-----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, TPxbD5B7GIRxbF/o3GGlW8qzV5rjx7NDuA5SVv6xoz7mGSda82ELn1/6TYUMYz/A 4h0byIWZBJYr/jdXCh1Elg== 0001094328-02-000027.txt : 20020414 0001094328-02-000027.hdr.sgml : 20020414 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001094328-02-000027 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020206 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20020206 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SYCONET COM INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001099234 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MOTION PICTURE & VIDEO TAPE PRODUCTION [7812] IRS NUMBER: 541838089 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-82284 FILM NUMBER: 02528983 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5020 CAMPUS DRIVE CITY: NEWPORT BEACH STATE: CA ZIP: 92660 BUSINESS PHONE: 9499727391 S-8 1 syconets8020602woex.txt U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 SYCONET.COM, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 54-1838089 (State or jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer or organization) Identification No.) 5020 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan (Full title of the Plan) Brian F. Faulkner, A Professional Law Corporation, 3900 Birch Street, Suite 113, Newport Beach, California 92660 (Name and address of agent for service) (949) 975-0544 (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE Title of Amount to be Proposed Proposed Amount of Securities Registered Maximum Aggregate Registration to be Offering Offering Fee Registered Price Per Price Share (1) Common Stock 5,550,000 $0.001 $5,500 $1.33 (1) This offering price per share is established under Rule 457(h)(1) pursuant to the deemed issuance price as set forth in the Retainer Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Consultants, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Form S-8. PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION. See Item 2 below. ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION. The documents containing the information specified in Part I, Items 1 and 2, will be delivered to each of the participants in accordance with Form S-8 and Rule 428 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The participants shall provided a written statement notifying them that upon written or oral request they will be provided, without charge, (i) the documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of the registration statement, and (ii) other documents required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 428(b). The statement will inform the participants that these documents are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus, and shall include the address (giving title or department) and telephone number to which the request is to be directed. PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE. The following are hereby incorporated by reference: (a) The Registrant's latest annual report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, filed on April 27, 2001. (b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-KSB referred to in (a) above. (c) A description of the securities of the Registrant is contained in a Form 10-SB/A filed on April 7, 2000. All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the registration statement and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents. ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. Not Applicable. ITEM 5. INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. Other than as set forth below, no named expert or counsel was hired on a contingent basis, will receive a direct or indirect interest in the small business issuer, or was a promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee of the company. Brian F. Faulkner, A Professional Law Corporation, counsel for the Registrant as giving an opinion on the validity of the securities being registered, will be receiving a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Registrant's Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan under this Form S-8 in exchange for legal services previously rendered, and to be rendered in the future, to the Registrant under an attorney-client contract. These legal services consist of advice and preparation work in connection with reports of the Registrant filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and other general corporate and securities work for the Registrant. Marc R. Tow, A Professional Law Corporation, will be receiving 1,500,000 shares of common stock under this Form S-8 for assistance provided to Mr. Faulkner in his work for the Registrant under that contract. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Limitation of Liability. The articles of incorporation of the Registrant provide the following with respect to the liability of an officer and director: "To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or as it may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of his/her fiduciary duty as a director." Indemnification. (a) Articles of Incorporation. The articles of incorporation of the Registrant provide the following with regard to indemnification: "The Corporation shall indemnify each officer and director of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended from time to time. Any repeal or modification of this Article TENTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification." (b) Bylaws. The bylaws of the Registrant provide the following with respect to indemnification: "No director shall be liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except with respect to (1) a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) liability which may be specifically defined by law or (4) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, it being the intention of the foregoing provision to eliminate the liability of the Corporation's directors to the corporation or its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law each person that such law grants the Corporation the power to indemnify." (c) Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance. (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. (i) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. Not Applicable ITEM 8. EXHIBITS. The Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-B, and an index thereto, are attached. ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (e) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information (h) That insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorize, in the City of Newport Beach, State of California, on February 6, 2002. Syconet.com, Inc. By: /s/ Gary Borglund Gary Borglund, President Special Power of Attorney The undersigned constitute and appoint Gary Borglund their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Form S-8 Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting such attorney-in-fact the full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: Signature Title Date /s/ Gary Borglund President/Director February 6, 2002 Gary Borglund /s/ Richard Nuthmann Secretary/Chief Financial February 6, 2002 Richard Nuthmann Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)/Director EXHIBIT INDEX Number Exhibit Description 4.1 Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan, dated July 1, 2001 (see below). 4.2 Consulting Services Agreement between the Registrant and Richard Nuthmann, dated July 11, 2001 (see below). 4.3 Consulting Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gary Borglund, dated July 11, 2001 (see below). 4.4 Consulting Services Agreement between the Registrant and Richard Epstein, dated July 11, 2001 (see below). 5 Opinion Re: Legality (see below). 23.1 Consent of Accountant (see below). 23.2 Consent of Counsel (see below). EX-4.1 2 syconets8ex41020602.txt EX-4.1 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS AND CONSULTANTS RETAINER STOCK PLAN SYCONET.COM, INC. NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS AND CONSULTANTS RETAINER STOCK PLAN 1. Introduction. This plan shall be known as "Syconet.com, Inc.'s Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan" is hereinafter referred to as the "Plan". The purposes of the Plan are to enable Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by attracting and retaining non-employee Directors and Consultants capable of furthering the future success of the Company and by aligning their economic interests more closely with those of the Company's shareholders, by paying their retainer or fees in the form of shares of the Company's common stock, par value one tenth of one cent ($0.001) per share ("Common Stock"). 2. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. "Change of Control" has the meaning set forth in Section 12(d). "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. References to any provision of the Code or rule or regulation thereunder shall be deemed to include any amended or successor provision, rule or regulation. "Committee" means the committee that administers the Plan, as more fully defined in Section 13. "Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in Section 1. "Company" has the meaning set forth in Section 1. "Deferral Election" has the meaning set forth in Section 6. "Deferred Stock Account" means a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for a Participant representing the Participant's interest in the shares credited to such Deferred Stock Account pursuant to Section 7. "Delivery Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 6. "Director" means an individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. "Dividend Equivalent" for a given dividend or other distribution means a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, as of the record date for such dividend or distribution, equal to the amount of cash, plus the fair market value on the date of distribution of any property, that is distributed with respect to one share of Common Stock pursuant to such dividend or distribution; such fair market value to be determined by the Committee in good faith. "Effective Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3. "Exchange Act" has the meaning set forth in Section 13(b). "Fair Market Value" means the mean between the highest and lowest reported sales prices of the Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape or, if not listed on such exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or on NASDAQ on the last trading day prior to the date with respect to which the Fair Market Value is to be determined. "Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 4. "Payment Time" means the time when a Stock Retainer is payable to a Participant pursuant to Section 5 (without regard to the effect of any Deferral Election). "Stock Retainer" has the meaning set forth in Section 5. "Third Anniversary" has the meaning set forth in Section 6. 3. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan was adopted by the Board effective July 1, 2001 ("Effective Date"). 4. Eligibility. Each individual who is a Director or Consultant on the Effective Date and each individual who becomes a Director or Consultant thereafter during the term of the Plan, shall be a participant ("Participant") in the Plan, in each case during such period as such individual remains a Director or Consultant and is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Each credit of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company and a Participant, if such an agreement is required by the Company to assure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. 5. Grants of Shares. Commencing on the Effective Date, the amount for service to directors or consultants shall instead be payable in shares of Common Stock ("Stock Retainer") pursuant to this Plan at the deemed issuance price of one tenth of one cent ($0.001) per Share. 6. Deferral Option. From and after the Effective Date, a Participant may make an election (a "Deferral Election") on an annual basis to defer delivery of the Stock Retainer specifying which one of the following way the Stock Retainer is to be delivered: (a) on the date which is three years after the Effective Date for which it was originally payable ("Third Anniversary"), (b) on the date upon which the Participant ceases to be a Director or Consultant for any reason ("Departure Date") or (c) in five equal annual installments commencing on the Departure Date ("Third Anniversary" and "Departure Date" each being referred to herein as a "Delivery Date"). Such Deferral Election shall remain in effect for each Subsequent Year unless changed, provided that, any Deferral Election with respect to a particular Year may not be changed less than six (6) months prior to the beginning of such Year and provided, further, that no more than one Deferral Election or change thereof may be made in any Year. Any Deferral Election and any change or revocation thereof shall be made by delivering written notice thereof to the Committee no later than six (6) months prior to the beginning of the Year in which it is to be effected; provided that, with respect to the Year beginning on the Effective Date, any Deferral Election or revocation thereof must be delivered no later than the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) day after the Effective Date. 7. Deferred Stock Accounts. The Company shall maintain a Deferred Stock Account for each Participant who makes a Deferral Election to which shall be credited, as of the applicable Payment Time, the number of shares of Common Stock payable pursuant to the Stock Retainer to which the Deferral Election relates. So long as any amounts in such Deferred Stock Account have not been delivered to the Participant under Section 8, each Deferred Stock Account shall be credited as of the payment date for any dividend paid or other distribution made with respect to the Common Stock, with a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (a) the number of shares of Common Stock shown in such Deferred Stock Account on the record date for such dividend or distribution multiplied by (b) the Dividend Equivalent for such dividend or distribution. 8. Delivery of Shares. (a) The shares of Common Stock in a Participant's Deferred Stock Account with respect to any Stock Retainer for which a Deferral Election has been made (together with dividends attributable to such shares credited to such Deferred Stock Account) shall be delivered in accordance with this Section 8 as soon as practicable after the applicable Delivery Date. Except with respect to a Deferral Election pursuant to Section 6(c), or other agreement between the parties, such shares shall be delivered at one time; provided that, if the number of shares so delivered includes a fractional share, such number shall be rounded to the nearest whole number of shares. If the Participant has in effect a Deferral Election pursuant to Section 6(c), then such shares shall be delivered in five equal annual installments (together with dividends attributable to such shares credited to such Deferred Stock Account), with the first such installment being delivered on the first anniversary of the Delivery Date; provided that, if in order to equalize such installments, fractional shares would have to be delivered, such installments shall be adjusted by rounding to the nearest whole share. If any such shares are to be delivered after the Participant has died or become legally incompetent, they shall be delivered to the Participant's estate or legal guardian, as the case may be, in accordance with the foregoing; provided that, if the Participant dies with a Deferral Election pursuant to Section 6(c) in effect, the Committee shall deliver all remaining undelivered shares to the Participant's estate immediately. References to a Participant in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Participant's estate or legal guardian, where appropriate. (b) The Company may, but shall not be required to, create a grantor trust or utilize an existing grantor trust (in either case, "Trust") to assist it in accumulating the shares of Common Stock needed to fulfill its obligations under this Section 8. However, Participants shall have no beneficial or other interest in the Trust and the assets thereof, and their rights under the Plan shall be as general creditors of the Company, unaffected by the existence or nonexistence of the Trust, except that deliveries of Stock Retainers to Participants from the Trust shall, to the extent thereof, be treated as satisfying the Company's obligations under this Section 8. 9. Share Certificates; Voting and Other Rights. The certificates for shares delivered to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 above shall be issued in the name of the Participant, and from and after the date of such issuance the Participant shall be entitled to all rights of a shareholder with respect to Common Stock for all such shares issued in his or her name, including the right to vote the shares, and the Participant shall receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto. 10. General Restrictions. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) Listing or approval for listing upon official notice of issuance of such shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., or such other securities exchange as may at the time be a market for the Common Stock; (ii) Any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification which the Committee shall, upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) Obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable. (b) Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for the Participants. 11. Shares Available. Subject to Section 12 below, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may in the aggregate be paid as Stock Retainers pursuant to the Plan is Ten Million (10,000,000). Shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan may be taken from treasury shares of the Company or purchased on the open market. 12. Adjustments; Change of Control. (a) In the event that there is, at any time after the Board adopts the Plan, any change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, warrants or rights offering to purchase Common Stock at a price below its fair market value, reclassification, or recapitalization, or a corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other extraordinary distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company (each of the foregoing a "Transaction"), in each case other than any such Transaction which constitutes a Change of Control (as defined below), (i) the Deferred Stock Accounts shall be credited with the amount and kind of shares or other property which would have been received by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock held in such Deferred Stock Account had such shares of Common Stock been outstanding as of the effectiveness of any such Transaction, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other property subject to the Plan shall likewise be appropriately adjusted to reflect the effectiveness of any such Transaction and (iii) the Committee shall appropriately adjust any other relevant provisions of the Plan and any such modification by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on all persons. (b) If the shares of Common Stock credited to the Deferred Stock Accounts are converted pursuant to Section 12(a) into another form of property, references in the Plan to the Common Stock shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to such other form of property, with such other modifications as may be required for the Plan to operate in accordance with its purposes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, references to delivery of certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to refer to delivery of cash and the incidents of ownership of any other property held in the Deferred Stock Accounts. (c) In lieu of the adjustment contemplated by Section 12(a), in the event of a Change of Control, the following shall occur on the date of the Change of Control: (i) the shares of Common Stock held in each Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be deemed to be issued and outstanding as of the Change of Control; (ii) the Company shall forthwith deliver to each Participant who has a Deferred Stock Account all of the shares of Common Stock or any other property held in such Participant's Deferred Stock Account; and (iii) the Plan shall be terminated. (d) For purposes of this Plan, Change of Control shall mean any of the following events: (i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of either (a) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company ("Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (b) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors ("Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (a) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company), (b) any acquisition by the Company, (c) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (d) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph (iii) of this Section 12(d) are satisfied; or (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of the Company (as of the date hereof, "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or (iii) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation, unless, following such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation (a) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (b) no Person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (c) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger, binding share exchange or consolidation; or (iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (a) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (b) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition, (x) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (y) no Person (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (z) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company. 13. Administration; Amendment and Termination. (a) The Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting of three members who shall be the current directors of the Company or senior executive officers or other directors who are not Participants as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer ("Committee"), which shall have full authority to construe and interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to take all such actions and make all such determinations in connection with the Plan as it may deem necessary or desirable. (b) The Board may from time to time make such amendments to the Plan, including to preserve or come within any exemption from liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as it may deem proper and in the best interest of the Company without further approval of the Company's stockholders, provided that, to the extent required under Florida law or to qualify transactions under the Plan for exemption under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, no amendment to the Plan shall be adopted without further approval of the Company's stockholders and, provided, further, that if and to the extent required for the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, no amendment to the Plan shall be made more than once in any six (6) month period that would change the amount, price or timing of the grants of Common Stock hereunder other than to comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations thereunder. (c) The Board may terminate the Plan at any time by a vote of a majority of the members thereof. 14. Miscellaneous. (a) Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Board to nominate any Director for reelection by the Company's shareholders or to limit the rights of the shareholders to remove any Director. (b) The Company shall have the right to require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, that a Participant make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee for the withholding of any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the issuance or delivery of such shares, including without limitation by the withholding of shares that would otherwise be so issued or delivered, by withholding from any other payment due to the Participant, or by a cash payment to the Company by the Participant. 15. Governing Law. The Plan and all actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Syconet.com, Inc. By: /s/ Gary Borglund Gary Borglund, President EX-4.2 3 syconets8ex42020602.txt EX-4.2 CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT This Consulting Services Agreement ("Agreement"), dated July 11, 2001, is made by and between Richard Nuthmann, an individual ("Consultant"), whose address is 3402 Bimini Lane, #3-F, Coconut Creek, Florida 33066-2049, and Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Client"), having its principal place of business at 5020 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. WHEREAS, Consultant has extensive background in the administrative and accounting areas; WHEREAS, Consultant desires to be engaged by Client to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; WHEREAS, Client is a publicly held corporation with its common stock shares trading on the Pink Sheets LLC under the ticker symbol "SYCD," and desires to further develop its business and increase its common stock share's value; and WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Consultant to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for those services Consultant provides to Client, the parties agree as follows: 1. Services of Consultant. Consultant shall provide services in connection with assisting in due diligence and evaluation of acquisition candidates for Client. As such, Consultant will be providing bona fide services to Client. The services to be provided by Consultant will not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and will not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for Client's securities. 2. Consideration. Client agrees to pay Consultant, as her fee and as consideration for services provided, three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of S-8 free trading common stock in Client. The shares are eligible to be paid upon the effectiveness of a Form S-8 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with any appropriate states securities administrator. 3. Confidentiality. Each party agrees that during the course of this Agreement, information that is confidential or of a proprietary nature may be disclosed to the other party, including, but not limited to, product and business plans, software, technical processes and formulas, source codes, product designs, sales, costs and other unpublished financial information, advertising revenues, usage rates, advertising relationships, projections, and marketing data ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall not include information that the receiving party can demonstrate (a) is, as of the time of its disclosure, or thereafter becomes part of the public domain through a source other than the receiving party, (b) was known to the receiving party as of the time of its disclosure, (c) is independently developed by the receiving party , or (d) is subsequently learned from a third party not under a confidentiality obligation to the providing party. 4. Late Payment. Client shall pay to Consultant all fees within fifteen (15) days of the due date. Failure of Client to finally pay any fees within fifteen (15) days after the applicable due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement, justifying suspension of the performance of the "Services" provided by Consultant, will be sufficient cause for immediate termination of this Agreement by Consultant. Any such suspension will in no way relieve Client from payment of fees, and, in the event of collection enforcement, Client shall be liable for any costs associated with such collection, including, but not limited to, legal costs, attorneys' fees, courts costs, and collection agency fees. 5. Indemnification. (a) Client. Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Consultant and /or his agents, and to defend any action brought against said parties with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees to the extent that such action is based upon a claim that: (i) is true, (ii) would constitute a breach of any of Client's representations, warranties, or agreements hereunder, or (iii) arises out of the negligence or willful misconduct of Client, or any Client Content to be provided by Client and does not violate any rights of third parties, including, without limitation, rights of publicity, privacy, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and/or licenses. (b) Consultant. Consultant agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Client, its directors, employees and agents, and defend any action brought against same with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent that such an action arises out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Consultant. (c) Notice. In claiming any indemnification hereunder, the indemnified party shall promptly provide the indemnifying party with written notice of any claim, which the indemnified party believes falls within the scope of the foregoing paragraphs. The indemnified party may, at its expense, assist in the defense if it so chooses, provided that the indemnifying party shall control such defense, and all negotiations relative to the settlement of any such claim. Any settlement intended to bind the indemnified party shall not be final without the indemnified party's written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. 6. Limitation of Liability. Consultant shall have no liability with respect to Consultant's obligations under this Agreement or otherwise for consequential, exemplary, special, incidental, or punitive damages even if Consultant has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, the liability of Consultant to Client for any reason and upon any cause of action, regardless of the form in which the legal or equitable action may be brought, including, without limitation, any action in tort or contract, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the fee paid by Client to Consultant for the specific service provided that is in question. 7. Termination and Renewal. (a) Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date appearing next to the signatures below and terminate one (1) year thereafter. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by Consultant and Client, this Agreement shall not automatically be renewed beyond its Term. (b) Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) calendar days written notice, or if prior to such action, the other party materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or obligations under this Agreement. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement, such breach by either party will result in the other party being responsible to reimburse the non-defaulting party for all costs incurred directly as a result of the breach of this Agreement, and shall be subject to such damages as may be allowed by law including all attorneys' fees and costs of enforcing this Agreement. (c) Termination and Payment. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Client shall pay all unpaid and outstanding fees through the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement. And upon such termination, Consultant shall provide and deliver to Client any and all outstanding services due through the effective date of this Agreement. 8. Miscellaneous. (a) Independent Contractor. This Agreement establishes an "independent contractor" relationship between Consultant and Client. (b) Rights Cumulative; Waivers. The rights of each of the parties under this Agreement are cumulative. The rights of each of the parties hereunder shall not be capable of being waived or varied other than by an express waiver or variation in writing. Any failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any of such rights shall not operate as a waiver or variation of that or any other such right. Any defective or partial exercise of any of such rights shall not preclude any other or further exercise of that or any other such right. No act or course of conduct or negotiation on the part of any party shall in any way preclude such party from exercising any such right or constitute a suspension or any variation of any such right. (c) Benefit; Successors Bound. This Agreement and the terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, obligations, undertakings, rights, and benefits hereof, shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the undersigned parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. (d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no promises, agreements, conditions, undertakings, understandings, warranties, covenants or representations, oral or written, express or implied, between them with respect to this Agreement or the matters described in this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement. Any such negotiations, promises, or understandings shall not be used to interpret or constitute this Agreement. (e) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any other benefit to accrue hereunder shall be assigned or transferred by either party, either in whole or in part, without the written consent of the other party, and any purported assignment in violation hereof shall be void. (f) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all the parties hereto. (g) Severability. Each part of this Agreement is intended to be severable. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed or modified to the extent necessary to render it enforceable and as so severed or modified, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. (h) Section Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. (i) Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, when used herein, the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, the plural shall be deemed to include each of the singular, and pronouns of one or no gender shall be deemed to include the equivalent pronoun of the other or no gender. (j) Further Assurances. In addition to the instruments and documents to be made, executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, the parties hereto agree to make, execute and deliver or cause to be made, executed and delivered, to the requesting party such other instruments and to take such other actions as the requesting party may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. (k) Notices. Any notice which is required or desired under this Agreement shall be given in writing and may be sent by personal delivery or by mail (either a. United States mail, postage prepaid, or b. Federal Express or similar generally recognized overnight carrier), addressed as follows (subject to the right to designate a different address by notice similarly given): To Client: Gary Borglund, President Syconet.com, Inc. 5020 Campus Drive Newport Beach, California 92660 To Consultant: Richard Nuthmann 3402 Bimini Lane, #3-F Coconut Creek, Florida 33066-2049 (l) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without reference to its conflicts of laws rules or principles. Each of the parties consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts of the State of California in connection with any dispute arising under this Agreement and hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection, including any objection based on forum non coveniens, to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions. (m) Consents. The person signing this Agreement on behalf of each party hereby represents and warrants that he has the necessary power, consent and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of such party. (n) Survival of Provisions. The provisions contained in paragraphs 3, 5, 6, and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement. (o) Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and have agreed to and accepted the terms herein on the date written above. Syconet.com, Inc. By : /s/ Gary Borglund Gary Borglund, President Richard Nuthmann /s/ Richard Nuthmann EX-4.3 4 syconets8ex43020602.txt EX-4.3 CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT This Consulting Services Agreement ("Agreement"), dated July 11, 2001, is made by and between Gary Borglund, an individual ("Consultant"), whose address is 30 South Fourth Street, Suite 565, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415, and Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Client"), having its principal place of business at 5020 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. WHEREAS, Consultant has extensive background in the general business consulting area; WHEREAS, Consultant desires to be engaged by Client to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; WHEREAS, Client is a publicly held corporation with its common stock shares trading on the Pink Sheets LLC under the ticker symbol "SYCD," and desires to further develop its business and increase its common stock share's value; and WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Consultant to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for those services Consultant provides to Client, the parties agree as follows: 1. Services of Consultant. Consultant shall provide services in connection with general business consulting. As such, Consultant will be providing bona fide services to Client. The services to be provided by Consultant will not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital- raising transaction, and will not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for Client's securities. 2. Consideration. Client agrees to pay Consultant, as her fee and as consideration for services provided, one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares of S-8 free trading common stock in Client. The shares are eligible to be paid upon the effectiveness of a Form S-8 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with any appropriate states securities administrator. 3. Confidentiality. Each party agrees that during the course of this Agreement, information that is confidential or of a proprietary nature may be disclosed to the other party, including, but not limited to, product and business plans, software, technical processes and formulas, source codes, product designs, sales, costs and other unpublished financial information, advertising revenues, usage rates, advertising relationships, projections, and marketing data ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall not include information that the receiving party can demonstrate (a) is, as of the time of its disclosure, or thereafter becomes part of the public domain through a source other than the receiving party, (b) was known to the receiving party as of the time of its disclosure, (c) is independently developed by the receiving party , or (d) is subsequently learned from a third party not under a confidentiality obligation to the providing party. 4. Late Payment. Client shall pay to Consultant all fees within fifteen (15) days of the due date. Failure of Client to finally pay any fees within fifteen (15) days after the applicable due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement, justifying suspension of the performance of the "Services" provided by Consultant, will be sufficient cause for immediate termination of this Agreement by Consultant. Any such suspension will in no way relieve Client from payment of fees, and, in the event of collection enforcement, Client shall be liable for any costs associated with such collection, including, but not limited to, legal costs, attorneys' fees, courts costs, and collection agency fees. 5. Indemnification. (a) Client. Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Consultant and /or his agents, and to defend any action brought against said parties with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees to the extent that such action is based upon a claim that: (i) is true, (ii) would constitute a breach of any of Client's representations, warranties, or agreements hereunder, or (iii) arises out of the negligence or willful misconduct of Client, or any Client Content to be provided by Client and does not violate any rights of third parties, including, without limitation, rights of publicity, privacy, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and/or licenses. (b) Consultant. Consultant agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Client, its directors, employees and agents, and defend any action brought against same with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent that such an action arises out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Consultant. (c) Notice. In claiming any indemnification hereunder, the indemnified party shall promptly provide the indemnifying party with written notice of any claim, which the indemnified party believes falls within the scope of the foregoing paragraphs. The indemnified party may, at its expense, assist in the defense if it so chooses, provided that the indemnifying party shall control such defense, and all negotiations relative to the settlement of any such claim. Any settlement intended to bind the indemnified party shall not be final without the indemnified party's written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. 6. Limitation of Liability. Consultant shall have no liability with respect to Consultant's obligations under this Agreement or otherwise for consequential, exemplary, special, incidental, or punitive damages even if Consultant has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, the liability of Consultant to Client for any reason and upon any cause of action, regardless of the form in which the legal or equitable action may be brought, including, without limitation, any action in tort or contract, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the fee paid by Client to Consultant for the specific service provided that is in question. 7. Termination and Renewal. (a) Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date appearing next to the signatures below and terminate one (1) year thereafter. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by Consultant and Client, this Agreement shall not automatically be renewed beyond its Term. (b) Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) calendar days written notice, or if prior to such action, the other party materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or obligations under this Agreement. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement, such breach by either party will result in the other party being responsible to reimburse the non-defaulting party for all costs incurred directly as a result of the breach of this Agreement, and shall be subject to such damages as may be allowed by law including all attorneys' fees and costs of enforcing this Agreement. (c) Termination and Payment. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Client shall pay all unpaid and outstanding fees through the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement. And upon such termination, Consultant shall provide and deliver to Client any and all outstanding services due through the effective date of this Agreement. 8. Miscellaneous. (a) Independent Contractor. This Agreement establishes an "independent contractor" relationship between Consultant and Client. (b) Rights Cumulative; Waivers. The rights of each of the parties under this Agreement are cumulative. The rights of each of the parties hereunder shall not be capable of being waived or varied other than by an express waiver or variation in writing. Any failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any of such rights shall not operate as a waiver or variation of that or any other such right. Any defective or partial exercise of any of such rights shall not preclude any other or further exercise of that or any other such right. No act or course of conduct or negotiation on the part of any party shall in any way preclude such party from exercising any such right or constitute a suspension or any variation of any such right. (c) Benefit; Successors Bound. This Agreement and the terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, obligations, undertakings, rights, and benefits hereof, shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the undersigned parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. (d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no promises, agreements, conditions, undertakings, understandings, warranties, covenants or representations, oral or written, express or implied, between them with respect to this Agreement or the matters described in this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement. Any such negotiations, promises, or understandings shall not be used to interpret or constitute this Agreement. (e) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any other benefit to accrue hereunder shall be assigned or transferred by either party, either in whole or in part, without the written consent of the other party, and any purported assignment in violation hereof shall be void. (f) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all the parties hereto. (g) Severability. Each part of this Agreement is intended to be severable. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed or modified to the extent necessary to render it enforceable and as so severed or modified, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. (h) Section Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. (i) Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, when used herein, the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, the plural shall be deemed to include each of the singular, and pronouns of one or no gender shall be deemed to include the equivalent pronoun of the other or no gender. (j) Further Assurances. In addition to the instruments and documents to be made, executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, the parties hereto agree to make, execute and deliver or cause to be made, executed and delivered, to the requesting party such other instruments and to take such other actions as the requesting party may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. (k) Notices. Any notice which is required or desired under this Agreement shall be given in writing and may be sent by personal delivery or by mail (either a. United States mail, postage prepaid, or b. Federal Express or similar generally recognized overnight carrier), addressed as follows (subject to the right to designate a different address by notice similarly given): To Client: Richard Nuthmann, Secretary Syconet.com, Inc. 5020 Campus Drive Newport Beach, California 92660 To Consultant: Gary Borglund 30 South Fourth Street, Suite 565 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415 (l) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without reference to its conflicts of laws rules or principles. Each of the parties consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts of the State of California in connection with any dispute arising under this Agreement and hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection, including any objection based on forum non coveniens, to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions. (m) Consents. The person signing this Agreement on behalf of each party hereby represents and warrants that he has the necessary power, consent and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of such party. (n) Survival of Provisions. The provisions contained in paragraphs 3, 5, 6, and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement. (o) Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and have agreed to and accepted the terms herein on the date written above. Syconet.com, Inc. By : /s/ Richard Nuthmann Richard Nuthmann, Secretary Gary Borglund /s/ Gary Borglund EX-4.4 5 syconets8ex44020602.txt EX-4.4 CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT This Consulting Services Agreement ("Agreement"), dated July 11, 2001, is made by and between Richard Epstein, an individual ("Consultant"), whose address is 12147 N.W. 9th Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33071, and Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Client"), having its principal place of business at 5020 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. WHEREAS, Consultant has extensive background in the general business consulting area; WHEREAS, Consultant desires to be engaged by Client to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; WHEREAS, Client is a publicly held corporation with its common stock shares trading on the Pink Sheets LLC under the ticker symbol "SYCD," and desires to further develop its business and increase its common stock share's value; and WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Consultant to provide information, evaluation and consulting services to the Client in his areas of knowledge and expertise on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for those services Consultant provides to Client, the parties agree as follows: 1. Services of Consultant. Consultant shall provide services in connection with general business consulting. As such, Consultant will be providing bona fide services to Client. The services to be provided by Consultant will not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital- raising transaction, and will not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for Client's securities. 2. Consideration. Client agrees to pay Consultant, as her fee and as consideration for services provided, seven hundred fifty thousand (750,000) shares of S-8 free trading common stock in Client. The shares are eligible to be paid upon the effectiveness of a Form S-8 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with any appropriate states securities administrator. 3. Confidentiality. Each party agrees that during the course of this Agreement, information that is confidential or of a proprietary nature may be disclosed to the other party, including, but not limited to, product and business plans, software, technical processes and formulas, source codes, product designs, sales, costs and other unpublished financial information, advertising revenues, usage rates, advertising relationships, projections, and marketing data ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall not include information that the receiving party can demonstrate (a) is, as of the time of its disclosure, or thereafter becomes part of the public domain through a source other than the receiving party, (b) was known to the receiving party as of the time of its disclosure, (c) is independently developed by the receiving party , or (d) is subsequently learned from a third party not under a confidentiality obligation to the providing party. 4. Late Payment. Client shall pay to Consultant all fees within fifteen (15) days of the due date. Failure of Client to finally pay any fees within fifteen (15) days after the applicable due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement, justifying suspension of the performance of the "Services" provided by Consultant, will be sufficient cause for immediate termination of this Agreement by Consultant. Any such suspension will in no way relieve Client from payment of fees, and, in the event of collection enforcement, Client shall be liable for any costs associated with such collection, including, but not limited to, legal costs, attorneys' fees, courts costs, and collection agency fees. 5. Indemnification. (a) Client. Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Consultant and /or his agents, and to defend any action brought against said parties with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees to the extent that such action is based upon a claim that: (i) is true, (ii) would constitute a breach of any of Client's representations, warranties, or agreements hereunder, or (iii) arises out of the negligence or willful misconduct of Client, or any Client Content to be provided by Client and does not violate any rights of third parties, including, without limitation, rights of publicity, privacy, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and/or licenses. (b) Consultant. Consultant agrees to indemnify, defend, and shall hold harmless Client, its directors, employees and agents, and defend any action brought against same with respect to any claim, demand, cause of action, debt or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent that such an action arises out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Consultant. (c) Notice. In claiming any indemnification hereunder, the indemnified party shall promptly provide the indemnifying party with written notice of any claim, which the indemnified party believes falls within the scope of the foregoing paragraphs. The indemnified party may, at its expense, assist in the defense if it so chooses, provided that the indemnifying party shall control such defense, and all negotiations relative to the settlement of any such claim. Any settlement intended to bind the indemnified party shall not be final without the indemnified party's written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. 6. Limitation of Liability. Consultant shall have no liability with respect to Consultant's obligations under this Agreement or otherwise for consequential, exemplary, special, incidental, or punitive damages even if Consultant has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, the liability of Consultant to Client for any reason and upon any cause of action, regardless of the form in which the legal or equitable action may be brought, including, without limitation, any action in tort or contract, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the fee paid by Client to Consultant for the specific service provided that is in question. 7. Termination and Renewal. (a) Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date appearing next to the signatures below and terminate one (1) year thereafter. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by Consultant and Client, this Agreement shall not automatically be renewed beyond its Term. (b) Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) calendar days written notice, or if prior to such action, the other party materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or obligations under this Agreement. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement, such breach by either party will result in the other party being responsible to reimburse the non-defaulting party for all costs incurred directly as a result of the breach of this Agreement, and shall be subject to such damages as may be allowed by law including all attorneys' fees and costs of enforcing this Agreement. (c) Termination and Payment. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Client shall pay all unpaid and outstanding fees through the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement. And upon such termination, Consultant shall provide and deliver to Client any and all outstanding services due through the effective date of this Agreement. 8. Miscellaneous. (a) Independent Contractor. This Agreement establishes an "independent contractor" relationship between Consultant and Client. (b) Rights Cumulative; Waivers. The rights of each of the parties under this Agreement are cumulative. The rights of each of the parties hereunder shall not be capable of being waived or varied other than by an express waiver or variation in writing. Any failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any of such rights shall not operate as a waiver or variation of that or any other such right. Any defective or partial exercise of any of such rights shall not preclude any other or further exercise of that or any other such right. No act or course of conduct or negotiation on the part of any party shall in any way preclude such party from exercising any such right or constitute a suspension or any variation of any such right. (c) Benefit; Successors Bound. This Agreement and the terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, obligations, undertakings, rights, and benefits hereof, shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the undersigned parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. (d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no promises, agreements, conditions, undertakings, understandings, warranties, covenants or representations, oral or written, express or implied, between them with respect to this Agreement or the matters described in this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement. Any such negotiations, promises, or understandings shall not be used to interpret or constitute this Agreement. (e) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any other benefit to accrue hereunder shall be assigned or transferred by either party, either in whole or in part, without the written consent of the other party, and any purported assignment in violation hereof shall be void. (f) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all the parties hereto. (g) Severability. Each part of this Agreement is intended to be severable. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed or modified to the extent necessary to render it enforceable and as so severed or modified, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. (h) Section Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. (i) Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, when used herein, the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, the plural shall be deemed to include each of the singular, and pronouns of one or no gender shall be deemed to include the equivalent pronoun of the other or no gender. (j) Further Assurances. In addition to the instruments and documents to be made, executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, the parties hereto agree to make, execute and deliver or cause to be made, executed and delivered, to the requesting party such other instruments and to take such other actions as the requesting party may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. (k) Notices. Any notice which is required or desired under this Agreement shall be given in writing and may be sent by personal delivery or by mail (either a. United States mail, postage prepaid, or b. Federal Express or similar generally recognized overnight carrier), addressed as follows (subject to the right to designate a different address by notice similarly given): To Client: Gary Borglund, President Syconet.com, Inc. 5020 Campus Drive Newport Beach, California 92660 To Consultant: Richard Epstein 12147 N.W. 9th Drive Coral Springs, Florida 33071 (l) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without reference to its conflicts of laws rules or principles. Each of the parties consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts of the State of California in connection with any dispute arising under this Agreement and hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any objection, including any objection based on forum non coveniens, to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions. (m) Consents. The person signing this Agreement on behalf of each party hereby represents and warrants that he has the necessary power, consent and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of such party. (n) Survival of Provisions. The provisions contained in paragraphs 3, 5, 6, and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement. (o) Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and have agreed to and accepted the terms herein on the date written above. Syconet.com, Inc. By : /s/ Gary Borglund Gary Borglund, President Richard Epstein /s/ Richard Epstein EX-5 6 syconets8ex5020602.txt EX-5 OPINION RE: LEGALITY Brian F. Faulkner A Professional Law Corporation 3900 Birch Street, Suite 113 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 975-0544 February 4, 2002 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Syconet.com, Inc. - Form S-8 Dear Sir/Madame: I have acted as counsel to Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the registration of 5,550,000 shares of its common stock ("Shares"), $0.001 par value per Share. The Shares are issuable pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan. In my representation I have examined such documents, corporate records, and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion, including, but not limited to, the Articles of Incorporation, and all amendments thereto, and Bylaws of the Company. Based upon and in reliance on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and assumptions set forth below, it is my opinion that the Company is duly organized and validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, and that the Shares, when issued and sold, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. My opinion is limited by and subject to the following: (a) In rendering my opinion I have assumed that, at the time of each issuance and sale of the Shares, the Company will be a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. (b) In my examination of all documents, certificates and records, I have assumed without investigation the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies and the authenticity and completeness of the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies. I have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authority of all persons executing documents on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. As to matters of fact material to this opinion, I have relied upon statements and representations of representatives of the Company and of public officials and have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be accurate. (c) My opinion is based solely on and limited to the federal laws of the United States of America and the Delaware General Corporation Law. I express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction. Sincerely, /s/ Brian F. Faulkner Brian F. Faulkner, Esq. EX-23.1 7 syconets8ex231020602.txt EX-23.1 CONSENT OF ACCOUNTANT Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. 50 South Cameron Street Winchester, Virginia 22602 (540) 662-3417 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Syconet.com, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report, dated April 5, 2001, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Syconet.com, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement. /s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. Winchester, Virginia February 6, 2002 EX-23.2 8 syconets8ex232020602.txt EX-23.2 CONSENT OF COUNSEL Brian F. Faulkner A Professional Law Corporation 3900 Birch Street, Suite 113 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 975-0544 February 4, 2002 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Syconet.com, Inc. - Form S-8 Dear Sir/Madame: I have acted as counsel to Syconet.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the registration of 5,550,000 shares of its common stock ("Shares"), $0.001 par value per Share. The Shares are issuable pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Directors and Consultants Retainer Stock Plan. I hereby consent to all references to my firm included in this Registration Statement, including the opinion of legality. Sincerely, /s/ Brian F. Faulkner Brian F. Faulkner, Esq. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----