EX-99.11 30 dex9911.htm OPTION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 22, 2005 Option Agreement dated as of March 22, 2005
Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED OPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 22, 2005 among the following Parties in Beijing:

 

Party A:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing)Co., Ltd.

Legal Address:

  

12/F., Ideal International Plaza, No. 58 North-West 4th Ring, Haidian District, Beijing, PRC, 100080

Party B:

  

Yanhong Li

ID Number:

  

110108196811171874

Party C:

  

Yong Xu

ID Number:

  

110108196408161836

Party D:

  

Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal Address:

  

12/F., Ideal International Plaza, No. 58 North-West 4th Ring, Haidian District, Beijing, PRC, 100080

 

In this Agreement, Party A, Party B, Party C and Party D are called collectively as the “Parties” and each of them is called as the “Party”.

 

WHEREAS:

 

1. Party A, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), which has technology expertise and practical experience in computer software development and design, and also has rich experience and professionals in information technology and service;

 

2. Party B, a liability limited company incorporated in Beijing, is licensed by Beijing Municipal Telecommunication Management Bureau to carry on the value added telecom business such as the Internet Information Service, etc; and is licensed by Beijing Municipal Administration of Industry and Commerce to carry on the business of network of advertisement;

 

3. Party B and Party C are the shareholders of Party D. Party B has the ownership of 75% equity interest in Party D and Party C has the ownership of 25% equity interest in Party D (collectively the “Equity Interest”)

 

4. The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) is entered into by Party A, Party B and Party C on March 22, 2005;

 

5. A series agreements such as the Amended and Restated Exclusive Technology Consultation and Service (the “Service Agreement”) are entered into by Party A and Party D on March 22, 2005;

 

1


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

6. The Amended and Restated Equity Pledge Agreement (the “Equity Pledge Agreement”) is entered into by Party A, Party B and Party C as of March 22, 2005;

 

7. A “Option Agreement” (the “Original Option Agreement”) entered into by Party A, Party B and Party C on April 27, 2004 is hereby to be amended and restated by the Parties.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Equity Interest

 

  1.1 Grant Rights

 

Party B and Party C (hereafter collectively the “Transferor”) hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or cause any designated person (“Designated Persons”) to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC Law, according to the steps determined by Party A, at the price specified in Section 1.3 of this Agreement, at any time from the Transferor a portion or all of the equity interests held by Transferor in Party D (the “Option”). No Option shall be granted to any third party other than Party A and/or the Designated Persons. Party D hereby agrees to the granting of the Option by Party B and Party C to Party A and/or the Designated Persons. The “person” set forth in this clause and this Agreement means an individual person, corporation, joint venture, partnership, enterprise, trust or a non-corporation organization.

 

  1.2 Exercise Steps

 

According to the stipulations of PRC laws and regulation, Party A and/or the Designated Persons may exercise Option by issuing a written notice (the “Notice”) to the Transferor and specifying the equity interest purchased from Transferor (the “Purchased Equity Interest”) and the manner of purchase.

 

  1.3 Purchase Price

 

  1.3.1 For Party A to exercise the Option, the purchase price of the Purchased Equity Interest (“Purchase Price”) shall be equal to the original paid-in price of the Purchased Equity Interest by the Transferor, unless the applicable PRC laws and regulations require appraisal of the equity interests or stipulate other restrictions on the purchase price of equity interests.

 

  1.3.2

If the applicable PRC laws require appraisal of the equity interests or

 

2


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

stipulates other restrictions on the purchase price of Equity Interest at the time that Party A exercise the Option, the Parties agree that the Purchase Price shall be set at the lowest price permissible under the applicable laws.

 

  1.4 Transfer of the Purchased Equity Interest

 

In each time the performance of the Option:

 

  1.4.1 The Transferor shall ask Party D to convene the shareholders’ meeting. During the meeting, the resolution, in which Transferor transfers Equity Interest to Party A and/or the Designated Persons, shall be made;

 

  1.4.2 The Transferor shall, upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Notice related to the Purchased Equity Interest, enter into Equity Interest Transfer Agreement with Party A and/or the Designated Persons (as applicable);

 

  1.4.3 The related parties shall execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approval and consent of the government, conduct all necessary actions, without any security interest, transfer the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity Interest to Party A and/or the Designated Persons, and cause Party A and/or the Designated Persons to be the registered owner of the Purchased Equity Interest. In this Clause and this Agreement, “Security Interest” means the ensure, mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements. But it does not include any security interest subject to the Equity Pledge Agreement.

 

  1.5 Payment

 

The payment of the Purchase Price shall be determined by the consultation of Party A and/or the Designated Persons with the Transferor according to the applicable laws at the performance of Option. The Parties hereby agree that Transferor shall repay any amount that is paid by Party A and/or the Designated Persons to Transferor in connection with the Purchased Equity Interest to Party A in accordance with the laws as the reimbursement of the principal of the loan and its interest or cost under the Loan Agreement allowed by the laws.

 

3


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

2. Promises Relating Equity Interest

 

  2.1 Promises Related to Party D

 

Party B, Party C and Party D hereby promise:

 

  2.1.1 Without prior written consent by Party A, not, in any form, to supplement, change or renew the Articles of Association of Party D, to increase or decrease registered capital of the corporation, or to change the structure of the registered capital in any other forms;

 

  2.1.2 According to fair finance and business standard and tradition, to maintain the existence of the corporation, prudently and effectively operate business and deal with works;

 

  2.1.3 Without prior written consent by Party A, not, upon the execution of this Agreement, to sale, transfer, mortgage or dispose, in any other form, any asset, legitimate or beneficial interest of business or income of Party D, or to approve any other security interest set on it;

 

  2.1.4 Without prior written notice by Party A, not cause, inherit guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from normal or daily business but not from borrowing; and (ii) the debt disclosed to Party A and obtained the written consent from Party A;

 

  2.1.5 To normally operate all business to maintain the asset value of Party D, without make any action or nonfeasance that sufficiently affects its operation and asset value;

 

  2.1.6 Without prior written consent by Party A, not to enter into any material Agreement, other than the Agreement in the process of normal business (As in this paragraph, the amount in the Agreement that exceeds a hundred thousand Yuan (RMB 100,000) shall be deemed as a material Agreement);

 

  2.1.7 Without prior written consent by Party A, not to provide loan or credit loan to any others;

 

  2.1.8 Upon the request of Party A, to provide all materials of operation and finance relevant to Party D;

 

  2.1.9 Purchases and holds the insurance from the insurance company accepted by Party A, the insurance amount and category shall be the same with those held by the companies in the same area, operating the similar business and owning the similar properties and assets with Party D;

 

4


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

  2.1.10 Without prior written consent by Party A, not to merger or associate with any person, or acquire or invest in any person;

 

  2.1.11 To notify Party A of the occurrence or the potential occurrence of the litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party D;

 

  2.1.12 In order to keep the ownership of Party D to all its assets, to execute all requisite or appropriate documents, do all requisite or appropriate action, and advance all requisite or appropriate accusation, or make requisite or appropriate plea for all claims;

 

  2.1.13 Without prior written notice by Party A, not to assign equity interests to shareholders in any form, but to assign all or part of its assignable profits to their own shareholders upon the request by Party A;

 

  2.1.14 According to the request of Party A, to appoint any person designated by Party A to be the directors of Party D.

 

  2.2 Promises Related to Transferor

 

Party B and Party C hereby promise:

 

  2.2.1 Without prior written consent by Party A, not, upon the execution of this Agreement, to sale, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form any legitimate or beneficial interest of equity interest, or to approve any other security interest set on it, with the exception of the pledge set on the equity interest of the Transferor subject to Equity Pledge Agreement;

 

  2.2.2 Without the prior written notice by Party A, not to decide or support or execute any shareholders resolution on the Party D’s shareholders’ meeting that approves any sale, transfer, mortgage or dispose of any legitimate or beneficial interest of equity interest, or allows any other security interest set on it, other than the pledge on the equity interests of Transferor pursuant to Equity Pledge Agreement;

 

  2.2.3 With no prior written notice by Party A, they shall not agree or support or execute any shareholders resolution on the Party D’s shareholders’ meeting that approves Party D to merger or associate with any person, acquire any person or invest in any person;

 

5


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

  2.2.4 To notify Party A the occurrence or the potential occurrence of the litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the equity interest owned by them;

 

  2.2.5 To cause the Board of Shareholders approving the transfer of the Purchased Equity Interest subject to this Agreement;

 

  2.2.6 In order to keep its ownership of the equity interest, to execute all requisite or appropriate documents, conduct all requisite or appropriate actions, and make all requisite or appropriate claims, or make requisite or appropriate defend against fall claims of compensation;

 

  2.2.7 Upon the request of Party A, to appoint any person designated by Party A to be the directors of Party D;

 

  2.2.8 Upon the request of Party A at any time, to transfer its equity interest immediately to the representative designated by Party A unconditionally at any time and abandon its prior right of first refusal of such equity interest transferring to another available shareholder;

 

  2.2.9 To prudently comply with the provisions of this Agreement and other Agreements entered into collectively or respectively by the Transferor, Party D and Party A and perform all obligations under these Agreements, without taking any action or any nonfeasance that sufficiently affects the validity and enforceability of these Agreements;

 

3. Representations and Warranties

 

As of the execution date of this Agreement and every transferring date, the Transferor and Party D hereby represents and warrants collectively and respectively to Party A as follows:

 

  3.1 It has the power and ability to enter into and deliver this Agreement, and any equity interest transferring Agreement (“Transferring Agreement”, respectively) having it as a party, for every single transfer of the Purchased Equity Interest according to this Agreement, and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement. Upon execution, this Agreement and the Transferring Agreements having it as a party constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

 

  3.2 The execution, delivery of this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement

 

6


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

and performance of the obligations under this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement do not: (i) cause to violate any relevant laws and regulations of PRC; (ii) constitute a conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) cause to breach any Agreement or instruments to which it is a party or having binding obligation on it, or constitute the breach under any Agreement or instruments to which it is a party or having binding obligation on it; (iv) cause to violate relevant authorization of any consent or approval to it and/or any continuing valid condition; or (v) cause any consent or approval authorized to it to be suspended, removed, or into which other requests be added;

 

  3.3 Party D bears the kind and sellable ownership of all assets. Party D does not set any security interest on the said assets;

 

  3.4 Party D does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from its normal business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained by the written consent from Party A;

 

  3.5 Party D comply with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;

 

  3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the equity interest and assets of Party D or the corporation is in the process, to be settled or potentially take place;

 

  3.7 The Transferor bears the fair and salable ownership of its equity interest without setting any security interest on the aforesaid assets, other than the security interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.

 

4. Assignment of Agreement

 

  4.1 Party B, Party C and Party D shall not transfer their rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the Party A.

 

  4.2 Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agrees that Party A shall be able to transfer all of its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any third party with its needs, and such transfer shall only be subject to a written notice sent to Party B, Party C and Party D by Party A, and no any further consent from Party B, Party C and Party D will be required.

 

5. Effective Date and Term

 

  5.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth above. The Original Option Agreement shall be replaced by this Agreement upon its effectiveness.

 

7


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

  5.2 The term of this Agreement is ten (10) years unless the early termination in accordance with this Agreement or other terms of the relevant agreements stipulated by the Parties. This Agreement may be extended according to the written consent of Party A before the expiration of this Agreement. The term of extension will be decided unanimously through the consultation of the Parties.

 

  5.3 If Party A or Party D terminated by the expiration of its operating period (including any extended period) or other causes in the term set forth in Section 5.2, this Agreement shall be terminated simultaneously, except Party A has transferred its rights and obligations in accordance with Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

 

6. Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

 

  6.1 Applicable Law

 

The execution, validity, construing and performance of this Agreement and the disputes resolution under this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of PRC.

 

  6.2 Dispute Resolution

 

The parties shall strive to settle any dispute arising from the interpretation or performance in connection with this Agreement through friendly consultation. In case no settlement can be reached through consultation within thirty (30) days after such dispute is raised, each party can submit such matter to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (the “CIETAC”) in accordance with its rules. The arbitration shall take place in Beijing and the proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final conclusive and binding upon both parties.

 

7. Taxes and Expenses

 

Every Party shall, according to the PRC laws, bear any and all registering taxes, costs and expenses for equity transfer arising from the preparation and execution of this Agreement and all Transferring Agreements, and the completion of the transactions under this Agreement and all Transferring Agreements.

 

8


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

8. Notices

 

Notices or other communications required to be given by any party pursuant to this Agreement shall be written in English and Chinese and delivered personally or sent by registered mail or postage prepaid mail or by a recognized courier service or by facsimile transmission to the address of relevant each party or both parties set forth below or other address of the party or of the other addressees specified by such party from time to time. The date when the notice is deemed to be duly served shall be determined as the follows: (a) a notice delivered personally is deemed duly served upon the delivery; (b) a notice sent by mail is deemed duly served the tenth (10th) day after the date when the air registered mail with postage prepaid has been sent out (as is shown on the postmark), or the fourth (4th) day after the delivery date to the internationally recognized courier service agency; and (c) a notice sent by facsimile transmission is deemed duly served upon the receipt time as is shown on the transmission confirmation of relevant documents.

 

Party A:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology(Beijing)Co., Ltd.

Legal Address:

  

12 Floor, LiXiang International Building, 58 West Road of North fourth Circle, Haidian District, Beijing

Fax:

  

[8610-82607009]

Phone:

  

[8610-82621188]

Party B:

  

Yanhong Li

Address:

  

12 Floor, LiXiang International Building, 58 West Road of North fourth Circle, Haidian District, Beijing

Fax:

  

[8610-82607008]

Phone:

  

[8610-82621188]

Party C:

  

Yong Xu

Address:

  

12 Floor, LiXiang International Building, 58 West Road of North fourth Circle, Haidian District, Beijing

Fax:

  

[8610-82607008]

Phone:

  

[8610-82621188]

Party D:

  

Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal Address:

  

12 Floor, LiXiang International Building, 58 West Road of North fourth Circle, Haidian District, Beijing

Fax:

  

[8610-82607008]

Phone:

  

[8610-82621188]

 

9. Confidentiality

 

The Parties acknowledge and confirm any oral or written materials exchanged by the Parties in connection with this Agreement are confidential. The Parties shall maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of all such materials. Without the written approval by the other Parties, any Party shall not disclose to any third party any relevant materials, but the following circumstances shall be excluded:

 

  a. The materials that is known or may be known by the Public (but not include the materials disclosed by each party receiving the materials);

 

9


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

  b. The materials required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of stock exchange; or

 

  c. The materials disclosed by each Party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section. The disclosure of the confidential materials by staff or employed institution of any Party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such materials by such Party, and such Party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the contract. This Clause shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.

 

10. Further Warranties

 

The Parties agree to promptly execute documents reasonably required to perform the provisions and the aim of this Agreement or documents beneficial to it, and to take actions reasonably required to perform the provisions and the aim of this Agreement or actions beneficial to it.

 

11. Miscellaneous

 

  11.1 Amendment, Modification and Supplement

 

Any amendment and supplement of this Agreement shall be made by the Parties in writing. The amendment and supplement duly executed by each Party shall be deemed as a part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

  11.2 Entire Agreement

 

Notwithstanding the Article 5 of this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matters therein and supercede and replace all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings in verb or/and in writing (including but not limited to the Original Option Agreement).

 

  11.3 Severability

 

If any provision of this Agreement is judged as invalid or non-enforceable according to relevant Laws, the provision shall be deemed invalid only within the applicable area of the PRC Laws, and the validity, legality and

 

10


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall, through fairly consultation, replace those invalid, illegal or non-enforceable provisions with valid provisions that may bring the similar economic effects with the effects caused by those invalid, illegal or non-enforceable provisions.

 

  11.4 Headings

 

The headings contained in this Agreement are for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation, explanation or in any other way the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  11.5 Language and Copies

 

This Agreement is executed in Chinese in four (4) copies; each Party holds one and each original copy has the same legal effect.

 

  11.6 Successor

 

This Agreement shall bind and benefit the successor of each Party and the transferee allowed by each Party.

 

  11.7 Survival

 

Any obligation taking place or at term hereof prior to the end or termination ahead of the end of this Agreement shall continue in force and effect notwithstanding the occurrence of the end or termination ahead of the end of the Agreement. Article 6, Article 8, Article 9 and Section 11.7 hereof shall continue in force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.

 

  11.8 Waiver

 

Any Party may waive the terms and conditions of this Agreement in writing with the signature of the Parties. Any waiver by a Party to the breach by other Parties within certain situation shall not be construed as a waiver to any similar breach by other Parties within other situations.

 

IN WITNESS THEREFORE, the parties hereof have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

[No Text Below]

 

11


Exhibit 99.11   TRANSLATION

 

[Signature Page]

 

Party A: Baidu Online Network Technology(Beijing)Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative/Authorized Representative:

 

/s/ Shawn Wang


Seal:

   

 

Party B:   Yanhong Li

Signature:

 

/s/ Yanhong Li


Party C:   Yong Xu

Signature:

 

/s/ Yong Xu


 

Party B: Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative/Authorized Representative:

 

/s/ Yanhong Li


Seal:

   

 

12