to respond to market conditions quickly. Jupiter Communications predicts that by 2004, online business-to-consumer auctions will increase at an annual rate of 46% per year through 2004, reaching $4.5 billion in sales per year. Forrester estimates that 3 million people or 35% of online shoppers used an auction site in 1998. Forrester expects this number to grow to over 14 million (or 35% of shoppers) by 2003. 4 Our Business Strategy Building on our significant experience in the delivery of on-line dynamic price solutions, our objective is to provide leading businesses in selected industry verticals with auction enabling and related service capabilities, thereby allowing them to enjoy the advantages of a new or alternative on-line distribution strategy. Because of our modular technology and expertise in the delivery of related services such as implementation, consulting, training and hosting, we are uniquely positioned to provide customized solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Our business strategy is comprised of the following key components: . Shifting our Primary Business Focus to Business-to-Business Product and Service Offerings - We have begun to shift our primary business focus to the business-to-business market from the business-to-consumer market. We believe that our proprietary technology has wide application in the business-to-business sector because it enables organizations to efficiently conduct high volume transactions. We presently provide our auction technology e-commerce platform and related services to enable companies to conduct business-to-business auctions in several industry sectors. We plan to continue to pursue opportunities in the business-to-business sector in North America and internationally. We also plan to promote our capabilities as an application service provider or ASP, hosting our software for third parties from our own locations. . Maintaining and Enhancing Our Proprietary State-of-the-Art Technology - We have developed a proprietary state-of-the-art e-commerce platform for the operation and support of online auctions. We believe our proprietary technology is competitive with other enablers of business-to-business offerings. In order that we remain competitive, we must maintain and enhance our technology. We have recently introduced Request for Proposal/Quote capabilities to our offerings, and are developing new transaction formats and complementary technologies. In addition, we are developing wireless applications for our technology. . Entering into Significant Alliances with Industry Leaders - We seek to establish marketing and other significant relationships with leading companies in a broad range of industries. We believe that these relationships will help provide us with access to important industry participants and will help increase our brand awareness. . Continuing our Global Expansion - In 1999, we opened offices in Dublin, Ireland and Melbourne, Australia, to serve the European and Asia-Pacific markets, respectively. We plan to expand our markets in European Community countries from our office in Ireland and through additional sales and marketing offices we plan to open in Continental Europe during 2000. We expect to expand our Asia-Pacific presence in a similar fashion, 5 as customer relationships are developed. In 2000, we anticipate establishing a sales and marketing presence on both coasts of the U.S. . Seeking Acquisitions and Strategic Investments - We plan to continue to expand by seeking technologies, products, and services that compliment our existing business. If appropriate opportunities are available, we may acquire businesses, technologies or products or enter into strategic relationships that may further diversify revenue sources and product offerings, expand our customer base or enhance our auction platform. Our Services and Products We provide on-line dynamic pricing solutions under our "Powered by Bid.Com" banner for the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. We offer a number of on-line transaction methods, and are continuing to develop new methods by which businesses can sell their products and services. Our "dynamic pricing" methods include: Rising Price (Top Bid) Auctions. In the conventional rising price auction format, the highest bids win the items auctioned. The rising price auction allows participants to competitively bid on available products and services by incrementally adjusting their bid positions. Our user interface allows users to easily identify current leading bidders, minimum new bids and initial bid pricing. Participants are informed of their bid status, stating whether they have won, been outbid, approved or declined via electronic mail. Participants can also use our BID BUDDY tools to place absentee bids up to a pre-determined limit. This "intelligent" bidding agent checks bid activity at regular intervals and increases a customer's bid by the minimum required increment to ensure that products are purchased at the best possible price. If outbid, the customer receives an e-mail alert and is permitted to increase his bid. The interactive nature of the bid update system encourages continued customer participation throughout the auction lifecycle. Customers can also use our SEARCH BUDDY search tool which may be pre-programmed up to a maximum seven days in duration, to find product offerings customized to a customer's specific areas of interest. If a match is found for a customer's search, the customer receives immediate notification by e-mail with a direct link to the desired product. Customers may also use an affinity engine which recommends items targeted to a customer's product preferences based on a customer's viewing and bidding history. The recommendations are provided in real time. Dutch Auctions. In our Dutch auctions, a starting price is set and a limited time period is allocated for a fixed quantity of the product to be auctioned. As time advances, the price drops in small increments. The longer one waits, the lower the price. However, if a bidder waits too long the limited quantity of the product being auctioned may be sold out. The declining bid auction allows participants to bid in a real-time format utilizing on-screen data which provides the time and quantity remaining as well as the falling price of the items for sale. The bidders remain online and actively participate throughout the auction process. In March 1999, we received a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office covering our process for conducting Dutch auctions over electronic distribution channels. We have a patent application pending in Canada covering the same technology. This unique format lends itself to a multitude of products and services and special event auctions. We believe that the Dutch auction format will have wide application in the business-to-business sector because it facilitates the efficient conduct of high volume transactions. Fixed Price Offerings. Our technology enables the sale of products and services on a fixed price basis. The vendor posts the good or service and the price. The purchaser has no ability to bid in respect of the price. Request-for-Quotation Auction. The RFQ system is a transaction method that allows buyers to post an online offer to purchase such that pre-qualified suppliers may view the offer download documentation related to it and then bid on-line. Buyers can let bidders see the details of all other bids, or alternatively customize the site for confidentiality reasons. Bidders or vendors can be pre-qualified by the buyer and provided with access to view and download only the documentation that the buyers specifies. Bidders can then request additional information from the buyer via a question and answer module which we provide. The buyer will examine the questions that the bidder post and then prepare a response document to those questions they wish to answer which is then posted on-line. Pre-qualified bidders are notified when the auction for the offer will begin. Vendors are allowed to place bids while the time-limited auction is live, and can change the terms and conditions of their initial bids during the auction. The amount of information they receive regarding other qualified bids is limited to whatever the buyer wants them to know. Sealed Bid. Similar to the RFQ system, the sealed bid method allows the buyer to post its product or service requirements to a multitude of vendors. The system has the ability to incorporate such features as detailed technical information, questions and answer forums, and automatic e-mail notification of amended or new buyer-posted documents. The sealed bid system differs from the RFQ in that the vendors only have one opportunity to supply a bid. Other bids placed by competing vendors are not visible to anyone during the actual auction. Only after the close of the auction is the buyer able to view the vendor bids. Application Service Provider (ASP). Our technology allows a customer to add an auction component to its existing web site by enabling auctions using software engines that reside in our platform. This model allows our customer to concentrate on its core competency which we manage and maintain the hardware, software and connectivity associated with the various pricing methodologies that we support. Business-to-Business In the business-to-business market we provide our auction technology, e-commerce platform and other services to businesses to enable them to operate business-to-business and business-to-consumer auctions and other e-commerce product and service offerings. The modular nature of our software allows us to tailor our products and services to the needs of each client. The software includes all of our dynamic pricing methods. We also offer a wide range of services, including consulting, research, training and implementation services. Customization and implementation of our technology and products for a client may take several weeks to several months, depending on the client. 6 Business-to-Consumer We currently operate two national business-to-consumer auction sites at www.bid.com, one in the United States and one in Canada. We also operate other private brand local or regional stand-alone auctions. Customers who access the online auction through our Web site or the Web sites or search engines of our strategic or advertising partners, are all channeled to one of the two national auction sites, depending on the geographic location of the customer. Our proprietary auction platform can support a large number of concurrent and sequential participants, capturing the excitement of a live event in an online environment. Customers can interact at their convenience and have access to a variety of products and services at constantly changing prices. The U.S. auction is conducted in U.S. dollars and the Canadian auction is conducted in Canadian dollars. To date, we have generated most of our revenues from online auction sales in the United States. During 1999, revenues from online auction sales in the U.S. and Canada were approximately 90% and 10%, respectively, of total online auction sales. User-Friendly Design. Our Web site has been designed with the goal of bringing participants into the online equivalent of a live auction. Customers view detailed product descriptions with catalog quality pictures and graphical representations. Winning bidders can complete the purchase transaction quickly, usually within minutes for repeat customers. In addition, the system design allows us to change and upgrade the auction site with ease and quickly respond to requests by marketing partners and advertising sponsors to change the look of the products offered. The front-end user interfaces can undergo continual enhancements without requiring changes to the transactional back-end of the system. The system provides full delivered cost disclosure prior to the consumer completing the purchase by adjusting the cost charged to purchasers for all added taxes and delivery charges to the customers' door, anywhere in North America. Bidder Registration. Customers may view our Web site without cost or registration. However, they must provide certain registration information before participating in the online auction, including verifiable location and billing information and a commercial credit card. We use the registration information for processing successful bids into customer orders. Using this information, our data systems determine shipping and handling charges and applicable taxes, charge customer credit cards, print order information, transmit order information to our contract warehouses and vendors and provide transaction information for our accounting system. Customers are generally required to pay for purchased goods by commercial credit card, thereby significantly reducing our credit risk. Retail Products. Our auctions offer a broad range of nationally recognized brand name goods at low prices and under manufacturers warranty. Historically, a substantial amount of e-commerce activity has focused on competitive and low gross margin categories of products such as refurbished computers. We believe that with the growing use of the Internet by a larger segment of the population, Internet consumers will seek higher quality and a broader mix of products than in the past. We have offered and will continue to offer lower margin computers, computer accessories and computer upgrades at our auction sites. However, we continue to shift our product mix and increase the number and variety of 7 goods in other product categories, many of which generate higher margins, including consumer electronics, toys, games, sporting goods, memorabilia, jewelry and travel and entertainment products and services. From time to time, we intend to introduce other product categories on a selected basis. The majority of our products are front-line goods and the remainder are typically clearance or other end-of-the-line items. We offer products from many brand name computer, consumer electronics, jewelry and other manufacturers. We also offer travel packages, gold and precious gem jewelry and authentic sports collectibles, from multiple sources. Within our broad product categories, we rotate the products we offer to consumers on a daily basis. The products supplied to us for sale through our Web sites are usually backed by a manufacturer's warranty. Front-line goods typically carry a full manufacturer's warranty, while clearance and other end of the line items are accompanied by limited warranties. We ourselves provide no warranties on the products or services sold through our Web sites. The products sold at our auctions are typically shipped directly by our suppliers to the winning bidders. From time to time, we may offer our own fulfillment capability to new suppliers that are not initially equipped to ship directly to customers. We currently use Purolator Courier, Federal Express and United Parcel Service to distribute purchased goods and are in the process of adding other courier services. We do not maintain our own warehouse, but rely on third party contract warehouses. Limited Inventory. We normally obtain products for sale in our auctions from suppliers under arrangements that allow us to purchase merchandise only after our customer has purchased and paid for the product. These arrangements typically provide that the supplier will reserve for sale by us specified quantities of products for a fixed period of time without obligating us to purchase those products until sales are made to our customers. As a result, we do not usually stock inventory and consequently have no liability for unsold merchandise. In certain circumstances, we may place purchase orders in advance for unique products. As part of our customer satisfaction policy, we may allow our customers to return merchandise upon payment of a re-stocking fee. The merchandise is either returned to the supplier for credit or resold by us. Transactional revenues from the sale of products create gross margins based on the difference between the actual selling price and the reserve price negotiated by us with our suppliers. Sold products are usually shipped directly from the supplier to the customer. Shipping, handling and applicable taxes are typically added to the auction price and are paid by the customer. Inventory on our balance sheets reflects sales returns in transit and an insignificant amount of purchased inventory. We record both items at the lower of costs and net realizable value. Customer Support and Service. We believe that our ability to establish and maintain long-term relationships with our customers and encourage repeat visits and purchases is dependent, in part, on the strength of our customer service support and staff. We currently employ a staff of three full-time and two part- time customer support and service personnel who are responsible for handling customer inquiries from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) seven days a week. The customer service staff answer customer questions about the bidding process, track shipments, investigate problems with merchandise and act as liaisons between customers and our vendors. Under certain circumstances, we accept returns from our customers but we charge customers a re-stocking fee. Customers Business-to-Business We provide our technology, e-commerce platform and related services to customers in a variety of industries, including: electronic media, travel, wireless communications, automotive, heavy machinery and art and antiquities. Our business-to-business customers typically use our technology and services to implement and operate on-line business-to-business or business-to-consumer auctions for their customers or to provide other economic solutions to existing business activities. We believe that our technology is suited to a broad range of industries in which companies are seeking alternative distribution channels or other economic solutions. 8 We generate revenue from our business-to-business relationships in several ways. We typically receive some combination of license, auction enabling, hosting and service fees for our technology. In addition, we are paid consulting and other fees when we provide consulting, training and certain other services. In many cases, we also may receive a percentage of revenues or other transactional-based fees from on-line transactions. In certain cases, we may also invest in our customers, in connection with the delivery of our services. Examples of some of the business-to-business relationships we have entered into under the "powered by Bid.com" banner include: . General Electric Capital Corporation GE Capital is a global diversified financial services company. We have entered into agreements with GE Capital under which its Commercial Equipment Finance Division uses our technology and services to remarket assests on-line to its global customer base. As part of our agreement, the GE Capital Commercial Equipment Finance Division has also agreed to market Bid.Com's products and services to other divisions of GE and their partners. Under our agreement GE Capital Commercial Equipment Finance Division will pay us implementation and hosting fees and a share of online transaction revenues. As part of the agreement we have issued 1,000,000 warrants to GE Capital, of which 200,000 have vested. The remaining 800,000 are subject to performance based vesting provisions. The agreements with GE Capital were entered into in April, 2000 and have terms varying between six months and three years. . ValueVision Interactive Inc. (VVI or ValueVision). VVI offers live programming 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and broadcasts, (as of September 14, 1999) to approximately 32 million cable homes. In September, 1999 we entered into a three year agreement under which we will provide a complete E-commerce solution for VVI's Dutch Auction component of ValueVision's "Snap TV" brand carrying the "powered by Bid.Com" sub-brand. Under our agreement, ValueVision will pay us technology service fees for certain of the services we perform and we will receive a percentage of gross transaction revenues from Snap TV auction services in North America. . Point2 Internet Systems Inc. Point2 is an online remarketer of heavy equipment for the mining, construction, forestry, and oil and gas industry sectors. We have licensed our on-line auction and e-commerce technology to Point2, which Point2 uses to conduct auctions through its Web site catering to manufacturers, dealers and buyers of heavy equipment. This site also provides a full suite of marketing and informational services. When we initially entered into the agreement with Point2, we acquired 25% of Point2's common shares and an option to acquire an additional 26%. We exercised that option in August 1999 and currently own 51% of Point2's common shares. . Megawheels.com Inc. Megawheels offers a leading Canadian E-commerce solution to automotive dealers which supports one of Canada's largest automotive online databases. We license our proprietary online auction and E-commerce technology, including both Dutch and rising price components, to Megawheels. We also provide the technical services required for the implementation and operation of Megawheels' online auctions for the automotive community. Under our agreement with Megawheels we receive licensing fees and we share in a percentage of net revenues generated by online transactions. In addition, in connection with entering into the agreement, we acquired a minority equity interest in Megawheels. Our agreement expires in 2014. Business-to-Consumer. As of May 15, 2000 we had approximately 204,000 registered bidders at our www.bid.com Web site. - ----------- Marketing Business-to-Business Our marketing strategy for the business-to-business market is comprised of the following elements: . Enter into marketing alliances with industry leaders - We seek to enter into marketing alliances with leading consulting and financial services firms that provide economic and technology services to the business community. In 1999, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with CapGemini Consulting Inc., one of 9 Europe's leading management consulting and information technology services groups. Under the terms of our arrangement, we and CapGemini will jointly market e-commerce solutions and attempt to accelerate the deployment of online auctions in France. We will provide the technical services and training required for the implementation, integration and operation of online auctions for selected current and future of clients of CapGemini. In May 2000, we entered into a memorandum of understanding to form a marketing alliance with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Under the terms of our arrangement, we and PricewaterhouseCoopers will jointly introduce our dynamic pricing technology to North American clients. PricewaterhouseCoopers will become the preferred systems integrator for our customers requiring technology and implementation services. . Leverage our relationship with business-to-business customers - We intend to expand and broaden our penetration into existing and new markets by leveraging our existing customer relationships. For example, under our relationship with GE Capital, the GE Capital Commercial Equipment Finance Division has agreed to market our products and services to other divisions of GE and its partners. We also believe that the credibility of our customers will strengthen our brand name, enhance our reputation in the business community and help us enter into future business alliances. . Expand internationally - We are attempting to expand our business-to- business market by penetrating markets in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim and, in the future, elsewhere in the world. During 1999, we opened our Dublin, Ireland office to provide services to the European Community. During the first quarter of 2000 we added sales professionals in Paris, France and London, England. In November 1999, we opened an office in Melbourne, Australia to serve Australia and the Pacific Rim regions. We intend to grow internationally through market alliances with firms like CapGemini and by opening additional sales and marketing offices in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere in the world. To promote our business-to-business technology and services we maintain a 9 person sales and business development team. We market our services by participating in e-commerce conferences, and advertising in trade publications and in other appropriate venues. Business-to-Consumer Our marketing strategy in the business-to-consumer market is designed to increase traffic to our auction website and to promote awareness of our Bid.Com brand. To implement this strategy, we have: . Entered into marketing alliances with Internet service providers and other content providers. In July 1998, we entered into an e-commerce and promotion services agreement with Rogers Media, a subsidiary of Rogers Media Communications Inc. and, on November 16, 1998, we launched our co- designed online auction site. By logging on to the site, Canadians can experience an authentic Canadian auction event, bidding for bargains on products such as computers, sports equipment, gifts and vacation packages. Canadian consumers are offered brand name goods direct from the manufacturer in Canadian dollars with Canadian warranties usually at below-retail prices with dedicated Canadian customer service. Under the agreement, we granted Rogers Media the exclusive right within Canada to co-brand the Canadian Bid.Com auction. Rogers Media have agreed that the Canadian Bid.Com auction will be the only online auction displayed on the home page of Rogers Media's new e-commerce portal. In addition, Rogers Media agreed to generate specified levels of site traffic and advertising revenues, and committed to in excess of Cdn$1.0 million in minimum annual advertising for the Canadian Bid.Com auction on the media properties of Rogers Media, their affiliates and certain non-affiliated media. We are required to pay a minimum cash amount of Cdn $200,000 annually to Rogers Media to purchase advertising on Rogers. We share equally with Rogers Media in the revenue from all transaction and advertising sales generated through the co-branded site in Canada, net of all taxes, costs, transaction fees, duties, and credits for returns or unpaid items. The Rogers Media Agreement may be terminated by Rogers Media at any time upon 90 days written notice us. We may terminate the agreement following a breach of the agreement by Rogers Media upon 30 days written notice to Rogers Media. In addition, we anticipate that we may use trade magazines published by Rogers Media to support the development of our business-to-business online auctions. Rogers Media's national media properties includes some of Canada's most widely read publications including: Macleans,; Chatelaine,; Flare,; Canadian Business,; Profit and Marketing Magazine; and numerous trade and professional magazines covering a broad range of industries. 10 In the past we have entered into other marketing alliances which have terminated, including our marketing alliance with America Online which terminated in March, 2000. . Implemented a lower cost selected marketing approach - In addition to marketing alliances, we have implemented a more selected marketing approach that blends brand promotion with lower cost customer acquisitions and retention. We pursue referral based marketing arrangements which reward individuals and companies for referring bidders to our website. We also access our own database of registered bidders to directly market both auction and non-auction products to purchasers with demonstrated purchasing histories. In addition, we have entered into key word agreements with internet service providers that promote Bid.Com when a user searches key words, such as "auction". We also attempt to stimulate additional e-commerce activity by operating on-line auctions for, or licensing auction platforms to, charities and special causes. Technology Platform Our proprietary auction platform incorporates state-of-the-art interactive technology, including enhanced, customized user interfaces designed to bring participants into the online equivalent of a live auction room. Our technology provides product descriptions with catalog quality pictures and graphical representations. The design allows us to change and upgrade each auction site with ease, and quickly respond to requests by clients and advertising sponsors to change the look of products offered. On-screen real-time data provides information about the current bid status of all bidders in order to facilitate an interactive auction process. We have received a United States patent for the process of conducting our Dutch auctions over electronic distribution channels, and we have a patent application pending in Canada covering the same technology. We have devoted significant resources to developing our proprietary software technology. We believe that our success depends, in part, on our internally developed proprietary e-commerce management software, which implements a variety of customized auction and fixed price sales formats. The technology platform is constructed using distributed software technologies which allow rapid redevelopment and deployment of new software technology in order to take advantage of emerging business opportunities. We license commercially available technology whenever possible, rather than seek a custom-made or internally-developed solution. We believe that this strategy lowers our operating costs and increases our ability to respond to changing demands resulting from growth and technological shifts. This approach also allows us to focus our development efforts on creating and enhancing the specialized proprietary software that is unique to our business. Our technology platform is based on Microsoft core applications, including the Windows NT operating system and an SQL server relational database, all residing on scaleable hardware. We use Intel-based Hewlett Packard Netservers and DEC Alpha enterprise servers, which employ symmetrical multiprocessing as the basis of our hardware systems. We use what we believe to be leading security and encryption systems to maintain the security of online purchases and customer data. Each customer who pre-registers or makes a purchase on the www.bid.com site selects a unique user ID and a password. Repeat purchases are transacted using only the user's unique ID and password. Credit card transactions with the banking community are conducted over a separate ISDN line, through a server which maintains customer information behind a number of state-of-the-art firewalls "off line" from the Internet and which employ encryption technology such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer). Consumers not wishing to transmit registration information online may use one of our toll-free telephone lines to register with Bid.Com. We have embraced high performance switching technologies, including Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), to provide end users with what we believe is the fastest access possible to our Web site. Our access to telecommunications infrastructure is scaleable on demand and has been proven to provide reliable transactional support. In November 1998, we won three Canadian Information Productivity Awards, for our online auction technology, including an Award of Excellence, Best of Category Award for Small Business, and top honors with the Best of Show Award. Our development work received distinction within a group of award-winning IT solutions which included such organizations as GE Capital, Canadian Pacific Railways, IBM Canada, National Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Air Canada, Revenue Canada, ING Canada, Rogers Media, Cantel and Royal Bank of Canada. 11 In September 1999, we introduced a new Web site design featuring improved navigational features, a new fixed price purchasing option, a brighter image and new corporate logo. We also improved our customer service section and broadened product selection for our business-to-consumer auctions. Shoppers are able to check the status of their orders online and also review their shopping history. On January 31, 2000 our Web site was further revised to include a section devoted to our business-to-business offerings. Our engineering, production and research and development staff currently consists of 10 software development engineers and three system consultants. Research and Development We believe that our proprietary auction management software provides a competitive advantage over other online auction companies and auction enablers and that our future success depends, in part, on our ability to continue developing and enhancing that software. Therefore, we have focused our research and development efforts on the continued development of our proprietary auction management software. Our ongoing research and development efforts are aimed at enhancing the features and functionality of our existing software components, the development of new software components, and the integration of superior third party technology into our environment. Our research and development expenditures were approximately $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, $889,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 and $661,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, including salaries and related expenses of our personnel engaged in research and development. Research and development activities in 1999 included the re-design of our Web page, redevelopment of a fixed price site and development of business-to-business auction technology. Intellectual Property Our performance and ability to compete are dependent to a significant degree on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and technical measures, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. In March 1999, we received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering the process whereby we conduct Dutch auctions over electronic distribution channels. We have a patent application pending in Canada covering the same technology. Our proprietary software is subject to common law copyright protection, but we do not have, and do not intend to pursue, any registered copyrights. Common law protection may be narrower than that which we could obtain under registered copyrights. As a result, we may experience difficulty in enforcing our copyrights against certain third party infringements. The source code for our proprietary software is protected as a trade secret. Our major trademarks or tradenames include: BID.COM; POWERED BY BID.COM; BID.COM, THE ONLINE AUCTION; INTERNET LIQUIDATORS; BID BUDDY; SEARCH BUDDY; and EXPERIENCE ENGINE. Except for INTERNET LIQUIDATORS, which is registered in Canada, all of these trademarks and tradenames are the subject of pending applications for registration in either or both of the United States and Canada. Our competitive position is also dependent upon our unpatented trade secrets. In an effort to protect our trade secrets, and as part of our confidentiality procedures, we generally enter into confidentiality and non- disclosure agreements with our employees and consultants and generally limit access to and distribution of our software, documentation and other proprietary information. Competition The online commerce market is new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. We expect that online commerce competition in general, and online auction competition in particular (both as an intermediary and as an enabler), will further intensify in the future. Barriers to entry are minimal, and current and new competitors can launch new sites at a relatively low cost. In addition, the broader retail consumer product industry is intensely 12 competitive. Business-to-Consumer Competition Our competitors, determined on the basis of type of merchandise and sales format offered by such entities to customers, include: . companies providing business-to-consumer online auctions services such as Onsale, Inc., First Auction by Internet Shopping Network Inc., uBid, Inc. Egghead.com, Inc. and Bid.hit, Inc.; . consumer-to-consumer online auction services such as eBay Inc, Yahoo!, Auctions Powered by Onsale, Auction Universe, a Times-Mirror Company, Excite Inc. and a number of small services, including those that serve specialty markets; . companies providing online communities and services that specialize in or otherwise have expertise in developing online commerce and some of whom currently offer a variety of business-to-consumer trading services, including Amazon.com, America Online and Microsoft Corporation; . companies that offer merchandise similar to that of which we offer but through physical auctions and with which we compete for sources of supply; . catalog companies with substantial customer data bases, which may devote greater resources to Internet commerce in the future; and . large retailers and other companies with strong brand recognition and experience in online commerce that are increasingly directing greater resources to Internet commerce and who seek to compete in the online auction market, including Cendant Corporation and QVC, Inc. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our business-to- consumer online auction market are brand recognition, product selection, variety of value-added services, ease of use, site content, quality of service, reliability of delivery of products, quality of search tools, system reliability, technical expertise and price. We believe that we are competitive in each of these areas. Business-to-Business Competition. The online auction and dynamic solutions markets are new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. The companies we compete with in this market include: . companies providing auction software and dynamic commerce solutions such as Moai Technologies, Opensite Inc., IBM's Websphere product, Trading Dynamics (recently acquired by Ariba), CommerceBid (recently acquired by CommerceOne), and Webvision. . outsourced auction-hosting services that compete with Bid.Com's hosted auction service such as Fairmarket, Inc., Bidland.com Inc., and Opensite's Concierge service. We believe our business model to be unique by combining business-to- business and consumer auction sales and fixed price sales. We are not aware of any other business which competes directly with us in all of these areas. However, because the barriers to the e-commerce industry are minimal, we may in the future face additional competitors who we cannot currently identify. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our business-to- business on-line auction market are variety of pricing methods, quality of service, reliability, technical expertise and price. We believe that we are competitive in each of these areas. Employees As of April 27, 2000, we employ 64 full-time employees, including 9 in sales and business development, 14 in engineering support, and operations, 16 in merchandise acquisition and marketing, 4 in customer support and service, and 21 in finance, administrative and senior management functions. We also employ 5 part-time employees, all of whom are in 13 customer support and service and one in engineering support. We also hire independent contractors for software development, technical documentation, artistic design, merchandising and administration, as needed. None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we consider our employee relations to be good. History Our business was commenced by Internet Liquidators Inc., an Ontario corporation, in September 1995. In May 1996, Internet Liquidators International Inc., an Ontario corporation, acquired all of the shares of Internet Liquidators Inc. In January 1997, we were formed as an Ontario corporation by amalgamation of Internet Liquidators Inc. and Internet Liquidators International Inc. In June 1998, we changed our name from Internet Liquidators International Inc. to Bid.Com International Inc. In March 1998, we converted our consumer brand URL from www.Internetliquidators.com to www.bid.com. Our principal business offices are located at 6725 Airport Road, Suite 201, Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1V2, Canada. RISK FACTORS An investment in our common shares is risky. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this annual report. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment. Our limited operating history makes evaluating our business difficult. We were founded in September 1995 and began conducting business-to-consumer auctions on the Internet in April 1996. We began to actively advertise our Web site in 1997 and we introduced our business-to-business auction enabling strategy and related services during 1999. Accordingly, there is only a limited operating history for you to base an evaluation of us and our business prospects. Our business and prospects must be considered in light of the risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stages of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets such as online commerce. Our business strategy may not be successful and we may not successfully address those risks. We will need additional capital in the future, and if we are unable to secure additional financing when we need it, we may be required to curtail our operations significantly, which would have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Since we began our operations, we have funded our operations primarily through the sale of securities to investors in a series of private placements and, to a limited extent, through cash flow from operations. At this time, funds from operations are not sufficient to meet our anticipated financial requirements. As of May 15, 2000, we had cash on hand and marketable securities of approximately $10.2 million. Based on current plans, we believe that current cash balances and anticipated funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our needs until approximately October 1, 2000. However, the actual amount of funds that will be required until that time will be determined by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. As a result, we may need funds sooner or in greater amounts than currently anticipated. On May 19, 2000 we signed an agreement with Acqua Wellington Value Fund Ltd. (which we refer to in this annual report as Acqua Wellington) under which Acqua Wellington agreed to invest a minimum of U.S.$1.5 million and a maximum of U.S.$6.5 million in our company. Under certain conditions, the amount which Acqua Wellington will be required to invest will increase from U.S.$1.5 million to up to U.S.$3.5 million. At least U.S.$3.0 million and, under certain conditions, as much as U.S $5.0 million of the investment will be made at the discretion of Acqua Wellington. Completion of the proposed Acqua Wellington financing is subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions and regulatory and Toronto Stock Exchange approval. We cannot assure you that the Acqua Wellington financing will be completed in a timely manner or at all, or the exact amount that Acqua Wellington will invest. Even if Acqua Wellington completes the investment we anticipate that we will need to raise additional funds by approximately 14 November 1, 2000, if Acqua Wellington invests U.S.$1.5 million, and by approximately February 1, 2001, if Acqua Wellington invest US.$6.5 million. Other than the Acqua Wellington financing, we do not have any committed sources of additional financing at this time and we are uncertain whether additional funding will be available when we need it on terms that will be acceptable to us or at all. If we are not able to obtain financing when we need it, we would be unable to carry out our business plan and would have to significantly curtail our operations, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we need to obtain funds by October 1, 2000, or earlier, potential sources of financing include strategic relationships, public or private sales of our shares or debt or other arrangements. If we raise funds by selling additional capital shares, including common shares or other securities convertible into common shares, the ownership interests of our existing shareholders will be diluted. Because of our potential long term capital requirements, we may seek to access the public or private equity markets whenever conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. We are not profitable and expect to continue to incur losses. We have accumulated net losses of approximately $56.3 million as of March 31, 2000. For the year ended December 31, 1999 our net loss was approximately $20.8 million. We have never achieved profitability and expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. Our operating losses, to date, have been attributable, in part, to our promotional pricing strategy under which products were sold below cost or at significantly reduced profit margins. We expect to continue to sell a limited number of products at significantly reduced margins and, in the future, may from time to time use promotional pricing programs in connection with the introduction of new products and services, in response to competitive pressures or for other business reasons. The use of promotional pricing strategies will affect our ability to achieve profitability. We cannot assure you that we will earn profits or generate positive cash flows from operations in the future. As a result of our evolving business model, we may generate less revenue from the business-to-consumer market and we may not be able to replace that revenue with revenue from the business-to-business market. During 1999 we began to shift our primary business focus from the business-to-consumer market to the business-to-business market. During 2000 and in the future we plan to devote significantly greater marketing resources to developing our business-to-business related services. As a result, the revenue we generate from our business-to-consumer auctions may decline and that decline may be significant. During 1999, a substantial majority of our revenues were generated from our business-to-consumer auctions and related services. We cannot assure you that if our business-to-consumer generated revenues decline we will be able to replace lost revenue with revenue from our business-to-business services. If we are unable to replace lost revenue, our business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and prospects could be materially adversely affected. Our marketing alliance with AOL has terminated which may reduce traffic to our business-to-consumer Web site; we rely on alliances with other third parties to drive traffic to our business-to-consumer Web sites, and if those alliances terminate our business could be harmed. We rely on alliances with Internet service and content providers and other marketing partners to drive traffic to our online business-to-consumer auction sites. These alliances are of limited duration or may be terminated at any time. For example, our agreement with America Online expired on March 31, 2000. We estimate that in 1997, 1998 and 1999 we earned a substantial portion of our auction revenues from customers who accessed our auction site through America Online. The termination of this agreement may result in a reduction in the number of visitors to our business-to-consumer Web site, which in turn, may result in a decrease in our revenues. Our agreement with Rogers Media may be terminated by Rogers Media at any time upon 90 days' advance written notice, subject to certain conditions. We cannot be certain that this or any of our other existing marketing arrangements will be renewed upon expiration on favorable terms or at all. If these arrangements are terminated prior to expiration or are not renewed, we will have to enter into arrangements with other marketing partners. We cannot be certain that we will be able to do so on favorable terms or at all. The termination of these arrangements may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition if we are unable to procure suitable substitute marketing arrangements. To date, most of the marketing alliances we entered into in the United States have not been exclusive or restricted as to location or technological environment. Therefore, we have retained the necessary flexibility to broaden our distribution by increasing the number of marketing alliances and advertising relationships. We cannot assure you that future alliances with these partners or others will provide us with the same flexibility. Potential fluctuations in our Financial Results Makes Financial Forecasting Difficult Our operating results have varied on a quarterly basis in the past and may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control. Factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include: . the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure; . the availability and pricing of merchandise from vendors; . the announcement or introduction of new sites, services and products by us or our competitors; 15 . the timing of, and our ability to, integrate any future acquisition of businesses, technologies or products or any strategic investments or relationships into which we may enter; and . general economic conditions as well as economic conditions specific to the Internet and online commerce industries. As a result of our limited operating history, the emerging nature of the markets in which we compete and the inherent degree of variability in auctions, it is difficult for us to accurately forecast our revenues or earnings from auction and auction enabling activities. In addition, a significant portion of our net revenues for a particular quarter are derived from auctions that are conducted during that quarter. Our current and future expense levels are based largely on our investment plans and estimates of future revenues and are, to a large extent, fixed. We may be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. Any significant shortfall in revenues relative to our planned expenditures would have an immediate adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. Further, as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, we may from time to time make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Due to these factors, our quarterly revenues and operating results are difficult to forecast. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. In addition, it is likely that in one or more future quarters, our operating results will fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In such event, the trading price of our common shares would almost certainly be materially adversely affected. Our business-to-consumer operations would be adversely affected if we are unable to maintain relationships with vendors. We are dependent upon third party vendors to supply us with merchandise for sale in our business-to-consumer Internet auctions. The availability of merchandise from most suppliers is unpredictable. We do not have long-term contracts or arrangements with most of our vendors guaranteeing the availability of merchandise for our auctions. We cannot assure you that our current vendors will provide merchandise for sale in our auctions or that we will be able to establish new vendor relationships that ensure merchandise will be available for auction on our Web site. We also rely on many of our vendors to process and ship merchandise to customers. We have limited control over the shipping procedures of our vendors, and shipments by these vendors may be subject to delays. During 1999, four unrelated suppliers of computers and other products provided approximately 21%, 15%, 13% and 10%, respectively, of the merchandise offered for sale in our business-to-consumer auctions. For 2000, we anticipate that, at any given time, these or other suppliers may continue to supply a significant percentage of our business-to-consumer product offerings. 16 Our markets are highly competitive and we may not be able to compete effectively. The online commerce market is new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. We expect that online commerce competition in general, and online auction competition in particular, will further intensify in the future. Barriers to entry are minimal, and current and new competitors can launch new sites and technologies at a relatively low cost. In addition, the broader retail consumer product industry is intensely competitive. We compete with a broad range of companies including: . providers of business-to-business online auction software and dynamic pricing solutions; . providers of outsourced auction hosting services; . providers of business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer online auctions services; . online communities and services that promote online commerce; . providers of physical auctions of merchandise similar to ours; . catalog companies with substantial customer data bases; and . large retailers and other companies with strong brand recognition and experience in online commerce. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we. We cannot not assure you that we will be able to compete effectively. We have expended significant resources to promote our brand which may not be accepted by the marketplace. We believe that strong brand recognition is necessary to achieving widespread acceptance of our business-to-consumer Web site and to a lesser extent, our business-to-business offerings. Our ability to promote and position our brand will depend largely on the success of our marketing efforts and our ability to offer a broad range of products and provide high quality, easy-to- use, secure auction services. If vendors do not perceive our Web site as an effective marketing and sales channel or technology for their goods and services, or if customers do not perceive our platform as offering a secure and user-friendly means to purchase goods and services, we will be unsuccessful in promoting and maintaining our brand. Similarly, if our business-to-business customers do not perceive our on-line auction technology, e-commerce platform and related services as an effective means to conduct their auctions, we will be unsuccessful in promoting and maintaining our brand. Furthermore, to attract and retain customers for our business-to-consumer auctions and to promote and maintain the Bid.Com brand, we must expend significant resources. We cannot assure you that our brand promotion efforts will result in increased revenues, or that resulting increased revenues would offset the expenses incurred by us in promoting our brand. If we are unable to promote or maintain our brand, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and prospects would be materially and adversely affected. We depend on our key personnel and we may not be able to attract or retain the highly skilled personnel we need. Our success is substantially dependent on the ability and experience of our senior management and other key personnel. We do not have long term employment agreements with any of our key personnel and maintain no "key person" life insurance policies. Moreover, to accommodate our current size and manage our anticipated growth, we must maintain and expand our employee base. Competition for personnel, especially those with software development and other technical expertise is intense. We cannot be certain we will be able to retain existing personnel or hire additional, qualified personnel. Our inability to retain and attract the necessary personnel or the loss of services of any of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on us. 17 We may not be able to manage our growth. We have recently experienced, and may continue to experience, growth in our operations, financial systems and the number of our employees. This growth places significant demands on our management, administrative, operating and financial resources. In order to manage our current operations and any future growth effectively, we will need to continue to implement and improve our operational, financial and management information systems and to hire, train, motivate, manage and retain our employees. We cannot assure you that we will be able to manage our growth effectively, that our management, personnel or systems will be adequate to support our operations, or that we will be able to achieve levels of revenue commensurate with the increased levels of operating expenses associated with such growth. We plan to continue to expand internationally and are subject to risks associated with global expansion. We currently operate in the United States, Canada, Ireland and Australia. We plan to expand our international presence. We may incur significant costs in connection with our international expansion. There are also risks inherent in doing business on a global level, including: . various laws and regulatory requirements; . tariffs, customs, duties and other trade barriers; . longer payment cycles; . export and import restrictions; . political risks; . currency and foreign exchange controls; . seasonal reductions in business activity during the summer months in Europe and elsewhere; and . potentially adverse tax consequences. Any of these risks could adversely affect the success of our global operations. Any future acquisitions of companies or technologies may result in disruptions to our business and/or the distraction of our management. As part of our business strategy, in the future we may seek to acquire or make investments in complementary businesses or technologies. We may not be able to acquire or manage additional businesses profitably or to successfully integrate any acquired businesses with our business. Businesses that we acquire may have liabilities that we underestimate or do not discover during our pre-acquisition investigations. Certain liabilities, even if we do not expressly assume them, may be imposed on us as the successor to the business. Further, each acquisition may involve other special risks that could cause the acquired businesses to fail to meet our expectations. For example: . the acquired businesses may not achieve expected results; . we may not be able to retain key personnel of the acquired businesses; . we may incur substantial, unanticipated costs, delays or other operational or financial problems when we try to integrate businesses we acquire with our own; . our management's attention may be diverted; or . our management may not be able to manage the combined entity effectively or to make acquisitions and grow our business internally at the same time. In addition, we may incur debt or issue equity securities to pay for any future acquisitions or investments, which could dilute the ownership interest of our existing shareholders. If we are unable to successfully protect our intellectual property or obtain certain licenses, our competitive position may be harmed. Our performance and ability to compete are dependent in part on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality agreements and technical measures, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. In March 1999, we received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering our process for conducting Dutch auctions over electronic distribution channels. We have a patent application pending in Canada covering the same technology. We cannot assure you that the patent under application in Canada will result in a patent being issued in Canada. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any patents issued to us will afford meaningful protection for our technology. Competitors may develop similar technologies which do not conflict with our patents, others may challenge our patents and, as a result, our patents could be narrowed or invalidated. Our proprietary software is protected by common law copyright laws, as opposed to registration under copyright statutes. Common law protection may be narrower than that which we could obtain under registered copyrights. As a result, we may experience difficulty in enforcing our copyrights against certain third party infringements. The source code for our proprietary software is protected as a trade secret. As part of our confidentiality-protection procedures, we generally enter into agreements with our employees and consultants and limit access to, and distribution of, our software, documentation and other proprietary information. We cannot assure you that the steps taken by us will prevent misappropriation of our technology or that agreements entered into for that purpose will be enforceable. The laws of other countries may afford us little or no protection of our intellectual property. 18 We also rely on a variety of technology that we license from third parties, including our database and Internet server software, which is used in our Web site to perform key functions. We cannot assure you that these third party technology licenses will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If we are unable to maintain these licenses or obtain upgrades to these licenses, we could be delayed in completing some products or services or unable to complete our proprietary software enhancements. Others could claim that we infringe on their intellectual property rights, which may result in costly and time consuming litigation. Our success will also depend partly on our ability to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others, as well as our ability to prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights. We may be required at times to take legal action in order to protect our proprietary rights. Also, from time to time, we receive notice from third parties claiming that we may infringe their patent or other proprietary rights. Despite our best efforts, we may be sued for infringing on the patent or other proprietary rights of others. Such litigation is costly, and even if we prevail, the cost of such litigation could harm us. If we do not prevail, in addition to any damages we might have to pay, we could be required to stop the infringing activity or obtain a license. We cannot be certain that any required license would be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we fail to obtain a license, or if the terms of a license are burdensome to us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. Changes in government regulations may result in increased expenses, which could decrease the demand for our services and negatively impact our results. We are not currently subject to direct regulation by any governmental agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally and laws and regulations directly applicable to access to or commerce on, the Internet. However, a number of legislative and regulatory proposals under consideration by federal, state, provincial, local and foreign governmental organizations may lead to laws or regulations concerning various aspects of the Internet, including but not limited to, on-line content, user privacy, taxation, access charges and liability for third-party activities. Additionally, it is uncertain how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyright, trade secrets, libel and personal privacy will be applied to the Internet. The adoption of new laws or the broader application of existing laws may expose us to significant liabilities and additional operational requirements and expenses and may decrease the growth in the use of the Internet, which could in turn decrease the demand for our products and increase our cost of doing business. Our business may be affected by evolving tax regulations. With the exception of sales to bidders in Florida, California and Georgia, the states in which we have, or in the past had, a physical presence, we do not collect sales or other similar taxes in respect of goods sold through our hosted auctions. However, one or more states may seek to impose sales tax collection obligations on out-of-state companies that engage in or facilitate online commerce. Also, a number of proposals have been made at the state and local level that would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services through the Internet. Such proposals, if adopted, could substantially impair the growth of electronic commerce, and could adversely affect our opportunity to derive financial benefit from such activities. In the United States, the Internet Tax Freedom Act, limiting the ability of the states to impose certain taxes on Internet-based transactions, was enacted in October 1998. Pursuant to such legislation, a general three-year moratorium expiring in October 2001 was implemented banning the imposition of state and local taxes on Internet access (unless such taxes were generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998) and discriminatory or multiple taxes on e-commerce. It is possible that the moratorium may not be renewed when it terminates in October 2001. Failure to renew the moratorium could allow state and local government to impose taxes on Internet based sales, and such taxes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flow and prospects. 19 If we are unable to expand our systems to meet demand our business would suffer. Any substantial increase in the traffic volume on our Web site will require us to expand our technology, transaction processing systems and network infrastructure. We may not be able to project accurately the rate or timing of increases in the use of our services or expand our systems and infrastructure in a timely manner to accommodate such increases. If we are unable to expand our systems in a timely manner we may lose customers, we may be unable to attract new systems and our operating results will suffer. We may have to expend significant resources to keep pace with rapid technological change. The Internet and e-commerce industries are characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements, frequent new service or product introductions embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices. Any of these could render our existing Web site and proprietary technology obsolete. Our performance will depend, in part, on our ability to: . develop new proprietary technology that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our existing and prospective customers; . respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a timely and cost-effective basis; . continually improve the performance, features and reliability of our services in response to evolving market demands; and . license leading technologies; We may be required to make substantial expenditures to accomplish the foregoing and to modify or adapt our services or infrastructure. Our long-term viability is substantially dependent upon the widespread acceptance and use by consumers and businesses of the Internet as a medium of commerce. Our future success depends in part on the continued growth and reliance by consumers and businesses on the Internet, particularly the growth of online auctions in the consumer and business-to-business markets. Use and growth of the Internet will depend in significant part on continued rapid growth in the number of households and commercial, educational and governmental institutions with access to the Internet. The use and growth of the Internet will also depend on the number and quality of products and services designed for use on the Internet. 20 Because use of the Internet as a source of information, products and services is a relatively recent phenomenon, it is difficult to predict whether the number of users drawn to the Internet will continue to increase and whether the market for commercial use of the Internet will continue to develop and expand. Internet use patterns may decline as the novelty of the medium recedes. We cannot predict the extent to which consumers and businesses will be willing to shift their purchasing habits from traditional retailers and distributors to online retailers and distributors. The Internet may not be commercially viable for a number of reasons, including potentially inadequate development of the necessary network infrastructure, delayed development of enabling technologies and inadequate performance improvements. In addition, the Internet's viability as a commercial marketplace could be adversely affected by delays in the development of services or due to increased government regulation. Changes in or insufficient availability of telecommunications services to support the Internet also could result in slower response times and adversely affect usage of the Internet generally and our business in particular. Moreover, adverse publicity and consumer concern about the security of transactions conducted on the Internet and the privacy of users may also inhibit the growth of commerce on the Internet. If the use of the Internet does not continue to grow or grows more slowly than expected, or if the infrastructure for the Internet does not effectively support growth that may occur, our business would be materially and adversely affected. In addition, even if consumers and businesses accept the use of the Internet as a viable medium of commerce, we cannot assure you that Internet auctions generally will develop successfully or achieve widespread acceptance. If the market for Internet-based online auctions fails to develop, or develops more slowly than expected or becomes saturated with competitors, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and prospects would be materially adversely affected. If the Web infrastructure is unable to support user demand or if our connection to the Internet is interrupted our business may be harmed. The success of our branded auction service and our business-to-business offerings will depend, to a significant degree, upon the development and maintenance of the Web infrastructure and reliable Web access and services. The Web has experienced, and is expected to continue to experience, significant growth in the numbers of users and amount of traffic. There can be no assurance that the Web infrastructure will continue to be able to support the demands placed on it by this continued growth or that such growth will not adversely affect the performance or reliability of the Web. Furthermore, from time to time, the Web has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure, and could face such outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could adversely affect the level of Web usage and the level of traffic and the processing of on-line auctions. In addition, we do not own a gateway onto the Internet. Instead, we rely on Internet service providers to connect our Web site to the Internet. From time to time, we have experienced temporary interruptions in our Web site connection and in our telecommunications access. Continuous or prolonged interruptions in our Web site connection or in our telecommunications access would have a material adverse effect on our operations. In addition, the Web could lose its viability due to delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols to handle increased levels of activity. If the necessary infrastructure, standards, protocols or complementary products, services or facilities are not developed, our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected. Systems failures or breaches of security could cause a significant disruption to our business, damage our reputation and expose us to liability. We believe our reputation for providing reliable and efficient services is critical to our future success. Our systems are vulnerable to a number of factors that may cause interruptions in our auctions and our ability to enable or host third party auctions and our other services, including, among others: . damage from human error, tampering and vandalism; . breaches of security; 21 . fire and power losses; . telecommunications failures and capacity limitations; and . software or hardware defects. We have developed a redundant system and a formal disaster recovery plan. Despite the precautions we have taken and plan to take, the occurrence of any of these events or other unanticipated problems could result in service interruptions, which could damage our reputation, subject us to loss of business and significant repair costs. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we use to protect customer transaction data, including credit card information. Security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability for failing to secure confidential customer information. These factors could expose us to liabilities which could exceed our insurance coverage. Service disruptions could also damage our reputation, cause us to lose existing customers and make it difficult to attract new ones. Extensive repair costs could also affect our ability to operate. Although we continue to take steps to enhance the security and redundancy of our systems, our systems are not now, nor will they ever be, fully secure and redundant. We are subject to risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations. We transact substantially all of our purchases and sales in U.S. dollars while the majority of our operating expenses are in Canadian dollars. We have recently opened offices in Ireland and Australia and plan to expand to other countries. As a result in the future we may earn revenues and incur expenditures in the currencies of these countries and in other foreign currencies. We do not have any hedging programs in place to manage the potential exposure to fluctuations in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate. Fluctuations in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate or the exchange rate of other currencies against the U.S. or Canadian dollars could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows. Potential Year 2000 Problems could harm our business or the businesses of some of our significant suppliers or customers or damage our reputation and force us to divert resources away from the operation our business. Prior to January 1, 2000, there was a great deal of concern regarding the ability of computers to adequately recognize 21st century dates due to the two- digit date fields used by many systems. Most reports to date, however, are that computer systems are functioning normally and the compliance and remediation work accomplished leading up to January 1, 2000 was effective to prevent any problems. Computer experts have nevertheless warned that there may still be residual consequences of the change in centuries. We have not experienced any material Year 2000 problems to date and we are not aware of any material Year 2000 problems which our significant suppliers have experienced that are reasonably likely to materially affect our business. Nevertheless, in the future, our equipment and technology or that of our significant suppliers could be significantly impaired or cease to operate due to Year 2000 problems or we or our significant suppliers could experience other Year 2000 problems. Any residual Year 2000 difficulties or problems which we or our significant suppliers experience could materially harm our business. Our preference shares could prevent or delay a takeover that some or a majority of shareholders consider favorable. Our board of directors, without any further vote of our shareholders, may issue preference shares and determine the price, preferences, rights and restrictions of those shares. The rights of the holders of common shares will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preference shares that may be issued in the future. That means, for example, that we can issue preference shares with more voting rights, higher dividend payments or more favorable rights upon distribution of common shares. If we issue certain types of preference shares in the future, it may also be more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting shares and may, in certain circumstances, deter or delay mergers, tender offers or other possible transactions that may be favored by some or a majority of our shareholders. 22 The volatility of our share price could adversely affect our shareholders. Our common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BII and are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol BIDS. The trading price of our common shares on The Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq has fluctuated significantly in the past and may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. Further, the stock markets, in general, and the market for Internet-related and technology companies, in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. Broad market and industry factors may materially and adversely affect the market price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and prospects. Our common shares may become subject to "penny stock" regulations which may affect your liquidity in our common shares. Our common shares were first quoted on the Nasdaq National Market on April 20, 1999. Since then, our common shares have traded at prices below US$5.00 from time to time. Should our common shares continue to be traded below U.S.$5.00, our common shares could become characterized as "penny stocks" which could severely affect market liquidity. The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 requires additional disclosure relating to the market for penny stocks in connection with trades in any stock defined as a penny stock. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations generally define a penny stock to be an equity security that has a market price of less than U.S.$5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Such exceptions include any equity security listed on Nasdaq or a national securities exchange and any equity security issued by an issuer that has: . net tangible assets of at least US$2,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for three years . net tangible assets of at least US$5,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three years; or . average annual revenue of at least US$6,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three years Unless an exception is available, the regulations require that, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, delivery of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated therewith. The penny stock regulations would adversely affect the market liquidity of our common shares by limiting the ability of broker/dealers to trade the shares and the ability of purchasers of our common shares to sell in the secondary market. U.S. investors in our company could suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company. We may be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes during our 2000 tax year or in subsequent years. We would be a PFIC if 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income. We would also be a PFIC if at least 50% of our assets averaged over the taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For these purposes, the value of our assets would be calculated based on our market capitalization. Passive income includes, among other items, interest, dividends, royalties, rents and annuities. We may be deemed a PFIC because previous financings combined with proceeds of future financings may produce, or be deemed to be held to produce, passive income. If we are or become a PFIC, many of our U.S. shareholders will be subject to the following adverse tax consequences: . they will be taxed at the highest ordinary income tax rates in effect during their holding period on certain distributions on our capital shares, and gains from the sale or other disposition of our capital shares; 23 . they will be required to pay interest on taxes allocable to prior periods; and . the tax basis of our capital shares will not be increased to fair market value at the date of their death. If we become a PFIC, U.S. shareholders could avoid these tax consequences by making a qualified electing fund election or a mark-to-market election. These elections would need to be in effect for all taxable years during which we were a PFIC and during which you held our capital shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes a qualified electing fund election, will be taxed currently on our ordinary income and net capital gain (unless a deferral election is in effect). A U.S. shareholder who makes a mark-to-market election will include as ordinary income each year an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our capital shares over the adjusted tax basis as of the close of each year (with certain adjustments for prior years). If we become a PFIC, our U.S. shareholders will generally be unable to exchange our capital shares for shares of an acquiring corporation on a tax- deferred basis under the reorganization rules of the Internal Revenue Code, and the benefits of many other nonrecognition provisions of the Internal Revenue Code will not apply to transfers of our capital shares. In addition, if we become a PFIC, pledges of our capital shares will be treated as sales for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. citizens should note that state and local taxes may also apply if amounts are included in U.S. federal taxable income under the PFIC rules of the Internal Revenue Code. The PFIC rules are very complex. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors concerning all of the tax consequences of investing in our common shares and the possible benefits of making a tax election given their circumstances. Additionally, U.S. citizens should review the section entitled "Taxation--U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations--Tax Status of the Company-- Passive Foreign Investment Companies" contained in this annual report for a more detailed description of the PFIC rules and how those rules may affect their ownership of our capital shares. Future sales by existing shareholders may lower the price of our common shares which could result in losses to our shareholders. As of April 27, 2000, there were 53,028,854 common shares outstanding. Of these shares, 48,608,833 common shares are freely tradable. The remaining common shares and common shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants outstanding are eligible for sale to the public market in the United States as follows: . Our affiliates own 2,047,150 shares that may be sold subject to volume restrictions imposed by Rule 144. Our affiliates also own options to acquire an additional 2,265,000 shares. The shares to be issued upon exercise of these options may be freely sold under Rule 701, to the extent applicable. In addition, we plan to file a registration statement on Form S-8 covering all of these shares. After the registration statement is filed all of these shares may be freely sold when issued. . Our employees and consultants who are not deemed affiliates hold options to buy a total of 1,107,650 shares. The shares to be issued by exercise of these options may be sold freely under Rule 701, to the extent applicable. The remaining shares may be freely sold after we file our registration statement on Form S-8. . We may issue options to purchase up to an additional 3,134,800 shares under our stock option plans. The shares to be issued upon exercise of these options may be freely sold when issued, provided that we have filed a registration statement on Form S-8. . We have issued an additional 2,372,871 shares to non-affiliates which will become eligible for resale under Rule 144 at various times over the next 10 months. . We have issued warrants to purchase a total of 2,490,146 shares. We have registered 2,040,146 shares issuable upon execution of warrants for resale in Canada. The shares issued upon exercise of the outstanding warrants may be freely sold subject to the provisions of Rule 144, beginning one year after issuance. In addition, we have agreed with Acqua Wellington to register the common shares which they will purchase in the Acqua Wellington financing. Upon completion of the registration, all of the shares which they purchase may be freely sold. Sale of substantial amounts of shares into the public market may lower the market price of our common shares. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated) who has beneficially owned restricted shares for at least one year (including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate) would be entitled to sell within any three- month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of the number of our common shares then outstanding (approximately 530,288 shares) or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of our common shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of us at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years (including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate), is entitled to sell such shares without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 under the Securities Act permits resales of shares in reliance upon Rule 144 but without compliance with certain restrictions of Rule 144, including the holding period requirement. Any of our employees, officers, directors or consultants who, prior to April 14, 1999, purchased his or her shares or received options to purchase common shares, pursuant to a written 24 Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may sell such shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the holding period, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. It may be difficult for you to enforce civil liabilities on us or our officers or directors. We are incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Certain of our directors and officers are residents of Canada and a substantial part of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for holders of common shares to effect service of legal process within the United States upon those directors and officers who are not residents of the United States or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated under such statutes. We believe, based on advice of our Canadian counsel, that a judgment of a United States court predicated solely upon civil liability under such U.S. federal securities laws would probably be enforceable in Canada if the United States court in which the judgment was obtained had a basis for jurisdiction in the matter that was recognized by a Canadian court for such purposes. However, we believe, based on such counsel's advice, that there is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought successfully in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon such U.S. federal securities laws. We have never paid dividends. We have paid no cash dividends on any of our shares of capital stock and have no plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all earnings, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. ITEM 2 - DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY Our principal administrative, engineering, merchandising and marketing facilities total approximately 10,165 square feet and are located on two floors of an office building in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, under a lease that terminates on October 31, 2001. We also lease offices in Tampa, Florida where four employees are located. We believe that we have adequate space for our current needs. As we expand, we expect that suitable additional space will be available on commercially reasonable terms. We also maintain offices in Dublin, Ireland with -4 employees and Melbourne, Australia with one employee. We do not own any real estate nor do we currently own or lease warehouse space. We rely, instead, on direct shipments from vendors or contract warehouses for our fulfillment and logistics requirements. ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Neither we, nor any of our subsidiaries, is a party to, or the subject of, any material legal proceedings. ITEM 4 - CONTROL OF REGISTRANT To our knowledge, no person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over more than 10% of our issued and outstanding common shares. As of April 27, 2000, our directors and officers as a group (12 persons) owned 4,002,983 common shares, representing 7.6% of our shares. This includes a total of 1,955,833 common shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants exercisable within 60 days from April 27, 2000 by certain directors and executive officers. It does not include a total of 409,167 shares issuable upon exercise 25 of options and warrants held by directors and officers that are first exercisable more than 60 days after April 27, 2000. We are not aware of any arrangements which may result in a change in control of our company. ITEM 5 NATURE OF TRADING MARKET Our common shares are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market and are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange. Our common shares have been quoted on Nasdaq since April 20, 1999 under the symbol "BIDS." Our common shares began trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange on February 9, 1998 under the symbol "ILI" and, since July 18, 1998, our common shares traded under the symbol "BII". From June 6, 1996 to February 9, 1998, our common shares were quoted for trading on the Canadian Dealing Network under the symbol "ILII." The following tables set forth the range of high and low sales prices (rounded to the nearest hundredth) as reported by Canadian Dealing Network (through February 8, 1998), The Toronto Stock Exchange (beginning February 8, 1998) and Nasdaq (beginning April 20, 1999) during the calendar quarters indicated: The Toronto Stock Exchange 1998 High Low ---- ---- --- (Cdn $) (Cdn $) 1st Quarter 3.90 1.95 2nd Quarter 3.80 1.12 3rd Quarter 2.08 0.65 4th Quarter 6.00 0.56 1999 High Low ---- ---- --- (Cdn $) (Cdn $) 1st Quarter 17.60 3.65 2nd Quarter 33.65 10.65 3rd Quarter 13.05 4.90 4th Quarter 8.95 5.65 2000 High Low ---- ---- --- (Cdn $) (Cdn $) 1st Quarter 13.10 5.85 2nd Quarter 9.20 3.11 (April 1, 2000 to May 18, 2000) Nasdaq 1999 High Low High Low ---- ---- --- ---- --- (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (US$) (US$) 2nd Quarter 28.56 10.72 19.13 7.13 3rd Quarter 12.54 5.59 8.53 3.75 4th Quarter 8.85 5.63 6.00 3.84 2000 High Low High Low ---- ---- --- ---- --- (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (US$) (US$) 26 1st Quarter 13.30 5.75 9.13 3.70 2nd Quarter 9.69 3.01 6.50 2.06 (April 1, 2000 to May 18, 2000) United States dollar amounts are converted to Canadian dollars at the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the date of such sales prices. As of April 28, 2000, we had 1,360 shareholders of record holding 53,028,854 common shares, of which 369 shareholders holding 6,109,392 common shares had an address of record in the United States. Common shares held by the principal depositary in the United States on such date amounted to 5,426,188 or 10.2% of our issued common shares, which shares are held for participants' accounts. ITEM 6 EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS There is no law, government decree or regulation in Canada restricting the export or import of capital or affecting the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding tax requirements. There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the articles or other charter documents on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares or preference shares with voting rights, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act, as amended by the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act. The Investment Canada Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a "Canadian," as defined in the Investment Canada Act (a "non-Canadian"), unless, after review, the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be a net benefit to Canada. An investment in our voting shares by a non-Canadian (other than a "World Trade Organization Investor," as defined below) would be reviewable under the Investment Canada Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of our company, and the value of our assets were $5.0 million or more. An investment in our voting shares by a World Trade Organization Investor would be reviewable under the Investment Canada Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of our company, and the value of our assets equaled or exceeded $192.0 million. A non-Canadian, whether a World Trade Organization Investor or otherwise, would acquire control of us for purposes of the Investment Canada Act if he or she acquired a majority of our voting shares. The acquisition of less than a majority, but at least one-third of our voting shares, would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of our company, unless it could be established that we were not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of voting shares. In general, an individual is a World Trade Organization Investor if he or she is a "national" of a country (other than Canada) that is a member of the World Trade Organization ("World Trade Organization Member") or has a right of permanent residence in a World Trade Organization Member. A corporation or other entity will be a World Trade Organization investor if it is a "World Trade Organization investor-controlled entity" pursuant to detailed rules set out in the Investment Canada Act. The United States is a World Trade Organization Member. Certain transactions involving our voting shares would be exempt from the Investment Canada Act, including: (a) an acquisition of our voting shares if the acquisition were made in connection with the person's business as a trader or dealer in securities; (b) an acquisition of control of our company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Canada Act; and (c) an acquisition of control of our company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of our company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged. 27 ITEM 7 TAXATION Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations The following summary describes material Canadian federal income tax consequences generally applicable to a holder of our common shares who is not a resident of Canada, and who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), (i) holds such shares as capital property and (ii) deals at arm's length with us. Generally, common shares will be considered capital property to a holder provided that such holder does not hold such securities in the course of carrying on a business and has not acquired such securities in a transaction or transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade which includes a transaction or transactions of the same kind and carried on in the same manner as a transaction or transactions of an ordinary trade or dealer in property of the same kind. This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Income Tax Act and the regulations thereunder and on an understanding of the published administrative practices of the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency. This summary does not take into account or anticipate any possible changes in law, or the administration thereof, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, except proposals for specific amendment thereto which have been publicly announced by the Canadian Minister of Finance prior to the date hereof. This summary does not address all aspects of Canadian federal income tax law that may be relevant to shareholders based upon their particular circumstances, and does not deal with provincial, territorial or foreign income tax consequences, which might differ significantly from the consequences under Canadian federal income tax law. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the Canadian federal income tax law to their particular circumstances, as well as any Canadian provincial, territorial or other tax consequences or any U.S. federal, state or local tax consequences or other foreign income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common shares. Taxation of Dividends. A holder of a common share who is not resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act will be subject to Canadian withholding tax on dividends paid or credited, or deemed under the Income Tax Act to be paid or credited, to the holder of the common share. The rate of withholding tax under the Income Tax Act on dividends is 25% of the amount of the dividend. Such rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable international tax treaty to which Canada is a party. Under the tax treaty that Canada has entered into with the United States, the rate of Canadian withholding tax applicable in respect of dividends paid or credited by a Canadian corporation to a shareholder resident in the United States, is generally reduced to 15%, or 5% in the case of a corporate holder which owns 10% or more of the voting shares. A foreign tax credit for the tax withheld may be available to a holder resident in the United States against U.S. federal income taxes. Moreover, pursuant to Article XXI of the Canada-U.S. Treaty, an exemption from Canadian withholding tax generally is available in respect of dividends received by certain trusts, companies and other organizations whose income is exempt from tax under the laws of the United States. Disposition of common shares. A non-resident holder of a common share will not be subject to tax under the Income Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition of a common share unless the common share constitutes or is deemed to constitute "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Income Tax Act). Shares of a corporation that are listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which includes shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange and the Nasdaq are generally not considered to be taxable Canadian property. However, such shares can be taxable Canadian property if, at any time during the 60 month period immediately preceding their disposition, 25% or more of our issued shares of any class belong to the non-resident together with persons with whom the non-resident did not deal at arm's length. An option to acquire common shares or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, or otherwise having an interest in common shares, could constitute taxable Canadian property if the common shares that could be acquired upon the exercise of the option, the conversion or exchange rights or in which there is 28 such interest. Taxable Canadian property also includes any common share held by a non-resident if the non-resident used the common share in carrying on a business (other than an insurance business) in Canada, or, if the Non-Resident is a non-resident insurer, any common share that is its "designated insurance property" for the year. A non-resident whose common shares constitute or are deemed to constitute taxable Canadian property will realize upon the disposition or deemed disposition of a common share, a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent that the proceeds of disposition are greater than (or less than) the aggregate of the adjusted cost base to the holder of a common share and any reasonable costs of disposition. Two-thirds of any capital gain realized by a holder (a taxable capital gain) will be included in computing the holder's income. Two-thirds of any capital loss realized by a holder may, subject to certain restrictions applicable to holders that are corporations, normally be deducted from the holder's taxable capital gains realized in the year of disposition, the three preceding taxation years or any subsequent taxation years, subject to detailed rules contained in the Income Tax Act. A purchase by us of our common shares (other than a purchase of our common shares on the open market in a manner in which shares would normally be purchased by any member of the public in the open market) will give rise to a deemed dividend under the Income Tax Act equal to the difference between the amount we paid on the purchase and the paid-up capital of such shares determined in accordance with the Income Tax Act. The paid-up capital of such shares may be less than the cost of such shares to the holder. The amount of any such deemed dividend will reduce the proceeds of disposition of the common shares to the holders for the purpose of computing the amount of the capital gain or loss under the Income Tax Act of the holder. Any such dividend deemed to have been received by a non-resident holder will be subject to non-resident withholding tax as described above. The amount of any such deemed dividend will reduce the proceeds of disposition of the common share to the non-resident holder for the purpose of computing the amount of the non-resident holder's capital gain or loss under the Income Tax Act. Even if the common shares constitute taxable Canadian property to a non- resident holder and their disposition would give rise to a capital gain, an exemption from tax under the Income Tax Act may be available under the terms of an applicable international tax treaty to which Canada is a party. A holder resident in the United States for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty will generally be exempt from Canadian tax in respect of a gain on the disposition of common shares provided that the value of the common shares is not derived principally from real property situated in Canada. Article XIII paragraph 5 of the Canada-U.S. Treaty provides that the treaty provision which normally exempts U.S. residents from Canadian tax on the sale of property (paragraph 4) such as shares does not apply where the U.S. resident was a Canadian resident for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding the time of the sale and the individual was resident in Canada at any time during the ten years immediately preceding the sale. If the exemption from such Canadian tax in respect of such gain is not available under the Canada-U.S. Treaty, a foreign tax credit may be available for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Non-residents are advised to consult their tax advisers with regard to the availability of a treaty exemption. U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations The following summary describes material United States federal income tax consequences arising from the purchase, ownership and sale of common shares. This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, final, temporary and proposed United States Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this annual report and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The consequences to any particular investor may differ from those described below by reason of that investor's particular circumstances. This summary does not address the considerations that may be applicable to any particular taxpayer based on such taxpayer's particular circumstances (including potential application of the alternative minimum tax), to particular classes of taxpayers (including financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting, tax-exempt organizations, taxpayers who hold ordinary shares as part of a straddle, "hedge" or "conversion transaction" with other investments, investors who own (directly, indirectly or through attribution) 10% or more of our company's outstanding voting stock, taxpayers whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States, or persons which are foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or foreign estates or trusts as to the United States) or any aspect of state, local or non-United States tax laws. Additionally, the discussion does not consider the tax treatment of persons who hold common shares 29 through a partnership or other pass-through entity or the possible application of United States federal gift or estate tax. This summary is addressed only to a holder of common shares who is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States who owns less than 10% of our company's outstanding voting stock, (ii) a corporation organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of source, or (iv) a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (a "U.S. Holder"). This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase common shares. This summary generally considers only U.S. Holders that will own their common shares as capital assets. Each shareholder should consult with such shareholder's own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to such shareholder of the purchase, ownership and sale of their common shares including the effects of applicable state, local, foreign or other tax laws and possible changes in the tax laws. Treatment of Dividend Distributions Subject to the discussion below under "Tax Status Of The Company - Passive Foreign Investment Companies," a distribution by our company to a U.S. Holder in respect of the common shares (including the amount of any Canadian taxes withheld thereon) will generally be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a dividend to the extent of our company's current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. To the extent, if any, that the amount of any such distribution exceeds our company's current and accumulated earnings and profits, as so computed, it will first reduce the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares owned by him, and to the extent it exceeds such tax basis, it will be treated as capital gain from the sale of common shares. While it is not anticipated that our company will pay dividends in the foreseeable future, the gross amount of any distribution from our company received by a U.S. Holder which is treated as a dividend for United States federal income tax purposes (before reduction for any Canadian tax withheld at source) will be included in such U.S. Holder's gross income, will be subject to tax at the rates applicable to ordinary income and generally will not qualify for the dividends received deduction applicable in certain cases to United States corporations. For United States federal income tax purposes, the amount of any dividend paid in Canadian dollars by our company to a U.S. Holder will equal the U.S. dollar value of the amount of the dividend paid in Canadian dollars, at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the distribution, regardless of whether the Canadian dollars are actually converted into United States dollars at that time. Canadian dollars received by a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. dollar value thereof determined at the exchange rate on the date of the distribution. Currency exchange gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder on the conversion of Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars will generally be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss to such holder. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the treatment of foreign currency gain or loss, if any, on any Canadian dollars received which are converted into dollars subsequent to distribution. A U.S. Holder generally will be entitled to deduct any Canadian taxes withheld from dividends in computing United States taxable income, or to credit such withheld taxes against the United States federal income tax imposed on such U.S. Holder's dividend income. No deduction for Canadian taxes may be claimed, however, by a noncorporate U.S. Holder that does not itemize deductions. The amount of foreign taxes for which a U.S. Holder may claim a credit in any year is subject to complex limitations and restrictions, which must be determined on an individual basis by each shareholder. Distributions with respect to common shares that are taxable as dividends will generally constitute foreign source income for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by our company with respect to the common shares will generally constitute "passive income." Foreign income taxes exceeding a shareholder's credit limitation for the year of payment or accrual of such tax can be carried back for two taxable years and forward for five taxable years, subject to the credit limitation applicable in each of such years. Additionally, the foreign tax credit in any taxable year may not offset more than 90% of a shareholder's liability for United States individual or corporate alternative minimum tax. The total amount of allowable foreign tax credits in any year generally cannot exceed regular U.S. tax liability for the year attributable to foreign source taxable income. A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Canadian income 30 tax withheld from dividends received on the common shares to the extent such U.S. Holder has not held the ordinary shares for at least 16 days of the 30-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date or to the extent such U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make certain related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property. Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the common shares are not counted toward meeting the 16 day holding period required by the statute. Sale or Exchange of a Common Share Subject to the discussion below under "Tax Status Of The Company - Passive Foreign Investment Companies," the sale or exchange by a U.S. Holder of a common share generally will result in the recognition of gain or loss by the U.S. Holder in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's basis in the common share sold. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss provided that the common share is a capital asset in the hands of the holder. The gain or loss realized by a noncorporate U.S. Holder on the sale or exchange of a common share will be long-term capital gain or loss subject to tax at a maximum tax rate of 20% if the common share had been held for more than one year. If the common share had been held by such noncorporate U.S. Holder for not more than one year, such gain will be short-term capital gain subject to tax at a maximum rate of 39.6%. Finally, gain realized by a noncorporate U.S. Holder with respect to common shares acquired after December 31, 2000 and held for more than five years, shall be taxed at a maximum rate of 18%. Gain realized by a corporate U.S. Holder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 35%. Gains recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares generally will be treated as United States source income for United States foreign tax credit purposes. A loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares generally is allocated to U.S. source income under recently finalized regulations. However, those regulations require such loss to be allocated to foreign source income to the extent certain dividends were received by the taxpayer within the 24-month period preceding the date on which the taxpayer recognized the loss. The deductibility of a capital loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares is subject to limitations. A U.S. Holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of common shares and subsequently converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars generally will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss on any Canadian dollars received in respect of the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares. Tax Status of the Company Personal Holding Companies. A non-U.S. corporation may be classified as a personal holding company for United States federal income tax purposes if both of the following two tests are satisfied: (i) if at any time during the last half of the company's taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency) own or are deemed to own (under certain attribution rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) 60% or more of such non-U.S. corporation's gross income derived from U.S. sources or effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, as specifically adjusted, is from certain passive sources such as dividends and royalty payments. Such a corporation generally is taxed (currently at a rate of 39.6% of "undistributed personal holding company income") on the amounts of such passive source income, after making adjustments such as deducting dividends paid and income taxes, that are not distributed to shareholders. We believe that our company was not a personal holding company in 1999 and is not currently a personal holding company. However, no assurance can be given that either test will not be satisfied in the future. Foreign Personal Holding Companies. A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a foreign personal holding company for United States federal income tax purposes if both of the two following tests are satisfied: (i) five or fewer individuals who are United States citizens or residents own or are deemed to own (under certain attribution rules) more than 50% of all classes of the corporation's stock measured by voting power or value and (ii) the corporation receives at least 60% (50% if previously an foreign personal holding company) of its gross income (regardless of source), as specifically adjusted, from certain passive sources. If such a corporation is classified as a foreign personal holding company, a portion of its "undistributed foreign personal holding company income" (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes) would be imputed to all of its shareholders who are U.S. Holders on the last taxable day of the corporation's taxable year, or, if earlier, the last day on which it is classifiable as a foreign personal holding company. Such income would be taxable as a dividend, even if no cash dividend is actually paid. U.S. Holders who dispose of their shares prior to such date would not be subject to tax under these 31 rules. We believe that our company was not a personal holding company in 1999 and is not currently a personal holding company. However, no assurance can be given that our company will not qualify as a foreign personal holding company in the future. Passive Foreign Investment Companies. A company will be a passive foreign investment company if 75% or more of its gross income (including the pro rata share of the gross income of any company (United States or foreign) in which the company is considered to own 25% or more of the shares (determined by market value)) in a taxable year is passive income. Alternatively, the company will be considered to be a passive foreign investment company if at least 50% of the value of the company's assets (averaged over the year) (including the pro rata share of the value of the assets of any company in which the company is considered to own 25% or more of the shares (determined by market value)) in a taxable year are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. For these purposes, the value of our assets is calculated based on our market capitalization. Passive income generally includes, among others, interest, dividends, royalties, rents and annuities. If our company is a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holders, in the absence of an election by such U.S. Holder to treat our company as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF election"), as discussed below, would, upon certain distributions by our company and upon disposition of the common shares at a gain, be liable to pay tax at the highest tax rate on ordinary income in effect for each period to which the income is allocated, plus interest on the tax, as if the distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the days in the U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares during which our company was a passive foreign investment company. Additionally, if our company is a passive foreign investment company, U.S. Holders who acquire ordinary shares from decedents would be denied the normally available step-up of the income tax basis for such common shares to fair market value at the date of death and instead would have a tax basis equal to the decedent's basis, if lower. If our company is treated as a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, U.S. Holders should consider whether to make a QEF election for United States federal income tax purposes. If a U.S. Holder has a QEF election in effect for all taxable years that such U.S. Holder has held the common shares and our company was a passive foreign investment company, distributions and gain will not be recognized ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period or subject to an interest charge, gain on the sale of common shares will be characterized as capital gain and the denial of basis step-up at death described above would not apply. Instead, each such U.S. Holder is required for each taxable year that our company is a qualified electing fund to include in income a pro rata share of the ordinary earnings of our company as ordinary income and a pro rata share of the net capital gain of our company as long-term capital gain, subject to a separate election to defer payment of taxes, which deferral is subject to an interest charge. Consequently, in order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive from our company certain information. We intend to supply U.S. Holders with the information needed to report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election in the event our company is classified as a passive foreign investment company. The QEF election is made on a shareholder- by-shareholder basis and can be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. A shareholder makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (including the passive foreign investment company annual information statement) to a timely filed United States federal income tax return and by filing such form with the IRS Service Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even if a QEF election is not made, a shareholder in a passive foreign investment company who is a U.S. Holder must file a completed IRS Form 8621 every year. As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder may elect to make a mark-to-market election with respect to the common shares owned by him. If the mark-to-market election were made, then the rules set forth above would not apply for periods covered by the election. Under such election, a U.S. Holder includes in income each year an amount equal to fair market value of the common shares owned by such U.S. Holder as of the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in such shares. The U.S. Holder would be entitled to a deduction for the excess, if any, of such U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in his common shares over the fair market value of such shares as of the close of the taxable year; provided however, that such deduction would be limited to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains with respect to the common shares included by the U.S. Holder under the election for prior taxable years. The U.S. Holder's basis in his common shares is adjusted to reflect the amounts included or deducted pursuant to this election. Amounts included in income pursuant to the mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the sale or exchange of the common shares, will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss, as well as to any loss realized on the actual 32 sale or exchange of the common shares to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included with respect to such common shares. The mark-to-market election applies to the tax year for which the election is made and all later tax years, unless the common shares cease to be marketable or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. We do not believe our company was a passive foreign investment company during 1999. However, there can be no assurance that our company will not be classified as a passive foreign investment company in 2000 or thereafter because the tests for determining passive foreign investment company status are applied annually and it is difficult to make accurate predictions of future income and assets, which are relevant to this determination. U.S. Holders who hold common shares during a period when our company is a passive foreign investment company will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if our company ceases to be a passive foreign investment company, subject to certain exceptions for U.S. Holders who made a QEF election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors about making a QEF election or mark-to-market election and other aspects of the passive foreign investment company rules. Back-Up Withholding and Information Reporting U.S. Holders generally are subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends paid in the United States on common shares. Under existing regulations, such dividends are not subject to back-up withholding. U.S. Holders generally are subject to information reporting and back-up withholding at a rate of 31% on proceeds paid from the disposition of common shares unless the U.S. Holder provides IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. Treasury regulations generally effective January 1, 2001 may alter the rules regarding information reporting and back-up withholding. In particular, those regulations generally would impose back-up withholding on dividends paid in the United States on common shares unless the U.S. Holder provides IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the effect, if any, of these Treasury regulations on an investment in common shares. The amount of any back-up withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. or Non-U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS. ITEM 8 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified by reference to, our consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this annual report. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended 1997, 1998 and 1999 and consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, as set forth below, are derived from our consolidated audited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this annual report. The consolidated statement of operations data for the year ended 1996 and for the four months ended December 31, 1995 and the consolidated balance sheet data as at December 31, 1996 and 1995 have been derived from our audited financial statements not included in this annual report. We have prepared our audited financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada, which differ in certain respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. However, as applied to us, for all fiscal periods for which financial data are presented in this annual report, Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP were substantially identical in all material respects, except as disclosed in Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements and as described below. Our financial statements and the selected financial data set forth below are presented in Canadian dollars. Where applicable, financial data presented in this table for the year ended December 31, 1999 has been translated from Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars for convenience purposes at the representative exchange rates of $1.444 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in New York City on December 31, 1999 for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such translation should not be construed as a representation that the Canadian dollar amount represents, or has been converted into, U.S. dollars at this or any other rate. 33
Statement of Operations Data: Year Ended Year Ended Four December 31 ----------- Months ----------- December 31 Ended ----------- Dec 31 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------- (Cdn$) (U.S.$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (Audited) (in thousands except for per share data) Revenues................ 31,001 21,469 20,001 2,619 51 - Expenses 26,696 18,488 19,361 2,916 12 - Direct expenses......... Advertising and 11,870 8,220 12,594 2,521 403 12 promotion.............. General & administrative 12,405 8,591 5,751 3,157 1,453 112 Software development 1,001 693 889 661 194 10 and technology.......... Depreciation and 621 430 201 122 100 1 amortization Interest (income) (767) (531) (88) (33) - - Total expenses.......... 51,826 35,891 38,708 9,344 2,162 135 Loss from operations.... (20,825) (14,422) (18,707) (6,725) (2,111) (135) Net (loss).............. (20,825) (14,422) (18,707) (6,725) (2,111) (135) Loss per common share... (0.42) (0.29) (0.79) (0.55) (0.21) (0.01) Weighted average number 50,682 50,682 23,819 12,297 9,598 3,375 of common shares Balance Sheet Data:(2)
As at December 31 -------------------------------------------------- 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ (Cdn$) (U.S.$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (Cdn$) (in thousands) Working capital........................ 21,523 14,905 17,929 5,088 (559) 62 Total assets........................... 36,743 25,445 21,047 6,886 471 145 Long-term Deferred Revenue............. 1,289 893 - - - - Shareholders equity.................... 28,985 20,072 18,622 5,563 (209) 116 ____________________________ (1) We commenced our present business in September 1995. (2) We have not paid dividends since our formation.
34 ITEM 9 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Overview We offer auction enabling technology and related services for the business- to-business market directly and through a series of strategic partnerships and alliances and for the business-to-consumer market through our Web site located at www.bid.com. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including fixed price, traditional rising price auction, real time or live Dutch auction, and request for quotation/proposal formats. In September 1995, our business was commenced by Internet Liquidators Inc., an Ontario corporation. In May 1996, Internet Liquidators USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Internet Liquidators Inc., was incorporated under the laws of Florida, and Internet Liquidators International Inc., an Ontario Corporation, acquired all of the shares of Internet Liquidators Inc. In January 1997, our Company formed, as an Ontario corporation, by amalgamation of Internet Liquidators Inc. and Internet Liquidators International Inc. In June 1998, we changed our name from Internet Liquidators International Inc. to Bid.Com International Inc. From incorporation through April 1996, we had no revenues. During this period, we focused on development of our proprietary technology and computer infrastructure and the initial planning and development of our Web site and operations. We launched our auction Web site in April 1996 under the URL www.internetliquidators.com, but did not begin to actively promote or advertise our Web site until May 1997. From April 1996 until May 1997, we focused on securing our initial relationships with America Online and The Toronto Star, which were concluded in February 1997, and developing an advertising and promotion plan for our business, while continuing to develop our technology and Web site and build our business infrastructure. We generated only minimal revenues during this period. In May 1997, we initiated our marketing and advertising campaign and, as a result, began generating more significant commercial revenues for auctions conducted at our Web site. In March 1998, we changed our Web site address to www.bid.com. Since launching our Bid.Com brand name, our customer base has increased significantly. As of May 15, 2000, we had approximately 204,000 registered bidders, representing a 716% increase in registered bidders from January 1, 1998. Business-to-Business. Building on our significant experience in the delivery of on-line dynamic price solutions, we enable other businesses to enjoy the advantages of an on-line distribution strategy. Because of the modular nature of our software, the mix of products and services may be tailored to the needs of each client. Our software includes an ascending auction, live or real- time Dutch auction, request for proposal/quote auction, or fixed price format. We also offer a wide range of services, including consulting, research, training and implementation services. Customization and implementation may, depending upon the client, take several months, depending upon the objective of the customer, the complexity of the customer's information technology environments, and the resources directed by the customers to the implementation projects. The revenue structures and particular services provided vary depending upon the needs of the client, and we typically participate in a share of revenue or net revenue from each auction. The term of the agreements vary, and revenue from software licenses is deferred and amortized Commencing in 1999, we began to refocus our strategic sales agenda in favor of an international entry to business-to-business markets. New business to business alliances were created in which we typically secured an ongoing revenue sharing arrangement. We also established new offices in Dublin and Melbourne. For a further discussion of the impact of this shift in our primary business focus, see "Item 1 - Description of Our Business - Overview" and "Risk Factors - As a result of our evolving business model, we may generate less revenue from the business-to-consumer market and we may not be able to replace the revenue with revenues from the business-to-business market: and " - Our marketing alliance with AOL has terminated which may reduce traffic to our business-to-consumer Web site; we rely on alliances with other third parties to drive traffic to our business-to-consumer Web sites, and if those alliances terminate our business could be harmed." Business-to-Consumer. Our policy is, generally, not to purchase inventory from merchandise vendors for resale on our auctions at www.bid.com. Rather, we usually acquire the right to sell the merchandise under 35 arrangements with our vendors. These arrangements typically provide that the supplier will reserve for sale by us specified quantities of products for a fixed period of time without obligating us to purchase these products until sales are made to our customers. Prior to sale, we negotiate a reserve price with a particular vendor. When an auction is completed, we charge the successful bidder's credit card. We typically purchase merchandise from suppliers only after a customer has purchased and paid for the product. Title to the inventory passes to us at the time the goods are shipped to the customer. We record the gross amount as revenue upon verification of the credit card authorization and shipment of the merchandise to the customer. Inventory on our balance sheets reflect sales returns in transit and some inventory for resale. Both are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Sales returns in transit may, at our option, be returned to suppliers for credit or held for resale. Historically, we have offered lower margin categories of products, such as computers, computer accessories and computer upgrades. While we plan to continue offering these product categories, we have shifted our product mix and increased the number and variety of goods in higher margin product categories, such as consumer electronics, toys, games, sporting goods, memorabilia, jewelry, collectible sports and entertainment cards and travel and entertainment products and services. In connection with the introduction of our marketing program in the third and fourth quarters of 1997, we initiated a promotional pricing strategy under which products were sold below cost or at significantly reduced profit margins. Due to competitive pressures we continued that approach throughout most of 1998 and 1999. As a result, our earnings were significantly impacted. We recorded advertising and promotional expenses related to our promotional pricing strategy of $698,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, $3.52 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 and $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. We further expect that we may, in the future, in response to competitive pressures or for other business reasons, from time to time use promotional pricing programs and free shipping programs. In such cases, we anticipate that our earnings will be reduced and such reductions may be significant. We have entered into agreements to market a variety of new consumer items, including jewelry, talking sports memorabilia and video games, on our consumer auction site. In November 1999, we reached a significant milestone with the two millionth visitor to our Canadian consumer Web site in November, 1999. Results of Operations Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998 Revenues. Revenues are comprised of services and auction enabling activities, and the sale of merchandise plus shipping revenue. Revenues increased to $31.001 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 from $20.001 million for the year ended December 31,1998, an increase of 55.0%. The increase is due to higher revenues from our Web site and from service and auction enabling activities during the year. From January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999, our customer base grew substantially as reflected by a 106% increase in registered bidders from approximately 87,000 to almost 179,000. Quarterly revenues for 1999 were $5.015 million in the first quarter, $6.250 million in the second quarter, $8.330 million in the third quarter, and $11.406 million in the fourth quarter representing quarter over quarter growth of over 24.6% in the second quarter, 33.3% in the third quarter, and 36.9% in the fourth quarter. Direct Expenses. Direct expenses reflect negotiated reserve prices with vendors for the supply of goods sold by us. Direct expenses were $26.696 million (86.1% of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 1999, as compared to $19.361 million (96.8% of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase in direct expenses reflects the significant growth of revenues during the year ended December 31, 1999 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1998. We anticipate that our direct expenses will vary as a percentage of revenues in future quarters as we attempt to continue to reduce the number of high cost/low contribution products and increased services and auction enabling activities. Advertising and Promotion Expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses consist primarily of advertising and marketing fees, promotional pricing expenses, and expenses paid to strategic and marketing partners and other third parties from which we purchase advertising space, but does not include salaries and related expenses of our sales and marketing personnel which are included in general and administrative expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses were $11.870 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, as compared to $12.594 million 36 for the year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of 5.7%. As a percentage of revenues, advertising and promotion expenses fell to 38.3% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 from 63.0% during the year ended December 31, 1998. Advertising and promotion expenses for the year ended December 31, 1999 include $4.044 million (13.0% of revenue) attributable to promotional pricing expenses and $3.548 million (11.4% of revenue) for expenses related to America Online in accordance with our marketing agreement with America Online. Advertising and promotion expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 included $3.520 million (17.6% of revenue) for promotional pricing expenses and $7.0 million (35.0% of revenue) for expenses related to America Online in accordance with the America Online marketing agreement. The decrease in advertising and promotional pricing expenses during 1999, reflects the substantial impact of advertising and marketing which the Company undertook in 1998 to promote the Bid.Com brand name, attract track traffic to our Web site and enlarge our customer base. Reduction of advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of revenue reflects the significant growth in revenues from 1999 over 1998. Payments to America Online ceased March 31, 2000 with the expiry of the America Online agreement. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses include, primarily: all salaries and related expenses (including benefits and payroll taxes) other than fees to independent contractors for research and development, and technology staff compensation, which are included in software and development expenses; facility costs; foreign exchange expenses; professional fees; insurance costs; investor relations; computing and communications expenses; regulatory filing fees and travel and related costs. General and administrative expenses increased to $12.405 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 from $5.751 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, an increase of 115.7%. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 40.0% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999 from 28.8% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase in general and administrative expenses is attributable to an increase in salary and related expenses resulting from staff hired to accommodate the growth in business and increased focus on business-to-business opportunities during 1999, increased legal and other fees relating to the attainment of a Nasdaq listing, regulatory filing fees, investor relations fees, live video streaming production expenses, rent, communication and other ancillary costs due primarily to the Company's growth during 1999. Software Development and Technology Expenses. Software development and technology expenses consist of costs associated with acquired and internally developed software, license agreements and research and development expenses, including fees to independent contractors and salaries and related expenses of our personnel engaged in these activities. Software development and technology expenses increased to $1.001 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 from $889,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998, a 12.6% increase. As a percentage of revenues, software development and technology expenses decreased to 3.2% of revenues during 1999 from 4.4% during 1998. The increase in software development and technology expenses is attributable primarily to the increased expenses incurred in connection with the redesign of our Web page, development of a fixed price site and the development of business-to-business auction technology. The decrease in software development and technology expense as a percentage of revenues is attributable to the significant growth in revenues during the period. Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $621,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999 as compared to $201,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998, an increase of 209.0%. This increase was primarily due to amortization expenses relating to goodwill as a result of the investment in Point 2 Internet Systems Inc. as well as a significant increase in equipment, computers, furniture and fixtures acquired by us during 1999 as the result of our growth. Interest Income. Interest income was $767,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999 as compared to $88,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. Interest income reflects interest from investments in cash and marketable securities. Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 Revenues. Revenues were comprised of transactional revenues from the sale of merchandise plus shipping revenue. Revenues (excluding interest income) increased to $20.001 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $2.619 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of 663.7%. The increase reflected commercial sales for the full year ending December 31, 1998 as compared to only eight months (May to December) 37 during the period ended December 31, 1997. In addition, the increase was attributable to the introduction of our Bid.Com brand name in March 1998, and a significant increase in marketing and advertising expenditures and marketing relationships during the year ending December 31, 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997. From January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998, our customer base grew substantially as reflected by a 335.0% increase in registered bidders from approximately 20,000 to over 87,000. Direct Expenses. Direct expenses reflect negotiated reserve prices with vendors for the supply of goods sold by us. Direct expenses were $19.361 million (96.8% of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 1998 resulting in a gross margin of $640,000 or 3.2%, as compared to $2.916 million (111.3% of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 1997, resulting in a negative gross margin of $297,000 or 11.3%. The increase in direct expenses reflected the significant growth of revenues during the year ended December 31, 1998 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1997. Improvement in the gross margin for the year ended December 31, 1998 reflected the commencement of our efforts to change our product mix to include sales of higher margin goods. During 1998, gross margins were 2.0% in the first quarter, 0.9% in the second quarter, 3.2% in the third quarter and 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Advertising and Promotion Expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses consisted primarily of advertising and marketing fees, promotional pricing expenses, and expenses paid to strategic and marketing partners and other third parties from which we purchase advertising space, but did not include salaries and related expenses of our sales and marketing personnel which are included in general and administrative expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses were $12.594 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, as compared to $2.521 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of 399.6%. As a percentage of revenues, advertising and promotion expenses fell to 63.0% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1998 from 96.3% during the year ended December 31, 1997. Advertising and promotion expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 included $3.52 million (17.6% of revenue) attributable to promotional pricing expenses and $7.0 million (35.0% of revenue) paid to America Online pursuant to the America Online Marketing Agreement. Advertising and promotion expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997 included $698,000 (26.7% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997) for promotional pricing expenses and $442,000 (16.9% of revenue) for payments to America Online pursuant to the America Online Marketing Agreement. The increase in advertising and promotion expenses reflected the substantial increase in advertising and marketing which we undertook in order to promote our Bid.Com brand name, attract track traffic to our Web site and enlarge our customer base. Reduction of advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of revenue reflects the significant growth in revenues from 1997 to 1998 and a reduced amount of promotional pricing activity. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses include, primarily: all salaries and related expenses (including benefits and payroll taxes) other than fees to independent contractors for research and development, and technology staff compensation, which are included in software and development expenses; facility costs; foreign exchange expenses; professional fees; insurance costs; investor relations; computing and communications expenses; regulatory filing fees and travel and related costs. General and administrative expenses increased to $5.751 million during the year ended December 31, 1998 from $3.157 million in the year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of 82.2%. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 28.8% of revenues in 1998 from 120.5% of revenues in 1997. The increase in general and administrative expenses was attributable to an increase in salary and related expenses resulting from staff hired to accommodate the growth in business during 1998, and an increase in office supplies, rent, communication and other ancillary costs due primarily to our growth during 1998, and losses due to foreign exchange expenses. The reduction in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales reflected economies of scale achieved as a result of a significant growth of revenues during the year ended December 31, 1998. Software Development and Technology Expenses. Software development and technology expenses consist of costs associated with acquired and internally developed software, license agreements and research and development expenses, including fees to independent contractors and salaries and related expenses of our personnel engaged in these activities. Software development and technology expenses increased to $889,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $661,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, a 34.5% increase. As a percentage of revenues, software development and technology expenses decreased to 4.4% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 1998 from 25.2% during the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in software development and technology expenses was attributable primarily to the increased expenses incurred in connection with the 38 redevelopment of our auction platform, the purchase of a new accounting software package and the purchase and implementation of the personalization software engine. The reduction in software development and technology expense as a percentage of revenues was attributable to the significant growth in revenues during the period, and resulting economies of scale. Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $201,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998 as compared to $122,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of 64.8%. This increase was a result of a significant increase in equipment, computers, furniture and fixtures acquired by us during 1997 as the result of our growth. Liquidity and Capital Resources Funding to Date. We have been funded to date primarily through a series of private placements of equity, in one instance a convertible debenture, sales of equity to and investments from strategic partners and cash flow from operations. We have received aggregate gross proceeds of $77.9 million through our private offerings, including, $16.0 million of net proceeds from the sale of the special warrants in December 1999 and an aggregate of $34.7 million during 1999 from the exercise of options and common share purchase warrants sold in private offerings. During 1998, we issued a common share warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million and 1,500,000 common shares for no additional consideration to Rogers Media. The common share purchase warrant entitled Rogers Media to acquire up to 100,000 common shares at a price of $1.40 per common share. These warrants were fully exercised by September 30, 1999. We also sold in a private placement a total of 8,100,000 special warrants at a price of $1.40 per special warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of $11.3 million. The special warrants were exercised on September 30, 1998, for 8,100,000 common shares and 4,050,000 share purchase warrants, each exercisable to purchase one common share at $1.65 per share. These warrants were fully exercised by September 30, 1999 resulting in aggregate proceeds to us of $6.682 million. We also granted to Yorkton Securities Inc., placement agent for the offering, compensation warrants entitling Yorkton to receive, without payment of any further consideration, options to purchase up to 860,000 units (each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant) at a price of $1.40 per unit at any time until November 4, 1999. The options were exercised for 860,000 common shares and 430,000 share purchase warrants resulting in proceeds to us of $1.204 million. These warrants were fully exercised by September 30, 1999 resulting in proceeds to us of $709,500. On November 30, 1998, we sold in a private placement 5,714,984 special warrants at a price of $1.75 per special warrant. We received proceeds of $10.001 million. The special warrants issued by us were exercised on January 28, 1999 for 5,714,984 common shares and 1,428,746 share purchase warrants, each exercisable to purchase one common share at $1.75 per share. As at December 31, 1999, all remaining share purchase warrants had been exercised. We also granted to Yorkton, the placement agent for this offering, compensation warrants which entitled Yorkton to receive, without payment of additional consideration, options to purchase up to 611,498 units at a price of $1.75 per unit at any time prior to December 31, 1999. In January 1999, Yorkton exercised the options for units consisting of 611,498 common shares and 152,875 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable to purchase one common share at $1.75 per share, resulting in proceeds to us of $1,070,122. These share purchase warrants were fully exercised by September 30, 1999 resulting in proceeds to us of $267,531. On September 30, 1999, we issued 1,854,678 special warrants at a price of $9.25 per warrant which were exchangeable into 1,854,678 common shares and 1,854,678 share purchase warrants for no additional consideration. The share purchase warrants, if and when exercised, are exercisable at a price of $10.00 per warrant until September 30, 2001 into an equivalent number of common shares. Gross proceeds were $17,155,772 from which was deducted commission of $857,789 (5%) and estimated expenses of approximately $250,000 to yield net proceeds of $16,047,983. 39 Fixed Assets. Additions to fixed assets during 1997 were $247,000, respectively, primarily for computer hardware. During 1998, we invested $351,000 in fixed assets, primarily for computer hardware, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures, and $68,000 for trademarks. During 1999 we invested $693,000 in fixed assets primarily for computer hardware, equipment, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements. Other. In addition, during 1999 we issued $2.5 million of share capital for a strategic investment in Point 2 Internet Systems Inc. in a heavy equipment listing service company, resulting in goodwill of $2.0 million. We also made strategic investments in SCS Solars, Megawheels.Com, and Globalstore.com. We have an agreement with a financial institution that settles credit card transactions for online auction sales. Under this agreement, we are required to maintain a cash reserve account in an amount determined based on a percentage of sales for the preceding six months. As of December 31, 1999, we were required to maintain $1.52 million in this account. Current Status. We have not earned profits to date and, at December 31, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of $48.5 million. We also have incurred negative cash flow from operations since inception and we have expended and expect to continue to expend substantial funds to continue to develop our technology, business-to-business auctions, multimedia auction platforms, the distribution of specialty products and other areas of our business including the acquisition of, or strategic investments in, complementary products, businesses or technologies. As a result, we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future and there can be no assurance that we will ever achieve profitability. Operating results have varied on a quarterly basis in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As of December 31, 1999 and May 15, 2000, we had cash on hand and marketable securities of approximately $21.5 million and $11.5 million, respectively. At this time, funds from operations are not sufficient to meet our anticipated financial requirements. Based on current plans, we believe that current cash balances and anticipated funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our needs until approximately October 1, 2000. However, the actual amount of funds that will be required during the interim period will be determined by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. As a result, we may need funds sooner or in greater amounts than currently anticipated. On May 19, 2000 we signed an agreement with Acqua Wellington Value Fund Ltd. under which Acqua Wellington agreed to invest a minimum of U.S.$1.5 million and a maximum of U.S.$6.5 million in our company. Under certain conditions, the amount which Acqua Wellington will be required to invest will increase from U.S.$1.5 million to up to U.S.$3.5 million. At least U.S.$3.0 million and, under certain conditions, as much as U.S $5.0 million of the investment will be made at the discretion of Acqua Wellington. In exchange for its investment, we will issue to Acqua Wellington units to acquire one common share and four-tenth (.4) of a common share purchase warrant. Upon exercise of a whole purchase warrant, we will issue one common share. The warrants will be exercisable for two years at an exercise price equal to 115% of the purchase price of the unit. The purchase price of a unit will be determined based on a market-based price formula. Completion of the proposed Acqua Wellington financing is subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions, including regulatory and Toronto Stock Exchange approval. We cannot assure you that the Acqua Wellington financing will be completed in a timely manner or at all or the exact amount that Acqua Wellington will invest. Even if Acqua Wellington completes the investment we anticipate that we will need to raise additional funds by approximately November 1, 2000, if Acqua Wellington invests U.S.$1.5 million, and by approximately February 1, 2001, if Acqua Wellington invests US.$6.5 million. Other than the Acqua Wellington financing, do not have committed sources of financing at this time and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain financing when needed on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If adequate funds are not available or not available on acceptable terms when needed, our business, operations, financial condition and future prospects will be materially adversely affected. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our shareholders will be reduced, shareholders may experience additional dilution and such securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common shares. Net Operating Losses for Tax Purposes. We have available an aggregate of approximately $48.8 million of net operating losses for tax purposes that may be used to reduce taxable income in future years, of which $113,000 expires in 2002, $1.9 million expires in 2003, $6.4 million expires in 2004 and $19.8 million expires in 2005 and 40 $20.5 million expires in 2006. Our net operating losses are subject to assessment of our tax returns by taxation authorities. Year 2000 In 1999, as the Year 2000 approached, an issue existed for companies that relied on computers as a result of the computer industry's past practice of using two digits rather than four digits to identify the applicable year. Consequently, many software applications and programs may not have properly recognized calendar dates beginning in the Year 2000. If not corrected, these applications and programs could have failed or created erroneous results. To correctly identify the Year 2000, a four-digit year code field was required to be what is commonly termed "Year 2000 compliant." During 1999, we conducted a comprehensive examination of our information technology and communications systems and software applications to determine Year 2000 compliance. We hired a Year 2000 consultant to review our examination and the consultant's review was completed in November, 1999 assigning a low risk rating to our operations. We contacted significant suppliers and third-party service providers to identify Year 2000 problems and develop contingency plans to prevent the disruption of our business activities. Total costs attributable to Year 2000 compliance efforts, were approximately $260,000. As of April 27, 2000, we have experienced no detrimental effects as a result of the Year 2000 compliance issue. Foreign Currency Fluctuations We purchase substantially all of our products from suppliers, and sell substantially all of our products to customers, in U.S. dollars. We also incur a significant amount of advertising and marketing expenses in U.S. dollars. However, the majority of our other operating expenses are in Canadian dollars. Fluctuations in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate with respect to our operations are a function, primarily, of: the relative value of the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar at any given time, and the relationship between the amount of revenues and financing received by us in U.S. dollars and the amount of our expenditures being paid in Canadian dollars, on the one hand, and the amount of revenues and financing received by us in Canadian dollars and the amount of our expenditures being paid in U.S. dollars, on the other hand. We do not have any hedging programs in place to manage the potential exposure to fluctuations in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate. We incurred net losses from foreign currency exchange fluctuations of $271,000 in the year ended December 31, 1999, $675,000 in 1998 and $39,000 in 1997. The decrease in losses resulted from the overall increase in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar during the year ended December 31, 1999 as compared to 1998. Euro Conversion In June 1999, we opened an office in Dublin, Ireland to provide auction enabling and related services to European-based companies. Effective January 1, 1999, 11 of the 15 member countries of the European Union adopted the euro as their common legal currency and each participant established fixed conversion rates between their sovereign, or legacy currencies and the common euro currency. The legacy currencies of the individual countries are scheduled to remain legal tender as denominations of the euro until January 1, 2002 (the "transition period"), when euro-denominated bills and coins will be introduced. During the transition period, public and private parties may choose to pay for goods and services using either the euro or the participating country's legacy currency. However, conversion rates no longer will be computed directly from one legacy currency to another. Instead, a "triangular" calculation must be utilized whereby an amount denominated in one legacy currency is first converted into a euro amount, and then the euro amount is converted into the second legacy currency. By July 1, 2002, the legacy currencies will be phased out entirely as legal tender. 41 We currently conduct business operations in U.S. and Canadian dollars. Since our information systems and processes generally accommodate multiple currencies, we anticipate that any necessary modifications to our information systems, equipment and processes to accommodate euro transactions will be made on a timely basis and do not expect any failures that would have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, or that the costs of such modifications will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. We spent approximately $422,000 during 1999 to open and operate the Dublin office, including salaries, office rent and other expenses, including computers and telephones. These expenses included purchasing or modifying appropriate business software and arranging for banking relationships to allow us to invoice and accept payments, and pay our own suppliers, in legacy currencies and in euro. The auction enabling software that we provide in Europe is designed to be multi-currency capable. The software is capable of performing multiple currency conversions, including triangular conversions. During the euro transition period, we anticipate that partners to whom we will provide our auction enabling services will initially designate the currency zones in which they operate, and we can supplementally add zones to the auction software platform as these partners expand or move operations into other European countries. The cost of including the initial currency zones and of adding zones will be included within the fees. Licensees will therefore be able to price auction products in legacy currencies and euro denominations. In order to accept credit card payments in euro and legacy currencies, our customers will be required to enter into arrangements with local banking vendors that can support their auction operations with respect to euro transactions on a timely basis. We do not have in place any hedging programs to manage the potential exposure to fluctuations in the euro/Canadian dollar exchange rate. As European operations expand, we may need to evaluate our currency exchange costs and rate exposure with respect to the euro during and after the transition period. 42 ITEM 9A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK (a) Quantitative Information about Market Risk Not applicable. (b) Qualitative Information about Market Risk Not applicable. ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our directors and executive officers. Name Age Position - ---- --- -------- Paul Godin4 47 Chairman of the Board of Directors Jeffrey Lymburner 43 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer T. Christopher Bulger1,2 42 Director Dr. Duncan Copeland1,2,3 43 Director Azim Fancy 58 Director David Pamenter3 52 Director and Assistant Secretary Charles S. Walker1,2 64 Director Jim Moskos 37 Director, President, Bid.Com Technology Group Mark Wallace 41 Chief Operating Officer Paul Hart 44 Chief Financial Officer Peter Sprukulis 40 Senior Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development Robert W.A. Joynt 51 Vice President, Consumer Sales and Marketing John Mackie 35 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary David Kirkconnell 39 Vice-President, Human Resources Gregory Bewsh 48 Vice-President, Investor Relations ________________________ (1) Member of Audit Committee (2) Member of the Management Resources and Compensation Committee (3) Member of the Corporate Governance Committee. There is presently one vacancy on this committee. (4) Mr. Godin has indicated that he will resign as Chairman of the Board effective June 14, 2000. Mr. Godin will remain a director. The business experience of each of our directors and executive officers for at least the last five years is as follows: Paul Godin has served as Chairman of the board of directors since June 17, 1996 and is one of our founding shareholders. Mr. Godin served as Chief Executive Officer from August 28, 1998 until August 1, 1999 and served as our President from September 1995 until August 28, 1998. Mr. Godin has 20 years of marketing experience in the retail and wholesale electronics and computer industries. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Godin was Senior Vice President--Corporate Sales and Marketing for Completely Mobile Inc., a Canadian company which designs and implements wireless data systems. From 1993 to 1994, he was Vice President and General Manager of Casio Canada Inc., makers of calculators and household electronic goods. From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Godin was Vice President--Sales and Marketing, for Alpine Electronics of Canada Inc. and, prior to that, he privately consulted to 43 Canadian Airlines, H.J. Heinz, and Clarion Canada. Mr. Godin has indicated that he will step down as Chairman effective June 14, 2000. Mr. Godin is the founding shareholder, and a director and officer of The Art Vault International Limited. Jeffrey Lymburner is our Chief Executive Officer and one of our founding shareholders. Mr. Lymburner became Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 1999, has served as our President from August 28, 1998, our Executive Vice President from September 1995 until August 1998 and has served as a director since September 1995. Mr. Lymburner is also President of Internet Liquidators USA Inc., our subsidiary operating as Bid.Com, USA. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Lymburner was President of Completely Mobile Inc., and prior to that, he served in various management positions with Multitech Warehouse Direct, a Canadian consumer electronics retail chain. T. Christopher Bulger has served as a director since June 1996. He has served as our Executive Vice President from September 1998 to December 1, 1999 and as Assistant Secretary from September 1996 to December 1, 1999. Mr. Bulger served as our Chief Financial Officer from April 1996 to September 1998. Mr. Bulger was an officer and a partner with HDL Capital Corporation, a Toronto-based merchant bank from 1993 until 1999. Mr. Bulger is currently the Chief Executive Officer and a director of eLab Technology Ventures Inc. Dr. Duncan Copeland has served as a director since September 1995. Dr. Copeland is the President of Copeland & Company, a Washington D.C.-based international consultancy firm, and served as Visiting Professor of business at Georgetown University from September 1997 to May 1999. From July 1989 to June 1996, Dr. Copeland served on the faculty of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario as a professor of Information Management and as Chief Information Officer of the institution. Azim Fancy became a director on October 14, 1999. Mr. Fancy started his business career as Managing Director with the Steel Corporation of Pakistan in 1967. From 1972 to 1977, Mr. Fancy served as President of the Gulf Group of Companies. In 1977, Mr. Fancy established International Trading and Sales Inc. based in New York City, New York. The company owned and chartered vessels for the movement of its bulk cargoes throughout the world. Mr. Fancy has also been extremely active on several professional, community and charitable boards. Most recently, Mr. Fancy was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Ontario Film Development Corporation as well as an Advisory Board Member to SCS Solars Computing Systems Inc. Mr. Fancy is a director of The Art Vault International Limited. David Pamenter has served as our Director since June 1997 and as an Assistant Secretary since January 1997. Since July 1995, Mr. Pamenter has been a partner in the Toronto, Ontario law firm of Gowling, Strathy & Henderson, Barristers & Solicitors, and from 1977 to 1995, Mr. Pamenter was a partner in the Toronto law firm of Lang Michener, Barristers & Solicitors. Charles S. Walker has served as our Director since February 1999. Since January 1968, Mr. Walker has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Walker Group, Inc., a privately owned company involved in manufacturing, administration, fulfillment services and marketing to the automotive and consumer goods industries. Mr. Walker is currently a director of Megawheels.com Inc. and a director of SCS Solars Computing Systems Inc. Jim Moskos has served as a director and President of the Bid.Com Technology Group since October 19, 1999. Mr. Moskos served as the Vice President-- Technology of the Company from September 1997 to October 19, 1999. From September 1994 to August 1997, Mr. Moskos was Senior Technology Manager for the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (the "Department") responsible for setting the technical direction for all aspects of application development. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Moskos was Client Services Manager for the Department. Mark Wallace became our Chief Operating Officer in November, 1999 and was previously Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Prior to joining the Company in May 1999, Mr. Wallace was Vice- President, General Counsel and Secretary of AT&T Canada Long Distance Services Company. In that capacity, he was principal advisor to that company on all legal, regulatory and corporate governance issues, and served as corporate secretary to its board of directors. Mr. Wallace joined AT&T Canada in 1991. Prior to joining AT&T Canada, Mark worked for 4 years in private practice as a corporate commercial lawyer. 44 Paul Hart has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 1998 and Senior Vice President - Finance from August 1998 to September 1998. From March 1995 to July 1998, Mr. Hart was Vice President-Finance of Canadian Automatic Data Processing Services, Limited, and from June 1990 to February 1995, Mr. Hart served as Vice President and Treasurer of Simcoe Erie Investor Limited, an insurance company and part of the GAN Group. Peter Sprukulis joined us in December 1999 as Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. In this position, Mr. Sprukulis is responsible for all activities relating to the development of our global business-to-business group. From March 1999 to December 1999, Mr. Sprukulis was the Global Vice President of Marketing for Hummingbird Communications Inc. responsible for the global efforts in Business Intelligence. From January, 1996 to March 1999, Mr. Sprukulis was the Vice President of Marketing for Oracle Corporation responsible for Canada and Latin America. Prior to January 1996, he was Manager of Communications and Campaign Strategies for the Software Division of IBM Canada Ltd. Robert W.A. Joynt has served as our Vice President--Consumer Sales and Marketing since January 1996. From July 1994 to December 1995, Mr. Joynt was Vice President--Sales and Marketing of Logitech Electronics Inc., a consumer electronics company and from September 1984 to June 1994, he served as President of Koss Limited and Vice President of Koss Corporation, a consumer electronics company. John Mackie joined us in November, 1999 as Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining us, Mr. Mackie was Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Imax Corporation. From August 1997 to June 1998, Mr. Mackie was a member of the legal department of AT&T Canada Long Distance Services Company (now AT&T Canada Corp.), serving as Associate General Counsel from January 1998 to June 1998. Prior to August 1997, Mr. Mackie was an associate with the law firm of Fraser & Beatty (now Fraser Milner). David Kirkconnell has been our Vice-President, Human Resources since February 2000. Mr. Kirkconnell has approximately fourteen years human resource management experience in a variety of industries. He acted as a consultant to various businesses on Human Resources matters from October 1998 to February 2000. Prior to that time, he served as VP, Human Resources (from February 1997 to May 1998) and Director Human Resources (from October 1991 to February 1997) for Ault Foods Ltd. Mr. Kirkconnell holds an Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto. Gregory Bewsh is our Vice-President, Investor Relations. Mr. Bewsh has approximately 20 years experience in finance, treasury and investor relations. He was Vice-President and Treasurer of Chemical Bank of Canada from 1985 to 1994; Managing Director, Commercial Banking of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from 1994 to 1997 and Director, Investor Relations of Clearnet Communications Inc. from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Bewsh holds an MBA in Finance. Under Canadian law, a majority of our board of directors must be residents of Canada. Each of our directors holds office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor has been elected and qualified. Our executive officers are appointed by our board of directors and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. ITEM 11 - COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Summary Compensation Table The following table provides a summary of compensation earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 by our Chief Executive Officer and the five highest paid executives who earned in excess of $100,000.
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
45
Awards Payouts ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Restricted Annual Shares or All Other Compen- Options Restricted LTIP Compen Name And Principal Year Salary Bonus sations Granted Share Payout sation Position ($) ($) ($)(2) (#) Units ($) ($) ($) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Godin 1999 260,000 Nil 12,000 160,000 Nil Nil Nil Chairman(3) 1998 178,300 Nil 250,000(1.2,000 50,000 Nil Nil Nil 1997 135,000 11,500 75,000 Nil Nil Nil - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Lymburner 1999 225,684 Nil Nil 170,000 Nil Nil Nil President and CEO 1998 170,500 Nil Nil 100,000 Nil Nil Nil 1997 135,000 200,000(1) 7,000 50,000 Nil Nil Nil - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christopher Bulger 1999 175,017 Nil 11,000 160,000 Nil Nil Nil Director(4) 1998 132,000 100,000 12,000 125,000 Nil Nil Nil 1997 111,500 Nil 2,000 75,000 Nil Nil Nil - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert W.A. Joynt 1999 163,022 Nil 6,000 55,000 Nil Nil Nil Vice-President, Consumer 1998 154,300 8,500 6,000 35,000 Nil Nil Nil Sales and Marketing 1997 103,700 Nil 3,000 25,000 Nil Nil Nil - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James I. Moskos(5) 1999 188,500 Nil 12,000 225,000 Nil Nil Nil President, Technology 1998 102,000 Nil 4,500 100,000 Nil Nil Nil Group - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Hart(6) 1999 132,290 14,374 12,000 50,000 Nil Nil Nil Chief Financial Officer - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
__________ (1) Received upon the waiver of rights to the historically established 10% profit sharing plan, to certain performance operations pursuant to employment contracts, and to the exercise of pre-emptive rights co-incident with the special warrants issued pursuant to the subscription agreements accepted by Bid.Com International Inc. on October 3, 1997. (2) Received on account of car reimbursement expenses and other expenses. (3) Has indicated his intention to resign as Chairman of our board of directors effective June 14, 2000. (4) Resigned December 1, 1999 as Executive Vice -President, Business Development. (5) Joined our company in September 1997. (6) Joined our company in August 1998. During 1999, we did not provide any pension, retirement or similar benefits to our directors and officers. Each of Paul Godin and Jeffrey Lymburner has entered into a non-competition and salary protection agreement with our company, dated February 21, 1997, which provides, among other things, that he (i) will not compete with our company for a period of 12 months, which may be extended by us to 24 months, following the termination of his employment with our company, in consideration of which we will pay his full annual salary during such period; and (ii) if his employment with us is terminated other than by reason of death, disability or cause (as such terms are defined in such agreements), we will continue to pay his full annual salary for 12 months (or 24 months if we exercise our option to extend the non-competition restrictions for 24 months) following the date of termination. Mark Wallace, our Chief Operating Officer has entered into a written agreement with our company which provides, among other things, that in the event of termination of his employment other than by death, disability or cause, his previous 12 months salary level is guaranteed for the 12 months after termination. 46 Stock Option Plan We have adopted a stock option plan pursuant to which we grant options to purchase our common shares. The purpose of the stock option plan is to afford directors, executive officers and key employees of our Company and subsidiaries who are responsible for our continued growth an opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in us, and, thus, create in such persons an increased interest in, and a greater concern for, the welfare of our Company and that of our subsidiaries. The stock option plan is administered by our board of directors under the guidance of the management resources and compensation committee of the board. The board of directors determines those individuals who will receive options, the time period during which the options may be partially or fully exercised and the number of common shares that may be purchased under each option. Options may be granted for a term not to exceed ten years. The board of directors may determine the exercise price of options granted under the stock option plan, provided that the options may not have an exercise price of an amount less than the closing market price of the common shares on the trading day prior to the date of the grant. There are 4,961,168 common shares available for option grants under the plan. The granting of options under the stock option plan is subject to the following conditions: (i) not more than 10% of the number of common shares issued and outstanding from time to time may be reserved for the granting of options to insiders within a one-year period; and (ii) not more than 5% of the outstanding issue may be issued to any one insider in a one-year period. Options granted under the stock option plan are not transferable. Except under certain circumstances such as death, disability or retirement and unless otherwise specified by the board of directors, options granted under the stock option plan become null and void following the termination of an option holder's employment with us. Subject to shareholder approval in most cases, the board of directors may amend the stock option plan. We have granted options to purchase a total of 4,960,700 common shares under this plan of which 2,918,150 are outstanding. The exercise price for such options range from $1.00 to $12.45 and they expire at different times between June 30, 2000 and November 26, 2003. An aggregate of 2,265,000 options are held by our officers and directors as a group. We have also granted options to purchase 604,500 common shares outside the plan. We intend, upon shareholder approval of the amendment to the plan described below, to deem these and any further options granted outside of the plan to be subject to its terms and conditions. The board of directors has approved an increase in the number of shares reserved for issue under the plan from 4,961,168 to 8,700,000 subject to the approval of our shareholders at the annual and special shareholders meeting scheduled for June 14, 2000. Options Granted to Executive Officers During Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1999 The following table sets forth the stock options granted to the Executive Officers pursuant to the stock option plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
Market Value of Securities % of Total Underlying Securities Underlying Options/SARs Options/SARs Options/SARs Granted to Exercise or Base on the Date of Granted Employees in Price Per Grant Expiration Name (#) Fiscal Year ($/Security) ($/Security) Date - ---- --- ----------- ------------ ------------ ---- Paul Godin 60,000 2.5% 5.05 5.05 1/25/02 100,000 4.2% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02 Jeffrey Lymburner 70,000 2.9% 5.05 5.05 1/25/02 100,000 4.2% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02 Christopher Bulger 60,000 2.5% 5.05 5.05 1/25/02 100,000 4.2% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02
47
Market Value of Securities % of Total Underlying Securities Underlying Options/SARs Options/SARs Options/SARs Granted to Exercise or Base on the Date of Granted Employees in Price Per Grant Expiration Name (#) Fiscal Year ($/Security) ($/Security) Date - ---- --- ----------- ------------ ------------ ---- Robert W. A. Joynt 5,000 0.2% 5.05 5.05 1/25/02 50,000 2.1% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02 James I. Moskos 50,000 2.1% 5.05 5.05 1/25/02 75,000 3.1% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02 100,000 4.2% 5.95 5.95 11/11/02 Paul Hart 50,000 2.1% 6.10 6.10 8/12/02
Options Exercised By Executive Officers During Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1999 The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock options exercised by our executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Unexercised Options/SARs Options/SARs at at FY End Securities FY-End ($) Acquired Aggregate Value On Exercise Realized(1) Exercisable/ Exercisable/ Name (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable ---- --- --- ------------- ------------- Paul Godin 100,000 534,750 210,000/0 319,000/0 Jeffrey Lymburner 75,000 380,000 270,000/0 523,000/0 T. Christopher Bulger 300,000 1,473,500 160,000/0 79,000/0 Robert W. A. Joynt 22,500 389,650 80,000/0 107,000/0 James I. Moskos 125,000 2,322,000 250,000/0 210,000/0 Paul Hart 10,000 189,000 90,000/50,000 213,000/260,000 (1) Aggregate value realized is calculated as the difference between market value at exercise and the exercise price.
ITEM 12 OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES As of April 27, 2000, options and warrants to purchase 6,512,796 common shares (see Note 1 below) were outstanding as follows:
Issued Under Stock Option Plan Optionee Number of Shares Date of Grant Exercise Price $ Expiry Date - -------- ---------------- ------------- ---------------- -----------
48
Issued Under Stock Option Plan Exercise Number of Price Optionee Shares Date of Grant ($) Expiry Date - -------- --------- --------------------- ------------ ------------------------ Executive Officers 75,000 June 23, 1998 1.40 June 30, 2000 (9 persons) 125,000 January 25, 1999 5.05 January 25, 2002 90,000 October 22, 1998 1.00 August 16, 2002 100,000 April 22, 1999 10.00 April 22, 2002 50,000 July 12, 1999 6.10 July 12, 2002 350,000 August 12, 1999 6.10 August 12, 2002 450,000 November 11, 1999 5.95 November 11, 2002 150,000 November 26, 1999 6.15 November 26, 2000 50,000 January 31, 2000 6.65 January 31, 2004 25,000 February 8, 2000 6.35 February 8, 2003 85,000 March 1, 2000 7.60 March 1, 2003 --------- 1,550,000 Directors who are not 65,000 June 23, 1998 1.40 June 30, 2000 Executive Officers 165,000 January 25, 1999 5.05 January 25, 2002 (6 persons) 285,000 August 12, 1999 6.10 August 12, 2002 25,000 August 12, 1999 9.25 August 12, 2002 25,000 August 13, 1999 7.10 August 13, 2002 250,000 February 8, 2000 6.35 February 8, 2003 ------- 815,000 Other 30,600 June 23, 1998 1.40 June 30, 2000 (38 persons) 14,800 January 25, 1999 5.05 January 25, 2002 20,000 April 22, 1999 12.45 April 22, 2002 31,250 July 1, 1999 6.10 June 15, 2001 193,500 August 12, 1999 6.10 August 12, 2002 18,000 August 12, 1999 7.00 August 12, 2002 75,000 August 12, 1999 9.25 August 12, 2002 100,000 August 12, 1999 10.00 August 12, 2002 20,000 November 11, 1999 6.20 November 11, 2002 50,000 November 11, 1999 6.50 November 11, 2002 ------- 553,150 Issued Under Other Securities Exemptions Exercise Number of Price Optionee Shares Date of Grant ($) Expiry Date - -------- --------- --------------------- ------------ ------------------------ Note 1 Note 1 June 28, 1999 Note 1 December 28, 2000 Canaccord Capital Corporation 185,468 September 30, 1999 9.25 September 30, 2001 Note 2 1,854,678 September 30, 1999 10.00 September 30, 2001 Employees Outside Plan 484,500 March 1, 2000 7.60 March 1, 2003 Employees Outside Plan 70,000 March 8, 2000 11.50 March 8, 2004 General Electric Capital 1,000,000 April 10, 2000 7.90 April 10, 2003 Corporation (Commercial Equipment Finance Division) ----------- 3,594,646(1) ----------- 6,512,796(1) -----------
(1) A warrant which is exerciseable into $1,000,000 of our common shares was issued to shareholders of Point2 Internet Systems Inc. in connection with our acquisition of a controlling interest in Point2. These warrants are exercisable for no additional consideration. (2) Share purchase warrants issued in connection with our September 30, 1999 Canaccord Capital Corporation financing. ITEM 13 - INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS We have entered into a 15 year agreement with The Art Vault International Limited under which we will provide our online auction technology and related services to enable the implementation of The Art Vault's online auction of art and antiquities. In consideration for our license and services, subsequent to year-end, we received 2,500,000 shares of The Art Vault (approximately 12.7% of The Art Vault's outstanding common shares) and a share of future profits. Mr. Paul Godin, the Chairman of the Corporation, is the founding shareholder, sole officer and director of The Art Vault. Mr. Azim Fancy, our director is 49 a director and shareholder of The Art Vault. Messrs. Charles Walker and James Moskos are directors of our company and shareholders of The Art Vault. In June 1999, we entered into a strategic alliance with SCS Solars Computing Systems Inc., a developer and marketer of online travel information. A newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary of SCS Solars has licensed our online auction technology, which will allow travel consolidators to offer travel agents these discount travel products. We will host and enable these transactions. Mr. Charles Walker, our director, is a director and shareholder of SCS Solars. PART II ITEM 14 - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED Not Applicable. PART III ITEM 15 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES Not Applicable. ITEM 16 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES, CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR REGISTERED SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS Not applicable. PART IV ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Attached. See Item 19(a). ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Not applicable. ITEM 19 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (a) Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this Annual Report.
Auditors' Report for the periods ended December 31, 1999 and 1998.................................. F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 1999 and 1998....................................... F-2 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997... F-3 Consolidated Statements of Deficit for the periods ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997...................................................................................... F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997..... F-5 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods ended December 31, 1999,
50
1998 and 1997...................................................................................... F-6
(b) Exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report. 1.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(1) 1.2 By-laws of the Company.(2) 3.1 Underwriting Agreement dated September 30, 1999, between the Company and Canaccord Capital Corporation. 3.2 Warrant Indenture dated September 30, 1999, between the Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. 3.3 Special Warrant Indenture dated September 30, 1999, between the Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. 3.4 Supplemental Warrant Indenture dated December 8, 1999, between the Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. 3.5 Supplemental Special Warrant Indenture dated December 8, 1999, between the Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. ____________________ (1) Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 20-F, File No. 001-14835, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 1999. (2) Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.2 of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 20-F, File No. 001-14835, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 1999. 51 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Dated: May 19, 2000 By: /s/ Jeffrey Lymburner ---------------------- Name: Jeffrey Lymburner Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Auditors' Report To the Shareholders of Bid.Com International Inc. We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Bid.Com International Inc. as at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated statements of operations, deficit and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in Canada. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada. Chartered Accountants Toronto, Ontario February 18, 2000 F-1
BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands of Canadian dollars) ========================================================================================================= December 31, 1999 1999 1998 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Convenience translation into U.S. $ (Note 16) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS CURRENT Cash $ 5,019 $ 3,476 $ 9,792 Marketable securities 16,478 11,411 6,806 Accounts receivable 1,761 1,220 1,102 Special warrants receivable (Note 6) - - 2,311 Inventory (Note 3) 155 107 169 Deposits and prepaid expenses 4,579 3,171 174 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27,992 19,385 20,354 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAPITAL ASSETS - AT COST 1,758 1,218 1,049 Less accumulated depreciation 781 541 404 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 977 677 645 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENTS 5,386 3,730 - TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (NET) 503 348 48 GOODWILL (NET) 1,885 1,305 - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7,774 5,383 48 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 36,743 $ 25,445 $ 21,047 ========================================================================================================= LIABILITIES CURRENT Accounts payable $ 3,604 $ 2,496 $ 2,155 Accrued liabilities 1,900 1,316 133 Deferred revenue 965 668 137 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 6,469 $ 4,480 $ 2,425 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NON CURRENT DEFERRED REVENUE $ 1,289 893 - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 7,758 $ 5,373 2,425 ========================================================================================================= SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Share capital (Note 5) 77,488 53,662 37,217 Special warrants - - 9,083 Deficit (48,503) (33,590) (27,678) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28,985 20,072 18,622 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 36,743 $ 25,445 $ 21,047 =========================================================================================================
F-2
BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amount) ==================================================================================================================== Year ended December 31, - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1999 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Convenience translation into U.S.$ (Note 16) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 31,001 $ 21,469 $ 20,001 $ 2,619 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct expenses 26,696 18,488 19,361 2,916 Advertising and promotion (Note 11) 11,870 8,220 12,594 2,521 General and administrative 12,405 8,591 5,751 3,157 Software development and Technology expense 1,001 693 889 661 Depreciation and amortization 621 430 201 122 Interest expense (767) (531) (88) (33) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 51,826 $ 35,891 $ 38,708 $ 9,344 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR $(20,825) $(14,422) $(18,707) $(6,725) ==================================================================================================================== LOSS PER SHARE $ (0.42) $ (0.29) $ (0.79) $ (0.55) ====================================================================================================================
F-3
BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Consolidated Statement of Deficit (in thousands of Canadian dollars) ================================================================================================================= Year ended December 31, - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1999 1998 1997 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Convenience translation into U.S.$ (Note 16) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFICIT, BEGINNING OF YEAR $(27,678) $(19,168) $ (8,971) $(2,246) NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR (20,825) (14,422) (18,707) (6,725) ================================================================================================================= DEFICIT, END OF YEAR $(48,503) $(33,590) $(27,678) $(8,971) =================================================================================================================
F-4
BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of Canadian dollars) ====================================================================================================================== Year ended December 31, - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1999 1998 1997 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Convenience translation into U.S.$ (Note 16) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INFLOW (OUTFLOW) OF CASH RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES OPERATING Net loss for the year $(20,825) $(14,422) $(18,707) $(6,725) Item not affecting cash Depreciation and amortization 621 430 201 122 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (20,204) (13,992) (18,506) (6,603) Changes in non-cash operating working capital items (Note 10) 738 511 1,702 (1,085) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (19,466) (13,481) (16,804) (7,688) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING Purchase of capital assets (693) (480) (351) (247) Investments (5,386) (3,730) - - Purchase of trademarks and intellectual property (555) (384) (68) - Marketable securities (9,672) (6,698) (5,648) (1,158) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (16,306) (11,292) (6,067) (1,405) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING Issuance of common shares (Note 5) 37,771 26,157 31,077 4,103 Issuance of special warrants (net of expenses) (Note 6) (9,083) (6,290) 689 8,394 Special warrants receivable 2,311 1,601 (122) (2,189) Loan payable - - - (258) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30,999 21,468 31,644 10,050 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET CASH INFLOW (OUTFLOW) DURING THE YEAR (4,773) (3,305) 8,773 957 CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR 9,792 6,781 1,019 62 ====================================================================================================================== CASH, END OF YEAR $ 5,019 $ 3,476 $ 9,792 $ 1,019 ====================================================================================================================== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH PAYMENTS Interest Expense $ - $ - $ - $ - Income Taxes - - - - Fixed Assets 693 480 351 247
F-5 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Bid.Com International Inc. ("Bid.Com") is a sales and marketing company striving to become the pre-eminent online auction service and a leading E- tailer. The Company has completed the development of a business-to-business auction service and intends to operate business-to-business auctions in selected vertical industry sectors. The Company seeks to license its proprietary online auction technology to support private brand online auctions and the implementation of global e-commerce solutions for business clients. The Company also operates business-to-consumer online auctions at its Web site, www.bid.com and at other URLs. The Company is constituted under the laws of Ontario by Articles of Amalgamation dated January 9, 1997, which amalgamated Internet Liquidators Inc., and Internet Liquidators International Inc. Internet Liquidators Inc. was incorporated by Articles of Incorporation under the laws of Ontario on September 1, 1995. The business of the Company was developed and carried on by Internet Liquidators Inc. prior to the formation of Internet Liquidators International Inc. Internet Liquidators International Inc. changed its name to Bid.Com International Inc. pursuant to Articles of Amendment dated June 25, 1998. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada which are substantially the same as generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (United States GAAP) (see Note 14). Principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and its proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of a jointly controlled company. All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated. Marketable Securities Marketable Securities consist of interest bearing certificates carried at cost plus accrued interest which also represents market value. Inventory The Company's operating policy is not to purchase inventory for resale but to ship direct from suppliers. Title to the inventory passes to the Company at the time that the goods are shipped to the customer. Inventory of sales returns in transit are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value and, at the option of the Company, are held for resale or returned to suppliers for credit. Inventory purchased for resale is valued at the lower of cost determined on the first-in first-out basis and net realizable value. F-6 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Advertising The Company expenses the costs of producing advertisements at the time production occurs, and expenses the costs of communicating advertising in the period in which the advertising space or airtime is used. Internet advertising expenses are recognized based on specifics of the individual agreements, but generally using the greater of (i) the ratio of the number of impressions delivered over the total number of impressions and (ii) the straight-line basis over the term of the contract. This policy complies with the requirements of Statement of Position No. 93-7, "Reporting on Advertising Costs" issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Capital assets and depreciation Capital assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis in amounts sufficient to amortize the cost of capital assets over their estimated useful lives as follows: Equipment 20% per year Furniture and fixtures 20% per year Computer hardware 30% per year Leasehold improvements 3 years Investments Investments are carried at cost. Management has assessed the carrying value of the investments and determined that no permanent impairment exists. Trademarks and intellectual property Trademarks and intellectual property are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over two years. Goodwill The excess of the cost over the net assets arising on the acquisition of the jointly controlled company acquired in 1999 is being amortized over 7 years. Management has assessed the carrying value of the goodwill and determined that no permanent impairment exists based on future income expectations. Software development costs The costs of acquired software and internally developed software are expensed as incurred. F-7 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Translation of foreign currencies The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in Canadian dollars. All foreign denominated transactions are translated using the temporal method whereby monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates in effect on the balance sheet date, non-monetary items at historical rates and revenues and expenses at the average monthly rate. Gains or losses from exchange translations are included in the statements of operations. Loss per share The basic loss per share calculation is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. No fully diluted calculation is included, as it would reduce the loss per share. Revenue Recognition a) Sale of products and related activities Revenue from product sales, commissions, shipping and handling are recognized when the goods are shipped to customers. b) License revenues License revenues consist primarily of revenues from software license agreements and are amortized over the lesser of three years and the term of the agreement. Revenue from net revenue sharing arrangements is recorded as received. c) Service revenues Service revenues consist of professional services from contracts to develop applications, conduct research and provide implementation, consulting services, training, etc. Contract revenues are recognized based on percentage of completion for each phase of the project plan. Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue is comprised of payments received on goods which have not been shipped to customers and of the unrecognized portion of license fees and service contracts. Use of significant accounting estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. F-8 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Stock based compensation Under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, stock based compensation is not recorded in the accounts of the Company. Stock based compensation under United States GAAP is accounted for in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". Accordingly, under both Canadian and US GAAP no accounting recognition is given to stock options granted at fair market value until they are exercised. Upon exercise, the net proceeds are credited to shareholders' equity. The impact of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation," is disclosed in the notes to these financial statements under Reconciliation of United States GAAP. 3. INVENTORY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) Inventory purchased for resale $ 14 $ - $ - Inventory held for resale or refund 141 169 201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 155 $ 169 $ 201 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. INCOME TAXES The Company's non-capital loss carryforwards as at December 31, 1999, the benefit of which has not been recognized in the financial statements, expire as follows: (in thousands) 2002 $ 113 2003 1,924 2004 6,401 2005 19,828 2006 20,500 ------- $48,766 ======= 5. SHARE CAPITAL a) Authorized Unlimited number of common shares Unlimited number of preference shares - issuable in series F-9 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 5. SHARE CAPITAL (continued) b) Common shares
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1998 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Common Shares Amount Shares Amount --------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands of shares and dollars) Opening balance 37,167 $37,217 14,188 $ 6,140 Issued for Cash: Exercise of options (Notes 5(c) 1,434 2,164 615 681 Exercise of warrants (Note 5(d) 6,262 10,521 5,989 9,393 Exercise of special warrants 7,570 25,086 14,435 18,578 Other - - 1,940 2,425 Acquisition of Point 2 214 2,500 - - (see Note 12 (ii)) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closing balance 52,647 $77,488 37,167 $37,217 ===========================================================================================================
c) Stock options (i) The Company has a stock option plan which provides for the issuance to employees of incentive stock options, which may expire as much as 10 years from the date of grant, at prices not less than the fair market value of the common shares on the date of grant. The aggregate purchase price for options outstanding at December 31, 1999 was approximately $15.0 million. The Stock Option Committee reserves the right to attach vesting periods to stock options granted. Certain of the stock options outstanding at the end of 1999 are exercisable immediately while the remainder have vesting periods attached which range from six months to thirty-two months. The options expire between 1999 and 2002. F-10 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ c) Stock options (continued) A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the two years ended December 31, 1999 is as follows:
Number of Options Average Price ----------------- ------------- 1999 1998 1999 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) Opening balance 1,441 651 $1.55 $1.15 Granted 2,290 916 5.91 1.76 Exercised (1,004) (115) 1.69 .98 Cancelled (8) (11) 1.72 2.35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closing balance 2,719 1,441 $5.51 $1.55 ======================================================================================================= Exercisable, end of year 1,575 1,251 $5.11 $1.60 ======================================================================================================= Shares reserved for issuance under stock option plan 410 326 - - =======================================================================================================
Number Weighted Number Outstanding -Average Weighted Exercisable Weighted Range of at Remaining -Average at -Average Exercise December 31, Contractual Exercise December 31, Exercise Prices 1999 Life Price 1999 Price ================================================================================================= $1-$3 473,500 0.4 years $1.61 423,400 $ 1.69 $3-$6 759,300 2.4 years $2.78 309,300 $ 5.05 $6-$9 1,261,500 2.7 years $6.14 792,000 $ 6.11 $9-$10 225,000 2.5 years $9.92 50,000 $10.00 ================================================================================================= Totals 2,719,300 1,574,700 =================================================================================================
(ii) The Company also had stock options outstanding to third parties for the year ended December 31, 1999. The aggregate purchase price for third party stock options outstanding at December 31, 1999 was $ 943,000. These options expire in 2002. F-11 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 5. SHARE CAPITAL (continued) c) Stock options (continued) (iii) A summary of changes in the stock options to third parties for the two years ended December 31, 1999 is as follows:
Number of Options Average Price ----------------- ------------- 1999 1998 1999 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) Opening balance 490 640 $1.08 $1.14 Granted 95 350 9.92 1.06 Exercised (430) (500) 1.10 1.14 Cancelled (60) - 1.00 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closing balance 95 490 $9.92 $1.08 ==================================================================================================== Exercisable, end of year 95 490 - - ====================================================================================================
d) Share purchase warrants under private placement equity issues. A summary of changes in the warrants to investors for the two years ended December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1999 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warrants Amounts Warrants Amounts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) (in thousands) Opening balance 6,135 $ 10,305 4,301 $ 6,802 Granted 1,855 18,550 7,823 12,896 Cancelled (69) (121) - - Exercised (6,066) (10,184) (5,989) (9,393) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closing balance 1,855 $ 18,550 6,135 $10,305 =============================================================================================================
At December 31, 1998 a further 43,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at $1.65 and 152,875 share purchase warrants exercisable at $1.75 were subject to issuance upon the exercise of outstanding compensation warrants and are not included in the above table. As of December 31, 1999 these share purchase warrants have been exercised. F-12 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 5. SHARE CAPITAL (continued) e) As of December 31, 1999 there were two outstanding warrants, each of which is exercisable, for no additional consideration, into $1,000,000 of common shares of Bid.Com (see Note 12 (ii)). f) Compensation Warrants under private placement equity issues As of December 31, 1999, there were 185,468 outstanding Compensation Warrants, which will entitle the holder to receive Compensation Options which were issued to an Underwriter for the September 30, 1999 private placement (see Note 6 (c)). These Compensation Options entitle the Underwriter to acquire up to 185,468 units at a price of $9.25 per unit at any time until September 30, 2001. Each unit consists of one Common Share and one Share Purchase Warrant. 6. SPECIAL WARRANTS (a) On November 30, 1998 the Company closed a private placement of $10,001,000 in equity for net proceeds of $6,863,000 with the remaining $2,311,000 of net proceeds held in trust pending the filing of a final prospectus. The Company issued 5,714,984 special warrants, each special warrant being exercisable to acquire one unit (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances) for no additional consideration, at a price of $1.75 per special warrant. Each unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant. Each common share purchase warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $1.75 per common share up to December 31, 1999. On January 21, 1999, the final prospectus was filed resulting in the conversion of 5,714,984 special warrants into 5,714,984 common shares and the issue of 1,428,746 common share purchase warrants. The Company also issued 611,498 compensation warrants. Each compensation warrant entitles the underwriter to purchase one unit, consisting of one common share and one quarter of one common share purchase warrant at a price of $1.75 per unit up to December 31, 1999. (b) On September 30, 1999, Bid.Com issued 1,854,678 Special Warrants at a price of $9.25 per warrant for a total net proceeds of $16,047,000 (after deducting the costs of issue estimated to be $251,000) to the Company. Pursuant to the issuance of the Special Warrants, the Company agreed to pay the underwriter a fee of $858,000, being 5% of the issue price of the Special Warrants. Each Special Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one unit for no additional consideration. Each unit consists of one Common Share and one Share Purchase Warrant. Each whole Share Purchase Warrant can be exercised to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $10.00 up until September 30, 2001. On December 9, 1999, the final prospectus was filed resulting in the conversion of 1,854,678 special warrants into 1,854,678 common shares and the issue of 1,854,678 common share purchase warrants. F-13 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 6. SPECIAL WARRANTS (continued) (c) The Company has also issued Compensation Warrants to the Underwriter entitling the Underwriter to receive Compensation Options. The Compensation Options entitle the Underwriter to acquire up to 185,468 units at a price of $9.25 per unit at any time until September 30, 2001. Each unit consists of one Common Share and one Share Purchase Warrant. 7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Foreign exchange risk The Company transacts substantially all of its product sales and purchases in United States dollars and a significant portion of operating expenditures are in United States dollars. The Company does not use derivative instruments to manage exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations. Interest rate risk The Company has limited exposure to any fluctuation in interest rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to interest rate risk. Credit risk Credit risk arises from the potential that a customer will fail to meet its obligations. The collection risk is minimized because the majority of sales are settled before shipping by pre-authorized credit card payments through a significant financial institution. In addition, the diverse customer base minimizes any concentration of credit risk. Fair value Fair value of assets and liabilities approximate amounts at which they could be exchanged between knowledgeable and unrelated persons. The amounts recorded in the financial statements approximate fair value. 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (a) As a condition of the agreement with a financial institution to settle sales transactions through pre-authorized credit card payments, the Company must maintain a cash reserve account based on a percentage of sales for the preceding six months. At December 31, 1999, the Company was required to maintain $1,520,000 in this reserve account (December 31, 1998 -$1,500,000). (b) Minimum lease payments during the next three years are as follows: 2000 $369,000 2001 345,000 2002 74,000 F-14 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued) (c) The Company is committed under an Interactive Marketing Agreement with America On Line ("AOL") to expend $1,250,000 U.S. per quarter for advertising and promotion with AOL to November 1, 1999. In February 1999 the AOL Interactive Marketing Agreement was re-negotiated, resulting in a one-time payment of $1,250,000 U.S. and an insertion order of $1,750,000 U.S. These amounts are being amortized over the life of the agreement beginning February 1, 1999 and expiring March 31, 2000. (d) The Company is committed during the term of the Agreement with Rogers Media, to spend $200,000 annually on advertising. 9. UNCERTAINTY DUE TO THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE The Year 2000 Issue arises because many computerized systems use two digits rather than four to identity a year. Date-sensitive systems may recognize the year 2000 as 1900 or some other date, resulting in errors when information using year 2000 dates is processed. In addition, similar problems may arise in some systems which use certain dates in 1999 to represent something other than a date. Although the change in date has occurred, it is not possible to conclude that all aspects of the Year 2000 Issue that may affect the entity, including those related to customers, suppliers, or other third parties, have been fully resolved. 10. CHANGE IN NON-CASH OPERATING WORKING CAPITAL 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) Accounts receivable $ (543) $ (936) $ (117) Inventory 14 32 (200) Deposits and prepaid expenses (4,289) 1,504 (1,668) Accounts payable 1,913 939 819 Accrued liabilities 1,525 26 81 Deferred revenue 2,118 - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $ 738 $1,702 $(1,085) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. OPERATIONS In June 1997, the Company introduced special promotional pricing in order to stimulate new bidder registrations and first time sales. This special promotional pricing cost the Company approximately $4,044,000 in 1999, $3,520,000 in 1998 and $698,000 in 1997 and has been included in advertising and promotion. F-15 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 11. OPERATIONS (continued) In November 1997, the Company entered into an interactive marketing agreement with AOL. Under the terms of the agreement the Company will be provided with a specific number of advertising impressions featuring it as the preferred provider of business-to-consumer auction services on AOL's service. In consideration for the impressions, the Company has committed to pay $10.0 million U.S. over the two-year term of the agreement. Of the $10.0 million U.S. total commitment, $5.0 million U.S. was paid during the first year of the contract. In February 1999, the agreement with AOL was re-negotiated, thereby significantly reducing the contractual advertising spent with AOL for 1999 in comparison to AOL advertising expenditures in 1998. The AOL Agreement is scheduled to expire in March, 2000. In March 1998 the Company launched its new consumer brand "BID.COM". 12. ACQUISITION, LICENSING AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS (i) During 1999 the Company entered into various agreements. The agreements provide for a combination of up-front payments for services provided license fees, and net revenue sharing arrangements. Payment was in the form of either cash, promissory notes, common shares or a combination thereof. (ii) In June, 1999 and August, 1999 the Company issued $2,500,000 of common shares and exercised an option to acquire a 51% interest in Point2 Internet Systems Inc. ("Point2"). Under the agreement, two warrants for Bid.Com shares were issued each of which is exercisable into $1,000,000 of common shares of Bid.Com for no additional consideration and are exercisable by the shareholders of Point2 between December 28, 1999 and June 28, 2000 and after June 28, 2000 and before December 28, 2000 respectively, based on achieving certain targets consisting of new dealers and total revenues. Pursuant to the shareholders agreement among the Company and the shareholders of Point2, the Company acquired 51% of the shares but can only elect 50% of the board of directors. The investment in the jointly controlled company is accounted for on a proportionate consolidation basis and the Company has recorded its proportionate shares of revenue and expenses since the date of acquisition. Of the total purchase price, $134,000 was allocated to current assets, $521,000 to non-current assets and $28,000 to current liabilities resulting in goodwill of $2,044,000. For the four months ended December 31, 1999, Point2 reported revenues of $221,000, a net loss of $222,000 and a change in cash resources of ($185,000). A condensed balance sheet at December 31, 1999 was comprised of current assets of $131,000, capital assets of $102,000, intellectual property $905,000, current liabilities $141,000, shareholder advances $80,000, and shareholders equity $917,000. (iii) In June, 1999 the Company entered into an agreement to enable the online auction capability of a developer and marketer of online travel information, thereby allowing travel consolidators to offer travel agents discount travel products in an online auction format. The agreement is valued at $1,500,000 and a share of net online auction revenues. F-16 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 12. ACQUISITION, LICENSING AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS (continued) (iv) In September, 1999, an agreement was entered into with ValueVision Interactive Inc. ("VV"), a U.S. corporation, for an initial term ending September 30, 2002 with automatic additional one year renewal periods unless 90 days prior notice is provided before the initial or subsequent term(s). "VV" is pursuing the delivery of the brand SnapTV.com as the first live, interactive, web-based shopping experience in the U.S. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will not enter into any licensing, technology sharing or marketing agreements with any home shopping television programming entity and will not operate a separate Dutch Auction on its' U.S. web-site. In consideration, the Company will receive a percentage of gross transaction revenues, based on a declining amount as revenues increase, from the SnapTV auction service. Technology service fees will be paid by ValueVision to the Company at standard industry rates. (v) In September, 1999 the Company invested $735,400 (US $500,000) to acquire 490,909 common shares of Quackware Inc., a California based company. Quackware is focused on leading edge application of voice recognition technology and advanced internet spidering technology to make the information of the internet accessible via the telephone. See subsequent note 13 (c). (vi) In September, 1999 the Company agreed to invest $1,000,000 in a special warrant financing of Megawheels.Com Inc. Each special warrant is comprised of a unit consisting of one common share and a warrant to acquire an additional share at $1.50. In addition, the Company entered into an agreement to enable the online auction capability of Megawheels. The agreement is valued at $2,000,000 and a share of net online auction revenues. 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (a) Stock Option Plan (i) The Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors approved the issue of 50,000 options to an employee on January 31, 2000, exercisable at $6.65 per share until February 2, 2003. (ii) During the period from January 1, 2000 to February 18, 2000, the Company issued 213,900 common shares upon the exercise of options at prices ranging from $1.40 to $6.10 per share for aggregate consideration of $521,065. (b) Related Party In February, 2000, the Company entered into an agreement, valued at C$1,500,000 in shares in Art Vault Limited, plus a hosting fee and a share of net online auction revenues, under which it will provide its online auction technology and related services to Art Vault in which certain Directors and Officers of Bid.Com, in aggregate, have a controlling interest. F-17 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (continued) (c) Investments On January 18, 2000 the Company entered into an Agreement to purchase a convertible subordinated debenture due January 18, 2001 for U.S. $182,000. Under the terms of the debenture the outstanding principal and all accrued and unpaid interest may be converted into shares of Class A or Class B common stock at $0.01 par value per share. 14. RECONCILIATION OF UNITED STATES GAAP As discussed in Note 2, the Company's accounting for its stock-based awards to employees using the intrinsic value method is in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and its related interpretations. SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," requires the disclosure of pro forma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share had the Company adopted the fair value method since the Company's inception. Under SFAS No. 123, the fair value of stock-based awards to employees is calculated through the use of option pricing models, even though such models were developed to estimate the fair value of freely tradeable, fully transferable options without vesting restrictions, which significantly differ from the Company's stock option awards. The Company's calculations for employee grants were made using the Cox Rubinstein Binomial Model with the following weighted average assumptions: 1999 1998 1997 ---------------------------------------- Dividend yield - - - Risk free interest rate 5.50% 4.80% 4.90% Expected term, in years 2.51 1.18 1.40 If the computed minimum values of the Company's stock-based awards to employees had been amortized to expense over the vesting period of the awards as specified under SFAS No. 123, the loss attributable to common shareholders and the basic and diluted loss per share on a pro forma basis (as compared to such items as reported) would have been:
1999 1998 1997 ----------------------------------------- (in thousands) Loss attributable to common shareholders (in thousands) As reported $(20,825) $(18,707) $(6,725) Pro forma $(34,191) $(19,941) $(8,134) Basic and diluted net loss per share: As reported $ (0.42) $ (0.79) $ (0.55) Pro forma $ (0.69) $ (0.84) $ (0.66)
F-18 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ================================================================================ 14. RECONCILIATION OF UNITED STATES GAAP (continued) Impact of new accounting pronouncements In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP 98-1"). SOP 98-1 provides guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. This pronouncement identifies the characteristics of internal use of software and provides guidance on new cost recognition principles. SOP 98-1 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have any effect upon its financial statements. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("FAS 133"): The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued FAS 133 to be effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. FAS 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative will depend on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 133. 15. RECLASSIFICATION OF PRIOR YEARS Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period basis of presentation. 16. CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION The financial statements as at December 31, 1999 and for the year then ended have been translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar at December 31, 1999 as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (U.S. $1.000 = Cdn. $1.444). The translation was made solely for the convenience of readers in the United States. The translated U.S. dollar figures should not be construed as a representation that the Canadian currency amounts actually represent or could be converted into U.S. dollars. F-19
EX-3.1 2 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 EXHIBIT 3.1 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT September 30,1999 Bid.Com International Inc. 6725 Airport Road, Suite 201 Mississauga, ON L4V 1V2 Attention: Mr. Paul Godin Chairman Dear Sirs: Canaccord Capital Corporation (the "Underwriter") understands that Bid.Com International Inc. (the "Corporation") proposes to create, issue and sell a minimum of 810,811 and a maximum of 2,702,703 special warrants (the "Special Warrants") at a price (the "Offering Price") of $9.25 per Special Warrant for aggregate proceeds of a minimum of $7,500,001 and a maximum of $25,000,002. The Underwriter hereby offers to purchase from the Corporation 810,811 Special Warrants and to act as the Corporation's exclusive agent to assist the Corporation to offer for sale up to an additional 1,891,892 Special Warrants (the "Agency Special Warrants"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth below. The Corporation understands that although the offer to purchase 810,811 Special Warrants is presented on behalf of the Underwriter as the purchaser, the Underwriter will endeavour (if the Corporation accepts this offer) to arrange for substituted purchasers (the "Substituted Purchasers") to purchase the Special Warrants directly from the Corporation. It is further agreed that, subject to the conditions referred to herein being satisfied, the Underwriter is fully committed to purchase or cause to be purchased 810,811 Special Warrants with respect to which the Underwriter is not able to arrange Substituted Purchasers and this commitment is not subject to the Underwriter being able to arrange Substituted Purchasers subject to the terms and conditions set forth below that allow the Underwriter to terminate its obligations hereunder. The Underwriter's commitment to purchase Special Warrants shall be reduced by the number of Special Warrants with respect to which Subscription Agreements (defined below) are delivered to the Corporation on behalf of the Substituted Purchasers by the Underwriter. Any reference to "Purchasers" herein shall be a reference to the Underwriter as the initial purchaser of 810,811 Special Warrants, to the Substituted Purchasers, if any, and to the purchasers of the Agency Special Warrants offered for sale by the Corporation. The Underwriter may form and manage a group of investment dealers (the "Dealers") to offer the Special Warrants for sale provided that any fees paid or to be paid to members of such group of Dealers shall be for the account of and paid by the Underwriter. The Corporation understands that the Underwriter is not obliged under any circumstances to purchase any of the Agency Special Warrants, but that the Underwriter or any Dealer may choose to do so in its sole discretion. Terms and Conditions The terms and conditions relating to the purchase and sale of the Special Warrants are as follows: -2- 1. Special Warrants - The material attributes and characteristics of the Special Warrants shall be substantially as described herein and in the term sheet attached hereto as Schedule "A". Each Special Warrant will be exercisable, at the option of the holder, into one unit (singularly, a "Unit" and collectively, the "Units") consisting of one common share in the capital of the Corporation (singularly, a "Share" and collectively, the "Shares") and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant without additional payment. Each whole common share purchase warrant (singularly, a "Purchase Warrant" and collectively, the "Purchase Warrants") will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share for $12.00 at any time on or before the date which is two years following the Closing Date (defined below). In the event that the Prospectus Qualification (defined below) has not occurred prior to the date which is 90 days following the Closing Date (the "Qualification Deadline"), each holder of Special Warrants shall receive 1.1 Units (in lieu of one Unit) upon the exercise of each Special Warrant. The Special Warrants will be exercisable at any time on or before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the earlier of (the "Expiry Time"): (a) the date which is 12 months following the Closing Date; and (b) the date which is five Business Days after the date of the receipt issued by the last of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada in which purchasers of the Special Warrants reside (the "Qualifying Provinces") for a (final) prospectus of the Corporation (the "Prospectus") qualifying the distribution of the Shares and Purchase Warrants (the "Subject Securities") to be issued on the exercise of the Special Warrants (the "Prospectus Qualification"). Any Special Warrants not exercised on or before the Expiry Time will be exercised by the Warrant Agent (defined below) by or on behalf of the holders thereof immediately prior thereto without further action by the holder thereof. For the purpose of this Agreement, "Business Day" shall mean any day except Saturday, Sunday or a statutory holiday in Toronto, Ontario. The Special Warrants shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of a warrant indenture (the "Special Warrant Indenture") to be entered into between the Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Corporation as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent") and the Purchase Warrants shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of a share purchase warrant indenture (the "Share Purchase Warrant Indenture") to be entered into between the Corporation and the Warrant Agent. The terms and conditions of the Special Warrant Indenture and the Share Purchase Warrant Indenture shall be satisfactory to the Corporation and the Underwriter and consistent with the terms of this Agreement. The Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to file with all relevant securities regulatory authorities in each Qualifying Province a preliminary prospectus (the "Preliminary Prospectus") qualifying the distribution of the Subject Securities within 45 days following the Closing Date, and, upon resolution of all regulatory comments and deficiencies, to use its best efforts to file the Prospectus and obtain receipts therefor by the Qualification Deadline. The Corporation also agrees to cause the Shares comprising the Units and issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and Compensation Warrants (defined below) to be conditionally listed for trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSE") by the Closing Date. 2. Offering (a) Sale on Exempt Basis - The Underwriter shall offer for sale and sell the Special Warrants (the "Offering") in the Provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia and such other provinces of Canada as may be agreed to between the -3- Corporation and the Underwriter and jurisdictions outside of Canada (collectively, the "Selling Jurisdictions") in compliance with all applicable securities laws. The sale of the Special Warrants to Purchasers shall be effected in a manner exempt from the prospectus and offering memorandum requirements of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the Regulation and Rules thereunder and the analogous provisions of securities legislation of any other Canadian provinces in which the Underwriter may solicit offers to purchase Special Warrants. Each Purchaser of the Special Warrants resident in Ontario and outside Canada shall purchase under subsection 72(1)(a), (c) or (d) of the Securities Act (Ontario) as qualified in the case of subsection 72(1)(d) by Rule 45-501 thereto, each Purchaser of Special Warrants resident in British Columbia and outside Canada shall purchase under subsection 74(2)(1), 74(2)(3) or 74(2)(4) of the Securities Act (British Columbia), each Purchaser of Special Warrants resident in Alberta shall purchase under subsection 107(1)(a), (c) or (d) of the Securities Act (Alberta) and each Purchaser of Special Warrants resident in any province of Canada other than Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia shall purchase under the analogous provisions of securities legislation of such province. All offers and sales of the Special Warrants in the United States will be effected through Canaccord Capital U.S.A., a division of Noram Investment, Inc. (the "U.S. Agent") as subagent for Canaccord Capital Corporation pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") provided by Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act ("Section 4(2)"), in accordance with Schedule "D" hereto. (b) Underwriting Fee - The Corporation agrees to pay to the Underwriter at the Time of Closing (defined below) a fee of $0.4625 per Special Warrant equal to 5% of the purchase price of the Special Warrants sold (the "Underwriting Fee") in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Underwriter in connection with the sale of the Special Warrants (the "Offering"), which services shall include: (i) endeavoring to arrange for Purchasers for the Special Warrants; (ii) assisting in the preparation of the Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus qualifying the distribution of the Subject Securities, together with any documents supplemental thereto or any amending or supplementary prospectus or other supplemental documents or any similar document (collectively the "Supplementary Material") required to be filed under the legislation of any Qualifying Province; (iii) advising the Corporation in respect of the Prospectus Qualification; (iv) assisting in the preparation of the form of subscription agreements (the "Subscription Agreements") to be entered into by the Purchasers of the Special Warrants; (v) assisting in the preparation of the Special Warrant Indenture and Share Purchase Warrant Indenture; and (vi) otherwise advising the Corporation with respect to the Offering. In addition to the Underwriting Fee, as additional consideration for the performance of its obligations hereunder, the Corporation shall issue to the Underwriter at the Time of Closing, non-transferable special brokers' warrants -4- (the "Brokers' Warrants"), in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, entitling the holder thereof to acquire on or before the Expiry Time, without additional consideration, compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants"), which, in the aggregate, will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date, that number of Units that is equal to 10% of the number of Special Warrants issued at a price of $9.25 per Unit. The distribution of the Compensation Warrants issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Brokers' Warrants will, subject to regulatory approval, be qualified by the Prospectus to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws. The Brokers' Warrants will be deemed to be exercised and converted by the Corporation into the Compensation Warrants on behalf of the Underwriter, without any action on the part of the Underwriter, immediately prior to the Expiry Time. As used herein, "Subject Securities" includes the Compensation Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Brokers' Warrants. (d) Covenants of Underwriter - The Underwriter covenants, represents and warrants to the Corporation that: (i) it will comply with all applicable securities legislation in connection with the Offering and the Prospectus Qualification; (ii) it will not offer or sell Special Warrants so as to require registration thereof, filing of a prospectus with respect thereto or require the Corporation to become subject to ongoing reporting requirements under the laws of any jurisdiction other than that of the Qualifying Provinces or those to which the Corporation is already subject or as otherwise agreed with the Corporation; (iii) it, or its duly appointed agents, are duly qualified in the Qualifying Provinces in which it acts as Underwriter for the Corporation in connection with the Offering and the Prospectus Qualification; (iv) it will obtain from each Purchaser an executed Subscription Agreement in the appropriate form agreed to by the Corporation and the Underwriter together with all requisite forms, undertakings and materials including, where applicable, certificate of foreign portfolio manager, relating to the transactions herein contemplated; (v) upon the Corporation obtaining the necessary receipts for the Prospectus relating to the Prospectus Qualification from the securities regulatory authorities in each of the Qualifying Provinces, it will deliver one copy of the Prospectus to each Purchaser of the Special Warrants; (vi) it will not solicit subscriptions for Special Warrants or otherwise do any act in furtherance of a trade of the Special Warrants outside the Selling Jurisdictions; (vii) it will not make available to prospective Purchasers of the Special Warrants any documents which would constitute an offering memorandum as defined under the securities legislation of the Qualifying Provinces and not advertise the proposed sale of the Special Warrants in printed media of general and regular paid circulation, radio or television or otherwise; (viii) it will not make any representations or warranties in respect of the Corporation as agents or otherwise except as permitted in writing by the Corporation; (ix) it will not solicit subscriptions for Special Warrants except in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (x) it will offer and sell Special Warrants in the United States in accordance with Schedule "D" hereto. 3. Representations of the Corporation - The Corporation represents and warrants to the Underwriter and acknowledges that the Underwriter is relying upon such representations and warranties, as follows: (a) each of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries has been duly amalgamated or incorporated, as the case may be, and organized and is validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate -5- capacity, power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted by it and as is presently proposed to be conducted by it and to own, lease and operate its assets; (b) each of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to carry on business under the laws of the jurisdictions in which it carries on its business and is in good standing in each such jurisdiction; (c) the Corporation has (and, in the case of the Prospectus Qualification, will have) full corporate power and authority to undertake the Offering, the Prospectus Qualification and all other transactions contemplated herein; (d) each of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries is current and up-to-date with all filings required to be made by it under the corporate laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and the securities laws of the provinces of Canada where it is a reporting issuer or its equivalent, as applicable; (e) the Corporation is a reporting issuer not in default of its obligations under the securities laws of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and no material change relating to the Corporation has occurred with respect to which the requisite material change report has not been filed under the securities laws of British Columbia, Alberta or Ontario and no such disclosure has been made on a confidential basis; (f) none of the materials filed by or on behalf of the Corporation with the applicable securities commissions or the stock exchanges (the "Public Record") contain a misrepresentation (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) as at the date of such filing which has not been corrected; (g) the authorized capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of Shares and an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series, of which at the date hereof 50,605,444 Shares (and no other shares) are issued and outstanding as fully paid and non- assessable; (h) except as set out in Schedule "B" hereto, the Corporation is not a party to and has not granted any agreement, warrant, option or right or privilege capable of becoming an agreement, for the purchase, subscription or issuance of any Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares; (i) each of this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Special Warrant Indenture, the Share Purchase Warrant Indenture, the Brokers' Warrants and the Compensation Warrants has been, or will be upon execution (and in the case of the Subscription Agreements, acceptance) thereof, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Corporation and constitutes, or will constitute when executed, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except that: (i) the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (ii) rights of indemnity, contribution and waiver of contribution thereunder may be limited under applicable law and (iii) equitable remedies, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; -6- (j) the entering into of each of this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Special Warrant Indenture, the Share Purchase Warrant Indenture, and the issuance of the Special Warrants, Purchase Warrants, Brokers' Warrants, Compensation Warrants and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Special Warrants, Purchase Warrants and Compensation Warrants and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not result in a breach of, and do not create a state of facts which, after notice or lapse of time or both, will result in a breach of, and do not and will not conflict with, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the constating documents or by-laws of the Corporation (or any of the Subsidiaries) or any material trust indenture, agreement or instrument to which the Corporation (or any of the Subsidiaries) is a party or by which the Corporation (or any of the Subsidiaries) is or will be contractually bound as of the Time of Closing except in connection with, the right of first refusal (the "Right of First Refusal") granted to Yorkton Securities Inc. pursuant to Section 17 of the underwriting agreement dated November 30, 1998 among the Corporation, 1184041 Ontario Inc. and Yorkton Securities Inc., in which case the Corporation represents as follows: (i) the Right of first Refusal does not contain a code of conduct or procedure for its exercise (either express or implied, either as a result of conduct by the parties or as a result of any discussions or correspondence or pursuant to any agreement to which the Corporation is bound or to which it is a party); (ii) Yorkton Securities Inc. is aware of the Offering of securities contemplated herein (the "Offering"); (iii) the Corporation has not received from Yorkton Securities Inc. any notice or indication (verbal or written) that it intends to exercise its rights pursuant to the Right of First Refusal to act as lead or co-lead manager of the offering; and (iv) the Corporation is of the view that the Right of First Refusal is not enforceable by Yorkton Securities Inc. in all the circumstances. (k) each of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries has conducted and is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws, by- laws, rules and regulations of each jurisdiction in which its business is carried on and possesses all certificates, authority, permits or licenses issued by the appropriate state, provincial, municipal or federal regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by it and all such certificates, authorities, permits and licenses are valid and subsisting and in good standing and the Corporation has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority, permit or license which, if the subject of an unfavourable decision, ruling or finding would adversely affect the conduct of the business, operations, financial condition or income of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (l) no legal or governmental proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation, are contemplated or threatened to which the Corporation and/or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or to which the property of the Corporation and/or any of the Subsidiaries is subject that would result individually or in the aggregate in any adverse change in the operation, business or condition of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as disclosed to the Underwriter prior to the execution of this Agreement; (m) the audited consolidated annual financial statements of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries as at and for the year ended December 31, 1998 contained in the Corporation's annual report for the year ended December 31, 1998: -7- (i) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with those of preceding fiscal periods; (ii) represent fully, fairly and correctly the consolidated assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Corporation as at December 31, 1998 and the consolidated results of its operations and the changes in its financial position for the year then ended; (iii) are in accordance with the books and records of the Corporation; and (iv) contain and reflect all necessary adjustments for the fair presentation of the results of operations and the financial condition of the business of the Corporation on a consolidated basis for the period covered thereby, and there has not been any material adverse change in the financial position of the Corporation, or its business, assets, liabilities or undertaking since December 31, 1998 other than as specified in the Public Record; (n) the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries as at and for the six months ended June 30, 1999: (i) have, to the best of the Corporation's knowledge, been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with those of preceding periods; (ii) represent fully, fairly and correctly the consolidated assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Corporation as at June 30, 1999 and the consolidated results of its operations and the changes in its financial position for the period then ended; (iii) are in accordance with the books and records of the Corporation; and (iv) contain and reflect all necessary adjustments for the fair presentation of the results of operations and the financial condition of the business of the Corporation on a consolidated basis for the period covered thereby, and there has not been any material adverse change in the financial position of the Corporation, or its business, assets, liabilities or undertaking since June 30, 1999 other than as specified in the Public Record; (o) the auditors of the Corporation who audited the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998 and who provided their audit report thereon are independent public accountants as required under applicable Canadian securities laws; (p) there has never been any reportable disagreement (within the meaning of National Policy Statement No. 31) with the present or any former auditors of the Corporation; (q) each of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries has filed all necessary tax returns and has paid all applicable taxes of whatever nature for all tax years to the date hereof to the extent such taxes have become due or have been alleged to be due and there -8- are no tax deficiencies or interest or penalties accrued or accruing, or alleged to be accrued or accruing, thereon with respect to the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries where, in any of the above cases, it might reasonably be expected to result in an adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Corporation or the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (r) other than the Underwriter, there is no person, firm or corporation acting or purporting to act at the request of the Corporation, who is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. In the event that any person, firm or corporation acting or purporting to act for the Corporation including, without limitation, Yorkton Securities Inc., establishes a claim for any fee from the Underwriter, the Corporation covenants to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter with respect thereto and with respect to all costs reasonably incurred in the defence thereof; (s) at the Time of Closing, the Shares will not constitute "foreign property" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or any amendments thereto publicly announced by the Minister of Finance prior to that time; (t) all of the Corporation's issued and outstanding Shares and Shares reserved or allotted for issue (except for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Special Warrants, Purchase Warrants and Compensation Warrants) are listed for trading on the TSE and listed for quotation on NASDAQ; (u) the only subsidiaries of the Corporation are Bid-Com U.S.A Inc., Bid.Com International Limited and Point2 Computing Systems Inc. (collectively, the "Subsidiaries") and the Corporation, either directly or indirectly, beneficially owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of each such Subsidiary other than Point2 Computing Systems Inc. and beneficially owns 51% of the issued and outstanding shares of Point2 Computing Systems Inc. free and clear of all mortgages, liens, charges, pledges, security interests, encumbrances, claims or demands of any kind whatsoever, all of such shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares and no person has any right, agreement or option, present or future, contingent or absolute, of any right capable of becoming a right, agreement or option, for the purchase from the Corporation of any interest in any of such shares or for the issue or allotment of any unissued shares in the capital of the Subsidiaries or any other security convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares; (v) the use of the business names, trademarks, service marks and other industrial or intellectual property of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries does not infringe upon or breach any business names, trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property rights of any other person and the Corporation has no knowledge of any infringement or violation of any of its rights in such intellectual property and is not aware of any state of facts that casts doubt on the validity or enforceability of any of such intellectual property rights; (w) the Corporation owns or possesses adequate enforceable rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, software, source codes, trade secrets, processes, formulations and other intellectual property used or proposed to be used in the conduct of its business subject to the restrictions -9- contained in the licence agreements under which the Corporation licences various intellectual property; (x) the Corporation has not withheld, and will not withhold, from the Underwriter any facts relating to the Corporation or to the Offering that would be material to a prospective purchaser of the Special Warrants; (y) except as disclosed in the Public Record or disclosed in writing to the Underwriter prior to the execution of this Agreement, there are no material contracts or arrangements to which the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is bound or to which the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries expects to become a party or bound before the Prospectus Qualification other than the agreements relating to the Offering and the Corporation and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all respects with all terms and provisions of all contracts, agreements, indentures, leases, policies, instruments and licenses in connection with the conduct of its business and all such contracts, agreements, indentures, leases, policies, instruments and licenses are valid and binding in accordance with their terms and in full force and effect, and no breach or default by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries or event which, with notice or lapse or both, could constitute a breach or default by the Corporation or the Subsidiaries, exists with respect thereto; (z) no order ceasing or suspending trading in securities of the Corporation or prohibiting the sale of securities by the Corporation has been issued and, to the knowledge of the Corporation, no proceedings for this purpose have been instituted, are pending, contemplated or threatened; (aa) the Corporation has not, directly or indirectly, declared or paid any dividend or declared or made any other distribution on any of its Shares or other securities or, directly or indirectly, redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its Shares or other securities or agreed to do any of the foregoing; (bb) there is not in the constating documents of the Corporation or in any agreement, mortgage, note, debenture, indenture or other instrument or document to which the Corporation is a party, any restriction upon or impediment to the declaration or payment of dividends by the directors of the Corporation or the payment of dividends by the Corporation to the holders of its Shares; (cc) the Corporation does not owe any money to, nor has the Corporation any present loans to, or borrowed any monies from, or is otherwise indebted to any officer, director, employee, shareholder or any person not dealing "arm's length" (as such term is defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) with the Corporation except for usual employee reimbursements and compensation paid in the ordinary and normal course of the business of the Corporation; (dd) (i) the Corporation has adopted and is diligently implementing a Year 2000 compliance plan which plan accurately sets out the current status of activities undertaken by the Corporation to prevent a Year 2000 Problem (as defined below) and such plan includes an analysis as to (A) which of the assets are, as of the date hereof, are Year 2000 Compliant (as defined below), (B) which of the assets are not Year 2000 Compliant as of the date hereof, and (C) what third party remediation, testing and certification efforts have been undertaken to date; -10- (ii) (A) All required remediation, testing and certification will be completed by no later than December 31, 1999, (B) the Year 2000 compliance plan, including the remediation efforts and contingency plans therein, are reasonable and prudent in the opinion of the Corporation, (C) all work undertaken or required by the Year 2000 compliance plan will not require the expenditure by the Corporation to third parties of any material amount and (D) the Corporation will not be materially affected by a change in the millennium; (iii) all products and services supplied by the Corporation are Year 2000 Compliant; and (iv) the representations, warranties, covenants and commitments relating to the Year 2000 Problem or the products and services of the Corporation being Year 2000 Compliant which have been made or given by the Corporation to any person are true and correct; "Year 2000 Problem" means any failure of a computer system, hardware, software, firmware, microchip, integrated circuit or similar device to correctly: (i) process date and time related data without causing any processing interruptions, abnormal terminations, or changes in performance characteristics, and (ii) process and manipulate all date and time related functions correctly; "Year 2000 Compliant" means, with respect to any of the assets of the Corporation including without limitation all computer systems, hardware, software, firmware, microchip, integrated circuit or similar device, that such assets are in all material respects able to correctly: (i) process date and time related data without causing any processing interruptions, abnormal terminations, or changes in performance characteristics, and (ii) process and manipulate all date and time related functions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the assets of the Corporation will correctly: (i) process date and time related data before, during and after January 1, 2000, including, but not limited to, accepting date and time input, providing date and time output, and performing ongoing operations on dates and times and portions of dates and times including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing and sequencing of dates and times (in both forward and backward operations spanning century boundaries); (ii) process leap year calculations including, but not limited to, identification of leap years, interval calculations (in both forward and backward operations spanning century boundaries), day-in-year calculation, day-of-the-week calculations, and week-of-the-year calculations; (iii) manipulate all date and time related input in a manner that resolves ambiguity as to century; and (iv) store, retrieve and provide output of date and time related data in a matter that is unambiguous as to century; (ee) the Warrant Agent, at its offices in Toronto, has been duly appointed as the transfer agent and registrar for all of the outstanding Shares and as at the Closing will have been duly appointed as warrant agent in respect of the Special Warrants and Purchase Warrants; -11- (ff) the Corporation has obtained or at the Closing will have obtained conditional listing approval from the TSE and shall have filed a NASDAQ National Market Notification Form for Listing of Additional Securities and paid the applicable fee therefor with and to NASDAQ with respect to the Shares comprising the Units and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and the Compensation Warrants; and (gg) the Corporation has not received any verbal or written communication from Yorkton Securities Inc. in respect of the Right of First Refusal. 4. Covenants of the Corporation - The Corporation hereby covenants to and with the Underwriter that it will: (a) fulfill all legal requirements to permit the creation, issuance, offering and sale of the Special Warrants, the issuance of the Shares comprising the Units, the creation and issuance of the Purchase Warrants comprising the Units, the creation and issuance of the Brokers' Warrants, the creation and issuance of the Compensation Warrants and the issuance of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and Compensation Warrants including, without limitation, compliance with all applicable securities legislation to enable the Special Warrants to be offered for sale and sold without the necessity of filing a prospectus to Purchasers in the Selling Jurisdictions through, in the case of the Qualifying Provinces, registrants registered under the applicable legislation of such Qualifying Provinces who have complied with the relevant provisions of such legislation; (b) use its best efforts to obtain the necessary regulatory consents from the TSE and NASDAQ to the Offering on such terms as are mutually acceptable to the Underwriter and the Corporation, acting reasonably; (c) use its best efforts to arrange for the conditional listing for trading of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Special Warrants, the Purchase Warrants and the Compensation Warrants on the TSE and to make all necessary filings and to pay all required fees as required by NASDAQ before the Closing; (d) use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Shares on the TSE and NASDAQ and its status as reporting issuer and its equivalent under the securities legislation of the Qualifying Provinces until the earlier of the date which is one year after the Expiry Time and the date which is two years from the Closing Date; (e) use its best efforts, to prepare and file in each of the Qualifying Provinces the Preliminary Prospectus and other related documents relating to the proposed distribution of Subject Securities to holders of Special Warrants and of the Compensation Warrants to the Underwriter within 45 days following the Closing Date; (f) use its best efforts to obtain receipts for the Preliminary Prospectus in each of the Qualifying Provinces as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof; (g) resolve as soon as reasonably practicable any regulatory deficiencies in respect of the Preliminary Prospectus on a basis acceptable to the Underwriter, acting reasonably, and, as soon as reasonably practicable after such deficiencies have been resolved or satisfied, prepare, file and use its best efforts to obtain receipts -12- under the applicable legislation of each of the Qualifying Provinces for the Prospectus and take all other reasonable steps and proceedings that may be necessary in order to complete the Prospectus Qualification by the Qualification Deadline; (h) prior to the Closing and prior to the filing of the Preliminary Prospectus and thereafter and prior to the filing of the Prospectus and any Supplementary Material, permit the Underwriter and its counsel to participate fully in the preparation of such documents and allow the Underwriter and its counsel to conduct all due diligence which the Underwriter may reasonably require to conduct in order to fulfill their obligations under applicable securities legislation and in order to enable the Underwriter responsibly to execute any certificate required to be executed by the Underwriter in connection with the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Supplementary Material; (i) ensure that at the respective times of filing and at all times subsequent to the filing thereof until completion of the distribution of the Subject Securities, the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus and any Supplementary Material will fully comply with the requirements of applicable securities legislation, provided that the foregoing shall not apply with respect to statements contained in such documents relating solely to or provided by the Underwriter; (j) deliver in Toronto, within three (3) Business Days of the issue of a receipt for the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be, and within three Business Days of execution of any Supplementary Material, without charge to the Underwriter as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Supplementary Material as the Underwriter may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated hereunder and contemplated by the Securities Act (Ontario), and such delivery shall constitute: (A) the consent of the Corporation to use such documents in connection with the distribution or the distribution to the public, as the case may be, of the Subject Securities subject to the provisions of the securities legislation of the Qualifying Provinces; and (B) the Corporation's representation and warranty to the Underwriter that, at the time of delivery, the information and statements contained therein (except information and statements relating solely to or provided by the Underwriter) contain no misrepresentation and constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) relating to the Offering, the Corporation, the Special Warrants and the Subject Securities; (k) cause to be delivered to the Underwriter concurrently with the filing of the Prospectus and any Supplementary Material, comfort letters of the auditors of the Corporation in each case dated the date of the Prospectus or the Supplementary Material to which such letter relates (as the case may be) addressed to the Underwriter and to the directors of the Corporation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter acting reasonably, relating to the financial statements to be included in the Prospectus and any Supplementary Material and verifying in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Handbook the financial information, accounting data and other numerical data contained in the Prospectus or any Supplementary Material and matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus on the Supplementary Material to a date not more than two (2) Business Days prior to the date of such letter; -13- (l) not, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, issue or announce the issuance of any Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or exercisable to acquire Shares during a period commencing on September 15, 1999 and expiring 180 days following the Closing Date, other than pursuant to: (i) presently outstanding rights, including options, warrants and other convertible securities and including any such rights which have been granted or issued subject to regulatory approval; (ii) options granted to officers, directors or employees of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof pursuant to existing stock option plans; or (iii) in connection with the acquisition by the Corporation of shares or assets of an arm's length person to the Corporation. (m) ensure that at Closing the Shares do not constitute "foreign property" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any amendments thereto publicly announced by the Minister of Finance from time to time; (n) use the net proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes and to pursue acquisition opportunities; and (o) comply with the provisions of the term sheet attached hereto as Schedule "A". 5. Conditions of Closing - The obligations of the Underwriter and the Purchasers to complete the purchase of the Special Warrants contemplated hereby shall be conditional upon the fulfillment at or before the Time of Closing (as herein defined) of the following conditions: (a) the Corporation having obtained all requisite regulatory approvals required to be obtained by the Corporation in respect of the Offering on terms mutually acceptable to the Corporation and the Underwriter, acting reasonably; (b) the Corporation and the Underwriter having complied fully with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements required to be complied with prior to the Time of Closing (including without limitation those of the TSE and NASDAQ in connection with the Offering); (c) the Corporation having received the approval of the TSE to proceed with the Offering and to conditionally list the Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Special Warrants, the Purchase Warrants and the Compensation Warrants subject to the usual conditions; (d) the Corporation having taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Special Warrant Indenture, the Share Purchase Warrant Indenture, the issuance of the Special Warrants, the Brokers' Warrants, the Compensation Warrants, the Subject Securities and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and the Compensation Warrants and all other matters relating thereto; (e) the Underwriter having received a favourable legal opinion of the Corporation's counsel or from counsel in appropriate jurisdictions addressed to the Underwriter, -14- counsel to the Underwriters and the Purchasers, acceptable in all reasonable respects to counsel to the Underwriter, with respect to the matters set forth in Schedule "C" hereto; In giving the opinions contemplated by Schedule "C", counsel to the Corporation shall be entitled to rely, where appropriate, as to matters of fact, upon the representations and warranties of Purchasers contained in the executed Subscription Agreements and other support documents, the representations, warranties and covenants of the Underwriter as contained herein, a certificate of fact of the Corporation signed by officers in a position to have knowledge of such facts and their accuracy and certificates of such public officials and other persons as are necessary or desirable; (f) the Underwriter having received a favourable legal opinion of the Subsidiaries' counsel addressed to the Underwriter, counsel to the Underwriter and each of the Purchasers, acceptable in all reasonable respects to counsel to the Underwriter, to the effect that: (i) each of the Subsidiaries is a corporation validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is qualified to carry on business and own its assets under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it carries on business and owns its assets; (ii) each of the Subsidiaries has all requisite corporate capacity, power and authority to carry on its business as is now conducted by it and to own its assets; (iii) as to the authorized capital of each of the Subsidiaries; and (iv) the registered holder of all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of the Subsidiaries is the Corporation; (g) the Underwriter shall have received a favourable legal opinion from Baer Marks & Upham LLP, United States counsel to the Corporation, such opinion to be addressed to the Corporation, the counsel to the Corporation, the Underwriter and counsel to the Underwriter, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel to the Underwriter, to the effect that the offer and sale to purchasers in the United States of the Special Warrants, has been made in accordance with Section 4(2); (h) the Underwriter and the Purchasers having received a certificate of the Corporation signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation or by such other officers acceptable to the Underwriter certifying as to certain matters reasonably requested by the Underwriter including certification that: (i) the Corporation has complied with all covenants and satisfied all terms and conditions of this Agreement on its part to be complied with and satisfied up to the Time of Closing; (ii) all of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made at and as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby; -15- (iii) since the date hereof, there has been no material adverse change (actual, proposed or prospective, whether financial or otherwise) in the business, affairs, operations, assets, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or capital of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (iv) no order, ruling or determination having the effect of ceasing or suspending trading in any securities of the Corporation (including the Special Warrants and the Subject Securities) has been issued and no proceedings for such purposes are pending, or, to the knowledge of such officers, pending, contemplated or threatened; and (v) the Corporation is a "reporting issuer" not in default under the securities laws of each of the provinces in which it is a reporting issuer and no material change relating to the Corporation has occurred with respect to which the requisite material change statement has not been filed unless the Offering contemplated hereby constitutes a material change and currently no disclosure of any material change has been made on a confidential basis; (i) the Corporation shall have delivered to the Underwriter a certificate of CIBC Mellon Trust Corporation as registrar and transfer agent which certifies the number of outstanding Shares as at the Closing Date; (j) the Special Warrant Indenture and Share Purchase Warrant Indenture in form acceptable to the Underwriter, acting reasonably, shall have been executed and delivered by the Corporation and the Warrant Agent for the holders of the Special Warrants and Purchase Warrants; and (k) the Underwriter shall be satisfied in its sole discretion with such due diligence of the Corporation as the Underwriter or its representatives deem appropriate. 6. Closing - The purchase and sale of the Special Warrants (the "Closing") shall be completed at the offices of the Corporation's counsel in Toronto, Ontario, at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) (the "Time of Closing") on September 30, 1999 or at such other time or on such other date as the Corporation and the Underwriter may agree upon which, in no event, shall be later than October 15, 1999 (the "Closing Date"). At or before the Time of Closing, the Corporation shall deliver to the Underwriter: (a) certificates representing the Special Warrants duly registered as the Purchasers may direct; (b) the requisite legal opinions and certificate as contemplated in section 5 hereof; and (c) such further documentation as may be contemplated herein or as counsel to the Underwriter or the applicable regulatory authorities may reasonably require; against delivery by the Underwriter to the Corporation and the Warrant Agent of certified cheques or bank drafts payable to the Corporation and the Warrant Agent in an aggregate amount -16- representing $9.25 per Special Warrant (subject to deduction of the Underwriting Fee and expenses as noted herein) and delivery by the Underwriter to the Corporation of duly executed subscription agreements for acceptance by the Corporation. The Underwriting Fee shall be deducted from the aggregate amount of the proceeds of the Offering. Subject to timely advance notice from the Underwriter, the Corporation further agrees that it shall provide to the Underwriter at such addresses as it may specify certificates representing the Special Warrants sufficiently in advance of the Closing, to be held in escrow by the Underwriter pending the Closing, in order to allow the Underwriter to effect proper delivery thereof to the Substituted Purchasers at the Time of Closing. 7. Expenses - Whether or not Closing occurs, the Corporation shall pay all costs, fees and expenses of or incidental to the performance of the obligations under this Agreement including, without limitation: (i) the cost of qualifying the Subject Securities for distribution in the Qualifying Provinces, (ii) the cost of printing the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Supplementary Material and certificates for the Special Warrants, Brokers' Warrants and the Subject Securities, (iii) registration, countersignature and delivery of the Special Warrants and Subject Securities, (iv) the fees and expenses of the Corporation's auditors, counsel and any local counsel, (v) the reasonable fees and expenses of the Underwriter's counsel provided that fees (exclusive of GST and disbursements) shall not exceed $50,000 without the consent of the Corporation, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, and (vi) the Underwriter's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including marketing expenses). Such amounts payable to the Underwriter shall be paid by the Corporation at the Time of Closing to the Underwriter in respect of expenses and fees incurred to such date and supported by invoices and as and when invoices are rendered in respect of expenses and fees incurred after the Time of Closing. 8. Material Changes - If after the date hereof until the Expiry Time: (a) there occurs any material change or material changes (actual, proposed or prospective) in respect of the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries; (b) there occurs any change in any material fact contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or any Supplementary Material; or (c) any new material fact arises which would, under the securities legislation of any of the Qualifying Provinces, require an amendment to the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or any Supplementary Material, the Corporation shall: (d) promptly notify the Underwriter, in writing, providing full particulars of any such change; (e) if required by applicable law, prepare and deliver to each Purchaser an amendment to the Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; (f) file or cause to be filed with reasonable promptness, and in any event within any statutory limitation period therefor, any document required to be filed with any regulatory body having jurisdiction and comply with all requirements of any applicable securities legislation of such jurisdiction; and -17- (g) comply with all legal requirements necessary to continue to qualify the Subject Securities for distribution in the Qualifying Provinces. The Corporation shall in good faith discuss with the Underwriter any change in circumstances (actual, proposed or prospective) in respect of which there is reasonable doubt whether written notice should be given to the Underwriter pursuant to this section and shall consult with the Underwriter with respect to the form and content of any Supplementary Material proposed to be issued or filed by the Corporation as a result of such change prior to the issuance or filing thereof. In this Agreement, the terms "material change", "material fact", "misrepresentation" and "distribution" include the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Securities Act (Ontario). 9. Indemnities - The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees to protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and its directors, officers and employees, solicitors and agents (individually, an "Indemnified Party" and, collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") from and against all losses (except for loss of profits), claims, costs, damages or liabilities which they may suffer or incur caused by or arising directly or indirectly by reason of: (i) any information or statement (except any information or statement relating solely to or provided by the Underwriter) contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or any Supplementary Material being or being alleged to be a misrepresentation; (ii) the omission to state in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or any Supplementary Material a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (except the omission to state a material fact relating solely to the Underwriter); (iii) the Corporation not complying with any requirement of any securities legislation or regulatory requirements of any Qualifying Province in connection with the Offering or the Prospectus Qualification; (iv) any order made or any inquiry, investigation or proceeding commenced or threatened by any regulatory authority based upon an allegation that any untrue statement or alleged omission or any misrepresentation or alleged misrepresentation in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Supplementary Material exists (except any information or statement relating solely or provided by to the Underwriter) which prevents or restricts the trading in or distribution of the Special Warrants or the Subject Securities; or (v) the Corporation's failure to comply with any of its obligations hereunder. If any action or claim shall be asserted against an Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the Corporation pursuant to the provisions hereof, or if any potential claim contemplated by this section shall come to the knowledge of an Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Corporation in writing of the nature of such action or claim (provided that any failure to so notify shall not affect the Corporation's liability under this paragraph unless such delay has prejudiced the defence to such claim). The Corporation shall be entitled but not obliged to participate in or assume the defence thereof, provided, however that the defence shall be through legal counsel acceptable to the Indemnified -18- Party, acting reasonably. In addition, the Indemnified Party shall also have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defence thereof, and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party, unless (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized in writing by the Corporation; (ii) the Indemnified Party has been advised by counsel acceptable to the Corporation, acting reasonably, that representation of the Corporation and the Indemnified Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them; or (iii) the Corporation has failed within a reasonable time after receipt of such written notice to assume the defence of such action or claim. It is understood and agreed that the Corporation shall not, in connection with any suit in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the legal fees and expenses of more than one separate legal firm to represent the Indemnified Parties. Neither party shall effect any settlement of any such action or claim or make any admission of liability without the written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The indemnity hereby provided for shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be limited to or affected by any other indemnity in respect of any matters specified in this section obtained by the Indemnified Party from any other person. To the extent that any Indemnified Party is not a party to this Agreement the Underwriter shall obtain and hold the right and benefit of this section in trust for and on behalf of such Indemnified Party. The Corporation hereby waives its right to recover contribution from the Underwriter with respect to any liability of the Corporation by reason of or arising out of any misrepresentation contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or in any Supplementary Material; provided, however, that such waiver shall not apply in respect of liability caused or incurred by reason of or arising out of any misrepresentation which is based upon or results from information relating solely to and provided by the Underwriter contained in such document. The Corporation hereby consents to personal jurisdiction and service and venue in any court in which any claim which is subject to indemnification hereunder is brought against the Underwriter or any Indemnified Party and to the assignment of the benefit of this section to any Indemnified Party for the purpose of enforcement provided that nothing herein shall limit the Corporation's right or ability to contest the appropriate jurisdiction or forum for the determination of any such claims. 10. Contribution - In the event that, for any reason, the indemnity provided for in section 9 hereof is illegal or unenforceable, the Underwriter and the Corporation shall contribute to the aggregate of all losses, claims, costs, damages, expenses or liabilities (except loss of profits in connection with the sale of Special Warrants) of the nature provided for in section 9 hereof such that the Underwriter shall be responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the Underwriting Fee bears to the gross proceeds from the Offering and the Corporation shall be responsible for the balance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation shall not be entitled to contribution from any other party. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receiving notice of commencement of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this section, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought. In no case shall such party from whom contribution may be sought be liable under this contribution agreement unless such notice shall have been provided, but the omission to so notify such party shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it may have otherwise than under this section. The right to -19- contribution provided in this section shall be in addition and not in derogation of any other right to contribution which the Underwriter may have by statute or otherwise by law. 11. Termination Rights - If any time prior to the Closing: (i) there shall occur or come into effect any event, condition or circumstance which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriter, constitutes a material change, financial or otherwise, in the business, affairs or condition of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or there arises or there is disclosure of a material fact or a change in a material fact which in the sole opinion of the Underwriter might be expected to prevent or restrict the Offering or Prospectus Qualification; or would or could materially and adversely affect the market price or value of the Special Warrants or Subject Securities; or (ii) any order or ruling is issued, any inquiry, investigation or other proceeding (whether formal or informal) in relation to the Corporation or any one of the officers or directors of the Corporation or any of its principal shareholders is made, threatened or announced by any officer or official of any stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority, or any law or regulation is promulgated or changed which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriter, would or could operate to prevent or restrict trading in or the distribution of the Special Warrants or Subject Securities or would or could adversely affect the marketability or sale of the Special Warrants or Subject Securities as contemplated hereby or the market price or value of the Special Warrants or Subject Securities or would or could materially and adversely affect the financial markets in Canada or elsewhere where the Special Warrants are marketed or proposed to be marketed or the business of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (iii) the Underwriter is not satisfied in their sole discretion with their due diligence review and investigations of the Corporation or any of its officers, directors and principal shareholders; or (iv) there should develop, occur or come into effect any occurrence, catastrophe, crisis or accident of national or international consequence or any other event, action, governmental regulation, enquiry or other occurrence of any nature whatsoever including any outbreak of war, rebellion or armed hostilities which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriter, would or could adversely affect the marketability or sale of the Special Warrants or Subject Securities, the financial markets in Canada or elsewhere where the Special Warrants are marketed or proposed to be marketed or the business of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Underwriter shall be entitled, at its option, to terminate its obligations under this Agreement (and the obligations of the Purchasers) by written notice to that effect given to the Corporation at any time prior to the Closing. In the event of such termination by the Underwriter, there shall be no further liability of the Corporation or the Underwriter to one another hereunder, except in respect of any liability which may have arisen or may thereafter arise pursuant to sections 7, 9 or 10. The right of the Underwriter to terminate their obligations under this Agreement is in addition to such other remedies as it may have in respect of any default, act or failure to act of the Corporation in respect of any of the matters contemplated by this Agreement. -20- 12. Registration Rights - The Corporation agrees that, in the event it no ------------------- longer qualifies as a "foreign issuer" as that term is defined in Rule 902(e) promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the 1933 Act, then upon written request (the "Registration Request") of any holder of (i) the Compensation Warrants and/or (ii) Purchase Warrants who in the case of a holder of Purchase Warrants was a U.S. Person who purchased in the United States, made at any time within the period commencing with the Qualification Deadline and ending with the final expiration date of such warrants, the Corporation will file a Registration Statement, and all necessary amendments thereto, under the 1933 Act, as amended, registering or qualifying, as the case may be, the Shares underlying all such warrants as may be outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be required to file a Registration Statement or comply with the other provisions of this Section 12, if the Corporation delivers to the requesting warrantholder within 10 business days of the receipt of the Registration Request an opinion of counsel of the Corporation to the effect the sale of common shares underlying the Compensation Warrants or Purchase Warrants, as the case may be, by such holder is otherwise exempt from registration under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations, promulgated thereunder and that such underlying shares will be free trading in the hands of the purchaser(s). The holder requesting such registration rights, shall promptly provide the Corporation and such counsel, all information which either of them may reasonably request in order to enable such counsel to determine whether it will be able to deliver such opinion. The Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to cause the above filing to become effective in a timely manner and to thereafter remain effective for the life of such warrants or until the earlier of the time when (i) the common shares which may be issued upon exercise of such warrants shall have been first disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, or (ii) all such securities may be sold pursuant to Rule 144(b), Rule 144(k) or any other exemption as a result of which the underlying shares will be free trading in the hands of the purchaser(s), a new certificate or other evidence of ownership not bearing the legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Corporation and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the 1933 Act. In addition to the above, the Corporation understands and agrees that if at any time it no longer qualifies as a "foreign issuer" (as defined above) and should file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to the 1933 Act, regardless of whether some of the holder(s) of the Compensation Warrants or Purchase Warrants shall have theretofore availed itself (themselves) of the right above provided, the Corporation, at its own expense, will timely offer to said holder(s) the opportunity to register or qualify the aforesaid Shares to be issued upon the exercise of such warrants provided that such obligation shall be subject to such restriction as the underwriter(s) may determine including, but not limited to, a determination by the Underwriter that said Shares shall not be included in such Registration Statement. This paragraph is not applicable to a Registration Statement filed by the Corporation with the SEC on Form S-8, or any other inappropriate form. The Corporation shall bear all costs and expenses incident to the registration, qualification, issuance, offer, sale and delivery of the Shares underlying the said Compensation Warrants and Purchase Warrants, including the costs and counsel fees of qualification under state securities laws, fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants for the Corporation, costs for preparing and printing the Registration Statement, and cost of printing as many copies of the underwriting documents, Prospectuses and Preliminary Prospectuses as the selling shareholder(s) may reasonably deem necessary and related exhibits, including all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders, and not the Corporation shall be responsible for all selling discounts or selling commissions applicable to the sale of any securities so registered, and shall bear all fees and disbursements of counsel for such -21- holders (other than the cost of fees and expenses of counsel in connection with the qualification under the state securities laws). The provisions of Sections 9 and 10 above with respect to indemnification and contribution shall apply with equal effect to any liabilities arising out of or in relation to the filing of any Registration Statement or Blue Sky qualification contemplated in this Section 12. 13. Breach of Agreement - Any breach of, or failure by the Corporation to comply with, any term or condition of this Agreement shall entitle the Underwriter, on behalf of itself and the Purchasers to terminate their respective obligations to purchase the Special Warrants by notice to that effect given to the Corporation prior to the Time of Closing. In the event of any such termination, there shall be no further liability on the part of the Corporation or such Underwriter except in respect of any liability which may have arisen or may thereafter arise under sections 7, 9 or 10 hereof. The Underwriter may waive, in whole or in part, or extend the time for compliance with, any terms and conditions without prejudice to its rights in respect of any other terms and conditions or any other or subsequent breach or non-compliance provided, however, that any waiver or extension must be in writing and signed by the Underwriter in order to be binding upon it. 14. Notices - Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing and either delivered, telecopied or mailed by prepaid registered post to the party to receive such notice at the address or telecopy numbers indicated below: to the Corporation: Bid.Com International Inc. 6725 Airport Road, Suite 201 Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1V2 Attention: Paul Godin Fax: (905) 672-7514 with a copy to: Gowling, Strathy & Henderson Barristers and Solicitors Suite 4900, Box 438 Commerce Court West Toronto, Ontario M5L 1J3 Attention: Neil J.F. Steenberg Fax: (416) 862-7661 -22- to the Underwriter or any Indemnified Party: Canaccord Capital Corporation 2200-609 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1H2 Attention: Jamie Brown Fax: (604) 643-7606 with a copy to: Cassels Brock & Blackwell Barristers and Solicitors Suite 2100, Scotia Plaza 40 King Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 3C2 Attention: Peter Marrone Fax: (416) 360-8877 or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter designate by notice in writing to the other party. If a notice is delivered, it shall be effective from the date of delivery; if such notice is telecopied (with receipt confirmed), it shall be effective on the Business Day following the date such notice is telecopied; if such notice is sent by mail, it shall be effective four (4) Business Days following the date of mailing, excluding all days when normal mail service is interrupted. -23- 15. Survival - All representations, warranties, and agreements of the Corporation and the Underwriter contained herein or contained in any document submitted pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the purchase of the Special Warrants shall survive the purchase of the Special Warrants by the Purchasers and shall continue in full force and effect unaffected by any subsequent disposition or exercise of the Special Warrants and the Subject Securities, for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, and the Corporation and the Underwriter shall not be limited or prejudiced by any investigation made by or on behalf of the Corporation or the Underwriter in the course of the preparation of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Supplementary Material or the distribution of the Special Warrants or the Subject Securities. 16. Entire Agreement - The provisions herein contained constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersede all previous communications, representations, understandings and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether verbal or written, including without limitation the engagement letter between the Corporation and Canaccord dated and accepted by the Corporation on September 15, 1999. 17. Counterparts - The execution of this Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts all of which when taken together shall be deemed to be one and the same document and not withstanding their actual date of execution shall be deemed to be dated as of the date first above written. 18. General - The Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein and time shall be of the essence hereof. If the above is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to the Underwriter a copy of this letter, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between the Corporation and the Underwriter. CANACCORD CAPITAL CORPORATION Per: "Peter Brown " ------------------------------- The above offer is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Per: "Paul Hart " ------------------------------- SCHEDULE "A" TERM SHEET Issuer: Bid.Com International Inc. (the "Corporation"). Size of Offering: $7,500,001 - $25,000,002 Purchased Securities: A minimum of 810,811 and a maximum of 2,702,703 special warrants to be sold by the Corporation. Subject to adjustment in certain events, each Special Warrant shall be exercisable, for no additional consideration, to acquire one unit ("Unit"), each Unit consisting of one common share ("Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Corporation. Warrants: Each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $12.00 per share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date. Purchase Price: $9.25 per Special Warrant. Underwriter: Canaccord Capital Corporation Closing Date: September 30, 1999 or such other date as the Underwriter and the Corporation may agree (the "Closing Date"). Selling Jurisdictions: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and such other provinces of Canada agree to by the Corporation and the underwriter (the "Qualifying Jurisdictions"), offshore and the United States pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Special Warrant The Special Warrants shall be exercisable by the Exercise: holders thereof at any time and will be automatically exercised at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the earlier of the following dates (such date being the "Expiry Date"): (i) the fifth business day after a receipt is issued by the last of the relevant securities regulatory authorities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions (the "Securities Regulators") for a (final) prospectus (the "Final Prospectus") qualifying the Units issuable on the exercise of the Special Warrants; and (ii) one year after the Closing Date. Penalty Events: In the event that the Final Prospectus has not been filed and receipts issued therefor by the last of the Securities Regulators on or prior to the date (such date being hereinafter referred to as the "Qualification Deadline") that is 90 days after the Closing Date, each Special Warrant exercised or deemed to be exercised thereafter shall entitle the holder to receive 1.1 Units (in lieu of one Unit). SCHEDULE "B" OUTSTANDING CONVERTIBLE OR RESERVED SECURITIES Reserved for Incentive Stock Options - ------------------------------------ Total Reserved 4,539,000 shares - -------------- Reserved for Issue in Connection with Warrants Issued to pursuant to November - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 Special Warrant Financing - ------------------------------ Total Reserved 140,496 shares - -------------- SCHEDULE "C" OPINION OF THE CORPORATION'S COUNSEL At the Time of Closing, the Underwriter shall receive a favourable legal opinion from counsel for the Corporation addressed to the Underwriter, counsel to the Underwriter and the Substituted Purchasers and the Corporation dated the Closing Date, with respect to the following matters: (a) the Corporation has been duly amalgamated and is existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario and has not been dissolved; (b) the Corporation has all necessary corporate capacity to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business at and in the places where such properties and assets are now owned, leased or operated or such businesses are now conducted; (c) the authorized capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of Shares and an unlimited number of Preference Shares, issuable in series; (d) the Shares have been allotted and reserved for issue pursuant to the exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants which when issued shall be validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable; (e) the Purchase Warrants have been validly created and allotted and reserved for issue pursuant to the exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants which when issued shall be validly issued; (f) the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants have been allotted and reserved for issue pursuant to the exercise of the Purchase Warrants which when issued shall be validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable; (g) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Corporation to duly authorize the creation, issuance and sale of the Special Warrants and the Brokers' Warrants and the Special Warrants and the Brokers' Warrants have been validly created and issued; (h) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Corporation to duly authorize the creation and issuance of the Compensation Warrants; (i) the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Compensation Warrants have been allotted and reserved for issue pursuant to the exercise of the Compensation Warrants which when issued shall be validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable; (j) the form and terms of the definitive certificates representing the Shares, the Special Warrants, the Purchase Warrants, the Brokers' Warrants and the Compensation Warrants have been approved and adopted by the directors of the Corporation and the Share certificates comply with all legal requirements relating thereto; -2- (k) the Underwriting Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Special Warrant Indenture and the Purchase Warrant Indenture (the "Agreements") have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Corporation, have been duly executed and delivered by and on behalf of the Corporation and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Corporation enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, except that specific performance and injunction are equitable remedies which may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction and except as rights to indemnity, contribution and waiver of contribution may be limited under applicable law and except as to other qualifications as to enforceability as are agreed to by counsel to the Underwriter; (l) the execution and delivery of the Agreements, the fulfillment of the terms hereof and the issuance and sale of the Special Warrants, the issue of Shares and Purchase Warrants issuable upon exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants, the issue of the Shares upon the due exercise of the Purchase Warrants, the issuance of the Brokers' Warrant, the issuance of the Compensation Warrants upon exercise of the Brokers' Warrant and the issue of the Shares upon the due exercise of the Compensation Warrants does not and will not conflict with and does not and will not result in a breach of, and does not and will not create a state of facts which after notice or lapse of time or both will conflict with or result in a breach of, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the constating documents or by-laws of the Corporation or any resolution passed or consented to by the directors or shareholders of any of them or any trust indenture, agreement or instrument to which the Corporation is a party or by which the Corporation is contractually bound including, without limitation, the Right of First Refusal; (m) the Warrant Agent at its principal offices in the City of Toronto has been duly appointed the transfer agent and registrar for the Shares; (n) the Warrant Agent at its principal office in the City of Toronto has been duly appointed the warrant agent for the Special Warrants and the Purchase Warrants; (o) the issue of the Special Warrants and the Brokers' Warrant being exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities laws; (p) the issuance of the Shares and Purchase Warrants issuable upon exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants, and the issuance of the Compensation Warrants upon exercise of the Brokers' Warrant, the issuance of the Shares upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and the Compensation Warrants is exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities laws; (q) the resale restrictions applicable to the first trade of the Shares and Purchase Warrants issued upon exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants, the Shares issued upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and the Shares issued upon exercise of the Compensation Warrants where the Shares, Purchase Warrants and Compensation Warrants are qualified pursuant to the Prospectus; (r) the resale restrictions applicable to the first trade of the Shares and Purchase Warrants issued upon exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants, the Shares issued upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and the Shares issued upon exercise of the Compensation Warrants where no Prospectus has been filed in connection therewith; -3- (s) as to such other matters as counsel to the Underwriter may request. Any modifications of the foregoing shall be subject to the approval of the Underwriter and its counsel acting reasonably. The delivery of a definitive opinion at the Time of Closing accepted by the Underwriter and its such modifications. SCHEDULE "D" UNITED STATES OFFER OF SALES As used in this Schedule D, capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the underwriter agreement to which this Schedule is annexed and the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: (a) "Directed Selling Efforts" means directed selling efforts as that term is defined in Regulation S. Without limiting the foregoing, but for greater clarity in this Schedule, it means, subject to the exclusions from the definition of directed selling efforts contained in Regulation S, any activity undertaken for the purpose of, or that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of, conditioning the market in the United States for any of the Special Warrants and includes the placement of any advertisement in a publication with a general circulation in the United States that refers to the offering of the Special Warrants; (b) "Accredited Investor" means an accredited investor as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D; (c) "Regulation D" means Regulation D adopted by the SEC under the 1933 Act; (d) "Regulation S" means Regulation S adopted by the SEC under the 1933 Act; (e) "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; (f) "Substantial U.S. Market Interest" means substantial U.S. market interest as that term is defined in Regulation S; (g) "1933 Act" means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (h) "U.S. Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (i) "U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as that term is defined in Regulation S; and (j) "United States" means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States, and the District of Columbia. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Underwriter - ------------------------------------------------------------ The Underwriter acknowledges that the Special Warrants have not been and will not be registered under the 1933 Act and may be offered and sold only in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Accordingly, the Underwriter represents, warrants and covenants to the Corporation that: 1. It has not offered and sold, and will not offer and sell, any Special Warrants except (a) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S or (b) within the United States as provided in paragraphs 2 through 9 below. Accordingly, neither the Underwriter, its affiliates nor any persons acting on its or their behalf, has made or will make (except as permitted in paragraphs 2 through 9 below) (i) any offer to sell or any solicitation of an offer to buy, any Special Warrants to any U.S. Person or any person in the United States, (ii) any sale of Special Warrants to any purchaser unless, at the time the -2- buy order was or will have been originated, the purchaser was outside the United States, or such Underwriter, affiliate or person acting on behalf of either reasonably believed that such purchaser was outside the United States, or (iii) any Directed Selling Efforts in the United States with respect to the Special Warrants. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S. 2. It has not entered and will not enter into any contractual arrangement with respect to the distribution of the Special Warrants, except with its affiliates, any selling group members or with the prior written consent of the Corporation. It shall require each selling group member to agree, for the benefit of the Corporation, to comply with, and shall use its best efforts to ensure that each selling group member complies with, the same provisions of this Schedule as apply to such Underwriter as if such provisions applied to such selling group member. 3. All offers and sales of Special Warrants in the United States shall be made through the Underwriter's U.S. registered broker-dealer affiliate in compliance with all U.S. federal and state broker-dealer requirements applicable to the Underwriter and such affiliate in connection with such offers and sales. 4. Offers and sales of Special Warrants in the United States shall not be made (i) by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D), including advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over radio or television, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees had been invited by general solicitation or general advertising or (ii) in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. 5. Any offer, sale or solicitation of an offer to buy Special Warrants that has been made or will be made in the United States was or will be made only to Accredited Investors and in transactions that are exempt, from registration under applicable state securities laws. 6. The Underwriter, acting through its U.S. broker-dealer affiliate, may offer the Special Warrants in the United States only to offerees with respect to which such Underwriter has reasonable grounds to believe are Accredited Investors. 7. Prior to completion of any sale to the Time of Closing, it will provide the transfer agent with a list of all purchasers of the Special Warrants in the United States. 8. At least one business day prior to the Time of Closing, it will provide the transfer agent with a list of all purchasers of the Special Warrants in the United States. 9. At Closing, it together with its U.S. affiliate selling Special Warrants in the United States, will provide a certificate, substantially in the form of Appendix I to this Schedule, relating to the manner of the offer and sale of the Special Warrants in the United States. 10. Each certificate evidencing a Special Warrant sold to a person in the United States will contain a legend substantially to the effect that: "The securities represented by this certificate and the securities which may be issued upon exercise of this certificate have not been registered under the Unites States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other state securities laws, may not be sold, pledged or hypothecated in the absence of an effective registration statement under said act or such laws or an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that such transfer is exempt from registration under all applicable securities laws." -3- Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Corporation - ------------------------------------------------------------ The Corporation represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that: 1. The Corporation is a "foreign issuer" with the meaning of Regulation S and there is no Substantial U.S. Market Interest in the Special Warrants, the Warrants or the Common Shares. 2. The Corporation (i) is not, and as a result of the sale of the Special Warrants contemplated hereby will not be, an "investment company" as defined in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or (ii) shall take all such reasonable steps to ensure that it is not an "investment company". 3. Except with respect to offers and sales to Accredited Investors within the United States in reliance upon any exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and Rule 506 thereunder, neither the Corporation nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its behalf, has made or will make: (A) any offer to sell, or any solicitation of an offer to buy, any Special Warrants to a U.S. Person or a person in the United States; or (B) any sale of Special Warrants unless, at the time the buy order was or will have been originated, the purchaser is (i) outside the United States or (ii) the Corporation, its affiliates, and any person acting on their behalf reasonably believes that the purchaser is outside the United States. 4. During the period in which the Special Warrants are offered for sale, neither it nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf (i) has made or will make any Directed Selling Efforts in the United States, or (ii) has engaged in or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D) with respect to offers or sales of the Special Warrants in the United States, including advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media, or broadcast over radio, or television, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by general solicitation or general advertising. 5. Except with respect to the offer and sale of the Special Warrants offered hereby and offers and sales of common shares of the Corporation pursuant to the Corporation's employee benefit plans, the Corporation has not, for a period of six months prior to the date hereof sold, offered for sale or solicited any offer to buy any of its securities in the United States. APPENDIX I TO SCHEDULE "D" UNDERWRITERS' CERTIFICATE In connection with the private placement in the United States of the Special Warrants (the "Warrants") of Bid.Com International Inc. (the "Corporation") pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 30, 1999 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), among the Corporation and Canaccord Capital Corporation (the "Underwriter"), the undersigned does hereby certify as follows: (i) the U.S. affiliate of the Underwriter who offered or sold Warrants in the United States is a duly registered broker or dealer with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member of and in good standing with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on the date hereof and is registered, qualified or otherwise exempt from registration or qualification as a broker or dealer in each state in which Warrants have been or will be offered or sold; (ii) immediately prior to offering Warrants to such offerees, we had reasonable grounds to believe and did believe that each offeree was an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)of Regulation D (an "Accredited Investor") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, on the date hereof, we continue to believe that each U.S. person purchasing Warrants is an Accredited Investor; (iii) no form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the 1933 Act) was used by us, including advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over radio or television, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees had been invited by general solicitation or general advertising, in connection with the offer or sale of the Warrants in the United States; (iv) the offering of the Warrants in the United States has been conducted by us through our U.S. affiliate in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement; and (v) prior to any sale of Warrants in the United States pursuant to Section 4(2) and Rule 506 thereunder, we caused each U.S. purchaser to execute a U.S. Subscription Agreement. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement unless otherwise defined herein. Dated this day of September, 1999. CANACCORD CAPITAL CORPORATION on behalf of itself and its U.S. affiliate By:________________________________ Name: Title: EX-3.2 3 WARRANT INDENTURE DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 Exhibit 3.2 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. - and - CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY _________________________________________________________ Warrant Indenture Providing for the Issue of Common Share Purchase Warrants dated as of September 30, 1999 _________________________________________________________ THIS Warrant Indenture dated as of the 30th day of September, 1999, is made B E T W E E N: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC., a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (hereinafter called the "Corporation") - and - CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the "Agent") WHEREAS the Corporation proposes to create and issue up to 1,621,621 Warrants to be constituted, issued and sold in the manner herein set forth; and WHEREAS the Agent has agreed to act as warrant agent on behalf of the Warrantholders on the terms and conditions herein set forth; WHEREAS the foregoing statements of fact and recitals are made by the Corporation and not the Agent. NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and in further consideration of the mutual covenants herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE 1 INTERPRETATION -------------- 1.1 Definitions: In this Indenture, unless there is something in the subject ----------- matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following words have the respective meanings indicated below: (a) "Agent" has the meaning specified above and includes a successor agent determined in accordance with Section 9.8; (b) "Broker Warrants" means the 270,270 broker warrants of the Corporation created and issued by the Corporation to the Underwriter entitling the Underwriter to acquire one Common Share and one-half of one Warrant; (c) "Business Day" means a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or civic or statutory holiday in the Province of Ontario; (d) "Closing Date" means September 30, 1999, being the date of the closing of the completion of the issue and sale by the Corporation of the Special Warrants; (e) "Common Shares" means collectively the fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Corporation as presently constituted and, except where the context hereof otherwise requires, includes common shares issued or to be issued in accordance with the due exercise of Warrants hereunder; (f) "Corporation's auditors" means Deloitte & Touche or such other chartered accountant or firm of chartered accountants duly appointed as auditor or auditors of the Corporation from time to time and acceptable to the Agent; (g) "counsel" means a barrister and solicitor or a firm of barristers and solicitors retained by the Agent or retained by the Corporation and acceptable to the Agent; (h) "director" means a director of the Corporation for the time being and reference without more to action by the directors means action by the directors of the Corporation as a board or, whenever duly empowered, action by a committee of the board; (i) "Dividends paid in the Ordinary Course" means such dividends payable in cash (or in securities, property or assets of equivalent value) declared payable on a Common Share in any fiscal year of the Corporation to the extent that the amount or value of such dividends in the aggregate do not exceed 5% of the Purchase Price and provide that such dividends in the aggregate do not exceed 50% of the consolidated net income of the Corporation for its immediately preceding financial year determined in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and for such purposes the amount of any dividends paid in other than cash or shares shall be the fair market value of such dividends as determined by the directors acting reasonably; (j) "Exercise Date" has the meaning ascribed to it in section 5.2; (k) "Exercise Form" means the exercise form accompanying a Warrant Certificate; (l) "Exercise Number" means the number of Common Shares which may be received from time to time on exercise of a Warrant; (m) "Expiry Date" means September 30, 2001; (n) "Expiry Time" means 5:00 p.m., Toronto time, on the Expiry Date; (o) "Extraordinary Resolution" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.10; (p) "person" means any entity whatsoever including without limitation an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a trustee, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a syndicate and words importing persons have a similar meaning; (q) "Prospectus" means a "final" prospectus qualifying for distribution the Common Shares and Warrants issuable upon exercise or deemed exercise of the exchange rights of the Special Warrants; (r) "Purchase Price" means $12.00 per Common Share; (s) "Qualifying Provinces" means the Province of Ontario and such other jurisdictions in Canada in which purchasers of Special Warrants are resident; (t) "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act (as hereinafter defined); (u) "Special Warrants" means collectively the special warrants of the Corporation issued pursuant to a Special Warrant Indenture dated as of September 30, 1999 (the "Special Warrant Indenture") entitling registered holders thereof to receive upon the exercise of the exchange rights thereof, one unit (herein a "Unit") consisting of one Common Share and one-half a Warrant or alternatively, if a receipt by the last of the securities regulatory authorities in the Qualifying Provinces for a Prospectus is not obtained on or prior to December 29, 1999, each Unit shall consist of 1.1 Common Shares and 0.55 Warrants (in lieu of one Common Share and one-half a Warrant); (v) "subsidiary of the Corporation" means a corporation of which voting securities carrying a majority of the votes attached to all outstanding voting securities are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation or by one or more subsidiaries of the Corporation, or by the Corporation and one or more subsidiaries of the Corporation and, as used in this definition, voting securities means securities, other than debt securities, carrying a voting right to elect directors either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that may have occurred and are continuing; (w) "TSE" means The Toronto Stock Exchange; (x) "Underwriter" means Canaccord Capital Corporation; (y) "U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as that term is defined in Regulation S; (z) "U.S. Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the United States; (aa) "United States" means the United States as that term is defined in Regulation S; (bb) "Warrant Certificate" means a warrant certificate in the form of warrant certificate attached hereto as Schedule "A"; (cc) "Warrantholder" or "holder" means the registered holder of a Warrant hereunder; (dd) "Warrantholders' Request" means an instrument signed in one or more counterparts by Warrantholders holding in the aggregate not less than 10% of the then outstanding Warrants which requests the Warrant Agent to take some action or proceeding specified therein; (ee) "Warrants" means warrants to be created and issued by the Corporation upon exercise of the Special Warrants or exercise of the Broker Warrants issued to the Underwriter entitling registered holders thereof to receive one Common Share (or such kind and amount of shares or other securities or property calculated pursuant to Article 4 hereof, as the case may be) on the exercise of one such warrant at or before the Expiry Time upon payment of the Purchase Price by way of certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation; (ff) "Weighted Average Price" in respect of a Common Share at any date means the weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the principal stock exchange upon which the Common Shares are then listed or if the Common Shares are not listed on any stock exchange, then on the principal over-the-counter market or quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed for quotation. The Weighted Average Price will be calculated over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days before the date on which the Weighted Average Price is to be determined. The Weighted Average Price shall be determined by dividing the aggregate of the sale prices of all the Common Shares sold on the said exchange or market, as the case may be, during the said thirty (30) consecutive trading days by the total number of Common Shares so sold. If there is no market for the Common Shares during the period in which the Weighted Average Price thereof would otherwise be determined, the Weighted Average Price shall be determined by the Corporation's auditors; and (gg) "written order of the Corporation", "written request of the Corporation", "written consent of the Corporation", "certificate of the Corporation" and any other document required to be signed by the Corporation, means, respectively, a written order, request, consent, certificate or other document signed in the name of the Corporation by any one of the president, any vice-president, or the secretary of the Corporation, and may consist of one or more instruments so executed. 1.2 Entire Indenture: This Indenture constitutes the entire agreement ---------------- between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties and there are no general or specific warranties, representations or other agreements by or among the parties in connection with the entering into of this Indenture or the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth herein. 1.3 Headings: The division of this Indenture into Articles, Sections, -------- Subsections, paragraphs and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Indenture or the Warrants. 1.4 Extending Meanings: In this Indenture, whenever the context permits or ------------------ requires, words importing number shall include the singular and the plural and words importing gender shall include all genders. 1.5 References: References to an Article, Section, Subsection, paragraph or ---------- other subdivision or schedule shall be construed as references to an Article, Section, Subsection, paragraph or other subdivision of or schedule to this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires. 1.6 Business Day: In the event that any day on or before which any action ------------ is required to be taken hereunder is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be taken on or before the requisite time on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day. 1.7 Meaning of "Outstanding": Every Warrant represented by a Warrant ------------------------ Certificate countersigned and delivered by the Agent hereunder shall be deemed to be outstanding until it shall be cancelled or delivered to the Agent for cancellation or until the Expiry Time; provided that where a new Warrant Certificate has been issued pursuant to Section 2.6 to replace one which has been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Warrants represented by only such new Warrant Certificate shall be counted for the purpose of determining the aggregate number of Warrants outstanding. 1.8 Time: Time shall be of the essence hereof and of the Warrants issued ---- hereunder. 1.9 Choice of Language: The parties hereby acknowledge that they have ------------------ expressly requested that this Indenture and all notices, statements of account and other documents required or permitted to be given or entered into pursuant hereto be drawn up in the English language only. Les parties reconnaissent avoir expressment demandees que la presente Convention ainsi que tout avis, tout etat de compte et tout autre document a etre ou pouvant etre donne ou conclu en vertu des dispositions des presentes, soient rediges en langue anglaise seulement. 1.10 Applicable Law: This Indenture and the Warrants shall be governed by -------------- and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. The parties hereto submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the Province of Ontario. The parties agree that any litigation between the parties which arises pursuant to or in connection with this Indenture, or any of its provisions, shall be referred to the courts in the Province of Ontario and shall not be referred to the courts in any other jurisdiction. ARTICLE 2 ISSUE AND PURCHASE OF WARRANTS ------------------------------ 2.1 Form and Terms of Warrants: (1) Subject to the provisions hereof, up -------------------------- to an aggregate of 1,621,621 Warrants are hereby authorized to be created by the Corporation and each whole Warrant, together with payment of the Purchase Price prior to the Expiry Time, shall entitle a holder thereof to acquire one Common Share (or other kind and amount of shares and securities or property calculated pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, as the case may be) at any time after their issue and on or prior to the Expiry Time. (2) The Warrants shall be executed by the Corporation and certified by the Agent and shall be in registered form and the Warrant Certificates shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedule "A" hereto with, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, such additions, variations and/or omissions as may from time to time be agreed upon between the Corporation and the Agent and as otherwise provided by this Indenture, and shall be numbered in such manner as the Corporation, with the approval of the Agent, may prescribe. All Warrants shall, save as to denominations, be of like tenor and effect. The Warrant Certificates may be engraved, lithographed, printed or partly in one form and partly another as the Corporation may determine. No change in the form of the Warrant Certificates shall be required (except as to content) by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to Article 4. (3) Each Warrant certificate originally issued to a U.S. Person or person within the United States, as well as all certificates issued in exchange for or in substitution of the foregoing securities, will bear a legend to the following effect: THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF APPLICABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (D) UPON RECEIPT OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS. (4) Fractional Warrants Share not be issued or otherwise provided for. 2.2 Transfer and Ownership of Warrants: (1) The Agent shall maintain a ---------------------------------- register of the holders at its principal office in the City of Toronto which shall be open for inspection by any agent or representative of the Corporation, the Underwriter or a Warrantholder, in which shall be entered the name and addresses of the holders of the Warrants, the number of Warrants held by them and all other information required by law. The Agent shall, from time to time when requested to do so in writing by the Corporation or the Underwriter furnish the Corporation or the Underwriters, as the case may be, with a list of the names and addresses of holders of Warrants entered in the registers kept by the Agent and showing the number of Common Shares which might then be acquired upon the exercise of the Warrants held by each such holder. (2) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.2, the Warrants are not transferable. (3) A person who furnishes evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that he is: (a) a Warrantholder; (b) an executor, administrator, heir or legal representative of the heirs of the estate of a deceased Warrantholder; (c) a guardian, committee, trustee, curator or tutor representing a Warrantholder who is an infant, an incompetent person or a missing person; (d) a liquidator of, or a trustee in bankruptcy for, a Warrantholder; or (e) a transferee of a Warrantholder, may as hereinafter stated, by surrendering such evidence together with the Warrant Certificate in question to the Agent (by delivery or mail as set forth in Section 10.3) and subject to such reasonable requirements with respect to the payment by the holder of the costs associated with the transfer as the Agent may prescribe and all applicable securities legislation and requirements of regulatory authorities, become noted upon the register of Warrantholders. After receiving the surrendered Warrant Certificates and upon the person surrendering the same meeting the requirements as hereinbefore set forth, the Agent shall forthwith give written notice thereof together with confirmation as to the identity of the person entitled to become the holder to the Corporation. Forthwith after receiving written notice from the Agent as aforesaid, the Corporation shall, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.7, cause a new Warrant Certificate to be issued and sent to the new holder and the Agent shall alter its register of holders accordingly. (4) Warrants may not be transferred to U.S. Persons or persons within the United States, subject to subsection 2.2(5). (5) Notwithstanding subsection 2.2(4), if a Warrant certificate tendered for transfer bears the legend set forth in subsection 2.1(3): (i) the transfer may be made to a U.S. Person or persons within the United States, provided that the transfer is made in accordance with the terms of such legend and provided further that the Warrant certificate issued to such transferee shall also bear such legend; or (ii) if the Warrant represented by such Warrant Certificate are being sold outside the United States under Rule 904 of Regulation S, the legend may be removed by the transferor providing an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Corporation that such transfer is exempt from registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable U.S. State securities laws. The Warrant Agent shall be protected in acting and relying solely on the addresses provided by the transferor for these purposes. (6) Subject to the provisions of this Indenture and applicable law, the Warrantholder shall be entitled to the rights and privileges attaching to the Warrants free from all equities and rights of set-off or counterclaim between the Corporation and such Warrantholder's transferor or previous holder of Warrants and the issue of Common Shares by the Corporation upon the exercise of Warrants by any Warrantholder in accordance with the terms and conditions herein contained shall discharge all responsibilities of the Corporation and the Agent with respect to such Warrants. 2.3 Warrantholders not Shareholders: A Warrantholder shall not, as such, be ------------------------------- deemed to be or regarded as a shareholder of the Corporation nor shall such Warrantholder be entitled to any right or interest except as is expressly provided in this Indenture and in the Warrant Certificate. 2.4 Signing of Warrants: The Warrant Certificates shall be signed either ------------------- manually or by facsimile signature by any one director or officer of the Corporation and may, but need not be, under its corporate seal. A facsimile signature upon any Warrant Certificate shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be the signature of the person whose signature it purports to be and to have been signed at the time such facsimile signature is reproduced. If a person whose signature, either manually or in facsimile, appears on a Warrant Certificate is not a director or officer of the Corporation, at the date of this Indenture or at the date of the countersigning and delivery of such Warrant Certificate, such fact shall not affect in any way the validity of the Warrants or the entitlement of the holder thereof to the benefits of this Indenture. 2.5 Countersigning: No Warrant Certificate shall be issued, or if issued, -------------- shall be valid or exercisable or entitle the holder thereof to the benefits of this Indenture until the Warrant Certificate has been manually countersigned by or on behalf of the Agent. The countersignature by or on behalf of the Agent on any Warrant Certificate shall not be construed as a representation or warranty by the Agent as to the validity of this Indenture or of the Warrants or as to the performance by the Corporation of its obligations under this Indenture and the Agent shall in no way be liable or answerable for the use made of the Warrants. The countersignature of the Agent shall, however, be a representation and warranty of the Agent that the Warrant Certificate has been duly countersigned by or on behalf of the Agent pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture and shall be conclusive evidence as against the Corporation that the Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder and the holder is entitled to the benefits hereof and thereof. 2.6 Loss, Mutilation, Destruction or Theft of Warrants: (1) In case any of the -------------------------------------------------- Warrant Certificates issued and countersigned hereunder shall become mutilated or be lost, destroyed or stolen, the Corporation shall, upon the holder complying with this Section 2.6, issue and thereupon the Agent shall countersign and deliver a new Warrant Certificate of like date and tenor in exchange for and in place of the one mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen and upon surrender and cancellation of such mutilated Warrant Certificate or in lieu of and in substitution for such lost, destroyed or stolen Warrant Certificate and the substituted Warrant Certificate shall be in a form approved by the Agent and shall entitle the holder thereof to the benefits hereof and rank equally in accordance with its terms with all other Warrants issued hereunder. (2) The applicant for the issue of a new Warrant Certificate pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall bear the reasonable costs of the issue thereof, which costs will include all applicable taxes, and in case of loss, destruction or theft shall, as a condition precedent to the issue thereof, furnish to the Corporation and to the Agent such evidence of ownership and of the loss, destruction or theft of the Warrant Certificate so lost, destroyed or stolen as shall be satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Agent, in their discretion, acting reasonably, and such applicant shall also be required to furnish an indemnity bond in amount and form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Agent in their discretion, acting reasonably, and shall pay the reasonable charges of the Corporation and the Agent in connection therewith. 2.7 Issue of Warrants: Warrant Certificates shall be signed by the ----------------- Corporation as aforesaid and delivered to the Agent from time to time. The Agent shall countersign any Warrant Certificate delivered by the Corporation to the Agent as aforesaid and shall forthwith deliver to the person or persons in whose name or names the Warrant Certificate is to be issued (as specified in any written order from time to time given by the Corporation to the Agent and signed by the President, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation) or mail to such person or persons at their respective addresses specified in the written order from the Corporation the Warrant Certificate for the appropriate number of Warrants. 2.8 Warrants to Rank Pari Passu: All Warrants shall rank pari passu, --------------------------- whatever may be the actual date of same. 2.9 Exchange of Warrants: -------------------- (a) Warrant Certificates may, upon compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Agent, be exchanged for Warrant Certificates in any other authorized denomination representing in the aggregate the same number of Warrants. The Corporation shall sign and the Agent shall countersign, in accordance with Sections 2.4 and 2.5, all Warrant Certificates necessary to carry out the exchanges contemplated herein. (b) Warrant Certificates may be exchanged only at the principal office of the Agent in the City of Toronto. Any Warrant Certificates tendered for exchange shall be surrendered to the Agent and cancelled. (c) Except as otherwise herein provided, the Agent may charge registered holders requesting an exchange a reasonable sum for each Warrant Certificate exchanged; and payment of such charges and reimbursement of the Agent or the Corporation for any and all taxes or governmental or other charges required to be paid shall be made by the party requesting such exchange as a condition precedent to such exchange. 2.10 Recognition of Registered Holder: The Corporation and the Agent may deem -------------------------------- and treat the registered holder of any Warrant Certificate as the absolute beneficial owner of the Warrants represented thereby for all purposes under this Indenture and the Corporation and the Agent shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary except where the Corporation or the Agent is required to take notice by statute or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. A Warrantholder shall be entitled to the rights evidenced by the Warrants registered in his name free from all equities or rights of set-off or counterclaim between the Corporation and the original or any intermediate holder thereof and all persons may act accordingly and the receipt by any such Warrantholder of Common Shares upon the exercise thereof shall be a good discharge to the Corporation and the Agent for the same and neither the Corporation nor the Agent shall be bound to inquire into the title of any such holder except where the Corporation or the Agent is required to take notice by statute or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. ARTICLE 3 COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION ---------------------------- 3.1 Covenants of the Corporation: The Corporation represents, warrants, ---------------------------- covenants and agrees with the Agent for the benefit of the Agent and the Warrantholders as follows: (a) To Issue Warrants and Reserve Common Shares: That it is duly ------------------------------------------- authorized to create and issue the Warrants and that the Warrant Certificates, when issued and countersigned as herein provided, will be valid and enforceable against the Corporation and that, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, the Corporation will cause the Common Shares from time to time acquired pursuant to the Warrants under this Indenture and the certificates representing such Common Shares to be duly issued and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Warrant Certificates. At all times prior to and including the Expiry Time, while any of the Warrants are outstanding, the Corporation shall ensure that its authorized capital shall be sufficient, and shall reserve and allot and conditionally issue out of its authorized capital a number of Common Shares as is sufficient, to enable the Corporation to meet its obligation to issue Common Shares in respect of the exercise of all the Warrants outstanding hereunder from time to time. All Common Shares acquired pursuant to exercise of the Warrants shall be fully paid and non-assessable. (b) To Pay Agent's Remuneration: That it will pay the Agent from time to ---------------------------- time reasonable remuneration for its services hereunder and will, upon the Agent's request, pay to or reimburse the Agent for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances made or incurred by the Agent in the administration or execution of its obligations hereunder (including the compensation and disbursements of its counsel and other advisors and assistants not regularly in its employ), both before any default hereunder and thereafter until all duties of the Agent hereunder have been finally and fully performed, except any such expense, disbursement or advance that arises out of or results from negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Agent. (c) To Execute Further Assurances: That it will do, execute, acknowledge ----------------------------- and deliver or cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered all other acts, deeds and assurances in law as the Agent may reasonably require for the better accomplishing and effecting the intentions and provisions of this Indenture. (d) Delivery of Financial Statements to Warrantholders: The Corporation -------------------------------------------------- will send to the Warrantholders copies of all financial statements and other material furnished to the holders of its Common Shares during the term of this Indenture. (e) Performance of Covenants by Agent: If the Corporation shall fail to --------------------------------- perform any of its covenants contained in this Indenture, the Agent may notify the Warrantholders of such failure on the part of the Corporation or may itself perform any of the said covenants capable of being performed by it, but, subject to Section 9.2, the Agent shall be under no obligation to do so or to notify the Warrantholders. All sums reasonably expended or advanced by the Agent in performance of its rights provided for in this Subsection 3.1(e) shall be repayable as provided in this Section 3.1. No such performance, expenditure or advance by the Agent shall be deemed to relieve the Corporation of any default hereunder or its continuing obligations hereunder. (f) Performance of Indenture: It will well and truly perform and carry ------------------------ out all of the acts or things to be done by it as provided in this Indenture. (g) Corporate Existence: It will maintain its corporate existence and ------------------- will carry on and conduct its business in accordance with good business practice. (h) Listing: The Corporation will use its reasonable best efforts to ------- maintain the listing of the Common Shares on the TSE and NASDAQ and to become or maintain its status as (as the case may be) a "reporting issuer" not in default of the requirements of the securities legislation and policies of each of the Qualifying Provinces. (i) Action During Period of Notice: It will not take any other action ------------------------------ which might deprive the Warrantholders of the opportunity of exercising their rights pursuant to the Warrants held by such persons during the period of notice required by section 4.6. 3.2 Securities Qualification Requirements: ------------------------------------- (a) If, in the opinion of counsel, any instrument (not including a prospectus, except as required by Section 3.1) is required to be filed with or any permission, order or ruling is required to be obtained from any securities regulatory authority or any other action is required under any Canadian federal or any provincial laws of the Qualifying Provinces before any securities or property which a Warrantholder is entitled to receive pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant may properly and legally be delivered upon the due exercise of a Warrant, the Corporation covenants that it will use its best efforts to file such instrument, obtain such permission, order or ruling or take all such other actions, at its expense, as is required or appropriate in the circumstances. (b) The Corporation, or if required by the Corporation, the Agent, will give written notice of the issue of Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Warrants, in such detail as may be required, to the securities regulatory authorities in the Qualifying Provinces if there is therein any legislation, ruling or order requiring the giving of any such notice in order that the subsequent disposition of the Common Shares so issued will not be subject to the prospectus requirements of such legislation, ruling or order (subject to any applicable hold periods). ARTICLE 4 ADJUSTMENT TO SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS --------------------------------- 4.1 Adjustment to Subscription Rights: The Exercise Number shall be subject to --------------------------------- adjustment from time to time in accordance with the following provisions: (a) Stock Dividends, Subdivisions and Consolidations: If the Corporation ------------------------------------------------ shall: (i) issue Common Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares without further payment pursuant to a stock dividend to all or substantially all of the holders of the Common Shares (other than as Dividends paid in the Ordinary Course); (ii) make a distribution on its issued and outstanding Common Shares payable in Common Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares without further payment (other than as Dividends paid in the Ordinary Course); (iii) subdivide its issued and outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of Common Shares; or (iv) consolidate its issued and outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of Common Shares; (any such event being called a "Share Reorganization"), the Exercise Number then in effect shall be adjusted effective immediately after the record date on which the holders of Common Shares are determined for the purposes of the Share Reorganization to the Exercise Number determined by multiplying the Exercise Number then in effect by the fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding after the completion of such Share Reorganization and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on such record date. (b) Rights Offering: If the Corporation shall distribute to all or ---------------- substantially all of its shareholders resident in Canada rights, options or warrants exercisable within a period of forty-five (45) days after the record date for such distribution to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares at a price per share or at an exchange or conversion value per share in the case of securities exchangeable or convertible into Common Shares equal to or less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the Weighted Average Price for Common Shares determined as of the record date for such distribution, to all or substantially all of the holders of the Common Shares (any such event being called a "Rights Offering"), the Exercise Number shall be adjusted effective immediately after the record date on which holders of Common Shares are determined for the purposes of the Rights Offering to the Exercise number determined by multiplying: (i) the Exercise Number in effect on such record date; by (ii) the fraction (1) the numerator of which shall be the aggregate of (a) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on such record date, and (b) the number of Common Shares offered pursuant to the Rights Offering or the maximum number of Common Shares for or into which the securities so offered pursuant to the Rights Offering may be exchanged or converted, as the case may be, and (2) the denominator of which shall be the aggregate of (a) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on such record date, and (b) the number determined by dividing either: (1) the product of (a) the number of Common Shares so offered; and (b) the price at which each of such Common Shares is offered, or (2) the product of (a) the maximum number of Common Shares for or into which the securities so offered pursuant to the Rights Offering may be exchanged or converted; and (b) the exchange or conversion value of each one of such securities so offered, as the case may be, by the Weighted Average Price of Common Shares determined as of such record date. To the extent that such options, rights or warrants are not exercised prior to the expiry date thereof, the Exercise Number shall be readjusted effective immediately after such expiry date to the Exercise Number which would then have been in effect based upon the number of Common Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares actually delivered on the exercise of such options, rights or warrants. (c) Special Distributions: If the Corporation shall distribute to all or ---------------------- substantially all of the holders of the Common Shares: (i) shares of any class other than Common Shares; (ii) rights, options or warrants, other than rights, options or warrants referred to in Subsection 4.1(b) and other than rights, options or warrants exercisable within a period of forty-five (45) days after the record date for such distribution to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares at a price per share or at an exchange or conversion value per share greater than ninety-five percent (95%) of the Weighted Average Price of the Common Shares determined as of the record date for such distribution; (iii)evidences of indebtedness; or (iv) any other assets; and such issuance or distribution does not constitute a Dividend paid in the Ordinary Course, a Share Reorganization or a Rights Offering (any such event being called a "Special Distribution"), the Exercise Number then in effect shall be adjusted effective immediately after the record date at which the holders of Common Shares are determined for the purpose of the Special Distribution to the Exercise Number determined by multiplying the Exercise Number in effect on the record date of the Special Distribution by: (v) the fraction (1) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on such record date multiplied by the Weighted Average Price of the Common Shares determined as of such record date; and (2) the denominator of which shall be the difference between (a) the product of (1) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on such record date, and (2) the Weighted Average Price of the Common Shares determined as of such record date, and (b) the fair value, as reasonably determined by the directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be conclusive, to the holders of the Common Shares of the shares, rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or other assets issued or distributed in the Special Distribution. (d) Other Reorganization: If and whenever there is a capital --------------------- reorganization of the Corporation not otherwise provided for in this Section 4.1 or a consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Corporation with or into another body corporate or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, (any such event being called a "Capital Reorganization"), any Warrantholder who exercises its right to subscribe for Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant after the effective date of such Capital Reorganization shall be entitled to receive and shall accept, upon the exercise of such Warrant, in lieu of or in addition to the number of Common Shares to which the Warrantholder was theretofore entitled on conversion, the aggregate number of Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation or of the body corporate resulting from the Capital Reorganization that the Warrantholder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such Capital Reorganization if, on the effective date thereof, the Warrantholder had been the registered holder of the number of Common Shares to which the Warrantholder was theretofore entitled upon exercise of such Warrant subject to adjustment thereafter in accordance with provisions the same, as nearly as may be possible, as those contained in Subsections 4.1(a),(b) and (c), provided that it shall be a condition precedent to such Capital Reorganization that all necessary steps shall have been taken so that the Warrantholder shall thereafter be entitled to receive such number of such Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation or of the body corporate resulting from the Capital Reorganization. (e) Reclassification: If the Corporation shall reclassify the issued and ----------------- outstanding Common Shares (such event being called a "Reclassification"), the Exercise Number shall be adjusted effective immediately after the record date of such Reclassification so that Warrantholders who exercise Warrants shall be entitled to receive the securities that they would have received had such Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such record date, subject to adjustment thereafter in accordance with provisions the same, as nearly as may be possible, as those contained in Subsections 4.1(a),(b) and (c). 4.2 Adjustment of Purchase Price: The Purchase Price in effect at any date ---------------------------- shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows: (a) If and whenever at any time during the term hereof, the Corporation shall complete a Share Reorganization, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted effective immediately after the effective date or record date, as the case may be, on which the holders of Common Shares are determined for the purpose of the Share Reorganization by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such effective date or record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding on such effective date or record date before giving effect to such Share Reorganization and the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such Share Reorganization (including, in the case where securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares are distributed, the number of Common Shares that would be issued and outstanding had such securities been exchanged for or converted into Common Shares on such record date) . (b) If and whenever at any time during the term hereof, the Corporation shall fix a record date for a Rights Offering, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted immediately after such record date so that it shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect on such record date by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus a number equal to the number determined by dividing the aggregate price of the total number of additional Common Shares offered for subscription or purchase, or the aggregate conversion or exchange price of the convertible securities so offered, by such Weighted Average Price per Common Share, and of which the denominator shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date plus the total number of additional Common Shares offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so offered are convertible or exchangeable). If by the terms of the rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 4.2(b), there is more than one purchase, conversion or exchange price per Common Share, the aggregate price of the total number of additional Common Shares offered for subscription or purchase, or the aggregate conversion or exchange price of the convertible securities so offered, shall be calculated for purposes of the exchange price per Common Share, as the case may be. To the extent that any adjustment in Purchase Price occurs pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) as a result of the fixing by the Corporation of a record date for the distribution of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 4.2(b), the Purchase Price shall be readjusted immediately after the expiration of any relevant exchange, conversion or exercise right to the Purchase Price which would then be in effect based upon the number of Common Shares actually issued and remaining issuable after such expiration, and shall be further readjusted in such manner upon expiration of any further such right. (c) If and whenever at any time during the term hereof the Corporation shall fix a record date for a special distribution, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted immediately after such record date so that it shall equal the price determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect on such date by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the product of the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date and the Weighted Average Price on such record date, less the aggregate fair market value (as determined by the directors which determination shall be conclusive) of such securities, property or other assets so issued or distributed, and of which the denominator shall be the product of the number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date and such Weighted Average Price. 4.3 Adjustment Rules: The following rules and procedures shall be ---------------- applicable to adjustments of the Exercise Number made pursuant to Section 4.1: (a) Subject to the following subsections of this Section 4.3, any adjustment pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 shall be made successively whenever an event referred to therein shall occur. All adjustments within this Article 4 are cumulative. (b) No adjustment in the Exercise Number shall be required unless such adjustment would result in a change of at least one one-hundredth of a Common Share; provided, however, that any adjustments which, except for the provisions of this Subsection 4.3(b), would otherwise have been required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment with respect to the Exercise Number. (c) No adjustment in the Exercise Number shall be made in respect of any event described in Section 4.1 or to the Purchase Price in respect of any event described in Section 4.2 if the Warrantholders are entitled to participate in such event on the same terms mutatis mutandis as if they had exercised their Warrants prior to or on the effective date or record date of such event, subject to the prior written consent of The TSE and NASDAQ, or such other stock exchange upon which the Common Shares of the Corporation are then listed. (d) If a dispute shall at any time arise with respect to adjustments of the Exercise Number, such dispute shall be conclusively determined by the Corporation's auditors or if they are unable or unwilling to act, by such other firm of independent chartered accountants as may be selected by the directors of the Corporation. In the event any such determination is made, the Corporation shall deliver a certificate to the Agent describing such determination. (e) In the absence of a resolution of the directors of the Corporation fixing a record date at which the holders of Common Shares are determined for a Share Reorganization, Rights Offering, Special Distribution or Reclassification requiring such a record date to be so fixed, the directors of the Corporation shall be deemed to have fixed as the record date therefor the date on which such Share Reorganization, Rights Offering, Special Distribution or Reclassification is effected. (f) Subject to subsection 4.3(h), In the event that the Corporation after the date of this Indenture shall take any action affecting the Common Shares other than action described in this Article 4, the directors of the Corporation may, but shall not be required to, make any other adjustments to the to the extent, if any, such directors deem appropriate, provided that no such adjustment shall be made unless prior approval of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed or quoted for trading, or have been listed or quoted for trading within the past six months, for trading, if required, has been obtained, no increase shall be made to the Purchase Price and no decrease shall be made to the Exercise Number. (g) In case the Corporation after the date of this Indenture shall take any action affecting the Common Shares, other than an action described in Section 4.1, which would have an adverse effect upon the rights of the Warrantholders, the Exercise Number and the Purchase Price, subject to the prior approval of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed or quoted for trading shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the directors of the Corporation may, acting reasonably, determine to be equitable in the circumstances, no increase shall be made to the Purchase Price and no decrease shall be made to the Exercise Number. (h) Subject to Section 4.3 hereof, no adjustment shall be made in the subscription rights attached to the Warrants if the issue of Common Shares is being made pursuant to any stock option or stock purchase plan in force from time to time for directors, officers or employees of the Corporation or any other currently existing obligation of the Corporation. 4.4 Proceedings Prior to any Action Requiring Adjustment: As a condition ---------------------------------------------------- precedent to the taking of any action which would require an adjustment in any of the subscription rights arising pursuant to the exercise of any of the Warrants, including the number of Common Shares which are to be issued upon the exercise thereof, the Corporation shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation shall have allotted and reserved for issue in the authorized capital of the Corporation to enable the Corporation to validly and legally issue as fully paid and non-assessable all the Common Shares and may validly and legally deliver all other securities or property which the holders of such Warrants are entitled to receive on the full exercise thereof in accordance with the provisions hereof. 4.5 Certificate of Adjustment: The Corporation shall from time to time ------------------------- immediately after the occurrence of any event which requires an adjustment or readjustment as provided in Section 4.1 hereof, or which may require an adjustment or readjustment as provided in Subsections 4.3(g) and (h), deliver a certificate of the Corporation to the Agent specifying the nature of the event requiring the same and the amount of the adjustment necessitated thereby and setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based, which certificate and the amount of the adjustment specified therein shall be verified by the Corporation's auditors upon whose verification the Agent shall be entitled to act and rely. When so verified, the Corporation shall forthwith give written notice to the Warrantholders specifying the event requiring such adjustment or readjustment and the results thereof; provided that if the Corporation has given prior notice under Section 4.6 hereof covering all the relevant facts in respect of such event and if the Agent consents in writing, no such notice need be given under this Section 4.5. 4.6 Notice of Special Matters: The Corporation covenants with the Agent ------------------------- that so long as any Warrant remains outstanding it will give at least 14 days' prior written notice in the manner provided for in Article 10 to the Agent and to each Warrantholder of the record date or effective date, as the case may be, any event which requires an adjustment to the subscription rights attaching to any of the Warrants pursuant to this Article 4. The Corporation covenants and agrees that such notice shall contain the particulars of such event in reasonable detail and, if determinable, the required adjustment in the manner provided for in this Article 4. The Corporation further covenants and agrees that it shall promptly, as soon as the adjustment calculations are reasonably determinable, file a certificate of the Corporation with the Agent showing how such adjustment shall be computed. 4.7 No Action after Notice: The Corporation covenants with the Agent that ---------------------- it will not close its transfer books or take any other corporate action which might deprive a Warrantholder of the opportunity of exercising his right of subscription pursuant thereto during the period of thirty (30) days after the giving of the notices set forth in Sections 4.5 and 4.6 hereof. 4.8 Protection of Agent: The Agent: ------------------- (a) shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Warrantholder to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment contemplated by Section 4.1 hereof, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the same; (b) shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any Common Shares or of any shares or other securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of the subscription rights attaching to any Warrant; (c) shall not be responsible for any failure of the Corporation to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver Common Shares or certificates for the same upon the surrender of any Warrants for the purpose of the exercise of such rights or to comply with any of the covenants contained in this Article 4; and (d) shall not incur any liability or responsibility whatever or be in any way responsible for the consequence of any breach on the part of the Corporation of any of the representations, warranties or covenants herein contained or of any acts of the agents or servants of the Corporation. ARTICLE 5 EXERCISE AND CANCELLATION OF WARRANTS ------------------------------------- 5.1 Exercise of Warrants: (1) Upon and subject to the provisions of this -------------------- Article 5, any holder of a Warrant may exercise from time to time the right thereby conferred on him to subscribe for Common Shares by surrendering to the Agent after the date upon which the Warrants are issued and until the Expiry Time at its principal office in the City of Toronto, the Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants, together with a certified cheque or bank draft in an amount equal to the applicable Purchase Price, multiplied by the number of Common Shares to be received payable to or to the order of the Corporation and the Exercise Form duly completed and executed by the holder or his executors or administrators or other legal representatives or his or their attorney duly appointed by an instrument in writing in form and manner satisfactory to the Agent. (2) The Exercise Form shall be signed as set out above and shall specify: (a) the number of Common Shares which the Warrantholder wishes to subscribe for upon the exercise of the Warrants (being not more than those which he is entitled to subscribe for pursuant to the aggregate number of the Warrants so surrendered); and (b) the person or persons in whose name or names the Common Shares are to be issued, his or their address or addresses and the number of Common Shares to be issued to each such person if more than one is so specified, provided that the Warrantholder shall only be entitled to direct his entitlement to the Common Shares in a manner permitted by applicable securities legislation. (3) Such Warrant Certificate shall be deemed to be so surrendered only upon delivery thereof to the Agent at the Agent's principal office in the City of Toronto (at the address specified in the attachment to the Exercise Form) or by mailing the same to the Agent at the Agent's principal office in the City of Toronto (at the address specified in the attachment to the Exercise Form). Subject as hereinafter in this Section 5.1 provided, but notwithstanding anything else herein contained, the Warrants shall be deemed to be validly exercised only upon actual receipt of the Warrant Certificate(s), together with a certified cheque or bank draft in an amount equal to the applicable Purchase Price, multiplied by the number of Common Shares to be received payable to or to the order of the Corporation and the duly completed Exercise Form attached to said Warrant Certificate(s) by the Agent at the office referred to above (by way of delivery or mail respectively) at or prior to the Expiry Time. (4) The Exercise Form shall not be deemed to be duly completed if the name and mailing address of the holder do not appear legibly on such Exercise Form or such Exercise Form is not signed by the holder, his executors, administrators, other legal representatives or such holder's attorney duly appointed. (5) If any of the Common Shares in respect of which the Warrants are exercised are to be issued to a person or persons other than the Warrantholder in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2, the Warrantholder shall pay to the Agent all requisite stamp or security transfer taxes or other government charges exigible in connection with the issue of such Common Shares to such other person or persons or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Agent that such taxes and charges have been paid. (6) If at the time of the exercise of the Warrants, there remain trading restrictions on the Common Shares acquired, due to applicable securities legislation, the Corporation may, on the advice of counsel, endorse the certificates evidencing such Common Shares accordingly. (7) Certificates representing the Common Shares issued to U.S. Persons pursuant to the exercise of the Warrant certificate bearing the legend set forth in subsection 2.1(3) shall also bear such legend: DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT CONSTITUTE "GOOD DELIVERY" IN SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTIONS ON STOCK EXCHANGES IN CANADA. A NEW CERTIFICATE, BEARING NO LEGEND, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT UPON DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS. 5.2 Effect of Exercise of Warrants: (1) Upon valid exercise of the Warrants ------------------------------ as provided in Section 5.1, the Common Shares in respect of which the Warrants are validly exercised shall be deemed to have been issued and such person or persons as are specified pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of record of such securities on the date of such exercise (herein called the "Exercise Date") and shall be registered as such in the registers maintained for the Common Shares. The Common Shares issued upon the valid exercise of Warrants shall be entitled only to dividends declared in favour of shareholders of record on and after the Exercise Date from which date such shares will for all purposes be and be deemed to be issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares. (2) Upon valid exercise of the Warrants as aforesaid, the Agent shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the Corporation. (3) In the case of a Warrant which is exercised by a Warrantholder in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, within three (3) Business Days after the Exercise Date of such Warrant, the Corporation shall: (a) cause to be mailed to the person in whose name the Common Shares so subscribed for are to be issued, as specified in the subscription completed on the Warrant, at the address specified in such subscription; (b) if so specified in such subscription, cause to be delivered to such person at the office of the Agent where such Warrant was surrendered; or (c) if no specification as contemplated by paragraphs 5.2(3) (a) or (b) is provided, cause to be mailed to the person in whose name the Common Shares are to be issued at the address of such person last appearing on the register maintained by the Agent pursuant hereto or as such person may otherwise notify the Agent in writing on or prior to the Exercise Date, a certificate or certificates for the Common Shares to which the Warrantholder is entitled. 5.3 Postponement of Delivery of Certificates: The Corporation shall not be ---------------------------------------- required to deliver certificates in respect of Common Shares during the period when the stock transfer books of the Corporation are closed by law and in the event of a surrender of a Warrant for the subscription for Common Shares during such period, the delivery of certificates may be postponed for a period not exceeding three (3) Business Days after the date of the re-opening of the stock transfer books. 5.4 Cancellation of Warrants: All Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants ------------------------ exercised as provided in Section 5.1, shall be cancelled and destroyed by the Agent and, if required by the Corporation in writing, the Agent shall furnish the Corporation with a certificate as to the destruction. 5.5 Warrants Void after Expiry Time: After the Expiry Time no holder of a ------------------------------- Warrant Certificate representing a Warrant which has not been validly exercised as set forth herein has any rights either under this Indenture or the Warrant, and the Warrants are void and of no value or effect. All provisions of this Indenture are subject to this Section 5.5. 5.6 Fractions of Common Shares: (1) To the extent that the holder of a -------------------------- Warrant is entitled to receive on the exercise or partial exercise thereof a fraction of a Common Share, such right may only be exercised in respect of such fraction in combination with another Warrant or other Warrants which in the aggregate entitle the holder to receive a whole number of Common Shares. No fractional Common Shares will be issued. (2) If a holder is not able to, or elects not to, combine Warrants so as to be entitled to acquire a whole number of Common Shares, the Corporation shall make an appropriate cash adjustment. However, in respect of any holder, the Corporation shall only be required to make such a cash adjustment once and for one Warrant and no more. The amount of the cash adjustment with respect to the Common Share shall be equal to the fraction of the Common Share to which the holder would be entitled multiplied by the Weighted Average Price. 5.7 Subscription for Less than Entitlement: A Warrantholder may subscribe -------------------------------------- for a number of Common Shares less than the number which the Warrantholder is entitled to purchase pursuant to the surrendered Warrant, in which event the Warrantholder shall be entitled to receive (except after the Expiry Date) a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the balance of the Common Shares which the Warrantholder was entitled to subscribe for pursuant to the surrendered Warrant and which were not then so subscribed for. ARTICLE 6 NON-REDEMPTION -------------- 6.1 Non-Redemption of Warrants: The Warrants shall not be redeemable by the -------------------------- Corporation. Any Warrants not exercised on or before the Expiry Time shall be void and of no value. ARTICLE 7 MEETINGS OF WARRANTHOLDERS -------------------------- 7.1 Convening of Meeting: At any time a meeting of Warrantholders may be -------------------- convened by the Agent or the Corporation or by the holders of Warrants holding not less than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of Warrants then outstanding, who shall serve the Agent with a requisition signed by such holders and the Agent shall then be bound to convene a meeting of Warrantholders. In the event that the Agent fails to convene the meeting after being duly required to do so, the holders of the then outstanding Warrants representing no less than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of Warrants then outstanding may themselves convene a meeting, the notice of which shall be signed by any person as such Warrantholders may specify, provided that every such meeting shall be held at the City of Toronto or such other place as the Agent may approve and the Agent and the Corporation shall receive notice of such meeting, as provided in Section 7.2. If a meeting is convened by the Warrantholders, the Agent will be funded and indemnified against all costs, charges, expenses and liabilities by the Warrantholders. If a meeting is convened by the Corporation, the Agent will be indemnified against all costs, charges, expenses and liabilities by the Corporation. 7.2 Notice: At least fifteen (15) days' prior notice of a meeting of ------ Warrantholders shall be given to all Warrantholders, the Agent, the Underwriter and the Corporation and the notice shall state the time, place and in general terms the nature of the business to be transacted but it shall not be necessary to specify the text of the resolutions to be considered. It shall not be necessary to specify the nature of business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. 7.3 Chairman: The chairman of the meeting of Warrantholders may be -------- designated in writing by the Agent and need not be a Warrantholder. If no person is so designated or if the person so designated is not present within thirty (30) minutes after the time fixed for the holding of a meeting, the Warrantholders and proxyholders for Warrantholders present at the meeting shall choose one of their number to be the chairman. 7.4 Quorum: A quorum consists of those Warrantholders, whether present or ------ represented by proxy, holding not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate number of Warrants then outstanding. If at a meeting, a quorum is not present or represented by proxy within thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, then the meeting, if called by or upon the requisition of Warrantholders shall be dissolved, but in any other case after the appointment of a chairman, the meeting shall stand adjourned to such day being not less than five (5) Business Days later and to such place and time as may be appointed by the chairman of the meeting. At the adjourned meeting, those persons present in person and owning Warrants or representing by proxy Warrantholders shall, in any event, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business for which the original meeting was convened. 7.5 Show of Hands: Subject to Section 7.6, every question submitted to a ------------- meeting, except one requiring an Extraordinary Resolution, shall be decided in the first instance by a majority of hands on a show of hands, the outcome of which will be declared by the chairman. 7.6 Poll: A poll shall be taken when requested by a Warrantholder acting in ---- person or by proxy and, when demanded on the election of a chairman or on the question of adjournment, it shall be taken forthwith. If demanded on any other question or on an Extraordinary Resolution, a poll shall be taken in such manner and either at once or after an adjournment as the chairman may direct. The result of a poll shall be the decision of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. On a poll vote, each Warrantholder acting in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each Warrant which he holds or represents. Votes may be given in person or by proxy and the proxyholder need not be a Warrantholder. The chairman of any meeting shall be entitled to vote in respect of any Warrants and proxies held by him. 7.7 Regulations: (1) The Agent, or the Corporation with the approval of ----------- the Agent, may from time to time make and from time to time vary such regulations not contrary to the provisions of this Indenture as it shall think fit providing for and governing: (a) the setting of the record date for a meeting for the purpose of determining Warrantholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at a meeting; (b) voting by proxy, the form of instrument appointing proxyholders, the manner in which proxies are to be executed and the production of the authority of any persons signing on behalf of a Warrantholder; (c) the lodging of and means of forwarding the instruments appointing proxyholders and the time before the holding of a meeting or adjourned meeting by which the instruments appointing proxyholders are to be deposited; and (d) any other matter relating to the conduct of meetings of Warrantholders. (2) Any regulations so made shall be binding and effective and votes given in accordance therewith shall be valid. The Agent may require Warrantholders to provide proof of ownership of the Warrants in such manner as the Agent may approve. Save as aforesaid, the only persons who shall be recognized at any meeting as Warrantholders or entitled to vote or, except as provided in Section 7.12, be present at the meeting in respect thereof shall be persons who hold Warrants or are duly appointed proxyholders for registered holders of Warrants. 7.8 Minutes: Minutes of all resolutions passed and proceedings taken at every ------- meeting as aforesaid shall be made and duly entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Agent at the expense of the Corporation and any such minutes as aforesaid, if signed by the chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings taken, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting of Warrantholders, shall be prima facie evidence of the matters therein stated and until the contrary is proved, every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes shall have been made shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened and all resolutions passed thereat or proceedings taken to have been duly passed and taken. 7.9 Powers Exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution: (1) In addition to all ---------------------------------------------- other powers conferred upon the Warrantholders by any other provision of this Indenture or by law, the Warrantholders shall have the power, in addition to any other powers exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution that may be enumerated herein, from time to time by Extraordinary Resolution: (a) to agree to or sanction any modification, abrogation, alteration or compromise of the rights of the Warrantholders or the Agent in its capacity as agent (subject to the Agent's prior written approval) hereunder or on behalf of Warrantholders against the Corporation which shall be agreed to by the Corporation whether such rights arise under this Indenture or under the Warrants or otherwise; (b) to assent to any change in or omission from the provisions contained in the Warrants and this Indenture or any ancillary or supplemental instrument which may be agreed to by the Corporation and to authorize the Agent to concur in and execute any ancillary or supplemental agreement embodying the change or omission; (c) with the consent of the Corporation, to remove the Agent or its successor in office and to appoint a new agent or agents to take the place of the Agent so removed; (d) upon the Agent being furnished with funding and an indemnity, as it may in its discretion determine, to require, direct or authorize the Agent to enforce any of the covenants on the part of the Corporation contained in this Indenture or the Warrants or to enforce any of the rights of the Warrantholders in any manner specified in such Extraordinary Resolution or to refrain from enforcing any such covenant or right; (e) to restrain any Warrantholder from instituting or continuing any suit or proceedings against the Corporation for the enforcement of the covenants on the part of the Corporation contained in this Indenture or any of the rights conferred upon the Warrantholders by the Warrants and this Indenture; (f) to direct any Warrantholder who, as such, has brought any suit, action or proceeding to stay or discontinue or otherwise deal with the same upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses reasonably and properly incurred by such Warrantholder in connection therewith; (g) to waive and direct the Agent to waive any default on the part of the Corporation in complying with any of the provisions of this Indenture or the Warrants either unconditionally or upon any conditions specified in such Extraordinary Resolution; (h) to assent to any compromise or arrangement with any creditor or creditors or any class or classes of creditors, whether secured or unsecured, and with holders of any shares or other securities of the Corporation; and (i) to amend, alter or repeal any Extraordinary Resolution previously passed or sanctioned by the Warrantholders. (2) An Extraordinary Resolution of the Warrantholders is binding upon all the Warrantholders whether present or not present at the meeting at which the Extraordinary Resolution was passed or whether or not assented to in writing and each Warrantholder, the Agent and the Corporation shall be bound to give effect to the Extraordinary Resolution to the extent that the Extraordinary Resolution applies to such party. 7.10 Meaning of "Extraordinary Resolution": (1) The expression "Extraordinary ------------------------------------- Resolution" when used in this Indenture means a resolution proposed to be passed as an extraordinary resolution at a meeting of Warrantholders duly convened for the purpose and held in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7 and attended by Warrantholders holding not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Warrants outstanding and passed by not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the votes cast upon such resolution. (2) If, at any meeting called for the purpose of passing an Extraordinary Resolution, Warrantholders holding at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the then outstanding Warrants are not present in person or by proxy within thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, then the meeting if convened by Warrantholders or on a Warrantholder's request, shall be dissolved; but in any other case it shall be adjourned to such day, being not less than fifteen (15) or more than sixty (60) days later, and to such place and time as may be appointed by the chairman. Not less than ten (10) days' prior notice shall be given of the time and place of such adjourned meeting. Such notice shall state that at the adjourned meeting the Warrantholders present in person or by proxy shall form a quorum but it shall not be necessary to set forth the purposes for which the meeting was originally convened or any other particulars. At the adjourned meeting the Warrantholders present in person or by proxy shall form a quorum and may transact the business for which the meeting was originally convened and a resolution proposed at such adjourned meeting and passed by the requisite vote as provided in subsection of this Section 7.10 shall be an Extraordinary Resolution within the meaning of this Indenture notwithstanding that Warrantholders holding at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Warrants outstanding are not present in person or by proxy at such adjourned meeting. (3) All actions that may be taken and all powers that may be exercised by the Warrantholders at a meeting as hereinbefore in this Article provided may also be taken and exercised by holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the aggregate number of Warrants then outstanding by an instrument in writing signed in one or more counterparts by such holders and the expression "Extraordinary Resolution" when used in this Indenture shall include an instrument so signed. 7.11 Powers Cumulative: It is hereby declared and agreed that any one or more ----------------- of the powers or any combination of the powers in this Indenture stated to be exercisable by the Warrantholders by Extraordinary Resolution or otherwise may be exercised from time to time and the exercise of any one or more of such powers or any combination of powers from time to time shall not be deemed to exhaust the right of the Warrantholders to exercise the same or any other such power or powers or combination of powers then or thereafter from time to time. 7.12 Corporation, Underwriters, Warrantholders and Agent May be Represented: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Corporation, the Underwriter and the Agent, by their respective employees, officers and directors, and the legal and financial advisors and auditors of the Corporation and the Agent may attend any meeting of the Warrantholders, but they shall have no vote as such. In addition, any Warrantholder is entitled to have his legal or financial advisers present at any such meeting, but they shall have no vote as such. 7.13 Binding Effect of Resolutions: Every resolution and every Extraordinary ----------------------------- Resolution passed in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7 at a meeting of Warrantholders shall be binding upon all the Warrantholders, whether present at or absent from such meeting, and every Extraordinary Resolution signed by Warrantholders in accordance with Section 7.10(3) shall be binding upon all the Warrantholders, whether signatories thereto or not and each and every Warrantholder and the Agent (subject to the provisions for funding and indemnity herein contained) shall be bound to give effect accordingly to every such resolution and Extraordinary Resolution. In the case of an Extraordinary Resolution in writing, the Agent shall give notice in the manner contemplated in Article 10 of the effect of the Extraordinary Resolution in writing to all Warrantholders and the Corporation as soon as it is reasonably practicable. 7.14 Holdings by the Corporation or Subsidiaries of the Corporation -------------------------------------------------------------- Disregarded: In determining whether Warrantholders holding a sufficient number - ----------- of Warrants are present at a meeting of Warrantholders for the purpose of determining a quorum or have concurred in any consent, waiver, resolution, Extraordinary Resolution or other action under this Indenture, Warrants owned legally or beneficially by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation shall be disregarded. The Corporation shall provide to the Agent upon request a Certificate of the Corporation the exact registrations of any warrants owned legally or beneficially by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation. ARTICLE 8 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES, MERGER, SUCCESSORS ------------------------------------------- 8.1 Provision for Supplemental Indentures for Certain Purposes: From time to ----------------------------------------------------------- time the Corporation (when authorized) and the Agent may, subject to the provisions of these presents, and they shall, when so required by any provision of this Indenture (other than this Section 8.1), execute and deliver by their proper officers, deeds, agreements or instruments supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form part hereof, for any one or more of the following purposes: (a) adding to the provisions hereof such additional covenants and enforcement provisions as, in the opinion of counsel, are necessary or advisable in the premises, provided that the same are not, in the opinion of the Agent relying on the advice of its counsel, prejudicial to the interests of the Warrantholders; (b) giving effect to any Extraordinary Resolution passed as provided in Article 7; (c) making such provisions not inconsistent with this Indenture as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder or for the purpose of obtaining a listing or quotation of the Warrants or the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise thereof on any stock exchange, provided that such provisions are not, in the opinion of the Agent relying on the advice of its counsel, prejudicial to the interests of the Warrantholders; (d) making any modification in the form of the Warrant Certificate which does not affect the substance of the Warrants; (e) evidencing any succession, or successive successions, of other bodies corporate to the Corporation and the assumption by any successor of the covenants of the Corporation herein and in the Warrant Certificates contained as provided hereafter in this Article 8; and (f) for any other purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, including the correction or rectification of any ambiguities, defective provisions, errors or omissions herein, provided that, in the opinion of the Agent relying on the advice of its counsel, the rights of the Agent and of the Warrantholders are in no way prejudiced thereby. 8.2 Corporation May Consolidate, etc. on Certain Terms: Subject to Subsection -------------------------------------------------- 4.1(d), nothing in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation, reorganization, arrangement, amalgamation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other body corporate, or bodies corporate, or person, or a conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation as an entirety to any body corporate or person lawfully entitled to acquire and operate the same, provided, however, that the body corporate or person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or arrangement or into which such merger shall have been made or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation as an entirety shall execute and deliver to the Agent prior to or contemporaneously with such consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation, arrangement, merger, conveyance or transfer, and as a condition precedent thereto an agreement supplemental hereto wherein the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Corporation shall be assumed by such body corporate or person on terms and conditions not adverse to the Warrantholders. The Agent shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon opinions of counsel and such other advisors as it deems necessary, that any such consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation, arrangement, merger, conveyance or transfer and any supplemental agreement executed in connection therewith, complies with the provisions of this Section 8.2. 8.3 Successor Body Corporate Substituted: In case the Corporation, pursuant ------------------------------------ to Section 8.2, shall be consolidated, amalgamated, reorganized, arranged or merged with or into any other body corporate, bodies corporate or person or shall convey or transfer all or substantially all of the properties and any of the assets of the Corporation as an entirety to another body corporate or person, the successor body corporate or person formed by such consolidation, reorganization, arrangement or amalgamation of the Corporation or into which the Corporation shall have been merged or which shall have received a conveyance or transfer as aforesaid shall succeed to and be substituted for the Corporation hereunder with the same effect as nearly as may be possible as if it had been named herein as the party of the First Part. Such changes may be made in the Warrants as may be appropriate in view of such consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer and as may be necessary to ensure that the Warrantholders are not adversely affected by such consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer. Such changes may be made in the Special Warrants as may be appropriate in view of such consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer and as may be necessary to ensure that the Warrantholders are not adversely affected by such consolidation, organization, amalgamation, merger, conveyance or transfer. 8.4 Amendments for Listing: Notwithstanding any of the terms of this Indenture ---------------------- to the contrary, the Agent and the Corporation shall make such amendments to the provisions of this Indenture as in the opinion of counsel would not prejudice the interests of Warrantholders and would be required to comply with any and all requirements of the stock exchanges or quotation system on which the Common Shares may be listed in order for the Common Shares to be listed or quoted for trading on such stock exchange or quoted for trading on such quotation system. The Agent and the Corporation shall execute and deliver by their proper officers all deeds, agreements or instruments supplemental hereto for the foregoing purpose which are required in the opinion of counsel and thereafter shall form part hereof. For greater certainty, no resolution, approval or meeting of Warrantholders will be required for the Agent and the Corporation to amend or supplement this Indenture as provided in this Section 8.4. ARTICLE 9 CONCERNING THE AGENT -------------------- 9.1 Trust Indenture Legislation: --------------------------- (a) In this Article, the term "Applicable Legislation" means the provisions of any statute of Canada or a province thereof and of regulations under any such named or other statute relating to trust indentures and/or to the rights, duties and obligations of warrant agents and of corporations under trust indentures, to the extent that such provisions are at the time in force and applicable to this Indenture. (b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a mandatory requirement of Applicable Legislation, such mandatory requirement shall prevail. (c) The Corporation and the Agent agree that each will at all times in relation to this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder observe and comply with and be entitled to the benefit of Applicable Legislation. 9.2 Rights and Duties of Agent: -------------------------- (a) In the exercise of the rights and duties prescribed or conferred by the terms of this Indenture, the Agent shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Warrantholders as a group and shall exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent warrant Agent would exercise in comparable circumstances. No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Agent from or require any other person to indemnify the Agent against liability for its own negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith. (b) Subject only to subsection 9.2(a), the Agent shall not be bound to do or take any act, action or proceeding for the enforcement of any of the obligations of the Corporation under this Indenture unless and until it shall have received a request in writing signed by a Warrantholder (a "Warrantholders' Request") specifying the act, action or proceeding which the Agent is requested to take. The obligation of the Agent to commence or continue any act, action or proceeding for the purpose of enforcing any rights of the Agent or the Warrantholders hereunder shall be conditional upon the Warrantholders furnishing, when required by notice in writing by the Agent, sufficient funds to commence or continue such act, action or proceeding and an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents to protect and hold harmless the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents against the costs, charges, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby and any loss and damage it may suffer by reason thereof. None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers unless indemnified and funded as aforesaid. (c) The Agent may, before commencing or at any time during the continuance of any such act, action or proceeding, require the Warrantholders at whose instance it is acting to deposit with the Agent the Warrants held by them, for which Warrants the Agent shall issue receipts. (d) Every provision of this Indenture that by its terms relieves the Agent of liability or entitles it to rely upon any evidence submitted to it is subject to the provisions of Applicable Legislation, and to the provisions of this Section 9.2 and of Section 9.3. (e) The Agent shall retain the right not to act and shall not be held liable for refusing to act unless it has received clear and reasonable documentation which complies with the terms of this Indenture. Such documentation must not require the exercise of any discretion or independent judgment. In the event that the Agent refuses to act because any documentation received by it is not clear and reasonable, the Agent shall immediately provide notice to the party who provided such documentation advising such party of the Agent's refusal to act together with a brief explanation of the reason for its refusal. (f) In the event of any disagreement arising regarding the terms of this Indenture, the Agent shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to comply with any or all demands whatsoever until the dispute is settled either by agreement amongst the various parties or by a court of competent jurisdiction. (g) The Agent shall not be bound to give any notice or do or take any act, action or proceeding by virtue of the powers conferred on it hereby unless and until it shall have been required so to do under the terms hereof; nor shall the Agent be required to take notice of any default hereunder, unless and until notified in writing of such default, which notice shall distinctly specify such default and in the absence of any such notice the Agent may for all purposes of this Indenture conclusively assume that no default has been made in the observance or performance of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein. Any such notice shall in no way limit any discretion herein given to the Agent to determine whether or not the Agent shall take action with respect to any default. 9.3 Evidence, Experts and Advisers: ------------------------------ (a) In addition to the reports, certificates, opinions and other evidence required by this Indenture, the Corporation shall furnish to the Agent such additional evidence of compliance with any provision hereof in such form as may be prescribed by Applicable Legislation, or as the Agent may reasonably require by written notice to the Corporation. (b) In the exercise of its rights and duties hereunder, the Agent may, if it is acting in good faith, act and rely as to the truth of the statements and the accuracy of the opinions expressed therein, upon statutory declarations, opinions, reports, written requests, consents, orders of the Corporation, certificates of the Corporation or other evidence furnished to the Agent, provided that such evidence complies with Applicable Legislation. (c) Whenever Applicable Legislation requires that evidence referred to in subsection 9.3(a) be in the form of a statutory declaration, the Agent may accept such statutory declaration in lieu of a certificate of the Corporation required by any provision hereof. Any such statutory declaration may be made by one or more of the chairman, president, vice- president, secretary or treasurer of the Corporation. (d) The Agent may act and rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, letter, telegram, cablegram or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent, or presented by or on behalf of the proper party or parties. (e) Proof of the execution of an instrument in writing, including a Warrantholders' Request, by any Warrantholder may be made by the certificate of a notary public, or other officer with similar powers, that the person signing such instrument acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution or in any other manner which the Agent may consider adequate and in respect of a corporate Warrantholder shall include a certificate of incumbency of such Warrantholder together with a certified copy of a resolution authorizing the person who signed such instrument to sign such instrument. (f) The Agent may employ or retain such counsel, accountants or other experts or advisers as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining and discharging its duties hereunder, may act on and rely upon the advice or opinion so obtained and may pay reasonable remuneration for all services so performed by any of them, without taxation of costs of any counsel, and shall not be responsible for any misconduct on the part of any of them. The cost of such service shall be added to and be part of the Agent's fees hereunder. 9.4 Documents, Monies, etc. Held by Agent: -------------------------------------- Any securities, documents of title or other instruments that may at any time be held by the Agent subject to the trusts hereof may be placed in the deposit vaults of the Agent or of any Canadian chartered bank or trust company or deposited for safekeeping with any such bank or trust company. 9.5 Action by Agent to Protect Interests: ------------------------------------ Subject to the provisions of this Indenture and Applicable Legislation, the Agent shall have the power to institute and to maintain such action and proceedings as it may consider necessary or expedient to preserve, protect or enforce its interests and the interests of the Warrantholders. 9.6 Agent Not Required to Give Security: ----------------------------------- The Agent shall not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers of this Indenture or otherwise. 9.7 Protection of Agent: ------------------- By way of supplement to the provisions of any law for the time being relating to warrant agents, it is expressly declared and agreed as follows: (a) The Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any statements of fact or recitals in this Indenture or in the Warrants (except the representation contained in Sections 9.9 and 9.12 or in the certificate of the Agent on the Warrants) or be required to verify the same. (b) Nothing herein contained shall impose any obligation on the Agent to see to or to require evidence of the registration or filing (or renewal thereof) of this Indenture or any instrument ancillary or supplemental hereto. (c) The Agent shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution hereof. (d) The Agent shall not incur any liability or responsibility whatsoever or be in any way responsible for the consequence of any breach on the part of the Corporation of any of the covenants herein contained or of any acts of any directors, officers, employees, agents or servants of the Corporation. (e) The Corporation hereby indemnifies and saves harmless the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all liabilities, losses, costs, claims, action or demands whatsoever which may be brought against the Agent or which it may suffer or incur as a result or arising out of the performance of its duties and obligations under this Indenture, including any legal fees and disbursements, save only in the event of negligence or wilful misconduct of the Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents. It is understood and agreed that this indemnification shall survive the termination of this Indenture or the resignation of the Agent. 9.8 Replacement of Agent: -------------------- (a) The Agent may resign its trust and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder by giving to the Corporation not less than 30 days' prior notice in writing or such shorter prior notice as the Corporation may accept as sufficient. The Warrantholders by extraordinary resolution shall have the power at any time to remove the existing Agent and to appoint a new warrant agent. In the event of the Agent resigning or being removed as aforesaid or being dissolved, becoming bankrupt, going into liquidation or otherwise becoming incapable of acting hereunder, the Corporation shall forthwith appoint a new warrant agent unless a new warrant agent has already been appointed by the Warrantholders; failing such appointment by the Corporation, the retiring Agent or any Warrantholder may apply to a justice of the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division) at the Corporation's expense, on such notice as such justice may direct, for the appointment of a new warrant agent; but any new warrant Agent so appointed by the Corporation or by the Court shall be subject to removal as aforesaid by the Warrantholders. Any new warrant agent appointed under any provision of this Section 9.8 shall be a corporation authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in the Province of Ontario and, if required by Applicable Legislation of any other province, in such other province. On any such appointment the new warrant agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named herein as Agent without any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed; but there shall be immediately executed, at the expense of the Corporation, all such conveyances or other instruments as may, in the opinion of counsel, be necessary or advisable for the purpose of assuring the same to the new warrant agent, provided that any resignation or removal of the Agent and appointment of a successor warrant Agent shall not become effective until the successor warrant agent shall have executed an appropriate instrument accepting such appointment and, at the request of the Corporation, the predecessor Agent, upon payment of its outstanding remuneration and expenses, shall execute and deliver to the successor warrant agent an appropriate instrument transferring to such successor warrant agent all rights and powers of the Agent hereunder and all securities, documents of title and other instruments, and all monies and properties, held by the Agent hereunder. (b) Upon the appointment of a successor warrant agent, the Corporation shall promptly notify the Warrantholders thereof in the manner provided for in Section 10.2. (c) Any corporation into or with which the Agent may be merged or consolidated or amalgamated, or any corporation succeeding to the trust business of the Agent, shall be the successor to the Agent hereunder without any further act on its part or of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a new warrant agent under subsection 9.8(a). (d) Any Warrants certified but not delivered by a predecessor warrant agent may be certified by the successor warrant agent in the name of the predecessor or successor warrant agent. 9.9 Conflict of Interest: -------------------- (a) The Agent represents to the Corporation that at the time of execution and delivery hereof no material conflict of interest exists in the Agent's role as a fiduciary hereunder and agrees that in the event of a material conflict of interest arising hereafter it will, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such a material conflict of interest, either eliminate the same or resign its trust hereunder to a successor warrant agent approved by the Corporation. If any such material conflict of interest exists or hereafter shall exist, the validity and enforceability of this Indenture and the Warrants shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason thereof. (b) Subject to subsection (a) of this Section 9.9, the Agent, in its personal or any other capacity, may buy, lend upon and deal in securities of the Corporation and generally may contract and enter into financial transactions with the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation without being liable to account for any profit made thereby. 9.10 Acceptance of Trusts: -------------------- The Agent hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided for and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth. 9.11 Agent Not to be Appointed Receiver: ---------------------------------- The Agent and any person related to the Agent shall not be appointed a receiver or receiver and manager or liquidator of all or any part of the assets or undertaking of the Corporation. 9.12 Authorization to Carry on Business: ---------------------------------- The Agent represents to the Corporation that it is duly authorized and qualified to carry on the business of a trust company in each of the provinces of Canada. 9.13 Liability of Agent: ------------------ The Agent shall not be liable or accountable for any loss or damage whatsoever to any person caused by the performance or failure to perform by it of its responsibilities under this agreement save only to the extent that such loss or damage is attributable to the negligence, fraud or wilful misconduct of the Agent. ARTICLE 10 NOTICES ------- 10.1 Notice to Corporation: Unless and until the Corporation notifies the --------------------- Agent of a change of address, any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under the provisions of this Indenture shall be valid and effective if delivered to the Corporation at 6725 Airport Road, Suite 201, Mississauga, Ontario, L4V 1V2, Attention: President, or sent by telecopier to telecopier number (905) 672-5705 (and a copy by regular mail) or other means of prepaid transmitted or recorded communication to such address. Any notice to the Corporation as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been effectively given on the earlier of: (a the date of delivery, if delivered during normal business hours of the Corporation (and, if not, on the next following Business Day); or (b the Business Day immediately following the day of sending, if sent by telecopier (with receipt confirmed). 10.2 Notice to Warrantholders: Unless and until a Warrantholder notifies the ------------------------ Agent of a change of address, any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to a Warrantholder under the provisions of this Indenture shall be valid and effective if delivered to such holders at their post office addresses appearing on the register to be kept by the Agent or sent by telecopier (and a copy by regular mail) or other means of prepaid transmitted or recorded communication to such address, or subject to the provisions of Section 10.4, if mailed by prepaid first class mail addressed to such holders at their post office addresses appearing on the register to be kept by the Agent. Any notice to a Warrantholder as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been effectively given on the earlier of: (a the date of delivery, if delivered during normal business hours (and, if not, on the next following Business Day); (b the Business Day immediately following the day of sending, if sent by telecopier (with receipt confirmed); or (c on the seventh (7th) Business Day after effectual posting in Canada. 10.3 Notice to Agent: (1) Unless and until the Agent is changed in accordance --------------- with the provisions of this Indenture or the Agent notifies the Corporation of a change of address, any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to the Agent under the provisions of this Indenture, except under Section 2.2, shall be valid and effective if delivered to the Agent at 320 Bay Street, Ground Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4A6, or sent by telecopier to telecopier number (416) 643-5570 (and a copy by regular mail) or other means of prepaid transmitted or recorded communication to such address, or subject to the provisions of Section 10.4, if mailed by prepaid registered mail addressed to the Agent at 320 Bay Street, P.O. Box 1, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1A6. Any notice to the Agent as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been effectively given on the earlier of: (a the date of delivery, if delivered during normal business hours of the Agent (and, if not, on the next following Business Day); (b the Business Day immediately following the day of sending, if sent by telecopier (with receipt confirmed); or (c on the fifth (5th) Business Day after effectual posting in Canada. (2) Surrender of a Warrant Certificate and evidence relating thereto pursuant to Section 2.2 shall be valid and effective if delivered by hand or by courier to Special Projects, Securities Level, Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1G9 or if mailed by prepaid mail to P.O. Box 1036, Adelaide Postal Station, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2K4, and shall be deemed to have been effectively surrendered on the date of delivery, if delivered during normal business hours of the Agent (and, if not, on the next following Business Day) or, if mailed, on the fifth (5th) Business Day after effectual posting in Canada. 10.4 Mail Service Interruption: If by reason of strike, lockout or other work ------------------------- stoppage, actual or threatened, of postal employees, any notice to be given to the Agent or to the Corporation would be unreasonably delayed in reaching its destination, such notice shall be valid and effective only if delivered to an officer of the party to which it is addressed or if sent to such party, at the appropriate address in accordance with Sections 10.1 or 10.3, as the case may be, by cable, telegram, telecopier, telex or other means of prepaid transmitted or recorded communication. ARTICLE 11 POWER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS --------------------------- 11.1 Board of Directors: In this Indenture, wherever the Corporation are ------------------ required or empowered to exercise any acts, all such acts may be exercised by the directors of the Corporation or by those officers of the Corporation authorized to exercise such acts. ARTICLE 12 FORMAL EXECUTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE ----------------------------------- 12.1 Suits by Warrantholders: (1) No Warrantholder shall have any right to ----------------------- institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the purpose of enforcing the execution of any obligations or power hereunder or for the appointment of a liquidator or receiver or for a receiving order under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or to have any of the Corporation wound up or to file or prove a claim in any liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings or for any other remedy hereunder unless (i) a Warrantholders Request shall have made to the Agent and the Agent shall have been afforded reasonable opportunity to proceed or complete any action or suit for any such purpose whether or not in its own name; (ii) the Warrantholders or any of them shall have furnished to the Agent, when so requested by the Agent, sufficient funds and security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; and (iii) the Agent shall have failed to act within a reasonable time or where the Agent shall have failed to have actively pursued any such act or proceeding. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Section 12.1 and Section 7.9, all or any of the rights conferred upon a Warrantholder by the terms of a Warrant may be enforced by such Warrantholder by appropriate legal proceedings without prejudice to the right which is hereby conferred upon the Agent to proceed in its own name to enforce each and all of the provisions herein contained for the benefit of the Warrantholders from time to time. 12.2 Waiver of Default: (1) Upon the happening of any default hereunder, the ----------------- Agent shall have power to waive any default hereunder upon such terms and conditions as the Agent may deem advisable, if, in the Agent's opinion, the same shall have been cured or adequate provision made therefor. (2) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9, no consent or waiver, express or implied, by either party to or of any breach or default by the other party in the performance by the other party of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of obligations hereunder by such party hereunder. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other party or to declare the other party in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its rights hereunder. 12.3 Further Assurances: The parties hereto and each of them do hereby ------------------ covenant and agree to do such things and execute such further documents, agreements and assurances as may be necessary or advisable from time to time in order to carry out the terms and conditions of this Indenture in accordance with their true intent. 12.4 Severability: If any term, covenant or condition of this Indenture or ------------ the application thereof to any party or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Indenture or application of such term, covenant or condition to a party or circumstance other than those to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby and each remaining term, covenant or condition of this Indenture shall be valid and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. 12.5 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture: Upon the later of the date when --------------------------------------- the Common Shares have been delivered to Warrantholders who have exercised Warrants to the full extent of the rights attached to all Warrants theretofore certified hereunder and the Expiry Date, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and the Agent, on demand of and at the cost and expense of the Agent and upon delivery to the Agent of a certificate of the Corporation stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with and upon payment to the Agent of all outstanding fees, the parties hereto shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture. 12.6 Formal Date and Execution Date: For the purpose of convenience this ------------------------------ Indenture may be referred to as bearing the formal date of September 30, 1999 which shall be the date on which this Indenture shall become effective between the parties hereto, irrespective of the actual date of execution hereof. 12.7 Counterparts: This Indenture may be executed in one or more counterparts, ------------ each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 12.8 Enurement: This Indenture shall benefit and bind the parties to it and --------- their respective successors and assigns. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Indenture as of the 30th day of September, 1999. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Per: CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY Per: Per: SCHEDULE "A" WARRANT CERTIFICATE THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WILL BE VOID AND OF NO VALUE UNLESS EXERCISED AT OR PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., (TORONTO TIME) ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2001. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (the "Corporation") (Constituted pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario) WARRANT CERTIFICATE NO. _______ _________ WARRANTS THIS IS TO CERTIFY that ___________________________________________________ (the "holder") is entitled to subscribe for, in the manner herein provided, subject to adjustment in certain events and to the restrictions contained herein, at any time and from time to time on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) on September 30, 1999 (the "Expiry Time"), one Common Share in the capital of the Corporation for each whole Warrant represented hereby at a price per share equal to $12.00, subject to adjustment in certain events. Such right to subscribe for Common Shares in the capital of the Corporation may only be exercised by the registered holder hereof within the time hereinbefore set out by: (a duly completing in the manner indicated and executing the Exercise Form attached hereto; and (b surrendering to CIBC Mellon Trust Company (the "Agent") as hereinafter set forth this Warrant Certificate evidencing a minimum of one Warrant together with payment by certified cheque or bank draft payable to or to the order of the Corporation for each Common Share subscribed for, subject to adjustment in the manner set forth in the Indenture. This Warrant Certificate shall be validly exercised only upon delivery thereof or by mailing the same to the Agent at its Stock and Bond Transfer Department in its principal stock transfer offices in the City of Toronto (at the address hereinafter indicated). The Exercise Form attached hereto shall not be deemed to be duly completed if the name and mailing address of the holder do not appear legibly on such Exercise Form or such Exercise Form is not signed by the holder. The Warrants represented by this certificate are issued under and pursuant to a Warrant Indenture (the "Indenture") made as of September 30, 1999 between the Corporation and the Agent (which expression shall include any successor agent appointed under the Indenture), to which Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights of the holders of the Warrants and the terms and conditions upon which such Warrants are, or are to be, issued and held, all to the same effect as if the provisions of the Indenture and all amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto were herein set forth and to all of which provisions the holder of these Warrants by acceptance hereof assents. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) and the provisions of this Warrant Certificate, except those that are necessary by context, the provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) shall prevail. The terms and provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) are incorporated herein by reference. Upon due exercise of the Warrants as provided herein, the person or persons in whose name or names the Common Shares are issuable, shall be deemed for all purposes (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter referred to) to be the holder or holders of record of such Common Shares and the Corporation covenants that it will (subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid Indenture) cause a certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares to be delivered or mailed to such person or persons at the address or addresses specified in such Exercise Form. The holder of this Warrant Certificate may exercise any lesser number of Common Shares than the aggregate number of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate and, in such event, shall be entitled to receive, without charge, a new Warrant Certificate representing the balance of the Warrants held by such holder not then exercised. No fractional Common Shares will be issued. To the extent that the holder of a Warrant is entitled to receive on the exercise or partial exercise thereof a fraction of a Common Share, such right may only be exercised in respect of such fraction in combination with another Warrant or other Warrants which in the aggregate entitle the holder to receive a whole number of Common Shares. If a holder is not able to, or elects not to, combine Warrants so as to be entitled to acquire a whole number of Common Shares, the Corporation shall make an appropriate cash adjustment. However, in respect of any holder, the Corporation shall only be required to make such a cash adjustment once and for one Warrant and no more. The amount of the cash adjustment with respect to the Common Shares shall be equal to the fraction of the Common Share to which the holder would be entitled multiplied by the Weighted Average Price (as defined in the Indenture. The holding of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate shall not constitute the holder hereof a shareholder of the Corporation or entitle such holder to any right or interest in respect thereof except as herein and in the Indenture expressly provided. The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are not transferable except as set forth in Section 2.2 of the Indenture which makes reference to the fact that a person who furnishes evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that it is: (a a Warrantholder; (b an executor, administrator, heir or legal representative of the heirs of the estate of a deceased registered holder hereof, (c a guardian, committee, trustee, curator or tutor representing a registered holder who is an infant, an incompetent person or a missing person, (d a liquidator of, or a trustee in bankruptcy for, a holder hereof, or (e a transferee of a Warrantholder, may, as set forth in the Indenture, by surrendering such evidence together with the Warrant Certificate in question to the Agent and subject to such reasonable requirements with respect to the payment by the holder of the costs associated with the transfer as the Agent may prescribe and all applicable securities legislation and requirements of regulatory authorities, become noted upon the register of Warrantholders. Neither the Warrants represented by this certificate nor the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise thereof have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). Subject to certain limited exceptions, neither the Warrants represented by this certificate nor the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise thereof may be transferred to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. Person or person in the United States (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act). If any of the Common Shares in respect of which the Warrants are exercised are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder (as aforesaid), the holder shall pay to the Agent all requisite stamp transfer taxes or other governmental charges exigible in connection with the issue of such Common Shares to such other person or persons or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Agent that such taxes and charges have been paid or are not exigible. This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose whatever unless and until it has been countersigned by or on behalf of the Agent. Time shall be of the essence hereof. The Warrants and the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) shall be governed by, performed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein and shall be treated in all respects as Ontario contracts. In the event that the Warrants represented by the within certificate are acquired prior to the date on which the Corporation obtains a receipt for a (final) prospectus qualifying the distribution of the Warrants from the securities regulatory authority in the jurisdiction in which the Warrantholder is resident, the Warrants and the Common Shares underlying them may be subject to statutory hold periods during which these securities may not be resold in such provinces except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities legislation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Corporation has caused this Warrant Certificate to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of September 30, 1999 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Per:___________________________ Countersigned CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY Per:_________________________________ Authorized Signing Officer EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS TO WARRANTHOLDER The registered holder hereof may exercise his right to subscribe for Common Shares of BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (the "Corporation") by completing the Exercise Form and surrendering this Warrant Certificate (evidencing a minimum of one Warrant) and the appropriate amount per Common Share subscribed for by way of certified cheque or recognized bank draft payable to or to the order of the Corporation and the duly completed Exercise Form to CIBC Mellon Trust Company by delivering or mailing it to CIBC Mellon Trust Company at its principal stock transfer offices in the City of Toronto at its Stock and Bond Transfer Department as follows: In the City of Toronto: P.O. Box 1036 Adelaide Street Postal Station Toronto, Ontario M5C 2K4 If by hand or courier: Special Projects Securities Level Commerce Court West 199 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5L 1G9 If not exercised at or prior to the Expiry Time, the Warrants evidenced by this Certificate will be cancelled and become absolutely void. For your own protection, it would be prudent to forward all documentation to the Agent by registered mail. Subject to adjustment in certain events as described in the Indenture, the maximum number of Common Shares which you may acquire is one Common Share for every whole Warrant set out on the face of this Warrant Certificate (provided that the required subscription proceeds are paid for each one Common Share) unless you are otherwise notified by the Corporation. EXERCISE FORM TO: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. The undersigned hereby exercises the right to subscribe for _________ Common Shares in the capital of BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (or such number of other securities or property to which such Warrants entitle the undersigned in lieu thereof or in addition thereto under the provisions of the Indenture mentioned in the within Warrant Certificate) at a price per share of $12.00 (subject to adjustment in certain events) according to the terms of the Indenture mentioned in the within Warrant Certificate and encloses the necessary subscription monies per Common Share, by way of certified cheque or bank draft (or the adjusted dollar amount per share at which the undersigned is entitled to purchase such shares or other securities or property under the provisions of the Indenture). If any of the Common Shares are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder in those circumstances as set forth in the within Warrant Certificate, the holder must pay to CIBC Mellon Trust Company all requisite stamp or security transfer taxes or other governmental charges related thereto. Such Common Shares should be delivered to the following address in the name of the person(s) listed below. (Print clearly) Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address in Full: _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Number of Warrants Exercised: __________________________________________________ Number of Common Shares Subscribed for (equal to the Number of Warrants Exercised rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares): _______________________________________________________ Total Amount of Subscription Funds Enclosed: ________________________________________________________________ DATED this day of , 19. Signature of Warrantholder Name of Warrantholder (As registered on Warrant Certificate) Print Full Address TRANSFER FORM FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee) ________________________________________________________________________________ ______________ Warrant(s) represented by the within certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________________________ ________________________ the attorney of the undersigned to transfer the said Warrant(s) on the register of Warrants maintained by the Agent with full power of substitution hereunder. DATED this ________ day of _______________ , 199__. Signature of Warrantholder _________________________ Signature Guarantee Name of Warrantholder (please print) The signature of the Warrantholder to this assignment must correspond exactly with the name of the Warrantholder as set forth on the face of this Warrant certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever and the signature must be guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank or by a trust company or by a member firm of any Canadian stock exchange or by a member recognized under the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program, any of whose signature must be on file with the Agent. ARTICLE 1................................................................................. INTERPRETATION 2 -------------- 1.1 Definitions................................................................................... 2 ----------- 1.2 Entire Indenture.............................................................................. 5 ---------------- 1.3 Headings...................................................................................... 5 -------- 1.4 Extending Meanings............................................................................ 6 ------------------ 1.5 References.................................................................................... 6 ---------- 1.6 Business Day.................................................................................. 6 ------------ 1.7 Meaning of.................................................................................... 6 ---------- 1.8 Time.......................................................................................... 6 ---- 1.9 Choice of Language............................................................................ 6 ------------------ 1.10 Applicable Law:............................................................................... 6 -------------- ARTICLE 2...................................................................ISSUE AND PURCHASE OF WARRANTS 6 ------------------------------ 2.1 Form and Terms of Warrants:................................................................... 6 -------------------------- 2.2 Transfer and Ownership of Warrants: (1)....................................................... 7 ---------------------------------- 2.3 Warrantholders not Shareholders:.............................................................. 9 ------------------------------- 2.4 Signing of Warrants:.......................................................................... 9 ------------------- 2.5 Countersigning:............................................................................... 9 -------------- 2.6 Loss, Mutilation, Destruction or Theft of Warrants:........................................... 9 -------------------------------------------------- 2.7 Issue of Warrants:............................................................................ 10 ----------------- 2.8 Warrants to Rank Pari Passu:.................................................................. 10 --------------------------- 2.9 Exchange of Warrants:......................................................................... 10 -------------------- 2.10 Recognition of Registered Holder:............................................................. 11 -------------------------------- ARTICLE 3.....................................................................COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION 11 ---------------------------- 3.1 Covenants of the Corporation:................................................................. 11 ---------------------------- 3.2 Securities Qualification Requirements:........................................................ 12 ------------------------------------- ARTICLE 4................................................................ADJUSTMENT TO SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 13 --------------------------------- 4.1 Adjustment to Subscription Rights:............................................................ 13 --------------------------------- 4.2 Adjustment of Purchase Price:................................................................. 17 ---------------------------- 4.3 Adjustment Rules:............................................................................. 18 ---------------- 4.4 Proceedings Prior to any Action Requiring Adjustment:......................................... 19 ---------------------------------------------------- 4.5 Certificate of Adjustment:.................................................................... 20 ------------------------- 4.6 Notice of Special Matters:.................................................................... 20 ------------------------- 4.7 No Action after Notice:....................................................................... 20 ---------------------- 4.8 Protection of Agent:.......................................................................... 20 ------------------- ARTICLE 5............................................................EXERCISE AND CANCELLATION OF WARRANTS 21 ------------------------------------- 5.1 Exercise of Warrants:......................................................................... 21 -------------------- 5.2 Effect of Exercise of Warrants................................................................ 22 ------------------------------ 5.3 Postponement of Delivery of Certificates:..................................................... 23 ---------------------------------------- 5.4 Cancellation of Warrants:..................................................................... 23 ------------------------ 5.5 Warrants Void after Expiry Time:.............................................................. 23 ------------------------------- 5.6 Fractions of Common Shares:................................................................... 23 -------------------------- 5.7 Subscription for Less than Entitlement:....................................................... 24 -------------------------------------- ARTICLE 6...................................................................................NON-REDEMPTION 24 -------------- 6.1 Non-Redemption of Warrants:................................................................... 24 -------------------------- ARTICLE 7.......................................................................MEETINGS OF WARRANTHOLDERS 24 -------------------------- 7.1 Convening of Meeting:......................................................................... 24 -------------------- 7.2 Notice:....................................................................................... 24 ------ 7.3 Chairman:..................................................................................... 25 -------- 7.4 Quorum:....................................................................................... 25 ------ 7.5 Show of Hands:................................................................................ 25 ------------- 7.6 Poll:......................................................................................... 25 ----
7.7 Regulations:.................................................................................. 25 ----------- 7.8 Minutes:...................................................................................... 26 ------- 7.9 Powers Exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution:............................................... 26 ---------------------------------------------- 7.10 Meaning of.................................................................................... 27 ---------- 7.11 Powers Cumulative:............................................................................ 28 ----------------- 7.12 Corporation, Underwriters, Warrantholders and Agent May be Represented:....................... 28 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7.13 Binding Effect of Resolutions:................................................................ 28 ----------------------------- 7.14 Holdings by the Corporation or Subsidiaries of the Corporation Disregarded:................... 28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTICLE 8......................................................SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES, MERGER, SUCCESSORS 29 ------------------------------------------- 8.1 Provision for Supplemental Indentures for Certain Purposes:................................... 29 ----------------------------------------------------------- 8.2 Corporation May Consolidate, etc. on Certain Terms:........................................... 29 -------------------------------------------------- 8.3 Successor Body Corporate Substituted:......................................................... 30 ------------------------------------ 8.4 Amendments for Listing:....................................................................... 30 ---------------------- ARTICLE 9.............................................................................CONCERNING THE AGENT 31 -------------------- 9.1 Trust Indenture Legislation:.................................................................. 31 --------------------------- 9.2 Rights and Duties of Agent:................................................................... 31 -------------------------- 9.4 Documents, Monies, etc. Held by Agent:....................................................... 33 -------------------------------------- 9.5 Action by Agent to Protect Interests:......................................................... 33 ------------------------------------ 9.6 Agent Not Required to Give Security:.......................................................... 33 ----------------------------------- 9.7 Protection of Agent:.......................................................................... 34 ------------------- 9.8 Replacement of Agent:......................................................................... 34 -------------------- 9.9 Conflict of Interest:......................................................................... 35 -------------------- 9.10 Acceptance of Trusts:......................................................................... 35 -------------------- 9.11 Agent Not to be Appointed Receiver:........................................................... 36 ---------------------------------- 9.12 Authorization to Carry on Business:........................................................... 36 ---------------------------------- 9.13 Liability of Agent:........................................................................... 36 ------------------ ARTICLE 10.........................................................................................NOTICES 36 ------- 10.1 Notice to Corporation:........................................................................ 36 --------------------- 10.2 Notice to Warrantholders:..................................................................... 36 ------------------------ 10.3 Notice to Agent:.............................................................................. 37 --------------- 10.4 Mail Service Interruption:.................................................................... 37 ------------------------- ARTICLE 11.....................................................................POWER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 38 --------------------------- 11.1 Board of Directors:........................................................................... 38 ------------------ ARTICLE 12.............................................................FORMAL EXECUTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE 38 ----------------------------------- 12.1 Suits by Warrantholders:...................................................................... 38 ----------------------- 12.2 Waiver of Default............................................................................. 38 ----------------- 12.3 Further Assurances:........................................................................... 39 ------------------ 12.4 Severability:................................................................................. 39 ------------ 12.5 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture....................................................... 40 --------------------------------------- 12.6 Formal Date and Execution Date:............................................................... 40 ------------------------------- 12.7 Counterparts:................................................................................. 40 ------------ 12.8 Enurement:.................................................................................... 40 ---------
EX-3.3 4 SPECIAL WARRANT INDENTURE DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 EXHIBIT 3.3 THIS SPECIAL WARRANT INDENTURE made as of the 30th day of September, 1999. B E T W E E N: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC., a corporation constituted under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (hereinafter called the "Corporation") -- and-- CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the "Special Warrant Agent") WHEREAS: A. The Corporation proposes to issue and sell by means of a private placement up to 2,702,703 special warrants (the "Special Warrants"). Subject to adjustment in certain events, each Special Warrant entitles the holder thereof to receive one (1) unit ("Unit"). Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant ("Share Purchase Warrant"), in the capital of the Corporation, all upon the terms and conditions herein set forth; B. For such purpose the Corporation, deems it necessary to create and issue the Special Warrants as provided for in this Indenture; C. The Corporation is duly authorized to create and issue the Special Warrants to be created and issued, as herein provided; D. All things necessary have been done and performed to make the Special Warrants, when certified by the Special Warrant Agent and issued as in this Indenture provided, legal, valid and binding upon the Corporation with the benefits of, and subject to the terms of, this Indenture; E. The foregoing recitals are made as representations and statements of fact by the Corporation and not by the Special Warrant Agent. NOW THEREFORE for good and valuable consideration mutually given and received, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed and declared as follows: Article 1 - Interpretation 1.1 Definitions In this Indenture, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following phrases and words have the respective meanings indicated opposite them as follows: (1) "Applicable Legislation" has the meaning ascribed thereto in subsection 8.1(a); (2) "Business Day" means a day which is not a Saturday or Sunday or statutory holiday in any of the cities where special warrant certificates may be submitted to the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to subsection 3.1 hereof; (3) "Capital Reorganization" has the meaning ascribed thereto in section 2.13; (4) "Closing Date" means September 30, 1999. (5) "Common Shares" means fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Corporation as currently constituted; (6) "Corporation" means Bid.Com International Inc., a corporation constituted under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada; (7) "Corporation's auditors" means Deloitte & Touche or such other chartered accountant or firm of chartered accountants duly appointed as auditor or auditors of the Corporation from time to time and acceptable to the Special Warrant Agent; (8) "Counsel" means Corporation's counsel or such other firm of barristers and solicitors retained by the Special Warrant Agent from time to time; (9) "Corporation's counsel" means Gowling, Strathy & Henderson or such other barrister or solicitor or firm of barristers and solicitors retained by the Corporation from time to time and acceptable to the Special Warrant Agent; (10) "director" means a director of the Corporation for the time being and, unless otherwise specified herein, reference to "action by the directors" means action by the directors of the Corporation as a board or, whenever duly empowered, action by a committee of such board; (11) "Exercise Date" means the day upon which a Special Warrant is exercised pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1 or deemed to be exercised pursuant to Section 3.1(b); (12) "Expiry Time" means 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the earlier of: (i) the fifth Business Day after the Qualification Date; and (ii) the day which is 12 months following the Closing Date; (13) "extraordinary resolution" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.11 and 6.14; (14) "Final Prospectus" means the (final) prospectus of the Corporation relating to the distribution of the Subject Securities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions; (15) "NASDAQ" means the National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System in the United States; (16) "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, any unincorporated organization or any other juridical entity and words importing persons have a similar meaning; (17) "Preliminary Prospectus" means the preliminary prospectus of the Corporation relating to the distribution of the Subject Securities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions; (18) "Qualification Date" means the date of issuance of a receipt or similar document by the last of the Securities Administrators to issue a receipt or similar document for the Final Prospectus; (19) "Qualification Deadline" means the date which is 90 days after the Closing Date; (20) "Qualification Default" means the failure on the part of the Corporation to obtain a receipt for the Final Prospectus from the Securities Administrators in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions, on or before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Qualification Deadline; (21) "Qualifying Jurisdictions" means the Province of Ontario and any such additional provinces in which purchasers of the Special Warrants are resident; (22) "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act (as hereinafter defined); (23) "Securities Administrators" means collectively the securities commission or comparable authority in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions; (24) "Share Purchase Warrants" means the warrants issuable upon the exercise or deemed exercise of the Special Warrants subject to the terms and conditions of the Share Purchase Warrant Indenture which indenture shall govern the entitlement of a holder to acquire one (1) Common Share at $12.00 at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the day which is 24 months following the Closing Date; (25) "Share Purchase Warrant Indenture" means the indenture dated as of even date herewith among the Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Company as Agent pursuant to which the Share Purchase Warrants will be issued; (26) "Shareholder" means a holder of record of one or more Common Shares; (27) "Special Warrant Agent" means CIBC Mellon Trust Company and its lawful successors and permitted assigns for the time being in the trusts hereby created; (28) "Special Warrantholder" or "holder" means a person whose name is entered for the time being in the register maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to subsection 2.8(a); (29) "Special Warrantholders' Request" means an instrument signed in one or more counterparts by Special Warrantholders holding in the aggregate not less than 10% of the then outstanding Special Warrants which requests the Special Warrant Agent to take some action or proceeding specified therein; (30) "Special Warrants" mean the 2,702,703 special warrants of the Corporation being created hereunder and issued and sold by the Corporation pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each entitling the registered holder thereof to receive one Unit, each unit consisting of one (1) Common Share and one-half (1/2) of one Share Purchase Warrant for each special warrant on the exercise of such special warrant or such other kind and amount of shares or other securities or property calculated or otherwise determined pursuant to Sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c) hereof as the case may be, on the exercise of each such special warrant; and (31) "Subject Securities" means the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Special Warrants, including the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants or other securities or property issuable upon the exercise of the Special Warrants as a result of any adjustment of subscription rights pursuant to Sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c) hereof; (32) "successor corporation" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.2; (33) "this Special Warrant Indenture", "this Indenture", "herein", "hereby" and similar expressions mean and refer to this Indenture and any indenture, deed or instrument supplemental or ancillary hereto; and the expressions "Article", "Section", "subsection" and "clause" followed by a number mean and refer to the specified Article, Section, subsection or clause of this Indenture; (34) "Transfer Agent" means the transfer agent or agents for the time being of the Common Shares; (35) "TSE" means the Toronto Stock Exchange; (36) "Underwriting Agreement" means the underwriting agreement made as of the date hereof between the Underwriter and the Corporation; (37) "Underwriter" means, Canaccord Capital Corporation; and (38) "U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as that term is defined in Regulation S; (39) "U.S. Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the United States; (40) "United States" means the United States as that term is defined in Regulation S; (41) "written order of the Corporation", "written request of the Corporation", "written consent of the Corporation", "certificate of the Corporation" and any other document required to be signed by the Corporation, means, respectively, a written order, request, consent, certificate or other document signed in the name of the Corporation by any one of the president, any vice-president, or the secretary of the Corporation, and may consist of one or more instruments so executed. 1.2 Number and Gender Unless elsewhere otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter genders. 1.3 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings, etc. The division of this Indenture into Articles, Sections, subsections and clauses, the provision of a table of contents and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Indenture. 1.4 Business Day In the event that any day on or before which any action is required or permitted to be taken hereunder is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required or permitted to be taken on or before the requisite time on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day. 1.5 Time of the Essence Time shall be of the essence in all respects in this Indenture. 1.6 Applicable Law This Indenture and the Special Warrants shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal law applicable therein and shall be treated in all respects as Ontario contracts. 1.7 Choice of Language The parties hereby acknowledge that they have expressly requested that this Indenture and all notices, statements of account and other documents required or permitted to be given or entered into pursuant hereto be drawn up in the English language only. Les parties reconnaissent avoir expressment demandees que la presente Convention ainsi que tout avis, tout etat de compte et tout autre document a etre ou pouvant etre donne ou conclu en vertu des dispositions des presentes, soient rediges en langue anglaise seulement. 1.8 Currency Unless otherwise stated, all dollar amounts referred to in this Indenture are in Canadian dollars. ARTICLE 2-ISSUE OF SPECIAL WARRANTS 2.1 Issue of Special Warrants A total of 2,702,703 Special Warrants entitling the registered holders thereof to acquire up to an aggregate of 2,702,703 Common Shares and 1,351,352 Share Purchase Warrants (subject to adjustments as provided in Sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c) hereof) are hereby created and authorized to be issued hereunder upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and shall be executed by the Corporation as to 2,702,703 Special Warrants, certified by or on behalf of the Special Warrant Agent and delivered by it in accordance with and upon receipt of a written order of the Corporation. 2.2 Form and Terms of Special Warrants (a) The Special Warrant certificates for the 2,702,703 Special Warrants shall be substantially in the form set out in Article 9, shall be dated as of the date of this Indenture (regardless of their actual date of issue), and shall have such distinguishing letters and numbers as the Corporation may, with the approval of the Special Warrant Agent, prescribe. (b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c), each Special Warrant authorized to be issued hereunder shall entitle the registered holder thereof to acquire in accordance with Section 3.1, without payment of additional consideration, one (1) Unit, each Unit consisting of Common Share and one-half (1/2) of one Share Purchase Warrant, or such other kind and amount of shares or securities or property, calculated pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c), as the case may be, of this Indenture. (c) Each Special Warrant authorized to be issued hereunder shall in the event of a Qualification Default prior to the exercise or deemed exercise of the Special Warrants pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, entitle the registered holder hereof to acquire in accordance with said Section 3.1, without payment of additional consideration, 1.1 Units or such other kind and amount of shares or securities or property calculated pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14 of this Indenture. (d) Fractional Special Warrants shall not be issued or otherwise provided for. (5) Each Special Warrant certificate originally issued to a U.S. Person or person within the United States, as well as all certificates issued in exchange for or in substitution of the foregoing securities, will bear a legend to the following effect: THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF APPLICABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (D) UPON RECEIPT OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. (6) Special Warrant Certificates may be engraved, lithographed, printed or partly in one form and partly in another, as the Corporation may determine. 2.3 Signing of Special Warrant Certificates The Special Warrant certificates shall be signed by any one of the chairman, president, any vice-president, or the secretary of the Corporation, and may, but need not be, under the corporate seal of the Corporation or a reproduction thereof. The signature of such officer may be mechanically reproduced in facsimile and Special Warrant certificates bearing such facsimile signatures shall be binding upon the Corporation as if they had been manually signed by such officer. Notwithstanding that the person whose manual or facsimile signature appears on any Special Warrant certificate as such officer may no longer hold office at the date of issue of such Special Warrant certificate or at the date of certification or delivery thereof, any Special Warrant certificate signed as aforesaid shall, subject to Section 2.4, be valid and binding upon the Corporation and the registered holder thereof shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. 2.4 Certification by the Special Warrant Agent (a) No Special Warrant certificate shall be issued or, if issued, shall be valid for any purpose or entitle the registered holder to the benefit hereof or thereof until it has been certified by manual signature by or on behalf of the Special Warrant Agent in the form of the certificate set out in Article 9 and such certification by the Special Warrant Agent upon any Special Warrant certificate shall be conclusive evidence as against the Corporation that the Special Warrant certificate so certified has been duly issued hereunder and the holder is entitled to the benefits hereof. (b) The certification of the Special Warrant Agent on the Special Warrant certificates issued hereunder shall not be construed as a representation or warranty by the Special Warrant Agent as to the validity of this Indenture or the Special Warrants (except the due certification thereof) or as to the performance by the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent shall in no respect be liable or answerable for the use made of the Special Warrants or any of them or of the consideration therefor except as otherwise specified herein. 2.5 Special Warrantholder Not a Shareholder The holding of a Special Warrant shall not be construed as conferring upon a Special Warrantholder any right or interest whatsoever as a Shareholder, nor entitle the Special Warrantholder to any right or interest in respect thereof except as herein and in the Special Warrants expressly provided. 2.6 Issue in Substitution for Lost Special Warrant Certificates (a) In case any of the Special Warrant certificates shall become mutilated or be lost, destroyed or stolen, the Corporation, subject to applicable law, and subsection (b) of this Section 2.6, shall issue and thereupon the Special Warrant Agent shall certify and deliver a new Special Warrant certificate of like tenor as the one mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen in exchange for and in place of such mutilated certificate, or in lieu of and in substitution for such lost, destroyed or stolen certificate, and the substituted certificate shall be in a form approved by the Special Warrant Agent and shall entitle its holder to the benefits hereof and shall rank equally in accordance with its terms with all other Special Warrant certificates issued or to be issued hereunder. (b) The applicant for the issue of a new certificate pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall bear the cost of the issue thereof and in case of mutilation, as a condition precedent to the issue thereof, shall deliver to the Special Warrant Agent the mutilated certificate and in the case of loss, destruction or theft shall, as a condition precedent to the issue thereof, furnish to the Corporation and to the Special Warrant Agent such evidence of ownership and of the loss, destruction or theft of the certificate so lost, destroyed or stolen as shall be satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Special Warrant Agent in their sole discretion, acting reasonably, and such applicant shall also be required to furnish an indemnity bond or security in amount and form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent in their sole discretion, acting reasonably, and shall pay the reasonable charges of the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent in connection therewith. 2.7 Special Warrants to Rank Pari Passu All Special Warrants shall rank pari passu, whatever may be their actual date of issue. 2.8 Registers for Special Warrants (a) The Corporation appoints the Special Warrant Agent as the registrar of the Special Warrants. The Corporation may hereafter, with the consent of the Special Warrant Agent, appoint one or more other additional registrars of the Special Warrants. The Corporation shall cause a register to be kept by the Special Warrant Agent, and the Special Warrant Agent agrees to maintain such a register, at its principal transfer office in the city of Toronto, Ontario in which shall be entered the name and addresses of the holders of the Special Warrants and other particulars of the Special Warrants held by them respectively and the number of Special Warrants held by them. The Corporation shall also cause transfer agencies to be maintained by the Special Warrant Agent, and the Special Warrant Agent shall maintain such transfer agencies at its principal transfer office in the city of Toronto, Ontario and in such other place or places and by such other agent or agents as the Corporation with the approval of the Special Warrant Agent may designate. (b) Subject to the terms of this Indenture and to applicable law, Special Warrants may be transferred. No transfer of a Special Warrant shall be valid unless made by the holder or his executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or his or her attorney duly appointed by an instrument in writing in form and manner satisfactory to the Special Warrant Agent, acting reasonably, with signatures guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank, a Canadian trust company, a member firm of any Canadian stock exchange, a member recognized under the Signature Medallion Guarantee Program or such other guarantor as the Special Warrant Agent determines to be acceptable, upon surrender of the Special Warrant to the Special Warrant Agent and upon compliance with such other reasonable requirements as the Special Warrant Agent may prescribe and shall thereafter be recorded on the register of transfers maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.8, provided all taxes or governmental or other charges arising by reason of such transfer have first been paid by or on behalf of the Special Warrantholder requesting such a transfer. (3) Special Warrants may not be transferred to U.S. Persons or persons within the United States, subject to subsection 2.8(d). (4) Notwithstanding subsection 2.8(c), if a Special Warrant certificate tendered for transfer bears the legend set forth in subsection 2.2(e): (i) the transfer may be made to a U.S. Person or persons within the United States, provided that the transfer is made in accordance with the terms of such legend and provided further that the Special Warrant certificate issued to such transferee shall also bear such legend; or (ii) if the Special Warrant represented by such Special Warrant certificate are being sold outside the United States under Rule 904 of Regulation S, the legend may be removed by the transferor providing an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Corporation that such transfer is exempt from registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable U.S. State securities laws. The Special Warrant Agent shall be protected in acting and relying solely on the addresses provided by the transferor for these purposes. 2.9 Transferee Entitled to Registration The transferee of a Special Warrant shall, after the transfer form attached to the Special Warrant or any other form of transfer acceptable to the Special Warrant Agent is duly executed and completed and together with the Special Warrant is lodged with the Special Warrant Agent, and upon compliance with all other conditions in that regard required by this Indenture or by law, be entitled to have his name entered on the register of holders as the owner of such Special Warrant free from all equities or rights of set-off or counterclaim as set forth in Section 2.12. 2.10 Registers Open for Inspection The registers hereinbefore referred to shall be open at all reasonable times for inspection by the Corporation, the Underwriter, the Special Warrant Agent or any Special Warrantholder. The Special Warrant Agent shall, from time to time when requested to do so in writing by the Corporation or the Underwriter, furnish the Corporation or the Underwriter, as the case may be, with a list of the names and addresses of holders of Special Warrants entered in the register of holders maintained by the Special Warrant Agent and showing the number of Units which may then be acquired upon the exercise of the Special Warrants held by each such holder. 2.11 Exchange of Special Warrants (a) Special Warrant certificates may, upon compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Special Warrant Agent, be exchanged for Special Warrant certificates in any other authorized denomination representing in the aggregate the same number of Special Warrants. The Corporation shall sign and the Special Warrant Agent shall certify, in accordance with Sections 2.3 and 2.4, all Special Warrant certificates necessary to carry out the exchanges contemplated herein. (b) Special Warrant certificates may be exchanged only at the principal office of the Special Warrant Agent in the City of Toronto, Ontario or at any other place that is designated by the Corporation with the approval of the Special Warrant Agent. Any Special Warrant certificates tendered for exchange shall be surrendered to the Special Warrant Agent and canceled. (c) Except as otherwise herein provided, the Special Warrant Agent may charge Special Warrantholders requesting an exchange a reasonable sum for each Special Warrant certificate issued, and payment of such charges and reimbursement of the Special Warrant Agent or the Corporation for any and all taxes or governmental or other charges required to be paid shall be made by the party requesting such exchange as a condition precedent to such exchange. 2.12 Ownership and Transfer of Special Warrants The Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder of any Special Warrant certificate as the absolute owner of the Special Warrant evidenced thereby for all purposes, and the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary except where the Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent is required to take notice by statute or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. A Special Warrantholder shall be entitled to the rights evidenced by such Special Warrant free from all equities or rights of set-off or counterclaim between the Corporation and the original or any intermediate holder thereof and all persons may act accordingly, and the receipt by any such Special Warrantholder of Common Shares pursuant to the exercise thereof shall be a good discharge to the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent for the same, and neither the Corporation nor the Special Warrant Agent shall be bound to inquire into the title of any such holder, except where the Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent is required to take notice by statute or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 2.13 Adjustment of Subscription Rights Subject to Sections 2.14 and 2.15, if at any time after the date hereof and prior to the Expiry Time, and provided that any Special Warrants remain unexercised, there shall be: (a) a reclassification of the Common Shares at any time or a change of the Common Shares into other shares or securities or a subdivision or consolidation of the Common Shares into a greater or lesser number of shares or any other capital reorganization; (b) a consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation (other than a consolidation, amalgamation or merger which does not result in any reclassification of the outstanding Common Shares or a change of the Common Shares into other Common Shares or securities); (c) a transfer of the undertaking or assets of the Corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to another corporation or other entity; or (d) an issue or distribution to the holders of all or substantially all of the Corporation's outstanding Common Shares or securities of the Corporation including rights, options or warrants to acquire Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares or any property or assets including any evidences of indebtedness, other than cash dividends paid in the ordinary course of the Corporation or securities issued pursuant to the Corporation's stock option plans, (any of such events being called a "Capital Reorganization"), the holder of any Special Warrants that may thereafter be exercised to acquire Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, and shall accept without the payment of additional consideration, in lieu of the number of Common Shares to which he was theretofore entitled upon such exercise, the kind and amount of shares or other securities or property which such holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such Capital Reorganization if, on the effective date thereof or the record date, as the case may be, he had been the registered holder of the number of Common Shares which he was theretofore entitled to acquire upon such exercise. Any such adjustments shall be made by and set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto approved by the directors and shall for all purposes be prima facie deemed to be an appropriate adjustment absent manifest error. 2.14 Adjustment Rules (1) The adjustments provided for in Section 2.13 are cumulative and shall apply (without duplication) to successive Capital Reorganizations or other events resulting in any adjustment under the provisions of Section 2.13; provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 2, no adjustment shall be made in the number of Common Shares which may be acquired on the exercise of a Special Warrant unless it would result in a change of at least one one-hundredth of a Share (provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this subsection 2.14(1) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment). (2) The Corporation shall not issue fractional Common Shares or Warrants in satisfaction of its obligations hereunder. If any fractional interests in a Common Share or a Warrant would, except for the provisions of this subsection 2.14(2), be deliverable upon the exercise of the Special Warrant, the Corporation shall make a cash payment equal to the fair value of the fraction of a Share or Warrant, as the case may be, not so issued as determined by the Corporation's auditors in their sole discretion. No cheque shall be issued or cash payment made to any Special Warrantholder for an amount less than $5.00. (3) If any question arises with respect to the adjustments provided in this Article 2 such question shall, absent manifest error, be conclusively determined by the Corporation's auditors or such other firm of chartered accountants appointed by the Corporation and acceptable to the Special Warrant Agent (who may be the Corporation's auditors). Such chartered accountants shall have access to all necessary records of the Corporation and such determination shall be binding upon the Corporation, the Special Warrant Agent and the Special Warrantholders absent manifest error. (4) No adjustment in the number of Common Shares which may be acquired upon exercise of a Special Warrant shall be made in respect of any event described in Section 2.14 if Special Warrantholders are entitled to participate in such event on the same terms mutatis mutandis as if Special Warrantholders had exercised their Special Warrants prior to or on the effective date or record date of such event. (5) If, after the date of this Indenture, the Corporation shall take any action affecting the Common Shares or Warrants other than the actions described in this Article 2 which in the opinion of the directors of the Corporation would materially affect the rights of Special Warrantholders, the number of Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of a Special Warrant shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time, by action by the directors, in their sole discretion, acting reasonably, as they may determine to be equitable in the circumstances; provided that no such adjustment will be made unless prior approval of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed for trading, if required, has been obtained. Failure of the directors to make such an adjustment shall be conclusive evidence that the directors have determined that it is equitable to make no adjustment in the circumstances. 2.15 Notice of Adjustment of Subscription Rights (1) At least 10 days prior to the effective date or record date, as the case may be, of any event which would require an adjustment in any of the subscription rights pursuant to any of the Special Warrants, including the number of Units which may be acquired upon the exercise thereof, the Corporation shall: (a) file with the Special Warrant Agent a certificate of the Corporation specifying the particulars of such event and, if determinable, the required adjustment and the computation of such adjustment; and (b) give notice in the manner provided for in Section 10.2 to the Special Warrantholders of the particulars of such event and, if determinable, the required adjustment. (2) In case of any adjustment for which a notice provided for in subsection 2.15(1) has been given is not then determinable or in case a question arises and a determination has been made in accordance with Section 2.14(3), the Corporation shall promptly after such adjustment is determinable or conclusion reached: (a) file with the Special Warrant Agent a certificate of the Corporation showing how such adjustment was computed; and (b) give notice to the Special Warrantholders of the adjustment in the manner provided for in Section 10.2. (3) Where a notice referred to in subsection 2.15(1) or (2) has been given, the Special Warrant Agent shall be entitled to act and rely absolutely on any adjustment calculation of the Corporation or the Corporation's auditors. 2.16 Proceedings Prior to any Action Requiring Adjustment As a condition precedent to the taking of action which would require an adjustment pursuant to Sections 2.13 and 2.14, the Corporation shall take any action which may, in the opinion of the Corporation's counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue as fully paid and non- assessable all the Subject Securities which the holders of the Special Warrants are entitled to receive on the complete exercise thereof in accordance with the provisions hereof. 2.17 Protection of the Special Warrant Agent The Special Warrant Agent shall be entitled to act and rely on any adjustment calculation of the Corporation's auditors and the Special Warrant Agent shall not: (a) at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder to determine whether facts exist which may require any adjustment contemplated by this article, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in making same; (b) be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares or of any other shares or securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise or deemed exercise of any Special Warrant; or (c) be responsible for any failure of the Corporation to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver shares or share certificates upon the surrender of any Special Warrant for the purpose of exercise or deemed exercise, or to comply with any of the covenants contained in this article. ARTICLE 3 - EXERCISE OF SPECIAL WARRANTS 3.1 Exercise of Special Warrants and Deemed Exercise of Special Warrants (a) Upon and subject to the provisions of this Article 3, any holder of a Special Warrant may exercise the right thereby conferred on him to acquire the Subject Securities, at no additional cost, by surrendering to the Special Warrant Agent at any time prior to the Expiry Time, in the manner set forth in subsection 3.1(c), the certificate evidencing the Special Warrants, with the Exercise Form attached to the Special Warrant certificate duly completed and executed by the holder or his executors, administrators or other legal representatives or his or their attorney duly appointed by an instrument in writing in form and manner satisfactory to the Special Warrant Agent, acting reasonably. The Exercise Form attached to the Special Warrant certificate shall be signed as set out above and shall specify: (i) the number of Subject Securities which the Special Warrantholder desires to acquire on exercise of the Special Warrants (being not more than those which he is entitled to acquire pursuant to the Special Warrant certificate so surrendered); and (ii) the person or persons in whose names the Subject Securities are to be issued, his or their address or addresses and the number of Subject Securities to be issued to each such person if more than one is so specified. If any of the Subject Securities in respect of which the Special Warrants are exercised or deemed to be exercised are to be issued to a person or persons other than the Special Warrantholder, the Special Warrantholder shall pay to the Special Warrant Agent all requisite stamp or security transfer taxes or other governmental charges exigible in connection with the issue of such Subject Securities to such other person or persons or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Special Warrant Agent that such taxes and charges have been paid. Furthermore, in such event the signature on the Exercise Form must be guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank, a Canadian trust company, a member firm of any Canadian stock exchange, a member recognized under the Signature Medallion Guarantee Program or such other guarantor as the Special Warrant Agent determines to be acceptable. If at the time of the exercise or deemed exercise of the Special Warrants, there remain trading restrictions on the Subject Securities acquired, due to applicable securities legislation, the Corporation may, on the advice of Counsel, endorse the certificates representing the Subject Securities to such effect, and prior to issuance of any such certificates the Special Warrant Agent shall consult the Corporation to determine whether such endorsement or legending is required. (b) Any Special Warrants not otherwise exercised for the Subject Securities shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the Expiry Time without any further action on the part of the holder thereof. Upon deemed exercise, the Corporation shall cause to be mailed to Special Warrantholders, at the address of such person last appearing on the register of Special Warrants maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to the Indenture on or prior the mailing, certificates representing the Subject Securities without any further action to be taken by the Special Warrantholder. (c) Subject to Section 3.1 (b), in order to acquire certificates representing the Subject Securities, a holder of one or more Special Warrants must deliver the Special Warrant certificates evidencing such Special Warrants to the Special Warrant Agent at its principal office in the City of Toronto, Ontario (or at such additional place or places as may be determined by the Corporation from time to time with the approval of the Special Warrant Agent) or by first class mail, postage prepaid to CIBC Mellon Trust Company at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario. A Special Warrant certificate shall be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof or if sent by mail, upon actual receipt thereof by the Special Warrant Agent. (4) Certificates representing the Subject Securities issued to U.S. Persons pursuant to the exercise of the Special Warrant certificate bearing the legend set forth in subsection 2.2(e) shall also bear such legend and the Common Shares forming part of the Units shall bear the following additional legend: DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT CONSTITUTE "GOOD DELIVERY" IN SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTIONS ON STOCK EXCHANGES IN CANADA. A NEW CERTIFICATE, BEARING NO LEGEND, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT UPON DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. 3.2 Effect of Exercise of Special Warrants (a) The Subject Securities in respect of which the Special Warrants are exercised shall be deemed to have been issued on the Exercise Date at which time each Special Warrantholder shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Subject Securities issued in respect of the Special Warrants held by such Special Warrantholder unless the transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed by law on the said date of such exercise, in which case such Subject Securities shall be deemed to have been issued and such Special Warrantholder shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Subject Securities on the date on which such transfer books are next re-opened. (b) Forthwith after the Exercise Date and subject to the delivery by a Special Warrantholder of Special Warrant Certificates and the Exercise Form to the Special Warrant Agent as provided in subsection 3.1(c), and 3.1(a)(i) and (ii) respectively, the Corporation shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, cause to be delivered to each Special Warrantholder or mailed to it at its address specified in the register of holders maintained by the Special Warrant Agent or certificates for the appropriate number of Subject Securities not exceeding those which such Special Warrantholder is entitled to acquire pursuant to the Special Warrants delivered by the Special Warrantholder to the Special Warrant Agent. 3.3 Postponement of Delivery of Certificates The Corporation shall not be required to deliver certificates for Subject Securities during the period when the transfer books of the Corporation are closed by law and, in the event of a surrender of a Special Warrant for the acquisition of Subject Securities during such period, the delivery of certificates may be postponed for a period not exceeding five (5) Business Days after the date of the re-opening of the transfer books. 3.4 Cancellation of Special Warrant Certificates All Special Warrant certificates surrendered to the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to Sections 2.6, 2.9, 2.11 or 3.1 shall be cancelled by the Special Warrant Agent. The Special Warrant certificates evidencing all Special Warrants exercised pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be deemed to have been cancelled on the Exercise Date and the Special Warrant Agent shall record the cancellation or deemed cancellation of such Special Warrant certificates on the register of holders maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to subsection 2.8(a). The Special Warrant Agent shall, if required in writing by the Corporation, furnish the Corporation with a certificate of destruction identifying the Special Warrant certificates so cancelled and deemed to have been cancelled. All Special Warrants evidenced by Special Warrant certificates which have been validly cancelled or which are deemed to have been cancelled pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be without further force or effect whatsoever. ARTICLE 4 - COVENANTS 4.1 General Covenants The Corporation covenants with the Special Warrant Agent that so long as any Special Warrants remain outstanding: (a) It will maintain its corporate existence and will carry on and conduct its business in accordance with good business practice. (b) It will send to each Special Warrantholder copies of all financial statements and other material furnished to the holders of Common Shares after the date of this Indenture. (c) It will reserve and there will remain unissued out of its authorized capital a sufficient number of Common Shares to satisfy the rights of acquisition on the exercise of the Special Warrants and the Share Purchase Warrants as provided for herein. (d) It will cause the Subject Securities issuable upon the exercise of the Special Warrants in the manner herein provided to be duly issued and delivered in accordance with the Special Warrants and the terms hereof. (e) It will use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing of the Common Shares on the TSE and the quotation of the Common Shares on NASDAQ and to become or maintain its status as (as the case may be) a "reporting issuer" not in default of the requirements of the securities legislation and policies of each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions. (f) All of the Subject Securities which are issued on the exercise of the Special Warrants shall be issued as fully-paid and non-assessable and the holders thereof shall not be liable to the Corporation or its creditors in respect of the issue of such Subject Securities. (g) The Corporation covenants and agrees to (i) file a Preliminary Prospectus for the purpose of qualifying the issuance and distribution of the Subject Securities upon the exercise of the Special Warrants in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions as soon as practicable following the date hereof; (ii) resolve all comments received or deficiencies raised by the Securities Administrators; and (iii) file and obtain receipts for the Final Prospectus in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions qualifying the Subject Securities as soon as possible after such regulatory comments and deficiencies have been resolved and in any event, no later than the Qualification Deadline; and (iv) obtain the listing and posting of the Common Shares issuable on exercise of the Special Warrants upon the TSE and NASDAQ on or before the Expiry Time. (h) It will not take any other action which might deprive the Special Warrantholders of the opportunity of exercising their rights pursuant to the Special Warrants held by such persons during the period of notice required by subsection 2.15(1). (i) It will perform all its covenants and carry out all of the acts or things to be done by it as provided in this Indenture. (j) It will not amend the attributes of the Special Warrants except in accordance with Section 6.10. (k) It will send a written notice to the Special Warrant Agent and to each holder of Special Warrants of the issuance of the receipts referred to in subsection 4.1(g), together with a commercial copy of the Final Prospectus qualifying the Subject Securities for distribution, as soon as practicable but, in any event, not later than three Business Days after the Qualification Date and, in the case of the Special Warrant Agent, copies of such receipts and written confirmation of any adjustment to subscription rights. (l) It will send a written notice to the Special Warrant Agent and to each Special Warrantholder of the record date for the determination of holders of Common Shares for the purposes of any dividend or other distribution or rights offering to holders of such securities not later than 10 Business Days prior to such record date. (m) It will send a written notice to the Special Warrant Agent and to Special Warrantholders of the occurrence of a Qualification Default and, as a result therefrom, each Special Warrantholder's increased entitlement as contemplated by section 2.2(c). (n) In the event that it offers any of its securities for sale in the United States or files a registration statement with the United States Securities Exchange Commission in respect of any of its securities, whether in connection with a public offering of such securities, an application for listing or quotation of its securities on any stock market or quotation system in the United States or otherwise, the Corporation shall ensure that the Subject Securities are also registered for resale in the United States or on such stock exchange and take all such other steps and actions as may be necessary to ensure that the Subject Securities are not subject to any statutory hold period. 4.2 Securities Qualification Requirements (a) If, in the opinion of the Corporation's counsel, any instrument (other than the Final Prospectus) is required to be filed with, or any permission, order or ruling is required to be obtained from, any Securities Administrator or any other step is required under any federal or provincial law of Canada before any Subject Securities may be issued or delivered to a Special Warrantholder in any of the Qualifying Jurisdictions upon exercise of its Special Warrants, free of any restrictions or limitations on resale of such Subject Securities, the Corporation covenants that it will file such instrument, obtain such permission, order or ruling or take all such other actions, at its expense, as is required or appropriate in the circumstances. (b) The Corporation will give written notice of the issue of the Subject Securities pursuant to the exercise of Special Warrants in such detail as may be required to the Securities Administrator in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions in which there is legislation requiring the giving of any such notice. 4.3 Special Warrant Agent's Remuneration and Expenses The Corporation covenants that it will pay to the Special Warrant Agent such fees as the parties agree upon from time to time for its services hereunder and will pay or reimburse the Special Warrant Agent upon its request for all reasonable expenses, advances and disbursements made or incurred by of the Special Warrant Agent in the administration or execution of the trusts hereby created (including, pursuant to subsection 8.3(f), the reasonable compensation and the disbursements of its counsel and all other advisers, experts, accountants and assistants not regularly in its employ) both before any default hereunder and thereafter until all duties of the Special Warrant Agent hereunder shall be finally and fully performed, except any such expense or disbursement in connection with or related to or required to be made as a result of the negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith of the Special Warrant Agent. 4.4 Performance of Covenants by Special Warrant Agent Subject to subsection 8.2(g), if the Corporation shall fail to perform any of their covenants contained in this Indenture and the Corporation have not rectified such failure within ten Business Days after receiving written notice from the Special Warrant Agent of such failure, the Special Warrant Agent may notify the Special Warrantholders of such failure on the part of the Corporation unless the Special Warrant Agent shall itself perform any of the said covenants capable of being performed by it, but shall be under no obligation to perform said covenants or to notify the Special Warrantholders. All reasonable sums expended or disbursed by the Special Warrant Agent in so doing shall be repayable as provided in Section 4.3. No such performance, expenditure or disbursement by the Special Warrant Agent shall be deemed to relieve the Corporation of any default herein or of their continuing obligations under the covenants herein contained. Article 5-Enforcement 5.1 Suits by Special Warrantholders All or any of the rights conferred upon a Special Warrantholder by the terms of the Special Warrants held by such Special Warrantholder and/or this Indenture may be enforced by such Special Warrantholder by appropriate legal proceedings, but subject to the rights which are hereby conferred upon the Special Warrant Agent and subject to the provisions of Section 6.10. 5.2 Immunity of Shareholders, etc. Subject to applicable laws, the Special Warrant Agent and, by the acceptance of the Special Warrant certificates and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Special Warrants, the Special Warrantholders hereby waive and release any right, cause of action or remedy now or hereafter existing in any jurisdiction against any person in his capacity as an incorporator or any past, present or future shareholder of the Corporation or other security holder, director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation for the issue of the Subject Securities pursuant to the exercise of any Special Warrant or on any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty by the Corporation herein or in the Special Warrant certificates contained. 5.3 Limitation of Liability The obligations hereunder are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort hereunder be had to, the shareholders or the directors of the Corporation or any of the past, present or future shareholders or directors of the Corporation or any of the past, present or future officers, employees or agents of the Corporation, but only the Corporation and their property shall be bound in respect hereof. Article 6 - Meetings of Special Warrantholders 6.1 Right to Convene Meetings The Special Warrant Agent may at any time and from time to time, and shall on receipt of a written request of the Corporation or of a Special Warrantholders' Request, convene a meeting of the Special Warrantholders provided that the Special Warrant Agent is indemnified and funded to its reasonable satisfaction by the Corporation or by the Special Warrantholders signing such Special Warrantholders' Request against the costs, charges, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred in connection with the calling and holding of such meeting. If within 15 Business Days after the receipt of a written request of the Corporation or a Special Warrantholders' Request and indemnity and funding given as aforesaid the Special Warrant Agent fails to give the requisite notice specified in Section 6.2 to convene a meeting, the Corporation or such Special Warrantholders, as the case may be, may convene such meeting. Every such meeting shall be held in the City of Toronto or at such other place as may be approved or determined by the Special Warrant Agent and the Corporation. 6.2 Notice At least 15 days' prior notice of any meeting of Special Warrantholders shall be given to the registered Special Warrantholders, at the expense of the Corporation, in the manner provided for in Section 10.2 and a copy of such notice shall be delivered to the Special Warrant Agent unless the meeting has been called by the Special Warrant Agent, and also to the Corporation, unless the meeting has been called by the Corporation. Such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted thereat, and shall contain such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the Special Warrantholders to make a reasoned decision on the matters for which such meeting has been called, but it shall not be necessary for any such notice to set out the terms of any resolution to be proposed or any of the provisions of this Article 6. The notice convening any such meeting may be signed by the Special Warrant Agent or of the Corporation or the person designated by such Special Warrantholders, as the case may be. 6.3 Chairman The Special Warrant Agent may nominate in writing an individual to be chairman of the meeting and if no individual is so nominated, or if the individual so nominated is not present within 15 minutes after the time fixed for the holding of the meeting, the Special Warrantholders present in person or by proxy shall appoint an individual present to be chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting need not be a Special Warrantholder. 6.4 Quorum Subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, at any meeting of the Special Warrantholders a quorum shall consist of one or more Special Warrantholders present in person or represented by proxy and holding at least 25% of the then issued and outstanding Special Warrants. If a quorum of the Special Warrantholders shall not be present within one half-hour from the time fixed for holding any meeting, the meeting, if summoned by the Special Warrantholders or on a Special Warrantholder's Request, shall be dissolved; but in any other case the meeting shall be adjourned to the same day in the next week (unless such day is not a Business Day in which case it shall be adjourned to the next following Business Day) at the same time and place to the extent possible and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, no notice of the adjournment need be given. Any business may be brought before or dealt with at an adjourned meeting which might have been dealt with at the original meeting in accordance with the notice calling the same. At the adjourned meeting the Special Warrantholders present in person or represented by proxy (regardless of number) shall form a quorum and may transact the business for which the meeting was originally convened, notwithstanding that they may hold less than 25% of the then issued and outstanding Special Warrants. No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the meeting. 6.5 Power to Adjourn The chairman of any meeting at which a quorum of the Special Warrantholders is present may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn any such meeting, and no notice of such adjournment need be given except such notice, if any, as the meeting may prescribe. 6.6 Show of Hands Every question submitted to a meeting shall be decided in the first place by a majority of the votes given on a show of hands except that votes on an extraordinary resolution shall be given in the manner hereinafter provided. At any such meeting, unless a poll is duly demanded as herein provided, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously or by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact. 6.7 Poll and Voting On every extraordinary resolution, and when demanded by the chairman of the meeting or by one or more of the Special Warrantholders acting in person or by proxy on any other question submitted to a meeting and after a vote by show of hands, a poll shall be taken in such manner as the chairman of the meeting shall direct. Questions other than those required to be determined by extraordinary resolution shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the poll. On a show of hands, every person who is present and entitled to vote, whether as a Special Warrantholder or as a proxy for one or more absent Special Warrantholders, or both, shall have one vote. On a poll, each Special Warrantholder present in person or represented by a proxy duly appointed by instrument in writing shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each Special Warrant which he (or the Special Warrantholder appointing him as proxy) then holds. A proxy need not be a Special Warrantholder. The chairman of any meeting shall be entitled, both on a show of hands and on a poll, to vote in respect of the Special Warrants, if any, held or represented by him. 6.8 Regulations Subject to the provisions of this Indenture, the Special Warrant Agent or the Corporation with the approval of the Special Warrant Agent may from time to time make and from time to time vary such regulations as it shall reasonably consider necessary or appropriate: (a) for the deposit of instruments appointing proxies at such place and time as the Special Warrant Agent, the Corporation or the Special Warrantholders convening the meeting, as the case may be, may in the notice convening the meeting direct, and enabling particulars of such instruments appointing proxies to be mailed or transmitted by facsimile before the meeting to the Corporation or to the Special Warrant Agent and for the voting of proxies so deposited as though the instruments themselves were produced at the meeting; (b) as to the form of the instrument of proxy; and (c) generally for the calling of meetings of Special Warrantholders and the conduct of business thereat, including setting a record date for Special Warrantholders entitled to receive notice of or to vote at such meeting; such regulations to be effectual only once notice thereof has been given to Special Warrantholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2 hereof prior to or concurrently with notice of the first meeting at which such regulations are to apply. Any regulations so made shall be binding and effective and the votes given in accordance therewith shall be valid and shall be counted. Save as such regulations may provide, the only persons who shall be recognized at any meeting as a Special Warrantholder, or be entitled to vote or be present at the meeting in respect thereof (subject to Section 6.9), shall be Special Warrantholders or persons holding proxies of Special Warrantholders. 6.9 Corporation, Special Warrant Agent and Underwriter may be Represented The Corporation, the Underwriter and the Special Warrant Agent, by their respective directors, officers and employees and the counsel for each of the Corporation, the Underwriter, the Special Warrantholders and the Special Warrant Agent may attend any meeting of the Special Warrantholders and speak thereat but shall have no vote as such. 6.10 Powers Exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution In addition to all other powers conferred upon them by any other provisions of this Indenture or by law, the Special Warrantholders at a meeting of Special Warrantholders shall have the power, exercisable from time to time by extraordinary resolution: (a) to agree with the Corporation to any modification, alteration, compromise or arrangement of the rights of Special Warrantholders and/or the Special Warrant Agent in its capacity as special warrant agent hereunder subject to the Special Warrant Agent's prior written consent or on behalf of the Special Warrantholders against the Corporation whether such rights arise under this Indenture or the Special Warrants or otherwise; (b) to amend or repeal any extraordinary resolution previously passed or sanctioned by the Special Warrantholders; (c) to direct or authorize the Special Warrant Agent subject to receipt of funding and indemnity to enforce any of the covenants on the part of the Corporation contained in this Indenture or the Special Warrants or to enforce any of the rights of the Special Warrantholders in any manner specified in such extraordinary resolution or to refrain from enforcing any such covenant or right; (d) to waive and/or direct the Special Warrant Agent to waive any default on the part of the Corporation in complying with any provisions of this Indenture or the Special Warrants either unconditionally or upon any conditions specified in such extraordinary resolution; (e) to restrain any Special Warrantholder from taking or instituting any suit, action or proceeding against the Corporation for the enforcement of any of the covenants on the part of the Corporation contained in this Indenture or the Special Warrants or to enforce any of the rights of the Special Warrantholders; (f) to direct any Special Warrantholder who, as such, has brought any suit, action or proceeding to stay or discontinue or otherwise deal with any such suit, action or proceeding, upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses reasonably and properly incurred by such Special Warrantholder in connection therewith; and (g) to remove the Special Warrant Agent and to appoint a successor special warrant agent. 6.11 Meaning of Extraordinary Resolution (a) The expression "extraordinary resolution" when used in this Indenture means, subject as hereinafter in this Section 6.11 and in Section 6.14 provided, a resolution proposed at a meeting of Special Warrantholders duly convened for that purpose and held in accordance with the provisions of this Article 6 at which there are present in person or represented by proxy Special Warrantholders holding at least 25% of the then issued and outstanding Special Warrants and passed by the affirmative votes of Special Warrantholders holding Special Warrants exercisable into not less than two- thirds (66_%) of the aggregate number of Units which would be issued on exercise of all of the then outstanding Special Warrants represented at the meeting and voted on the poll upon such resolution. (b) If, at any meeting called for the purpose of passing an extraordinary resolution, Special Warrantholders holding at least 25% of the then issued and outstanding Special Warrants are not present in person or by proxy within one half-hour after the time appointed for the meeting, then the meeting, if convened by Special Warrantholders or on a Special Warrantholders' Request, shall be dissolved; but in any other case it shall stand adjourned to such day, being not less than four or more than ten Business Days later, and to such place and time as may be appointed by the chairman of the meeting. Not less than three Business Days' prior notice shall be given of the time and place of such adjourned meeting in the manner provided in Sections 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3. Such notice shall state that at the adjourned meeting the Special Warrantholders present in person or represented by proxy shall form a quorum but it shall not be necessary to set forth the purposes for which the meeting was originally called or any other particulars. At the adjourned meeting the Special Warrantholders present in person or represented by proxy shall form a quorum and may transact the business for which the meeting was originally convened and a resolution proposed at such adjourned meeting and passed by the requisite vote as provided in subsection (a) of this Section 6.11 shall be an extraordinary resolution within the meaning of this Indenture notwithstanding that Special Warrantholders holding at least 25% of the then issued and outstanding Special Warrants are not present in person or represented by proxy at such adjourned meeting. (c) Votes on an extraordinary resolution shall always be given on a poll and no demand for a poll on an extraordinary resolution shall be necessary. 6.12 Powers Cumulative It is hereby declared and agreed that any one or more of the powers or any combination of the powers in this Indenture stated to be exercisable by the Special Warrantholders by extraordinary resolution or otherwise may be exercised from time to time and the exercise of any one or more of such powers or any combination of powers from time to time shall not be deemed to exhaust the right of the Special Warrantholders to exercise such powers or combination of powers then or thereafter from time to time. 6.13 Minutes Minutes of all resolutions and proceedings at every meeting of Special Warrantholders shall be made and duly entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Special Warrant Agent at the reasonable expense of the Corporation, and any such minutes as aforesaid, if signed by the chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings held, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting of the Special Warrantholders, shall be prima facie evidence of the matters therein stated and, until the contrary is proved, every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes shall have been made shall be deemed to have been duly convened and held, and all resolutions passed thereat or proceedings taken shall be deemed to have been duly passed and taken. 6.14 Instruments in Writing All actions which may be taken and all powers that may be exercised by the Special Warrantholders at a meeting held as provided in this Article 6 may also be taken and exercised by Special Warrantholders holding Special Warrants issuable into not less than two-thirds (66_%) of the aggregate number of Units which would be issued on exercise of all the then outstanding Special Warrants by an instrument in writing signed in one or more counterparts by such Special Warrantholders in person or by attorney duly appointed in writing, and the expression "extraordinary resolution" when used in this Indenture shall include an instrument so signed. 6.15 Binding Effect of Resolutions Every resolution and every extraordinary resolution passed in accordance with the provisions of this Article 6 at a meeting of Special Warrantholders shall be binding upon all the Special Warrantholders, whether present at or absent from such meeting, and every instrument in writing signed by Special Warrantholders in accordance with Section 6.14 shall be binding upon all the Special Warrantholders, whether signatories thereto or not, and each and every Special Warrantholder and the Special Warrant Agent (subject to the provisions for funding and indemnity herein contained) shall be bound to give effect accordingly to every such resolution and instrument in writing. In the case of an instrument in writing, the Special Warrant Agent shall give notice in the manner contemplated in Sections 10.1 and 10.2 of the effect of the instrument in writing to all Special Warrantholders and the Corporation as soon as is reasonably practicable. 6.16 Holdings by the Corporation or Associates or Affiliates of the Corporation Disregarded In determining whether Special Warrantholders holding the required number of Special Warrants are present at a meeting of Special Warrantholders for the purpose of determining a quorum or have concurred in any consent, waiver, resolution, extraordinary resolution, Special Warrantholders' Request or other action under this Indenture, Special Warrants owned legally or beneficially by the Corporation or any associate or affiliate (as those terms are defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the Corporation shall be disregarded. The Corporation shall provide to the Special Warrant Agent upon request a Certificate of the Corporation stating the exact number and registrations of Special Warrants held by the Corporation or any associate or affiliate. Article 7 - Supplemental Indentures 7.1 Supplemental Indentures From time to time the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent may, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, and they shall, when so directed by this Indenture, execute and deliver by their proper officers, indentures or instruments supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form part hereof, for any one or more or all of the following purposes: (a) adding to the provisions hereof such additional covenants and enforcement provisions as in the opinion of counsel are necessary or advisable, provided that the same are not, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, relying on the advice of Counsel, prejudicial to the interests of the Special Warrantholders as a group; (b) giving effect to any extraordinary resolution passed as provided in Article 6; (c) making such provisions not inconsistent with this Indenture as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder, provided that such provisions are not, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, relying on the advice of Counsel, prejudicial to the interests of the Special Warrantholders as a group; (d) adding to or amending the provisions hereof in respect of the transfer of Special Warrants, providing for the exchange of Special Warrants, and making any modification in the form of the certificates for the Special Warrants provided that such additions, amendments or modifications are not, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, relying on the advice of its Counsel, prejudicial to the interests of the Special Warrantholders as a group; (e) amending any of the provisions of this Indenture or relieving the Corporation from any of the obligations, conditions or restrictions herein contained, provided that no such amendment or relief shall be or become operative or effective if, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, relying on the advice of Counsel, such amendment or relief impairs any of the rights of the Special Warrantholders as a group or of the Special Warrant Agent, and provided further that the Special Warrant Agent may in its sole discretion decline to enter into any such supplemental indenture which in its opinion, relying on the advice of Counsel, may not afford adequate protection to the Special Warrant Agent when the same shall become operative; (f) for any other purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, including the correction or rectification of any ambiguities, defective or inconsistent provisions, errors or omission herein, provided that, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, relying on the advice of Counsel, the rights of the Special Warrant Agent and of the Special Warrantholders as a group are not prejudiced thereby; and (g) amending the type or number of Subject Securities or other securities of the Corporation issuable upon exercise of the Special Warrants as contemplated by Sections 2.13 and 2.14 hereof, provided that no such amendment or relief shall be or become operative or effective if, in the opinion of the Special Warrant Agent, based on the advice of Counsel, such amendment or relief impairs any of the rights of the Special Warrantholders as a group. 7.2 Successor Corporations In the case of the consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement, merger or transfer of the undertaking or assets of the Corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to another corporation (a "successor corporation"), forthwith following the occurrence of such event the successor corporation resulting from such consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement, merger or transfer (if not the Corporation) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to Counsel to the Special Warrant Agent and executed and delivered to the Special Warrant Agent, the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of this Indenture to be performed and observed by the Corporation. Article 8 - Concerning the Special Warrant Agent 8.1 Trust Indenture Legislation (a) In this Article, the term "Applicable Legislation" means the provisions of any statute of Canada or a province thereof and of regulations under any such named or other statute relating to trust indentures and/or to the rights, duties and obligations of warrant agents and of corporations under trust indentures, to the extent that such provisions are at the time in force and applicable to this Indenture. (b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a mandatory requirement of Applicable Legislation, such mandatory requirement shall prevail. (c) The Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent agree that each will at all times in relation to this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder observe and comply with and be entitled to the benefit of Applicable Legislation. 8.2 Rights and Duties of Special Warrant Agent (a) In the exercise of the rights and duties prescribed or conferred by the terms of this Indenture, the Special Warrant Agent shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Special Warrantholders as a group and shall exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent warrant Agent would exercise in comparable circumstances. No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Special Warrant Agent from or require any other person to indemnify the Special Warrant Agent against liability for its own negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith. (b) Subject only to subsection 8.2(a), the Special Warrant Agent shall not be bound to do or take any act, action or proceeding for the enforcement of any of the obligations of the Corporation under this Indenture unless and until it shall have received a Special Warrantholders' Request specifying the act, action or proceeding which the Special Warrant Agent is requested to take. The obligation of the Special Warrant Agent to commence or continue any act, action or proceeding for the purpose of enforcing any rights of the Special Warrant Agent or the Special Warrantholders hereunder shall be conditional upon the Special Warrantholders furnishing, when required by notice in writing by the Special Warrant Agent, sufficient funds to commence or continue such act, action or proceeding and an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Special Warrant Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents to protect and hold harmless the Special Warrant Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents against the costs, charges, expenses and liabilities to be incurred thereby and any loss and damage it may suffer by reason thereof. None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Special Warrant Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers unless indemnified and funded as aforesaid. (c) The Special Warrant Agent may, before commencing or at any time during the continuance of any such act, action or proceeding, require the Special Warrantholders at whose instance it is acting to deposit with the Special Warrant Agent the Special Warrants held by them, for which Special Warrants the Special Warrant Agent shall issue receipts. (d) Every provision of this Indenture that by its terms relieves the Special Warrant Agent of liability or entitles it to act and rely upon any evidence submitted to it is subject to the provisions of Applicable Legislation, and to the provisions of this Section 8.2 and of Section 8.3. (e) The Special Warrant Agent shall retain the right not to act and shall not be held liable for refusing to act unless it has received clear and reasonable documentation which complies with the terms of this Indenture. Such documentation must not require the exercise of any discretion or independent judgment. In the event that the Special Warrant Agent refuses to act because any documentation received by it is not clear and reasonable, the Special Warrant Agent shall immediately provide notice to the party who provided such documentation advising such party of the Special Warrant Agent's refusal to act together with a brief explanation of the reason for its refusal. (f) In the event of any disagreement arising regarding the terms of this Indenture, the Special Warrant Agent shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to comply with any or all demands whatsoever until the dispute is settled either by agreement amongst the various parties or by a court of competent jurisdiction. (g) The Special Warrant Agent shall not be bound to give any notice or do or take any act, action or proceeding by virtue of the powers conferred on it hereby unless and until it shall have been required so to do under the terms hereof; nor shall the Special Warrant Agent be required to take notice of any default hereunder, unless and until notified in writing of such default, which notice shall distinctly specify such default and in the absence of any such notice the Special Warrant Agent may for all purposes of this Indenture conclusively assume that no default has been made in the observance or performance of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein. Any such notice shall in no way limit any discretion herein given to the Special Warrant Agent to determine whether or not the Special Warrant Agent shall take action with respect to any default. 8.3 Evidence, Experts and Advisers (a) In addition to the reports, certificates, opinions and other evidence required by this Indenture, the Corporation shall furnish to the Special Warrant Agent such additional evidence of compliance with any provision hereof in such form as may be prescribed by Applicable Legislation, or as the Special Warrant Agent may reasonably require by written notice to the Corporation. (b) In the exercise of its rights and duties hereunder, the Special Warrant Agent may, if it is acting in good faith, act and rely as to the truth of the statements and the accuracy of the opinions expressed therein, upon statutory declarations, opinions, reports, written requests, consents, orders of the Corporation, certificates of the Corporation or other evidence furnished to the Special Warrant Agent, provided that such evidence complies with Applicable Legislation. (c) Whenever Applicable Legislation requires that evidence referred to in subsection 8.3(a) be in the form of a statutory declaration, the Special Warrant Agent may accept such statutory declaration in lieu of a certificate of the Corporation required by any provision hereof. Any such statutory declaration may be made by one or more of the chairman, president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer of the Corporation. (d) The Special Warrant Agent may act and rely and shall be protected in acting and relying upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, letter, telegram, cablegram or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent, or presented by or on behalf of the proper party or parties. (e) Proof of the execution of an instrument in writing, including a Special Warrantholders' Request, by any Special Warrantholder may be made by the certificate of a notary public, or other officer with similar powers, that the person signing such instrument acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution or in any other manner which the Special Warrant Agent may consider adequate and in respect of a corporate Special Warrantholder shall include a certificate of incumbency of such Special Warrantholder together with a certified copy of a resolution authorizing the person who signed such instrument to sign such instrument. (f) The Special Warrant Agent may employ or retain such counsel, accountants or other experts or advisers as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining and discharging its duties hereunder, may act on and rely upon the advice or opinion so obtained and may pay reasonable remuneration for all services so performed by any of them, without taxation of costs of any counsel, and shall not be responsible for any misconduct on the part of any of them. The cost of such services shall be added to and be part of the Special Warrant Agent's fees hereunder. 8.4 Documents, Monies, etc. Held by Special Warrant Agent Any securities, documents of title or other instruments that may at any time be held by the Special Warrant Agent subject to the trusts hereof may be placed in the deposit vaults of the Special Warrant Agent or of any Canadian chartered bank or trust company or deposited for safekeeping with any such bank or trust company. 8.5 Action by Special Warrant Agent to Protect Interests Subject to the provisions of this Indenture and Applicable Legislation, the Special Warrant Agent shall have the power to institute and to maintain such action and proceedings as it may consider necessary or expedient to preserve, protect or enforce its interests and the interests of the Special Warrantholders. 8.6 Special Warrant Agent Not Required to Give Security The Special Warrant Agent shall not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers of this Indenture or otherwise. 8.7 Protection of Special Warrant Agent By way of supplement to the provisions of any law for the time being relating to warrant agents, it is expressly declared and agreed as follows: (a) The Special Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any statements of fact or recitals in this Indenture or in the Special Warrants (except the representations contained in Sections 8.9 and 8.12 or in the certificate of the Special Warrant Agent on the Special Warrants) or be required to verify the same. (b) Nothing herein contained shall impose any obligation on the Special Warrant Agent to see to or to require evidence of the registration or filing (or renewal thereof) of this Indenture or any instrument ancillary or supplemental hereto. (c) The Special Warrant Agent shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution hereof. (d) The Special Warrant Agent shall not incur any liability or responsibility whatsoever or be in any way responsible for the consequence of any breach on the part of the Corporation of any of the covenants herein contained or of any acts of any directors, officers, employees, agents or servants of the Corporation. (e) The Corporation hereby indemnifies and saves harmless the Special Warrant Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all liabilities, losses, costs, claims, action or demands whatsoever which may be brought against the Special Warrant Agent or which it may suffer or incur as a result or arising out of the performance of its duties and obligations under this Indenture, including any legal fees and disbursements, save only in the event of negligence or wilful misconduct of the Special Warrant Agent or any of its officers, directors and employees. It is understood and agreed that this indemnification shall survive the termination of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Special Warrant Agent. 8.8 Replacement of Special Warrant Agent (a) The Special Warrant Agent may resign its trust and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder by giving to the Corporation not less than 30 days' prior notice in writing or such shorter prior notice as the Corporation may accept as sufficient. The Special Warrantholders by extraordinary resolution shall have the power at any time to remove the existing Special Warrant Agent and to appoint a new warrant agent. In the event of the Special Warrant Agent resigning or being removed as aforesaid or being dissolved, becoming bankrupt, going into liquidation or otherwise becoming incapable of acting hereunder, the Corporation shall forthwith appoint a new warrant agent unless a new warrant agent has already been appointed by the Special Warrantholders; failing such appointment by the Corporation, the retiring Special Warrant Agent or any Special Warrantholder may apply to a justice of the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division) at the Corporation's expense, on such notice as such justice may direct, for the appointment of a new warrant agent; but any new warrant Agent so appointed by the Corporation or by the Court shall be subject to removal as aforesaid by the Special Warrantholders. Any new warrant agent appointed under any provision of this Section 8.8 shall be a corporation authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in the Province of Ontario and, if required by Applicable Legislation of any other province, in such other province. On any such appointment the new warrant agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named herein as Special Warrant Agent without any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed; but there shall be immediately executed, at the expense of the Corporation, all such conveyances or other instruments as may, in the opinion of counsel, be necessary or advisable for the purpose of assuring the same to the new warrant agent, provided that any resignation or removal of the Special Warrant Agent and appointment of a successor warrant Agent shall not become effective until the successor warrant agent shall have executed an appropriate instrument accepting such appointment and, at the request of the Corporation, the predecessor Special Warrant Agent, upon payment of its outstanding remuneration and expenses, shall execute and deliver to the successor warrant agent an appropriate instrument transferring to such successor warrant agent all rights and powers of the Special Warrant Agent hereunder and all securities, documents of title and other instruments, and all monies and properties, held by the Special Warrant Agent hereunder. (b) Upon the appointment of a successor warrant agent, the Corporation shall promptly notify the Special Warrantholders thereof in the manner provided for in Section 10.2. (c) Any corporation into or with which the Special Warrant Agent may be merged or consolidated or amalgamated, or any corporation succeeding to the trust business of the Special Warrant Agent, shall be the successor to the Special Warrant Agent hereunder without any further act on its part or of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a new warrant agent under subsection 8.8(a). (d) Any Special Warrants certified but not delivered by a predecessor warrant agent may be certified by the successor warrant agent in the name of the predecessor or successor warrant agent. 8.9 Conflict of Interest (a) The Special Warrant Agent represents to the Corporation that at the time of execution and delivery hereof no material conflict of interest exists in the Special Warrant Agent's role as a fiduciary hereunder and agrees that in the event of a material conflict of interest arising hereafter it will, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such a material conflict of interest, either eliminate the same or resign its trust hereunder to a successor warrant agent approved by the Corporation. If any such material conflict of interest exists or hereafter shall exist, the validity and enforceability of this Indenture and the Special Warrants shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason thereof. (b) Subject to subsection 8.9(a), the Special Warrant Agent, in its personal or any other capacity, may buy, lend upon and deal in securities of the Corporation and generally may contract and enter into financial transactions with the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation without being liable to account for any profit made thereby. 8.10 Acceptance of Trusts The Special Warrant Agent hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided for and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth. 8.11 Special Warrant Agent Not to be Appointed Receiver The Special Warrant Agent and any person related to the Special Warrant Agent shall not be appointed a receiver or receiver and manager or liquidator of all or any part of the assets or undertaking of the Corporation. 8.12 Authorization to Carry on Business The Special Warrant Agent represents to the Corporation that it is duly authorized and qualified to carry on the business of a trust company in each of the provinces of Canada. 8.13 Liability of Special Warrant Agent The Special Warrant Agent shall not be liable or accountable for any loss or damage whatsoever to any person caused by the performance or failure to perform by it of its responsibilities under this agreement save only to the extent that such loss or damage is attributable to the negligence, fraud or wilful misconduct of the Special Warrant Agent. Article 9 - Form of Special Warrant 9.1 Form of Special Warrant Certificate THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF APPLICABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (D) UPON RECEIPT OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SPECIAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (the "Corporation") (Constituted pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada) NO.______________ ____________ Special Warrants (each entitling the holder to subscribe for one Common Share and one-half of one Share Purchase Warrant for no additional consideration) THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, for value received, ________________________ (the "holder") is entitled to acquire, in the manner herein provided, subject to the restrictions contained in the Indenture hereinafter referred to, at any time and from time to time on or prior to 5:00 p.m. Toronto time (the "Expiry Time"), on the date (the "Expiry Date") that is the earlier of: 1. the date which is five (5) Business Days following the date of the issuance of a receipt by the last of the securities regulatory authorities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions for a Prospectus; and 2. September 30, 2000; one unit ("Unit") comprised of one common share of the Corporation ("Common Share") (or, in the circumstances described below, acquire one and one-tenth (1.1) Common Shares) and one half of one warrant ("Share Purchase Warrant") (or in the circumstances described below, acquire 0.55 Share Purchase Warrants) for each Special Warrant represented by this certificate without payment of any consideration in addition to the subscription price for such Special Warrant. The Special Warrants represented by this certificate are issued under and pursuant to a Special Warrant Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of September 30, 1999 between the Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Company (the "Special Warrant Agent") (which expression shall include any successor warrant agent appointed under the Indenture), to which Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights of the holders of the Special Warrants and the terms and conditions upon which such Special Warrants are or are to be, issued and held, all to the same effect as if the provisions of the Indenture and all amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto were herein set forth and to all of which provisions the holder of these Special Warrants by acceptance hereof assents. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) and the provisions of this Special Warrant Certificate, except those that are necessary by context, the provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) shall prevail. The terms and provisions of the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) are incorporated herein by reference. Such right to exercise Special Warrants for the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants may be effected by the holder hereof by: (a) duly completing in the manner indicated and executing the Exercise Form attached hereto; and (b) surrendering this Special Warrant Certificate to the Special Warrant Agent as hereinafter set forth, provided that any Special Warrant not so exercised on or before the Expiry Time shall be deemed to have been exercised by the holder immediately prior thereto. This Special Warrant Certificate shall be validly surrendered only upon delivery thereof or by mailing the same to the Special Warrant Agent at its principal office in the City of Toronto, Ontario. The Exercise Form attached hereto shall not be deemed to be duly completed if the name and mailing address of the holder do not appear legibly on such Exercise Form or such Exercise Form is not signed by the holder. In the case of a Special Warrant which is exercised by a holder in accordance with the provisions of subsection 3.1(c) of the Indenture, within five (5) Business Days after the Exercise Date of such Special Warrant, the Special Warrant Agent shall: (a) cause to be mailed to the person in whose name the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the exercise rights of the Special Warrants are to be issued, as specified in the Special Warrant, at the address specified therein; (b) if so specified therein, cause to be delivered to such person at the office of the Special Warrant Agent where such Special Warrant was surrendered; or (c) if no specification as contemplated by (a) or (b) is provided, cause to be mailed to the person in whose name the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants are to be issued at the address of such person last appearing on the register maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to the Indenture or as such person may otherwise notify the Special Warrant Agent in writing on or prior to the Exercise Date, a certificate or certificates for the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants to which the holder is entitled. In the case of a Special Warrant which is deemed exercised in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 3.1(b) of the Indenture, within five (5) Business Days after the Exercise Date of such Special Warrants, the Corporation shall without any further act on the part of the Special Warrantholder, cause to be mailed to the Special Warrantholder at the address of such person last appearing on the register of Special Warrants maintained by the Special Warrant Agent pursuant to the Indenture or as such person may otherwise instruct the Special Warrant Agent in writing on or prior to the mailing a certificate or certificates for the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants to which the Special Warrantholder is entitled. Upon due exercise or deemed exercise of the Special Warrants as provided herein, the person or persons in whose name or names the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants are issuable, shall be deemed for all purposes (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter referred to) to be the holder or holders of record of such Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants and the Corporation covenant that they will (subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid Indenture) cause a certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants to be delivered or mailed to such person or persons at the address or addresses specified in such Exercise Form or on the register of Special Warrants maintained by the Special Warrant Agent (if deemed to have been exercised). No fractional Common Shares or Share Purchase Warrants will be issued. To the extent that the holder of a Special Warrant is entitled to receive on the exercise or partial exercise thereof a fraction of a Common Share or Share Purchase Warrants, the Corporation shall make a cash payment equal to the fair value of the fraction not so issued as determined by the directors of the Corporation in their sole discretion. No cheque shall be issued or cash payment made to any Special Warrantholder for an amount less than $5.00. The Indenture provides for adjustments to the subscription rights attaching to these Special Warrants in certain events and also provides for the giving of notice by the Corporation prior to taking certain actions specified therein. The holding of the Special Warrants evidenced by this Special Warrant Certificate shall not constitute the holder hereof a shareholder of the Corporation or entitle such holder to any right or interest in respect thereof except as herein and in the Indenture expressly provided. The Special Warrants evidenced by this Special Warrant Certificate are not transferable except as set forth in section 2.8 of the Indenture which makes reference to the fact that no transfer of a Special Warrant shall be valid unless made by the holder or his executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or his or her attorney duly appointed by an instrument in writing in form and manner satisfactory to the Agent, acting reasonably, with signatures guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank, a Canadian trust company, a member of any Canadian stock exchange, a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or such other guarantor as the Special Warrant Agent determines to be acceptable and upon compliance with such other reasonable requirements as the Special Warrant Agent may prescribe. Upon compliance with these transfer requirements, and with applicable securities legislation and requirements of regulatory authorities, the transferee shall become noted upon the register of holders. Neither the Special Warrants represented by this certificate nor the Common Shares or Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon the exercise thereof have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). Subject to certain limited exceptions, neither the Special Warrants represented by this certificate nor the Common Shares or Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon the exercise thereof may be transferred to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. Person or person in the United States (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act). If any of the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants in respect of which the Special Warrants are exercised are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder (as aforesaid), the holder shall pay to the Special Warrant Agent all requisite stamp transfer taxes or other governmental charges exigible in connection with the issue of such Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants to such other person or persons or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Special Warrant Agent that such taxes and charges have been paid. This Special Warrant Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose whatever unless and until it has been countersigned by or on behalf of the Special Warrant Agent. Time shall be of the essence hereof. The Special Warrants and the Indenture (and any amendments thereto and instruments supplemental thereto) shall be governed by, performed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein and shall be treated in all respects as Ontario contracts. The Corporation has covenanted and agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to promptly finalize and obtain a receipt for a preliminary prospectus and a final Prospectus in the Qualifying Jurisdictions qualifying the issuance of the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon the due exercise or deemed exercise of the Special Warrants. In the event the Corporation fails to obtain a receipt for the Final Prospectus from the Securities Administrators in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 29, 1999, (a "Qualification Default") then each Special Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one and one-tenth (1.1) Units (in lieu of one (1) Unit), without payment of further consideration, on exercise or deemed exercise of such Special Warrant. In the event that a receipt for a Final Prospectus relating to the distribution of the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants is not obtained from the Securities Administrators in any of the Qualifying Jurisdictions, the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants may be subject to statutory hold periods during which time these securities may not be resold in such provinces except pursuant to applicable prospectus and registration exemptions. In addition, any Special Warrants that are exercised or Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants received on such exercise prior to the issuance of a receipt for the Final Prospectus by the Securities Administrators in the Qualifying Jurisdictions may be subject to statutory restrictions. Holders are advised to consult their legal advisors in this regard. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Corporation has caused this Special Warrant Certificate to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of September 30, 1999. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Per:___________________________c/s Authorized Signing Officer Countersigned by: CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY Per: Authorized Signing Officer TRANSFER FORM FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee) ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________ Special Warrant(s) represented by the within certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________________________________________________________________ _________________________ the attorney of the undersigned to transfer the said Special Warrant(s) on the register of Special Warrants maintained by the Special Warrant Agent with full power of substitution hereunder. DATED this ________ day of _______________ , 199____. Signature of Special Warrantholder ______________________ Signature Guarantee Name of Special Warrantholder (please print) The signature of the Special Warrantholder to this assignment must correspond exactly with the name of the Special Warrantholder as set forth on the face of this Special Warrant certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever and the signature must be guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank or by a trust company or by a member firm of any Canadian stock exchange or by a member recognized under the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHTS INSTRUCTIONS TO SPECIAL WARRANTHOLDER The registered holder hereof may exercise his right to exercise Special Warrants for Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants of BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (the "Corporation"), subject to the adjustments described in the Special Warrant Indenture by completing the Exercise Form and surrendering this Special Warrant certificate and the duly completed Exercise Form to CIBC Mellon Trust Company by delivering or mailing it to CIBC Mellon Trust Company at the following office: By courier or by hand: Special projects 199 Bay Street Commerce Court West Securities Level Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9 Attention: Courier Window By mail: P.O. Box 1036 Adelaide Street Postal Station Toronto, Ontario M5C 2K4 Upon exercise, the Special Warrants will be cancelled and become absolutely void and alternatively, if not exercised on or prior to 5:00 p.m., Toronto time, on the Expiry Date will be deemed to have been exercised in full by such holder immediately prior to that time. For your own protection, it is suggested that all documentation be forwarded to the Special Warrant Agent by registered mail. EXERCISE FORM TO: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. The undersigned hereby exercises the right to exercise _________ Special Warrants for ________ Common Shares and __________ Share Purchase Warrants of BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. (or such number of other securities or property to which such Special Warrants entitle the undersigned in lieu thereof or in addition thereto under the provisions of the Indenture mentioned in the within Special Warrant Certificate) according to the terms of the Indenture mentioned in the within Special Warrant Certificate. If any of the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder in those circumstances as set forth in the within Special Warrant Certificate, the holder must pay to CIBC Mellon Trust Company all requisite stamp or security transfer taxes or other governmental charges related thereto. (Print clearly) Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address in Full: _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Number of Special Warrants being Exercised: ___________________________________ DATED this day of , 199 ____. Signature of Special Warrantholder Name of Special Warrantholder (As registered on Special Warrant Certificate) Print Full Address SCHEDULE "B" NOTICE TO SPECIAL WARRANTHOLDERS Reference is made to the Special Warrant Indenture made as of September 30, 1999 (the "Special Warrant Indenture") between the Corporation and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. Unless defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Special Warrant Indenture. We hereby confirm that receipts have been issued by the securities commissions in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions in respect of the prospectus qualifying the distribution of the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Special Warrants. The last receipt was issued on ______________ by the Securities Commission. The Expiry Time is therefore 5:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) on __________. As soon as possible following the Expiry Time as above, and subject to delivery by a Special Warrantholder of Special Warrant certificates and the accompanying Exercise Form, duly completed, to the Special Warrant Agent, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to each Special Warrantholder or mailed to it at its address specified in the register of holders maintained by the Special Warrant Agent certificates representing the Common Shares and Share Purchase Warrants to which such Special Warrantholder is entitled pursuant to the Special Warrants delivered by it. A copy of the prospectus is enclosed herewith. Article 10 - General 10.1 Notice to the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent (a) Unless herein otherwise expressly provided, any notice to be given hereunder to the Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent shall be deemed to be validly given if delivered or if sent by registered letter, postage prepaid, or if sent by facsimile transmission, telex or other means of prepaid transmission or recorded communication: (i) if to the Corporation BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. 6725 Airport Road Suite 201 Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1V2 Facsimile: (905) 672-5705 Attention: Paul Godin if to the Special Warrant Agent: (ii) CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY 320 Bay Street, Ground Floor Toronto, Ontario M5H 4A6 Facsimile: 416-643-5570 Attention: Assistant Vice-President, Client Services and any such notice if delivered in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed to have been received on the of delivery if that date is a Business Day or the Business Day following the date of delivery if such date is not a Business Day or, if mailed, on the fifth Business Day following the date of deposit in the mail, or if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date of such facsimile transmission if that date is a Business Day or the Business Day following the date of sending if such date is not a Business Day or if sent after normal business hours. (b) The Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent, as the case may be, may from time to time notify the other in the manner provided in subsection 10.1(a) of a change of address which, from the effective date of such notice and until changed by like notice, shall be the address of the Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent, as the case may be, for all purposes of this Indenture. A copy of any notice of change of address given pursuant to this subsection 10.1(b) shall be available for inspection at the Corporation's office by Special Warrantholders during normal business hours. 10.2 Notice to the Special Warrantholders Any notice to the Special Warrantholders under the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be validly given if delivered, or if sent by prepaid first class mail posted from within Canada in envelopes addressed to the Special Warrantholders at their respective addresses appearing in the register of holders maintained by the Special Warrant Agent. Any notice so delivered shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery if that date is a Business Day, or the Business Day following the date of delivery if such date is not a Business Day, and if mailed shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth Business Day following the date of deposit in the mail. Accidental error or omission in giving notice or accidental failure to give notice to any Special Warrantholder shall not invalidate any action or proceeding founded thereon. 10.3 Mail Service Interruption If by reason of any interruption of mail service, actual or threatened, any notice to be given to the Special Warrant Agent, the Corporation or the Special Warrantholders would reasonably be unlikely to reach its destination in the ordinary course of mail, such notice shall be valid and effective only if delivered to the party to which it is addressed or, in the case of a notice to either the Corporation or the Special Warrant Agent, if sent to such party, at the appropriate address in accordance with Section 10.1, by facsimile transmission. 10.4 Counterparts and Formal Date This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument and notwithstanding their date of execution shall be deemed to be dated as of the date appearing at the top of this Indenture. 10.5 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture Upon the date upon which all obligations of the Corporation under this Special Warrant Indenture have been performed in full (including the obligation to deliver Common Shares and certificates therefor), this Special Warrant Indenture shall cease to be of further effect in respect of the Corporation. The Special Warrant Agent, on written demand of and at the cost and expense of the Corporation, and upon delivery to the Special Warrant Agent of a certificate of the Corporation stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of this Special Warrant Indenture have been complied with and upon payment by the Corporation to the Special Warrant Agent of the expenses, fees and other remuneration payable to the Special Warrant Agent, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; provided that if the Special Warrant Agent has not then performed any of its obligations hereunder any such satisfaction and discharge of the Corporation' obligations hereunder shall not affect or diminish the rights of any Special Warrantholder or the Corporation against the Special Warrant Agent. 10.6 Provisions of Indenture and Special Warrants for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Special Warrantholders Except as provided in Sections 5.2 and 5.3, nothing in this Indenture or the Special Warrants, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person other than the parties hereto, the Underwriter (in the case of Sections 2.10 and 6.9) and the holders from time to time of the Special Warrants any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture, or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and the Special Warrantholders. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Indenture under the hands of their proper officers duly authorized in that behalf. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. By:_________________________________ CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY By:_________________________________ By:_________________________________ ------------------------------------------------- BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. - and - CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY ------------------------------------------------ SPECIAL WARRANT INDENTURE Providing for the Issue of up to 2,702,703 Special Warrants of Bid.Com International Inc. September 30, 1999 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1-Interpretation................................................................................ 2 1.1 Definitions............................................................................. 2 1.2 Number and Gender....................................................................... 5 1.3 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings, etc............................................ 6 1.4 Business Day............................................................................ 6 1.5 Time of the Essence..................................................................... 6 1.6 Applicable Law.......................................................................... 6 1.7 Choice of Language...................................................................... 6 1.8 Currency................................................................................ 6 Article 2-Issue of Special Warrants..................................................................... 6 2.1 Issue of Special Warrants............................................................... 6 2.2 Form and Terms of Special Warrants...................................................... 7 2.3 Signing of Special Warrant Certificates................................................. 8 2.4 Certification by the Special Warrant Agent.............................................. 8 2.5 Special Warrantholder Not a Shareholder................................................. 8 2.6 Issue in Substitution for Lost Special Warrant Certificates............................. 9 2.7 Special Warrants to Rank Pari Passu..................................................... 9 2.8 Registers for Special Warrants.......................................................... 9 2.9 Transferee Entitled to Registration..................................................... 10 2.10 Registers Open for Inspection........................................................... 11 2.11 Exchange of Special Warrants............................................................ 11 2.12 Ownership and Transfer of Special Warrants.............................................. 11 2.13 Adjustment of Subscription Rights....................................................... 12 2.14 Adjustment Rules........................................................................ 12 2.15 Notice of Adjustment of Subscription Rights............................................. 13 2.16 Proceedings Prior to any Action Requiring Adjustment.................................... 14 2.17 Protection of the Special Warrant Agent................................................. 14 Article 3-Exercise of Special Warrants.................................................................. 15 3.1 Exercise of Special Warrants and Deemed Exercise of Special Warrants.................... 15 3.2 Effect of Exercise of Special Warrants.................................................. 17 3.3 Postponement of Delivery of Certificates................................................ 17 3.4 Cancellation of Special Warrant Certificates............................................ 17 Article 4-Covenants..................................................................................... 18 4.1 General Covenants....................................................................... 18 4.2 Securities Qualification Requirements................................................... 19 4.3 Special Warrant Agent's Remuneration and Expenses....................................... 20 4.4 Performance of Covenants by Special Warrant Agent....................................... 20 Article 5-Enforcement................................................................................... 20 5.1 Suits by Special Warrantholders......................................................... 20 5.2 Immunity of Shareholders, etc........................................................... 21 5.3 Limitation of Liability................................................................. 21 Article 6-Meetings of Special Warrantholders............................................................ 21 6.1 Right to Convene Meetings............................................................... 21
i 6.2 Notice.................................................................................. 21 6.3 Chairman................................................................................ 22 6.4 Quorum.................................................................................. 22 6.5 Power to Adjourn........................................................................ 22 6.6 Show of Hands........................................................................... 22 6.7 Poll and Voting......................................................................... 23 6.8 Regulations............................................................................. 23 6.9 Corporation, Special Warrant Agent and Underwriter may be Represented............................................................................. 24 6.10 Powers Exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution.......................................... 24 6.11 Meaning of Extraordinary Resolution..................................................... 25 6.12 Powers Cumulative....................................................................... 25 6.13 Minutes................................................................................. 26 6.14 Instruments in Writing.................................................................. 26 6.15 Binding Effect of Resolutions........................................................... 26 6.16 Holdings by the Corporation or Associates or Affiliates of the Corporation Disregarded................................................................. 27 Article 7-Supplemental Indentures....................................................................... 27 7.1 Supplemental Indentures................................................................. 27 7.2 Successor Corporations.................................................................. 28 Article 8-Concerning the Special Warrant Agent.......................................................... 28 8.1 Trust Indenture Legislation............................................................. 28 8.2 Rights and Duties of Special Warrant Agent.............................................. 29 8.3 Evidence, Experts and Advisers.......................................................... 30 8.4 Documents, Monies, etc. Held by Special Warrant Agent................................... 31 8.5 Action by Special Warrant Agent to Protect Interests.................................... 31 8.6 Special Warrant Agent Not Required to Give Security..................................... 31 8.7 Protection of Special Warrant Agent..................................................... 32 8.8 Replacement of Special Warrant Agent.................................................... 32 8.9 Conflict of Interest.................................................................... 33 8.10 Acceptance of Trusts.................................................................... 34 8.11 Special Warrant Agent Not to be Appointed Receiver...................................... 34 8.12 Authorization to Carry on Business...................................................... 34 8.13 Liability of Special Warrant Agent...................................................... 34 Article 9-Form of Special Warrant....................................................................... 34 9.1 Form of Special Warrant Certificate..................................................... 34 Article 10-General...................................................................................... 44 10.1 Notice to the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent................................. 44 10.2 Notice to the Special Warrantholders.................................................... 44 10.3 Mail Service Interruption............................................................... 45 10.4 Counterparts and Formal Date............................................................ 45 10.5 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture................................................. 45 10.6 Provisions of Indenture and Special Warrants for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Special Warrantholders................................................... 46
ii
EX-3.4 5 SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT INDENTURE DATED 12/08/99 Exhibit 3.4 BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. - and - CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY ----------------------------------------------- Supplemental Warrant Indenture dated as of December 8, 1999 ----------------------------------------------- THIS Warrant Indenture dated as of the 8th day of December, 1999, is made B E T W E E N: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC., a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (hereinafter called the "Corporation") - and - CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the "Agent") WHEREAS pursuant to a Share Purchase Warrant Indenture dated as of September 30, 1999 (the "Indenture"), the Corporation proposed to create and issue up to 1,621,621 Warrants to be constituted, issued and sold in the manner therein set forth; and WHEREAS the Corporation created and sold 1,854,678 Special Warrants on September 30, 1999; and WHEREAS pursuant to a Supplemental Special Warrant Indenture dated as of October 28, 1999, the Corporation amended the terms of the Special Warrants such that the Unit issuable upon exercise of Special Warrants shall consist of one (1) Common Share and one (1) whole Warrant; and WHEREAS the Corporation has agreed to vary the number and amend the terms of the Warrants described in the Indenture as herein set forth; and WHEREAS the foregoing statements of fact and recitals are made by the Corporation and not the Agent. NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and in further consideration of the mutual covenants herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Except as provided herein expressly or by necessary implication, all capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture. 2. The number of Warrants to be created and issued pursuant to section 2.1 of the Indenture is hereby changed to 2,225,614. 3. The terms of the Warrants are hereby amended to provide that each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on September 30, 2001, one (1) Common Share for $10.00 and the definition of "Purchase Price" is hereby amended accordingly. 4. The definition of "Broker Warrants" is hereby amended by deleting the number "270,270" and substituting therefor the number 185,468. 5. The definition of "Special Warrants" is hereby amended to provide that a Unit shall consist of one (1) Common Share and one (1) whole Warrant or in the event a receipt by the last of the securities regulatory authorities in the Qualifying Provinces for a Prospectus is not obtained on or prior to December 29, 1999, a Unit shall consist of 1.1 Common Shares and 1.1 Warrants. 6. Each Warrant certificate (including the forms attached thereto) issued pursuant to the Indenture and countersigned by the Agent shall hereafter represent the right to purchase one (1) Common Share for $10.00. 7. Except as modified herein expressly or by necessary implication, all other terms and provisions of the Indenture are hereby ratified and confirmed as being in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Indenture as of the 8th day of December, 1999. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. Per: "Mark Wallace" ---------------- CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY Per: "Maxine McDonald" --------------------- Per: "Bruce Cornish" --------------------- EX-3.5 6 SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIAL WARRANT INDENTURE Exhibit 3.5 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIAL WARRANT INDENTURE made as of the 8th day of December, 1999. B E T W E E N: BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC., a corporation constituted under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (hereinafter called the "Corporation") -- and -- CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY, a trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (hereinafter called the " Special Warrant Agent") WHEREAS: A. Pursuant to a special warrant indenture dated as of September 30, 1999 (the "Indenture") between the Corporation and the Special Warrant Agent, the Corporation issued and sold by means of a private placement 1,854,678 special warrants (the "Special Warrants"). Subject to adjustment in certain events, each Special Warrant entitles the holder thereof to receive one (1) unit ("Unit"). Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant ("Share Purchase Warrant"), in the capital of the Corporation, all upon the terms and conditions herein set forth; B. The Corporation now deems it necessary to amend the terms and conditions of the Special Warrants contained in the Indenture as herein provided; C. The Corporation is duly authorized to amend the Special Warrants as herein provided; D. The foregoing recitals are made as representations and statements of fact by the Corporation and not by the Special Warrant Agent. NOW THEREFORE for good and valuable consideration mutually given and received, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed and declared as follows: 1. Except as provided herein expressly or by necessary implication, all capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture. 2. The terms of the Special Warrants as provided in the Indenture are hereby amended to provide that each Special Warrant authorized and issued pursuant to the Indenture shall hereafter entitle the registered holder thereof to acquire (subject to adjustment as provided in sections 2.13 and 2.14 or subsection 2.2(c) of the Indenture) in accordance with section 3.1 of the Indenture, without payment of additional consideration, one (1) Unit, each Unit consisting of one (1) Common Share and one (1) whole Share Purchase Warrant. 3. Each whole Share Purchase Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on September 30, 2001, one (1) Common Share for $10.00 and the definition of Share Purchase Warrant is hereby amended accordingly. 4. Each Special Warrant certificate (including the Exercise Form) issued pursuant to the Indenture and countersigned by the Special Warrant Agent shall hereafter represent the right to receive a Unit consisting of the securities described above. 5. Except as modified herein expressly or by necessary implication, all other terms and provisions of the Indenture are hereby ratified and confirmed as being in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Indenture under the hands of their proper officers duly authorized in that behalf. BID.COM INTERNATIONAL INC. By: "Mark Wallace" ---------------------- CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY By: "Maxine McDonald" ---------------------- By: "Bruce Cornish" ----------------------
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